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General Category => Off the Record => Topic started by: Liep on March 11, 2009, 02:57:29 PM

Title: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 11, 2009, 02:57:29 PM
What a game by Liverpool last night. 8) The Spaniards got what they had coming, and apparently now it's the Italians turn. ManU starts the game against Inter with dominance.
Title: Re: Football Thread
Post by: Liep on March 11, 2009, 03:00:15 PM
Also, it's always fun to see a Portuguese team getting their arses kicked. 12 - 1. :D
Title: Re: Football Thread
Post by: Valmy on March 11, 2009, 03:30:46 PM
Austin just got their first professional soccer team!  It is the second league behind the Major Leagues and the parent club is Stoke City FC.  They tied Houston Dynamo, a Major League team, in an exhibition match and their first real match ever will be the day I get married.

I look forward to going to their games this spring.

The name of the club is, of course, horrendous: Austin Aztex (Tex like for Texas and Aztex as in the Aztecs get it?  Yuk yuk.)

Hopefully I can get past that.

They are playing the Vancouver Whitecaps on the 21st of April...I am sort of toying with that date.
Title: Re: Football Thread
Post by: Liep on March 11, 2009, 03:34:33 PM
What's this fascination with giving the team a second name? Austin would do fine unless you have two teams.
Title: Re: Football Thread
Post by: Valmy on March 11, 2009, 03:40:22 PM
Quote from: Liep on March 11, 2009, 03:34:33 PM
What's this fascination with giving the team a second name? Austin would do fine unless you have two teams.

Austin FC would have been fine.  There is an American tradition of each sports club having a nickname or a mascot that they are trying to cater to here.
Title: Re: Football Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on March 11, 2009, 03:41:39 PM
Quote from: Valmy on March 11, 2009, 03:30:46 PM

The name of the club is, of course, horrendous: Austin Aztex (Tex like for Texas and Aztex as in the Aztecs get it?  Yuk yuk.)



Hilarious.
Title: Re: Football Thread
Post by: Liep on March 11, 2009, 03:43:39 PM
Quote from: Valmy on March 11, 2009, 03:40:22 PM
Austin FC would have been fine.  There is an American tradition of each sports club having a nickname or a mascot that they are trying to cater to here.
If you have to name every team in all your sports league with a nickname you set yourself up for fail. They've starting doing it here for basketball and icehockey teams and it's seriously retarded.
Title: Re: Football Thread
Post by: Valmy on March 11, 2009, 03:44:55 PM
Quote from: Sulla on March 11, 2009, 03:41:39 PM
Quote from: Valmy on March 11, 2009, 03:30:46 PM

The name of the club is, of course, horrendous: Austin Aztex (Tex like for Texas and Aztex as in the Aztecs get it?  Yuk yuk.)



Hilarious.

I know I know

It sounds like a name for a pee wee league team.  I wish we still had the bleeding smilie.
Title: Re: Football Thread
Post by: Valmy on March 11, 2009, 03:47:19 PM
Quote from: Liep on March 11, 2009, 03:43:39 PM
Quote from: Valmy on March 11, 2009, 03:40:22 PM
Austin FC would have been fine.  There is an American tradition of each sports club having a nickname or a mascot that they are trying to cater to here.
If you have to name every team in all your sports league with a nickname you set yourself up for fail. They've starting doing it here for basketball and icehockey teams and it's seriously retarded.

Yeah well it is tradition here.  But I do not really see why soccer teams need to follow this particular tradition.  DC United is just DC United and nobody complains they are the the DC United Iraqi killers or something.
Title: Re: Football Thread
Post by: Liep on March 11, 2009, 03:50:03 PM
You're bound to run out of good names.
Title: Re: Football Thread
Post by: Valmy on March 11, 2009, 03:59:05 PM
Quote from: Liep on March 11, 2009, 03:50:03 PM
You're bound to run out of good names.

We used to just use the same names alot when sports were very regional.  There are tons of teams called 'Tigers' or 'Wild Cats' or 'Bears' and so forth.  Yet today now each team has to have its own new name not used before by the hundreds of clubs and leagues that exist.
Title: Re: Football Thread
Post by: Liep on March 11, 2009, 04:21:26 PM
Figo is still playing. :O Him and Giggs must have over a hundred years between them.
Title: Re: Football Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 11, 2009, 04:31:22 PM
Quote from: Valmy on March 11, 2009, 03:30:46 PM
Austin just got their first professional soccer team!  It is the second league behind the Major Leagues and the parent club is Stoke City FC.  They tied Houston Dynamo, a Major League team, in an exhibition match and their first real match ever will be the day I get married.


How does that work?
I thought you guys had no promotion/relegation.
Title: Re: Football Thread
Post by: Valmy on March 11, 2009, 05:14:06 PM
Quote from: Tyr on March 11, 2009, 04:31:22 PM
How does that work?
I thought you guys had no promotion/relegation.

Players get promoted through the leagues but the teams themselves do not.  It is what is called the 'Soccer Pyramid'.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Soccer_Pyramid

Only the top three levels are professional leagues, the rest are amateurs.

Austin is in the United Soccer League first division
Title: Re: Football Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 11, 2009, 05:20:29 PM
Quote from: Valmy on March 11, 2009, 03:30:46 PM
Austin just got their first professional soccer team!  It is the second league behind the Major Leagues and the parent club is Stoke City FC.  They tied Houston Dynamo, a Major League team, in an exhibition match and their first real match ever will be the day I get married.

I look forward to going to their games this spring.

The name of the club is, of course, horrendous: Austin Aztex (Tex like for Texas and Aztex as in the Aztecs get it?  Yuk yuk.)

Hopefully I can get past that.

They are playing the Vancouver Whitecaps on the 21st of April...I am sort of toying with that date.
That's cool. However, Austin teams suck. When I played youth soccer we always had a good time beating them into dust.
Title: Re: Football Thread
Post by: Liep on March 11, 2009, 05:26:40 PM
Roma - Arsenal, penalties. I'll root for the Gunners since they got the only Dane, even if he's got pink shoes.
Title: Re: Football Thread
Post by: Liep on March 11, 2009, 05:27:27 PM
And I tainted them. :( What a horrendous kick from the Arsenal player.
Title: Re: Football Thread
Post by: Warspite on March 11, 2009, 06:06:18 PM
Quote from: Liep on March 11, 2009, 05:27:27 PM
And I tainted them. :( What a horrendous kick from the Arsenal player.

We still went through. Four English clubs in the quarter finals! Eat it, Blatter.
Title: Re: Football Thread
Post by: Saladin on March 11, 2009, 07:05:05 PM
Quote from: Warspite on March 11, 2009, 06:06:18 PM
Quote from: Liep on March 11, 2009, 05:27:27 PM
And I tainted them. :( What a horrendous kick from the Arsenal player.

We still went through. Four English clubs in the quarter finals! Eat it, Blatter.

Appearantly he did... ;)
Title: Re: Football Thread
Post by: katmai on March 11, 2009, 07:07:01 PM
Quote from: Warspite on March 11, 2009, 06:06:18 PM


We still went through. Four English clubs in the quarter finals! Eat it, Blatter.

they did? Wooo!
Title: Re: Football Thread
Post by: I Killed Kenny on March 11, 2009, 07:07:51 PM
LOL @ Mourinho
Title: Re: Football Thread
Post by: Cerr on March 11, 2009, 07:18:59 PM
Great win for Liverpool last night.

Should be some interesting games in the quarters.
When's the draw for it?
Title: Re: Football Thread
Post by: Liep on March 11, 2009, 07:25:43 PM
Quote from: Cerr on March 11, 2009, 07:18:59 PM
Great win for Liverpool last night.

Should be some interesting games in the quarters.
When's the draw for it?

March 20. Now we just need Porto and Bayern out and it'll be a good tournament.
Title: Re: Football Thread
Post by: Richard Hakluyt on March 11, 2009, 07:27:13 PM
Quote from: Valmy on March 11, 2009, 03:40:22 PM
Quote from: Liep on March 11, 2009, 03:34:33 PM
What's this fascination with giving the team a second name? Austin would do fine unless you have two teams.

Austin FC would have been fine.  There is an American tradition of each sports club having a nickname or a mascot that they are trying to cater to here.

All the English football clubs have nicknames too, but they are just that, nicknames.......not part of their official terminology. A nickname should develop organically, as a consequence of events. So, the name should be Austin FC, as time goes by they may get a nickname.....
Title: Re: Football Thread
Post by: jimmy olsen on March 11, 2009, 07:30:13 PM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sudburyvalleytrustees.org%2Fauction%2Ftables%2Fproducts%2Fproduct_image%2Fnerevolution.gif&hash=45d77a3caf36a6cc878738a3f8839756c03530ae)
Title: Re: Football Thread
Post by: Valmy on March 11, 2009, 08:37:41 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 11, 2009, 05:20:29 PM
That's cool. However, Austin teams suck. When I played youth soccer we always had a good time beating them into dust.

Yes we sorta do at most sports.  It is a rare moment a team of Austin kids wins a State championship.

However I think there is like one actual Austinite on the roster, AJ Godbolt who played on Maryland's national champs a few years back.  The rest are a mix of Americans and English players our English owner recruited.  Oh and one Mexican guy.
Title: Re: Football Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 11, 2009, 09:02:06 PM
Man utd. are just too good. >:(

English teams prove that they are faaar better than any other league right now.
Title: Re: Football Thread
Post by: Liep on March 12, 2009, 07:47:02 AM
I wasn't too impressed by Arsenal, that game could've easily gone to Roma.  I think Man Utd., Liverpool or Barcelona is gonna take the trophy this year.
Title: Re: Football Thread
Post by: Warspite on March 12, 2009, 11:45:10 AM
Quote from: Liep on March 12, 2009, 07:47:02 AM
I wasn't too impressed by Arsenal, that game could've easily gone to Roma.  I think Man Utd., Liverpool or Barcelona is gonna take the trophy this year.

Denilson is a liability. We need Fabregas back immediately. Him feeding Eduardo balls through defence... oh god.
Title: Re: Football Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 12, 2009, 02:23:10 PM
So...how about that premiership.
The bottom...13(?) is still crazily tight.
Title: Re: Football Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on March 12, 2009, 02:25:57 PM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on March 11, 2009, 07:30:13 PM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sudburyvalleytrustees.org%2Fauction%2Ftables%2Fproducts%2Fproduct_image%2Fnerevolution.gif&hash=45d77a3caf36a6cc878738a3f8839756c03530ae)

gay.
Title: Re: Football Thread
Post by: clandestino on March 12, 2009, 03:28:51 PM
Quote from: Liep on March 11, 2009, 03:00:15 PM
Also, it's always fun to see a Portuguese team getting their arses kicked. 12 - 1. :D

FU >:(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 12, 2009, 05:41:30 PM
Quote from: clandestino on March 12, 2009, 03:28:51 PM

FU >:(

True, true. It takes a bit of the glory off when it's done by a German team, but still.
Title: Re: Football Thread
Post by: jimmy olsen on March 12, 2009, 09:47:02 PM
Quote from: Cindy Brady on March 12, 2009, 02:25:57 PM


gay.
Why do you hate America and the legacy of 1776?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: bogh on March 13, 2009, 07:21:15 AM
In related news, AaB got a deserved ass-whooping by Manchester City last night.

So much for the "We're better than FCK, even if they are way ahead of us in the league"-bollocks.

Manchester City is presumeably MonkeyButts new favorite team, being well underway to having eliminated three Danish teams from European footie this year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 13, 2009, 08:25:29 AM
Yeah, it was a poor game. But hey, miracles do happens and all they need is a 2 - 0 win at home and then penalties. AND if it were to happen the entire population of northern Jylland would drink themselves to death and we'd be short of that problem. :P
Title: Re: Football Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on March 13, 2009, 08:37:15 AM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on March 12, 2009, 09:47:02 PM
Quote from: Cindy Brady on March 12, 2009, 02:25:57 PM


gay.
Why do you hate America and the legacy of 1776?

Did I say I hate America and the legacy of 1776? No I didn't. Try not to read too much into one word posts.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 28, 2009, 04:40:53 PM
So Denmark beat Malta in a boring game, now we can only hope that Sweden and Portugal draw. But perhaps Hungary is our biggest rival for the top spot?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Iormlund on March 28, 2009, 07:19:40 PM
Spain beat Turkey in a pretty boring match. The Turks kept the pressure up for over half the game. They had a couple nice shots. Spain was harmless.
But in the end they ran out of steam more or less when a strategy play finished on their net, and the passing machine grabbed ahold of the ball. From that moment on the Turks didn't get a chance to score.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 01, 2009, 03:09:16 PM
So Denmark wins again. This time 3 - 0 over Albania who didn't put up much of a fight.

Fun fact: Our topscorer plays in the French 5th division. :frog:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Iormlund on April 01, 2009, 03:12:14 PM
Turkey 1 - Spain 2.
The Turks scored on their first opportunity, when Spain was playing best.
Spain scored on their first opportunity in the second half, when the Turks were playing best.

Then, fucking 85 minutes late, that fucking piece of shit Torres was finally replaced by Güiza, who promptly assisted Riera for the winning goal. Stupid coach.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 01, 2009, 03:13:04 PM
USA plays T&T tonight hoping to make up for the embarassment that was the El Salvador game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on April 01, 2009, 03:32:29 PM
Quote from: katmai on April 01, 2009, 03:13:04 PM
USA plays T&T tonight hoping to make up for the embarassment that was the El Salvador game.

Embarrasment?  That was a glorious comeback!  Anyway at least the US kicked the crap out of Mexico...again.  It almost becoming a tradition now.

T&T shall go down.  We let them beat us in that meaningless match at the end of round three.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on April 01, 2009, 03:34:39 PM
It's hardly fair that we have to take on Trinidad *and* Tobago at the same time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 01, 2009, 03:50:13 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 01, 2009, 03:34:39 PM
It's hardly fair that we have to take on Trinidad *and* Tobago at the same time.

This is true. It also makes for a really confusing game what with 33 players on the field.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 01, 2009, 03:51:46 PM
Quote from: Liep on April 01, 2009, 03:50:13 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 01, 2009, 03:34:39 PM
It's hardly fair that we have to take on Trinidad *and* Tobago at the same time.

This is true. It also makes for a really confusing game what with 33 players on the field.

And so many T&T players have 1st names for surnames. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on April 01, 2009, 03:52:04 PM
Quote from: Liep on April 01, 2009, 03:50:13 PM
This is true. It also makes for a really confusing game what with 33 players on the field.

And the Triangular field.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Iormlund on April 01, 2009, 03:53:26 PM
Quote from: Liep on April 01, 2009, 03:50:13 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 01, 2009, 03:34:39 PM
It's hardly fair that we have to take on Trinidad *and* Tobago at the same time.

This is true. It also makes for a really confusing game what with 33 players on the field.
Are there that many people in that country?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 01, 2009, 03:54:37 PM
Quote from: Iormlund on April 01, 2009, 03:53:26 PM


Are there that many people in that country?

Quick CIA factbook says 1.3million people.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Cerr on April 01, 2009, 03:56:00 PM
Italy 1 - 1 Ireland

Good result tonight for Ireland. They nearly won the game in the last few minutes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 01, 2009, 04:14:48 PM
Quote from: Liep on March 28, 2009, 04:40:53 PM
So Denmark beat Malta in a boring game, now we can only hope that Sweden and Portugal draw. But perhaps Hungary is our biggest rival for the top spot?

We gave it our best, Liep, we really did.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 01, 2009, 06:47:05 PM
Bolvia 6
Argentina 1

:o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 01, 2009, 07:12:10 PM
Quote from: katmai on April 01, 2009, 06:47:05 PM
Bolvia 6
Argentina 1

:o
Morales trained them well it seems.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 01, 2009, 07:14:00 PM
Nice start for the US and Jozy. 1-0 after 12mins.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on April 01, 2009, 07:19:26 PM
Portugal has to win like all their games now. which means that come the WC all the porkchops in Ontario shall proudly be Brazllian lol
Title: Re: Football Thread
Post by: Neil on April 01, 2009, 07:26:29 PM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on March 12, 2009, 09:47:02 PM
Quote from: Cindy Brady on March 12, 2009, 02:25:57 PM


gay.
Why do you hate America and the legacy of 1776?
Because he hates lawlessness?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 01, 2009, 08:29:56 PM
Goal numero dos for Jozy! :w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 01, 2009, 08:49:01 PM
Quote from: katmai on April 01, 2009, 08:29:56 PM
Goal numero dos for Jozy! :w00t:

Altidore completes the hat trick in 88th minute.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on April 01, 2009, 09:06:43 PM
Quote from: katmai on April 01, 2009, 08:49:01 PM
Altidore completes the hat trick in 88th minute.
The US should play those two teams at once all the time, they looked far more into the game this evening.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Neil on April 01, 2009, 09:07:56 PM
Quote from: katmai on April 01, 2009, 08:49:01 PM
Quote from: katmai on April 01, 2009, 08:29:56 PM
Goal numero dos for Jozy! :w00t:

Altidore completes the hat trick in 88th minute.
You cheering for the Mexican team?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 01, 2009, 09:10:33 PM
Quote from: Neil on April 01, 2009, 09:07:56 PM

You cheering for the Mexican team?

They weren't playing to my knowledge, so answer is no.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 02, 2009, 03:43:11 AM
Quote from: HVC on April 01, 2009, 07:19:26 PM
Portugal has to win like all their games now. which means that come the WC all the porkchops in Ontario shall proudly be Brazllian lol

Both Denmark and Sweden are known to fuck up everything for themselves. So don't lose your hope.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Delirium on April 02, 2009, 04:36:27 AM
Where are Denmark and Sweden known to fuck up?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 02, 2009, 05:39:09 AM
Quote from: Delirium on April 02, 2009, 04:36:27 AM
Where are Denmark and Sweden known to fuck up?

Football? Or are we discussing something else now? :unsure:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on April 02, 2009, 08:01:32 AM
Wow Mexico got destroyed by Honduras...with two matches to go in qualifying they might not make it without winning a playoff with a South American team.

It is virtually impossible for the US not to qualify after that hat trick by Altidore in that glorious 3-0 trouncing of T&T.  :cool:

We will see you guys in South Africa.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Delirium on April 02, 2009, 08:07:24 AM
Quote from: Liep on April 02, 2009, 05:39:09 AM
Quote from: Delirium on April 02, 2009, 04:36:27 AM
Where are Denmark and Sweden known to fuck up?

Football? Or are we discussing something else now? :unsure:

No, it's football, I'm asking where in the world Denmark and Sweden are known to fuck up? Cause here in Sweden we do not believe we fuck up, as our history of qualifying for championships will tell you.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on April 02, 2009, 08:14:36 AM
By the way I am totally digging the US' new explosive offense.  I hope they keep the 4-4-2.  Two strikers, especially ones as good as Altidore and Ching, really keep the pressure on the other team.  Besides that it makes it alot more fun for me to watch.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 02, 2009, 08:18:35 AM
Quote from: Valmy on April 02, 2009, 08:01:32 AM
Wow Mexico got destroyed by Honduras...with two matches to go in qualifying they might not make it without winning a playoff with a South American team.

The Sven Ericksson syndrome. :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 02, 2009, 08:40:43 AM
Quote from: Delirium on April 02, 2009, 08:07:24 AM

No, it's football, I'm asking where in the world Denmark and Sweden are known to fuck up? Cause here in Sweden we do not believe we fuck up, as our history of qualifying for championships will tell you.

I correct myself then! Denmark alone will fuck up. :P

At least if we begin to believe we'll qualify. If we continue to believe that our team sucks we have a chance.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 02, 2009, 05:22:30 PM
Quote from: Josephus on April 02, 2009, 08:18:35 AM

The Sven Ericksson syndrome. :bowler:

QuoteMexico coach Sven-Goran Eriksson fired

36 minutes ago


MEXICO CITY (AP)—Mexico soccer coach Sven-Goran Eriksson was fired Thursday, a day after a 3-1 loss to Honduras in a World Cup qualifier.

Eriksson had been the coach for less than a year, but Mexico had just one win in its last seven games.

“We told Mr. Eriksson that his term with the national team has finished,” Justino Compean, president of Mexico’s soccer federation, said at a news conference.

Eriksson, a 61-year-old Swede, is a former England coach and the first foreigner to coach Mexico in 11 years. He was hired in June to replace Mexican star Hugo Sanchez, who was fired after the country’s under-23 team failed to qualify for the Olympics.

Eriksson stirred controversy inside a country fiercely loyal to its national team when he added four naturalized citizens to the roster.

After the announcement, Eriksson wished the team luck and said the country’s patience had run out. He said he, too, was “frustrated by the results” but remained optimistic Mexico would still qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Honduras overtook Mexico in CONCACAF qualifying, jumping from last place to third with four points, one ahead of the Mexicans. The United States leads with seven points, and Costa Rica is second with six.

Possible coaching successors include two Mexicans: former Atletico Madrid coach Javier Aguirre, who left the struggling Spanish club also after a losing streak, and Jose Manuel de la Torre, the coach of Toluca, last year’s Mexican league champion.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on April 07, 2009, 07:09:58 AM
Wolfsburg v Bayern, amazing goal by Grafite
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqGxnRdXnrU
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 07, 2009, 07:15:47 AM
Quote from: Maladict on April 07, 2009, 07:09:58 AM
Wolfsburg v Bayern, amazing goal by Grafite
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqGxnRdXnrU
That was awesome.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Neil on April 07, 2009, 07:23:04 AM
Quote from: Valmy on April 02, 2009, 08:01:32 AM
We will see you guys in South Africa.
Whereupon your support will get them destroyed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Neil on April 07, 2009, 02:20:55 PM
FC Porto has a guy named Hulk on the team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on April 07, 2009, 02:45:05 PM
Well, it's a nickname. All Brazilians have them.
Quite a talented player, though. And still fairly young.

He should be partnered with Smash up front.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 07, 2009, 03:41:13 PM
Deserved equaliser from Porto. United never really played any good in this game, and why do they keep playing Park?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on April 07, 2009, 03:43:34 PM
Apparently, they sell a gazillion shirts in Korea because of him.
Park isn't a bad player, he has work ethics and technical ability, but his physique sometimes lets him down as well as his tactical understanding.
Isn't Tosic registered for UEFA CL play?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: I Killed Kenny on April 07, 2009, 04:28:01 PM
Great game...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Cerr on April 08, 2009, 02:20:16 AM
It was a fairly good game. Man U really weren't impressive. They might make it through against Porto but I don't think they'll win it this year.
They'll probably still win the Premier League. Liverpool really need to win all their remaining games but as good as they're playing at the moment I don't see that happening unfortunately.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 08, 2009, 08:31:42 AM
I wouldn't rule Man U. out of this yet. They have a nasty habit of winning all the time. i agree, they haven't been on form of late, but I wouldn't rule them out.
Prediction: Away game against Porto will be 0-0, until the final second, when Man Utd will score a cheap goal.

Looking forward to tonight's Chelsea-L'pool game
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: clandestino on April 08, 2009, 02:44:29 PM
Quote from: Josephus on April 08, 2009, 08:31:42 AM
I wouldn't rule Man U. out of this yet. They have a nasty habit of winning all the time. i agree, they haven't been on form of late, but I wouldn't rule them out.
Prediction: Away game against Porto will be 0-0, until the final second, when Man Utd will score a cheap goal.

Looking forward to tonight's Chelsea-L'pool game

Apparently Porto hasn't lost any game against English teams in its stadium...

anti- :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 08, 2009, 03:03:44 PM
Barca is beating Bayern badly!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 08, 2009, 03:08:53 PM
Crap missed 20 mins of the Chelsea-pool game and 2 goals by Chelsea to go up 3-1 :o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: clandestino on April 08, 2009, 03:19:26 PM
Quote from: katmai on April 08, 2009, 03:03:44 PM
Barca is beating Bayern badly!

So Bayern's only accomplish this season will be trashing my team in the Champions League. Great. :mad:

I'm so adding those fuckers to the LIST.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 08, 2009, 03:22:45 PM
Quote from: clandestino on April 08, 2009, 03:19:26 PM
Quote from: katmai on April 08, 2009, 03:03:44 PM
Barca is beating Bayern badly!

So Bayern's only accomplish this season will be trashing my team in the Champions League. Great. :mad:

I'm so adding those fuckers to the LIST.

:console:

I am stuck with my favorite English team playing a team with my last name. I don't know who to root for!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: clandestino on April 08, 2009, 03:27:23 PM
Quote from: katmai on April 08, 2009, 03:22:45 PM

:console:

I am stuck with my favorite English team playing a team with my last name. I don't know who to root for!

I can't root for English teams, they don't need any additional help. I'm happy with any Spanish team or Porto victory.

BTW, if my math is right you have a kickass last name. :smoke:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 08, 2009, 03:49:59 PM
I am SO HAPPY!

1. Chelsea is two goals ahead

2. Barcelona is as good as through

3. Bayern is utterly humiliated

An evening of CL can't get much better than this! :cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 08, 2009, 07:56:59 PM
Liverpool...  :ultra:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Neil on April 08, 2009, 08:07:43 PM
Quote from: Tamas on April 08, 2009, 03:49:59 PM
1. Chelsea is two goals ahead
You're one of those. :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 08, 2009, 08:08:00 PM
Quote from: Neil on April 08, 2009, 08:07:43 PM
Quote from: Tamas on April 08, 2009, 03:49:59 PM
1. Chelsea is two goals ahead
You're one of those. :bleeding:
:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 09, 2009, 12:24:11 AM
Quote from: Neil on April 08, 2009, 08:07:43 PM
Quote from: Tamas on April 08, 2009, 03:49:59 PM
1. Chelsea is two goals ahead
You're one of those. :bleeding:


WTF are you talking about? I have been a Chelsea fan since like 1998.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Cerr on April 14, 2009, 03:34:58 PM
Wow. That was one hell of a game.
Too bad for Liverpool. It was always going to be hard to make up for last week.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Neil on April 14, 2009, 03:57:28 PM
Quote from: Tamas on April 09, 2009, 12:24:11 AM
Quote from: Neil on April 08, 2009, 08:07:43 PM
Quote from: Tamas on April 08, 2009, 03:49:59 PM
1. Chelsea is two goals ahead
You're one of those. :bleeding:
WTF are you talking about? I have been a Chelsea fan since like 1998.
Of course you are.  Every asshole in Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia is a Chelsea fan.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 14, 2009, 07:52:42 PM
Quote from: Cerr on April 14, 2009, 03:34:58 PM
Wow. That was one hell of a game.
Too bad for Liverpool. It was always going to be hard to make up for last week.

I knew it would be a great series. Put up some British, nay, English, teams against each other...never mind that silly Italian shit.

Liverpool always produce exciting games. :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on April 15, 2009, 02:22:23 AM
Awesome game, I particularly liked the first goal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 15, 2009, 02:25:33 AM
Very entertaining. I hope Man U's game today is going to get close to that. United must go out offensive in search of a quick goal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 15, 2009, 03:25:51 AM
Quote from: Liep on April 15, 2009, 02:25:33 AM
Very entertaining. I hope Man U's game today is going to get close to that. United must go out offensive in search of a quick goal.

Yeah we here in States only get that one live, so I miss my Arsenal going vs Villarreal. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Cerr on April 15, 2009, 03:58:31 AM
Quote from: katmai on April 15, 2009, 03:25:51 AM
Quote from: Liep on April 15, 2009, 02:25:33 AM
Very entertaining. I hope Man U's game today is going to get close to that. United must go out offensive in search of a quick goal.

Yeah we here in States only get that one live, so I miss my Arsenal going vs Villarreal. :(
You could watch the game online.
There's some sites that do live streaming of games.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 15, 2009, 04:13:42 AM
Quote from: Cerr on April 15, 2009, 03:58:31 AM
Quote from: katmai on April 15, 2009, 03:25:51 AM
Quote from: Liep on April 15, 2009, 02:25:33 AM
Very entertaining. I hope Man U's game today is going to get close to that. United must go out offensive in search of a quick goal.

Yeah we here in States only get that one live, so I miss my Arsenal going vs Villarreal. :(
You could watch the game online.
There's some sites that do live streaming of games.

I believe espn 360 has rights here in states and it's ppv iirc. No i'm not able to get it because of my ISP isn't on ESPN's list <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on April 15, 2009, 04:38:36 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 09, 2009, 12:24:11 AM

WTF are you talking about? I have been a Chelsea fan since like 1998.

Which just makes it all the much worse.
It should be noted that John Major apparently was a Chelsea fan.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 15, 2009, 05:16:01 AM
Quote from: katmai on April 15, 2009, 03:25:51 AM

Yeah we here in States only get that one live, so I miss my Arsenal going vs Villarreal. :(

We only get Arsenal - Villarreal in HD, the other is in SD with commentators that are more prone to sarcastically insult eachother than follow the game. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 15, 2009, 06:21:16 AM
Quote from: Josephus on April 14, 2009, 07:52:42 PMI knew it would be a great series. Put up some British, nay, English, teams against each other...never mind that silly Italian shit.

That's why, of the 8 goals they scored between the two teams yesterday, only 2 were by an English player (Lampard) while there were 2 by Brazilians (Fabio Aurelio and Alex), and 1 by an Spaniard (Alonso), an Argentinian (Leyva), a Dutchman (Kuyt) and an Ivorian (Drogba).  ;)

And in the previous game, 2 were by a Serbian (Ivanovic), 1 by an Ivorian (Drogba again) and 1 from a Spaniard (Torres).  :lol:

I can't see much Englishness in there.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 15, 2009, 07:12:13 AM
What he actually said was that he didn't think Inter vs. Roma would be such an entertaining game series, which I agree with. :p
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 15, 2009, 08:15:35 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 15, 2009, 06:21:16 AM
Quote from: Josephus on April 14, 2009, 07:52:42 PMI knew it would be a great series. Put up some British, nay, English, teams against each other...never mind that silly Italian shit.

That's why, of the 8 goals they scored between the two teams yesterday, only 2 were by an English player (Lampard) while there were 2 by Brazilians (Fabio Aurelio and Alex), and 1 by an Spaniard (Alonso), an Argentinian (Leyva), a Dutchman (Kuyt) and an Ivorian (Drogba).  ;)

And in the previous game, 2 were by a Serbian (Ivanovic), 1 by an Ivorian (Drogba again) and 1 from a Spaniard (Torres).  :lol:

I can't see much Englishness in there.  :P

Fair enough. Which is why England, as a football nation team, sucks.

My point though, is that the English league, despite the foreigners, is the best league in the World.  :bowler:

EDIT: Yeah...what Liep said. :hug:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 15, 2009, 09:44:45 AM
Quote from: Josephus on April 15, 2009, 08:15:35 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 15, 2009, 06:21:16 AM
Quote from: Josephus on April 14, 2009, 07:52:42 PMI knew it would be a great series. Put up some British, nay, English, teams against each other...never mind that silly Italian shit.

That's why, of the 8 goals they scored between the two teams yesterday, only 2 were by an English player (Lampard) while there were 2 by Brazilians (Fabio Aurelio and Alex), and 1 by an Spaniard (Alonso), an Argentinian (Leyva), a Dutchman (Kuyt) and an Ivorian (Drogba).  ;)

And in the previous game, 2 were by a Serbian (Ivanovic), 1 by an Ivorian (Drogba again) and 1 from a Spaniard (Torres).  :lol:

I can't see much Englishness in there.  :P

Fair enough. Which is why England, as a football nation team, sucks.

My point though, is that the English league, despite the foreigners, is the best league in the World.  :bowler:

EDIT: Yeah...what Liep said. :hug:

Gotcha.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on April 15, 2009, 09:52:45 AM
Quote from: Josephus on April 15, 2009, 08:15:35 AM
Fair enough. Which is why England, as a football nation team, sucks.

Hey!  Alot of the players on the Austin club are English! :grr:

Oh wait...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 15, 2009, 05:54:51 PM
Hmm.. what a let down, a pity manchester got such an early goal and decided that was enough.

The Arsenal game didn't get interesting until about the 82nd minute when Bendtner came on, he did okay and would've scored if Diaby hadn't already seen himself on the scoreboard before taking his shot.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 15, 2009, 06:37:58 PM
Didn't watch the Arsenal game; but yeah the Man Utd game wasn't a barn-burner. [Though that was a good goal by Ronaldo]. Porto couldn't break down the Man Utd defence, and the few times they did, their finish let them down.

But that's OK, cause the Man Utd v. Arsenal game is another EPL Team v. EPL Team game :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on May 06, 2009, 02:12:19 PM
Chelsea is up 1-0 so far on barca
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: clandestino on May 06, 2009, 03:09:23 PM
Quote from: katmai on May 06, 2009, 02:12:19 PM
Chelsea is up 1-0 so far on barca

:bleeding:

Football needs Barça in the final. That's all.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Cerr on May 06, 2009, 03:43:00 PM
It's over now. Great late goal for Barca. Glad they'll be in the final. They have a better chance against United then Chelsea would have.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 06, 2009, 03:45:05 PM
I've never been happier for Iniesta. And I was pretty excited for him to begin with. Football wins this game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Cerr on May 06, 2009, 03:46:38 PM
Chelsea are really sore losers. Drogba was moaning at the ref at the end.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 06, 2009, 03:49:00 PM
Quote from: Cerr on May 06, 2009, 03:46:38 PM
Chelsea are really sore losers. Drogba was moaning at the ref at the end.

Drogba is everything that is wrong with Chelsea. But Ballack came close when he attacked the referee after that shoulder parry by a Barca player. Come to think of it there are quite a few Chelsea players I would love to see disappear from professional football.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 06, 2009, 04:25:34 PM
What the flying fuck.

Chelsea DOMINATED Barcelona tactically for two games. They neutralized all the advantages the enemy had, and ruined all their plans - showing what a genius general Hiddink is.

Then comes this fucking joke of a referee who denies app. 3 penalties for Chelsea, and thus allows Barca to stay in the game and equalize with THEIR ONLY FUCKING SHOT WHICH WENT TO THE FUCKING GOAL'S GENERAL DIRECTION

A most undeserved qualification.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: clandestino on May 06, 2009, 04:41:10 PM
yay.

Tamas:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F720lignes.blog.lemonde.fr%2Ffiles%2F2009%2F04%2Fcalimero.1239543982.gif&hash=008241ac6cc27ab8dc4479f1eb32b0590ad214eb)





:p

Edit: I haven't seen the game. the things you said might be true.

Personally, I don't care.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 06, 2009, 04:48:00 PM
Quote from: clandestino on May 06, 2009, 04:41:10 PM

Edit: I haven't seen the game. the things you said might be true.

1 clear penalty (very odd that it wasn't called), 1 argueable, 1 where Drogba should've been carded for filming. 2 others that were just good defensing by Tauré.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 06, 2009, 04:53:57 PM
Bravo for Barca
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Neil on May 06, 2009, 05:54:05 PM
Quote from: Cerr on May 06, 2009, 03:46:38 PM
Chelsea are really sore losers. Drogba was moaning at the ref at the end.
Maybe he should try diving again.  He was fucking ridiculous today.

At any rate, this is a big fuck you to bandwagoners and Eastern Europeans, which is good.  It'll be a shame that the best teams aren't playing in the final (Barca isn't in the EPL), but it's worth it to eject Chelsea.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 06, 2009, 06:00:17 PM
Quote from: Neil on May 06, 2009, 05:54:05 PMIt'll be a shame that the best teams aren't playing in the final

This makes no sense. This is the final everybody dreamt of before hand.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Neil on May 06, 2009, 06:03:04 PM
Quote from: Liep on May 06, 2009, 06:00:17 PM
Quote from: Neil on May 06, 2009, 05:54:05 PMIt'll be a shame that the best teams aren't playing in the final

This makes no sense. This is the final everybody dreamt of before hand.
The best possible final would be between two English Premier League teams, because those teams are the best.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Cerr on May 06, 2009, 06:09:25 PM
Quote from: Liep on May 06, 2009, 06:00:17 PM
Quote from: Neil on May 06, 2009, 05:54:05 PMIt'll be a shame that the best teams aren't playing in the final

This makes no sense. This is the final everybody dreamt of before hand.
Well I would've preferred a Liverpool Vs Man U or Liverpool Vs Barca final. Maybe next year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on May 08, 2009, 05:28:12 AM
Damn my favorite MLS club Seattle has announced the 2nd of 2 friendlys they are hosting the summer, first one is Chelsea and 2nd was revealed today to be Barcelona.

Wish i could make them
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Delirium on May 08, 2009, 06:01:39 AM
Quote from: Neil on May 06, 2009, 06:03:04 PM
The best possible final would be between two English Premier League teams, because those teams are the best.

Now you've gone mental. Barcelona is a better team than Chelsea ever was. A ManU - Barca final is the dream matchup for everybody but the Chelsea fans. And we don't care about those.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on May 08, 2009, 07:51:17 AM
Quote from: Tamas on May 06, 2009, 04:25:34 PM
What the flying fuck.

Chelsea DOMINATED Barcelona tactically for two games. They neutralized all the advantages the enemy had, and ruined all their plans - showing what a genius general Hiddink is.

Then comes this fucking joke of a referee who denies app. 3 penalties for Chelsea, and thus allows Barca to stay in the game and equalize with THEIR ONLY FUCKING SHOT WHICH WENT TO THE FUCKING GOAL'S GENERAL DIRECTION

A most undeserved qualification.

:yes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on May 08, 2009, 07:58:34 AM
Haha, no way Barca were a better team than Chelsea. Passing the ball the whole game with barely any shots on goal, and only going through because of questionable refereeing, does not a superior performance make. While attacking football is attractive, it is not the only legitimate way to win a game.

I predict ManUre will rip Barca to shreds - you have one of the most effective defences in the Premiership with one of hte most frightening attacks in the world. And a midfield that will squash Messi.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 08, 2009, 10:02:17 AM
Seattle got off to a pretty good start Katmai. Glad the franchise is working there.
I've been to three TFC games this year. It's such a blast.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Neil on May 08, 2009, 10:15:42 AM
Quote from: Delirium on May 08, 2009, 06:01:39 AM
Quote from: Neil on May 06, 2009, 06:03:04 PM
The best possible final would be between two English Premier League teams, because those teams are the best.

Now you've gone mental. Barcelona is a better team than Chelsea ever was. A ManU - Barca final is the dream matchup for everybody but the Chelsea fans. And we don't care about those.
They certainly weren't the better team this week.  They were barely equal.

The only reason that it's a dream matchup is because everybody, myself included, want to give the finger to the Chelsea fans, as they're a bunch of bandwagoners and Slavs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Neil on May 08, 2009, 10:16:39 AM
Quote from: Warspite on May 08, 2009, 07:58:34 AM
and only going through because of questionable refereeing,
Consider it a makeup for that phantom red card.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on May 08, 2009, 10:19:08 AM
The mighty Austin Soccer club has never lost a match.  Tonight they take on the Puerto Rico Fightin' Timmays in Austin.

Dang it I can never make any of the matches.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 26, 2009, 08:08:26 AM
So, tomorrow is the big day of the year for us footie fans, the Champions League final, pitting the incumbent champions, Manchester United, agains FC Barcelona, arguably the team that has played better this year. The best defence meets the best offence. What will happen?

I'll watch it live at home with my buddies. Tomorrow I'll have to buy supplies in large quantities after work. My friends even convinced me to make a wager, if Barcelona wins I'll shave my beard, which I've been sporting since I was 15.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 26, 2009, 08:14:12 AM
I'll be at work. :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on May 26, 2009, 08:26:30 AM
In a surprise move, Volkswagen (yes, the car maker) won the German football championship.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on May 26, 2009, 08:36:50 AM
Well I am depressed.  Austin's once unfettered glory has been tarnished by losses to Montreal and Carolina.

I can only pray they can rebound against the Fightin' Timmays on Friday.  I love the crowds at the games so far.  Very passionate and noisy group if still pretty smallish.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 27, 2009, 01:15:20 PM
I switched shifts with a coworker and am now able to watch the game of the year. :ccr:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Cerr on May 27, 2009, 01:53:03 PM
Quote from: Liep on May 27, 2009, 01:15:20 PM
I switched shifts with a coworker and am now able to watch the game of the year. :ccr:
I doubt it'll be the game of the year. Finals hardly ever live up to expectations.
Anyway I hope Barca win tonight.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 27, 2009, 01:58:52 PM
I predict that this is good for the game. Go Barca!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Cerr on May 27, 2009, 01:59:45 PM
Eto just scored for Barca.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Cerr on May 27, 2009, 02:01:20 PM
Quote from: Liep on May 27, 2009, 01:58:52 PM
I predict that this is good for the game. Go Barca!
Yeah hopefully man u will commit more men forward and Barca can score on the counter attack.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 27, 2009, 03:18:54 PM
Go Barca!

Full offense by Manchester and we'll get a fun ending.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 27, 2009, 03:40:16 PM
Yay Barca!

Messi, Iniesta and Xavi were brilliant today.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 27, 2009, 04:05:17 PM
YAAAAY.

anybody but Manchester!!!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: jimmy olsen on May 27, 2009, 06:00:55 PM
Quote from: Valmy on May 26, 2009, 08:36:50 AM

I can only pray they can rebound against the Fightin' Timmays on Friday. 
:huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sophie Scholl on May 27, 2009, 06:06:24 PM
Quote from: Josephus on May 27, 2009, 04:05:17 PM
YAAAAY.

anybody but Manchester!!!
:thumbsup: That was the going vibe in the bar I work at today while we watched.  There was one girl there who was a Man U fan because "Cristiano Ronaldo is so hott!".  Ugh.  Needless to say she was verbally abused.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on May 27, 2009, 06:08:03 PM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on May 27, 2009, 06:00:55 PM
Quote from: Valmy on May 26, 2009, 08:36:50 AM

I can only pray they can rebound against the Fightin' Timmays on Friday. 
:huh:

Austin plays Puerto Rico next
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 27, 2009, 06:25:53 PM
Newcastle down. My schaenfreude is immense.
Epic
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: jimmy olsen on May 27, 2009, 06:31:42 PM
Quote from: katmai on May 27, 2009, 06:08:03 PM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on May 27, 2009, 06:00:55 PM
Quote from: Valmy on May 26, 2009, 08:36:50 AM

I can only pray they can rebound against the Fightin' Timmays on Friday. 
:huh:

Austin plays Puerto Rico next
When the game is done Austin will look like a gazelle torn to pieces by a pack of wild dogs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on June 01, 2009, 04:58:52 AM
Yesterday three great players retired from active football:
Paolo Maldini, Luis Figo and Pavel Nedved were not only excellent players, but great men outside the pitch, too.
Figo and Nedved won the European Footballer of the Year award, and Maldini deserved it but defenders usually get no love in those competitions :(


:worthy: Maldini
:worthy: Nedved
:worthy: Figo

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 01, 2009, 05:46:25 AM
Quote from: Pedrito on June 01, 2009, 04:58:52 AM
Yesterday three great players retired from active football:
Paolo Maldini, Luis Figo and Pavel Nedved were not only excellent players, but great men outside the pitch, too.
Figo and Nedved won the European Footballer of the Year award, and Maldini deserved it but defenders usually get no love in those competitions :(


:worthy: Maldini
:worthy: Nedved
:worthy: Figo

L.

Figo, a great person outside the field? No way, the guy had no loyalty whatsoever (a 1 in most CM and FM versions, IIRC) to the clubs he was related to, he was a true mercenary of sport. Surely he was a great player, but not a great person. Don't know enough of the others' lives in order to qualify, although Maldini has always seemed upstanding to me, specially in his opposition to ultras.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on June 01, 2009, 06:19:25 AM
Yeah, Figo not only was a merc (which ain't that much of a problem except for pinky-fogged fans of the sport), he was a downright traitor. You just don't go from noble Barcelona to scum Real Madrid if you have just a tiny bit of backbone.
And I never liked Nedved, altough clearly both him and Figo were excellent in their primes.



But Maldini was indeed a great player, European football is a lesser thing without him.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Hansmeister on June 01, 2009, 06:35:03 AM
Nuremberg is back up into the 1. Bundesliga!   :yeah: :yeah: :yeah:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 01, 2009, 07:00:01 AM
Quote from: Tamas on June 01, 2009, 06:19:25 AMYou just don't go from noble Barcelona to scum Real Madrid if you have just a tiny bit of backbone.

Meh, that doesn't bother me much, it was a legal move, if morally dubious, and Barcelona earned a shitload of money from it, even if they obviously didn't want to sell him. But Figo, before going to Spain, signed two simultaneous contracts to two different Italian clubs (Juventus and Parma), which earned him a transfer ban in Italy. That was the only reason he ended up in Barcelona in the first place.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 01, 2009, 08:15:06 AM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on May 27, 2009, 06:31:42 PM
When the game is done Austin will look like a gazelle torn to pieces by a pack of wild dogs.

http://www.austinaztex.com/news/headlines/index.html?article_id=81

:nelson
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on June 01, 2009, 08:18:48 AM
yeah, dubbing Figo a great person was a bit stretched.  ;) but he was a great player nonetheless, and the game will be poorer without him.

In other news, Ancelotti, former Milan manager, has signed a contract with Chelsea. I heard his first interview, and his english needs a good polish. As in "he can't speak a word"  :lol:

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 01, 2009, 08:46:52 AM
By the way, do you know where can I find an interview with Nedved in which he claimed that he was "running around like a retard just to play in Serie B"?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on June 01, 2009, 08:52:37 AM
Quote from: The Larch on June 01, 2009, 08:46:52 AM
By the way, do you know where can I find an interview with Nedved in which he claimed that he remembers Juve's spell in Serie B as "running around like a retard"?

Never heard that one  :lol:
He was one of the prime star players that remained to Juventus during the Serie B purgatory, hats off to him and the others (Del Piero, Buffon, Camoranesi, Trezeguet).

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 01, 2009, 09:17:34 AM
Quote from: Pedrito on June 01, 2009, 08:52:37 AM
Quote from: The Larch on June 01, 2009, 08:46:52 AM
By the way, do you know where can I find an interview with Nedved in which he claimed that he remembers Juve's spell in Serie B as "running around like a retard"?

Never heard that one  :lol:
He was one of the prime star players that remained to Juventus during the Serie B purgatory, hats off to him and the others (Del Piero, Buffon, Camoranesi, Trezeguet).

L.

I guess that Cannavaro, Ibrahimovic and Vieira must have been quite popular in Torino those days.  :P Well, apparently Cannavaro has been forgiven, as he's going back.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 06, 2009, 02:59:15 AM
Tonight's the night. Sweden - Denmark, battle of Scandinavia. We're going completely nuts on this side of the sund with politicians in uproar because it's not shown on national tv, I can't complain as I got it in HD, thanks Bogh.

I foresee a 1-1 game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on June 06, 2009, 03:07:16 AM
Maldini was one of the greatest players of the game ever.  :worthy:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Cerr on June 06, 2009, 09:39:03 AM
Battle in the balkans this evening for Ireland, playing against Bulgaria. Would be great if they could win. It would pretty much gurantee second place in the group for Ireland.
Knowing Ireland's away record though, it'll most likely end in a draw.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on June 06, 2009, 10:12:57 AM
Austria playing in Belgrade today. AFAIK no archdukes will be present.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 06, 2009, 02:59:20 PM
WOOOOOOOOO
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: bogh on June 06, 2009, 03:56:20 PM
Quote from: Liep on June 06, 2009, 02:59:15 AM
Tonight's the night. Sweden - Denmark, battle of Scandinavia. We're going completely nuts on this side of the sund with politicians in uproar because it's not shown on national tv, I can't complain as I got it in HD, thanks Bogh.

I foresee a 1-1 game.

You're welcome - how was the quality (I didn't have any HD-screen to view it)?

Your prediction was almost correct.

Denmark rules.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Cecil on June 06, 2009, 05:11:16 PM
Excellent we lost again. The fiasco is coming closer finally.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 06, 2009, 05:21:51 PM
Quote from: bogh on June 06, 2009, 03:56:20 PM

You're welcome - how was the quality (I didn't have any HD-screen to view it)?

Your prediction was almost correct.

Denmark rules.

Very enjoyable. National team matches are usually crap quality, so this was nice.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Cecil on June 06, 2009, 08:14:49 PM
I hope we loose every single game we have left too. I´ll be cheering them all the way down. With these fucktards in charge its even possible to loose against Malta.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: jimmy olsen on June 06, 2009, 09:12:43 PM
Quote from: Valmy on June 01, 2009, 08:15:06 AM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on May 27, 2009, 06:31:42 PM
When the game is done Austin will look like a gazelle torn to pieces by a pack of wild dogs.

http://www.austinaztex.com/news/headlines/index.html?article_id=81

:nelson
:mad:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on June 07, 2009, 05:45:17 AM
Unsurprisingly, Norway bored the descendants of Alexander the Mediocre to 0-0 draw in Skopje, FUCK Macedonia.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on June 07, 2009, 09:34:57 AM
Norway is pathetic  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on June 07, 2009, 09:43:07 AM
Pretty much, yes.

Which would be fine if there was a huge undergrowth of exciting talent on the U19s and U21s, but from what I've seen, the domestic footballing talent is at the lowest ebb since the 1970s.
The TV deals for the clubs in the first tier have given them money to buy mediocrity from all around the world, and then promptly shove all their younger developing players into the third tier teams, hampering their development and frustrating them by making it impossible to actually be a full-time player.

The present is bleak - the future is downright terrible. I hope the Mayans are right. If not, the next Euro/WC qualifiers will force me to change citizenship.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 07, 2009, 12:00:05 PM
Quote from: Cecil on June 06, 2009, 08:14:49 PM
I hope we loose every single game we have left too. I´ll be cheering them all the way down. With these fucktards in charge its even possible to loose against Malta.  :lol:

Hope so.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 11, 2009, 07:48:21 PM
So what's up with Real Madrid? €80mill for Kaka, €100mill for Ronaldo, and supposedly there's more transfers on the way.

They're still not going to win anything.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Hansmeister on June 11, 2009, 08:20:02 PM
Quote from: Norgy on June 07, 2009, 09:43:07 AM
Pretty much, yes.

Which would be fine if there was a huge undergrowth of exciting talent on the U19s and U21s, but from what I've seen, the domestic footballing talent is at the lowest ebb since the 1970s.
The TV deals for the clubs in the first tier have given them money to buy mediocrity from all around the world, and then promptly shove all their younger developing players into the third tier teams, hampering their development and frustrating them by making it impossible to actually be a full-time player.

The present is bleak - the future is downright terrible. I hope the Mayans are right. If not, the next Euro/WC qualifiers will force me to change citizenship.

Zombie Rune Bratseth.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Cerr on June 15, 2009, 03:00:36 PM
Anyone else watching the Confederations Cup?
Watched it for the first time today. Brazil barely beat Egypt 4-3.

At the moment Italy are beating USA 2-1.

It hasn't been a bad tournament so far.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 15, 2009, 03:24:55 PM
The USA lost 3-1.  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: clandestino on June 15, 2009, 03:32:07 PM
Quote from: Valmy on June 15, 2009, 03:24:55 PM
The USA lost 3-1.  :(

Well, the other guys were Italy, not Portugal, what were you expecting? :P

BTW, the last gossip here is that Real Madrid will buy Sporting's captain João Moutinho for 24 Million €.

IMO our season will be ruined if that happens.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on June 15, 2009, 03:41:23 PM
Quote from: clandestino on June 15, 2009, 03:32:07 PM
Quote from: Valmy on June 15, 2009, 03:24:55 PM
The USA lost 3-1.  :(

Well, the other guys were Italy, not Portugal, what were you expecting? :P

BTW, the last gossip here is that Real Madrid will buy Sporting's captain João Moutinho for 24 Million €.

IMO our season will be ruined if that happens.
Real's buying up all the porkchops lol
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 15, 2009, 03:49:31 PM
Quote from: clandestino on June 15, 2009, 03:32:07 PM
Well, the other guys were Italy, not Portugal, what were you expecting? :P

It was only because of that stupid Red Card in the 36th minute.  Italy-referee conspiracy!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 15, 2009, 03:51:47 PM
Quote from: Cerr on June 15, 2009, 03:00:36 PM
Anyone else watching the Confederations Cup?
Fodbol doesn't have nearly enough cups, there should be many more.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 15, 2009, 04:10:34 PM
Quote from: Cerr on June 15, 2009, 03:00:36 PMIt hasn't been a bad tournament so far.

Kidding? Yesterday's games were a joke, the South Africa - Irak was a snorefest, and the Spain - New Zealand a training season with an audience.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Cerr on June 15, 2009, 04:24:22 PM
Quote from: The Larch on June 15, 2009, 04:10:34 PM
Quote from: Cerr on June 15, 2009, 03:00:36 PMIt hasn't been a bad tournament so far.

Kidding? Yesterday's games were a joke, the South Africa - Irak was a snorefest, and the Spain - New Zealand a training season with an audience.
I didn't see the games yesterday. I avoided them because all the group A teams except Spain are terrible. I didn't have high expectations for the tournament so I was pleasantly surprised by todays games.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 15, 2009, 04:53:20 PM
Quote from: Valmy on June 15, 2009, 03:24:55 PM
The USA lost 3-1.  :(

How ironic is it that Rossi, who scored two for Italy, is actually from NJ?  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sophie Scholl on June 15, 2009, 08:38:52 PM
Quote from: Valmy on June 15, 2009, 03:49:31 PM
It was only because of that stupid Red Card in the 36th minute.  Italy-referee conspiracy!
:yes: It was a boneheaded kick to the shin, but far from red card worthy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 16, 2009, 07:53:00 AM
Quote from: Judas Iscariot on June 15, 2009, 08:38:52 PM
:yes: It was a boneheaded kick to the shin, but far from red card worthy.

After we had played so well in the first half to.  Very very frustrating way to lose it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 16, 2009, 07:53:36 AM
Quote from: The Larch on June 15, 2009, 04:53:20 PM
Quote from: Valmy on June 15, 2009, 03:24:55 PM
The USA lost 3-1.  :(

How ironic is it that Rossi, who scored two for Italy, is actually from NJ?  :lol:

Rossi should be shot for treason. :angry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 22, 2009, 09:46:08 AM
Ok after losing 3-0 to Brazil I give up only for the US to come back and smash Egypt and advance to the next round.

I think I will refuse to watch the rest of the tournament and see if my not following the team continues to bring them good luck.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on June 22, 2009, 11:17:52 AM
Their next game is against Spain, which is arguably the best team in the world right now and hasn't been beaten in the last three years or so. Don't get your hopes up for that Valmy. ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 22, 2009, 11:18:18 AM
Quote from: Zanza on June 22, 2009, 11:17:52 AM
Their next game is against Spain, which is arguably the best team in the world right now and hasn't been beaten in the last three years or so. Don't get your hopes up for that Valmy. ;)

Go Spain!!!111oneone

Viva Espana!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: jimmy olsen on June 22, 2009, 11:26:30 AM
Quote from: Valmy on June 22, 2009, 11:18:18 AM
Quote from: Zanza on June 22, 2009, 11:17:52 AM
Their next game is against Spain, which is arguably the best team in the world right now and hasn't been beaten in the last three years or so. Don't get your hopes up for that Valmy. ;)

Go Spain!!!111oneone

Viva Espana!
I don't think reverse psychology works like that when it's so obvious. :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 22, 2009, 11:28:03 AM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on June 22, 2009, 11:26:30 AM
I don't think reverse psychology works like that when it's so obvious. :lol:

I cannot see your post when I am surrounded by all the Spanish flags I am proudly waving.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 22, 2009, 11:29:15 AM
Quote from: Valmy on June 22, 2009, 11:28:03 AM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on June 22, 2009, 11:26:30 AM
I don't think reverse psychology works like that when it's so obvious. :lol:

I cannot see your post when I am surrounded by all the Spanish flags I am proudly waving.

Eating tortilla and drinking sangría simultaneously, right?  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 22, 2009, 11:32:47 AM
Quote from: The Larch on June 22, 2009, 11:29:15 AM
Eating tortilla and drinking sangría simultaneously, right?  :P

While humming 'La Marcha Real'.  I will make Chorizo for the second half.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Saladin on June 24, 2009, 02:58:58 AM


Went to the U-21 game yesterday between Sweden-Serbia..
Good game! Sweden won 3-1 and it took the Serbians crowd 65 minutes until they
started with the Kosovo chants..
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on June 24, 2009, 03:27:12 AM
Quote from: Saladin on June 24, 2009, 02:58:58 AM


Went to the U-21 game yesterday between Sweden-Serbia..
Good game! Sweden won 3-1 and it took the Serbians crowd 65 minutes until they
started with the Kosovo chants..

During the first A-group hockey world cup game of Hungary in Switzerland recently, the loudest part of the Hungarian crowd was busy crying about Trianon during most of the game.
These people's view about the foreign world is so disorted its not even funny.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Alatriste on June 24, 2009, 04:58:39 AM
Quote from: Valmy on June 22, 2009, 11:32:47 AM
Quote from: The Larch on June 22, 2009, 11:29:15 AM
Eating tortilla and drinking sangría simultaneously, right?  :P

While humming 'La Marcha Real'.  I will make Chorizo for the second half.

Try to get the Royal Guard version, executed with XVIII century fife & drum. That's how the 'Marcha Real' was supposed to sound, 1000 times better than modern arragements. At least your evil witchcraft will have a touch of class ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Octavian on June 24, 2009, 05:12:05 AM
Dear Lord!

Please let the Americans win. Just think how funny it would be to hear the lamentations of the Spanish afterwards.

Best regards!

Your friend and supporter Octavian

PS You rock!



Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Alatriste on June 24, 2009, 06:11:16 AM
Quote from: Octavian on June 24, 2009, 05:12:05 AM
Dear Lord!

Please let the Americans win. Just think how funny it would be to hear the lamentations of the Spanish afterwards.

Best regards!

Your friend and supporter Octavian

PS You rock!

Ah, thou marble-hearted fiend, how unjust can you get? Have you ever seen us boasting and feasting because of our team wins? Blasts and fogs upon thee!  Hear me, Nature!

P.S. Who rocks? The Americans, the Spaniards, or the Valkyrs, that award victory? Were you addressing them in 'Please let the Americans win'? I'm afraid your intention is not at all clear...   :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on June 24, 2009, 06:41:41 AM
Quote from: Norgy on June 07, 2009, 09:43:07 AM
Pretty much, yes.

Which would be fine if there was a huge undergrowth of exciting talent on the U19s and U21s, but from what I've seen, the domestic footballing talent is at the lowest ebb since the 1970s.
The TV deals for the clubs in the first tier have given them money to buy mediocrity from all around the world, and then promptly shove all their younger developing players into the third tier teams, hampering their development and frustrating them by making it impossible to actually be a full-time player.

The present is bleak - the future is downright terrible. I hope the Mayans are right. If not, the next Euro/WC qualifiers will force me to change citizenship.

This is correct with the exception of one club. Untill last week (when he quit) there was only one full time scout working for a norwegian club. It seems that the best norwegian talent is found by foreign clubs, they are going abroad younger and younger. Players like Magnus Eikrem, Joshua King, Dag Alexander Olsen and Jo Inge Berget are on the junior squads of top English, Spanish and Italian clubs. These players will not be coming through the ranks of norwegian clubs.

Now, for norwegian clubs it is a better, cheaper and quicker option to buy a guy like Martin Fillo or Marek Sapara, or even useless idiot like Luton Shelton, than it is to try to develop a youngster like Per Skjelbred from the age of 16. In effect Norwegian football (like English, Spanish and Italian) has more money than local talent, so naturally there will be lots of player imports. That combined with a good quality foreign scouting network in norway means that young players go abroad or get sidelined by imported players.

The one club which has made efforts to develop youngsters is by far the richest in the country and already has 12 foreign players on contract where only 11 can be played, but then again only two of the norwegian players in the squad are not locally developed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 24, 2009, 08:09:34 AM
Man I cannot wait to see my favorite and beloved Spanish crush those upstarts from yanqui pigdogland today.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on June 24, 2009, 02:34:21 PM
Valmy's taint is strong. Let's see if it holds another half-time. It would be Spain's first loss since November 2006.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on June 24, 2009, 03:00:29 PM
lol Valmy still works
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Cerr on June 24, 2009, 03:01:10 PM
USA just scored again. Looks like the European champions are going out.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 24, 2009, 03:05:00 PM
Come on Spain you can still do this!  BEAT THOSE YANKEE FUCKERS!!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on June 24, 2009, 03:07:55 PM
That constant noise from the crowd sure is annoying. Yes I'm watching soccer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Cerr on June 24, 2009, 03:10:49 PM
When's the final for this tournament?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 24, 2009, 03:14:24 PM
Quote from: Cerr on June 24, 2009, 03:10:49 PM
When's the final for this tournament?

Sunday
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on June 24, 2009, 03:16:46 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on June 24, 2009, 03:07:55 PM
That constant noise from the crowd sure is annoying. Yes I'm watching soccer.

Yes, it will drive me mad next year
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 24, 2009, 03:17:09 PM
That brutal brutal man Michael Bradley was justly sent off for trying to kill one of my beloved Spanish heroes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Cerr on June 24, 2009, 03:20:43 PM
Quote from: Tamas on June 24, 2009, 03:16:46 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on June 24, 2009, 03:07:55 PM
That constant noise from the crowd sure is annoying. Yes I'm watching soccer.
Yes, it will drive me mad next year
There's some talk of banning those horns from the world cup games next year. Hopefully it'll happen, they're really irritating.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 24, 2009, 03:22:51 PM
Now my only hope is that South Africa or Brazil can stop the American menace  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Cerr on June 24, 2009, 03:23:02 PM
Fair play to the Americans.
I would've preferred a Spain-Brazil final though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 24, 2009, 03:24:13 PM
Quote from: Cerr on June 24, 2009, 03:23:02 PM
Fair play to the Americans.
I would've preferred a Spain-Brazil final though.

:weep: Me to.

Rascally American hobbitses.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: jimmy olsen on June 24, 2009, 03:32:33 PM
USA! USA! :yeah:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Iormlund on June 24, 2009, 03:39:42 PM
Quote from: me at P'dox
Inspired match on the US side, pretty flat on the Spanish. Good coaching on the US side, terrible on the Spanish (but then Del Bosque has never been a good coach). Horrendous refereeing (though at least it was not biased).

Nice to see the US improving tactically. I liked especially that black central defender. Donovan OTOH faked an aggression twice which was shameful and pretty stupid while carded.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on June 24, 2009, 03:41:20 PM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on June 24, 2009, 03:32:33 PM
USA! USA! :yeah:

Tainted for the final.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 24, 2009, 04:13:28 PM
The Valmy taint is almighty.  -_-
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on June 24, 2009, 04:13:37 PM
Valmy taint fu is stronger than Ortiz Taint!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 24, 2009, 04:16:30 PM
Quote from: Cerr on June 24, 2009, 03:20:43 PM
Quote from: Tamas on June 24, 2009, 03:16:46 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on June 24, 2009, 03:07:55 PM
That constant noise from the crowd sure is annoying. Yes I'm watching soccer.
Yes, it will drive me mad next year
There's some talk of banning those horns from the world cup games next year. Hopefully it'll happen, they're really irritating.

Apparently, it's an essential part of the South African experience (TM), or some crap like that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 24, 2009, 04:18:25 PM
Congrats to the yanqui pigdogs, the team seems to have improved a lot in the last few years, and now you have a good batch of talented players. Tactically brilliant game by the US team, great defending and ruthless efficiency when attacking.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: lustindarkness on June 24, 2009, 04:25:28 PM
Just read an AP headline that has to be some error, said that USA won over Spain 2-0?! Unpossible!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on June 24, 2009, 04:40:56 PM
Valmy is remarkable...seriously.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 24, 2009, 06:06:15 PM
Quote from: PDH on June 24, 2009, 04:40:56 PM
Valmy is remarkable...seriously.
I don't think we yet know the full extent of this power. Has Valmy recently cheered for Mousavi?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Octavian on June 25, 2009, 03:42:16 AM
Quote from: Octavian on June 24, 2009, 05:12:05 AM
Dear Lord!

Please let the Americans win. Just think how funny it would be to hear the lamentations of the Spanish afterwards.

Best regards!

Your friend and supporter Octavian

PS You rock!

Thank you Lord!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on June 25, 2009, 04:34:18 AM
hmm does valmy have to specify who should lose, or can he just root for "anybody but me to win the lottery" ?

because this might be a moneymaking opportunity for him...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on June 25, 2009, 04:35:36 AM
Quote from: Viking on June 25, 2009, 04:34:18 AM
hmm does valmy have to specify who should lose, or can he just root for "anybody but me to win the lottery" ?

because this might be a moneymaking opportunity for him...

Specify sadly
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Alatriste on June 28, 2009, 01:54:15 PM
USA has scored the first goal! USA, USA! :D

And I'm 100% serious. I far prefer America to win, because should Brazil win... let's say 3-0, then the obvious conclusion is Brazil would have beaten Spain 5-0, right?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 28, 2009, 02:17:11 PM
Outstanding counterattack by US. 2 - 0
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: lustindarkness on June 28, 2009, 03:03:41 PM
Brazil just tied it at 2-2 <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on June 28, 2009, 03:04:11 PM
Quote from: lustindarkness on June 28, 2009, 03:03:41 PM
Brazil just tied it at 2-2 <_<

Tim caused that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 28, 2009, 03:08:34 PM
And back down to earth they go.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: lustindarkness on June 28, 2009, 03:13:16 PM
fuck
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 29, 2009, 08:47:18 AM
Slowly recovering from my intense depression.

Damn so fucking close to actually winning something on the world stage.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 29, 2009, 08:48:23 AM
Quote from: katmai on June 25, 2009, 04:35:36 AM
Specify sadly

It has failed twice in championship matches...first the Euro now this.

I am not sure how to factor this into my taint-fu.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Iormlund on June 29, 2009, 08:52:17 AM
Quote from: Valmy on June 29, 2009, 08:47:18 AM
Damn so fucking close to actually winning something on the world stage.

:huh:

'Something on the world stage' means EC, WC or Champion's League. Certainly not this cup. So cheer up, my friend.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on June 29, 2009, 09:03:41 AM
Quote from: Iormlund on June 29, 2009, 08:52:17 AM
Quote from: Valmy on June 29, 2009, 08:47:18 AM
Damn so fucking close to actually winning something on the world stage.

:huh:

'Something on the world stage' means EC, WC or Champion's League. Certainly not this cup. So cheer up, my friend.

Come on, for the 'States it would have been quite something, especially beatint teams like Spain and Brazil
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 29, 2009, 09:23:43 AM
Quote from: Iormlund on June 29, 2009, 08:52:17 AM
Quote from: Valmy on June 29, 2009, 08:47:18 AM
Damn so fucking close to actually winning something on the world stage.

:huh:

'Something on the world stage' means EC, WC or Champion's League. Certainly not this cup. So cheer up, my friend.

Yeah the United States is really going to be competing for the Champion's League or the European Championship. :lol:

The only thing bigger than this would have been the World Cup itself.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 29, 2009, 09:25:23 AM
Quote from: Tamas on June 29, 2009, 09:03:41 AM
Come on, for the 'States it would have been quite something, especially beatint teams like Spain and Brazil

Brazil seemed pretty happy about winning it, jumping around and cheering.

Anything that makes Brazil that happy has to be pretty good.

And besides how many major tournaments do we play in besides the WC?  This is pretty much it.  Coming out on top in CONCACAF is just what we are expected to do (or at least be 2nd to Mexico on a bad day).

Well I guess the Gold Cup and Copa America are nice (especially winning the latter, beating the South American teams on their home turf would be huge) but, you know, it isn't a real tournament unless the Euros are there.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 29, 2009, 09:30:13 AM
By the way I love how Altidore scores goals but it seems like he underachieves on things unrelated to goal scoring.  He gives the ball up all the freaking time.  A guy with his talent should be better I think.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on June 29, 2009, 10:55:46 AM
Should have been 4-2, but nice game by the Americans.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 29, 2009, 10:57:02 AM
Quote from: HVC on June 29, 2009, 10:55:46 AM
Should have been 4-2, but nice game by the Americans.

It still would have been 3-2.  If that goal had counted the Brazilians would have gone defensive after scoring the third goal.

I am glad that missed call did not end up deciding the game in any way.  That would have tainted it if we had somehow pulled it out after that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on July 04, 2009, 02:33:30 AM
I'm shocked to see that Alexi Lalas has transformed from this:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F_mZ6DupYE33Q%2FSYlKpwVa8dI%2FAAAAAAAAAn0%2F4dMnqoSPplQ%2Fs400%2Flalas.jpg&hash=0060c2375df2ddd5765272686b60a694d571f098)

into this:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frescindedred.files.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F11%2Falexi-lalas.jpg&hash=c5e69eb21cc9e6f175cb27d7178889e1ba181416)

Grunge and Generation X are truly dead now. :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on July 04, 2009, 05:22:06 AM
Forest have signed three new players!  :bowler:

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: clandestino on July 04, 2009, 11:26:54 AM
Quote from: Norgy on July 04, 2009, 05:22:06 AM
Forest have signed three new players!  :bowler:

They will be playing Sporting this pre-season in Algarve. I expect nothing more than a trashing, but it will be fun playing against an historical team. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 12, 2009, 02:20:40 PM
Denmark - Chile friendly match. By god those little Chileans are fast.

2x Poulsen and Kjær are playing acceptable atm. What the hell is Michael Jacobsen doing on that left back? AaB was two years ago, it's time to purge the national team of those north Jutlanders.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: stjaba on August 12, 2009, 02:23:17 PM
US plays Mexico in about an hour. Coincidentally, I am scheduled to go into at work at 4:00 PM.  :mad:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on August 12, 2009, 02:25:17 PM
Yay. Germany won against Azerbaidjan (or however they are spelled). The only game that really matters is of course the game against Russia.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on August 12, 2009, 02:33:28 PM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.cellfish.com%2Fpublic%2F6%2F2%2F3%2F271623%2F420.jpg&hash=8b2b6f114baf047f3dd578f7d7234f652c5bf247)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 12, 2009, 03:13:35 PM
Chile won 2-1, they're gonna be fun to watch in South Africa.

Also, I continue to think that Rommedahl is some elaborate April's fool by Olsen. When he retires he'll just send out a press release with a picture of Rommedahl with the words, ha ha. But besides that, Jacob Poulsen was great and it was nice to see Grønkjær back in the troop. And what a debut by Schøne. :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: stjaba on August 12, 2009, 03:27:00 PM
Score is 1-1 US vs. Mexico. Free live stream at http://envivo.terra.com/deportes/live/259-eu/
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: jech on August 12, 2009, 03:56:44 PM
1-1 still at half. We look terrible, typical game at Azteca. Mexico is controlling possession, it seems like every pass we make is intercepted by someone in green. Whatever it's still all even with 45 mins left, if we hold on I'll consider it a victory. A draw is great for us, Mexico cannot afford just one point being 4th in the table.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on August 12, 2009, 04:21:19 PM
Quote from: Valmy on August 12, 2009, 02:33:28 PM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.cellfish.com%2Fpublic%2F6%2F2%2F3%2F271623%2F420.jpg&hash=8b2b6f114baf047f3dd578f7d7234f652c5bf247)
I don't think your curse works unless you actually want them to win :p
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: stjaba on August 12, 2009, 04:52:43 PM
US down 2-1 to Mexico with a few minutes left, Rays have blown their lead vs. the Angels and are rapidly falling out of the Wild Card race, and I'm stuck at work.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on September 03, 2009, 12:46:01 PM
QuoteChelsea hit by new signings ban


Chelsea have been banned from signing any new players until January 2011 by football's governing body Fifa.

The Premier League club was found guilty of inducing French winger Gael Kakuta, 18, to breach his contract with Lens when he joined in 2007.

"Chelsea is banned from registering any new players for the two next registration periods," a statement on Fifa's website read.

Chelsea can appeal against the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Fifa's dispute resolution chamber (DRC) ruled Kakuta must pay compensation of 780,000 euros (£682,000), for which Chelsea are "jointly and severally liable".

A spokesman for the London club told BBC Sport they were looking into the matter and hoped to issue a statement shortly.

Lens lodged a complaint with world football's governing body after Chelsea had signed the winger two years ago.

Now the DRC has ruled Kakuta breached his contract with Lens and that Chelsea induced him to do so.


Fifa's statement continued: "The French club had lodged a claim with Fifa seeking compensation for breach of contract from the player and requesting also sporting sanctions to be imposed on the player and the English club for breach of contract and inducement to breach of contract.

"The DRC found that the player had indeed breached a contract signed with the French club. Equally, the DRC deemed it to be established that the English club induced the player to such breach."

Chelsea must pay additional "training compensation" of 130,000 euros (£114,000) to Lens, while the player has been banned from playing in official matches for four months.

Kakuta ended 2007/8, his first season with Chelsea, as the youth team's top scorer and was voted the academy's player of the year.

He played five times for the youth team and twice for the reserves in his second season before it was brought to an abrupt end in February when he suffered a double fracture of his ankle.

The Lille-born youngster has never played for Chelsea's first team although he is back to full fitness and has been featuring in the reserves this season.

The next transfer window is open between 1-31 January 2010 and the opportunity to register new players after that is from the end of the season until 31 August (Europe) and 1 September, (Britain) 2010.

Fifa punished Switzerland's FC Sion for a similar offence in April and the club was told it could not sign players until the 2010 offseason.

This was punishment for their actions in luring Egypt goalkeeper Essam El Hadary in 2008 before his deal with Al-Ahly had expired.

Like Kakuta, El Hadary received a four-month ban from playing.

Sion have appealed to CAS, which has frozen the sanctions while it considers the case, allowing the club to trade before the current season began. A ruling is expected later this year.

Meanwhile Uefa, European football's governing body, is keen to introduce a rule preventing the international transfer of players under the age of 18 after member associations, clubs, leagues and players agreed to the principle.

Uefa president Michel Platini said in March: "The question of minors is above all a moral and ethical issue. We have a duty to take concrete steps to protect young players and training clubs."

Hey Tamas, your club sucks.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on September 03, 2009, 01:42:15 PM
Funniest part: we will still win the Premiership this season. Unless a string of injuries occur, we don't need signings.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on September 03, 2009, 01:53:22 PM
Quote from: Tamas on September 03, 2009, 01:42:15 PM
Funniest part: we will still win the Premiership this season. Unless a string of injuries occur, we don't need signings.

Famous last words.

Anyway are you a fan of any Hungarian teams?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valdemar on September 04, 2009, 03:44:37 AM
So, Poruguese, are you ready for tomorrow? :)

V
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 04, 2009, 03:55:00 AM
Who needs to be ready when they're playing a defense like ours. :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 04, 2009, 03:57:44 AM
Quote from: Tamas on September 03, 2009, 01:42:15 PM
Funniest part: we will still win the Premiership this season. Unless a string of injuries occur, we don't need signings.

What's all that "we" crap? Are you part of the squad? Don't be a Timmy...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on September 05, 2009, 08:36:33 AM
Go Denmark. Send the eggplants home  :menace:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on September 05, 2009, 09:06:40 AM
Quote from: Valmy on September 03, 2009, 01:53:22 PM
Quote from: Tamas on September 03, 2009, 01:42:15 PM
Funniest part: we will still win the Premiership this season. Unless a string of injuries occur, we don't need signings.

Famous last words.

Anyway are you a fan of any Hungarian teams?

Not really, I don't follow the hungarian leauge at all. If there was one, it would be Fehérvár, which is sort of my local team (team of the city I work at), but only hooligans attend games these days, and I really dont like the team enough to get into weekly brawls.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on September 05, 2009, 09:08:46 AM
Quote from: The Larch on September 04, 2009, 03:57:44 AM
Quote from: Tamas on September 03, 2009, 01:42:15 PM
Funniest part: we will still win the Premiership this season. Unless a string of injuries occur, we don't need signings.

What's all that "we" crap? Are you part of the squad? Don't be a Timmy...

Alright, I am not really entitled to using "we" as I am not attending the matches or anything, but still it does not feel wrong using it, considering how long I have been supporting them, and how much shit I have taken for it (pre-Abra it was: "omg lol is there even a team like that?" post-Abra it has been:"lol omg this team is the evöl they pay money for stuff")

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 05, 2009, 09:19:36 AM
We is alright for proper fans of local teams. Especially in the lower divisions. They are your town's team, in amateur footy they are your town's people, we is good.
Tamas speaking of Chelsea though....yeah....
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 05, 2009, 01:52:13 PM
Watching the Portugal-Denmark game, Liep? Denmark's lucky so far. That should have been a penalty against them, instead they scored. Should be 1-0 the other way at halftime.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on September 05, 2009, 02:54:42 PM
OMFG

Sweden got ahead of Hungary and dominated the game, but failed to make more chances. Then a penalty made the game 1-1, and Hungary grew up to the task and the game was quite good for the last 15 minutes. With Portugal losing, it seemed that Hungary retains second place and can continue to dream on.

Then came the very last SECOND of the injury time, the Hungarian defense makes a mistake, and Ibrahimovic scores. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ape on September 05, 2009, 02:57:04 PM
Quote from: Tamas on September 05, 2009, 02:54:42 PM
OMFG

Sweden got ahead of Hungary and dominated the game, but failed to make more chances. Then a penalty made the game 1-1, and Hungary grew up to the task and the game was quite good for the last 15 minutes. With Portugal losing, it seemed that Hungary retains second place and can continue to dream on.

Then came the very last SECOND of the injury time, the Hungarian defense makes a mistake, and Ibrahimovic scores. :(

:lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Cerr on September 05, 2009, 03:10:43 PM
 <_<

Cyprus 1-1 Ireland
About 10 minutes to go. Ireland went ahead early in the game and as per usual immediately gave up attacking. Cyprus equalized before half time.
Either team could still win the match.
Very bad performance and potentially disastrous result for Ireland.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Cerr on September 05, 2009, 03:11:53 PM
Robbie Keane just scored!
2-1 for Ireland.
It's going to be a nervy last few minutes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Cerr on September 05, 2009, 03:38:36 PM
Well they won the game which is the most important thing but it was a very disappointing performance.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sahib on September 05, 2009, 04:35:28 PM
Poland- Northern Irealand. Now, Polish time is weakest in years so I didn't have any great expectations, but we really need to get that demented old Dutch guy out. 4-5-1, 35 years old winger playing in defense and a guy without club as a first substitute  :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pat on September 05, 2009, 05:05:43 PM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iconarchive.com%2Ficons%2Fgiannis-zographos%2Fswedish-football-club%2FAIK-Stockholm-256x256.png&hash=83127b6b5376c28c71dae8665e0deabcc86244d9)


Top of the league, and tomorrow we'll beat the arseholes from the wrong side of Sweden to advance to the cup final :cool:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 05, 2009, 05:42:54 PM
Quote from: Josephus on September 05, 2009, 01:52:13 PM
Watching the Portugal-Denmark game, Liep? Denmark's lucky so far. That should have been a penalty against them, instead they scored. Should be 1-0 the other way at halftime.



Was working so heard it on the radio. It was a good result for Denmark, a world class play by Bendtner, some good saves by Andersen and some sucky play by Portugal. Personally, I think that God saw that the Portutards shouldn't be allowed to win anything.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 09, 2009, 03:57:20 PM
The Danes pulled a Portugal against Albania it seems (goal by the inevitable Bendtner notwithstanding). Sweden almost did as well but won thanks to a Maltese own goal.  :lol: Next game will prove interesting for sure...

Portugal painfully won against Hungary as always when they win against a decent opponent lately.

France tied at 10 with some luck vs Serbia (Balkanics almost qualified) but seems headed to the play-off thanks to favourable results in the other games of the group like Lithuania losing against the Feroers (good one) and Austria having a tie with Romania. Another great goal for Titi, savior of the night.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on September 09, 2009, 04:15:07 PM
Hungary played what it had to play to have a chance against the sleepy Portugese, sadly not only it rendered their attacking play more impotent than it generally is, but a single mistake allowed a portugese goal. Not that it matters too much.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 09, 2009, 04:29:52 PM
Worst game we played in the qualification so far, the only good action we had was Bendter's goal. Rommedahl. :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 09, 2009, 05:25:51 PM
Malta came close to sticking it to them Swedes...an own goal ....bah!


But Eng-er-land...Capello rules
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on September 09, 2009, 07:55:29 PM
And Bilic oversees the worst game by a Croatian team since independence.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on September 09, 2009, 11:21:05 PM
So how does qualifying for the WC work for the 2nd place teams in the european groups?

It seems France has no chance of making it to 1st anymore  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on September 09, 2009, 11:24:05 PM
Nvm, I found it. Holy shit.

13 spots for UEFA. 9 group leaders qualify. The best 8 runner-ups then play home and away games for the remaining 4 spots. :cry:

I'm so very scared.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on September 10, 2009, 12:31:19 AM
So far only Spain, England and Holland are certainly qualified.

For Germany, everything depends on the game versus Russia next month. If Germany wins or ties, Germany will be first in the group. If they lose, Russia will be first and Germany will have to go to the runner-up games.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 10, 2009, 03:49:47 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on September 09, 2009, 11:24:05 PM
Nvm, I found it. Holy shit.

13 spots for UEFA. 9 group leaders qualify. The best 8 runner-ups then play home and away games for the remaining 4 spots. :cry:

I'm so very scared.

Come on, you can draw Bosnia.  :P And at least you're not in Portugal's situation.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on September 10, 2009, 04:14:54 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on September 09, 2009, 11:24:05 PM
Nvm, I found it. Holy shit.

13 spots for UEFA. 9 group leaders qualify. The best 8 runner-ups then play home and away games for the remaining 4 spots. :cry:

I'm so very scared.

The breakup of Yugoslavia and the USSR, it seems, has been terrible for European teams getting to the world cup.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 10, 2009, 07:20:13 AM
Quote from: Zanza on September 10, 2009, 12:31:19 AM
So far only Spain, England and Holland are certainly qualified.

For Germany, everything depends on the game versus Russia next month. If Germany wins or ties, Germany will be first in the group. If they lose, Russia will be first and Germany will have to go to the runner-up games.

I think the Russians should play that game in Stalingrad, or whatever they call it now..Vulvagrad.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on October 10, 2009, 09:34:04 AM
*bump*
Some great matches lined up, looking forward to Portugal being eliminated  :cool:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 10, 2009, 09:46:22 AM
Yup.

The Portugal Hungary game and Russa/Germany appear to be the most intersting, and both are on TV here.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 10, 2009, 12:01:24 PM
Quote from: Josephus on October 10, 2009, 09:46:22 AM
Yup.

The Portugal Hungary game and Russa/Germany appear to be the most intersting, and both are on TV here.



I'll see your Portugal - Hungary game and raise with Denmark - Sweden. What an evening!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on October 10, 2009, 12:13:34 PM
Germany just qualified. :yeah:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on October 10, 2009, 12:18:05 PM
Quote from: Zanza on October 10, 2009, 12:13:34 PM
Germany just qualified. :yeah:
:(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on October 10, 2009, 12:23:11 PM
Looking at who else qualified so far: how the fuck did North Korea qualify? The bigger Asian countries are really poor in football. China, India, Iran, Pakistan, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam etc. all have huge populations, but North Korea qualifies and Bahrain is in the play-off game against New Zealand.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on October 10, 2009, 12:24:19 PM
Quote from: Maladict on October 10, 2009, 12:18:05 PM
Quote from: Zanza on October 10, 2009, 12:13:34 PM
Germany just qualified. :yeah:
:(
15th consecutive qualification.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on October 10, 2009, 12:35:57 PM
Quote from: Zanza on October 10, 2009, 12:24:19 PM

15th consecutive qualification.  :P

I don't mind that, but I would have liked Russia to advance.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on October 10, 2009, 12:44:09 PM
Russia seems to be by far the strongest team in the play-offs. And they can't face France as those games will be seeded. I think the likelihood of Russia playing in the finals is very high.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on October 10, 2009, 12:47:15 PM
Quote from: Zanza on October 10, 2009, 12:44:09 PM
Russia seems to be by far the strongest team in the play-offs. And they can't face France as those games will be seeded. I think the likelihood of Russia playing in the finals is very high.

Yeah, I know. But Russia might slip up during the play-offs, Germany wouldn't.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 10, 2009, 01:10:46 PM
Quote from: Zanza on October 10, 2009, 12:44:09 PM
Russia seems to be by far the strongest team in the play-offs. And they can't face France as those games will be seeded. I think the likelihood of Russia playing in the finals is very high.

Are you sure about that? I thought it was a pretty random thing.

[Edit:] No, you're right. Funny, commentator during the Russia Germany game kept on saying that Russia could face Croatia or France.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on October 10, 2009, 01:25:39 PM
Croatia is pretty much gone.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on October 10, 2009, 01:32:48 PM
And Turkey is already gone. Interesting to see Bosnia go to the play-offs.

Portugal might not make it either. That's three out of eight Euro 2008 quarter finalists.

Argentina also had a really poor qualification so far. But I guess they will make it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 10, 2009, 02:00:48 PM
Denmark - Sweden is quite interesting so far, surprising to see Sweden so defensive with 9-10 man constantly behind the ball.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 10, 2009, 03:05:02 PM
YES!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on October 10, 2009, 03:08:27 PM
Quote from: Liep on October 10, 2009, 03:05:02 PM
YES!

Meh, you Scandies should've conspired to keep the eggplants out.
Now it's up to Hungary. :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 10, 2009, 03:17:54 PM
Quote from: Maladict on October 10, 2009, 03:08:27 PM

Meh, you Scandies should've conspired to keep the eggplants out.
Now it's up to Hungary. :bleeding:

Beating Sweden and going to the WC is so much sweeter than keeping the Portutards out. Sorry world, but Scandiweenian internal fighting > the good of football.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 10, 2009, 04:53:27 PM
Quote from: Liep on October 10, 2009, 03:17:54 PM
Quote from: Maladict on October 10, 2009, 03:08:27 PM

Meh, you Scandies should've conspired to keep the porkchops out.
Now it's up to Hungary. :bleeding:

Beating Sweden and going to the WC is so much sweeter than keeping the Portutards out. Sorry world, but Scandiweenian internal fighting > the good of football.

Tak Danmark  :blush:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 10, 2009, 04:55:03 PM
Quote from: Zanza on October 10, 2009, 12:24:19 PM
Quote from: Maladict on October 10, 2009, 12:18:05 PM
Quote from: Zanza on October 10, 2009, 12:13:34 PM
Germany just qualified. :yeah:
:(
15th consecutive qualification.  :P

Always good to get the decisive victory in Moscow before Winter comes  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Neil on October 10, 2009, 04:56:56 PM
Quote from: The Larch on September 04, 2009, 03:57:44 AM
Quote from: Tamas on September 03, 2009, 01:42:15 PM
Funniest part: we will still win the Premiership this season. Unless a string of injuries occur, we don't need signings.

What's all that "we" crap? Are you part of the squad? Don't be a Timmy...
He's already a Tim.  Chelsea is the Patriots of the Premiership.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Cecil on October 10, 2009, 04:57:48 PM
Excellent. Now we only have to loose the last game too and I´ll pop the champagne here at home.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 10, 2009, 06:47:18 PM
Well the only way we can keep the Portos out of the playoffs is for them to lose to um....hmm.....Malta.
:huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on October 10, 2009, 06:57:33 PM
While I haven't watched the game, I am sure I am safe in saying that our goalkeeper is an idiot. :mad:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on October 10, 2009, 11:24:10 PM
Even though it was pretty much a done deal months ago the US officially qualified tonight.  I look forward to Altidore hoisting the World Cup in triumph next year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on October 11, 2009, 01:57:31 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on October 10, 2009, 04:55:03 PMAlways good to get the decisive victory in Moscow before Winter comes  :D
And now it's up to the Africa Corps.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Alexandru H. on October 11, 2009, 03:22:32 AM
We have become the 1990s Hungary  :cry:

Without the possibility of bragging about two World Cup finals  :Embarrass:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: CountDeMoney on October 13, 2009, 05:01:47 PM
QuoteBalto. Co. woman killed, national team soccer player hurt in crash
22-year-old from Phoenix dies in single-car crash in Virginia early Tuesday

The Associated Press

5:06 PM EDT, October 13, 2009

ARLINGTON, Va.

A Baltimore County woman was killed and a member of the U.S. men's national soccer team was injured in a one-car accident early Tuesday in the Washington, D.C., area.

Ashley J. Roberta, 22, of Phoenix, was killed in the crash, which occurred in the southbound lanes of the George Washington Memorial Parkway in Virginia at about 3:15 a.m., according to U.S. Park Police Sgt. David Schlosser.

Charlie Davies, who was injured in the crash, was expected to undergo more than five hours of surgery. U.S. Soccer Federation spokesman Neil Buethe said Davies' injuries were not life-threatening but "possibly" career-threatening. "We don't know specifically what the surgery is for," he said.

"Obviously, as a team we were saddened to learn this news," U.S. coach Bob Bradley said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Charlie and his family, as well as the other person in the car and the families of the others involved. ... We are relying on each other in a moment that has for sure hit us all hard."

Schlosser said there were three people in the car, and that Roberta was not the driver. Davies and the other person in the car were taken to Washington Hospital Center Medstar, one by land and one by helicopter. Schlosser did not say who was driving the car, and the cause of the accident remained under investigation.

The U.S. team was in the Washington area to prepare for Wednesday night's World Cup qualifying game against Costa Rica.

The 23-year-old Davies has four goals in 17 international appearances. He started and played 78 minutes in the Americans' 3-2 victory over Honduras on Saturday that clinched a berth in their sixth straight World Cup. He made his first U.S. appearance on June 2, 2007, as a substitute against China.

Born in Manchester, N.H., Davies played for Boston College before turning pro in 2006. He was a member of last year's American Olympic team and currently plays for the French club Sochaux. Davies' parents were in route to Washington on Tuesday, USSF spokesman Michael Kammarman said.

The U.S. team had an optional breakfast at its hotel Tuesday, and officials were informed of the accident around 11 a.m., just as Davies' surgery was about to begin. Bradley gathered the players before lunch and informed them of the news. Davies' teammates were not made available for comment.

"Obviously, the players are saddened by the situation and, obviously, hope the surgery goes well for Charlie and that he has a quick recovery," Buethe said.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: CountDeMoney on October 14, 2009, 10:32:16 AM
QuoteARLINGTON, Va. -- U.S. national team forward Charlie Davies had several broken bones and a lacerated bladder after a one-vehicle accident Tuesday in which another person was killed.

Davies underwent several hours of surgery at Washington Hospital Center Medstar, where he was listed in serious but stable condition. The injuries make it unlikely Davis will play in next year's World Cup.

The tibia and femur in Davies' right leg were broken. He also sustained facial fractures and a fracture in his left elbow in the accident, which took place at about 3:15 a.m. in the suburbs of the nation's capital.

Davies will be hospitalized for at least a week and additional operations will be required to stabilize his broken elbow and possibly the facial fractures.

"Injuries of this nature usually require a recovery period of six to 12 months and extensive rehabilitation," said Dr. Dan Kalbac, a U.S. team doctor who collaborated with the doctors at the hospital. "Due to Charlie's fitness level, his prognosis for recovery and his ability to resume high-level competition is substantially improved."

The accident occurred in the southbound lanes of the George Washington Memorial Parkway in Virginia and claimed the life of Ashley J. Roberta, 22, of Phoenix, Md., according to U.S. Park Police Sgt. David Schlosser.

There were three people in the vehicle, and Davies and Roberta were passengers. Schlosser didn't identify the driver, who was also taken to Washington Hospital Center Medstar. The cause of the accident remained under investigation.

"The car was pretty much split in half," Schlosser said, according to The Washington Post.

Davies was airlifted to the hospital after the accident, where a team of doctors first repaired the ruptured bladder and then inserted titanium rods in both broken leg bones. A statement released by USSF said the procedure was performed "with no complications."

The U.S. team is in the Washington area for Wednesday night's World Cup qualifying game against Costa Rica.

The 23-year-old Davies has four goals in 17 international appearances. He started and played 78 minutes in the Americans' 3-2 victory over Honduras on Saturday that clinched a berth in their sixth straight World Cup. He made his first U.S. appearance on June 2, 2007, as a substitute against China.

Born in Manchester, N.H., Davies played for Boston College before turning pro in 2006. He was a member of last year's American Olympic team and currently plays for the French club Sochaux. Davies' brother, sister and father arrived in Washington from California late Tuesday, according to U.S. Soccer Federation spokesman Neil Buethe.

The players were subject to a team curfew Monday night, Buethe said, and Davies apparently was in violation. There was no mandatory team function until lunch on Tuesday, so officials were not aware of the accident until 11 a.m., just as Davies' surgery was about to begin. U.S. coach Bob Bradley informed the players of the news as they gathered for lunch.

The players were not made available for comment, but many in the U.S. soccer community expressed somber thoughts via Twitter.

"Just got some terrible news about my boy. :( :( :( I'm done tweeting for the day, too much stuff runnin through my head," tweeted midfielder Maurice Edu, who has played for the U.S. team but is not on the roster for the game in Washington.

"OMG please pray for Charlie Davies and the people involved in the car accident in dc," was the message from Freddy Adu, also a member of the national team's player pool.

Davies played in 13 games, with nine starts, for the U.S. national team this year, scoring three goals with three assists. His absence leaves Jozy Altidore, Brian Ching and Conor Casey as the top forwards as the Americans begin preparations for the World Cup, which begins June 11 in South Africa. There will also be another roster spot likely up for grabs, with forwards such as Adu and Kenny Cooper possibly working into the mix.

Such mundane thoughts paled to the grief expressed Tuesday over the death of a young woman and the serious injuries suffered by a teammate.

"Obviously, as a team we were saddened to learn this news," Bradley said after hearing about the accident. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Charlie and his family, as well as the other person in the car and the families of the others involved. ... We are relying on each other in a moment that has for sure hit us all hard."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 14, 2009, 03:52:54 PM
Aaaaand we're back to playing like crap.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 14, 2009, 04:18:13 PM
At least, Peugeot cannot be blamed this time...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 14, 2009, 04:48:29 PM
Quote from: Liep on October 14, 2009, 03:52:54 PM
Aaaaand we're back to playing like crap.

Denmark? Didn't matter did it.?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 14, 2009, 05:01:51 PM
Quote from: Josephus on October 14, 2009, 04:48:29 PM
Denmark? Didn't matter did it.?

Not really, but it would still be nice to play like you wanted to win. Also, crappy substituting. Daniel Jensen should never have played.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 15, 2009, 02:14:46 AM
France won against Austria, at last.  :D Even for a stakeless game, against a weaker team, a nice dive in the penalty box giving a goal  :frusty:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 15, 2009, 07:23:41 AM
Yay! We get to see Maradonna in the WC. Is he the new Mourinho? I mean, of course, without the actual skills.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 15, 2009, 07:34:00 AM
Quote from: Liep on October 15, 2009, 07:23:41 AM
Yay! We get to see Maradonna in the WC. Is he the new Mourinho? I mean, of course, without the actual skills.

Nah, at least Mou has panache and an something resembling class. Maradona has nothing of that. You should have seen his press conference after the Uruguay - Argentina game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Mr.Penguin on October 15, 2009, 11:43:04 AM
Quote from: Liep on October 14, 2009, 03:52:54 PM
Aaaaand we're back to playing like crap.

Come on, everyone was still hungover from saturdays party and it was to cold to play...

besides we are on our way to South Africa... ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 15, 2009, 11:56:49 AM
Quote from: Mr.Penguin on October 15, 2009, 11:43:04 AM
Come on, everyone was still hungover from saturdays party and it was to cold to play...

besides we are on our way to South Africa... ;)

So we'll only play good in SA if there's no champagne available. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 18, 2009, 07:42:59 AM
In case you didn't watch the Liverpool-Sunderland game yesterday (odds are good) here is the awesome match winning goal. :lol:

edit- argghhhh the link won't stick!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2RusLT4BdM
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on October 18, 2009, 08:06:25 AM
Quote from: Tyr on October 18, 2009, 07:42:59 AM
In case you didn't watch the Liverpool-Sunderland game yesterday (odds are good) here is the awesome match winning goal. :lol:

In a lifetime, you can only see such a thing once.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on October 18, 2009, 08:26:28 AM
Well I'm now reduced to hoping Bosnia qualify, the manager is our legendary one from '98.

@Tyr: awesome, thanks for the link - though that ginger prat is a marked man now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 18, 2009, 08:38:25 AM
Quote from: Tyr on October 18, 2009, 07:42:59 AM
In case you didn't watch the Liverpool-Sunderland game yesterday (odds are good) here is the awesome match winning goal. :lol:

edit- argghhhh the link won't stick!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2RusLT4BdM

Liverpool's fault. The goalie should have cleared it before that happened.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 18, 2009, 10:24:01 AM
Quote from: Josephus on October 18, 2009, 08:38:25 AM
Liverpool's fault. The goalie should have cleared it before that happened.
Yep, I'd probally be saying something different were the shoe on the other foot but...goals caused by bits of dirt sticking up and the like happen all the time. Its part of the keepers job to ensure theres no dogy bits of earth around the goal. This is a logical extension.
Apparently though hidden away in the rule book is that if the ball hits a foreign object it should be a drop kick there.
I'm just glad a shitty decision went in favour of my team instead of against it as they usually do. i.e. in that particular game the 7 minutes of injury time....
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 18, 2009, 12:01:58 PM
It's a tough call, perhaps. Depending on the interpretation of the rules.

I think the rules state that if there is an outside interference, "the game has to be stopped."

The ref should have stopped the game or motioned to Reina to clear the beachball away. But he let the play continue so the goal should stand.

I haven't heard anything about Benitez going ape shit about it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on October 18, 2009, 04:06:33 PM
Well the last time the goalie started getting rid of foreign objects in the box (a load of balloons), that also ended up in a goal.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on October 18, 2009, 06:00:59 PM
Quote from: Josephus on October 18, 2009, 12:01:58 PM
It's a tough call, perhaps. Depending on the interpretation of the rules.

I think the rules state that if there is an outside interference, "the game has to be stopped."

The ref should have stopped the game or motioned to Reina to clear the beachball away. But he let the play continue so the goal should stand.

I haven't heard anything about Benitez going ape shit about it.

He hasn't been. Liverpool were shit, even if the goal they actually lost by was one that should have been disallowed under a strict interpretation of the rules.

I hope the Saudis buy into the club and let Benitez have some money. On the other hand, they seem to be buying Gillette's share, when it is Hicks who should be the one leaving the club. :mad:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 19, 2009, 02:10:39 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 15, 2009, 07:34:00 AM
Quote from: Liep on October 15, 2009, 07:23:41 AM
Yay! We get to see Maradonna in the WC. Is he the new Mourinho? I mean, of course, without the actual skills.

Nah, at least Mou has panache and an something resembling class. Maradona has nothing of that. You should have seen his press conference after the Uruguay - Argentina game.

That's precisely an argument FOR Maradona. Hilarious nervous breakdown FTW! :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 19, 2009, 06:24:38 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on October 19, 2009, 02:10:39 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 15, 2009, 07:34:00 AM
Quote from: Liep on October 15, 2009, 07:23:41 AM
Yay! We get to see Maradonna in the WC. Is he the new Mourinho? I mean, of course, without the actual skills.

Nah, at least Mou has panache and an something resembling class. Maradona has nothing of that. You should have seen his press conference after the Uruguay - Argentina game.

That's precisely an argument FOR Maradona. Hilarious nervous breakdown FTW! :D

I guess it's either hillarious or embarrassing, depending on your pov.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 19, 2009, 07:44:19 AM
November Play-offs

Republic of Ireland vs France
Portugal vs Bosnia-Herzegovina
Greece vs Ukraine
Russia vs Slovenia
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 19, 2009, 07:45:50 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on October 19, 2009, 07:44:19 AM
November Play-offs

Republic of Ireland-France
Portugal-Bosnia-Herzegovina
Greece-Ukraine
Russia-Slovenia

I bet France, Portugal, Ukraine and Russia will go through.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 19, 2009, 07:54:24 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 19, 2009, 07:45:50 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on October 19, 2009, 07:44:19 AM
November Play-offs

Republic of Ireland-France
Portugal-Bosnia-Herzegovina
Greece-Ukraine
Russia-Slovenia

I bet France, Portugal, Ukraine and Russia will go through.

I bet the Greece-Ukraine game will be a snore fest  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 19, 2009, 08:10:38 AM
Ouch, poor Ireland. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on October 19, 2009, 08:15:56 AM
Quote from: Tyr on October 19, 2009, 08:10:38 AM
Ouch, poor Ireland. :(

:menace: :frog:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on October 19, 2009, 08:24:09 AM
Quote from: Valmy on October 10, 2009, 11:24:10 PM
Even though it was pretty much a done deal months ago the US officially qualified tonight.  I look forward to Altidore hoisting the World Cup in triumph next year.

I don't know--had our team dropped the last two, we would be in the playoff with South America for a spot. And we almost did--we trailed in both games (the last one by two goals), before eeking out a one goal win (where the opposition missed a late PK) and a tie against Costa Rica and Honduras. And in the game before that, we were very fortunate to get a one goal win against Trinidad and Tobago.

We are not playing very well going into the World Cup. I'm prepared for a group stage exit.   :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 19, 2009, 08:33:10 AM
Quote from: Valmy on October 19, 2009, 08:15:56 AM
Quote from: Tyr on October 19, 2009, 08:10:38 AM
Ouch, poor Ireland. :(

:menace: :frog:

I bet 20 or 30 thousands will travel to the SDF providing a real atmosphere. Hell, I would not be surprised if they managed to be a plurality...

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on October 19, 2009, 08:49:41 AM
Quote from: alfred russel on October 19, 2009, 08:24:09 AM
We are not playing very well going into the World Cup. I'm prepared for a group stage exit.   :(

We should always be prepared for that following the US national team :P

But I think they are capable of much more next year.  They are simply more talented than in years past and we still have a long time until the tournament starts.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 19, 2009, 08:53:39 AM
I'm somewhat hopeful for England.
We did well in qualifying and it'll be winter in South Africa when the tournament takes place- tropical temperatures are often a big undoing factor for European teams.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 19, 2009, 09:03:14 AM
Quote from: Tyr on October 19, 2009, 08:53:39 AM
I'm somewhat hopeful for England.
We did well in qualifying and it'll be winter in South Africa when the tournament takes place- tropical temperatures are often a big undoing factor for European teams.

Yet you still don't have a real goalkeeper and your strikers, besides Rooney, are not up to the task. I mean, Heskey is still being capped.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on October 19, 2009, 09:15:00 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 19, 2009, 09:03:14 AM
Quote from: Tyr on October 19, 2009, 08:53:39 AM
I'm somewhat hopeful for England.
We did well in qualifying and it'll be winter in South Africa when the tournament takes place- tropical temperatures are often a big undoing factor for European teams.

Yet you still don't have a real goalkeeper and your strikers, besides Rooney, are not up to the task. I mean, Heskey is still being capped.

Actually when Heskey is used properly, he's a very good team player, and very difficult for defences to deal with.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 19, 2009, 09:25:37 AM
Quote from: Tyr on October 19, 2009, 08:53:39 AM
I'm somewhat hopeful for England.
We did well in qualifying and it'll be winter in South Africa when the tournament takes place- tropical temperatures are often a big undoing factor for European teams.

True....but the same holds true for Germany, italy and other Euro teams.

Don't get me wrong, I've been a supporter of England since I was born in June 66. I'm also somewhat optimistic. They do have a strong team. They do need to solidify their goaltending, though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on October 19, 2009, 10:28:15 AM
Quote from: Valmy on October 19, 2009, 08:15:56 AM
Quote from: Tyr on October 19, 2009, 08:10:38 AM
Ouch, poor Ireland. :(

:menace: :frog:
:o? Will the curse live on now?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 19, 2009, 11:00:16 AM
Quote from: Josephus on October 19, 2009, 09:25:37 AM
True....but the same holds true for Germany, italy and other Euro teams.

Don't get me wrong, I've been a supporter of England since I was born in June 66. I'm also somewhat optimistic. They do have a strong team. They do need to solidify their goaltending, though.
Yep. It does indeed hold true for them also. They too could do pretty good.
But its usually hot countries that are England's undoing- Portugal, Brazil, Argentina.

Quote from: The LarchYet you still don't have a real goalkeeper and your strikers, besides Rooney, are not up to the task. I mean, Heskey is still being capped.
The Bent star is rising.
The lack of a world class keeper is a big problem though.


Quote from: WarspiteActually when Heskey is used properly, he's a very good team player, and very difficult for defences to deal with.
hmm....quite similar to Jones for Sunerland...Bent could link up well with him.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 19, 2009, 11:01:57 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on October 19, 2009, 07:44:19 AM
November Play-offs

Republic of Ireland-France
Portugal-Bosnia-Herzegovina
Greece-Ukraine
Russia-Slovenia

A couple of possible upsets here. All I can say is go Bosnia!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on October 19, 2009, 11:20:16 AM
Quote from: Liep on October 19, 2009, 11:01:57 AM

A couple of possible upsets here. All I can say is go Bosnia!

:yes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 19, 2009, 11:21:50 AM
Quote from: Liep on October 19, 2009, 11:01:57 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on October 19, 2009, 07:44:19 AM
November Play-offs

Republic of Ireland-France
Portugal-Bosnia-Herzegovina
Greece-Ukraine
Russia-Slovenia

A couple of possible upsets here. All I can say is go Bosnia!
That will be a interesting match. Three teams on the field at once...


...


:P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 19, 2009, 11:27:01 AM
Imagine if Bosnia Herzogovina played Trinidad and Tobago.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on October 19, 2009, 11:27:20 AM
Quote from: Tyr on October 19, 2009, 11:21:50 AM
Quote from: Liep on October 19, 2009, 11:01:57 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on October 19, 2009, 07:44:19 AM
November Play-offs

Republic of Ireland-France
Portugal-Bosnia-Herzegovina
Greece-Ukraine
Russia-Slovenia

A couple of possible upsets here. All I can say is go Bosnia!
That will be a interesting match. Three teams on the field at once...


...


:P

Four, actually :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: clandestino on October 19, 2009, 12:15:11 PM
It seems I'm kind of rooting for BiH to win the play-off, although I shouldn't say this out loud for fear of being decapitated by my fellow countrymen.

BiH has a good team that wouldn't shame itself on the WC and I think it could be helpful on the construction of a national identity over there, a thing that they might need.

Portugal on the other side should go back to the drawing table after sacking Queirós and removing Ronaldo from the captain spot and giving it to someone who actually deserves for what he has done on the national team like Simão or Ricardo Carvalho.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Cerr on October 19, 2009, 01:20:23 PM
Quote from: The Larch on October 19, 2009, 07:45:50 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on October 19, 2009, 07:44:19 AM
November Play-offs

Republic of Ireland-France
Portugal-Bosnia-Herzegovina
Greece-Ukraine
Russia-Slovenia

I bet France, Portugal, Ukraine and Russia will go through.
It's going to be tough for Ireland but not entirely impossible to get through. I think the French manager is the real weak point for France.
Everyone was hoping to draw Greece from the 4 seeded teams.

I'm still annoyed with FIFA for pulling that cynical move about seeding the play off draw when they saw that some of the big teams would be in it.  <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on October 19, 2009, 02:30:05 PM
Quote from: HVC on October 19, 2009, 10:28:15 AM
:o? Will the curse live on now?

Doh!  I totally forgot about the blessing of Valmy. :(  Je suis désolé, mes amis français. :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 19, 2009, 04:16:13 PM
Quote from: Tyr on October 19, 2009, 11:00:16 AM
Quote from: The LarchYet you still don't have a real goalkeeper and your strikers, besides Rooney, are not up to the task. I mean, Heskey is still being capped.
The Bent star is rising.
The lack of a world class keeper is a big problem though.

You don't just lack a world class keeper, you lack a plain good one. I mean, Spain's 4th keeper would be a shoe in for England. Weren't there talks of giving Almunia the British nationality before the WC so he could play for England?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 19, 2009, 04:23:44 PM
BTW, apparently there are rumours going on in UEFA circles saying that Ukraine will most probably be stripped of co-organizing Euro '12, with Poland getting the same treatment if their part of the organization doesn't shape up in the coming year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 19, 2009, 04:59:50 PM
Quote from: The Larch on October 19, 2009, 04:16:13 PM

You don't just lack a world class keeper, you lack a plain good one.

Yup...that will be the thorn in England's side. Most teams that win the world cup, in my memory, have always had a top class goalie backing them up...be it Buffon or Kahn or Zoff or whomever. England's goalkeeping issue is my biggest worry going into South Africa.

I know it's very early to make predicitons, but I imagine we can see one of the African teams breaking out and coming close. There's always one or two African teams that have done pretty well, and maybe having the cup in their continent will be rewarding for them. I don't imagine an African team will win...but a semi-finalist? Perhaps.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 19, 2009, 05:06:41 PM
Quote from: The Larch on October 19, 2009, 04:16:13 PM
Weren't there talks of giving Almunia the British nationality before the WC so he could play for England?

I could believe that, they even talked about giving Schmeichel's son British nationality... then you're really desperate. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 19, 2009, 06:07:15 PM
He does have English nationality.
According to Wiki though the powers that be are opposed to him playing and insist he's Spanish.
That would be very very iffy behaviour if we did that. I'm not so sure I'd be comfortable with it. And if England did win...well it'd be a huge scandal and would likely lead to such mercenary behaviour becoming ever more widespread.
You could well imagine the ruler of Dubai taking a interest in football and granting UAE citizenship to a bunch of awesome 3rd world players in exchange for big sums.
International football should remain pure even if club football is very tainted.


African teams: IIRC Ghana (I think it was them...) are quite heavily tipped as a good nation to put money on to win. High odds but a great team. Apparently.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on October 19, 2009, 06:12:50 PM
Where have all the budding Peter Shilton's gone... :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Alatriste on October 20, 2009, 01:08:47 AM
Quote from: Tyr on October 19, 2009, 06:07:15 PM
He does have English nationality.
According to Wiki though the powers that be are opposed to him playing and insist he's Spanish.
That would be very very iffy behaviour if we did that. I'm not so sure I'd be comfortable with it. And if England did win...well it'd be a huge scandal and would likely lead to such mercenary behaviour becoming ever more widespread.
You could well imagine the ruler of Dubai taking a interest in football and granting UAE citizenship to a bunch of awesome 3rd world players in exchange for big sums.
International football should remain pure even if club football is very tainted.


African teams: IIRC Ghana (I think it was them...) are quite heavily tipped as a good nation to put money on to win. High odds but a great team. Apparently.

IIRC the rules are you can't play in two national teams, ever. If Almunia had played for Spain, then he would be barred from joining England's team. But he never did so it would be OK for England to have him. I don't think that would get a raised eyebrow in Spain. We have had players born in Argentina, Hungary... and even in today's team: Marcos Senna was born in Brazil, he's an Spanish citizen only since 2005. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valdemar on October 20, 2009, 02:26:35 AM
Quote from: Alatriste on October 20, 2009, 01:08:47 AM

IIRC the rules are you can't play in two national teams, ever. If Almunia had played for Spain, then he would be barred from joining England's team. But he never did so it would be OK for England to have him. I don't think that would get a raised eyebrow in Spain. We have had players born in Argentina, Hungary... and even in today's team: Marcos Senna was born in Brazil, he's an Spanish citizen only since 2005.

Just look at the Portuguese team, they nationalised their third Brazilian only 10 days before their game in Copenhagen.

V
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 20, 2009, 03:14:09 AM
Quote from: Valdemar on October 20, 2009, 02:26:35 AM
Quote from: Alatriste on October 20, 2009, 01:08:47 AM

IIRC the rules are you can't play in two national teams, ever. If Almunia had played for Spain, then he would be barred from joining England's team. But he never did so it would be OK for England to have him. I don't think that would get a raised eyebrow in Spain. We have had players born in Argentina, Hungary... and even in today's team: Marcos Senna was born in Brazil, he's an Spanish citizen only since 2005.

Just look at the Portuguese team, they nationalised their third Brazilian only 10 days before their game in Copenhagen.

V

Tordesillas treaty still applies after all :contract:  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 20, 2009, 03:16:06 AM
Quote from: clandestino on October 19, 2009, 12:15:11 PM
It seems I'm kind of rooting for BiH to win the play-off, although I shouldn't say this out loud for fear of being decapitated by my fellow countrymen.

BiH has a good team that wouldn't shame itself on the WC and I think it could be helpful on the construction of a national identity over there, a thing that they might need.

Portugal on the other side should go back to the drawing table after sacking Queirós and removing Ronaldo from the captain spot and giving it to someone who actually deserves for what he has done on the national team like Simão or Ricardo Carvalho.

/I_Killed_Kenny

Nigga please... Self-hatred is so Portuguese

/I_Killed_Kenny

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valdemar on October 20, 2009, 03:16:58 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on October 20, 2009, 03:14:09 AM
Tordesillas treaty still applies after all :contract:  :P

Rather in reverse as it is.. brazil is taking over the Portuguese team, not the other wayaround :D

V
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 20, 2009, 03:21:08 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on October 20, 2009, 03:14:09 AM
Quote from: Valdemar on October 20, 2009, 02:26:35 AM
Quote from: Alatriste on October 20, 2009, 01:08:47 AM

IIRC the rules are you can't play in two national teams, ever. If Almunia had played for Spain, then he would be barred from joining England's team. But he never did so it would be OK for England to have him. I don't think that would get a raised eyebrow in Spain. We have had players born in Argentina, Hungary... and even in today's team: Marcos Senna was born in Brazil, he's an Spanish citizen only since 2005.

Just look at the Portuguese team, they nationalised their third Brazilian only 10 days before their game in Copenhagen.

V

Tordesillas treaty still applies after all :contract:  :P

Funny thing, I was going to say that then we'd be happy to take as many Argenitinians as we could, but then I realized that basically besides Messi they'd have no place in the current Spanish national team.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 20, 2009, 03:30:33 AM
Quote from: Alatriste on October 20, 2009, 01:08:47 AM
Quote from: Tyr on October 19, 2009, 06:07:15 PM
He does have English nationality.
According to Wiki though the powers that be are opposed to him playing and insist he's Spanish.
That would be very very iffy behaviour if we did that. I'm not so sure I'd be comfortable with it. And if England did win...well it'd be a huge scandal and would likely lead to such mercenary behaviour becoming ever more widespread.
You could well imagine the ruler of Dubai taking a interest in football and granting UAE citizenship to a bunch of awesome 3rd world players in exchange for big sums.
International football should remain pure even if club football is very tainted.


African teams: IIRC Ghana (I think it was them...) are quite heavily tipped as a good nation to put money on to win. High odds but a great team. Apparently.

IIRC the rules are you can't play in two national teams, ever. If Almunia had played for Spain, then he would be barred from joining England's team. But he never did so it would be OK for England to have him. I don't think that would get a raised eyebrow in Spain. We have had players born in Argentina, Hungary... and even in today's team: Marcos Senna was born in Brazil, he's an Spanish citizen only since 2005.

Almunia hasn't played for any national Spanish team, not even for the under-something categories, so he shouldn't have any problems playing for England should he be called. Almost every 2nd tier and some 1st tier teams in the last Euro had at least a naturalized player, it's not that strange nowadays.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 20, 2009, 03:32:56 AM
Quote from: Valdemar on October 20, 2009, 03:16:58 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on October 20, 2009, 03:14:09 AM
Tordesillas treaty still applies after all :contract:  :P

Rather in reverse as it is.. brazil is taking over the Portuguese team, not the other wayaround :D

V

Nani is Brazilian too?  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valdemar on October 20, 2009, 03:42:32 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 20, 2009, 03:30:33 AM
Almost every 2nd tier and some 1st tier teams in the last Euro had at least a naturalized player, it's not that strange nowadays.

Well yes, but there IS a difference in how and why some of them are nationalised...

Refugees, Immigrants, or children of Immigrants.. sure...

Players in high numbers, right before an important match, only just fullfilling the requirements? It can get borderline IMHO.

There were likewise issues in handball were at one point the entire Austrian Women's national team equalised 1 club team who where all nationlised East Europeans, mostly Hungarian, Bulgarien, Ukainian and so on.

V
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 20, 2009, 05:01:15 AM
Quote from: Valdemar on October 20, 2009, 03:42:32 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 20, 2009, 03:30:33 AM
Almost every 2nd tier and some 1st tier teams in the last Euro had at least a naturalized player, it's not that strange nowadays.

Well yes, but there IS a difference in how and why some of them are nationalised...

Refugees, Immigrants, or children of Immigrants.. sure...

Players in high numbers, right before an important match, only just fullfilling the requirements? It can get borderline IMHO.

There were likewise issues in handball were at one point the entire Austrian Women's national team equalised 1 club team who where all nationlised East Europeans, mostly Hungarian, Bulgarien, Ukainian and so on.

V

Guess what, Football players are immigrants too if highly paid. Brazilians always had it easy entering Portugal and vice versa. Besides, I'd rather have Liedson than whatever Pentecostal Protestant sect Brazil graces us with, not to mention the telenovelas ;)

All of that makes one player fullfilling the naturalisation requirements (years of residence in Portugal, no jail time etc.) before the game in Copenhagen. Where are your players in high numbers?

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 20, 2009, 05:15:47 AM
Quote from: Valdemar on October 20, 2009, 03:42:32 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 20, 2009, 03:30:33 AM
Almost every 2nd tier and some 1st tier teams in the last Euro had at least a naturalized player, it's not that strange nowadays.

Well yes, but there IS a difference in how and why some of them are nationalised...

Refugees, Immigrants, or children of Immigrants.. sure...

Players in high numbers, right before an important match, only just fullfilling the requirements? It can get borderline IMHO.

There were likewise issues in handball were at one point the entire Austrian Women's national team equalised 1 club team who where all nationlised East Europeans, mostly Hungarian, Bulgarien, Ukainian and so on.

V

Normally, the kind of player that gets naturalized to play for another nation's national team is a Brazilian who never got capped back home (either because they weren't good enough, because they weren't noticed or because they were passed over) and gets called up when he gets the nationality of the country where he's been playing for many years. You have Senna in Spain, Deco in Portugal, Eduardo in Croatia, Aurelio in Turkey or Guerreiro in Poland fitting that mold, and Almunia would be like them. And then there are the ones that have some kind of link with their "new" country, like Kuranyi in Germany, Trezeguet in France or Camoranesi in Italy. It's not something unprecedented at all.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valdemar on October 20, 2009, 06:01:21 AM
I didn't say it was unprecedented, nor that anything was wrong with it. Only that once in a while it tends to get very obvious and as such moves into a grey area :)

V
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 20, 2009, 06:27:00 AM
Quote from: Valdemar on October 20, 2009, 06:01:21 AM
I didn't say it was unprecedented, nor that anything was wrong with it. Only that once in a while it tends to get very obvious and as such moves into a grey area :)

V

Of course it's obvious, and I don't see much of a grey area. Those guys fulfill the requeriments for naturalization, and shouldn't be prevented from representing their new countries. Normally those guys have been living and playing on their new countries for a long time. The cases that deserve further scrutiny are the ones when normal rules are circumvented for speedier naturalizations, such as Solomon Kalou's botched attempt at getting Dutch nationality, I guess those are the ones you think of.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valdemar on October 20, 2009, 06:52:47 AM
Nope the most blatant was as I mentioned the Austrian Handball team where at one point the national team didn't have a single player almost who had been born in Austria :D

Duque, I'm not sure i understand your question? What players from where?

V
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 20, 2009, 06:55:42 AM
Quote from: Valdemar on October 20, 2009, 06:52:47 AM
Nope the most blatant was as I mentioned the Austrian Handball team where at one point the national team didn't have a single player almost who had been born in Austria :D

Duque, I'm not sure i understand your question? What players from where?

V

Handball AFAIK has laxer naturalization rules, I remember Talant Duishebayev playing both for Russia and Spain with little problems involved. And we're talking footie here, anyway.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 20, 2009, 06:59:42 AM
If other teams do then that makes them cheating scum and we should not drop to their level (I do remember that Turkish Brazilian...)

A trouble with England potentially doing it too I think is that there is no English citizenship, only British. Every England player has actual links to England. Even the Welsh, for all the stick they get for having nought but England rejects only take players with actual Welsh links.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on October 20, 2009, 07:00:09 AM
Montreal's Impact won the USL championship cup. :yeah: I guess.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valdemar on October 20, 2009, 07:06:33 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 20, 2009, 06:55:42 AM

Handball AFAIK has laxer naturalization rules, I remember Talant Duishebayev playing both for Russia and Spain with little problems involved. And we're talking footie here, anyway.  :P

True tue, but since when has that stopped a languish discussion? :D

Still, nationalising him, then picking him for the national team btw. 2 games while the team is in session still seems to be almost defying the intention of the rules, even if by the letter he was eligible :)

V
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 20, 2009, 07:19:18 AM
Quote from: Tyr on October 20, 2009, 06:59:42 AM
If other teams do then that makes them cheating scum and we should not drop to their level (I do remember that Turkish Brazilian...)

It's not cheating, those guys have the nationality of the team they're now playing for, after having lived and played there for several years. After getting the nationality and fulfilling all the criteria laid by FIFA, why shouldn't they be allowed to play for their new country?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 20, 2009, 07:20:32 AM
Quote from: Valdemar on October 20, 2009, 07:06:33 AM
Still, nationalising him, then picking him for the national team btw. 2 games while the team is in session still seems to be almost defying the intention of the rules, even if by the letter he was eligible :)

I don't really understand what you want to say here.  -_-

What exactly happened with that Brazilian-Portuguese guy?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valdemar on October 20, 2009, 07:25:59 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 20, 2009, 07:20:32 AM

I don't really understand what you want to say here.  -_-

What exactly happened with that Brazilian-Portuguese guy?

He was nationalised 10 days before the game in Copenhagen, in the middle of a team assembly, then put straight on the A team, and then subbed in during the game...

Now how could he possibly know how to play that team, coop with the others, know their system etc.. only ten days after being nationalised, without having trained with them?  :lol:

V
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 20, 2009, 07:33:36 AM
Quote from: Valdemar on October 20, 2009, 07:25:59 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 20, 2009, 07:20:32 AM

I don't really understand what you want to say here.  -_-

What exactly happened with that Brazilian-Portuguese guy?

He was nationalised 10 days before the game in Copenhagen, in the middle of a team assembly, then put straight on the A team, and then subbed in during the game...

Now how could he possibly know how to play that team, coop with the others, know their system etc.. only ten days after being nationalised, without having trained with them?  :lol:

V

Ok, now I get it. Anyway, that's a concern for the national coach, not for the authorities or the naturalization system. If the guy was eligible, nothing could legally prevent him form playing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 20, 2009, 03:40:06 PM
Quote from: Valdemar on October 20, 2009, 06:52:47 AM
Nope the most blatant was as I mentioned the Austrian Handball team where at one point the national team didn't have a single player almost who had been born in Austria :D

Duque, I'm not sure i understand your question? What players from where?

V

Quote
Players in high numbers, right before an important match, only just fullfilling the requirements? It can get borderline IMHO.

While it was Liedson who has been playing in Portugal for 6 years, hence fullfilling the years of residence criterium.

As for not playing sooner, maybe you should know that Queiroz's choices are not exactly popular nor particulary bright ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 20, 2009, 03:59:57 PM
Some of the best playing I've seen from Barcelona, to bad they lost.. also, who were those hardworking Russians? Never heard of that team before.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Brain on October 20, 2009, 04:12:18 PM
Quote from: Valdemar on October 20, 2009, 07:25:59 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 20, 2009, 07:20:32 AM

I don't really understand what you want to say here.  -_-

What exactly happened with that Brazilian-Portuguese guy?

He was nationalised 10 days before the game in Copenhagen, in the middle of a team assembly, then put straight on the A team, and then subbed in during the game...

Now how could he possibly know how to play that team, coop with the others, know their system etc.. only ten days after being nationalised, without having trained with them?  :lol:

V

Is a national team training with foreigners forbidden?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valdemar on October 21, 2009, 03:10:56 AM
Quote from: The Brain on October 20, 2009, 04:12:18 PM

Is a national team training with foreigners forbidden?

Nope, I don't think so, but why would you want to train with forreigners unless you magically wants to include them? :D


Saw parts of the Liverpool game... lousy defence :(

V
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 21, 2009, 04:08:48 AM
Quote from: Liep on October 20, 2009, 03:59:57 PM
Some of the best playing I've seen from Barcelona

Then you haven't seen much.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 21, 2009, 05:45:31 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 21, 2009, 04:08:48 AM
Quote from: Liep on October 20, 2009, 03:59:57 PM
Some of the best playing I've seen from Barcelona

Then you haven't seen much.  :lol:

First game since the champion's league last year. :S I just enjoyed Messi and all the combinations. Of course, it didn't amount to much...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 21, 2009, 05:51:52 AM
Quote from: Liep on October 21, 2009, 05:45:31 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 21, 2009, 04:08:48 AM
Quote from: Liep on October 20, 2009, 03:59:57 PM
Some of the best playing I've seen from Barcelona

Then you haven't seen much.  :lol:

First game since the champion's league last year. :S I just enjoyed Messi and all the combinations. Of course, it didn't amount to much...

Well, all the pundits are saying that it was their worst match of the season so far, with several players still out of shape and coming out of injuries, so it kinda shocked me to read that.  :P And Messi is going through a bad spell as well, he has even been questioned for his bad performance in the Argentinian national team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 21, 2009, 06:20:54 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 19, 2009, 04:23:44 PM
BTW, apparently there are rumours going on in UEFA circles saying that Ukraine will most probably be stripped of co-organizing Euro '12, with Poland getting the same treatment if their part of the organization doesn't shape up in the coming year.

Then what?
Germany again? :unsure:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 21, 2009, 06:25:01 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 21, 2009, 05:51:52 AM
Well, all the pundits are saying that it was their worst match of the season so far, with several players still out of shape and coming out of injuries, so it kinda shocked me to read that.  :P And Messi is going through a bad spell as well, he has even been questioned for his bad performance in the Argentinian national team.

I watch too little football atm. I blame the commentators really, the channel showing la liga has retards talking. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 21, 2009, 06:44:11 AM
Quote from: Tyr on October 21, 2009, 06:20:54 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 19, 2009, 04:23:44 PM
BTW, apparently there are rumours going on in UEFA circles saying that Ukraine will most probably be stripped of co-organizing Euro '12, with Poland getting the same treatment if their part of the organization doesn't shape up in the coming year.

Then what?
Germany again? :unsure:

It seems that they're the backup, yes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 21, 2009, 07:52:18 PM
Some surprises in the third round of the Champions League.
Watched the Milan v. Real Madrid game today. Fell asleep in the first hour, but boy was that last half hour exciting.

It's good to see billionaire teams lose like that. :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 22, 2009, 03:47:06 AM
Quote from: Josephus on October 21, 2009, 07:52:18 PM
Some surprises in the third round of the Champions League.
Watched the Milan v. Real Madrid game today. Fell asleep in the first hour, but boy was that last half hour exciting.

It's good to see billionaire teams lose like that. :)

Michael Laudrup was commentating it here so I had to stay awake to listen and evaluate. He's pretty good... clearly ready for another coaching job (hello Atletico?). This meant that I fell asleep in the 2nd half missing the good part of the game though. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 22, 2009, 06:18:29 AM
First time I see a team failing two penalties yet winning (Bordeaux vs Bayern)...
Nice madjer as a bonus :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 22, 2009, 09:00:28 AM
And not that any of you care so much but the MLS heads into its final games this weekend and there's like a half dozen teams vying for the last couple playoff spots.

This is as exciting as it gets. Go--Toronto.....
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: I Killed Kenny on October 22, 2009, 03:07:59 PM
Benfica 5 - 0 Everton


:yeah:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 23, 2009, 01:40:44 AM
Quote from: I Killed Kenny on October 22, 2009, 03:07:59 PM
Benfica 5 - 0 Everton


:yeah:

Parabéns, alfacinhas  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pat on November 01, 2009, 09:07:55 PM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fen%2Fe%2Fe0%2FAik.png&hash=b2b8e952fe381c405d91b39680363b0186d7714a)


Swedish Champions 2009 :yeah:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on November 10, 2009, 04:20:44 PM
The goal keeper of the German national team and Hannover 96 has committed suicide today. RIP. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 10, 2009, 04:25:16 PM
Quote from: Zanza on November 10, 2009, 04:20:44 PM
The goal keeper of the German national team and Hannover 96 has committed suicide today. RIP. :(

Apparently by throwing himself in front of a train. Since one shouldn't speak ill of the death I'll just be quiet.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on November 10, 2009, 04:36:21 PM
Damn.  I wouldn't kill myself, but there's gotta be a better way if you want to do yourself in.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 10, 2009, 04:38:34 PM
News reports I've seen say accident.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 14, 2009, 07:07:36 PM
Saturday Night Play-offs:

Russia-Slovenia 2-1

Late goal by Slovenia spicing up the second leg in a game otherwise dominated by Russia.

Greece-Ukraine 0-0

How surprising  :D

Ireland-France

La France a l'Eire de se rapprocher de l'Afrique du Sud. Lucky goal though.

Portugal-Bosnia 1-0

Outrageous domination at times by Portugal yet only 1 goal. How typical. Bosnia hit the posts twice, however.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Iormlund on November 14, 2009, 09:06:21 PM
In the least friendly and thus most entertaining friendly match I've ever seen, Spain beat the Argies 2 to 1. Although, it could easily have been worse for the Southamericans, especially if the ref had been any good.
For pretty much all the game but the first part of the second half, Spain trashed Maradona's team, which seamed to play without a midfield. :unsure:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 18, 2009, 03:06:39 PM
Go Bosnia  :cool:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 18, 2009, 03:17:12 PM
Quote from: Maladict on November 18, 2009, 03:06:39 PM
Go Bosnia  :cool:

Seconded.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 18, 2009, 04:29:42 PM
Denmark score three times in eight minutes against the US  :o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 18, 2009, 04:54:12 PM
Ukraine and Russia out, Portugal go through. This is the worst possible outcome  :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 18, 2009, 05:05:22 PM
Quote from: Maladict on November 18, 2009, 04:29:42 PM
Denmark score three times in eight minutes against the US  :o

:w00t: :yeah:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on November 18, 2009, 05:28:53 PM
Quote from: Maladict on October 10, 2009, 12:47:15 PM
Quote from: Zanza on October 10, 2009, 12:44:09 PM
Russia seems to be by far the strongest team in the play-offs. And they can't face France as those games will be seeded. I think the likelihood of Russia playing in the finals is very high.

Yeah, I know. But Russia might slip up during the play-offs, Germany wouldn't.
Good prediction.  ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 18, 2009, 05:34:28 PM
Russia lost? That is LOL....I was just thinking their game wasn't a challenge whilst Ireland had something hard. Wonder how they've done...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on November 18, 2009, 05:36:21 PM
Ireland loses to the French cheaters.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 18, 2009, 05:40:09 PM
Quote from: Maladict on November 18, 2009, 04:29:42 PM
Denmark score three times in eight minutes against the US  :o
Was that in a friendly or a meany?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on November 18, 2009, 05:41:47 PM
Friendly. All the teams that are already qualified only have friendlies until the World Cup.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 18, 2009, 05:50:13 PM
Quote from: Zanza on November 18, 2009, 05:28:53 PM

Good prediction.  ;)

I hate it when I'm right.  <_<

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 18, 2009, 05:51:33 PM
Quote from: Zanza on November 18, 2009, 05:36:21 PM
Ireland loses to the French cheaters.

Yes, that was pretty awful.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: bogh on November 18, 2009, 05:59:24 PM
Down with the yanqui pig dogs. Long live Denmark and our glorious team (who played like poo in the first half, second was ok). Watched the rest of Ireland-France in the pub afterwards - Ireland was rubed!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on November 18, 2009, 06:34:25 PM
The wrong Balkan team went through tonight :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on November 18, 2009, 06:38:50 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on November 18, 2009, 05:40:09 PM
Quote from: Maladict on November 18, 2009, 04:29:42 PM
Denmark score three times in eight minutes against the US  :o
Was that in a friendly or a meany?

No idea about the Danes, but US lineup had maybe 3 guys who would start for us in World Cup.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 18, 2009, 06:40:56 PM
Quote from: katmai on November 18, 2009, 06:38:50 PM
No idea about the Danes, but US lineup had maybe 3 guys who would start for us in World Cup.
How's that African kid doing?  Washed out?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on November 18, 2009, 06:44:06 PM
Eh, kinda sorta, he is playing his club ball in Portugal this year after spending last year on loan in France.
I mean he is only 20 so career isn't in dump yet.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 18, 2009, 08:04:01 PM
Quote from: katmai on November 18, 2009, 06:38:50 PM
No idea about the Danes, but US lineup had maybe 3 guys who would start for us in World Cup.

It was a pretty weak lineup, but then again our lineup always seem weak.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 18, 2009, 08:34:19 PM
Feel bad about Russia. They were exciting to watch in the Euros. I thought that losing to Germany in Moscow would be their downfall. Russia should never lose to Germany in Moscow.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 19, 2009, 03:13:58 AM
I summon an angry Drogba on the corrupt fuck who refereed the Ireland-France game. What a disgrace

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.timesonline.co.uk%2Fmultimedia%2Farchive%2F00546%2Fdrogba_angry_585_546020a.jpg&hash=3a355f4ec14f64a3c7faeae87176ca7f57cfb8b4)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valdemar on November 19, 2009, 03:57:00 AM
Quote from: Liep on November 18, 2009, 08:04:01 PM
Quote from: katmai on November 18, 2009, 06:38:50 PM
No idea about the Danes, but US lineup had maybe 3 guys who would start for us in World Cup.

It was a pretty weak lineup, but then again our lineup always seem weak.

It was a line up mostly of local league players and players from the youth and Liga national team.. alot of them had debut or second game on national team..

Pretty decent going

V
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Cerr on November 19, 2009, 04:14:35 AM
 :angry: :angry: :angry:

Fucking French cheater Thierry Henry and an idiot referee.


Ireland played great last night it's a real pity we didn't go through.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 19, 2009, 04:46:01 AM
I like how fifa completely censors the incident from their site, even though Henry has already freely admitted what he did.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 19, 2009, 04:51:25 AM
Quote from: Maladict on November 18, 2009, 04:54:12 PM
Ukraine and Russia out, Portugal go through. This is the worst possible outcome  :cry:
:face: Porkchop hater  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Octavian on November 19, 2009, 05:41:39 AM
Quote from: Cerr on November 19, 2009, 04:14:35 AM
:angry: :angry: :angry:

Fucking French cheater Thierry Henry and an idiot referee.


Ireland played great last night it's a real pity we didn't go through.

What happened?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on November 19, 2009, 06:15:04 AM
Handball, goal, 104th minute.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 19, 2009, 06:22:25 AM
Quote from: Maladict on November 19, 2009, 04:46:01 AM
I like how fifa completely censors the incident from their site, even though Henry has already freely admitted what he did.

He should shut the fuck up, France is now tainted. This is good news for the Portutards, maybe the world will find another team to hate.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 19, 2009, 06:39:49 AM
Quote from: Warspite on November 19, 2009, 06:15:04 AM
Handball, goal, 104th minute.

Offside + 2 handballs (first one might have been casual).

Some French fans claim the referee missed a penalty on Anelka just before the goal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 19, 2009, 06:42:49 AM
Quote from: Liep on November 19, 2009, 06:22:25 AM
Quote from: Maladict on November 19, 2009, 04:46:01 AM
I like how fifa completely censors the incident from their site, even though Henry has already freely admitted what he did.

He should shut the fuck up, France is now tainted. This is good news for the Portutards, maybe the world will find another team to hate.

Languish = The World?  :huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 19, 2009, 06:57:48 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 19, 2009, 06:42:49 AM
Languish = The World?  :huh:

This is what I perceive to be the truth.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 19, 2009, 07:34:35 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 19, 2009, 06:42:49 AM
Quote from: Liep on November 19, 2009, 06:22:25 AM
Quote from: Maladict on November 19, 2009, 04:46:01 AM
I like how fifa completely censors the incident from their site, even though Henry has already freely admitted what he did.

He should shut the fuck up, France is now tainted. This is good news for the Portutards, maybe the world will find another team to hate.

Languish = The World?  :huh:


:yes: Most certainly
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 19, 2009, 07:50:25 AM
Quote from: Tamas on November 19, 2009, 07:34:35 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 19, 2009, 06:42:49 AM
Quote from: Liep on November 19, 2009, 06:22:25 AM
Quote from: Maladict on November 19, 2009, 04:46:01 AM
I like how fifa completely censors the incident from their site, even though Henry has already freely admitted what he did.

He should shut the fuck up, France is now tainted. This is good news for the Portutards, maybe the world will find another team to hate.

Languish = The World?  :huh:


:yes: Most certainly

Maybe more like the gulag, if the country is not represented, it is an irrelevant country  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 19, 2009, 08:12:02 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 19, 2009, 07:50:25 AM
Quote from: Tamas on November 19, 2009, 07:34:35 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 19, 2009, 06:42:49 AM
Quote from: Liep on November 19, 2009, 06:22:25 AM
Quote from: Maladict on November 19, 2009, 04:46:01 AM
I like how fifa completely censors the incident from their site, even though Henry has already freely admitted what he did.

He should shut the fuck up, France is now tainted. This is good news for the Portutards, maybe the world will find another team to hate.

Languish = The World?  :huh:


:yes: Most certainly

Maybe more like the gulag, if the country is not represented, it is an irrelevant country  :lol:

:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 19, 2009, 12:19:03 PM
Henry sure is handy to have around the goal.  After the headbutt of '06 it is only fitting France goes to South Africa and brings controversy with her.

I think Team USA got drugged by cheating Danes during halftime.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 19, 2009, 12:21:02 PM
Quote from: Cerr on November 19, 2009, 04:14:35 AM
an idiot referee.

The Handball was hard to spot in real time...but I have no idea how they missed the offsides.  I mean how obvious does it have to be?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 19, 2009, 12:27:14 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 19, 2009, 12:21:02 PM
Quote from: Cerr on November 19, 2009, 04:14:35 AM
an idiot referee.

The Handball was hard to spot in real time...but I have no idea how they missed the offsides.  I mean how obvious does it have to be?
Cash sometimes makes the obvious seem less obvious :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 19, 2009, 12:30:16 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 19, 2009, 07:50:25 AM
Maybe more like the gulag, if the country is not represented, it is an irrelevant country  :lol:

Pfft, even represented countries are irrelevant.

e.g. Hungary
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 19, 2009, 01:55:34 PM
Quote from: Barrister on November 19, 2009, 12:30:16 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 19, 2009, 07:50:25 AM
Maybe more like the gulag, if the country is not represented, it is an irrelevant country  :lol:

Pfft, even represented countries are irrelevant.

e.g. Hungary

:mad:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Neil on November 19, 2009, 01:58:28 PM
I hope the IRA will begin attacking French and FIFA targets.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 19, 2009, 06:00:52 PM
Don't know about the IRA, but the FAI (Football Association of Ireland, I'm guessing) is asking FIFA to replay the game. I doubt that would happen.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=700719&sec=worldcup2010&cc=5901
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Cerr on November 19, 2009, 06:14:22 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 19, 2009, 06:00:52 PM
Don't know about the IRA, but the FAI (Football Association of Ireland, I'm guessing) is asking FIFA to replay the game. I doubt that would happen.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=700719&sec=worldcup2010&cc=5901
Yeah it's very unlikely FIFA will allow for a replay of the game.

The only chance for it to happen would be if the French football association asked FIFA for a replay too but I highly doubt they would.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on November 19, 2009, 06:25:41 PM
Quote from: Cerr on November 19, 2009, 06:14:22 PM

Yeah it's very unlikely FIFA will allow for a replay of the game.

The only chance for it to happen would be if the French football association asked FIFA for a replay too but I highly doubt they would.

It would be awesome if the French did, and maybe smart too. The world is going to consider them tainted this world cup.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on November 19, 2009, 07:19:25 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on November 19, 2009, 06:25:41 PM
Quote from: Cerr on November 19, 2009, 06:14:22 PM

Yeah it's very unlikely FIFA will allow for a replay of the game.

The only chance for it to happen would be if the French football association asked FIFA for a replay too but I highly doubt they would.

It would be awesome if the French did, and maybe smart too. The world is going to consider them tainted this world cup.

Yeah.  I'm of course going to be rooting for the U.S., though I know it's hopeless, but now I know who I'm going to root against.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 19, 2009, 07:53:57 PM
Are there other examples of unwritten rules in footy?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Neil on November 19, 2009, 08:02:49 PM
Quote from: dps on November 19, 2009, 07:19:25 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on November 19, 2009, 06:25:41 PM
Quote from: Cerr on November 19, 2009, 06:14:22 PM

Yeah it's very unlikely FIFA will allow for a replay of the game.

The only chance for it to happen would be if the French football association asked FIFA for a replay too but I highly doubt they would.

It would be awesome if the French did, and maybe smart too. The world is going to consider them tainted this world cup.

Yeah.  I'm of course going to be rooting for the U.S., though I know it's hopeless, but now I know who I'm going to root against.
If the final is France and Italy again, what do you do?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 19, 2009, 08:18:45 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on November 19, 2009, 07:53:57 PM
Are there other examples of unwritten rules in footy?

Like which one?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 19, 2009, 08:25:44 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 19, 2009, 08:18:45 PM
Like which one?
Not sure.  On the one hand (ha ha) I can understand the bitching about the ref missing an important call.  But on the other hand people are pissing on France too.  It seems like there might be an unwritten rule that France is supposed to do something to make up for the missed call.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on November 19, 2009, 08:28:12 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on November 19, 2009, 08:25:44 PMNot sure.  On the one hand (ha ha) I can understand the bitching about the ref missing an important call.  But on the other hand people are pissing on France too.  It seems like there might be an unwritten rule that France is supposed to do something to make up for the missed call.

There isn't.  That's just outrage and wishful thinking.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Neil on November 19, 2009, 08:32:01 PM
Quote from: Jacob on November 19, 2009, 08:28:12 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on November 19, 2009, 08:25:44 PMNot sure.  On the one hand (ha ha) I can understand the bitching about the ref missing an important call.  But on the other hand people are pissing on France too.  It seems like there might be an unwritten rule that France is supposed to do something to make up for the missed call.

There isn't.  That's just outrage and wishful thinking.
Indeed.  'Hand of God', and all that.

That said, the beneficiaries of these sorts of errors tend to be forever tainted.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 19, 2009, 10:24:10 PM
Quote from: Neil on November 19, 2009, 08:02:49 PM
If the final is France and Italy again, what do you do?

Watch Seinfeld on DVD.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Neil on November 19, 2009, 10:39:30 PM
Quote from: Liep on November 19, 2009, 10:24:10 PM
Quote from: Neil on November 19, 2009, 08:02:49 PM
If the final is France and Italy again, what do you do?

Watch Seinfeld on DVD.
Ouch.  The one thing worse than France-Italy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 20, 2009, 04:20:47 AM
Quote from: Barrister on November 19, 2009, 12:30:16 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 19, 2009, 07:50:25 AM
Maybe more like the gulag, if the country is not represented, it is an irrelevant country  :lol:

Pfft, even represented countries are irrelevant.

e.g. Hungary

Sorry, their treatment at Trianon made their fame here :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: BVN on November 20, 2009, 06:14:40 AM
Fifa ruled against replaying France-Ireland: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=1137489.html#fifa+statement+fai+request (http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=1137489.html#fifa+statement+fai+request)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 20, 2009, 06:25:00 AM
Quote from: BVN on November 20, 2009, 06:14:40 AM
Fifa ruled against replaying France-Ireland: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=1137489.html#fifa+statement+fai+request (http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=1137489.html#fifa+statement+fai+request)

How surprising... :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 20, 2009, 08:15:30 AM
Yeah, with a French boss, it was quite likely.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 20, 2009, 03:42:46 PM
Quote from: BVN on November 20, 2009, 06:14:40 AM
Fifa ruled against replaying France-Ireland: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=1137489.html#fifa+statement+fai+request (http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=1137489.html#fifa+statement+fai+request)

That would have been crazy to do so.  It is not like anybody has never been beaten by a goal that shouldn't have been before.  Referee incompetence is not a justification to overturn a game result or there would be scarcely any game that wouldn't be challenged by somebody.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 20, 2009, 03:43:40 PM
Quote from: Tamas on November 20, 2009, 08:15:30 AM
Yeah, with a French boss, it was quite likely.

Are you insane?  Are you seriously suggesting any fair minded person with the best interests of the sport at heart would actually replay a game simply because the referees screwed up?

Talk about opening a gigantic can of worms.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 20, 2009, 03:45:31 PM
Quote from: Cerr on November 19, 2009, 06:14:22 PM
Yeah it's very unlikely FIFA will allow for a replay of the game.

The only chance for it to happen would be if the French football association asked FIFA for a replay too but I highly doubt they would.

Wait would FIFA actually allow that even if France did?  That is crazy, simply crazy.  It sucks the dude blew the call but really?  Replay a game?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 20, 2009, 03:48:43 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 20, 2009, 03:43:40 PM
Quote from: Tamas on November 20, 2009, 08:15:30 AM
Yeah, with a French boss, it was quite likely.

Are you insane?  Are you seriously suggesting any fair minded person with the best interests of the sport at heart would actually replay a game simply because the referees screwed up?

Talk about opening a gigantic can of worms.

A can of worms that has already been opened though.

FIFA ordered Uzbekistan to replay Bahrain in a play-off for the 2006 World Cup in Germany after the referee made a mistake when a penalty had been awarded.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on November 20, 2009, 03:49:43 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 20, 2009, 03:42:46 PM
Quote from: BVN on November 20, 2009, 06:14:40 AM
Fifa ruled against replaying France-Ireland: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=1137489.html#fifa+statement+fai+request (http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=1137489.html#fifa+statement+fai+request)

That would have been crazy to do so.  It is not like anybody has never been beaten by a goal that shouldn't have been before.  Referee incompetence is not a justification to overturn a game result or there would be scarcely any game that wouldn't be challenged by somebody.

I agree, but if both sides ask to do so, why not? Both sides are going to play all sorts of totally meaningless friendlies anyway.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 20, 2009, 03:54:23 PM
New developments. Maybe Henry should keep his mouth shut, but he's now saying that Ireland deserve a replay. Maybe its merely a form of public apology, knowing full well that it will never happen

Thierry Henry has conceded that Republic of Ireland "definitely deserve" to qualify for the World Cup finals and has backed calls for a replay, even though FIFA have already ruled out such a scenario.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=701150&sec=worldcup2010&cc=5901
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 20, 2009, 03:58:15 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 20, 2009, 03:48:43 PM
A can of worms that has already been opened though.

FIFA ordered Uzbekistan to replay Bahrain in a play-off for the 2006 World Cup in Germany after the referee made a mistake when a penalty had been awarded.

Wow.

Horrible precedent.  They don't replay games just because a player made a mistake, why would they do the same thing for referees?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 20, 2009, 03:59:34 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on November 20, 2009, 03:49:43 PM
I agree, but if both sides ask to do so, why not? Both sides are going to play all sorts of totally meaningless friendlies anyway.

Because the game was played and the outcome decided the same way it was for all the other teams?  This is World Cup Soccer not some pee wee good feelings league.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on November 20, 2009, 04:02:59 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 20, 2009, 03:59:34 PM


Because the game was played and the outcome decided the same way it was for all the other teams?  This is World Cup Soccer not some pee wee good feelings league.

What harm is there in setting the precedent that if there is a clearly missed call that effects the outcome of the game, and both sides agree to a replay, there can be a replay?

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 20, 2009, 04:05:19 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on November 20, 2009, 04:02:59 PM
What harm is there in setting the precedent that if there is a clearly missed call that effects the outcome of the game, and both sides agree to a replay, there can be a replay?

Tons of harm.  There will be tons of political and other pressures on countries to replay games from the pissed off losers everytime a ref blows a call.  Refs blow calls, it is part of the game, deal with it FFS.  I mean I know Ireland got screwed but surely France and every other nation in the world has been screwed at some point.  If you don't want Refs determining the outcomes of your games maybe you should be better at soccer and be ahead by two goals instead of one.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 20, 2009, 04:06:20 PM
What this should be a trigger for then, is introduction of video-refeering in some way. It is absurd that everyone in the crowd and in front of the TV could very well see wtf was happening but the ref couldnt.

Altough, of course, the lineman had to see it. He just obviously did not dare destroy France with his call.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 20, 2009, 04:08:05 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 20, 2009, 04:05:19 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on November 20, 2009, 04:02:59 PM
What harm is there in setting the precedent that if there is a clearly missed call that effects the outcome of the game, and both sides agree to a replay, there can be a replay?

Tons of harm.  There will be tons of political and other pressures on countries to replay games from the pissed off losers everytime a ref blows a call.  Refs blow calls, it is part of the game, deal with it FFS.  I mean I know Ireland got screwed but surely France and every other nation in the world has been screwed at some point.  If you don't want Refs determining the outcomes of your games maybe you should be better at soccer and be ahead by two goals instead of one.


Obviously you do have a point, but this was probably the most blatant and obvious 4-way fault by a player I have ever seen (2 offsides, 2 handballs). This is not just a simple blunder by the ref. It is a mind-blowing oversight that just screams foul intent and "political" considerations by the ref.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 20, 2009, 04:08:22 PM
Quote from: Tamas on November 20, 2009, 04:06:20 PM
What this should be a trigger for then, is introduction of video-refeering in some way. It is absurd that everyone in the crowd and in front of the TV could very well see wtf was happening but the ref couldnt.

Altough, of course, the lineman had to see it. He just obviously did not dare destroy France with his call.

Video replay is a perfectly acceptable option.  Of course the game would have to stop for several minutes while they do the review and you know how soccer purists hate stopping the game for any reason.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 20, 2009, 04:10:55 PM
Quote from: Tamas on November 20, 2009, 04:08:05 PM
Obviously you do have a point, but this was probably the most blatant and obvious 4-way fault by a player I have ever seen (2 offsides, 2 handballs). This is not just a simple blunder by the ref. It is a mind-blowing oversight that just screams foul intent and "political" considerations by the ref.

I agree it was mindblowing and I feel for Ireland (of course mind you France might have qualified anyway.  It was TIED at 1 which is why I find it difficult to believe a referee would risk his career just to save France when France was not really in need of help.  Of course we will never know now how the match would have played out).

Frankly the dude should never officiate another game again.  The whole crew should be disciplined for incompetence is not corruption.  How the hell they missed the offsides...I mean that would have been called in a High School girls game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 20, 2009, 04:15:27 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 20, 2009, 04:10:55 PM
Quote from: Tamas on November 20, 2009, 04:08:05 PM
Obviously you do have a point, but this was probably the most blatant and obvious 4-way fault by a player I have ever seen (2 offsides, 2 handballs). This is not just a simple blunder by the ref. It is a mind-blowing oversight that just screams foul intent and "political" considerations by the ref.

I agree it was mindblowing and I feel for Ireland (of course mind you France might have qualified anyway.  It was TIED at 1 which is why I find it difficult to believe a referee would risk his career just to save France when France was not really in need of help.  Of course we will never know now how the match would have played out).

Frankly the dude should never officiate another game again.  The whole crew should be disciplined for incompetence is not corruption.  How the hell they missed the offsides...I mean that would have been called in a High School girls game.

France played like crap the whole time. They needed all the help they could get. Why do you think Henry was so desperate that he handballed twice? Okay, you might convince me the first was by accident, but the second was clearly a conscious effort to control the ball.

And this would be far from being the first time to see some unkown referee used in sport-politically important matches to stear the result if needed. The best examples are the games during the WC in Korea: what they did to Italy and Spain there forever tainted the international games.

Speaking of which, I want these competitions to cease.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 20, 2009, 04:18:17 PM
Quote from: Tamas on November 20, 2009, 04:15:27 PM
France played like crap the whole time. They needed all the help they could get. Why do you think Henry was so desperate that he handballed twice? Okay, you might convince me the first was by accident, but the second was clearly a conscious effort to control the ball.

Yet they were still tied.  France is just not that good this time around that is why they were in this position to begin with.  But it was not as if if the Refs didn't bail them out Ireland would have whipped 'em by three.

QuoteSpeaking of which, I want these competitions to cease.

World Cup competitions? :huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on November 20, 2009, 04:19:23 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 20, 2009, 04:05:19 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on November 20, 2009, 04:02:59 PM
What harm is there in setting the precedent that if there is a clearly missed call that effects the outcome of the game, and both sides agree to a replay, there can be a replay?

Tons of harm.  There will be tons of political and other pressures on countries to replay games from the pissed off losers everytime a ref blows a call.  Refs blow calls, it is part of the game, deal with it FFS.  I mean I know Ireland got screwed but surely France and every other nation in the world has been screwed at some point.  If you don't want Refs determining the outcomes of your games maybe you should be better at soccer and be ahead by two goals instead of one.

Aren't there already prohibitions concerning excessive political interference that can result in a federation's suspension by FIFA?

There are precedents in other sports--playing baseball games under protest is an example. In american football the sport is too violent to replay, but I do believe there is precedent for teams voluntarily forfeiting games that they won based on clear refereeing errors.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 20, 2009, 04:23:20 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 20, 2009, 04:18:17 PM
Quote from: Tamas on November 20, 2009, 04:15:27 PM
France played like crap the whole time. They needed all the help they could get. Why do you think Henry was so desperate that he handballed twice? Okay, you might convince me the first was by accident, but the second was clearly a conscious effort to control the ball.

Yet they were still tied.  France is just not that good this time around that is why they were in this position to begin with.  But it was not as if if the Refs didn't bail them out Ireland would have whipped 'em by three.

QuoteSpeaking of which, I want these competitions to cease.

World Cup competitions? :huh:

:rolleyes: How many shots on goal did the Frenchies have until that point? The ref faced a decision there: piss of Ireland, or potentially piss of a major faction at his workplace, including his boss. He made a call.

And yes, international games are growing ever more pointless with (luckily) more international clubs. There should rather be a system to sort of expand the Champions Leauge or something.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 20, 2009, 04:24:41 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on November 20, 2009, 04:19:23 PM
There are precedents in other sports--playing baseball games under protest is an example. In american football the sport is too violent to replay, but I do believe there is precedent for teams voluntarily forfeiting games that they won based on clear refereeing errors.

There are only two examples I can ever think of in baseball history and neither of those replayed the game.  They simply finished a game that was called for bizarre reasons.  Those two incidents I can think of are the Merkel Boner game way back in 1908 and the Pine Tar incident with George Brett in the 70s.  In neither case did they take an entire game already played and declare it invalid.  I can never think of that happening in any sport at any level over here.

In College Football I believe Harvard asked to be allowed to forfeit a game they won on bad calls but whatever the ruling body was back then did not let them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 20, 2009, 04:27:04 PM
Quote from: Tamas on November 20, 2009, 04:23:20 PM
:rolleyes: How many shots on goal did the Frenchies have until that point? The ref faced a decision there: piss of Ireland, or potentially piss of a major faction at his workplace, including his boss. He made a call.

Last I checked you score by getting the ball into the goal not by missing the goal.  Sure France would have been pissed off if he had called an obvious call.  What were they going to do?  Have him shot?

By the way one of the things that pisses me off about soccer fans is how they claim a team "dominated" a game they were ahead by a single goal.  Yeah that is not domination I don't care how pretty you looked getting that 1-0 lead.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on November 20, 2009, 04:30:25 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 20, 2009, 04:24:41 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on November 20, 2009, 04:19:23 PM
There are precedents in other sports--playing baseball games under protest is an example. In american football the sport is too violent to replay, but I do believe there is precedent for teams voluntarily forfeiting games that they won based on clear refereeing errors.

There are only two examples I can ever think of in baseball history and neither of those replayed the game.  They simply finished a game that was called for bizarre reasons.  Those two incidents I can think of are the Merkel Boner game way back in 1908 and the Pine Tar incident with George Brett in the 70s.  In neither case did they take an entire game already played and declare it invalid.  I can never think of that happening in any sport at any level over here.

In College Football I believe Harvard asked to be allowed to forfeit a game they won on bad calls but whatever the ruling body was back then did not let them.

From the MLB website:
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/official_rules/start_end_4.jsp
Quote4.19
PROTESTING GAMES.
Each league shall adopt rules governing procedure for protesting a game, when a manager claims that an umpire's decision is in violation of these rules. No protest shall ever be permitted on judgment decisions by the umpire. In all protested games, the decision of the League President shall be final.
Even if it is held that the protested decision violated the rules, no replay of the game will be ordered unless in the opinion of the League President the violation adversely affected the protesting team's chances of winning the game.
Rule 4.19 Comment: Whenever a manager protests a game because of alleged misapplication of the rules the protest will not be recognized unless the umpires are notified at the time the play under protest occurs and before the next pitch, play or attempted play. A protest arising on a game-ending play may be filed until 12 noon the following day with the league office.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 20, 2009, 04:30:39 PM
Quote from: Tamas on November 20, 2009, 04:23:20 PM
And yes, international games are growing ever more pointless with (luckily) more international clubs. There should rather be a system to sort of expand the Champions Leauge or something.

You're out of your mind. World Cup and Euro Cup are amongst the biggest sporting events there are. There's nothing pointless about them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 20, 2009, 04:32:40 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 20, 2009, 04:30:39 PM
Quote from: Tamas on November 20, 2009, 04:23:20 PM
And yes, international games are growing ever more pointless with (luckily) more international clubs. There should rather be a system to sort of expand the Champions Leauge or something.

You're out of your mind. World Cup and Euro Cup are amongst the biggest sporting events there are. There's nothing pointless about them.

Okay, after a downspell the last couple ones were pretty entertaining. I would just like more focus on high-end club competitions, rather.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on November 20, 2009, 04:33:44 PM
And a quick search finds this:

Not everyone can have the integrity of Cornell, however.  :)

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/walkthrough/2005/too-deep-zone-5th-and-40

QuoteTimes had changed since 1940, when Cornell traveled to Dartmouth boasting an 18-game winning streak. Dartmouth led 3-0 late in the game on a Bob Krieger field goal (Do it, Bobby, do it!) when Cornell drove down to the five-yard line. Referee Red Friesell lost track of the downs at that point, and the Big Red scored on what turned out to be fifth down.

But the Cornell coaches spotted the mistake two days later when reviewing game films. The coaches allowed the players to vote on what to do next. They gallantly forfeited the game, congratulating Dartmouth of their victory by telegram. The official records state that the Cornell winning streak was snapped by a 3-0 loss to Dartmouth. You can look it up.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 20, 2009, 04:36:32 PM
Quote from: Tamas on November 20, 2009, 04:32:40 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 20, 2009, 04:30:39 PM
Quote from: Tamas on November 20, 2009, 04:23:20 PM
And yes, international games are growing ever more pointless with (luckily) more international clubs. There should rather be a system to sort of expand the Champions Leauge or something.

You're out of your mind. World Cup and Euro Cup are amongst the biggest sporting events there are. There's nothing pointless about them.

Okay, after a downspell the last couple ones were pretty entertaining. I would just like more focus on high-end club competitions, rather.

Like what?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sahib on November 20, 2009, 04:38:03 PM
Quote from: Tamas on November 20, 2009, 04:32:40 PM
Okay, after a downspell the last couple ones were pretty entertaining. I would just like more focus on high-end club competitions, rather.

Is this because Hungary sucks as footballing nations and you claim to be a Chelsky fan
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 20, 2009, 04:38:14 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on November 20, 2009, 04:33:44 PM
And a quick search finds this:

Not everyone can have the integrity of Cornell, however.  :)

Cornell and Harvard!  See the Ivy League really is full of gentlemen.

But even in that case Cornell scored the winning score coming from behind.  In this case France was tied.  It would be weird conceding they would have lost without that goal since they cannot know that for sure.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 20, 2009, 04:39:47 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 20, 2009, 04:36:32 PM
Quote from: Tamas on November 20, 2009, 04:32:40 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 20, 2009, 04:30:39 PM
Quote from: Tamas on November 20, 2009, 04:23:20 PM
And yes, international games are growing ever more pointless with (luckily) more international clubs. There should rather be a system to sort of expand the Champions Leauge or something.

You're out of your mind. World Cup and Euro Cup are amongst the biggest sporting events there are. There's nothing pointless about them.

Okay, after a downspell the last couple ones were pretty entertaining. I would just like more focus on high-end club competitions, rather.

Like what?

Maybe something like a European super leauge? Like, national first leauges would be like the second division for it. The first X from a given one could advance to it, and, say, the second half of the super leauge would "relegate" to play one season in their national leauge. Something like that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 20, 2009, 04:40:06 PM
Quote from: Sahib on November 20, 2009, 04:38:03 PM
Quote from: Tamas on November 20, 2009, 04:32:40 PM
Okay, after a downspell the last couple ones were pretty entertaining. I would just like more focus on high-end club competitions, rather.

Is this because Hungary sucks as footballing nations and you claim to be a Chelsky fan

Maybe in part :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pat on November 20, 2009, 04:40:12 PM
There's tons of focus on club competition  :huh:

And national teams is about the best players a country can produce, while club competitions are mostly about having the most money. Doesn't have as much soul.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pat on November 20, 2009, 04:40:59 PM
A Chelsea fan? I guess that explains it  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 20, 2009, 04:41:48 PM
Quote from: miglia on November 20, 2009, 04:40:12 PM
There's tons of focus on club competition  :huh:

And national teams is about the best players a country can produce, while club competitions are mostly about having the most money. Doesn't have as much soul.

The big problem is all the big clubs and top leagues are in Europe right now.  It just wouldn't have the same appeal and certainly not over here.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 20, 2009, 04:41:53 PM
Quote from: miglia on November 20, 2009, 04:40:12 PM
There's tons of focus on club competition  :huh:

And national teams is about the best players a country can produce, while club competitions are mostly about having the most money. Doesn't have as much soul.

:rolleyes: even youth training is becoming less tied to where the guy was born nowadays, especially on a world-wide level. And in Europe if you become really great, you play in France, Italy, Spain or England by your late teens.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 20, 2009, 04:42:57 PM
Quote from: miglia on November 20, 2009, 04:40:59 PM
A Chelsea fan? I guess that explains it  :lol:

Now that the team is good again, the bitter envy resurfaces, I see  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 20, 2009, 04:44:09 PM
Quote from: Tamas on November 20, 2009, 04:39:47 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 20, 2009, 04:36:32 PM
Quote from: Tamas on November 20, 2009, 04:32:40 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 20, 2009, 04:30:39 PM
Quote from: Tamas on November 20, 2009, 04:23:20 PM
And yes, international games are growing ever more pointless with (luckily) more international clubs. There should rather be a system to sort of expand the Champions Leauge or something.

You're out of your mind. World Cup and Euro Cup are amongst the biggest sporting events there are. There's nothing pointless about them.

Okay, after a downspell the last couple ones were pretty entertaining. I would just like more focus on high-end club competitions, rather.

Like what?

Maybe something like a European super leauge? Like, national first leauges would be like the second division for it. The first X from a given one could advance to it, and, say, the second half of the super leauge would "relegate" to play one season in their national leauge. Something like that.

How's that different from the Champions League? Isn't that enough?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pat on November 20, 2009, 04:46:17 PM
Quote from: Tamas on November 20, 2009, 04:41:53 PM
Quote from: miglia on November 20, 2009, 04:40:12 PM
There's tons of focus on club competition  :huh:

And national teams is about the best players a country can produce, while club competitions are mostly about having the most money. Doesn't have as much soul.

:rolleyes: even youth training is becoming less tied to where the guy was born nowadays, especially on a world-wide level. And in Europe if you become really great, you play in France, Italy, Spain or England by your late teens.


First of all I think players playing for a country other than the one they were born in should be severly restricted, second of all players switching countries is not something happening on a very large scale in Europe
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on November 20, 2009, 04:48:15 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 20, 2009, 04:38:14 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on November 20, 2009, 04:33:44 PM
And a quick search finds this:

Not everyone can have the integrity of Cornell, however.  :)

Cornell and Harvard!  See the Ivy League really is full of gentlemen.

But even in that case Cornell scored the winning score coming from behind.  In this case France was tied.  It would be weird conceding they would have lost without that goal since they cannot know that for sure.

The suggestion that France should concede and give up their WC spot to Ireland is silly.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 20, 2009, 04:49:55 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on November 20, 2009, 04:48:15 PM
The suggestion that France should concede and give up their WC spot to Ireland is silly.

Can you imagine if they did?  That would be awesome :frog:

They could say it is in repayment for the heroics of the Irish Brigade during the Napoleonic Wars :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 20, 2009, 04:52:57 PM
Quote from: miglia on November 20, 2009, 04:46:17 PM
Quote from: Tamas on November 20, 2009, 04:41:53 PM
Quote from: miglia on November 20, 2009, 04:40:12 PM
There's tons of focus on club competition  :huh:

And national teams is about the best players a country can produce, while club competitions are mostly about having the most money. Doesn't have as much soul.

:rolleyes: even youth training is becoming less tied to where the guy was born nowadays, especially on a world-wide level. And in Europe if you become really great, you play in France, Italy, Spain or England by your late teens.


First of all I think players playing for a country other than the one they were born in should be severly restricted, second of all players switching countries is not something happening on a very large scale in Europe

You see this sentiment is a problem. Why should it be restricted? If you want the European nations to accept each other and work together, you need to mix them. Some typical bum who is crazy for football will never care for some government PR campaign, but nowadays can see a black African, and a Dutch, a French, etc. play their hearts out for his favourite club.
This process should not be blocked.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pat on November 20, 2009, 04:55:41 PM
I was talking about players switching national teams
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 20, 2009, 05:20:40 PM
Quote from: Tamas on November 20, 2009, 04:52:57 PM
You see this sentiment is a problem. Why should it be restricted? If you want the European nations to accept each other and work together, you need to mix them. Some typical bum who is crazy for football will never care for some government PR campaign, but nowadays can see a black African, and a Dutch, a French, etc. play their hearts out for his favourite club.
This process should not be blocked.

National teams is unique to Soccer at the scale it is at.  Why do you want to destroy the most unique thing about the sport?  I mean every.  other.  sport.  is all about the club teams.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on November 20, 2009, 05:44:02 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 20, 2009, 04:49:55 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on November 20, 2009, 04:48:15 PM
The suggestion that France should concede and give up their WC spot to Ireland is silly.

Can you imagine if they did?  That would be awesome :frog:

They could say it is in repayment for the heroics of the Irish Brigade during the Napoleonic Wars :P

It would make an equal amount of sense for the US to give Ireland their World Cup spot as a repayment for giving us the excuse to get drunk that is St. Patrick's Day. Which we shouldn't mention outside of this thread, because a lot of Americans may be okay with that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 02, 2009, 07:11:01 AM
South Africa 2010 draw

Seeds: South Africa, Brazil, Spain, Holland, Italy, Germany, Argentina and England

Pot two: Australia, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Honduras, Mexico, USA and New Zealand

Pot three: Algeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay

Pot four: Denmark, France, Greece, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on December 02, 2009, 07:14:31 AM
Quote from: Valmy on November 20, 2009, 05:20:40 PM
National teams is unique to Soccer at the scale it is at.  Why do you want to destroy the most unique thing about the sport?  I mean every.  other.  sport.  is all about the club teams.

Apart from Rugby and Cricket, where the most watched events are international tests. :p
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Neil on December 02, 2009, 07:38:05 AM
Quote from: miglia on November 20, 2009, 04:40:12 PM
There's tons of focus on club competition  :huh:

And national teams is about the best players a country can produce, while club competitions are mostly about having the most money. Doesn't have as much soul.
Which, in turn, is about having the most money.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 02, 2009, 07:38:33 AM
South Africa, Denmark, North Korea and Paraguay. I'd like that group.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 02, 2009, 07:40:21 AM
Quote from: Liep on December 02, 2009, 07:38:33 AM
South Africa, Denmark, North Korea and Paraguay. I'd like that group.

What about Brazil, France/Portugal, Ivory Coast and USA?  :menace:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 02, 2009, 07:50:38 AM
Quote from: Maladict on December 02, 2009, 07:40:21 AM
Quote from: Liep on December 02, 2009, 07:38:33 AM
South Africa, Denmark, North Korea and Paraguay. I'd like that group.

What about Brazil, France/Portugal, Ivory Coast and USA?  :menace:

Wait until Friday :yes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 02, 2009, 09:05:22 AM
Quote from: Warspite on December 02, 2009, 07:14:31 AM
Apart from Rugby and Cricket, where the most watched events are international tests. :p

WTF is an international test?

Ok my knowledge of Rugby and Cricket is about on the same level as my knowledge of the Afghan sport of Buzkashi.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 02, 2009, 09:08:44 AM
Quote from: Valmy on December 02, 2009, 09:05:22 AM
Quote from: Warspite on December 02, 2009, 07:14:31 AM
Apart from Rugby and Cricket, where the most watched events are international tests. :pjavascript:void(0);

WTF is an international test?

A game between two national teams.  ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 02, 2009, 09:17:38 AM
Quote from: The Larch on December 02, 2009, 09:08:44 AM
A game between two national teams.  ;)

Oh.  Weird never heard that term for a game before.  I guess it is short for 'contest'.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 02, 2009, 09:18:52 AM
Quote from: Valmy on December 02, 2009, 09:17:38 AM
Quote from: The Larch on December 02, 2009, 09:08:44 AM
A game between two national teams.  ;)

Oh.  Weird never heard that term for a game before.  I guess it is short for 'contest'.

It's a British thingie, and only for rugby and cricket AFAIK. In rugby it also means that the match is a friendly and not part of any competition as well. No idea what it means for cricket.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 03, 2009, 10:43:40 AM
So as an England fan and diehard pessimist, I predict:


England
Mexico
Ivory Coast
France.

Yuck.

And my most hated team Germany:

Germany
North Korea
Paraguay
Switzerland.
:eek:

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 03, 2009, 10:46:51 AM
I want North Korea.
Both because they suck and it would likely lead to the British media having some intersting things to say.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 03, 2009, 11:00:52 AM
Quote from: Josephus on December 03, 2009, 10:43:40 AM
Germany
North Korea
Paraguay
Switzerland.
:eek:

I'm glad you didn't choose Denmark as poorest from seed 4. :hug:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 03, 2009, 11:55:59 AM
Quote from: Josephus on December 03, 2009, 10:43:40 AM
So as an England fan and diehard pessimist, I predict:


England
Mexico
Ivory Coast
France.

Yuck.

And my most hated team Germany:

Germany
North Korea
Paraguay
Switzerland.
:eek:

I predict South Africa will miraculously avoid both France and Portugal.  :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 04, 2009, 02:43:05 AM
Very soon we will find out which three poor suckers get to be humiliated by the mighty Americans in the first round.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on December 04, 2009, 03:51:35 AM
Noon EST on ESPN2.  Unfortunately, I won't get to watch most of it.   :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 04, 2009, 07:32:11 AM
Why does everyone rate Ivory Coast so highly? Have they ever achieved anything?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valdemar on December 04, 2009, 07:41:02 AM
Quote from: Maladict on December 04, 2009, 07:32:11 AM
Why does everyone rate Ivory Coast so highly? Have they ever achieved anything?

Not as a team, but the material they have to work with is pretty good.. Toure, Drogba and so on

V
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 04, 2009, 08:30:28 AM
Quote from: Maladict on December 04, 2009, 07:32:11 AM
Why does everyone rate Ivory Coast so highly? Have they ever achieved anything?

They're quite probably the best African team, and have some really great players, like Drogba, amongst the world's best strikers.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 04, 2009, 08:37:35 AM
Quote from: The Larch on December 04, 2009, 08:30:28 AM

They're quite probably the best African team, and have some really great players, like Drogba, amongst the world's best strikers.

And most annoying strikers, which is saying a lot.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 04, 2009, 08:40:35 AM
Quote from: Maladict on December 04, 2009, 07:32:11 AM
Why does everyone rate Ivory Coast so highly? Have they ever achieved anything?

1. It wouldn't surprise me to see an African team do well because A), they've been narrowing the gap for years and B) It's being held in Africa.

2. Ivory Coast has one of the greatest strikers in the world in Drogba
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 04, 2009, 09:44:23 AM
Quote from: Josephus on December 04, 2009, 08:40:35 AM
A), they've been narrowing the gap for years

And we do mean for years.  We have been warned of the imminent African domination of the sport for 40 years now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 04, 2009, 12:13:07 PM
Aaaaand we are drawing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 04, 2009, 12:19:55 PM
Wait WTF?  They are not actually going to draw any teams for another 45 minutes?  Nevermind back to work.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 04, 2009, 12:49:21 PM
I already had somebody calling me all excited thinking our draw was:

Australia
Honduras
Japan
Mexico
New Zealand
North Korea
South Korea
United States

Yeah that is our POOL not our group.  Pity.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 04, 2009, 12:53:46 PM
Quote from: Valmy on December 04, 2009, 12:19:55 PM
Wait WTF?  They are not actually going to draw any teams for another 45 minutes?  Nevermind back to work.

You know how these things go. The drawing itself takes 10 minutes, and the rest of the 2 hour show is spent with traditional dances feel good clips and introducing former stars and players who get to wave to the cameras for a while.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 04, 2009, 01:25:08 PM
And of course the Mexicans luck out and get South Africa as their top seed.  :mad:

However the English draw the USA!  Prepare to be owned again mothercountry!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 04, 2009, 01:36:47 PM
Wow that draw couldn't have gone much better for the US:

England
United States
Algeria
Slovenia

We have a great chance to get out of that group!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 04, 2009, 01:38:33 PM
Ooooooh Portugal, Brazil, and Ivory Coast in the same group.  Sucks to be North Korea...well yes it does but now it really sucks for their soccer team also...

Final draw:

A
South Africa 
Mexico 
Uruguay 
France 

B
Argentina 
Nigeria 
South Korea 
Greece 

C
England 
United States 
Algeria 
Slovenia 

D
Germany 
Australia 
Serbia 
Ghana 

E
Netherlands 
Denmark 
Japan 
Cameroon 

F
Italy 
Paraguay 
New Zealand 
Slovakia 

G
Brazil 
North Korea 
Ivory Coast 
Portugal 

H
Spain 
Switzerland 
Honduras 
Chile 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Cecil on December 04, 2009, 01:40:55 PM
Quote from: Valmy on December 04, 2009, 01:38:33 PM
Ooooooh Portugal, Brazil, and Ivory Coast in the same group.  Sucks to be North Korea...well yes it does but now it really sucks for their soccer team also...

Well Portugal is a shadow of the team 10 years ago and IC was better a few years ago IIRC.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Mr.Penguin on December 04, 2009, 01:41:59 PM
Where is Ireland... oh wait, never mind...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Cecil on December 04, 2009, 01:42:49 PM
Doesnt seem to be any groups of death this year.

Here is to Spain as winners and breaking the curse.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on December 04, 2009, 01:43:15 PM
Go England!

Group A is a joke.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on December 04, 2009, 01:44:35 PM
Quote from: Mr.Penguin on December 04, 2009, 01:41:59 PM
Where is Ireland... oh wait, never mind...

Ireland could get through the group France is in, too.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 04, 2009, 01:45:30 PM
Spain got an easy group, not being first would be a huge let down. And it'd mean playing most surely against Brazil in the 1/8ths, which would be tough.  :face:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 04, 2009, 01:46:40 PM
Quote from: Valmy on December 04, 2009, 01:38:33 PM
E
Netherlands 
Denmark 
Japan 
Cameroon

We can do that, as Holland will yet again manage to find a new way to let down Holland. And surprising that there really isn't any power group this time, G would've been a contender with Mexico instead of NK.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 04, 2009, 01:47:38 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on December 04, 2009, 01:43:15 PM
Go England!

:angry:

England shall be CRUSHED beneath America's mightiness!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 04, 2009, 01:50:19 PM
And this is my guess for the teams that will get through the group stage:

Quote from: Valmy on December 04, 2009, 01:38:33 PM

A
Mexico 
France 

B
Argentina 
Nigeria 

C
England 
United States 

D
Germany 
Serbia 

E
Netherlands 
Cameroon 

F
Italy 
Paraguay 

G
Brazil 
Ivory Coast  or Portugal 

H
Spain 
Chile

Group G is really the only one in which 3 teams can realistically get through, IMO. E can also see Cameroon and Denmark battling for the 2nd spot, but I think Cameroon are ahead.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 04, 2009, 01:51:53 PM
Quote from: Mr.Penguin on December 04, 2009, 01:41:59 PM
Where is Ireland... oh wait, never mind...

It would  be hilarious if France won it.  How bitter would the Irish be then?

I mean not that there is much chance of that happening or anything...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: clandestino on December 04, 2009, 03:01:41 PM
So, if we manage to beat IC and finsih second we'll be drawn against Spain (assuming that they naturally finish in 1st).

What a great draw... <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 04, 2009, 03:08:36 PM
I'm gonna go with these.

A
South Africa
Mexico
Uruguay
France

B
Argentina
Nigeria
South Korea
Greece

C
England
United States
Algeria
Slovenia

D
Germany
Australia
Serbia
Ghana

E
Netherlands
Denmark
Japan
Cameroon

F
Italy
Paraguay
New Zealand
Slovakia

G
Brazil
North Korea
Ivory Coast
Portugal

H
Spain
Switzerland
Honduras
Chile  
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sahib on December 04, 2009, 04:23:20 PM
I think I'll adopt America as my WC nation.
USA! USA! USA!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 04, 2009, 05:05:51 PM
Quote from: Sahib on December 04, 2009, 04:23:20 PM
I think I'll adopt America as my WC nation.
USA! USA! USA!

:hug:

Oh and Slovenia really?  What about the Confederations Cup?  Respect!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 04, 2009, 06:04:04 PM
I got pretty excited today when I learned of the US's group. Plus I think the US is in it's usual uptick cycle.

'94 - Up (first time to qualify in centuries, great just to make it to Round of 16)
'98 - Down (Spanked, by Iran no less :bleeding:)
'02 - Up (Quarterfinal action :yeah:)
'06 - Down (Spanked again)
'10 - ??? (hopefully up)

We should be able to make it to the second round, where there's a good chance we'd play Germany in a rematch of the 2002 quarterfinal.

Valmy, I suggest synergizing as soon as possible.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 04, 2009, 06:37:27 PM
Group G is certainly the group of death. couldn't be a better drawing for us Porto haters!!

People are certainly underestimating Slovenia. Didn't they beat the Russkies. IIRC they have an imprenetable defence, and England doesn't exactly have poerful forwards. The Usa will always be a challenge to beat. I think it's a three-way run for those two spots. It's no group of death or anything, but close enough.

Fucking Italians got a nice break. As did the Spaniards.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 04, 2009, 07:18:14 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 04, 2009, 06:04:04 PM
I got pretty excited today when I learned of the US's group. Plus I think the US is in it's usual uptick cycle.

'94 - Up (first time to qualify in centuries, great just to make it to Round of 16)
'98 - Down (Spanked, by Iran no less :bleeding:)
'02 - Up (Quarterfinal action :yeah:)
'06 - Down (Spanked again)
'10 - ??? (hopefully up)

This actually supports your theory but the US did qualify in '90 and went 0-3.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 04, 2009, 07:33:15 PM

Oh yeah, forgot about '90.  :blush:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 04, 2009, 07:37:51 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 04, 2009, 07:33:15 PM

Oh yeah, forgot about '90.  :blush:

Which is totally understandable as it was a very forgetable performance.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on December 04, 2009, 07:38:28 PM
What's Cameroon like these days?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 04, 2009, 07:54:23 PM
Quote from: Josephus on December 04, 2009, 06:37:27 PM
Group G is certainly the group of death. couldn't be a better drawing for us Porto haters!!
:cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 04, 2009, 11:01:29 PM
Quote from: Jacob on December 04, 2009, 07:38:28 PM
What's Cameroon like these days?

An awesome striker, a few recognizeable names and that's it, basically.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on December 05, 2009, 01:22:22 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 04, 2009, 07:33:15 PM

Oh yeah, forgot about '90.  :blush:

And technically, in '94 we didn't qualify;  we got in as the host nation.

Anyway, my provisional picks to advance:

A
Mexico
Uraguay

B
Argentina
Nigeria

C
England
United States

D
Germany
Serbia

E
Netherlands
Denmark

F
Italy
Slovakia

G
Brazil
Ivory Coast

F
Spain
Chile
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 05, 2009, 04:36:38 AM
Group G is interesting, 3 teams that are tipped to go all the way in one group....I guess Ivory Coast go out. Unfortunatly.

Anyone know if they're doing anything about those annoying horns (visulas? something like that)
They ruined that little tournament last summer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Neil on December 05, 2009, 08:15:16 AM
I think Japan will advance and Denmark won't.  Denmark doesn't have any heart.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Mr.Penguin on December 05, 2009, 09:22:25 AM
Quote from: Neil on December 05, 2009, 08:15:16 AM
I think Japan will advance and Denmark won't.  Denmark doesn't have any heart.

Japan may have the heart and some technical finesse, but Denmark has physical strength and some technical finesse. Question is does physical strength beat heart, yes it does more often than not... 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on December 05, 2009, 10:18:00 AM
Denmark also has fans willing to get their team disqualified if they know the ref's are out to get them - that is the blindly stupid passion one expects in futbol.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 05, 2009, 10:25:22 AM
When does the actual festivus begin?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Mr.Penguin on December 05, 2009, 10:27:24 AM
Quote from: PDH on December 05, 2009, 10:18:00 AM
Denmark also has fans willing to get their team disqualified if they know the ref's are out to get them - that is the blindly stupid passion one expects in futbol.

He was a renegade living in Sweden...  :mad:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on December 05, 2009, 11:02:13 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 05, 2009, 10:25:22 AM
When does the actual festivus begin?
June 11th
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Iormlund on December 05, 2009, 02:47:23 PM
Quote from: Valmy on December 04, 2009, 05:05:51 PM
Quote from: Sahib on December 04, 2009, 04:23:20 PM
I think I'll adopt America as my WC nation.
USA! USA! USA!

:hug:

Oh and Slovenia really?  What about the Confederations Cup?  Respect!

The Confederations Cup is a mere money-making scheme nobody cares about. As for Slovenia, you should never underestimate former Yugos. There's always been a lot of talent over there. That been said, I'd like to see England crushed and the US going forward along with Slovenia.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 06, 2009, 09:34:47 AM
Quote from: Iormlund on December 05, 2009, 02:47:23 PM
The Confederations Cup is a mere money-making scheme nobody cares about. As for Slovenia, you should never underestimate former Yugos. There's always been a lot of talent over there. That been said, I'd like to see England crushed and the US going forward along with Slovenia.

:yes:
That's why I picked Slovenia, they'll get a surprise win, could well be against England.
But England should be able to advance, so the US needs to go.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 07, 2009, 03:31:17 AM
Domenech a un bol de cocu, ça ou Platini a encore frappé !  :menace:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Vise on December 07, 2009, 04:02:40 AM
Apparently both Defoe and Lampard fail at penalties this weekend. 

Was Defoe's miss:

A bad attempt by an English striker?

A great save by an American Goaltender?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on December 07, 2009, 04:14:12 PM
Quote from: Vise on December 07, 2009, 04:02:40 AM
Apparently both Defoe and Lampard fail at penalties this weekend. 

Was Defoe's miss:

A bad attempt by an English striker?

A great save by an American Goaltender?

Duh
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 07, 2009, 04:47:44 PM
Quote from: Iormlund on December 05, 2009, 02:47:23 PM
The Confederations Cup is a mere money-making scheme nobody cares about.

So the only way we can ever win anything anybody cares about is the World fucking Cup?  Damn everybody sure has ridiculous standards. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on December 07, 2009, 04:52:21 PM
Quote from: Valmy on December 07, 2009, 04:47:44 PMSo the only way we can ever win anything anybody cares about is the World fucking Cup?  Damn everybody sure has ridiculous standards. :(

People only care about winning regional cups if it means that the winner had to face and beat legitimate world cup contenders.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on December 07, 2009, 04:53:48 PM
Quote from: Jacob on December 07, 2009, 04:52:21 PM
Quote from: Valmy on December 07, 2009, 04:47:44 PMSo the only way we can ever win anything anybody cares about is the World fucking Cup?  Damn everybody sure has ridiculous standards. :(

People only care about winning regional cups if it means that the winner had to face and beat legitimate world cup contenders.

Ah well it was only Spain we beat, so i see your point.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on December 07, 2009, 05:00:36 PM
Quote from: katmai on December 07, 2009, 04:53:48 PMAh well it was only Spain we beat, so i see your point.

Wait what?  I thought you were talking about the Concacaf and that you almost won, but I guess that was Mexico.

The Confederation Cup... I agree with Iormlund.  No one cares, even if Spain and Brazil play.  Good on you for beating Spain though, but when it doesn't matter it doesn't matter.  Let's hope you can beat them should you face them when it matters.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 07, 2009, 05:13:10 PM
Quote from: Jacob on December 07, 2009, 05:00:36 PM
Wait what?  I thought you were talking about the Concacaf and that you almost won, but I guess that was Mexico.

Well we did win it in '05 and '07.  No such luck this year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Iormlund on December 07, 2009, 05:19:01 PM
Quote from: Valmy on December 07, 2009, 04:47:44 PM
Quote from: Iormlund on December 05, 2009, 02:47:23 PM
The Confederations Cup is a mere money-making scheme nobody cares about.

So the only way we can ever win anything anybody cares about is the World fucking Cup?  Damn everybody sure has ridiculous standards. :(

The three international titles that count are: Champion's League, Euro Cup and World Cup. The rest (Intercontinental, Mundialitos and so on) just don't involve enough quality contenders or cause as much high blood pressure in fans and players. You can put the blame on a lack of tradition, bad timing during the season or whatever, but in the end teams wander on the field as if they were playing a friendly and viewer ratings are not nearly close enough to a CL, WC or EC because they know it.
I guess it is kind of hard to explain to a foreigner, but Spain completely shuts down when the national team plays on a WC or EC. And I do mean completely. That didn't happen on however that tourney in SA was called (hell I didn't even know we were playing until well into the game).

Anyway, being so hard to win is precisely what gives the WC its appeal (though the EC is actually harder because there are hardly any crappy teams involved).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on December 09, 2009, 01:26:45 AM
Wow, Bayern destroyed Juve. That was unexpected.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 09, 2009, 08:06:48 AM
Quote from: Zanza on December 09, 2009, 01:26:45 AM
Wow, Bayern destroyed Juve. That was unexpected.

Serie A is really in decline.

In other news, Porto defeated Atlético Madrid 3-0, another club in steep decline.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 09, 2009, 09:22:21 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 09, 2009, 08:06:48 AMIn other news, Porto defeated Atlético Madrid 3-0, another club in steep decline.

For Atlético to be in steep decline, they should have been high at some point in recent memory.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 09, 2009, 09:28:11 AM
Quote from: Iormlund on December 07, 2009, 05:19:01 PM
The three international titles that count are: Champion's League, Euro Cup and World Cup.

So two Euro tournaments (one a club tourney at that) and the WC.  Wow that is fair to the rest of us.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 09, 2009, 09:30:33 AM
Quote from: Valmy on December 09, 2009, 09:28:11 AM
Quote from: Iormlund on December 07, 2009, 05:19:01 PM
The three international titles that count are: Champion's League, Euro Cup and World Cup.

So two Euro tournaments (one a club tourney at that) and the WC.  Wow that is fair to the rest of us.

Well, it's true.  :P #4 and 5 would be the Copa América and the Libertadores Cup, I guess.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 09, 2009, 09:31:11 AM
Quote from: The Larch on December 09, 2009, 09:22:21 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 09, 2009, 08:06:48 AMIn other news, Porto defeated Atlético Madrid 3-0, another club in steep decline.

For Atlético to be in steep decline, they should have been high at some point in recent memory.  :P

When Gil y Gil had his way  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valdemar on December 09, 2009, 10:09:33 AM
Quote from: Valmy on December 09, 2009, 09:28:11 AM
Quote from: Iormlund on December 07, 2009, 05:19:01 PM
The three international titles that count are: Champion's League, Euro Cup and World Cup.

So two Euro tournaments (one a club tourney at that) and the WC.  Wow that is fair to the rest of us.

Tell me, how does that differ from the structure in Hockey or Basket? You wouldn't watch EC in Hockey would you?

V
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 09, 2009, 10:23:04 AM
Quote from: Valmy on December 09, 2009, 09:28:11 AM
Quote from: Iormlund on December 07, 2009, 05:19:01 PM
The three international titles that count are: Champion's League, Euro Cup and World Cup.

So two Euro tournaments (one a club tourney at that) and the WC.  Wow that is fair to the rest of us.
Its just the way it is. All the best African and Asian players play in Europe and most of the best South American ones.
I think you probally could sub copa america and maybe the african cup of nations for the euro cup in the relevant areas but the asians have their eyes squarely on europe; even more narrowed down England, Spain and Italy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 09, 2009, 10:50:32 AM
Quote from: Valdemar on December 09, 2009, 10:09:33 AM
Tell me, how does that differ from the structure in Hockey or Basket? You wouldn't watch EC in Hockey would you?

V

We don't have alot of international Hockey and Basketball tournaments that invite all the top countries but don't count for some reason?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 09, 2009, 11:06:36 AM
Quote from: Valmy on December 09, 2009, 10:50:32 AM
Quote from: Valdemar on December 09, 2009, 10:09:33 AM
Tell me, how does that differ from the structure in Hockey or Basket? You wouldn't watch EC in Hockey would you?

V

We don't have alot of international Hockey and Basketball tournaments that invite all the top countries but don't count for some reason?

Part of the reason, in hockey anyways, is that there isn't the same esteem held to the international game as there is in soccer. For instance: In ice hockey there is a World Cup every year. Every year. Who knows? The NHL is knee-deep in the playoffs. All the great players are playing in the domestic league. In soccer the world stops when the World Cup is on. Even the last stalwart, the MLS, is going to suspend play for the first two weeks of the World Cup.

It just doesn't happen in hockey.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on December 09, 2009, 11:18:04 AM
Quote from: Valmy on December 09, 2009, 09:28:11 AM
Quote from: Iormlund on December 07, 2009, 05:19:01 PM
The three international titles that count are: Champion's League, Euro Cup and World Cup.

So two Euro tournaments (one a club tourney at that) and the WC.  Wow that is fair to the rest of us.

We get them back by keeping them out of the World Series and Super Bowl.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 09, 2009, 11:24:30 AM
Quote from: alfred russel on December 09, 2009, 11:18:04 AM
We get them back by keeping them out of the World Series and Super Bowl.

Well we did establish the World Baseball Classic ;)

I do not so much care about the club sport angle but it is a tad annoying the US goes out and reaches the finals of an international tournament only to be told it did us zero good.  Meh.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 09, 2009, 11:29:15 AM
Which rinky dink tourney did we come in second again?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 09, 2009, 11:31:30 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 09, 2009, 11:29:15 AM
Which rinky dink tourney did we come in second again?

Confederations cup.  All the winners of the tournaments came together to play a tourney.  We had beaten Mexico to win the Gold Cup of CONCACAF so we were there representing North American and its little brothers, Spain was there as they won the Euro and we beat them.  Is it really rinky dink when the winners of the biggest tournaments were all there?  Buncha BS is what that is.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 09, 2009, 11:33:52 AM
Quote from: Valmy on December 09, 2009, 11:31:30 AM
Confederations cup.  All the winners of the tournaments came together to play a tourney.  We had beaten Mexico to win the Gold Cup of CONCACAF so we were there representing North American and its little brothers, Spain was there as they won the Euro and we beat them.  Is it really rinky dink when the winners of the biggest tournaments were all there?  Buncha BS is what that is.
It's rinky dink if everyone thinks it's rinky dink and only sends their fat kids to play.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 09, 2009, 11:34:15 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 09, 2009, 11:33:52 AM
It's rinky dink if everyone thinks it's rinky dink and only sends their fat kids to play.

Et tu Yi? :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on December 09, 2009, 11:34:45 AM
Quote from: Valmy on December 09, 2009, 11:24:30 AM
Quote from: alfred russel on December 09, 2009, 11:18:04 AM
We get them back by keeping them out of the World Series and Super Bowl.

Well we did establish the World Baseball Classic ;)

I do not so much care about the club sport angle but it is a tad annoying the US goes out and reaches the finals of an international tournament only to be told it did us zero good.  Meh.

But we suck. If Spain reaches the finals of some baseball tournament, it probably happened because the tournament wasn't very important. If we win that South American tournament (Copa Americana?), I would think that would be important, but the last time I think we lost every single game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 09, 2009, 11:35:24 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 09, 2009, 09:31:11 AM
Quote from: The Larch on December 09, 2009, 09:22:21 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 09, 2009, 08:06:48 AMIn other news, Porto defeated Atlético Madrid 3-0, another club in steep decline.

For Atlético to be in steep decline, they should have been high at some point in recent memory.  :P

When Gil y Gil had his way  :D

Not even then were they big.  :P They had one glory season, in which the got the Spanish League and Cup, and that was it.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 09, 2009, 11:36:34 AM
Quote from: alfred russel on December 09, 2009, 11:34:45 AM
But we suck.

No we don't.  We are awesome.  You are simply brainwashed by Euro propaganda. :ultra:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 09, 2009, 11:39:53 AM
Quote from: Valmy on December 09, 2009, 11:34:15 AM
Et tu Yi? :weep:
Quit yer belly aching and man up.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 09, 2009, 11:45:44 AM
Quote from: Valmy on December 09, 2009, 11:31:30 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 09, 2009, 11:29:15 AM
Which rinky dink tourney did we come in second again?

Confederations cup.  All the winners of the tournaments came together to play a tourney.  We had beaten Mexico to win the Gold Cup of CONCACAF so we were there representing North American and its little brothers, Spain was there as they won the Euro and we beat them.  Is it really rinky dink when the winners of the biggest tournaments were all there?  Buncha BS is what that is.

FIFA has the nasty habit of inventing bogus tournaments to fill their coffers every now and then, and the Confederations Cup (former King Fahd Cup) is one of them. They have no history, prestige or tradition, and are usually badly placed in the international calendar, so few people give a crap about them. The world cup for clubs gets the same treatment, and the intercontinental cup loses prestige year after year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on December 09, 2009, 11:54:57 AM
I think it's coffers, not coffins, Larch. ;) Although the latter is a funny image too. Vampire Blatter sucking for money.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 09, 2009, 12:42:56 PM
Quote from: Zanza on December 09, 2009, 11:54:57 AM
I think it's coffers, not coffins, Larch. ;) Although the latter is a funny image too. Vampire Blatter sucking for money.


You get the idea.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sahib on December 09, 2009, 01:01:17 PM
Quote from: Valmy on December 09, 2009, 11:36:34 AM
Quote from: alfred russel on December 09, 2009, 11:34:45 AM
But we suck.

No we don't.  We are awesome.  You are simply brainwashed by Euro propaganda. :ultra:

Well you have the chance to prove the naysayers wrong in the summer  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 09, 2009, 01:05:14 PM
Quote from: Sahib on December 09, 2009, 01:01:17 PM
Well you have the chance to prove the naysayers wrong in the summer  :)

Algeria will never know what hit them!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Octavian on December 09, 2009, 02:24:08 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 09, 2009, 11:45:44 AM
Quote from: Valmy on December 09, 2009, 11:31:30 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 09, 2009, 11:29:15 AM
Which rinky dink tourney did we come in second again?

Confederations cup.  All the winners of the tournaments came together to play a tourney.  We had beaten Mexico to win the Gold Cup of CONCACAF so we were there representing North American and its little brothers, Spain was there as they won the Euro and we beat them.  Is it really rinky dink when the winners of the biggest tournaments were all there?  Buncha BS is what that is.

FIFA has the nasty habit of inventing bogus tournaments to fill their coffers every now and then, and the Confederations Cup (former King Fahd Cup) is one of them. They have no history, prestige or tradition, and are usually badly placed in the international calendar, so few people give a crap about them. The world cup for clubs gets the same treatment, and the intercontinental cup loses prestige year after year.

:yes:

Heck Denmark won it in 1995 and nobody gave a damn or saw the matches. Instead we were still frustrated over the fact that we hadn't qualified to the 94 world cup.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Iormlund on December 09, 2009, 02:34:53 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on December 09, 2009, 11:34:45 AM
Quote from: Valmy on December 09, 2009, 11:24:30 AM
Quote from: alfred russel on December 09, 2009, 11:18:04 AM
We get them back by keeping them out of the World Series and Super Bowl.

Well we did establish the World Baseball Classic ;)

I do not so much care about the club sport angle but it is a tad annoying the US goes out and reaches the finals of an international tournament only to be told it did us zero good.  Meh.

But we suck. If Spain reaches the finals of some baseball tournament, it probably happened because the tournament wasn't very important. If we win that South American tournament (Copa Americana?), I would think that would be important, but the last time I think we lost every single game.

Do we even have a baseball team? :unsure:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 09, 2009, 02:36:04 PM
Quote from: Iormlund on December 09, 2009, 02:34:53 PM
Do we even have a baseball team? :unsure:

No.  But if you still had your Empire you would be the greatest Baseball powerhouse on the planet...well actually you would probably dominate every major sport.  Pity.

The only two Euro countries that compete are the Italians (there is a small region of the country where it became popular while we were there in WWII) and the Netherlands (thanks to their Carribean islands)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on December 09, 2009, 02:41:08 PM
Quote from: Iormlund on December 07, 2009, 05:19:01 PM
The three international titles that count are: Champion's League, Euro Cup and World Cup. The rest (Intercontinental, Mundialitos and so on) just don't involve enough quality contenders or cause as much high blood pressure in fans and players. You can put the blame on a lack of tradition, bad timing during the season or whatever, but in the end teams wander on the field as if they were playing a friendly and viewer ratings are not nearly close enough to a CL, WC or EC because they know it.
I guess it is kind of hard to explain to a foreigner, but Spain completely shuts down when the national team plays on a WC or EC. And I do mean completely. That didn't happen on however that tourney in SA was called (hell I didn't even know we were playing until well into the game).

Anyway, being so hard to win is precisely what gives the WC its appeal (though the EC is actually harder because there are hardly any crappy teams involved).

I'd say that the South America cup, whatever it's called, matters as well - about as much as the Euro.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 09, 2009, 02:43:34 PM
Quote from: Valmy on December 09, 2009, 02:36:04 PM
No.  But if you still had your Empire you would be the greatest Baseball powerhouse on the planet...well actually you would probably dominate every major sport.  Pity.
If Spain still had its empire our gallant leathernecks never would have taught the locals to play beisbol.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on December 09, 2009, 02:43:43 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 09, 2009, 11:33:52 AMIt's rinky dink if everyone thinks it's rinky dink and only sends their fat kids to play.

:lol:

Exactly
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Iormlund on December 09, 2009, 02:44:56 PM
Quote from: Valmy on December 09, 2009, 02:36:04 PM
Quote from: Iormlund on December 09, 2009, 02:34:53 PM
Do we even have a baseball team? :unsure:

No.  But if you still had your Empire you would be the greatest Baseball powerhouse on the planet...well actually you would probably dominate every major sport.  Pity.

The only two Euro countries that compete are the Italians (there is a small region of the country where it became popular while we were there in WWII) and the Netherlands (thanks to their Carribean islands)

I expected as much.

I've known people that played American Footie competitively and I've done so for fun a couple times. I also know that there's an ice hockey league in those places where there's an ice rink. Pretty much everyone has played basketball (much more than footie in my case), but I've never ever heard about anyone playing baseball. That could change I guess, since we've received over a million immigrants from the colonies.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on December 09, 2009, 02:45:18 PM
Quote from: Octavian on December 09, 2009, 02:24:08 PMHeck Denmark won it in 1995 and nobody gave a damn or saw the matches. Instead we were still frustrated over the fact that we hadn't qualified to the 94 world cup.

Denmark won the Confederation cup?

I never knew.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Iormlund on December 09, 2009, 02:47:17 PM
Quote from: Jacob on December 09, 2009, 02:45:18 PM
Quote from: Octavian on December 09, 2009, 02:24:08 PMHeck Denmark won it in 1995 and nobody gave a damn or saw the matches. Instead we were still frustrated over the fact that we hadn't qualified to the 94 world cup.

Denmark won the Confederation cup?

I never knew.

I didn't even know there was one back then. I thought it was a more recent scam by Blatter.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Iormlund on December 09, 2009, 02:57:05 PM
Quote from: Jacob on December 09, 2009, 02:41:08 PM
I'd say that the South America cup, whatever it's called, matters as well - about as much as the Euro.

There's only two real powers over there, Argentina and Brazil, which IMHO puts it at a severe disadvantage compared to the EC.

Quote from: Jacob on December 09, 2009, 02:43:43 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 09, 2009, 11:33:52 AMIt's rinky dink if everyone thinks it's rinky dink and only sends their fat kids to play.

:lol:

Exactly

Well it's not just that. Spain's team in paper was not weak at all. In fact Spain's backup midfield is probably better than any other midfield in the world right now.

The main problem is motivation. This kind of games offer very little reward. A player is never going to give a 100% in these circumstances. He's not going to contest the ball or keep running for that long pass, risking an injury for nothing. He's not going to push. But when the WC is on the line ... a good performance can be worth a career, tens of millions in the bank. And it shows.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 09, 2009, 03:13:26 PM
Quote from: Jacob on December 09, 2009, 02:45:18 PM
Quote from: Octavian on December 09, 2009, 02:24:08 PMHeck Denmark won it in 1995 and nobody gave a damn or saw the matches. Instead we were still frustrated over the fact that we hadn't qualified to the 94 world cup.

Denmark won the Confederation cup?

I never knew.

2-0 over Argentina iirc. I was excited.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Cecil on December 09, 2009, 03:26:34 PM
Quote from: Iormlund on December 09, 2009, 02:57:05 PM
Quote from: Jacob on December 09, 2009, 02:41:08 PM
I'd say that the South America cup, whatever it's called, matters as well - about as much as the Euro.

There's only two real powers over there, Argentina and Brazil, which IMHO puts it at a severe disadvantage compared to the EC.


:lol:

Exactly

Also considering the euro is played once every 4th year keeps the rarity of the event and thus the excitement high while Brazil and Argentina plays each other what? 4-5 times each year? Probably not that much but it isnt like its a rare event. More like a derby in a top euro league.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Cecil on December 09, 2009, 03:33:12 PM
Speaking of rare events the 6 months wait for the WC is starting to get on my nerves. I want it NAU!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: bogh on December 09, 2009, 04:23:13 PM
Quote from: Jacob on December 09, 2009, 02:45:18 PM
Quote from: Octavian on December 09, 2009, 02:24:08 PMHeck Denmark won it in 1995 and nobody gave a damn or saw the matches. Instead we were still frustrated over the fact that we hadn't qualified to the 94 world cup.

Denmark won the Confederation cup?

I never knew.

Me neither.  :huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on December 09, 2009, 04:24:30 PM
Damn ignorant danes!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 09, 2009, 04:30:37 PM
Quote from: bogh on December 09, 2009, 04:23:13 PM
Quote from: Jacob on December 09, 2009, 02:45:18 PM
Quote from: Octavian on December 09, 2009, 02:24:08 PMHeck Denmark won it in 1995 and nobody gave a damn or saw the matches. Instead we were still frustrated over the fact that we hadn't qualified to the 94 world cup.

Denmark won the Confederation cup?

I never knew.

Me neither.  :huh:

It was called King Fahd Cup back then, and played in Saudi Arabia. It was rebranded as Confederations Cup in 1997.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on December 09, 2009, 05:50:10 PM
Quote from: Liep on December 09, 2009, 03:13:26 PM2-0 over Argentina iirc. I was excited.

The "iirc" says it all.  I imagine you'd never put an "iirc" behind the score of the game when Denmark won the Euro Cup.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 09, 2009, 06:14:41 PM
Quote from: Cecil on December 09, 2009, 03:33:12 PM
Speaking of rare events the 6 months wait for the WC is starting to get on my nerves. I want it NAU!

Yup. Bring it on.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: bogh on December 09, 2009, 07:19:41 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 09, 2009, 04:30:37 PM
Quote from: bogh on December 09, 2009, 04:23:13 PM
Quote from: Jacob on December 09, 2009, 02:45:18 PM
Quote from: Octavian on December 09, 2009, 02:24:08 PMHeck Denmark won it in 1995 and nobody gave a damn or saw the matches. Instead we were still frustrated over the fact that we hadn't qualified to the 94 world cup.

Denmark won the Confederation cup?

I never knew.

Me neither.  :huh:

It was called King Fahd Cup back then, and played in Saudi Arabia. It was rebranded as Confederations Cup in 1997.

Right, I just looked it up. That does vaguely ring a bell.

The other teams were apparently Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria and Japan.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 09, 2009, 08:46:07 PM
Quote from: Jacob on December 09, 2009, 05:50:10 PM
The "iirc" says it all.  I imagine you'd never put an "iirc" behind the score of the game when Denmark won the Euro Cup.

I don't really know why I put in the "iirc" because I was certain it was 2-0. But I will grant you that I cannot remember who scored or how they did it, or the games leading up to it, like I can with 92.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 09, 2009, 09:38:48 PM
Quote from: Jacob on December 09, 2009, 02:41:08 PM
I'd say that the South America cup, whatever it's called, matters as well - about as much as the Euro.

Oh yeah?  The US has a standing invite to play in that one but it happens in the middle of our club season so we don't often.

Anyway do you even know who won the last Copa America?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on December 09, 2009, 09:43:14 PM
Quote from: Valmy on December 09, 2009, 09:38:48 PM
Quote from: Jacob on December 09, 2009, 02:41:08 PM
I'd say that the South America cup, whatever it's called, matters as well - about as much as the Euro.



Anyway do you even know who won the last Copa America?

I DO!

But anyways rumor has Landon DOnvan getting a shot in Premiership with Everton going on loan from Jan-April.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on December 10, 2009, 01:25:58 AM
Quote from: Valmy on December 09, 2009, 02:36:04 PM
Quote from: Iormlund on December 09, 2009, 02:34:53 PM
Do we even have a baseball team? :unsure:

No.  But if you still had your Empire you would be the greatest Baseball powerhouse on the planet...well actually you would probably dominate every major sport.  Pity.

The only two Euro countries that compete are the Italians (there is a small region of the country where it became popular while we were there in WWII) and the Netherlands (thanks to their Carribean islands)

Are you sure about that?  Those were the 2 European teams in the WBC, but I think there are a few other places in Europe where they play baseball.  I know that the Netherlands won an European championship of some sort, and I'm pretty sure that it wasn't a 2-team tournament with just them and the Italians.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 10, 2009, 03:20:24 AM
Quote from: Valmy on December 09, 2009, 09:38:48 PM
Quote from: Jacob on December 09, 2009, 02:41:08 PM
I'd say that the South America cup, whatever it's called, matters as well - about as much as the Euro.

Oh yeah?  The US has a standing invite to play in that one but it happens in the middle of our club season so we don't often.

Anyway do you even know who won the last Copa America?

Brazil. They win it almost all the time.  :lol:
And your club season calendar is retarded.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: BVN on December 10, 2009, 04:22:41 AM
Quote from: dps on December 10, 2009, 01:25:58 AM
Quote from: Valmy on December 09, 2009, 02:36:04 PM
Quote from: Iormlund on December 09, 2009, 02:34:53 PM
Do we even have a baseball team? :unsure:

No.  But if you still had your Empire you would be the greatest Baseball powerhouse on the planet...well actually you would probably dominate every major sport.  Pity.

The only two Euro countries that compete are the Italians (there is a small region of the country where it became popular while we were there in WWII) and the Netherlands (thanks to their Carribean islands)

Are you sure about that?  Those were the 2 European teams in the WBC, but I think there are a few other places in Europe where they play baseball.  I know that the Netherlands won an European championship of some sort, and I'm pretty sure that it wasn't a 2-team tournament with just them and the Italians.
Baseball is played in most European Countries.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Baseball_in_Europe (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Baseball_in_Europe)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on December 10, 2009, 04:23:43 AM
Quote from: The Larch on December 10, 2009, 03:20:24 AM
Quote from: Valmy on December 09, 2009, 09:38:48 PM
Quote from: Jacob on December 09, 2009, 02:41:08 PM
I'd say that the South America cup, whatever it's called, matters as well - about as much as the Euro.

Oh yeah?  The US has a standing invite to play in that one but it happens in the middle of our club season so we don't often.

Anyway do you even know who won the last Copa America?

Brazil. They win it almost all the time.  :lol:
And your club season calendar is retarded.

They do it because MLS would be killed if tried to play same time as NFL :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on December 10, 2009, 04:42:55 AM
Quote from: BVN on December 10, 2009, 04:22:41 AM
Quote from: dps on December 10, 2009, 01:25:58 AM
Quote from: Valmy on December 09, 2009, 02:36:04 PM
Quote from: Iormlund on December 09, 2009, 02:34:53 PM
Do we even have a baseball team? :unsure:

No.  But if you still had your Empire you would be the greatest Baseball powerhouse on the planet...well actually you would probably dominate every major sport.  Pity.

The only two Euro countries that compete are the Italians (there is a small region of the country where it became popular while we were there in WWII) and the Netherlands (thanks to their Carribean islands)

Are you sure about that?  Those were the 2 European teams in the WBC, but I think there are a few other places in Europe where they play baseball.  I know that the Netherlands won an European championship of some sort, and I'm pretty sure that it wasn't a 2-team tournament with just them and the Italians.
Baseball is played in most European Countries.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Baseball_in_Europe (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Baseball_in_Europe)

Yeah,  note that the Isrealis play in the European championships;  in some sports they are grouped with the European nations in international play for political reasons, but in baseball I think they are the only country in the Middle East to have a national team.  Well, Turkey, if you consider them to be in the Middle East.

Not only does Spain have a national team, they've actually won the European championship (though it was a long time ago).  That was 1 of only 2 out of 30 tournaments not won by either Italy or the Netherlands.  The Spainish and Germans seem to finish 3rd a lot, though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 10, 2009, 08:34:42 AM
For what it's worth.  Although the Confeds Cup is not looked upon as a major tournament by the big teams, it was impressive for the US to win that. They showed character after coming out pretty weak. And I'm no fan of the US of A, as some of you may know.

The US soccer team has been growing stronger with each passing tournament. I'd rate them now up there with the second tier European teams. They're gonna give England a run for top spot in that group. And I'd say the US has a strong chance of making the Quarters and possibly the semis this world cup.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Iormlund on December 10, 2009, 08:46:40 AM
I've said for a long time that the only thing the US needs to fulfill its potential is a good coach. And that means someone with ample experience with major European teams as well as national-team building. A guy whose experience is restricted to the US can only get you so far. A man like Hiddink on the other hand ...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 10, 2009, 09:15:10 AM
Quote from: dps on December 10, 2009, 01:25:58 AM
Are you sure about that?  Those were the 2 European teams in the WBC, but I think there are a few other places in Europe where they play baseball.  I know that the Netherlands won an European championship of some sort, and I'm pretty sure that it wasn't a 2-team tournament with just them and the Italians.

I mean that compete on the international level.  I know they play baseball in the South of France a guy I know was a big fan of the sport and I attended a game between two French teams.

Mon Dieu it was hilarious I have seen better fielding at my weekend softball games.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 10, 2009, 09:17:47 AM
Quote from: Josephus on December 10, 2009, 08:34:42 AM
For what it's worth.  Although the Confeds Cup is not looked upon as a major tournament by the big teams, it was impressive for the US to win that. They showed character after coming out pretty weak. And I'm no fan of the US of A, as some of you may know.

The US soccer team has been growing stronger with each passing tournament. I'd rate them now up there with the second tier European teams. They're gonna give England a run for top spot in that group. And I'd say the US has a strong chance of making the Quarters and possibly the semis this world cup.

Well we didn't win it we lost in the final to Brazil blowing a 2-0 2nd half lead.  Yes I am bitter.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 10, 2009, 09:56:30 AM
Quote from: Valmy on December 10, 2009, 09:17:47 AM
Quote from: Josephus on December 10, 2009, 08:34:42 AM
For what it's worth.  Although the Confeds Cup is not looked upon as a major tournament by the big teams, it was impressive for the US to win that. They showed character after coming out pretty weak. And I'm no fan of the US of A, as some of you may know.

The US soccer team has been growing stronger with each passing tournament. I'd rate them now up there with the second tier European teams. They're gonna give England a run for top spot in that group. And I'd say the US has a strong chance of making the Quarters and possibly the semis this world cup.

Well we didn't win it we lost in the final to Brazil blowing a 2-0 2nd half lead.  Yes I am bitter.

See. I forgot already.  ;) Still....good show.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 13, 2010, 06:04:51 PM
Liverpool.  :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 13, 2010, 06:13:53 PM
The FA cup has been good this year.
I don't feel as happy as I did with Man Utd's loss- Liverpool not being as hateworthy and Reading not so shit but still. heh
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 13, 2010, 06:41:29 PM
I actually like L'pool, but this year has been so bad, I find myself laughing at their misfortunes. You're right though the Man Utd. loss to Leeds was classic.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on January 13, 2010, 08:46:08 PM
Everybody knows the only EPL teams worth supporting are those with Americans on them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on January 13, 2010, 09:46:35 PM
Quote from: PDH on January 13, 2010, 08:46:08 PM
Everybody knows the only EPL teams worth supporting are those with Americans on them.

Fulham
Everton
Aston Villa
West Ham
Wolverhampton
Hull
Watford
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on February 21, 2010, 03:01:38 AM
The weekly game on ESPN was Everton vs ManU.

First chance to see how Donovan was faring over there, and to see a 3-1 thrashing. :w00t:

Of course i could relate to euros watching american sporting events as I had to get up at 3:30 am to watch it live.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: clandestino on February 21, 2010, 12:59:56 PM
Quote from: katmai on February 21, 2010, 03:01:38 AM
The weekly game on ESPN was Everton vs ManU.

First chance to see how Donovan was faring over there, and to see a 3-1 thrashing. :w00t:

Of course i could relate to euros watching american sporting events as I had to get up at 3:30 am to watch it live.

Good for Everton. I hope they turn their attentions to the League. I guess they still have a chance at the 4th spot?

So on Thursday they field a subpar team in Lisbon and we get a few more chances to pass to the next round.

If we lose than the season is over, if not, well we can still dream for a few weeks befori getting trashed by Galatasary. <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: oldman on February 22, 2010, 11:44:50 AM
The Asian Champions League kicks off today!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on February 22, 2010, 12:38:02 PM
Quote from: oldman on February 22, 2010, 11:44:50 AM
The Asian Champions League kicks off today!

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pspsps.tv%2Ftumbleweed.jpg&hash=7030c3da419f422e5855b56e259ed93fd7ec6c29)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valdemar on March 10, 2010, 03:16:16 AM
5-0 bye Porto :D

Samir Nasri knows how to handle a ball :)

But the most fun was the swedish commentary (I can watch CL from Sweden for free) of the Danish striker, Bendtner's, hattrick  :D

V
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: vcarter706 on March 10, 2010, 03:29:20 AM
Quote from: Valdemar on March 10, 2010, 03:16:16 AM
5-0 bye Porto :D

Samir Nasri knows how to handle a ball :)

But the most fun was the swedish commentary (I can watch CL from Sweden for free) of the Danish striker, Bendtner's, hattrick  :D

V

That was a great game. Now if only Chelsea can lose to Inter in a few days :cool:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: clandestino on March 10, 2010, 11:48:09 AM
Quote from: Valdemar on March 10, 2010, 03:16:16 AM
5-0 bye Porto :D

Samir Nasri knows how to handle a ball :)

But the most fun was the swedish commentary (I can watch CL from Sweden for free) of the Danish striker, Bendtner's, hattrick  :D

V

Funny game indeed. :D

Anyway, Arsenal should win the Premiership not the Champions League. :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 10, 2010, 02:10:14 PM
Quote from: Valdemar on March 10, 2010, 03:16:16 AM
But the most fun was the swedish commentary (I can watch CL from Sweden for free) of the Danish striker, Bendtner's, hattrick  :D

V

Do tell!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valdemar on March 10, 2010, 03:19:52 PM
Quote from: Liep on March 10, 2010, 02:10:14 PM
Quote from: Valdemar on March 10, 2010, 03:16:16 AM
But the most fun was the swedish commentary (I can watch CL from Sweden for free) of the Danish striker, Bendtner's, hattrick  :D

V

Do tell!

Hard to recap.. but hads it been Zlatan they'd been ecstatic, now they downlayed it.. "he was lucky, easy shots, well set up by others.. in every eway trying to make it NOt his accomplishment and merely something that wasn't unusual at all :D

V
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 11, 2010, 10:13:28 AM
Quote from: clandestino on March 10, 2010, 11:48:09 AM
Quote from: Valdemar on March 10, 2010, 03:16:16 AM
5-0 bye Porto :D

Samir Nasri knows how to handle a ball :)

But the most fun was the swedish commentary (I can watch CL from Sweden for free) of the Danish striker, Bendtner's, hattrick  :D

V

Funny game indeed. :D

Anyway, Arsenal should win the Premiership not the Champions League. :bowler:

First time in years the Lisbon clubs may actually go farther than Porto  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 14, 2010, 07:21:03 PM
Poor Becks.

So ironic, playing for Milan in order to increase your chance to play for England this world cup.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on March 14, 2010, 08:43:25 PM
Well at least the England team are getting more creative with their injuries than just breaking another metatarsal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 17, 2010, 02:46:35 PM
Chelsea is out. :thumbsup: And hopefully I will get to watch some Barca magic tonight, go Messi!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 19, 2010, 03:09:37 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on March 11, 2010, 10:13:28 AM
Quote from: clandestino on March 10, 2010, 11:48:09 AM
Quote from: Valdemar on March 10, 2010, 03:16:16 AM
5-0 bye Porto :D

Samir Nasri knows how to handle a ball :)

But the most fun was the swedish commentary (I can watch CL from Sweden for free) of the Danish striker, Bendtner's, hattrick  :D

V

Funny game indeed. :D

Anyway, Arsenal should win the Premiership not the Champions League. :bowler:

First time in years the Lisbon clubs may actually go farther than Porto  :P

First time in years, a Lisbon club goes farther than Porto  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 06, 2010, 02:35:28 PM
A Danish goal, a hattrick by the magician Messi and there's still 45 minutes left. :w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 06, 2010, 03:37:33 PM
Messi 4 - 1 Arsenal? :yeah:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 06, 2010, 03:39:21 PM
I've seen the future of football.

If he's on his game, he should win the World Cup for the Argies.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on April 06, 2010, 04:59:27 PM
Quote from: Josephus on April 06, 2010, 03:39:21 PM
I've seen the future of football.

If he's on his game, he should win the World Cup for the Argies.

Except Messi is not great when he does not have an amazing team around him: he is no Maradonna. He will not carry a mediocre team, but he can make an excellent team legendary.

Still, perhaps now Wenger will buy that defensive midfielder the fans have been screaming for since 2006.  <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on April 06, 2010, 05:02:55 PM
I mean, what the fuck are you doing starting Silvestre against Messi? ARRRRGGHGKSDHGLSDLHF££$(&£% :ultra:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Alexandru H. on April 06, 2010, 05:37:40 PM
Quote from: Warspite on April 06, 2010, 04:59:27 PM
Quote from: Josephus on April 06, 2010, 03:39:21 PM
I've seen the future of football.

If he's on his game, he should win the World Cup for the Argies.

Except Messi is not great when he does not have an amazing team around him: he is no Maradonna. He will not carry a mediocre team, but he can make an excellent team legendary.

Still, perhaps now Wenger will buy that defensive midfielder the fans have been screaming for since 2006.  <_<

It's really because Maradona is one of the shittiest managers ever. He was so close of making the Argies stay home during the summer... With Messi, it's pure jealousy: after spouting all kinds of nonsense about Pele and other capable players, he finally found a worthy match in a guy that resembles him in all the good ways and is nothing like him in the bad ones.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 06, 2010, 09:58:46 PM
Quote from: Warspite on April 06, 2010, 04:59:27 PM
Quote from: Josephus on April 06, 2010, 03:39:21 PM
I've seen the future of football.

If he's on his game, he should win the World Cup for the Argies.

Except Messi is not great when he does not have an amazing team around him: he is no Maradonna. He will not carry a mediocre team, but he can make an excellent team legendary.

Still, perhaps now Wenger will buy that defensive midfielder the fans have been screaming for since 2006.  <_<

But he does have a pretty good team around him. There's some pretty decent players there. I think the problem as Alexandru said is Maradonna. Still, if he can get that team to gel, they will be dominant.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on April 07, 2010, 07:28:40 AM
WHy does everyone rate Argentina automatically over Spain? You know one of the reasons Messi can be so rampant at Barca is the people around him like Iniesta and Xavi.

If Spain go into the WC with full strength team you've got those two, along with Fabregas on the bench, parked behind Torres and Villa. Oh, and their defence isn't bad either. And we know this lot can play because they managed to lift the European Cup in 2008.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Alexandru H. on April 07, 2010, 07:42:20 AM
Quote from: Warspite on April 07, 2010, 07:28:40 AM
WHy does everyone rate Argentina automatically over Spain? You know one of the reasons Messi can be so rampant at Barca is the people around him like Iniesta and Xavi.

If Spain go into the WC with full strength team you've got those two, along with Fabregas on the bench, parked behind Torres and Villa. Oh, and their defence isn't bad either. And we know this lot can play because they managed to lift the European Cup in 2008.

Argentina has the best attacking line-up in the world at this moment: Messi, Di Maria, Higuain, Tevez, Milito. Unfortunately, Maradona still manages that team...:(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 07, 2010, 07:53:13 AM
Spain would be the obvious favourites, but they always fall apart. Yeah, I know they won the EC two years ago; but that's not the world cup. I wonder how many teams have gone from winning the Euros to winning the World Cup two years later? I think France did it in recent memory.

Anyways we'll have to start making our picks in a month or so.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on April 07, 2010, 08:16:32 AM
Quote from: Josephus on April 07, 2010, 07:53:13 AM
Spain would be the obvious favourites, but they always fall apart. Yeah, I know they won the EC two years ago; but that's not the world cup.

You're right - the average quality of football is higher in the EC :p
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Alexandru H. on April 07, 2010, 08:44:07 AM
Quote from: Josephus on April 07, 2010, 07:53:13 AM
Spain would be the obvious favourites, but they always fall apart. Yeah, I know they won the EC two years ago; but that's not the world cup. I wonder how many teams have gone from winning the Euros to winning the World Cup two years later? I think France did it in recent memory.

Anyways we'll have to start making our picks in a month or so.

West Germany did it (EC 1972, WC 1974). France won the Euro Cup in 2000, but they won it after the World Cup of 1998.  :nerd:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 07, 2010, 09:01:34 AM
Right....so, that's my point---winning the EC does not translate into a WC.

I'm not saying Spain WON"T win....I think there's a few good favourites. Plus the unpredictability of the African nations will make this Cup interesting.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Alexandru H. on April 07, 2010, 09:12:14 AM
Quote from: Josephus on April 07, 2010, 09:01:34 AM
Right....so, that's my point---winning the EC does not translate into a WC.

I'm not saying Spain WON"T win....I think there's a few good favourites. Plus the unpredictability of the African nations will make this Cup interesting.

Actually it will be a shitty tournament, in the same vein as the 2002 one. That time, the Asians were overpowered by refs and official decisions; this time I predict that an African team will be lifted towards the semis.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 07, 2010, 10:47:49 AM
I'm hoping the refs won't ruin this WC. We'll see.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Cecil on April 07, 2010, 12:04:17 PM
Quote from: Josephus on April 07, 2010, 09:01:34 AM
Right....so, that's my point---winning the EC does not translate into a WC.

I'm not saying Spain WON"T win....I think there's a few good favourites. Plus the unpredictability of the African nations will make this Cup interesting.

Please they´ve been hyping those african teams since 90 and they´ve still not achieved jack. Although I suppose FIFA being the corrupt gasbags they are might put their dirty little fingers into fixing that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on April 07, 2010, 12:20:22 PM
Quote from: Josephus on April 07, 2010, 10:47:49 AM
I'm hoping the refs won't ruin this WC. We'll see.

I am sure this will be another major international tournament that proves we don't need goal-line technology or any kind of system of referral.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 07, 2010, 01:12:21 PM
As I've said before I think the Europeans will do pretty good due to the weather being similar to what they're used to playing in; maybe even better than in the WC in Germany in some places since that was played at the height of summer.


Quote from: Cecil on April 07, 2010, 12:04:17 PM
Quote from: Josephus on April 07, 2010, 09:01:34 AM
Right....so, that's my point---winning the EC does not translate into a WC.

I'm not saying Spain WON"T win....I think there's a few good favourites. Plus the unpredictability of the African nations will make this Cup interesting.

Please they´ve been hyping those african teams since 90 and they´ve still not achieved jack. Although I suppose FIFA being the corrupt gasbags they are might put their dirty little fingers into fixing that.
Earlier than that even I think. Didn't Pele say something about Africans winning the world cup before the end of the century back in the 70s?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Alexandru H. on April 07, 2010, 01:27:01 PM
I don't hate good african teams (like 2002 Senegal or 1990 Cameroon), but I hate nations that will be moved up by sheer ref influence (South Africa *wink*)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 07, 2010, 07:18:28 PM
No comments on tonight's Man Utd game? Up 3-0 at one point.

First time in years there's no English club in the final four.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Alexandru H. on April 08, 2010, 03:54:19 AM
Quote from: Josephus on April 07, 2010, 07:18:28 PM
No comments on tonight's Man Utd game? Up 3-0 at one point.

First time in years there's no English club in the final four.

My dream final is 4 games away: Barca - Bayern...  :hug:

Good for the mancs. Hope they lose the PL title to Chelsea or Arsenal.

As for Ferguson's comments about ze Germans... rot in hell, you damn Scot!  :mad:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on April 08, 2010, 05:16:08 AM
Quote from: Josephus on April 07, 2010, 07:18:28 PM
No comments on tonight's Man Utd game? Up 3-0 at one point.

First time in years there's no English club in the final four.

That was great - Olic's bundled Suker-esque goal to Robben's wonder strike. I was in a pub with a lot of depressed Mancs; it really took the sting off the drugging Arsenal got.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 26, 2011, 07:04:11 PM
Norway 1 - 1 Denmark

Denmark played a pretty decent game and creating more chances than we're used to, alas the Norwegians got a late equaliser and still leads the group. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on March 26, 2011, 09:35:03 PM
Vancouver played their first MLS game ever, beating Toronto. Apparently the stadium was full too.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: lustindarkness on March 27, 2011, 12:40:51 AM
The International Friendly Match between USA and Argentina has been exciting, they are playing for real, not just an exhibition game. :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on March 27, 2011, 12:54:57 AM
Yeah was a good game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on March 27, 2011, 03:19:42 AM
I am sad that the Dutch trounced us this week because this IS the best Hungarian team since quite a while but the poor guys got tainted sooo much before the game.

This is the problem with our football. Since we kicked serious ass 60 years ago, many here consider us to be of temporarly fallen football elites.
So, every time we have the national team perform even marginally better than abysmal, suddenly the expectation is to beat everyone and qualify and stuff. I mean, seriously. There was such a  propaganda at work to advertise this match as we had a decent chance at WINNING.
And then we got totally pwned. I saw Tier 4 English teams stand up better against Premiere Leauge ones in cup matches, than how we were totally raped by the Dutch. They only scored 4 goals because they stopped caring after that.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on March 27, 2011, 03:52:06 AM
Quote from: Liep on March 26, 2011, 07:04:11 PM
Norway 1 - 1 Denmark

Denmark played a pretty decent game and creating more chances than we're used to, alas the Norwegians got a late equaliser and still leads the group. :(

The point wasn't exactly the most well-earned in Norwegian footballing history. The game was a bore as well. Nice Danish goal, though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on March 27, 2011, 04:04:39 AM
Quote from: Tamas on March 27, 2011, 03:19:42 AM
I saw Tier 4 English teams stand up better against Premiere Leauge ones in cup matches, than how we were totally raped by the Dutch. They only scored 4 goals because they stopped caring after that.

And because they're going to do it again on Tuesday. :boff:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on March 27, 2011, 01:02:45 PM
Quote from: Tamas on March 27, 2011, 03:19:42 AM
I am sad that the Dutch trounced us this week because this IS the best Hungarian team since quite a while but the poor guys got tainted sooo much before the game.

This is the problem with our football. Since we kicked serious ass 60 years ago, many here consider us to be of temporarly fallen football elites.
So, every time we have the national team perform even marginally better than abysmal, suddenly the expectation is to beat everyone and qualify and stuff. I mean, seriously. There was such a  propaganda at work to advertise this match as we had a decent chance at WINNING.
And then we got totally pwned. I saw Tier 4 English teams stand up better against Premiere Leauge ones in cup matches, than how we were totally raped by the Dutch. They only scored 4 goals because they stopped caring after that.

It could be worse. You could have a team full of players who put in great performances week in week out for their club teams, and yet, because of some glory ten years ago, consistently play lazily and sloppily for the national team, while having a manager whose idea of tactical flexibility is throwing a in-the-box strike out as a wide midfielder.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: jamesww on March 27, 2011, 02:44:49 PM
Quote from: lustindarkness on March 27, 2011, 12:40:51 AM
The International Friendly Match between USA and Argentina has been exciting, they are playing for real, not just an exhibition game. :)

Let be guess, they didn't tell the Brits, but the winner get the Falklands.  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on March 27, 2011, 04:32:27 PM
Quote from: jamesww on March 27, 2011, 02:44:49 PM
Quote from: lustindarkness on March 27, 2011, 12:40:51 AM
The International Friendly Match between USA and Argentina has been exciting, they are playing for real, not just an exhibition game. :)

Let be guess, they didn't tell the Brits, but the winner get the Falklands.  :(

No, the loser.   :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on March 27, 2011, 04:50:52 PM
he he
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 27, 2011, 08:40:31 PM
Manchester City are set to discuss Mario Balotelli's disciplinary issues after the striker was reportedly caught throwing darts from a first floor window.

:lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on March 28, 2011, 01:41:41 AM
I realize now that the whole World Cup 2010 thread has been swallowed into the Great Languish Rift; darn, one of the top ten threads for number of views and number of replies!

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 28, 2011, 07:19:08 AM
Quote from: Pedrito on March 28, 2011, 01:41:41 AM
I realize now that the whole World Cup 2010 thread has been swallowed into the Great Languish Rift; darn, one of the top ten threads for number of views and number of replies!

L.

We could start it again.

My predicitons:

I think England's going to do really well. They start of against the USA, pah!; Robbie Green will shut them out surely. And from there on in surely it's a cinch.
France have a good team this year too. Watch out for them.
I think the Spanish are over rated; they should get past the first round but then they'll choke as usual.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on March 28, 2011, 07:57:42 AM
Quote from: Josephus on March 28, 2011, 07:19:08 AM
Quote from: Pedrito on March 28, 2011, 01:41:41 AM
I realize now that the whole World Cup 2010 thread has been swallowed into the Great Languish Rift; darn, one of the top ten threads for number of views and number of replies!

L.

We could start it again.

My predicitons:

I think England's going to do really well. They start of against the USA, pah!; Robbie Green will shut them out surely. And from there on in surely it's a cinch.
France have a good team this year too. Watch out for them.
I think the Spanish are over rated; they should get past the first round but then they'll choke as usual.

Germany's still in transition, Mueller's really inexperienced and can't understand why he's in the squad. Expect Ballack to start.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on March 28, 2011, 08:23:41 AM
Everybody will love those horns.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 28, 2011, 08:26:47 AM
Quote from: Josephus on March 28, 2011, 07:19:08 AM
France have a good team this year too. Watch out for them.

I especially like their enthusiasm and chemistry off the field.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on March 28, 2011, 09:54:19 AM
Home advantage will see the African teams go far this time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on March 29, 2011, 07:30:26 AM
South american teams will underperform, as always, with the usual notable exception of Argentina & Brazil.

Expect Messi to be the tournament's MVP.

Italy will easily pass their group stage, the easiest of all groups bar none.

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 29, 2011, 12:16:50 PM
Quote from: Pedrito on March 29, 2011, 07:30:26 AM4
Expect Messi to be the tournament's MVP.

Yeah, Maradonna can really get the best out of Messi, certainly the one to watch.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on March 29, 2011, 02:35:00 PM
1-2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on March 29, 2011, 03:31:19 PM
5-3 :(

We could have walked away with a draw at least, if we had fielded a defense.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 29, 2011, 04:08:37 PM
Quote from: Tamas on March 29, 2011, 03:31:19 PM
5-3 :(

We could have walked away with a draw at least, if we had fielded a defense.

Too bad, at least it sounds like a fun game.

Can't say that about the Danish game... I'm calling it now, congratulations to Norway and Portugal with their qualifications.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 30, 2011, 05:57:27 AM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmultimedia.pol.dk%2Farchive%2F00531%2FSkyen_531242x.jpg&hash=b12a82eeb7b50d666ee38aefad4f02245390cdc5)

This is how Qatar wants to save WC2022 from the sun. It's gonna be the funniest WC ever.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 30, 2011, 06:02:35 AM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.treehugger.com%2Fimages%2F2007%2F10%2F24%2Fsimpsons%2520sun-jj-001.jpg&hash=521254d2b2884ed152d6fcb646d2ad6888c1d241)

Since the dawn of time, mankind has always dreamed the same thing. To block the sun.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 30, 2011, 06:12:51 AM
Quote from: Liep on March 30, 2011, 05:57:27 AM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmultimedia.pol.dk%2Farchive%2F00531%2FSkyen_531242x.jpg&hash=b12a82eeb7b50d666ee38aefad4f02245390cdc5)

This is how Qatar wants to save WC2022 from the sun. It's gonna be the funniest WC ever.
wtf? Link?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 30, 2011, 06:22:36 AM
http://us.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/03/25/qatar.flying.saucers/index.html
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on March 30, 2011, 01:01:57 PM
Quote from: Liep on March 30, 2011, 05:57:27 AM

This is how Qatar wants to save WC2022 from the sun. It's gonna be the funniest WC ever.

No drunks, gays or actual fans allowed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 30, 2011, 01:04:27 PM
How on earth are they planning to keep it aloft? Its a giant blimp I guess? - the article says nought.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 30, 2011, 06:02:21 PM
Qatar: Desperately trying to make FIFA's snubbing of the USA's 2022 bid look even more ridiculous.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on March 30, 2011, 06:17:43 PM
Quote from: Tyr on March 30, 2011, 01:04:27 PM
How on earth are they planning to keep it aloft? Its a giant blimp I guess? - the article says nought.

Quote

His team eventually hopes to construct the helium-filled devices in Qatar

Yeah, they're essentially giant airships.  Learn to read.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on March 31, 2011, 04:29:05 PM
Ten years ago, David "Rocky" Rocastle passed away. An Arsenal legend in his own time. He was just 30 years old. Never really hit the same heights after the mid-1990s, but when he was in his prime, he was unstoppable.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJdEPdUxQN0

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Rocastle

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgoonertalk.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2011%2F03%2FDavid-Rocastle-007.jpg&hash=df7bbae42eb7751a760ce82eba8249f2032531b0)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 14, 2011, 06:41:11 PM
Braga did it again  :) Not spectacular but for that there's always Porto ;) Congrats to Benfica too, I'm in a good mood. :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 16, 2011, 10:19:03 AM
Crazy Americans and their love affair with soccer  :lmfao:

Yahoo article... http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/blog/dirty-tackle/post/The-Timbers-8217-mascot-and-his-giant-chainsaw?urn=sow-wp886
QuoteThe Portland Timbers' soaking wet first home match in MLS against the Chicago Fire showed off their fantastic stadium and fantastic crowd -- the Timbers Army, who belted out the national anthem all on their own. But perhaps the most unique feature of one of the league's new teams is their mascot. Yes, the Timbers' mascot is an actual lumberjack with an actual chainsaw and he actually uses it during matches. His name is Timber Joey and after every Timbers goal he slices a piece off his huge log slab on the side of the pitch. The slices are passed through the stands and presented to the goal scorer after the match.


(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmit.zenfs.com%2F210%2F2011%2F04%2Ftimberjoey.jpg&hash=472cb7cfb0b92ff1e908a7201fe3b12c6cb06091)


http://youtu.be/8-GmHcmdYBo


Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 16, 2011, 03:55:18 PM
El Clásico.

Mourinho has killed what was left of Madrid, playing defense on their own turf. Sad.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 16, 2011, 04:12:17 PM
Albiol tries to choke Villa after he misjudges the ball. Penalty and booted.

Wonder if they're going to try with some offense now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 16, 2011, 04:22:57 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 16, 2011, 10:19:03 AM
Crazy Americans and their love affair with soccer  :lmfao:

Yahoo article... httphoo.com/soccer/blog/dirty-tackle/post/The-Timbers-8217-mascot-and-his-giant-chainsaw?urn=sow-wp886
QuoteThe Portland Timbers' soaking wet first home match in MLS against the Chicago Fire showed off their fantastic stadium and fantastic crowd -- the Timbers Army, who belted out the national anthem all on their own. But perhaps the most unique feature of one of the league's new teams is their mascot. Yes, the Timbers' mascot is an actual lumberjack with an actual chainsaw and he actually uses it during matches. His name is Timber Joey and after every Timbers goal he slices a piece off his huge log slab on the side of the pitch. The slices are passed through the stands and presented to the goal scorer after the match.


[img]http://mit.zenfs.com/

http://youtu.be/8-GmHcmdYBo




What a lame mascot, more likely to scare kids than endear them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 16, 2011, 04:28:09 PM
Quote from: Liep on April 16, 2011, 03:55:18 PM
El Clásico.

Mourinho has killed what was left of Madrid, playing defense on their own turf. Sad.

Playing Pepe on midfield and benching Özil was a telling sign from the very beginning.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 16, 2011, 04:36:47 PM
They're gonna be doing this three more times, aren't they? :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 16, 2011, 04:37:50 PM
Pepe is actually one of the few Madrid players who looks like he wants to win. But yeah, saving the team for the next 3 more important Barca games is wise, but not pretty.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 16, 2011, 04:37:56 PM
Quote from: Josephus on April 16, 2011, 04:36:47 PM
They're gonna be doing this three more times, aren't they? :)

Yup, and this one is probably the less trascendent game of the 4 they'll play during this month. It seems like a playoff.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 16, 2011, 04:38:48 PM
Quote from: Liep on April 16, 2011, 04:37:50 PM
Pepe is actually one of the few Madrid players who looks like he wants to win. But yeah, saving the team for the next 3 more important Barca games is wise, but not pretty.

That's because Pepe is, basically, crazy once he enters the pitch. The guy has no restraint at all.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 16, 2011, 04:40:39 PM
Penalty.Goal. Ronaldo
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 16, 2011, 04:41:06 PM
Haha, that was one of the more stupid penalties I've seen. Alves is a loose cannon.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 16, 2011, 04:42:34 PM
Seemed like a dive to me, but meh, who cares.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 16, 2011, 04:44:51 PM
Actually, this has been the most boring game I've seen between the two.

Barca, Barca, penalty, Barca, Barca, Barca, penalty, Barca, Barca, tie.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 16, 2011, 04:47:51 PM
Quote from: The Larch on April 16, 2011, 04:42:34 PM
Seemed like a dive to me, but meh, who cares.

Yeah, it wasn't big but Alves made a diving tackle without striking the ball while he poked Marcello. And the ref was probably scared about what the Madrid-papers was gonna call him tomorrow.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 16, 2011, 04:49:24 PM
Quote from: Liep on April 16, 2011, 04:44:51 PM
Actually, this has been the most boring game I've seen between the two.

Barca, Barca, penalty, Barca, Barca, Barca, penalty, Barca, Barca, tie.

It's a game that has been utterly devalued since before it began. Real Madrid know they can't win the league, but they stand a chance in the following games, so the only thing they have at the stake is the team's honour. If it finishes with a draw everybody goes home mildly content and ready for the way more important games that will take place later.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 16, 2011, 04:51:22 PM
Quote from: Liep on April 16, 2011, 04:47:51 PM
Quote from: The Larch on April 16, 2011, 04:42:34 PM
Seemed like a dive to me, but meh, who cares.

Yeah, it wasn't big but Alves made a diving tackle without striking the ball while he poked Marcello. And the ref was probably scared about what the Madrid-papers was gonna call him tomorrow.

Yeah, and the fact that the ref seems to be trigger-happy doesn't help. He carded Valdés for that play and I still don't know why.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 16, 2011, 04:53:01 PM
He also carded Pique for that uncalled penalty in the first, so I assume Valdes got it for the same reasons: arguing against the ref.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 16, 2011, 04:55:50 PM
Also, what is up with Villa? He looked like a sack of patatoes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 16, 2011, 04:56:00 PM
Quote from: Liep on April 16, 2011, 04:53:01 PM
He also carded Pique for that uncalled penalty in the first, so I assume Valdes got it for the same reasons: arguing against the ref.

Yup, that's a safe assumption. Never trust the refs with slickily combed back hair.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 16, 2011, 04:56:37 PM
Quote from: Liep on April 16, 2011, 04:55:50 PM
Also, what is up with Villa? He looked like a sack of patatoes.

He's going through a heavily dry spell. Two months without scoring or so.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 17, 2011, 12:12:12 PM
Stoppage time during Arsenal/Liverpool today was hilarious.  :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on April 17, 2011, 03:47:49 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 17, 2011, 12:12:12 PM
Stoppage time during Arsenal/Liverpool today was hilarious.  :lmfao:

Eboue. What a fucking tool.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 17, 2011, 05:16:22 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 17, 2011, 12:12:12 PM
Stoppage time during Arsenal/Liverpool today was hilarious.  :lmfao:

10 best minutes of the game. :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 21, 2011, 07:51:17 AM
So Madrid won the Spanish Cup after overtime, the little I got to see of the final was hectic and not very well played so I imagine the Special One's tactic succeeded again.

Also, apparently Ramos broke the trophy the following night by dropping it under a moving bus.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 21, 2011, 07:58:10 AM
I hate Real Madrid, and I dont like that Mourinho gives such an apparent green light on brutality, but otherwise it is wrong to critisize him for the defensive tactics.

Thats where they can win. Barca is clearly better one-on-one, to open up is to let them win.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 21, 2011, 08:10:32 AM
It's not wrong to critisize someone for making it an ugly game, it might be naive though. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 21, 2011, 08:44:34 AM
Glad I decided to watch Spurs vs Arsenal instead. :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 21, 2011, 09:04:40 AM
FC Copenhagen wins the championship again, this time with a record breaking 8 rounds left. Danish football continues its decline.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 27, 2011, 04:39:09 PM
I would've loved to see the second half of Real - Barca, but had to work. It's re-aired in 30 minutes but football isn't the same when it's not live. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 27, 2011, 04:42:53 PM
Quote from: Liep on April 27, 2011, 04:39:09 PM
I would've loved to see the second half of Real - Barca, but had to work. It's re-aired in 30 minutes but football isn't the same when it's not live. :(

I agree. I had it recorded and was going to watch it when I got home from work. But just as I was driving home and went to listen to the traffic report, the guy on the radio gave the score.  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 27, 2011, 05:22:35 PM
You should just watch the highlights, the game was awful.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 27, 2011, 05:41:00 PM
I watched the Real Madrid-Barcelona game on FX (a real cable channel! congrats soccerfags). While the game was a snoozer, I enjoyed the cheapshots.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 28, 2011, 04:08:54 PM
Porto 5 Villareal 1
Not as one-sided as the score indicates. Villareal actually had a good first half and scored at the end of it. However, Falcao scored 4 times starting right at the beginning of the second half.

Benfica 2 Braga 1

Still hope for a Northern Portuguese UEFA cup final ;) Didn't see the game so I can't comment.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 28, 2011, 06:00:14 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 27, 2011, 05:41:00 PM
I watched the Real Madrid-Barcelona game on FX (a real cable channel! congrats soccerfags). While the game was a snoozer, I enjoyed the cheapshots.

I believe the Champions League Final will be broadcast on the main FOX network station.

:thumbsup:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 28, 2011, 06:33:25 PM
When is that? Gotta book the day off work.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 28, 2011, 07:21:42 PM
Quote from: Josephus on April 28, 2011, 06:33:25 PM
When is that? Gotta book the day off work.  :)

May 28th.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 28, 2011, 07:27:14 PM
Quote from: The Larch on April 28, 2011, 07:21:42 PM
May 28th.

Bah! Shouldn't be played on a saturday.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 28, 2011, 09:22:08 PM
Quote from: Liep on April 28, 2011, 07:27:14 PM
Quote from: The Larch on April 28, 2011, 07:21:42 PM
May 28th.

Bah! Shouldn't be played on a saturday.

Yeah, it's normally on Wednesdays. I guess I won't have to book the day off to see Man U v. B'lona...or whomever meets in the final.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 28, 2011, 09:36:55 PM
Last years was on Saturday as well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 16, 2011, 08:36:47 PM
http://youtu.be/t2Ji_vjkjv4  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 28, 2011, 05:58:38 PM
Well...was that not an amazing display.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Cerr on May 28, 2011, 06:05:50 PM
Yeah I thought it was a very good final.
Some great goals.

I'm happy that Barca won.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Cecil on May 28, 2011, 06:54:44 PM
I´m not though my hatred for both sides made this one of those times I´m sorry that both sides cannot lose.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 29, 2011, 06:46:11 AM
Things look tough for Porto in the  coming European Supercup :(
Good final though, unsurprisingly much better than the previous one between Porto and Braga.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on May 29, 2011, 06:59:32 AM
Great game, and Barcelona is one of the historical great sides, the way I see it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 30, 2011, 01:57:19 AM
Anyone else enjoying FIFA destroying themselves?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on May 30, 2011, 03:55:11 AM
Quote from: Liep on May 30, 2011, 01:57:19 AM
Anyone else enjoying FIFA destroying themselves?

I would be if Sepp Blatter hadn't managed, yet again, to dodge a deserved lynching. :glare:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on May 30, 2011, 11:15:31 AM
Quote from: Liep on May 30, 2011, 01:57:19 AM
Anyone else enjoying FIFA destroying themselves?

They aren't doing it properly.
If the UN council on human rights is a joke, FIFA is an even bigger one. It's actually on par with the IOC, one of the funniest post-war jokes.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 04, 2011, 04:59:52 PM
Portugal 1 Norway 0

A patient though not brilliant Portugal overcame a serious Norway.
Goal scored by Postiga, no less ;)

3 teams  in the group with 10 points: Portugal, Norway and Denmark.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on June 05, 2011, 02:16:50 AM
For once, I didn't watch the game, as I was otherwise occupied, but from what I have read, Norway didn't suck completely, which is a surprise. But the lumbering incompetent up front did suck.

Carew = not a class act. He peaked when he was around 20 and it's been all downhill since then. I mean, what kind of a supposed "international class" striker is released by Aston Villa and rejected by Stoke?  :huh:

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 06, 2011, 06:48:42 PM
This got me a few odd looks at work when I laughed out loud. Courtesy The Guardian's Barry Glendenning, about England/Switzerland:

Quote
FATIGUE BLAMED FOR FAILURE OF WELL-PAID ELITE ENGLISH ATHLETES, MANY OF WHOM
ARE ASKED TO PLAY FOOTBALL AS OFTEN AS TWICE A WEEK
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 06, 2011, 06:51:16 PM
LOL
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 06, 2011, 07:15:31 PM
It sounds funny but...its true. Playing at the top of your game does take it out of you. And then they've training too.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on June 06, 2011, 07:19:08 PM
I enjoyed Spain spanking the Yankee pigs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on June 07, 2011, 01:06:53 PM
Germany is winning against Azerbaijan. That will almost seal the qualification campaign for the Euro 2012 for Germany.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 07, 2011, 01:17:59 PM
Canada v USA today. :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 07, 2011, 06:01:57 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on June 06, 2011, 07:19:08 PM
I enjoyed Spain spanking the Yankee pigs.

Revenge for 1898.  :(

USA ! USA ! USA !
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 08, 2011, 08:29:59 AM
Liverpool are buying Henderson for 20 mil it seems.
On the one hand...our good young player being stolen by the big boys. Where have I heard that one before?
On the other...he wasn't THAT great. And 20 million is a lot....
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 08, 2011, 09:31:00 AM
Quote from: Josephus on June 07, 2011, 01:17:59 PM
Canada v USA today. :)

Maybe if they let Canada play on skates they wouldn't suck so hard.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on June 08, 2011, 10:10:49 AM
Quote from: Valmy on June 08, 2011, 09:31:00 AM
Quote from: Josephus on June 07, 2011, 01:17:59 PM
Canada v USA today. :)

Maybe if they let Canada play on skates they wouldn't suck so hard.
It was once explained to me that the reason that canada sucks in soccer is that most of our immigrant from soccer playing nations live in the east, but our training facilities are in BC so if you're good at soccer you have to be willing to pull up stakes for very little money and move out west. don't know if it's true, but it makes sense.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 08, 2011, 10:16:44 AM
Quote from: HVC on June 08, 2011, 10:10:49 AM
Quote from: Valmy on June 08, 2011, 09:31:00 AM
Quote from: Josephus on June 07, 2011, 01:17:59 PM
Canada v USA today. :)

Maybe if they let Canada play on skates they wouldn't suck so hard.
It was once explained to me that the reason that canada sucks in soccer is that most of our immigrant from soccer playing nations live in the east, but our training facilities are in BC so if you're good at soccer you have to be willing to pull up stakes for very little money and move out west. don't know if it's true, but it makes sense.

Nonsense. Maybe 50 years ago. But most of our players are now professionals playing abroad.

The Americans are just better than us cause they put a lot more money into their program than we do. Canada warms up against Equador. USA warms up against Spain. 'nuff said.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 08, 2011, 10:24:19 AM
Quote from: Josephus on June 08, 2011, 10:16:44 AM
Nonsense. Maybe 50 years ago. But most of our players are now professionals playing abroad.

The Americans are just better than us cause they put a lot more money into their program than we do. Canada warms up against Equador. USA warms up against Spain. 'nuff said.

Canada needs to beat those Caribbean and Central American teams and finish 3rd behind Mexico and the USA.  For the most part they fail to do that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on June 08, 2011, 10:31:14 AM
Quote from: Josephus on June 08, 2011, 10:16:44 AM
Quote from: HVC on June 08, 2011, 10:10:49 AM
Quote from: Valmy on June 08, 2011, 09:31:00 AM
Quote from: Josephus on June 07, 2011, 01:17:59 PM
Canada v USA today. :)

Maybe if they let Canada play on skates they wouldn't suck so hard.
It was once explained to me that the reason that canada sucks in soccer is that most of our immigrant from soccer playing nations live in the east, but our training facilities are in BC so if you're good at soccer you have to be willing to pull up stakes for very little money and move out west. don't know if it's true, but it makes sense.

Nonsense. Maybe 50 years ago. But most of our players are now professionals playing abroad.

The Americans are just better than us cause they put a lot more money into their program than we do. Canada warms up against Equador. USA warms up against Spain. 'nuff said.


But even to get to the point of being good enough to play abbroad you need youth training, which is out west, isn't it? (i mean the "really good" federation paid facilities that is) So it still culls our really promising but poor youth.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 08, 2011, 11:14:24 AM
Toronto and Montreal have some pretty decent facilities. Not sure about Montreal, but Toronto now has a youth academy where they start training teens with potential. But granted this is a fairly recent project.
The Americans sucked as well until the early 80s when massive funding in the soccer infrastructure was started.
But Valmy's right...there's no reason not to finish third but we always fall behind Jamaica or even Trinidad. I think last gold cup we lost to Guadaloupe.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 08, 2011, 11:18:31 AM
What exactly is "the soccer infrastructure"?

I figured we stopped sucking so fiercely in the 80s because soccer became a mainstream sport at the high school level around then.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 08, 2011, 11:57:05 AM
Training facilties, stadiums, a league of their own, youth academies; professional teams; sponsorships of college teams, coach/player development. That sort of shit.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on June 08, 2011, 12:16:22 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on June 08, 2011, 11:18:31 AM
What exactly is "the soccer infrastructure"?

I figured we stopped sucking so fiercely in the 80s because soccer became a mainstream sport at the high school level around then.

Soccer infrastructure consists of a competitive top-tier league at one end, and at the other a system of youth leagues and youth development. Essentially, a set of clubs and academies for identifying footballing talent at a young age, developing it, and then pushing the players into a professional league system that is of sufficient quality so they are noticed by talent scouts from European clubs.

Supporting this basic structure are things like qualified coaches, stadia, sponsorship arrangements, TV broadcast rights, and regional and international competitions. Match attendence also helps but, as small European countries show, this is not vital for churning out technically excellent footballers for export.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 08, 2011, 02:46:34 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on June 08, 2011, 11:18:31 AM
What exactly is "the soccer infrastructure"?

I figured we stopped sucking so fiercely in the 80s because soccer became a mainstream sport at the high school level around then.

And that allowed us to construct our Soccer Pyramid system that we have put together in the past decade.

Note though Jos that there are Canadian teams in our Pyramid so really Canada should be benefiting from this "infrastructure".  And they still might in the long term.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 08, 2011, 05:23:52 PM
They will...but until recently most of the players developed through this infrastructure were American. It's only since Toronto joined the league five years ago that similar initiatives have been launched here for Canadian players.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on June 09, 2011, 02:35:19 AM
Quote from: Warspite on June 08, 2011, 12:16:22 PM

Supporting this basic structure are things like qualified coaches, stadia, sponsorship arrangements, TV broadcast rights, and regional and international competitions. Match attendence also helps but, as small European countries show, this is not vital for churning out technically excellent footballers for export.

Money definitely plays a huge part. Getting the financial backing should be a number one priority. My local club spent 60 % of its income solely on under-soil heating for the pitch during winter.

Soccer infrastructure can become limited by huge geographical distances, but not necessarily so. The teams in top-flight have the funds to support the travel costs in, say, Norway, while second-tier clubs that travel just as much notice a significant expenditure which again will limit the scope for signings and support staff elsewhere. On the other hand, not travelling would mean playing local teams and getting less exposure to quality opponents.

Soccer infrastructure would, in my opinion, also include a "cultural" component. Most European countries now have at least 100 years of soccer behind them where animosities and strengths and weaknesses have developed along with club brand names. There are definite traits for each country in the way they approach the game. I read an old newspaper report when I was doing some research about how the Danish press complained about the Norwegian high-tempo long-ball game. In 1918. Fast forward to 2011, and you will find the exact same criticism.

Looking at the North American situation, I notice that East Coast US had several leagues and well-funded clubs like Bethlehem Steel back in the 1920s and 1930s, and many of them based around immigrant communities. Further reading led to the conclusion that almost all of them folded due to financial problems.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 09, 2011, 08:08:25 AM
Quote from: Norgy on June 09, 2011, 02:35:19 AM
Looking at the North American situation, I notice that East Coast US had several leagues and well-funded clubs like Bethlehem Steel back in the 1920s and 1930s, and many of them based around immigrant communities. Further reading led to the conclusion that almost all of them folded due to financial problems.

The Depression ruined many a sports club.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on June 09, 2011, 11:44:46 AM
Still, the US fielded a fairly strong team for the first World Cup.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 09, 2011, 11:45:42 AM
Quote from: Norgy on June 09, 2011, 11:44:46 AM
Still, the US fielded a fairly strong team for the first World Cup.

We did until that generation died off.  Between WWII and the 1970s soccer went into hibernation.  Heck I remember in the 1980s I had to watch the World Cup in Spanish.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on June 09, 2011, 12:00:06 PM
Quote from: Norgy on June 09, 2011, 11:44:46 AM
Still, the US fielded a fairly strong team for the first World Cup.

You think that's crazy? The first international cricket match was between... the US and Canada.  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 09, 2011, 05:43:45 PM
Quote from: Warspite on June 09, 2011, 12:00:06 PM
Quote from: Norgy on June 09, 2011, 11:44:46 AM
Still, the US fielded a fairly strong team for the first World Cup.

You think that's crazy? The first international cricket match was between... the US and Canada.  :bowler:
:blink:
Really?
I thought cricket long pre-dated either of them. I'd have thought it'd be India-England or England-Ireland or somesuch.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 09, 2011, 10:37:01 PM
Quote from: Tyr on June 09, 2011, 05:43:45 PM
:blink:
Really?
I thought cricket long pre-dated either of them. I'd have thought it'd be India-England or England-Ireland or somesuch.

So you think it predates the USA (1776) and Canada (1867) but not Ireland (1921) or India (1947)? :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on June 10, 2011, 07:01:13 AM
I just saw a clip of Ronaldo's final moments with the Brazilian national team. Holy crap that guy turned into a whale-he looked like some middle aged fan that the team gave a uniform and tossed out there.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 10, 2011, 07:20:47 AM
Quote from: Valmy on June 09, 2011, 10:37:01 PM
Quote from: Tyr on June 09, 2011, 05:43:45 PM
:blink:
Really?
I thought cricket long pre-dated either of them. I'd have thought it'd be India-England or England-Ireland or somesuch.

So you think it predates the USA (1776) and Canada (1867) but not Ireland (1921) or India (1947)? :hmm:
Ireland didn't join the union until after the USA was formed. And even then Ireland didn't cease to exist as shown by all those England-Scotland matches in various sports.
India was formed in 1858. And even before then there was an idea of India with sporting clubs being formed by Brits there.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on June 10, 2011, 08:22:49 AM
Quote from: alfred russel on June 10, 2011, 07:01:13 AM
I just saw a clip of Ronaldo's final moments with the Brazilian national team. Holy crap that guy turned into a whale-he looked like some middle aged fan that the team gave a uniform and tossed out there.

Dude likes his hookers and candy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 22, 2011, 11:39:13 AM
Big game against Panama today.

The USA has been really sucky in the Gold Cup so far but destiny demands a Mexico v USA championship so do not suck tonight boys.  I hope Altidore gets back soon  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Razgovory on June 22, 2011, 11:49:29 AM
Quote from: Valmy on June 09, 2011, 11:45:42 AM
Quote from: Norgy on June 09, 2011, 11:44:46 AM
Still, the US fielded a fairly strong team for the first World Cup.

We did until that generation died off.  Between WWII and the 1970s soccer went into hibernation.  Heck I remember in the 1980s I had to watch the World Cup in Spanish.

I had a great grandfather who was a professional soccer player for St. Louis.  Not sure when, I think it was like the first couple decades of the 20th century.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on June 22, 2011, 02:20:58 PM
Have you got any more info on him?

Could be interesting to hear what it took to become a professional athlete back then.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 22, 2011, 05:29:21 PM
Quote from: Valmy on June 22, 2011, 11:39:13 AM
Big game against Panama today.

The USA has been really sucky in the Gold Cup so far but destiny demands a Mexico v USA championship so do not suck tonight boys.  I hope Altidore gets back soon  :(

Altidore had been having a good tournament. It must be really eating him up that he pulled his hamstring. I was hoping he would have some sort of "breakout" tournament where he suddenly turns into a prolific striker. We need one. Bad.  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 22, 2011, 08:18:10 PM
Freddy Adu subbed in for Agudelo, hit a great diagonal ball to Donovan to start the counterattack that led immediately to the winning goal, and after dribbling past two defenders would have had an assist if not for Bradley flubbing up his shot/pass(?).
It's good to see him getting another chance and playing very well. :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 22, 2011, 08:54:00 PM
I have to admit...20 years of having an anemic offense does get old.

Ah well on to the finals!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 26, 2011, 08:05:49 AM
Gold Cup final USA-Mexico was fun, as always.

I'd say the best thing to come out of the tournament for the US was Adu playing well. He looked really up to it and it's great to have a player on the team who knows how to dribble past defenders for once.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 26, 2011, 08:14:02 AM
It was a great game to watch as well...though it seemed as though the US was the away team. I think this is one of the best Mexican sides ever assembled.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 26, 2011, 08:29:32 AM
Quote from: Josephus on June 26, 2011, 08:14:02 AM
It was a great game to watch as well...though it seemed as though the US was the away team. I think this is one of the best Mexican sides ever assembled.

Yeah. Most of the 93,000 in the Rose Bowl were supporting Mexico. Understandable since the game was in L.A.

I was concerned after the US went 2-0 up. I'm not used to our team being 2 goals up within 30 minutes. I knew something was going to ruin it. Then Cherundolo got injured.  :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 26, 2011, 10:59:59 AM
In other news, the Women's World Cup begins...and Canada has a decent medal shot. Go Canada!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on June 26, 2011, 02:53:23 PM
Quote from: Tyr on June 10, 2011, 07:20:47 AM
Ireland didn't join the union until after the USA was formed. And even then Ireland didn't cease to exist as shown by all those England-Scotland matches in various sports.

???
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Razgovory on June 26, 2011, 05:42:40 PM
Quote from: Norgy on June 22, 2011, 02:20:58 PM
Have you got any more info on him?

Could be interesting to hear what it took to become a professional athlete back then.

I'll have to ask my dad.  I gathered he didn't get paid much though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 26, 2011, 05:56:31 PM
Quote from: Josephus on June 26, 2011, 08:14:02 AM
It was a great game to watch as well...though it seemed as though the US was the away team. I think this is one of the best Mexican sides ever assembled.

That always happens.  We have alot of traitors over here.

Of course they wont freaking play soccer, or support our pro clubs...or do anything involved with advancing the game over here...but they go and cheer for Mexico when they show up.  But I ain't bitter no sir.

In any case it was USA v Mexico as it should be in any CONCACAF championship and this time they kicked our ass.  But we will be back!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 26, 2011, 06:47:57 PM
Quote from: Valmy on June 26, 2011, 05:56:31 PM

That always happens.  We have alot of traitors over here.

Of course they wont freaking play soccer, or support our pro clubs...or do anything involved with advancing the game over here...but they go and cheer for Mexico when they show up.  But I ain't bitter no sir.


It happens all the time here, in Canada, especially in Toronto. Just recently Canada had a warmup game against Ecauador just before the Gold Cup. There were 18,000 people in the stadium...17500 of which were wearing Ecuadorian colours.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on June 26, 2011, 07:00:49 PM
Haha River Plate.  :lol: I guess this means no more superclasico? (although Boca may be joining them before to long the way they have been playing)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 03, 2011, 02:24:03 PM
Watching Copa America matches live on YouTube is :cool:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 03, 2011, 04:15:28 PM
Youtube has live Copa America games?

anyways, saw the Brazil game on TV, pretty boring. Brazil really need to get their act together in three years.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on July 03, 2011, 04:29:16 PM
Yep they are broadcasting the whole thing apparently.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 07, 2011, 04:24:46 PM
FIFA, the asswipes, are considering three "halves" for the WC in Qatar.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/8621726/World-Cup-in-2022-could-become-a-game-of-three-halves-in-the-40-degree-heat-of-Qatar.html
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 07, 2011, 04:28:19 PM
:wtf:
That...would be just bizzare as a one off change.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on July 08, 2011, 02:41:04 AM
They should consider moving the World Cup somewhere better. Like Europe.
Fucking Quatar.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on July 08, 2011, 09:29:41 AM
If FIFA can propose turning the sport into trimesters, then I'm not going to be embarrassed to propose with my fellow americans that the goal size be increased.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on July 08, 2011, 11:02:54 AM
Quote from: Josephus on July 07, 2011, 04:24:46 PM
FIFA, the asswipes, are considering three "halves" for the WC in Qatar.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/8621726/World-Cup-in-2022-could-become-a-game-of-three-halves-in-the-40-degree-heat-of-Qatar.html

What kind of stupid shit is that?  PLay the freaking game.  If your team cannot run up and down for 45 minutes in the heat you will lose.  Period.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on July 08, 2011, 12:14:18 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on July 08, 2011, 09:29:41 AM
If FIFA can propose turning the sport into trimesters, then I'm not going to be embarrassed to propose with my fellow americans that the goal size be increased.  :)

And a goal, depending on where it's scored from, should give 1, 2.5, 3 or 4.7 points.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on July 08, 2011, 12:18:42 PM
Quote from: Norgy on July 08, 2011, 12:14:18 PM
And a goal, depending on where it's scored from, should give 1, 2.5, 3 or 4.7 points.

That is idiotic.  kicking the ball over the goal should be 1 point, kicking it in the goal should be worth 6 points and punching the goalie in the face and stealing his pants should be worth 20.  Now that I could get behind.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on July 08, 2011, 12:21:26 PM
Quote from: Valmy on July 08, 2011, 11:02:54 AM
Quote from: Josephus on July 07, 2011, 04:24:46 PM
FIFA, the asswipes, are considering three "halves" for the WC in Qatar.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/8621726/World-Cup-in-2022-could-become-a-game-of-three-halves-in-the-40-degree-heat-of-Qatar.html

What kind of stupid shit is that?  PLay the freaking game.  If your team cannot run up and down for 45 minutes in the heat you will lose.  Period.

If they're really that worried, it would make more sense to split it into quarters and have a couple of minute long drinks breaks at the quarter and three quarter mark.

If you did split the game into thirds one team could quite easily have an unfair advantage over the other simply because of the direction the wind is blowing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on July 08, 2011, 12:39:39 PM
There is nothing wrong with dividing a sporting game up into thirds.  And since you can't call them halves or quarters, you might as well call them periods.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on July 08, 2011, 01:10:41 PM
Quote from: Barrister on July 08, 2011, 12:39:39 PM
There is nothing wrong with dividing a sporting game up into thirds.  And since you can't call them halves or quarters, you might as well call them periods.

Are they all going to be indoor venues in Qatar, then? The idea of halves for an outdoor ball game is that neither side suffers a disadvantage due to the wind or other environmental factors - if you split it into thirds one team is going to have an advantage by default.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on July 08, 2011, 01:40:39 PM
Quote from: Barrister on July 08, 2011, 12:39:39 PM
There is nothing wrong with dividing a sporting game up into thirds.  And since you can't call them halves or quarters, you might as well call them periods.

And midfielder is a lame name for a position.  We should call them left and right wingers.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 08, 2011, 01:49:58 PM
I could maybe see a case for calling for a 5 minute break when there's a dead ball around 30 mins and 65 mins but totally altering the game into thirds...no.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on July 13, 2011, 03:09:27 PM
Sweden getting spanked by Japan :o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on July 13, 2011, 03:13:00 PM
Quote from: Barrister on July 08, 2011, 12:39:39 PM
And since you can't call them halves or quarters, you might as well call them periods.

Only in the Women's World Cup.

Yes. I went there.  :Embarrass:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 13, 2011, 04:13:32 PM
Quote from: Norgy on July 13, 2011, 03:13:00 PM
Quote from: Barrister on July 08, 2011, 12:39:39 PM
And since you can't call them halves or quarters, you might as well call them periods.

Only in the Women's World Cup.

Yes. I went there.  :Embarrass:

boo....hiss...... :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on July 17, 2011, 03:36:16 PM
US and Jippon tied 1-1 in regulation, going to extra time.

Some of the US players are pretty alright looking too.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on July 17, 2011, 04:16:21 PM
Yeah I watched the first 20 minutes in the waiting room at the doctor's office. The Americans were definitely more attractive than the Japanese. They played much better too, at least while I watched.

When did the Japanese pull themselves together? Or did they just get incredibly lucky?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on July 17, 2011, 04:23:28 PM
I'm glad team USA lost. Women sports.  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on July 17, 2011, 04:24:39 PM
:bleeding:

You fucking lebiangs. 

US misses 3 in the shoot out to hand the Cup to the Nips.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on July 17, 2011, 04:26:03 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on July 17, 2011, 04:24:39 PM
:bleeding:

You fucking lebiangs. 

US misses 3 in the shoot out to hand the Cup to the Nips.

They should have stayed in the kitchen where they belong.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Kleves on July 17, 2011, 04:53:36 PM
This is why we didn't let women fight WWII. :contract:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 17, 2011, 05:27:05 PM
Take heart US Women's Team; you are still better at penalties than Brazil's Men's Team.  :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao:

http://youtu.be/nspV77DpD-I
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 17, 2011, 06:52:25 PM
This wimenz world cup was actually a lot better than I expected. A lot of the games were nail-biting exciting, and the final was far better than many of the mens games. Many of the chicks were pretty hot too. Bit disappointed that the players don't exchange shirts at the end, though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 17, 2011, 07:22:43 PM
Quote from: Josephus on July 17, 2011, 06:52:25 PM
This wimenz world cup was actually a lot better than I expected. A lot of the games were nail-biting exciting, and the final was far better than many of the mens games. Many of the chicks were pretty hot too. Bit disappointed that the players don't exchange shirts at the end, though.
I sat through extra time and penalties just for hugs and smiles. :ultra:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: CountDeMoney on July 17, 2011, 08:43:28 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on July 17, 2011, 04:24:39 PM
:bleeding:

You fucking lebiangs. 

US misses 3 in the shoot out to hand the Cup to the Nips.

Yeah, they had their chances.  Especially when it could've been 3-0 going into the half.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 18, 2011, 05:13:18 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on July 17, 2011, 05:27:05 PM
Take heart US Women's Team; you are still better at penalties than Brazil's Men's Team.  :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao:

http://youtu.be/nspV77DpD-I

Awesome Copa América, both Brazil and Argentina down in 1/4s. The semis are Uruguay - Peru and Venezuela - Paraguay.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on July 18, 2011, 05:50:55 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 18, 2011, 05:13:18 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on July 17, 2011, 05:27:05 PM
Take heart US Women's Team; you are still better at penalties than Brazil's Men's Team.  :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao:

http://youtu.be/nspV77DpD-I

Awesome Copa América, both Brazil and Argentina down in 1/4s. The semis are Uruguay - Peru and Venezuela - Paraguay.

Nice. Will the final by an all guay affair?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 18, 2011, 03:13:24 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on July 18, 2011, 05:50:55 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 18, 2011, 05:13:18 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on July 17, 2011, 05:27:05 PM
Take heart US Women's Team; you are still better at penalties than Brazil's Men's Team.  :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao:

http://youtu.be/nspV77DpD-I

Awesome Copa América, both Brazil and Argentina down in 1/4s. The semis are Uruguay - Peru and Venezuela - Paraguay.

Nice. Will the final by an all guay affair?

Always root for the guays.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 21, 2011, 02:07:25 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on July 18, 2011, 05:50:55 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 18, 2011, 05:13:18 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on July 17, 2011, 05:27:05 PM
Take heart US Women's Team; you are still better at penalties than Brazil's Men's Team.  :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao:

http://youtu.be/nspV77DpD-I

Awesome Copa América, both Brazil and Argentina down in 1/4s. The semis are Uruguay - Peru and Venezuela - Paraguay.

Nice. Will the final by an all guay affair?

And a -guay final it is, Uruguay will meet Paraguay on sunday.

Funnily enough, Paraguay hasn't won a single match in the whole tournament, having drawn all 3 matches in the group stage and qualified as last of the 8 quarter finalists, and won bot the 1/4s and semis on penalties. Also funnily enough, they have only played against 3 other teams despite playing 5 matches (they played Brazil and Venezuela twice, once in the group stage and another in the knockout rounds).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pat on July 22, 2011, 11:53:12 AM
http://img37.picoodle.com/i57j/alyyx/1i77_32c_u93ul.jpg

"Stay classy, America"
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on July 22, 2011, 12:09:24 PM
Quote from: Pat on July 22, 2011, 11:53:12 AM
http://img37.picoodle.com/i57j/alyyx/1i77_32c_u93ul.jpg

"Stay classy, America"

There is really nothing the internet cannot turn into a racial or nationalist slur of some kind.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gaijin de Moscu on July 22, 2011, 03:48:37 PM
Quote from: Pat on July 22, 2011, 11:53:12 AM
http://img37.picoodle.com/i57j/alyyx/1i77_32c_u93ul.jpg

"Stay classy, America"

Good one.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: CountDeMoney on July 23, 2011, 03:26:54 PM
Quote from: Pat on July 22, 2011, 11:53:12 AM
http://img37.picoodle.com/i57j/alyyx/1i77_32c_u93ul.jpg

"Stay classy, America"

:lol: Awesomeness.

"Congrachurations Japan"
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: CountDeMoney on July 23, 2011, 03:34:24 PM
Quote from: Valmy on July 22, 2011, 12:09:24 PM
Quote from: Pat on July 22, 2011, 11:53:12 AM
http://img37.picoodle.com/i57j/alyyx/1i77_32c_u93ul.jpg

"Stay classy, America"

There is really nothing the internet cannot turn into a racial or nationalist slur of some kind.

No joke.  And the Japanese are one of the most xenophobic and racist cultures out there.

I'd love to see the Facebooks of all the rittle Japs that take a big dump on China every September 16th.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 26, 2011, 10:37:15 AM
Quote from: alfred russel on June 26, 2011, 07:00:49 PM
Haha River Plate.  :lol: I guess this means no more superclasico? (although Boca may be joining them before to long the way they have been playing)

Guess what, just after River got relegated, the Argentine FA is announcing that for the 2012/13 season divisions 1 and 2 of the Argentine footie piramid will merge, creating a top division with 38 teams on it. It'll be divided in two 19 team groups, being Boca in one group and River in the other. Teams will play against the other teams in their groups and "clásicos" will be played between one team from each group ocasionally. After 19 games teams will be divided again into two groups, a "Championship" group that will play for the title and the rest that will battle against relegation. And it seems to have been approved almost unanimously by all the teams. Talk about a broken country...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 26, 2011, 10:38:58 AM
In other news:

- Uruguay won the Copa América after defeating Paraguay 3 - 0 in the final.
- The coach of the Argentine national team got fired.
- Balotelli displayed once more his asshattishness. At least it was on a friendly, but Mancini was not amused.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 26, 2011, 03:48:21 PM
Quote from: The Larch on July 26, 2011, 10:37:15 AM
Quote from: alfred russel on June 26, 2011, 07:00:49 PM
Haha River Plate.  :lol: I guess this means no more superclasico? (although Boca may be joining them before to long the way they have been playing)

Guess what, just after River got relegated, the Argentine FA is announcing that for the 2012/13 season divisions 1 and 2 of the Argentine footie piramid will merge, creating a top division with 38 teams on it. It'll be divided in two 19 team groups, being Boca in one group and River in the other. Teams will play against the other teams in their groups and "clásicos" will be played between one team from each group ocasionally. After 19 games teams will be divided again into two groups, a "Championship" group that will play for the title and the rest that will battle against relegation. And it seems to have been approved almost unanimously by all the teams. Talk about a broken country...

So they changed their entire league structure to "save" River from relegation?  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 26, 2011, 04:32:22 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on July 26, 2011, 03:48:21 PM
Quote from: The Larch on July 26, 2011, 10:37:15 AM
Quote from: alfred russel on June 26, 2011, 07:00:49 PM
Haha River Plate.  :lol: I guess this means no more superclasico? (although Boca may be joining them before to long the way they have been playing)

Guess what, just after River got relegated, the Argentine FA is announcing that for the 2012/13 season divisions 1 and 2 of the Argentine footie piramid will merge, creating a top division with 38 teams on it. It'll be divided in two 19 team groups, being Boca in one group and River in the other. Teams will play against the other teams in their groups and "clásicos" will be played between one team from each group ocasionally. After 19 games teams will be divided again into two groups, a "Championship" group that will play for the title and the rest that will battle against relegation. And it seems to have been approved almost unanimously by all the teams. Talk about a broken country...

So they changed their entire league structure to "save" River from relegation?  :lol:

They'll have to spend at least one season in the 2nd division anyway, as this change won't come into effect into a couple of seasons from now, but this way they can be sure that River will be in the top flight no matter what...unless they get relegated again, I guess.  :lol:

And apparently the order for this restructuring came from above...  :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 26, 2011, 04:40:18 PM
Here's hoping for more 'crazy old Argentinean River fan' videos.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 26, 2011, 04:46:51 PM
Quote from: The Larch on July 26, 2011, 10:38:58 AM
In other news:

- Uruguay won the Copa América after defeating Paraguay 3 - 0 in the final.
- The coach of the Argentine national team got fired.
- Balotelli displayed once more his asshattishness. At least it was on a friendly, but Mancini was not amused.

The balotelli thing was amazing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 26, 2011, 06:28:10 PM
Quote from: The Larch on July 26, 2011, 10:37:15 AM
Quote from: alfred russel on June 26, 2011, 07:00:49 PM
Haha River Plate.  :lol: I guess this means no more superclasico? (although Boca may be joining them before to long the way they have been playing)

Guess what, just after River got relegated, the Argentine FA is announcing that for the 2012/13 season divisions 1 and 2 of the Argentine footie piramid will merge, creating a top division with 38 teams on it. It'll be divided in two 19 team groups, being Boca in one group and River in the other. Teams will play against the other teams in their groups and "clásicos" will be played between one team from each group ocasionally. After 19 games teams will be divided again into two groups, a "Championship" group that will play for the title and the rest that will battle against relegation. And it seems to have been approved almost unanimously by all the teams. Talk about a broken country...
That...hurts my head.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on July 26, 2011, 08:11:26 PM
Quote from: The Larch on July 26, 2011, 10:37:15 AM
Quote from: alfred russel on June 26, 2011, 07:00:49 PM
Haha River Plate.  :lol: I guess this means no more superclasico? (although Boca may be joining them before to long the way they have been playing)

Guess what, just after River got relegated, the Argentine FA is announcing that for the 2012/13 season divisions 1 and 2 of the Argentine footie piramid will merge, creating a top division with 38 teams on it. It'll be divided in two 19 team groups, being Boca in one group and River in the other. Teams will play against the other teams in their groups and "clásicos" will be played between one team from each group ocasionally. After 19 games teams will be divided again into two groups, a "Championship" group that will play for the title and the rest that will battle against relegation. And it seems to have been approved almost unanimously by all the teams. Talk about a broken country...

Derspeiss would know better than me, but I've watched some local sports coverage from Argentina and even though neither Boca nor River has been good recently, they get by far the most coverage. From a fan interest perspective, I think the Argentine league is basically Boca and River and a bunch of foils for Boca and River. So I can see why they are doing this, even if it looks ridiculous. And I can see why the other teams wouldn't stand in the way--if you are the Washington Generals, you won't sell many tickets if you can't match up with the Globetrotters.

What is crazy is that teams as popular as Boca and River still aren't good, and are getting relegated. I've been told that is because the top levels of Argentine football are incredibly corrupt, and make decisions like turning over the national team to Maradona, but I don't know.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Neil on July 26, 2011, 08:33:44 PM
It's like the Maple Leafs in hockey.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 27, 2011, 01:55:58 AM
Quote from: Tyr on July 26, 2011, 06:28:10 PM
Quote from: The Larch on July 26, 2011, 10:37:15 AM
Quote from: alfred russel on June 26, 2011, 07:00:49 PM
Haha River Plate.  :lol: I guess this means no more superclasico? (although Boca may be joining them before to long the way they have been playing)

Guess what, just after River got relegated, the Argentine FA is announcing that for the 2012/13 season divisions 1 and 2 of the Argentine footie piramid will merge, creating a top division with 38 teams on it. It'll be divided in two 19 team groups, being Boca in one group and River in the other. Teams will play against the other teams in their groups and "clásicos" will be played between one team from each group ocasionally. After 19 games teams will be divided again into two groups, a "Championship" group that will play for the title and the rest that will battle against relegation. And it seems to have been approved almost unanimously by all the teams. Talk about a broken country...
That...hurts my head.

It's not as if the current system was clearer, relegation was calculated through 3 season averages (yet River still got relegated anyway). They've been doing this since the early 80s when, you guessed it, River almost got relegated once.

And there are two league champions each season, one for the Apertura (1st leg) and another for the Clausura (2nd leg). This was after the 91-92 season, IIRC, when the winner of each leg had to play each other for the league title and, you guessed it, Boca lost the game against Newell's Old Boys, thus missing their first league title in 10 years.

Argentinian football is a mess.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 27, 2011, 02:18:54 AM
Quote from: alfred russel on July 26, 2011, 08:11:26 PM
Quote from: The Larch on July 26, 2011, 10:37:15 AM
Quote from: alfred russel on June 26, 2011, 07:00:49 PM
Haha River Plate.  :lol: I guess this means no more superclasico? (although Boca may be joining them before to long the way they have been playing)

Guess what, just after River got relegated, the Argentine FA is announcing that for the 2012/13 season divisions 1 and 2 of the Argentine footie piramid will merge, creating a top division with 38 teams on it. It'll be divided in two 19 team groups, being Boca in one group and River in the other. Teams will play against the other teams in their groups and "clásicos" will be played between one team from each group ocasionally. After 19 games teams will be divided again into two groups, a "Championship" group that will play for the title and the rest that will battle against relegation. And it seems to have been approved almost unanimously by all the teams. Talk about a broken country...

Derspeiss would know better than me, but I've watched some local sports coverage from Argentina and even though neither Boca nor River has been good recently, they get by far the most coverage. From a fan interest perspective, I think the Argentine league is basically Boca and River and a bunch of foils for Boca and River. So I can see why they are doing this, even if it looks ridiculous. And I can see why the other teams wouldn't stand in the way--if you are the Washington Generals, you won't sell many tickets if you can't match up with the Globetrotters.

What is crazy is that teams as popular as Boca and River still aren't good, and are getting relegated. I've been told that is because the top levels of Argentine football are incredibly corrupt, and make decisions like turning over the national team to Maradona, but I don't know.

The Argentinian football league is de facto controlled by the state, as they're the ones who have the monopoly on tv rights through a "presidential media initiative" called Football for everyone (Fútbol para todos) and thus control the main money flow for the clubs. Some club presidents from minor clubs said that they didn't agree with the restructuring but whoever pays the piper picks the song, so they had to accept.

And yes, the top levels of Argentinian football are incredibly corrupt, most of all the national FA which is the personal fiefdom of Julio Grondona, its president for the last 32 years, who also serves as FIFA's VP. On top of that both Boca and River are also incredibly mismanaged, always selling their promising youngsters at the earlier opportunity for quick bucks despite getting most of the TV rights money while also being constantly indebted. There were serious concerns about River having to fold if it didn't get promoted right away, so I guess that this is why they restructured the league.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on July 28, 2011, 02:37:36 PM
Dear me, the Norwegian clubs are really poor in Europe.  :uffda: :face: :pinch:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on July 28, 2011, 05:54:53 PM
Bob Bradley's out as coach of the US national team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 28, 2011, 06:00:25 PM
Bit of a surprise that one. I can't remmber now, did they win the Gold Cup?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on July 28, 2011, 06:08:43 PM
Quote from: Josephus on July 28, 2011, 06:00:25 PM
Bit of a surprise that one. I can't remmber now, did they win the Gold Cup?

No, lost 4-2 to Mexico, after leading 2-0.

That probably sealed his fate.  Apparantly, he had the team pressing for more goals instead of clamping down on defense when up 2-nil.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 28, 2011, 08:08:50 PM
Quote from: dps on July 28, 2011, 05:54:53 PM
Bob Bradley's out as coach of the US national team.

Not sure how I feel about this. I don't have this hatred of him like I've seen from a lot of USMNT supporters. The 2009 Confed Cup was wonderful and the team fared well enough in WC2010, even if the Ghana game was a disappointment. The Gold Cup performances were largely terrible, though. Bradley seems to have run out of steam, so letting him go now seems the right thing to do.

I'd like to see a foreign coach. So who's looking for a job now? Rafa?  :D :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 28, 2011, 09:08:41 PM
Mourinho might see it as a challenge. "I am the special one. I can make America win the World Cup."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on July 28, 2011, 09:15:38 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on July 28, 2011, 08:08:50 PM
Quote from: dps on July 28, 2011, 05:54:53 PM
Bob Bradley's out as coach of the US national team.

Not sure how I feel about this. I don't have this hatred of him like I've seen from a lot of USMNT supporters. The 2009 Confed Cup was wonderful and the team fared well enough in WC2010, even if the Ghana game was a disappointment. The Gold Cup performances were largely terrible, though. Bradley seems to have run out of steam, so letting him go now seems the right thing to do.

I'd like to see a foreign coach. So who's looking for a job now? Rafa?  :D :hmm:

Domenech  :smarty:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 28, 2011, 09:48:27 PM
Quote from: Josephus on July 28, 2011, 09:08:41 PM
Mourinho might see it as a challenge. "I am the special one. I can make America win the World Cup."

yespls  :cool:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on July 29, 2011, 03:21:43 AM
Quote from: Josephus on July 28, 2011, 09:08:41 PM
Mourinho might see it as a challenge. "I am the special one. I can make America win the World Cup."

Say what you will about his personality and his Messianic complex, but he really gets results.
His tactics may not be the most good-looking, but you can't really argue with the results.

My guess is that he comes with a price tag that makes him unavailable to any club outside the top ten richest in the world, though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 29, 2011, 08:32:25 AM
El Diego for USMNT coach.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 29, 2011, 09:04:18 AM
Being a club manager and being a national manager are very different things.
Though I am curious how he would do as US manager.

QuoteDear me, the Norwegian clubs are really poor in Europe.  :uffda: :face: :pinch:
You should merge with the other Scandis into one league. You could get up to a pretty good standard then IMO.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 29, 2011, 09:04:59 AM
Rumour has it that Klinsmann is being touted.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on July 29, 2011, 09:36:40 AM
Quote from: Tyr on July 29, 2011, 09:04:18 AM

You should merge with the other Scandis into one league. You could get up to a pretty good standard then IMO.

The idea has been out there for a while. The attempt to create a Nordic league in winter in the form of Royal League (the name is an ABERRATION!!) crashed.

Problems: Should each country have quotas? 3-4 teams from each country? Distances. Scandinavia is huge. From Tromsø to Malmö, that's really far, and with only a handful of clubs managing above 15.000 on average attendance, I see the financial problems becoming huge. You could of course just start with franchises like in North America.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on July 29, 2011, 09:46:55 AM
Quote from: Norgy on July 29, 2011, 09:36:40 AM
Quote from: Tyr on July 29, 2011, 09:04:18 AM

You should merge with the other Scandis into one league. You could get up to a pretty good standard then IMO.

The idea has been out there for a while. The attempt to create a Nordic league in winter in the form of Royal League (the name is an ABERRATION!!) crashed.

Problems: Should each country have quotas? 3-4 teams from each country? Distances. Scandinavia is huge. From Tromsø to Malmö, that's really far, and with only a handful of clubs managing above 15.000 on average attendance, I see the financial problems becoming huge. You could of course just start with franchises like in North America.

The other problem is that FIFA and UEFA have also killed the idea of multinational leagues. There was some talk of a "Habsburg" league with the best teams from Croatia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Austria and Hungary, in order to make an actually competitive and financially viable central European football system.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on July 29, 2011, 11:20:53 AM
That's a pity, since those countries already had competitions running back in the 1930s and had some of the best players in pre-war Europe.

I think FIFA is useless.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 29, 2011, 11:32:42 AM
Quote from: Josephus on July 29, 2011, 09:04:59 AM
Rumour has it that Klinsmann is being touted.

Yup, it's him.

http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Mens-National-Team/2011/07/Klinsmann-Named-Head-Coach-of-US-MNT.aspx
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on July 29, 2011, 12:05:08 PM
Quote from: Norgy on July 29, 2011, 11:20:53 AM
That's a pity, since those countries already had competitions running back in the 1930s and had some of the best players in pre-war Europe.

I think FIFA is useless.

It is a massive pity since right now these countries have jokes of leagues (I can't speak for the others, but Croatia could do fine with a top league of four teams), whereas a more competitive system for the top clubs - tougher fixtures, bigger attendances, more viewers, more revenue - would mean better wages, better training systems.

Football would be the winner, but not FIFA and UEFA who would lose their stranglehold over the running of the game (and the latter over lucrative European competition).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on July 29, 2011, 05:19:18 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on July 29, 2011, 11:32:42 AM
Quote from: Josephus on July 29, 2011, 09:04:59 AM
Rumour has it that Klinsmann is being touted.

Yup, it's him.

http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Mens-National-Team/2011/07/Klinsmann-Named-Head-Coach-of-US-MNT.aspx

Not a surprise, in a way, since apparantly Gulati had wanted him before giving the job to Bradley (which was part of the reason Bradley had an "interim" tag on his title for so long). 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on July 29, 2011, 05:40:09 PM
He was smooth in the announcer's box during the WC.  No clue if he's a good choice or not.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on July 29, 2011, 06:15:19 PM
I also enjoyed the nazi references he and his booth buddies did during the World Cup on ESPN.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on July 30, 2011, 03:17:03 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on July 29, 2011, 05:40:09 PM
He was smooth in the announcer's box during the WC.  No clue if he's a good choice or not.

He was a top player. Really good. And when he was coaching Germany, it seemed like the players loved him, which I think might be a good start. Since he's a bit of a charismatic type too, he's a good choice for spreading the gospel of soccer. I think the US has made a good choice.


Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on July 30, 2011, 03:51:38 AM
Quote from: Norgy on July 30, 2011, 03:17:03 AM
He was a top player. Really good. And when he was coaching Germany, it seemed like the players loved him, which I think might be a good start. Since he's a bit of a charismatic type too, he's a good choice for spreading the gospel of soccer. I think the US has made a good choice.

Good to know. :cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 30, 2011, 03:13:12 PM
World Cup qualifiers made.

In Europe, some poor, easy groups and one noticeble group of death that features Spain, France, Belarus, Georgia, Finland.

England get Montenegro, Ukraine, Poland, Moldovia and San Marino.

Here are the UEFA groups:

A: Croatia; Serbia; Belgium; Scotland; Macedonia; Wales
B: Italy; Denmark; Czech; Bulgaria; Armenia; Malta
C: Germany; Sweden; Irelan; Austria; Faroe Is.; Kazekstan
D: Holland; Turkey; Hungary; Romania: Estonia; Andora
E: Norway: Slovenia: Switzerland; Albania; Cyprus; Iceland
F: Portugal; Russia; Israel; N. Ireland; Arzebajan; Luxembourg
G: Greece; Slovakia; Bosnia/Herz; Lithuania; Latvia; Liechtenstein
H: England; Montenegro; Ukraine; Poland; Moldovia; San Marino
I: Spain; France; Belarus; Georgia; Finland.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on July 30, 2011, 03:21:20 PM
How did Norway and Greece end up as 1st seeds? Anyhow, with Italy and the Czechs in our group we're not going to Brazil.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 30, 2011, 03:44:40 PM
Quote from: Liep on July 30, 2011, 03:21:20 PM
How did Norway and Greece end up as 1st seeds? Anyhow, with Italy and the Czechs in our group we're not going to Brazil.

You should be able to beat the Czechs...it's Malta you ought to worry about.  ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on July 30, 2011, 05:30:53 PM
Well this is a disaster, the last thing we needed was the grudge match against Serbia in Belgrade.

Either UEFA will insist on closed door games, or the asshat hooligans on both sides are going to cause trouble and get both of us deducted points.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on July 31, 2011, 03:09:25 AM
Quote from: Liep on July 30, 2011, 03:21:20 PM
How did Norway and Greece end up as 1st seeds? Anyhow, with Italy and the Czechs in our group we're not going to Brazil.

The FIFA ranking. Which is bonkers.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on July 31, 2011, 05:05:35 AM
Group A is kind of interesting though. Pretty much everyone has a decent shot at second place.
Same thing with Groups E and G, except for the token minnows.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on July 31, 2011, 05:37:07 AM
Groups E and G will ensure that two good teams from Europe, capable of playing exciting, attacking football, will not be at the World Cup. Instead, we will have workmanlike defence and counterattacking from mediocre players. <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on July 31, 2011, 06:12:32 AM
Quote from: Warspite on July 31, 2011, 05:37:07 AM
Groups E and G will ensure that two good teams from Europe, capable of playing exciting, attacking football, will not be at the World Cup. Instead, we will have workmanlike defence and counterattacking from mediocre players. <_<

True, I was just trying to find an upside by looking at the group stage only.
On the other hand, I made a handsome amount of cash by predicting Greece would win Euro 2004  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 31, 2011, 08:29:47 AM
How does the "best 8 second place teams" work? In one group, the last one, they play one less game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on July 31, 2011, 09:01:49 AM
Quote from: Josephus on July 31, 2011, 08:29:47 AM
How does the "best 8 second place teams" work? In one group, the last one, they play one less game.

The points won against the 6th placed team isn't counted.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 12, 2011, 06:07:05 PM
Soccer on an American network broadcast station? :o :o :o  :cool:

I eagerly await watching an ad for LA Galaxy vs. NYRB during a Notre Dame commercial break.

QuoteNEW YORK - Major League Soccer​ (MLS) and the NBC Sports Group today announced a three-year media rights agreement, which commences at the start of the 2012 MLS season. The partnership calls for 45 MLS games and four U.S. Men's National Team contests to be televised live across both NBC and NBC Sports Network each season. This marks the first rights deal for the newly-named cable channel that will be re-branded from VERSUS on Jan. 2, 2012.  The announcement was made today by MLS Commissioner and Soccer United Marketing CEO Don Garber and Mark Lazarus, Chairman, NBC Sports Group.

"Everyone at the NBC Sports Group is thrilled to begin this partnership with Major League Soccer," said Lazarus. "MLS is a perfect fit for our new group, and we are uniquely positioned to help grow soccer in the United States with extensive coverage on NBC Sports Network, significant programming on the broadcast network and our growing digital platforms. Additionally, this agreement complements the partnerships that five of our regional sports networks have with their local MLS teams."

Each season, NBC will broadcast two regular-season MLS games, two playoff games and two appearances by the U.S. Men's National Team, marking the first time four MLS matches will be broadcast on English-language network television since 2002. The NBC Sports Network will televise 38 regular-season games, three playoff games and two U.S. Men's National Team matches. All telecasts on NBC and NBC Sports Network will consist of pre-game and post-game coverage. According to the agreement, the NBC Sports Group obtains digital rights across all platforms and devices for the games it televises. 

"Our new partnership with the NBC Sports Group is a significant step forward for Major League Soccer and U.S. Soccer," said MLS Commissioner and Soccer United Marketing CEO Don Garber.  "The NBC Sports Group is world-renowned for its award-winning coverage, superb broadcast quality and promotional expertise. We are excited to be part of NBC's ambitious plans for soccer and look forward to reaching a considerable audience on multiple platforms."

Featuring an exciting mix of players, including world-class stars such as Landon Donovan​, David Beckham​ and Thierry Henry​, MLS is one of the nation's fastest growing sports properties. It has seen considerable growth across many metrics, including number of teams (10 clubs in 2004 to 19 in 2012) and new stadiums (two soccer stadiums in 2004 to having 15 of 19 clubs playing in venues built with soccer in mind, including new soccer stadiums in Houston and Montreal next year). This season, the League is enjoying the highest average attendance and largest number of corporate sponsors in its 16-year history.

Along with already-established MLS partnerships with five Comcast SportsNets (California, Chicago, Mid-Atlantic, New England and Philadelphia), this agreement provides the league with coverage across the NBC Sports Group's unique four-tier portfolio of assets: broadcast network, national cable, regional sports networks and digital platforms
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 13, 2011, 08:50:01 AM
EPL begins today :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on August 13, 2011, 11:47:03 AM
I watched the Fulham-Aston Villa game on ESPN 2. What a snoozefest.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on August 13, 2011, 02:49:14 PM
In other news, Arsenal still lack a creative midfielder without Fabregas, and Joey Barton's still a cunt.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 13, 2011, 04:32:49 PM
And Liverpool's revival may be overstated.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 13, 2011, 05:59:26 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on August 13, 2011, 11:47:03 AM
I watched the Fulham-Aston Villa game on ESPN 2. What a snoozefest.

I watched about fifteen minutes of that before almost falling asleep. I bailed to watch the Newcastle/Arsenal game and received a huge headache for my efforts.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 13, 2011, 06:03:14 PM
Quote from: Warspite on August 13, 2011, 02:49:14 PM
In other news, Arsenal still lack a creative midfielder without Fabregas, and Joey Barton's still a cunt.

You're a lifelong Gooner, right? How bad are things now?   :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on August 13, 2011, 06:13:26 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 13, 2011, 05:59:26 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on August 13, 2011, 11:47:03 AM
I watched the Fulham-Aston Villa game on ESPN 2. What a snoozefest.

I watched about fifteen minutes of that before almost falling asleep. I bailed to watch the Newcastle/Arsenal game and received a huge headache for my efforts.

I did fall asleep. I was sorta hoping a riot would start in the stands. WOTS ALL THIS THEN?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 13, 2011, 06:36:07 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on August 13, 2011, 06:13:26 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 13, 2011, 05:59:26 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on August 13, 2011, 11:47:03 AM
I watched the Fulham-Aston Villa game on ESPN 2. What a snoozefest.

I watched about fifteen minutes of that before almost falling asleep. I bailed to watch the Newcastle/Arsenal game and received a huge headache for my efforts.

I did fall asleep. I was sorta hoping a riot would start in the stands. WOTS ALL THIS THEN?

This might cheer you up then. Bunch of Scots, though. http://youtu.be/G5hL6UbstyE

Highlights are horse charges at 4:31 and 5:33, a reference to Passchendaele at 6:19, and a casualty collection point set up in one goal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on August 13, 2011, 06:54:57 PM
 :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 14, 2011, 08:23:44 AM
i was pleasantly surprised by the liverpool game. Caught snippets of the 1st half and it seemed set to be a walloping. But we pulled through and got a point. Huzzah.
Just hope I get my new optical connection in time for next week`s game...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 17, 2011, 06:50:23 PM
Mourinho http://youtu.be/olelvRKSpG8 :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 17, 2011, 06:52:25 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 17, 2011, 06:50:23 PM
Mourinho http://youtu.be/olelvRKSpG8 :lmfao:

He didn't tuck his ear, he poked his eye.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdesmond.yfrog.com%2FHimg738%2Fscaled.php%3Ftn%3D0%26amp%3Bserver%3D738%26amp%3Bfilename%3Des0gq.jpg%26amp%3Bxsize%3D640%26amp%3Bysize%3D640&hash=9bc9e511845b34f8f0b4e68c0d4616cac415ccb3)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 17, 2011, 06:54:15 PM
Is there a better fixture on this planet than the Barca v. Real game? I dont' think so.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 17, 2011, 06:55:59 PM
Quote from: Josephus on August 17, 2011, 06:54:15 PM
Is there a better fixture on this planet than the Barca v. Real game? I dont' think so.

And you get MMA fights for the same price!  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 17, 2011, 07:09:24 PM
Who is the guy with the bushy eyebrows and moustache?    :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 18, 2011, 10:50:12 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 17, 2011, 07:09:24 PM
Who is the guy with the bushy eyebrows and moustache?    :lol:

Don't know, he must be some league official or something, but he's turning into a small time meme overnight.  :lol:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi53.tinypic.com%2F2dmclz4.jpg&hash=50af35e00cdeb491f7e70e3429f06e3660e998aa)

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fw3NYF.gif&hash=c22dc894bdac70dd298b6357ac7c719403673673)

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F29.media.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_lq3m0qccQB1qck2mdo1_r1_500.jpg&hash=b8524495a1e74abe1130af84a4a5fa404621c09b)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on August 18, 2011, 10:55:53 AM
QuoteF: Portugal; Russia; Israel; N. Ireland; Arzebajan; Luxembourg
G: Greece; Slovakia; Bosnia/Herz; Lithuania; Latvia; Liechtenstein

:lol: Seriously?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 18, 2011, 11:04:33 AM
Quote from: Valmy on August 18, 2011, 10:55:53 AM
QuoteF: Portugal; Russia; Israel; N. Ireland; Arzebajan; Luxembourg
G: Greece; Slovakia; Bosnia/Herz; Lithuania; Latvia; Liechtenstein

:lol: Seriously?

What's wrong with it?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on August 18, 2011, 11:19:50 AM
Maybe Israel and Azerbaijan are secret soccer powers but Portugal and Greece seem like they got much easier roads to Brazil than the other top teams.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on August 18, 2011, 11:21:08 AM
Hey for once portugal didn't get the group of death. they deserve a breather once in a while too.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on August 18, 2011, 11:21:26 AM
Quote from: Valmy on August 18, 2011, 11:19:50 AM
Maybe Israel and Azerbaijan are secret soccer powers but Portugal and Greece seem like they got much easier roads to Brazil than the other top teams.
Blame the questionable seeding system that stuck journeyman teams in Pot A.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 18, 2011, 11:22:02 AM
Quote from: Valmy on August 18, 2011, 11:19:50 AM
Maybe Israel and Azerbaijan are secret soccer powers but Portugal and Greece seem like they got much easier roads to Brazil than the other top teams.

Russia and Slovakia are more than decent teams. I'd rate Slovakia ahead of Greece actually.

Meh, in every draw there's always a group or two that are noticeably weaker. It's just the way it is, I guess.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on August 18, 2011, 11:23:57 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 13, 2011, 06:03:14 PM
Quote from: Warspite on August 13, 2011, 02:49:14 PM
In other news, Arsenal still lack a creative midfielder without Fabregas, and Joey Barton's still a cunt.

You're a lifelong Gooner, right? How bad are things now?   :(

Quite bad, and Wenger doesn't want to spend money despite a) losing the best players on the team, b) losing key squad backups, c) having a major early season injury and suspension crisis, d) having £85m give or take to spend on new acquisitions.

The squad is the worst I have seen it since 1994. Yes, it's that bad. The defensive midfielder to start against Liverpool on Saturday has never played a competitive senior fixture before. There is no back up for his position.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 18, 2011, 11:32:24 AM
Israel can always take a point or two from the top teams, they're not always a shoe-in. I think recently in either the Euros or WC quals they made the playoffs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on August 18, 2011, 01:56:24 PM
I watched Liverpool Sunderland the other night.

I'm curious if you guys would agree that the Premier League has a higher proclivity for goons and argy-bargy than the other pro leagues.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on August 18, 2011, 02:08:12 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 18, 2011, 01:56:24 PM
I watched Liverpool Sunderland the other night.

I'm curious if you guys would agree that the Premier League has a higher proclivity for goons and argy-bargy than the other pro leagues.

The English game has always been more physical than the continental and South American version; it's actually a surprisingly constant difference. Then again, not surprising; in the UK, it and rugby evolved from common ancestor codes, and so the physical element abided.

Hence the English meme of 'diving foreigners', etc.

I think for the most part the difference is fine, though I lean towards prefering the less physical game.

THe problem is idiotic English fans who think "passion" and "hard work" are substitues for actual technical skill, and think leg-breaking tackles are "part of the game".
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on August 18, 2011, 02:10:33 PM
Quote from: Warspite on August 18, 2011, 02:08:12 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 18, 2011, 01:56:24 PM
I watched Liverpool Sunderland the other night.

I'm curious if you guys would agree that the Premier League has a higher proclivity for goons and argy-bargy than the other pro leagues.

The English game has always been more physical than the continental and South American version; it's actually a surprisingly constant difference. Then again, not surprising; in the UK, it and rugby evolved from common ancestor codes, and so the physical element abided.

Hence the English meme of 'diving foreigners', etc.

I think for the most part the difference is fine, though I lean towards prefering the less physical game.

THe problem is idiotic English fans who think "passion" and "hard work" are substitues for actual technical skill, and think leg-breaking tackles are "part of the game".

You could be describing the way Canada views hockey vs. the rest of the world in your post... :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 18, 2011, 02:47:23 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 18, 2011, 01:56:24 PM
I watched Liverpool Sunderland the other night.

I'm curious if you guys would agree that the Premier League has a higher proclivity for goons and argy-bargy than the other pro leagues.

You didn't watch last night's El Classico then....

http://youtu.be/IPghV2qpeiU
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 18, 2011, 03:57:25 PM
Quote from: Josephus on August 18, 2011, 02:47:23 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 18, 2011, 01:56:24 PM
I watched Liverpool Sunderland the other night.

I'm curious if you guys would agree that the Premier League has a higher proclivity for goons and argy-bargy than the other pro leagues.

You didn't watch last night's El Classico then....

http://youtu.be/IPghV2qpeiU

Dear Christ, what accent was that?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 18, 2011, 04:20:22 PM
Has there been any Classico without a fight this last year? Also, I don't get why Real hasn't fired Mourinho already, I'd be ashamed if I were a fan.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on August 18, 2011, 07:26:44 PM
The Vulcan death pinch was hilarious.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 19, 2011, 04:13:12 AM
Mourinho is my favorite coach.   :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on August 19, 2011, 04:47:31 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 18, 2011, 03:57:25 PM
Quote from: Josephus on August 18, 2011, 02:47:23 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 18, 2011, 01:56:24 PM
I watched Liverpool Sunderland the other night.

I'm curious if you guys would agree that the Premier League has a higher proclivity for goons and argy-bargy than the other pro leagues.

You didn't watch last night's El Classico then....

http://youtu.be/IPghV2qpeiU

Dear Christ, what accent was that?

Extreme Geordie. I've seen him commentate other games, he gets so ridiculously excited.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 19, 2011, 05:12:00 AM
Quote from: Warspite on August 19, 2011, 04:47:31 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 18, 2011, 03:57:25 PM
Quote from: Josephus on August 18, 2011, 02:47:23 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 18, 2011, 01:56:24 PM
I watched Liverpool Sunderland the other night.

I'm curious if you guys would agree that the Premier League has a higher proclivity for goons and argy-bargy than the other pro leagues.

You didn't watch last night's El Classico then....

http://youtu.be/IPghV2qpeiU

Dear Christ, what accent was that?

Extreme Geordie. I've seen him commentate other games, he gets so ridiculously excited.

Damn, and I thought that the Ulster Irish accent was difficult to understand...

About getting excited, he has nothing on the Argentines, though.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 19, 2011, 08:44:48 AM
Quote from: Warspite on August 19, 2011, 04:47:31 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 18, 2011, 03:57:25 PM
Quote from: Josephus on August 18, 2011, 02:47:23 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 18, 2011, 01:56:24 PM
I watched Liverpool Sunderland the other night.

I'm curious if you guys would agree that the Premier League has a higher proclivity for goons and argy-bargy than the other pro leagues.

You didn't watch last night's El Classico then....

http://youtu.be/IPghV2qpeiU

Dear Christ, what accent was that?

Extreme Geordie. I've seen him commentate other games, he gets so ridiculously excited.

He lives in America now and does most of the commentary for Gol TV. He is amazing with over stretched metaphors  like "Messi danced through the defence with better balance than a waiter on a cruise ship in rough waters."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on August 19, 2011, 08:48:38 AM
That is how I assume Josq talks.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on August 19, 2011, 09:16:35 AM
I loved Mourinho when he was with my beloved Chelsea. He was quite th entertainment, and built up Chelsea in the meantime.

But he is clearly losing it. Going to Madrid was insult enough against the decent half of humanity, but this stupidity is the last straw. Fuck him.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on August 19, 2011, 11:37:20 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on August 19, 2011, 08:48:38 AM
That is how I assume Josq talks.

I think he talks more like Simon on Frasier.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2d3_54k_zk

And yeah, I know, the actor's Australian. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on August 19, 2011, 04:56:06 PM
Quote from: Tamas on August 19, 2011, 09:16:35 AM
I loved Mourinho when he was with my beloved Chelsea. He was quite th entertainment, and built up Chelsea in the meantime.

But he is clearly losing it. Going to Madrid was insult enough against the decent half of humanity, but this stupidity is the last straw. Fuck him.

Yeah, well be happy you've not been listening to Arsene Wenger's press conferences recently.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 19, 2011, 07:14:37 PM
Quote from: Josephus on August 19, 2011, 08:44:48 AM
Quote from: Warspite on August 19, 2011, 04:47:31 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 18, 2011, 03:57:25 PM
Quote from: Josephus on August 18, 2011, 02:47:23 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 18, 2011, 01:56:24 PM
I watched Liverpool Sunderland the other night.

I'm curious if you guys would agree that the Premier League has a higher proclivity for goons and argy-bargy than the other pro leagues.

You didn't watch last night's El Classico then....

http://youtu.be/IPghV2qpeiU

Dear Christ, what accent was that?

Extreme Geordie. I've seen him commentate other games, he gets so ridiculously excited.

He lives in America now and does most of the commentary for Gol TV. He is amazing with over stretched metaphors  like "Messi danced through the defence with better balance than a waiter on a cruise ship in rough waters."

http://youtu.be/gS6Np-g_h5w

"Like a Jedi Knight, no better than that, like a Templar Knight!" 
"Like Kathy Bates, in that movie, remember that?"

:lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 20, 2011, 12:04:51 AM
Quote from: Josephus on August 18, 2011, 02:47:23 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 18, 2011, 01:56:24 PM
I watched Liverpool Sunderland the other night.

I'm curious if you guys would agree that the Premier League has a higher proclivity for goons and argy-bargy than the other pro leagues.

You didn't watch last night's El Classico then....

http://youtu.be/IPghV2qpeiU

:lol:
That's awesome!
The contrast between the Geordie and the Yank is super stark.

QuoteExtreme Geordie. I've seen him commentate other games, he gets so ridiculously excited.
Not so extreme imo, you can hear him toning it down a lot.

QuoteThat is how I assume Josq talks.
ish.
My accent is to that what Sean Connery is to normal Scottish. In the same ballpark but...better.

QuoteI watched Liverpool Sunderland the other night.

I'm curious if you guys would agree that the Premier League has a higher proclivity for goons and argy-bargy than the other pro leagues.
I didn't see that game.
But I guess it was Cattermole?
Despite being a midget he comes very much from the old fashioned 'hard man' style of player, ala Vinnie Jones.


On the subject of the north east: Newcastle-Sunderland at noon GMT today. Ha'way the lads!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on August 20, 2011, 02:28:57 AM
Cattermole doesn't sound right.  Defensive midfield I think based on where he was doing most of his smacking.  Liverpool player.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 20, 2011, 09:17:48 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 20, 2011, 02:28:57 AM
Cattermole doesn't sound right.  Defensive midfield I think based on where he was doing most of his smacking.  Liverpool player.

Lucas plays the DM role for Liverpool but you might be thinking of Charlie Adam. He was giving away a lot of fouls last week if I remember right.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on August 20, 2011, 03:13:26 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 20, 2011, 09:17:48 AM
Lucas plays the DM role for Liverpool but you might be thinking of Charlie Adam. He was giving away a lot of fouls last week if I remember right.

That sounds right.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Cecil on August 22, 2011, 03:19:52 PM
So just wtf is happening in the southern leagues this year? Hearing a lot about strikes and whatnot.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 23, 2011, 04:54:31 PM
My Fantasy Premier League team is ranked 1st in SomethingAwful's classic league and 4th in EPLTalk.com's classic league.  :cool: :cool:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on August 23, 2011, 09:13:26 PM
Seattle beat Monterrey tonight in Monterrey.

USA!  USA!  USA!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on August 25, 2011, 01:35:54 PM
Champions League

A: Bayern München, FC Villarreal, Manchester City, SSC Neapel.
B: Inter Mailand,ZSKA Moskau, OSC Lille, Trabzonspor.
C: Manchester United, Benfica Lissabon, FC Basel, FC Otelul Galati.
D: Real Madrid, Olympique Lyon, Ajax Amsterdam, Dinamo Zagreb.
E: FC Chelsea, FC Valencia, Bayer Leverkusen, KRC Genk.
F: FC Arsenal, Olympique Marseille, Olympiakos Piräus, Borussia Dortmund.
G: FC Porto, Schachtjor Donezk, Zenit St. Petersburg, Apoel Nikosia.
H: FC Barcelona, AC Mailand, Bate Borissow, Viktoria Pilsen.

Bayern has a really hard group, Dortmund could do it, Leverkusen won't win against Valencia and Chelsea.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 25, 2011, 03:59:26 PM
Neapel?

My favourite Serie A team is Napoli, and yeah, that group's gonna be a bitch. B'lona and Milan should make for a great match up. Group G should be called the "ain't no winners coming out of this group."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on August 25, 2011, 04:03:18 PM
Does the Champions League play during the regular season or after?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 25, 2011, 05:26:47 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 25, 2011, 04:03:18 PM
Does the Champions League play during the regular season or after?

During.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on August 26, 2011, 12:05:18 AM
Quote from: Josephus on August 25, 2011, 03:59:26 PM
Neapel?

My favourite Serie A team is Napoli, and yeah, that group's gonna be a bitch. B'lona and Milan should make for a great match up. Group G should be called the "ain't no winners coming out of this group."
Porto lost the manager and some important players, but they did win the Europe League last year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on August 26, 2011, 05:21:01 AM
I am shocked, shocked to see Manchester United get another easy route to the knock-out stages.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 26, 2011, 07:31:18 AM
Quote from: Zanza on August 26, 2011, 12:05:18 AM
Quote from: Josephus on August 25, 2011, 03:59:26 PM
Neapel?

My favourite Serie A team is Napoli, and yeah, that group's gonna be a bitch. B'lona and Milan should make for a great match up. Group G should be called the "ain't no winners coming out of this group."
Porto lost the manager and some important players, but they did win the Europe League last year.

I still say they won't win.  :lol: Huge diff between Europa League and Champions L. Hey shouldn't there be a Europe Super Cup or soemthing soon?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 26, 2011, 10:34:21 AM
No Serie A this weekend.  :mad:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 26, 2011, 10:53:54 AM
Quote from: Josephus on August 26, 2011, 07:31:18 AM
Hey shouldn't there be a Europe Super Cup or soemthing soon?

Tonight.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 26, 2011, 12:26:30 PM
Quote from: Liep on August 26, 2011, 10:53:54 AM
Quote from: Josephus on August 26, 2011, 07:31:18 AM
Hey shouldn't there be a Europe Super Cup or soemthing soon?

Tonight.

Yes it is: Must leave work early.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on August 26, 2011, 02:43:42 PM
Egil Olsen has accepted two more years.

Two more years of invincibility and playing well over our potential is good.
The old commie bastard is a fantastic coach of smaller men.

I notice Forest are doing, well, nada again. And Steve McLaren, the wally with the brolly, yeah, that will end really well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on August 26, 2011, 02:53:24 PM
Quote from: Norgy on August 26, 2011, 02:43:42 PM
Egil Olsen has accepted two more years.

Two more years of invincibility and playing well over our potential is good.
The old commie bastard is a fantastic coach of smaller men.

I notice Forest are doing, well, nada again. And Steve McLaren, the wally with the brolly, yeah, that will end really well.

yes, yet another generation of players with flair, skill and capable of playing entertaining football will be kept out of the national team though. The trick Drillo used against the Czechs (playing a quick and skilful striker rather than Carew) won't work again. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on August 26, 2011, 03:33:08 PM
Don't be a hater.

Here's some news:
There are no skillful players with flair who have Norwegian passports.

Fellah? He's a worker bee and will be in midfield next year. Probably replacing Grindheim.
Singh? Too uneven for the national team, but yeah, he's getting there.
Henriksen? In two years, he'll be the anchor in midfield. A bit slow for my liking, but he has what it takes.

What would worry me, and does worry me, is that we no longer have superb defenders. Nordtveit? Not likely.
Anyway, can you imagine someone else that would realistically take the position and do a decent job? I can't, really.

But sure, we are at odds with most things.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on August 26, 2011, 04:09:11 PM
The US national team is once again harvesting the fruit of US servicemen and gullible fraulein hookups!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on August 26, 2011, 04:12:05 PM
Quote from: Norgy on August 26, 2011, 03:33:08 PM
Nordtveit? Not likely.

Nordtveit kicked ass in FM 2010!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 27, 2011, 07:07:34 AM
Quote from: PDH on August 26, 2011, 04:09:11 PM
The US national team is once again harvesting the fruit of US servicemen and gullible fraulein hookups!

Talking about Chandler?  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on August 27, 2011, 07:21:15 AM
Apparently 200 million of ManUtd's 300million fans are from Asia; discounting its Lancashire fan base, where do the other 99,999,995 fans come from ? :unsure:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Neil on August 27, 2011, 07:38:20 AM
Perhaps some are from Manchester?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 27, 2011, 07:45:53 AM
Quote from: mongers on August 27, 2011, 07:21:15 AM
Apparently 200 million of ManUtd's 300million fans are from Asia; discounting its Lancashire fan base, where do the other 99,999,995 fans come from ? :unsure:

N/S America and countries in Europe that doesn't have a league of the same quality as the PL.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Richard Hakluyt on August 27, 2011, 07:46:52 AM
When I was in Morocco, back in 1980, they used to televise ManU's games. They may have stopped since of course, i get the impression that the standard of African football has improved over the years.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on August 27, 2011, 07:49:31 AM
Quote from: Neil on August 27, 2011, 07:38:20 AM
Perhaps some are from Manchester?

Check my figures and you'll note I've already discounted those 5 blokes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Richard Hakluyt on August 27, 2011, 08:15:01 AM
Man City seem to be more popular with your actual Manchester blokes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 27, 2011, 08:21:51 AM
Quote from: mongers on August 27, 2011, 07:49:31 AM
Quote from: Neil on August 27, 2011, 07:38:20 AM
Perhaps some are from Manchester?

Check my figures and you'll note I've already discounted those 5 blokes.
:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on August 27, 2011, 09:34:55 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 27, 2011, 07:07:34 AM
Quote from: PDH on August 26, 2011, 04:09:11 PM
The US national team is once again harvesting the fruit of US servicemen and gullible fraulein hookups!

Talking about Chandler?  :D
Fabian Johnson too.  Thank god for the US not teaching about birth control, we impregnate the world!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on August 28, 2011, 05:20:55 AM
Subsaharan Africa is nuts for premiership football. I once had an hour long conversation about Arsenal with a South African driver. The detail they know is intense.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on August 28, 2011, 06:09:47 AM
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on August 27, 2011, 08:15:01 AM
Man City seem to be more popular with your actual Manchester blokes.

May Hod have mercy on them for yet another season of nothingness.

You know what really irks me?
That Forest appointed The Worst England Coach Ever.
The one that can make even losing 0-1 to the US in England's world cup debut seem like a small matter.

Sshteve and Forest is a match made in heaven of could've-beens.
And why do I still follow then? Why on Earth? The last time they were remotely like their old selves was during Paul Hart's ill-fated reign. Football is a bucket of emotions you can't get away from, unfortunately. So I sit here and Google Forest-West Ham live.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on August 28, 2011, 08:46:26 AM
You follow them because you are a fan, and being a fan means that (unless you are a goddamn bandwagon tim) your team will hurt you, wound you, rip your heart out, leave you at the altar...and every now and then make you feel better than anyone else in the entire world.

That's why.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on August 28, 2011, 09:09:35 AM
Quote from: Norgy on August 28, 2011, 06:09:47 AM
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on August 27, 2011, 08:15:01 AM
Man City seem to be more popular with your actual Manchester blokes.

May Hod have mercy on them for yet another season of nothingness.

You know what really irks me?
That Forest appointed The Worst England Coach Ever.
The one that can make even losing 0-1 to the US in England's world cup debut seem like a small matter.

Sshteve and Forest is a match made in heaven of could've-beens.
And why do I still follow then? Why on Earth? The last time they were remotely like their old selves was during Paul Hart's ill-fated reign. Football is a bucket of emotions you can't get away from, unfortunately. So I sit here and Google Forest-West Ham live.

Football is life, some make the mistake that life is football.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on August 28, 2011, 09:51:43 AM
Quote from: PDH on August 28, 2011, 08:46:26 AM
You follow them because you are a fan, and being a fan means that (unless you are a goddamn bandwagon tim) your team will hurt you, wound you, rip your heart out, leave you at the altar...and every now and then make you feel better than anyone else in the entire world.

So true (http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/_/name/pit/pittsburgh-pirates) (except the make you feel better part). :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Richard Hakluyt on August 28, 2011, 11:37:49 AM
Quote from: Norgy on August 28, 2011, 06:09:47 AM
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on August 27, 2011, 08:15:01 AM
Man City seem to be more popular with your actual Manchester blokes.

May Hod have mercy on them for yet another season of nothingness.

You know what really irks me?
That Forest appointed The Worst England Coach Ever.
The one that can make even losing 0-1 to the US in England's world cup debut seem like a small matter.

Sshteve and Forest is a match made in heaven of could've-beens.
And why do I still follow then? Why on Earth? The last time they were remotely like their old selves was during Paul Hart's ill-fated reign. Football is a bucket of emotions you can't get away from, unfortunately. So I sit here and Google Forest-West Ham live.

Well you a true fan and that is what true fans are like. Has Forest ever done anything except when Old Bighead was in charge? Chap I once knew was a devoted supporter of Scunthorpe Utd, followed them to all sorts of windswept unfashionable grounds throughout the land, I respected him for it  :cool:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 28, 2011, 12:42:53 PM
Man Utd 8 ARsenal 2

I saw two games today for a total of 16 goals. :huh: :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 28, 2011, 02:37:36 PM
Quote from: Josephus on August 28, 2011, 12:42:53 PM
Man Utd 8 ARsenal 2

I saw two games today for a total of 16 goals. :huh: :rolleyes:

Flipped it on right before Walcott's goal and thought 3-1 was reasonable and went back to playing Deus Ex. Turned it back on forty minutes later to see it 7-2 and after Young's second goal I got up to take my migraine medication.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 28, 2011, 08:32:49 PM
I saw the Man Utd score　via a picture someone put on facebook, I thought it was some sort of edit. Then I checked the BBC site. Wow.

In other news- why the hell can`t Sunderland score.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on August 29, 2011, 03:58:59 AM
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on August 28, 2011, 11:37:49 AM

Well you a true fan and that is what true fans are like. Has Forest ever done anything except when Old Bighead was in charge? Chap I once knew was a devoted supporter of Scunthorpe Utd, followed them to all sorts of windswept unfashionable grounds throughout the land, I respected him for it  :cool:

A third place in 1967 when Man Utd were really magic and a third place in 95. Two FA cups, the one trophy that evaded Clough. But both won decades ago.
There is some irony to the "One-Nil To The Famous Team" chants when Forest play the likes of Scunny, Leyton Orient and assorted teams with funny names. Which was the famous team, again?

Man U was really on fire yesterday. What a game.
Forest, well, not so much.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 29, 2011, 05:24:46 AM
Quote from: Cecil on August 22, 2011, 03:19:52 PM
So just wtf is happening in the southern leagues this year? Hearing a lot about strikes and whatnot.

There was a players' straike over here, initially called for the first two weeks but they reached an agreement last week and we had games this weekend. Italy announced a similar players' strike last week IIRC. Turkey postponed the beginning of the season for one month due to an investigation regarding arranged matches, and there's a similar investigation going on in Greece but they've started already AFAIK.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 29, 2011, 05:27:34 AM
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on August 27, 2011, 07:46:52 AM
When I was in Morocco, back in 1980, they used to televise ManU's games. They may have stopped since of course, i get the impression that the standard of African football has improved over the years.

They're crazy for the Spanish league (or rather, for Real Madrid and Barcelona, but you get the idea) down there. The country stops when there's a game between the two of them.

Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on August 27, 2011, 08:15:01 AM
Man City seem to be more popular with your actual Manchester blokes.

That was what Owl, the bloke that used to post in P'dox back in the good old days (tm) and a mancunian himself said, that City is the team that the people who are actually from Manchester support and that United's fans are mostly bandwagoners from the rest of Britain and abroad rather than people from Manchester and its environs. IIRC he said that there were probably more fans of United in Ireland than in Greater Manchester.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 29, 2011, 05:52:14 AM
BTW, I picked up "The Damned United" to read as my holiday book this year, and I'm halfway it. Has anyone else read it or watched the movie? What do you think of it? Is it a realistic portrayal of footie in England in the 70s? I read that some of the players that are still alive aren't very happy with their portrayals.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Cerr on August 29, 2011, 06:14:07 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 29, 2011, 05:52:14 AM
BTW, I picked up "The Damned United" to read as my holiday book this year, and I'm halfway it. Has anyone else read it or watched the movie? What do you think of it? Is it a realistic portrayal of footie in England in the 70s? I read that some of the players that are still alive aren't very happy with their portrayals.
I haven't read the book but I enjoyed the film version.

John Giles was very critical of it. He sued the author of the book.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Giles#Media_portrayals_and_successful_legal_action

QuoteGiles successfully sued the author of the book, David Peace, who printed the work in 2006, from which the film was made. His reasons for pursuing legal action for libel were as Giles said of Peace's The Damned Utd: "His book was outrageous. I'm portrayed as the scheming leprechaun. He [Peace] had me in conversations with Clough that never happened. It made Clough out to be a wild man whereas he wasn't drinking then. I didn't get on with him but I found him highly intelligent. Peace said the novel was fiction based on fact, trouble is, people assume it's the official version. The movie was a misinterpretation of the misinterpretation that was the book!"
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 29, 2011, 07:21:35 AM
Quote from: Cerr on August 29, 2011, 06:14:07 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 29, 2011, 05:52:14 AM
BTW, I picked up "The Damned United" to read as my holiday book this year, and I'm halfway it. Has anyone else read it or watched the movie? What do you think of it? Is it a realistic portrayal of footie in England in the 70s? I read that some of the players that are still alive aren't very happy with their portrayals.
I haven't read the book but I enjoyed the film version.

John Giles was very critical of it. He sued the author of the book.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Giles#Media_portrayals_and_successful_legal_action

QuoteGiles successfully sued the author of the book, David Peace, who printed the work in 2006, from which the film was made. His reasons for pursuing legal action for libel were as Giles said of Peace's The Damned Utd: "His book was outrageous. I'm portrayed as the scheming leprechaun. He [Peace] had me in conversations with Clough that never happened. It made Clough out to be a wild man whereas he wasn't drinking then. I didn't get on with him but I found him highly intelligent. Peace said the novel was fiction based on fact, trouble is, people assume it's the official version. The movie was a misinterpretation of the misinterpretation that was the book!"

Clough comes across as pretty much obsessed with Revie and his legacy at Leeds in the book. Was he really like that in reality? I have an extremely limited knowledge of English footie of that time so I don't know if it's an exagerated feature or if he was really like that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 29, 2011, 07:25:49 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 29, 2011, 05:52:14 AM
BTW, I picked up "The Damned United" to read as my holiday book this year, and I'm halfway it. Has anyone else read it or watched the movie? What do you think of it? Is it a realistic portrayal of footie in England in the 70s? I read that some of the players that are still alive aren't very happy with their portrayals.

I saw the movie (as a Derby Co. fan i felt compelled). I wouldn't know of course, since I wasn't really following footie much inthe early 70s, but I thought the movie was quite well done.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 29, 2011, 07:33:19 AM
Yeah, good film.
No clue on the reality though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 29, 2011, 07:44:04 AM
There are a few things in the novel that really strike me as very unusual in footie, in comparison with what we have here, but I guess they were staples of English footie of the time. I'm thinking mostly about the extremely high mobility of clubs and players. The fact that a top team from the first division could fish a player from some backwater fourth division club and actually improve their team is very puzzling to me, when nowadays talent is so extremely concentrated and player development so regimented that this kind of free flowing movement is very strange to me.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 29, 2011, 08:33:01 AM
I'm not so sure, but I think that was the norm back than. Smaller clubs served as feeders. They made their money selling top talent to top clubs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 31, 2011, 11:02:30 AM
The legendary Danish player Christian Poulsen becomes the 2nd player in history to play in all five major European leagues after signing with the famous and acclaimed French club, Evian.

EDIT: Poulsen, le dernier (gros) coup (http://www.etgfc.com/2011/08/31/poulsen-le-dernier-gros-coup-2/)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on August 31, 2011, 06:08:34 PM
Quote from: The Larch on August 29, 2011, 07:44:04 AM
There are a few things in the novel that really strike me as very unusual in footie, in comparison with what we have here, but I guess they were staples of English footie of the time. I'm thinking mostly about the extremely high mobility of clubs and players. The fact that a top team from the first division could fish a player from some backwater fourth division club and actually improve their team is very puzzling to me, when nowadays talent is so extremely concentrated and player development so regimented that this kind of free flowing movement is very strange to me.

Scouting networks were far less developed back then; in fact, the lower divisions were essentially the youth academies for big clubs. This has all changed these days, of course.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on September 01, 2011, 10:31:18 AM
For the Euro 2012, Ukraine and Poland will be seeded. The other two seeds will be Spain and the Netherlands according to current ranking. That will make for some nice groups of death...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on September 01, 2011, 12:18:03 PM
Quote from: Zanza on September 01, 2011, 10:31:18 AM
For the Euro 2012, Ukraine and Poland will be seeded. The other two seeds will be Spain and the Netherlands according to current ranking. That will make for some nice groups of death...

:frusty:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 01, 2011, 12:26:53 PM
Joint bids, always producing the best results.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 01, 2011, 12:30:14 PM
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on August 27, 2011, 08:15:01 AM
Man City seem to be more popular with your actual Manchester blokes.
Sign of the way things are going is that the local sport shop in Dorchester has the Man City strip in the shop window and I've seen kids wearing it :mellow:

Quote
Clough comes across as pretty much obsessed with Revie and his legacy at Leeds in the book. Was he really like that in reality? I have an extremely limited knowledge of English footie of that time so I don't know if it's an exagerated feature or if he was really like that.
My understanding is that the book shows Clough in a far more dark and obsessive way than he's depicted in the film, though I've not read it.  In the film Sheen's performance is very likeable.  The film's very good though.

QuoteThe fact that a top team from the first division could fish a player from some backwater fourth division club and actually improve their team is very puzzling to me, when nowadays talent is so extremely concentrated and player development so regimented that this kind of free flowing movement is very strange to me.
That remains Everton's transfer strategy... :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on September 02, 2011, 02:17:10 PM
Germany will qualify for the Euro 2012 tonight. Half an hour played so far and it's 3-0 against Austria.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 06, 2011, 08:50:51 PM
2-0 over Norway, both goals by Bendtner.

Anything but a win seemed impossible judging from the tabloids, but I actually expected the Norwegians to pull home a draw like they usually do.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 07, 2011, 02:21:39 AM
Quote from: Liep on September 06, 2011, 08:50:51 PM
2-0 over Norway, both goals by Bendtner.

Anything but a win seemed impossible judging from the tabloids, but I actually expected the Norwegians to pull home a draw like they usually do.

A good result for Portugal  ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 07, 2011, 05:14:57 AM
You still need to beat Iceland!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 07, 2011, 05:20:46 AM
Quote from: Liep on September 06, 2011, 08:50:51 PM
2-0 over Norway, both goals by Bendtner.

Anything but a win seemed impossible judging from the tabloids, but I actually expected the Norwegians to pull home a draw like they usually do.

Hope he does so well in the domestic league. God knows we need it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 07, 2011, 06:08:52 AM
Quote from: Liep on September 07, 2011, 05:14:57 AM
You still need to beat Iceland!

Better call back Ricardo Carvalho then  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: clandestino on September 07, 2011, 07:23:52 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on September 07, 2011, 06:08:52 AM
Better call back Ricardo Carvalho then  :lol:

Not gonna hapen. He's out for good.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on September 08, 2011, 06:35:13 AM
England beat Wales 1-0 in a very lacklustre performance, I'm conflicted.  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 18, 2011, 12:26:44 PM
So I guess Fernando Torres won't be playing much longer?

http://youtu.be/Nyt0HKjINno
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on September 18, 2011, 02:21:33 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on September 18, 2011, 12:26:44 PM
So I guess Fernando Torres won't be playing much longer?

http://youtu.be/Nyt0HKjINno

Nah, it's really sad. He had a good game, he gave both assists in this week's CL game, and he scored the team's only goal against Manure.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on September 19, 2011, 03:31:25 AM
APart from that miss, Torres had an outstanding game. And everyone has already forgotten the sitter missed by Rameires.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on September 22, 2011, 10:58:13 AM
There is currently an interesting case in Swiss courts: FC Sion v UEFA

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/15008765.stm
QuoteUefa's 53 national member associations have given their unanimous backing to the governing body over its decision to expel Sion from the Europa League.

Celtic were reinstated to the group stages when Sion were thrown out for naming five ineligible players in their play-off win over Neil Lennon's side.

The Swiss side have since been to their country's courts to argue their case.

But Uefa's members say a club refusing to accept the rules of the competition "should not participate in it".

Sion's legal challenge to Uefa's ruling is being viewed as a threat to its authority and that of the world governing body, Fifa.

Uefa's emergency panel last Tuesday dismissed a ruling from the district court in Vaud that Sion should be allowed back in the competition, from which they were thrown out on 2 September.

Two days later the same court ruled that the opening round of Europa League Group I fixtures, including a 2-0 defeat for Celtic at Atletico Madrid, were invalid.

But in a statement released on Wednesday called "Declaration of the 53 Uefa member associations regarding the FC Sion case", the members have hit back at the Swiss club.

The statement said: "The 53 national associations of Uefa have today unanimously declared their support for Uefa president Michel Platini, the Uefa executive committee, the Uefa general secretary, the Uefa disciplinary bodies and the Uefa administration for their determination to uphold the statutes and regulations of football.

"The European national associations call upon both Fifa and the Swiss FA to urgently take concrete steps to uphold the statutes and regulations of Fifa, as Uefa has done.

"The independent sports justice system is the best guarantor of equality and fairness for all participants in sports.

"The European national associations declare that any member of the football family which refuses to accept the rules of the competition should not participate in it."

After Uefa's disciplinary body threw out Sion's initial appeal last week, the club announced it would initially seek compensation from Uefa of more than 4m euros and potentially tens of millions in the long term.

"Uefa believes that it rules the world," a Sion spokesman said at the time.

The UEFA operates under Swiss civil law so just outright ignoring a Swiss court order could really backfire. This has the potential to be another Bosman case. As football is no longer really an amateur sport but rather a business and UEFA has a monopoly on that business, they have to tread rather carefully here. If they lose their exclusive jurisdiction that would revolutionize professional sports in Europe as we know it, much more than Bosman.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on September 22, 2011, 11:21:19 AM
Won't UEFA just pack up its bags and go somewhere else? After all, like with the IOC, national governments are quite happy to bend over with £££ and bespoke legislation everytime a major sporting event or body comes knocking on the door.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on September 22, 2011, 03:27:00 PM
how can you bitch about being kicked out of a tournament when you don't follwo the rules? it's like a player picking about the ball and rushing into the net to score a goal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on September 22, 2011, 04:33:39 PM
Quote from: HVC on September 22, 2011, 03:27:00 PM
how can you bitch about being kicked out of a tournament when you don't follwo the rules? it's like a player picking about the ball and rushing into the net to score a goal.
And thus American football was born!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 11, 2011, 03:04:21 PM
Danes in the throes of upsetting the Portuguese  :)
France might capitulate in a key match to Bosnia.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on October 11, 2011, 03:11:18 PM
why is it always the damn danes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on October 11, 2011, 03:47:30 PM
Well that was encouraging :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 11, 2011, 04:38:07 PM
Nice goal by Slovenia.

http://youtu.be/CC6KXL3gsMY
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 11, 2011, 06:55:59 PM

Quote from: HVC on October 11, 2011, 03:11:18 PM
why is it always the damn danes.
:nelson:

Will be a happy country I return to today, well tomorrow... damn distance!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valdemar on October 12, 2011, 03:42:30 AM
 :yeah: :yeah: :yeah:

Three games in a row with fairly exiting forward offensive play.. and good use of some of the talents. Boilesen and Agger will hopefully be fit and with playing time when we reach 2012 making our defence issues one of too many fair players rather than the usual issues. Bjelland did really good for youngster in the local leaque and with only 3 caps.

One more tour left in Rommedahl will give one side a good go, Kron Dehli will hopefully stay at this level securing the other wing. Bendtners new role as center attacker as well "Play center" is much better than lazy Bendtner of old. Eriksen just needs to stay consistent and try a little less hard, get used to scoring and our offensive is fairly set.

That leaves the machine room in midfield. C poulsen still seem awfully rusty and slow, but at least he didn't make any obvious mistakes either. William Kvist looks like the new midfield general.

If Lindegaard takes on in Man U we also have decent goalie alternatives with a potential for really good goaltending.

All in all it was a good end for the qualifiers

V
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on October 12, 2011, 04:18:00 AM
Croatia is happier about Serbia not qualifying than Croatia making the playoffs.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 12, 2011, 09:14:07 AM
USA was defeated 1-0 by mighty Ecuador. :(

It was a decent match in the first half, but Klinsmann pulled off four players at intermission. Our back four was pretty solid throughout the game until Tim Ream and Jonathon Spector came on. Spector was downright horrible and a defensive lapse by Ream let in the only goal of the game. Gooch and Bocanegra seemed to work very well together.

Just a friendly, and although I was slightly impressed by the attacking play, there were still no goals. Someone other than Dempsey/Donovan needs to start scoring goals.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 12, 2011, 09:25:04 AM
They don't have a particularly good recored since Klinsmann took over, do they?

Well...Canada drew Puerto Rico 0-0 at home. That's even worse.  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 12, 2011, 09:37:38 AM
I'd say the results wouldn't be dramatically different than under Bob Bradley.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on October 12, 2011, 10:35:16 AM
Germany's oldest player yesterday was Philipp Lahm, age 27. So the team could conceivably play in that formation for another 4-5 years. I hope this will be a golden generation for Germany. The only starting player that will leave anytime soon is Klose, but then there is hope that Gomez has stabilized and will keep being a goal-scoring machine.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on October 12, 2011, 10:42:05 AM
Quote from: Warspite on October 12, 2011, 04:18:00 AM
Croatia is happier about Serbia not qualifying than Croatia making the playoffs.  :lol:
You're a petty people :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 12, 2011, 12:06:47 PM
Quote from: Zanza on October 12, 2011, 10:35:16 AM
Germany's oldest player yesterday was Philipp Lahm, age 27. So the team could conceivably play in that formation for another 4-5 years. I hope this will be a golden generation for Germany. The only starting player that will leave anytime soon is Klose, but then there is hope that Gomez has stabilized and will keep being a goal-scoring machine.

Germany 2014 World Cup Champions
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on October 12, 2011, 12:26:49 PM
The 2010 German team was pretty damn good. People forget they only lost to the eventual champions to a goal from a set piece and because the key player in their midfield and forwards link up was suspended for a non-foul the previous game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on October 13, 2011, 06:27:23 AM
Play-offs:

Turkey v Croatia
Estonia v Ireland
Czech Republic v Montenegro
Bosnia v Portugal
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 13, 2011, 06:36:47 AM
Turkey - Croatia should be the more interesting matchup, followed by Bosnia - Portugal.

Estonia - Ireland might be a snorefest for the ages.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Cerr on October 13, 2011, 06:57:28 AM
I'm happy with the draw.

Estonia are the weakest team in the play offs.
Plus we get to play the second leg at home.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 13, 2011, 08:18:37 AM
Estonia play football? News to me.
And Portugal in the playoffs. :nelson:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on October 13, 2011, 08:20:50 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 12, 2011, 12:06:47 PMGermany 2014 World Cup Champions
I wouldn't go that far, but in current form, Germany is certainly a contender for the Euro 2012.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 13, 2011, 08:37:04 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 12, 2011, 09:37:38 AM
I'd say the results wouldn't be dramatically different than under Bob Bradley.

Do you think, though, that Klinsmann is the right man for the US?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on October 13, 2011, 09:55:21 AM
Quote from: Josephus on October 13, 2011, 08:37:04 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 12, 2011, 09:37:38 AM
I'd say the results wouldn't be dramatically different than under Bob Bradley.

Do you think, though, that Klinsmann is the right man for the US?

Well, it certainly seemed that Bradley had taken the team as far as they could go under him, and that it was time for a change if US soccer wanted them to get to the next level.  And Klinsmann is a good coach.  Right man for this particular job?  Time will tell, but without the benefit of hindsight, he seems like a very good choice.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 13, 2011, 10:31:42 AM
Quote from: Zanza on October 13, 2011, 08:20:50 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 12, 2011, 12:06:47 PMGermany 2014 World Cup Champions
I wouldn't go that far, but in current form, Germany is certainly a contender for the Euro 2012.

Definitely, you have an embarrassment of riches from the midfield in advance, most of the pretty young. Müller, Özil, Kroos, Marin... they're all 21-22, IIRC, and can last for a whole decade. On the short term (this Euro and next WC) you still have Podolski and Schweinsteiger to act as "veterans" in that midfield. Seriously, if it wasn't for this ludicrously golden generation that we have nowadays in Spain, Germany would be the instant shoe-in for the top spot in the coming tournaments.

Edit: Funny bit of trivia, it seems that two of the more recent call ups to the German national team, Schurrle and Götze, are the two first players for the Mannschaft to be born after the reunification of Germany. :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on October 13, 2011, 10:50:29 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 13, 2011, 10:31:42 AMDefinitely, you have an embarrassment of riches from the midfield in advance, most of the pretty young. Müller, Özil, Kroos, Marin... they're all 21-22, IIRC, and can last for a whole decade. On the short term (this Euro and next WC) you still have Podolski and Schweinsteiger to act as "veterans" in that midfield. Seriously, if it wasn't for this ludicrously golden generation that we have nowadays in Spain, Germany would be the instant shoe-in for the top spot in the coming tournaments.

Edit: Funny bit of trivia, it seems that two of the more recent call ups to the German national team, Schurrle and Götze, are the two first players for the Mannschaft to be born after the reunification of Germany. :)
Götze is actually considered to be the greatest German talent in at least a decade. He is ridiculously good for his age.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on October 13, 2011, 10:54:33 AM
That reminds me: what's Sebastian Deisler doing these days?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on October 13, 2011, 10:56:52 AM
I can't wait for the BBC pundits to declare that player-by-player the England team is better than Germany and that maybe one or two German players would be fit for the English bench.  :P


Quote from: Syt on October 13, 2011, 10:54:33 AM
That reminds me: what's Sebastian Deisler doing these days?
Apparently he works as a physiotherapist.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 13, 2011, 11:24:43 AM
Quote from: Zanza on October 13, 2011, 10:50:29 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 13, 2011, 10:31:42 AMDefinitely, you have an embarrassment of riches from the midfield in advance, most of the pretty young. Müller, Özil, Kroos, Marin... they're all 21-22, IIRC, and can last for a whole decade. On the short term (this Euro and next WC) you still have Podolski and Schweinsteiger to act as "veterans" in that midfield. Seriously, if it wasn't for this ludicrously golden generation that we have nowadays in Spain, Germany would be the instant shoe-in for the top spot in the coming tournaments.

Edit: Funny bit of trivia, it seems that two of the more recent call ups to the German national team, Schurrle and Götze, are the two first players for the Mannschaft to be born after the reunification of Germany. :)
Götze is actually considered to be the greatest German talent in at least a decade. He is ridiculously good for his age.

He plays for Borussia Dortmund, right? Isn't the whole team also very young and talented?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on October 13, 2011, 12:02:47 PM
Quote from: The Larch on October 13, 2011, 11:24:43 AMHe plays for Borussia Dortmund, right? Isn't the whole team also very young and talented?
Yeah, they have a bunch of good young players, some of which may still join the national team.

Germany currently lacks additional good strikers. Gomez and Klose should be enough for the EC2012, but after that, Klose will be gone and Germany will only have one good striker left. There is no real substitute to be seen at the moment. Another weak position is the fullbacks. Lahm is good, but that's about it. The rest is just so-so and most don't play on that position in their clubs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on October 13, 2011, 12:05:33 PM
Rooney's been banned for three matches, and will miss all of England's games.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 13, 2011, 12:13:34 PM
Quote from: Warspite on October 13, 2011, 12:05:33 PM
Rooney's been banned for three matches, and will miss all of England's games.

You're ruling out England from reaching the knockout stage of the Euro without him?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on October 13, 2011, 12:17:26 PM
I just watched the scene and it looks like he was frustrated and just kicked that guy with no chance at all to reach the ball. The red card was okay. A three match ban is quite harsh though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 13, 2011, 03:30:47 PM
Quote from: The Larch on October 13, 2011, 12:13:34 PM
Quote from: Warspite on October 13, 2011, 12:05:33 PM
Rooney's been banned for three matches, and will miss all of England's games.

You're ruling out England from reaching the knockout stage of the Euro without him?

Not sure about him. But I am. Who else they got?
Mind you, maybe if they go into this with low expectations, they might get somewhere this time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on October 13, 2011, 05:21:38 PM
England have no real like for like replacement for Rooney, and he's vital to the England attacking setup. Jack Wilshere and Scott Parker provide a superlative central midfield pairing, but ahead of them they need a dangerous attacking midfield playmaker drifting between the lines to score. Walcott, Young and Caroll are not creative enough between them in the front three.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valdemar on October 14, 2011, 03:04:50 AM
Maybe its true that the English talent development has been ruined by the influx of foreign talent :o

;)

V
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on October 14, 2011, 04:47:02 AM
Quote from: Valdemar on October 14, 2011, 03:04:50 AM
Maybe its true that the English talent development has been ruined by the influx of foreign talent :o

;)

V

:D

Well, England didn't have particularly good teams before the influx of foreign talent (though one could argue that the real losers from the inflow of French, Germans, Africans etc were in fact the Scots, Welsh and Irish who used to dominate the old First Division).

The real problem is the FA and the English coaching infrastructure, which has an institutional and cultural bias towards a very physical brand of football. Basic technique is not valued in the English game, especially at the lower levels; youth here tend to play on larger pitches where first touch and ball control is not as important as GET RID!! and KNOCK IT FORWARD SON!!.

The thing about players like Owen Hargreaves, Wayne Rooney and Jack Wilshere - why they could have been, are, and will be so important to the England set up - is that they're comfortable on the ball like the best players the continent has to offer, but combine this with the traditional English qualities of grit and determination.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 14, 2011, 05:51:11 AM
Quote from: Warspite on October 14, 2011, 04:47:02 AMThe real problem is the FA and the English coaching infrastructure, which has an institutional and cultural bias towards a very physical brand of football. Basic technique is not valued in the English game, especially at the lower levels; youth here tend to play on larger pitches where first touch and ball control is not as important as GET RID!! and KNOCK IT FORWARD SON!!.

IIRC, there's a statistic that is often quoted to explain this, and it's the number of coaches with top UEFA qualifications, or something like that, with Spain and Germany each having more than 10 times the number of top coaches than England.

I have also read some pet theory touted around by a pundit regarding the detrimental effect of the traditional loaning out of young prospects by Premiership clubs to other clubs at much lower divisions (ie, lower than Championship) during their prime developmental years between the end of their stay in the academies but before joining the first team, when instead of learning with top coaches and mingling with the first team they're sent to some backwater where they're taught the "proper" way of playing, booting the ball up in muddy fields. IIRC he argued that the Reserve teams should be scrapped and continental style B teams more or less restricted for young players should take their place. There might be a pinch of truth in that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on October 14, 2011, 06:55:28 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 14, 2011, 05:51:11 AM
Quote from: Warspite on October 14, 2011, 04:47:02 AMThe real problem is the FA and the English coaching infrastructure, which has an institutional and cultural bias towards a very physical brand of football. Basic technique is not valued in the English game, especially at the lower levels; youth here tend to play on larger pitches where first touch and ball control is not as important as GET RID!! and KNOCK IT FORWARD SON!!.

IIRC, there's a statistic that is often quoted to explain this, and it's the number of coaches with top UEFA qualifications, or something like that, with Spain and Germany each having more than 10 times the number of top coaches than England.

I have also read some pet theory touted around by a pundit regarding the detrimental effect of the traditional loaning out of young prospects by Premiership clubs to other clubs at much lower divisions (ie, lower than Championship) during their prime developmental years between the end of their stay in the academies but before joining the first team, when instead of learning with top coaches and mingling with the first team they're sent to some backwater where they're taught the "proper" way of playing, booting the ball up in muddy fields. IIRC he argued that the Reserve teams should be scrapped and continental style B teams more or less restricted for young players should take their place. There might be a pinch of truth in that.

I think good clubs only loan out players in the 19/20 age range; I think by then one's style of play is pretty settled. Certainly, one is not going to develop natural technique by then. The problem is that apart from Arsenal, there aren't many clubs at all that have a specific focus on a technical and possession game. I've heard people saying that the rot in the English game sets it at the ages of 8 to 15 - which is why the top academies in the UK have to un-teach much of what their new entrants have learnt at the very junior level.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 14, 2011, 07:22:09 AM
Quote from: Warspite on October 14, 2011, 06:55:28 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 14, 2011, 05:51:11 AM
Quote from: Warspite on October 14, 2011, 04:47:02 AMThe real problem is the FA and the English coaching infrastructure, which has an institutional and cultural bias towards a very physical brand of football. Basic technique is not valued in the English game, especially at the lower levels; youth here tend to play on larger pitches where first touch and ball control is not as important as GET RID!! and KNOCK IT FORWARD SON!!.

IIRC, there's a statistic that is often quoted to explain this, and it's the number of coaches with top UEFA qualifications, or something like that, with Spain and Germany each having more than 10 times the number of top coaches than England.

I have also read some pet theory touted around by a pundit regarding the detrimental effect of the traditional loaning out of young prospects by Premiership clubs to other clubs at much lower divisions (ie, lower than Championship) during their prime developmental years between the end of their stay in the academies but before joining the first team, when instead of learning with top coaches and mingling with the first team they're sent to some backwater where they're taught the "proper" way of playing, booting the ball up in muddy fields. IIRC he argued that the Reserve teams should be scrapped and continental style B teams more or less restricted for young players should take their place. There might be a pinch of truth in that.

I think good clubs only loan out players in the 19/20 age range; I think by then one's style of play is pretty settled. Certainly, one is not going to develop natural technique by then. The problem is that apart from Arsenal, there aren't many clubs at all that have a specific focus on a technical and possession game. I've heard people saying that the rot in the English game sets it at the ages of 8 to 15 - which is why the top academies in the UK have to un-teach much of what their new entrants have learnt at the very junior level.

8 to 15? Then you have a lot of work to do...  :wacko: That's basically revamping the whole youth training scheme of the English system.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on October 14, 2011, 07:24:50 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 14, 2011, 07:22:09 AM
Quote from: Warspite on October 14, 2011, 06:55:28 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 14, 2011, 05:51:11 AM
Quote from: Warspite on October 14, 2011, 04:47:02 AMThe real problem is the FA and the English coaching infrastructure, which has an institutional and cultural bias towards a very physical brand of football. Basic technique is not valued in the English game, especially at the lower levels; youth here tend to play on larger pitches where first touch and ball control is not as important as GET RID!! and KNOCK IT FORWARD SON!!.

IIRC, there's a statistic that is often quoted to explain this, and it's the number of coaches with top UEFA qualifications, or something like that, with Spain and Germany each having more than 10 times the number of top coaches than England.

I have also read some pet theory touted around by a pundit regarding the detrimental effect of the traditional loaning out of young prospects by Premiership clubs to other clubs at much lower divisions (ie, lower than Championship) during their prime developmental years between the end of their stay in the academies but before joining the first team, when instead of learning with top coaches and mingling with the first team they're sent to some backwater where they're taught the "proper" way of playing, booting the ball up in muddy fields. IIRC he argued that the Reserve teams should be scrapped and continental style B teams more or less restricted for young players should take their place. There might be a pinch of truth in that.
That's what the critics say is necessary.  :lol:

The only great English technical players I can remember produced by the English system over the last fifteen years are Joe Cole, Wayne Rooney and Jack Wilshere.
I think good clubs only loan out players in the 19/20 age range; I think by then one's style of play is pretty settled. Certainly, one is not going to develop natural technique by then. The problem is that apart from Arsenal, there aren't many clubs at all that have a specific focus on a technical and possession game. I've heard people saying that the rot in the English game sets it at the ages of 8 to 15 - which is why the top academies in the UK have to un-teach much of what their new entrants have learnt at the very junior level.

8 to 15? Then you have a lot of work to do...  :wacko: That's basically revamping the whole youth training scheme of the English system.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Richard Hakluyt on October 14, 2011, 07:25:24 AM
On the rare occasions that I watch a game, perhaps six times in ten years, this lack of craftmanship in England's play is obvious even to me. It is baffling that, decade after decade, this situation is allowed to continue  :hmm:

Is there, perhaps, a conflict between teaching an ordinary boy how to play the game in a way that promotes character and the teaching required for success in international football? Perhaps your typical PE teacher is worried that too much focus on craftmanship will encourage effeminate continental ways  :D

But that sounds ridiculously old-fashioned :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 14, 2011, 07:39:18 AM
Quote from: Warspite on October 14, 2011, 07:24:50 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 14, 2011, 07:22:09 AM
Quote from: Warspite on October 14, 2011, 06:55:28 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 14, 2011, 05:51:11 AM
Quote from: Warspite on October 14, 2011, 04:47:02 AMThe real problem is the FA and the English coaching infrastructure, which has an institutional and cultural bias towards a very physical brand of football. Basic technique is not valued in the English game, especially at the lower levels; youth here tend to play on larger pitches where first touch and ball control is not as important as GET RID!! and KNOCK IT FORWARD SON!!.

IIRC, there's a statistic that is often quoted to explain this, and it's the number of coaches with top UEFA qualifications, or something like that, with Spain and Germany each having more than 10 times the number of top coaches than England.

I have also read some pet theory touted around by a pundit regarding the detrimental effect of the traditional loaning out of young prospects by Premiership clubs to other clubs at much lower divisions (ie, lower than Championship) during their prime developmental years between the end of their stay in the academies but before joining the first team, when instead of learning with top coaches and mingling with the first team they're sent to some backwater where they're taught the "proper" way of playing, booting the ball up in muddy fields. IIRC he argued that the Reserve teams should be scrapped and continental style B teams more or less restricted for young players should take their place. There might be a pinch of truth in that.
I think good clubs only loan out players in the 19/20 age range; I think by then one's style of play is pretty settled. Certainly, one is not going to develop natural technique by then. The problem is that apart from Arsenal, there aren't many clubs at all that have a specific focus on a technical and possession game. I've heard people saying that the rot in the English game sets it at the ages of 8 to 15 - which is why the top academies in the UK have to un-teach much of what their new entrants have learnt at the very junior level.

8 to 15? Then you have a lot of work to do...  :wacko: That's basically revamping the whole youth training scheme of the English system.
That's what the critics say is necessary.  :lol:

The only great English technical players I can remember produced by the English system over the last fifteen years are Joe Cole, Wayne Rooney and Jack Wilshere.

Only those three? I guess you consider Lampard and Gerrard, for instance, more of the gritty kind of player.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on October 14, 2011, 08:14:18 AM
Lamps and Gerrard are your classic English hardworking midfielder. Fat Frank also has the advantage that he's really good at scoring deflected goals.

The thing is, there's a place in a well-rounded team for them; Barca have Dani Alves, for example, whose main quality is that he can sprint non-stop for 90 minutes. But when your entire team is made of less skilful, hard working types, you end up with England's style of choking midfield play.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 14, 2011, 08:30:56 AM
Quote from: Warspite on October 14, 2011, 08:14:18 AM
Lamps and Gerrard are your classic English hardworking midfielder. Fat Frank also has the advantage that he's really good at scoring deflected goals.

The thing is, there's a place in a well-rounded team for them; Barca have Dani Alves, for example, whose main quality is that he can sprint non-stop for 90 minutes. But when your entire team is made of less skilful, hard working types, you end up with England's style of choking midfield play.

What about Beckham? Or do you consider him part of a previous generation already?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on October 14, 2011, 09:17:11 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 14, 2011, 08:30:56 AM
Quote from: Warspite on October 14, 2011, 08:14:18 AM
Lamps and Gerrard are your classic English hardworking midfielder. Fat Frank also has the advantage that he's really good at scoring deflected goals.

The thing is, there's a place in a well-rounded team for them; Barca have Dani Alves, for example, whose main quality is that he can sprint non-stop for 90 minutes. But when your entire team is made of less skilful, hard working types, you end up with England's style of choking midfield play.

What about Beckham? Or do you consider him part of a previous generation already?

He was produced more than fifteen years ago. I would lump him in with Giggs, who is an excellent all-round player. No surprise he's still at the top level after 20 years of consisten performance.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 14, 2011, 10:02:30 AM
This discussion made me remember this:

Matt Le Tissier's top 10 goals: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSsdfe4Z69g (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSsdfe4Z69g)

The 2nd one is unbelievable.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on October 14, 2011, 10:29:47 AM
Le Tissier was ridiculously good - which is why he had a non-existent England career.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 14, 2011, 10:31:03 AM
Quote from: Warspite on October 14, 2011, 10:29:47 AM
Le Tissier was ridiculously good - which is why he had a non-existent England career.  :lol:
He should have set up a Channel Islands team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on October 14, 2011, 10:43:45 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on October 14, 2011, 10:31:03 AM
He should have set up a Channel Islands team.

Wouldn't that be the Duchy of Normandy team?  I mean every other part of the UK has their own team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 15, 2011, 06:28:41 PM
Quote from: Warspite on October 14, 2011, 10:29:47 AM
Le Tissier was ridiculously good - which is why he had a non-existent England career.  :lol:

I wouldnt say that great but yeah, he was good. bizzare he never got into the england Ｔｅａｍ
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 23, 2011, 10:25:28 AM
Damn, City has just humilliated United at Old Trafford. 1-6, that must hurt!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 23, 2011, 12:35:12 PM
I watched the QPR-Chelsea game on FOX Soccer and I could swear there was a QPR fan sitting in the stands wearing a Texas Longhorns cap.  :cool:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on October 23, 2011, 01:28:56 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 23, 2011, 12:35:12 PM
I watched the QPR-Chelsea game on FOX Soccer and I could swear there was a QPR fan sitting in the stands wearing a Texas Longhorns cap.  :cool:

More importantly, the ref was apparently selected from the QPR squad
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Cecil on October 23, 2011, 03:32:56 PM
Quote from: The Larch on October 23, 2011, 10:25:28 AM
Damn, City has just humilliated United at Old Trafford. 1-6, that must hurt!

Read that it was their worst loss since 1955. Sounded weird but could be true I suppose.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: szmik on October 27, 2011, 12:08:41 PM
Was watching crazy fans lately, here is one vid from Turkey - Besiktas.

Feel the power  :punk:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtLxpMyh13g&feature=related
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: syk on October 27, 2011, 01:42:28 PM
Quote from: szmik on October 27, 2011, 12:08:41 PM
Was watching crazy fans lately, here is one vid from Turkey - Besiktas.

Feel the power  :punk:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtLxpMyh13g&feature=related
You might like one or the other St. Pauli/USP vid then.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 27, 2011, 01:42:51 PM
Speaking of fan reaction, this Man City supporter is hilarious http://youtu.be/5SoDCkCDfzU  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 27, 2011, 07:11:42 PM
The Manchester result was very unexpected.
Could this be City's year?
Strange stuff, I remember not so long ago they were struggling in division 1. Just goes to show what money can do.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 27, 2011, 09:57:46 PM
Probably. Could be. But  wouldn't rule out Man Utd. They have a habit of narrowing that gap and before you know it...they're right up on top again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 30, 2011, 12:11:05 PM
Got up at 6:30 in the morning to watch Chelsea-Arsenal. I was not disappointed.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 09, 2011, 03:42:52 PM
Cool.

Soccer now outranks both ice hockey and basketball to become the third most attended sporting event in America.  :)

http://aol.sportingnews.com/soccer/story/2011-11-07/mls-passes-nba-as-third-best-attended-american-sport
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 09, 2011, 05:30:11 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 09, 2011, 03:42:52 PM
Cool.

Soccer now outranks both ice hockey and basketball to become the third most attended sporting event in America.  :)

http://aol.sportingnews.com/soccer/story/2011-11-07/mls-passes-nba-as-third-best-attended-american-sport

  :P That's not what the story says Martim.

It says the average per game audience at MLS passed the average per game audience at NBA.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 09, 2011, 06:17:59 PM
 ;)

I'll retract that.

The average MLS game attracts more people than the average NBA or NHL game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 09, 2011, 06:23:33 PM
I think most MLS teams actually have purpose-built soccer stadia now, rather than using NFL or college facilities like in the 90s. It's a nice touch.

Regarding the MLS, our world-renowned league has its MLS Cup Final on November 20. See Sir Davey Becks, Irish Giant Robbie Keane, and American Messi Landon Donovan take on Houston Dynamo to find out who will win the coveted Philip F. Anschutz Trophy.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on November 09, 2011, 06:29:34 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 09, 2011, 06:23:33 PM
I think most MLS teams actually have purpose-built soccer stadia now, rather than using NFL or college facilities like in the 90s. It's a nice touch.



Columbus Crew's stadium is a nice little field. The Crew was a total joke in Ohio Stadium.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 09, 2011, 07:08:16 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 09, 2011, 06:23:33 PM
I think most MLS teams actually have purpose-built soccer stadia now, rather than using NFL or college facilities like in the 90s. It's a nice touch.

Regarding the MLS, our world-renowned league has its MLS Cup Final on November 20. See Sir Davey Becks, Irish Giant Robbie Keane, and American Messi Landon Donovan take on Houston Dynamo to find out who will win the coveted Philip F. Anschutz Trophy.  :)

Should be a good game. Looking forward to it. L.A. should win.

In other news, L.A.'s next game will be the Champions League Q/F against Toronto FC in early March. Here we're still debating whether to host the game in the cold BMO field or inside at Rogers Centre (SkyDome)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 10, 2011, 08:24:05 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 09, 2011, 06:17:59 PM
;)

I'll retract that.

The average MLS game attracts more people than the average NBA or NHL game.

Well, soccer has much more potential for bigger attendances than sports that have to be played in arenas. The biggest basketball courts seat around 20.000 people or little more, that for a footie stadium is an average sized stadium.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 11, 2011, 09:15:23 PM
This was from The Guardian's Joy of Six today and jesus christ how do you do that :cry: :cry: http://youtu.be/UkxEbVk5xZ0
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 12, 2011, 02:41:34 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 11, 2011, 09:15:23 PM
This was from The Guardian's Joy of Six today and jesus christ how do you do that :cry: :cry: http://youtu.be/UkxEbVk5xZ0
Wow, that's pretty much perfect.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on November 12, 2011, 06:16:56 AM
Very impressive, yeah.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on November 16, 2011, 04:40:18 AM
All teams for Euro 2012 are now qualified. The pots for the draw on 2 Dec are:

Pot 1: Ukraine, Poland, Spain, Netherlands
Pot 2: Germany, Italy, England, Russia
Pot 3: Croatia, Greece, Portugal, Sweden
Pot 4: Denmark, France, Czech Republic, Republic of Ireland

Ukraine and Poland being seeded means that groups A and D are much easier than groups B and C which will have Spain and the Netherlands in them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valdemar on November 16, 2011, 04:59:24 AM
Quote from: Zanza on November 16, 2011, 04:40:18 AM
All teams for Euro 2012 are now qualified. The pots for the draw on 2 Dec are:

Pot 1: Ukraine, Poland, Spain, Netherlands
Pot 2: Germany, Italy, England, Russia
Pot 3: Croatia, Greece, Portugal, Sweden
Pot 4: Denmark, France, Czech Republic, Republic of Ireland

Ukraine and Poland being seeded means that groups A and D are much easier than groups B and C which will have Spain and the Netherlands in them.

These dual nation host tournaments should remove the free spots and free seeding from the hosts. With only 16 nations there are some strange places on that list. And some even stranger nations not partaking due to Poland and Ukraine taking up the spots.

V
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on November 16, 2011, 05:07:16 AM
The hosts not having to qualify is okay with me as a tournament without the host team would be strange. However, I wouldn't seed them in the first pot. Just seed them with everybody else and then shuffle the groups so that the play at home. Shouldn't be that hard.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 16, 2011, 06:26:02 AM
Quote from: Zanza on November 16, 2011, 04:40:18 AM
All teams for Euro 2012 are now qualified. The pots for the draw on 2 Dec are:

Pot 1: Ukraine, Poland, Spain, Netherlands
Pot 2: Germany, Italy, England, Russia
Pot 3: Croatia, Greece, Portugal, Sweden
Pot 4: Denmark, France, Czech Republic, Republic of Ireland

Ukraine and Poland being seeded means that groups A and D are much easier than groups B and C which will have Spain and the Netherlands in them.

Possible group of death :

Spain, Germany, Portugal, France
:zipped:

Next Euro will have more countries qualifying so no more cutthroat group phases anyways.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valdemar on November 16, 2011, 06:30:20 AM
Yeah, I can't decide if I think that is a good idea or not. next one after that will have 24, thats half the 53 members of the UEFA, meaning qualifying would be easier, but also that there will be too little "Win or Die" in the competition.

I still think Denmark should take portugal or swedens places.. neither finished first in the group. I DO know its the last three tournaments that counts, but still...

V
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 16, 2011, 06:32:20 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 16, 2011, 06:26:02 AM
Quote from: Zanza on November 16, 2011, 04:40:18 AM
All teams for Euro 2012 are now qualified. The pots for the draw on 2 Dec are:

Pot 1: Ukraine, Poland, Spain, Netherlands
Pot 2: Germany, Italy, England, Russia
Pot 3: Croatia, Greece, Portugal, Sweden
Pot 4: Denmark, France, Czech Republic, Republic of Ireland

Ukraine and Poland being seeded means that groups A and D are much easier than groups B and C which will have Spain and the Netherlands in them.

Possible group of death :

Spain, Germany, Portugal, France
:zipped:

Next Euro will have more countries qualifying so no more cutthroat group phases anyways.

Somebody on P'dox mentioned the "Group of debt", with Spain, Italy, Greece/Portugal and Ireland.  :lol:

Or swap Italy with Germany and have every team ultra-motivated to beat the krauts, in order to avenge their dire straits.  :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on November 16, 2011, 07:07:01 AM
Quote from: Valdemar on November 16, 2011, 06:30:20 AM
Yeah, I can't decide if I think that is a good idea or not. next one after that will have 24, thats half the 53 members of the UEFA, meaning qualifying would be easier, but also that there will be too little "Win or Die" in the competition.
It makes the qualification so much less interesting for the big teams though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 16, 2011, 07:58:07 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 16, 2011, 06:32:20 AM
Somebody on P'dox mentioned the "Group of debt", with Spain, Italy, Greece/Portugal and Ireland.  :lol:

:D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valdemar on November 16, 2011, 08:12:13 AM
Quote from: Zanza on November 16, 2011, 07:07:01 AM
Quote from: Valdemar on November 16, 2011, 06:30:20 AM
Yeah, I can't decide if I think that is a good idea or not. next one after that will have 24, thats half the 53 members of the UEFA, meaning qualifying would be easier, but also that there will be too little "Win or Die" in the competition.
It makes the qualification so much less interesting for the big teams though.

Even for the smaller ones if you only need third spot to go to play off games as 1 and 2 qualify directly

V
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 16, 2011, 08:26:05 AM
I think it works best the way it is. That's my problem with the world cup where the first round produces a series of snore-fests with teams that shouldn't be there. With the Euros, which I've always felt is the best international tournament, part of its appeal was its short, every game matters, no minnows feel.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on November 23, 2011, 11:38:18 AM
MLS expansion draft today.

Who will the Impact pick?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 23, 2011, 11:42:27 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 23, 2011, 11:38:18 AM
MLS expansion draft today.

Who will the Impact pick?

So exciting.  ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on November 23, 2011, 11:44:48 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 23, 2011, 11:42:27 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 23, 2011, 11:38:18 AM
MLS expansion draft today.

Who will the Impact pick?

So exciting.  ;)

We need a team! Hopefully, no one name Adu makes it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 23, 2011, 03:48:33 PM
Here you go GF

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/11/23/ching-mapp-headline-montreal-expansion-draft-picks

The Montreal Impact threw a few surprises into their picks in Wednesday's Expansion Draft, selecting several marquee names, including Houston's Brian Ching and Philadelphia's Justin Mapp.

Ching has gone on the record to say he would not move to Montreal if picked. How that will play out remains to be seen, and Montreal coach Jesse Marsch said he is still open to various options.

Mapp was one of two high-profile Union players on offer, the other being Freddy Adu. On Tuesday, Marsch indicated that Adu was a possibility, but in the end, chose his teammate, who does not come with as high a salary and is more established in the league on the field.

Elsewhere, Marsch chose to bolster the backline, acquiring San Jose centerback Bobby Burling, Columbus left back Josh Gardner, Sporting KC left back Seth Sinovic, Vancouver right back Jeb Brovsky, and Chivas USA right back Zarek Valentin.

The selection of Colorado midfielder Sanna Nyassi provides some good speed on the flanks, and Real Salt Lake's Collen Warner is an up-and-coming attacking midfielder who showed flashes in 2011.

The final pick, Seattle right back James Riley, was shipped to Chivas USA immediately in exchange for forward Justin Braun and midfielder Gerson Mayen.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 23, 2011, 06:44:53 PM
Wait....so....in american mls they draft and have free choice of players from other teams? :blink:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on November 23, 2011, 06:49:11 PM
Quote from: Tyr on November 23, 2011, 06:44:53 PM
Wait....so....in american mls they draft and have free choice of players from other teams? :blink:

Expansion Draft. If it is like other sports leagues, each team will designate players that can be drafted off their roster so that the new teams can fill its roster up.

It is a good way of teams to ditch underperforming playes, relics and overpaid crybabies.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 23, 2011, 08:11:54 PM
I admittedly don't watch much MLS. The only players I recognize on that list are Ching and Adu.  :blush:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 23, 2011, 08:17:02 PM
How's Chivas USA doing for sponsorship deals?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 23, 2011, 09:42:20 PM
Quote from: Tyr on November 23, 2011, 06:44:53 PM
Wait....so....in american mls they draft and have free choice of players from other teams? :blink:

Yeah as Ed said; they only do this when there's an expansion team, ie a new team entering the league. All the other teams have to leave a certain number of players unprotected and the entering team, in this case Montreal, can pick from these unprotected players. As said, normally you leave players you weren't keen on re-signing anyways...or  player whom you gamble the other team can't afford.

For instance of the seven players left unprotected by Toronto, six were released today following the draft. The seventh, Julian De Guzman, was a "DP", a designated player, whose salary Montreal could ill afford right now, or wouldn't want to pay, and they didn't pick him.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 23, 2011, 09:42:50 PM
In other news...anyone watch the Barca-Milan game? Great game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 24, 2011, 06:41:19 PM
Still half asleep and I saw via the way facebook does someone had just read this

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/portugal-sells-ronaldo-to-spain-in-160m-deal-on-national-debt-2258903.html?fb_action_ids=10150392305743692%2C10150411468368113%2C10150423371942103%2C273339162712817%2C683726799052&fb_action_types=news.reads&fb_source=other_multiline#access_token=AAADWQ6323IoBAC1GLCUSsHZCeeSmEiu67DMxphZCExj5Q1GzZCWmUWTC2HaHA0F6xB9175FIZA8ZB8KxFQFRHswst4cUJ9WHNaZB4sR3RrHAZDZD&expires_in=5177

I took it to be recent and went "WTF!?!?!? HUH!?!? It has to be a joke, surely, but why?".....then noticed the date.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 27, 2011, 05:01:36 PM
Gary Speed, Wales' current national coach and footie legend was found dead at his house this morning. Apparently he hanged himself.

He was only 42.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 27, 2011, 10:47:18 PM
Yeah, I saw that, really surprising. Wales were doing rather good lately weren:t  they?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Octavian on November 28, 2011, 05:10:12 AM
Quote from: Tyr on November 27, 2011, 10:47:18 PM
Yeah, I saw that, really surprising. Wales were doing rather good lately weren:t  they?

Presumably killing himself had nothing to do with how well or bad Wales does in football. Just a guess but i'm sure other factors played a role in his decision to do the swinging negro..
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 28, 2011, 07:34:22 AM
Your work life going badly and failing your country would sure a huge factor in deciding to commiting suicide.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 28, 2011, 07:45:12 AM
Quote from: Tyr on November 28, 2011, 07:34:22 AMYour work life going badly and failing your country would sure a huge factor in deciding to commiting suicide.
True but I think footballers and football managers are used to that sort of pressure.

Having said that Wales were doing really well.  It's very sad :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Octavian on November 28, 2011, 08:30:32 AM
Quote from: Tyr on November 28, 2011, 07:34:22 AM
Your work life going badly and failing your country would sure a huge factor in deciding to commiting suicide.

Failing Wales? Have you ever been to Wales Tyr? ...it's a ghastly place. Huge gangs of tough sinewy men roam the valleys terrorizing people with their close-harmony singing. You need half a pint of phlegm in your throat just to pronounce the placenames. Never ask for directions in Wales Tyr, you'll be washing spit out of your hair for a fortnight.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 02, 2011, 11:59:18 AM
Euro Cup draws coming up in a few minutes. I'm hoping we get Sweden in the last group game. 2-2 anyone?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on December 02, 2011, 12:14:36 PM
Pot 1
Ukraine
Poland
Spain
Netherlands

Pot 2
Germany
Italy
England
Russia

Pot 3
Croatia
Greece
Portugal
Sweden

Pot 4
Denmark
France
Czech Republic
Republic of Ireland

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 02, 2011, 12:16:11 PM
god damn greeks. Besides that Portugal came out lucky.

*edit. damn it read that wrong. those are the pots
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 02, 2011, 12:17:08 PM
Quote from: Octavian on November 28, 2011, 08:30:32 AM
Failing Wales? Have you ever been to Wales Tyr? ...it's a ghastly place. Huge gangs of tough sinewy men roam the valleys terrorizing people with their close-harmony singing.

:lol: And their aggressive shocks of thick black hair.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 02, 2011, 12:54:30 PM
Holy shit  :(
Holland - Germany - Denmark - Portugal
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on December 02, 2011, 12:56:07 PM
B is the group of death then.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on December 02, 2011, 12:57:13 PM
Germany - Netherlands, Italy - Spain, England - France ... some good games in the first round. :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 02, 2011, 12:58:49 PM
Quote from: Maladict on December 02, 2011, 12:54:30 PM
Holy shit  :(
Holland - Germany - Denmark - Portugal
great. Portugal can't seem to beat denmark and the dutch are evil.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on December 02, 2011, 12:59:08 PM
Group A sucks.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 02, 2011, 12:59:53 PM
Group B  :licklips:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 02, 2011, 01:00:14 PM
As an England fan I have to say:  "this is going to be a short tournament."

Oh wait, not too bad. Was looking at the pots. Confusing.

GROUP A
Poland
Greece
Russia
Czech Republic

GROUP B
Netherlands
Denmark
Germany
Portugal
GROUP C

Spain
Italy
Ireland
Croatia
GROUP D

Ukraine
Sweden
France
England
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on December 02, 2011, 01:03:51 PM
Quote from: Josephus on December 02, 2011, 01:00:14 PM
As an England fan I have to say:  "this is going to be a short tournament."

They (we) can get out of the group phase. France sucks. Maybe Sweden has gotten stronger. I only follow football every 2 years.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 02, 2011, 01:06:14 PM
So looking at it, doesn't seem like there's a big group of death, except for maybe group B.
Group A is the group of un-death. Four mediocre teams. Any team can get out.
Group B should be Germany and Holland.
Group C should be Italy Spain
and Group D, well you never know with England but it should be England France, although both Ukriane and Sweden can beat England.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on December 02, 2011, 01:06:36 PM
Group B is going to be pretty intense for Denmark.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 02, 2011, 01:08:07 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on December 02, 2011, 01:03:51 PM
They (we) can get out of the group phase. France sucks. Maybe Sweden has gotten stronger. I only follow football every 2 years.

France doesn't suck :angry:

Though their football program did suffer big blow by being run by a bunch of racists :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on December 02, 2011, 01:14:03 PM
Give me Zidane or give me death!


I remember in 98! I had such a wonderfull time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 02, 2011, 01:20:24 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on December 02, 2011, 01:14:03 PM
I remember in 98! I had such a wonderfull time.

Me to.  It was glorious.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Cerr on December 02, 2011, 01:24:17 PM
An ok draw for Ireland. It's going to be hard though.

Would have preferred to be in Group A of course.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 02, 2011, 01:27:05 PM
We almost got the group of debt :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 02, 2011, 01:36:04 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 02, 2011, 01:27:05 PM
We almost got the group of debt :(

:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 02, 2011, 03:10:48 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 02, 2011, 01:27:05 PM
We almost got the group of debt :(

Croatia has less than a year to borrow huge amounts of money in an unsustainable manner.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 02, 2011, 09:36:47 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on December 02, 2011, 12:56:07 PM
B is the group of death then.

Sadly not the so-called über group of death  ;) since I would have preferred a not yet rebuilt France squad to Denmark.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 03, 2011, 04:42:01 PM
The last twenty minutes of Inter - Udinese this Saturday :   :lol:

I need to watch more Serie A.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: szmik on December 03, 2011, 05:01:38 PM
People in Poland are full of hope, as usual before any tournament our team manages to get to. Now this bunch of losers is going to disappoint having the easiest possible group competition. I foresee Russian team making it again to final four.  :sleep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 04, 2011, 08:36:15 AM
I agree with the concensus.
Group A is rather dull, though should be nice for the Poles having the Russians and the Czechs for a bit of rivalry?  Russia should get htrough, otherwise...ehh... no idea.

Group B is the group of death. Denmark are screwed, any of the other three could do it. Guess I'll go with the Dutch missing out.

Group C is quite a straight forward Italy and Spain going through.

Group D is rather easy. France and England are unpredictable but generally better than the other two
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 04, 2011, 11:01:13 AM
France will find a way to fuck it up for themselves again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 04, 2011, 11:24:21 AM
Brazilian legend Sócrates, "O doutor da bola", star of the '82 and '86 World Cups, passed away, aged 57, due to complications from alcoholism.

There are no players like him anymore...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vkq4fVKzibY (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vkq4fVKzibY)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYWhIJMLm34 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYWhIJMLm34)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 04, 2011, 01:57:02 PM
Funny, we (my brother and I) were talking about Socrates just last night.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on December 06, 2011, 05:10:12 AM
I really don't understand English football commentators and journalists.

Just because you get the ball does not make a tackle ok; having reviewed Spearing's studs-up, above-ankle-height, both feet off the floor challenge yesterday, I can't see how it's anything else but a straight red.

And yet we have crap about "outlawing the tackle" being written.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on December 06, 2011, 05:19:53 AM
Quote from: The Larch on December 04, 2011, 11:24:21 AM
Brazilian legend Sócrates, "O doutor da bola", star of the '82 and '86 World Cups, passed away, aged 57, due to complications from alcoholism.

There are no players like him anymore...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vkq4fVKzibY (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vkq4fVKzibY)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYWhIJMLm34 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYWhIJMLm34)

:(

I always liked that he was a medical doctor besides a football pro.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 06, 2011, 08:24:58 AM
The commentators keep saying that if the defender gets the ball, it's not a foul. but that's not the case. you cant go in dangerously and take the ball.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 06, 2011, 09:04:23 AM
Increasingly the case these days.
Why I remember back in the day if you could take the ball but still fuck up your opponent then it was win-win....
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 06, 2011, 04:55:05 PM
For its last CL group game Barcelona has just fielded a team made up mostly with players from the academy team, if it wasn't for a couple of veterans its average age would be around 20. They still won 4-0. Against BATE Borisov from Belarus, but still...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on December 06, 2011, 04:57:11 PM
The "but he got the ball" argument is spouted by people who haven't actually read the rules, which specifically caution against reckless behaviour, rather than failure to get the ball. Playing the man rather than the ball is just one of the criteria that indicate unsporting or reckless play.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 07, 2011, 08:36:40 PM
Buh bye Manchester.

Both of you.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 08, 2011, 09:49:17 AM
So Manchester United go out of a group consisting of Benfica, Basel, and Otelul Galati?  :huh:  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on December 08, 2011, 02:08:05 PM
Did anybody see Lyon - Zagreb? Allegations of match fixing as Lyon needed to win as high as possible and shot 7 goals within less than half an hour in the second half...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on December 08, 2011, 03:26:37 PM
Quote from: Zanza on December 08, 2011, 02:08:05 PM
Did anybody see Lyon - Zagreb? Allegations of match fixing as Lyon needed to win as high as possible and shot 7 goals within less than half an hour in the second half...

Dinamo owner/chairman is a corrupt bastard so really I wouldn't be surprised.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 08, 2011, 03:48:02 PM
Is he family?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on December 08, 2011, 03:55:56 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 08, 2011, 03:48:02 PM
Is he family?

To somebody? Almost certainly.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: szmik on December 08, 2011, 04:01:39 PM
Quote from: Zanza on December 08, 2011, 02:08:05 PM
Did anybody see Lyon - Zagreb? Allegations of match fixing as Lyon needed to win as high as possible and shot 7 goals within less than half an hour in the second half...

Match fixing already happened with Dinamo Kiev about 15 years ago. How many times it wasn't caught though?
And this time it's so obvious....


Too bad I'm Ajax fan.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 09, 2011, 01:54:18 PM
It's the two disallowed Ajax goals that bug me most. Get the damn cameras in already.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: szmik on December 09, 2011, 03:27:43 PM
Quote from: Maladict on December 09, 2011, 01:54:18 PM
It's the two disallowed Ajax goals that bug me most. Get the damn cameras in already.
which is why they won't do it
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 15, 2011, 10:37:16 AM
Villa just got severely injured in a silly game of the Fifa club world cup against a Quatary team. He broke his tibia, will be sidelined for several months and might not be able to recover in time for the Euro Cup.  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 15, 2011, 11:02:47 AM
Good news for Germany.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 15, 2011, 11:03:35 AM
But why did Barcelona bother fielding its starters in that tournament? It's completely useless and gets no coverage.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 15, 2011, 11:08:19 AM
Quote from: Liep on December 15, 2011, 11:03:35 AM
But why did Barcelona bother fielding its starters in that tournament? It's completely useless and gets no coverage.

Good question. Guardiola fielded almost the C team in the last game of the Champions League group stage before the Real Madrid game, and I guess that those players would be good enough to beat the Quataris, but for some reason he fielded a competitive squad today.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 15, 2011, 11:50:52 AM
Quote from: Liep on December 15, 2011, 11:03:35 AM
But why did Barcelona bother fielding its starters in that tournament? It's completely useless and gets no coverage.

We get live coverage here....5 30 am  :lol:

I agree, though, useless tournament.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on December 15, 2011, 03:42:45 PM
Quote from: Liep on December 15, 2011, 11:02:47 AM
Good news for Germany.
Not really. It's always sad when a great player misses a big tournament. Especially because of such a useless game. And Villa is already 30, so it isn't certain that he'll still have the class in 2014.  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on December 15, 2011, 07:11:53 PM
Quote from: Zanza on December 15, 2011, 03:42:45 PM
Quote from: Liep on December 15, 2011, 11:02:47 AM
Good news for Germany.
Not really. It's always sad when a great player misses a big tournament. Especially because of such a useless game. And Villa is already 30, so it isn't certain that he'll still have the class in 2014.  :(

Poor Villa, he's done an Eduardo. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 15, 2011, 07:36:36 PM
Quote from: Liep on December 15, 2011, 11:03:35 AM
But why did Barcelona bother fielding its starters in that tournament? It's completely useless and gets no coverage.
Pretty big coverage in Japan. There was quite the fuss here over Messi visiting the country. I guess it might spread into the rest of Asia too, which is good for commercial reasons.
Also the prize money is quite significant.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 16, 2011, 07:43:57 AM
Quote from: Warspite on December 15, 2011, 07:11:53 PM
Quote from: Zanza on December 15, 2011, 03:42:45 PM
Quote from: Liep on December 15, 2011, 11:02:47 AM
Good news for Germany.
Not really. It's always sad when a great player misses a big tournament. Especially because of such a useless game. And Villa is already 30, so it isn't certain that he'll still have the class in 2014.  :(

Poor Villa, he's done an Eduardo. :(

It's not as severe as that, apparently. What Villa has is a closed stress fracture, with no dislocation. Eduardo missed a full year, while doctors say that Villa might be able to train again in 4 months, but won't recover his form until next season. That is, he could be taken to the Euro cup, but his form would most probably be atrocious.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on December 16, 2011, 08:43:17 AM
Can't be worse than Torres.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 16, 2011, 09:30:31 AM
Quote from: Zanza on December 16, 2011, 08:43:17 AM
Can't be worse than Torres.

Jesus christ, he's atrocious lately. The Chelsea board must be knocking their heads against the wall for that signing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on December 16, 2011, 03:23:13 PM
With luck the so-damn-boring Spanish team will be out in the group stage. Thank you Villa!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 16, 2011, 03:48:15 PM
Quote from: Threviel on December 16, 2011, 03:23:13 PM
With luck the so-damn-boring Spanish team will be out in the group stage. Thank you Villa!

Ireland 8 - 2 Spain ?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 04, 2012, 10:42:55 PM
USA number one Tim Howard scores a goal from his own penalty box during open play. http://youtu.be/jfXxBrLcKus

:)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 04, 2012, 10:47:27 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 04, 2012, 10:42:55 PM
USA number one Tim Howard scores a goal from his own penalty box during open play. http://youtu.be/jfXxBrLcKus

:)
:lol:
That's amazing.
He doesn't seem too happy about it though, lol.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on January 04, 2012, 10:48:33 PM
A hell of a kick he has. And he joins the rare club of keepers who has scored in the premier league, I read it was only 3 others.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 04, 2012, 11:13:21 PM
Quote from: Liep on January 04, 2012, 10:48:33 PM
A hell of a kick he has. And he joins the rare club of keepers who has scored in the premier league, I read it was only 3 others.

To be fair the wind carried it farther than it might have otherwise gone. I feel a little bad for the Bolton keeper, but not too bad - his side won the game.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 04, 2012, 11:15:58 PM
Was this Tuesdays games?
I do remember the commentators mentioning bad wind during Sunderland's one.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 04, 2012, 11:20:48 PM
No it was a Wednesday game.

Question: Why do you Brits play like ten games while everyone else is on a mid-season break? Tradition or something?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 04, 2012, 11:24:47 PM
Winter holidays are when everyone is traditionally off work and wanting to enjoy themselves, it makes business sense to have the games when your audience is most willing and able to see them.
Boxing day and new years games are tradition yeah, these are 'extras' though in addition to the regular Saturday games- due to christmas being a Sunday this year the Saturday games were moved about though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 04, 2012, 11:39:27 PM
Cool.  :bowler:

I'm certainly not complaining. The only negative is waking up earlier more often during the week to catch a kickoff.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on January 05, 2012, 05:42:37 AM
Quote from: Tyr on January 04, 2012, 11:15:58 PM
Was this Tuesdays games?
I do remember the commentators mentioning bad wind during Sunderland's one.
Wednesday's Everton v Bolton.  Aside from that, it wasn't one for the ages.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 05, 2012, 08:26:34 AM
Quote from: Tyr on January 04, 2012, 10:47:27 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 04, 2012, 10:42:55 PM
USA number one Tim Howard scores a goal from his own penalty box during open play. http://youtu.be/jfXxBrLcKus

:)
:lol:
That's amazing.
He doesn't seem too happy about it though, lol.

He's just classy. He knows he embarassed the hell out of another goalkeeper.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 21, 2012, 07:41:02 AM
Interesting note for this weekend: Tomorrow's Arsenal v. Manchester United will be the first English Premier League game in history to be shown live on American free-to-air television.  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 21, 2012, 09:00:05 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 21, 2012, 07:41:02 AM
Interesting note for this weekend: Tomorrow's Arsenal v. Manchester United will be the first English Premier League game in history to be shown live on American free-to-air television.  :bowler:

The new British invasion is beginning.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on January 21, 2012, 09:35:32 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 21, 2012, 07:41:02 AM
Interesting note for this weekend: Tomorrow's Arsenal v. Manchester United will be the first English Premier League game in history to be shown live on American free-to-air television.  :bowler:

Don't expect a good match. Arsenal have eleven injuries to Manchester's ten - most of whom in each case are first-teamers.

Of course, the FA would tell you that these injuries have nothing at all to do with fixture congestion...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 21, 2012, 10:00:42 AM
Quote from: Warspite on January 21, 2012, 09:35:32 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 21, 2012, 07:41:02 AM
Interesting note for this weekend: Tomorrow's Arsenal v. Manchester United will be the first English Premier League game in history to be shown live on American free-to-air television.  :bowler:

Don't expect a good match. Arsenal have eleven injuries to Manchester's ten - most of whom in each case are first-teamers.

Of course, the FA would tell you that these injuries have nothing at all to do with fixture congestion...

As long as it's not 2-8 :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on January 22, 2012, 10:56:51 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 21, 2012, 07:41:02 AM
Interesting note for this weekend: Tomorrow's Arsenal v. Manchester United will be the first English Premier League game in history to be shown live on American free-to-air television.  :bowler:
Is it true that Piers Morgan is the 'expert' pundit? :despair: :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on January 22, 2012, 11:01:53 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on January 22, 2012, 10:56:51 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 21, 2012, 07:41:02 AM
Interesting note for this weekend: Tomorrow's Arsenal v. Manchester United will be the first English Premier League game in history to be shown live on American free-to-air television.  :bowler:
Is it true that Piers Morgan is the 'expert' pundit? :despair: :weep:

No, he's an idiot - like most football pundits actually, so perhaps that isn't a hinderance. The only football pundits I read these days are the handful that actually understand the tactics of the game, like Michael Cox and Jonathan Wilson.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 22, 2012, 01:43:48 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on January 22, 2012, 10:56:51 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 21, 2012, 07:41:02 AM
Interesting note for this weekend: Tomorrow's Arsenal v. Manchester United will be the first English Premier League game in history to be shown live on American free-to-air television.  :bowler:
Is it true that Piers Morgan is the 'expert' pundit? :despair: :weep:

Yes, and he was terrible. Absolutely insufferable during half-time. After the final whistle I immediately turned the TV off to save my ears from bleeding. The game itself was suffering enough.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on January 22, 2012, 01:45:28 PM
It's a shame you didn't get City v Spurs.  Which is some comment on Manchester and North London.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 22, 2012, 01:47:28 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on January 22, 2012, 01:45:28 PM
It's a shame you didn't get City v Spurs.  Which is some comment on Manchester and North London.

I did see City v. Spurs; it was live on Fox Soccer Channel this morning. They really should have played that over Ars/Utd on the main network.

Edit: From The Guardian's Minute-by-minute:
QuoteIt's finished Manchester 5-3 North London. Last time it was 13-3, so it's progress of sorts.

  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 22, 2012, 01:57:16 PM
But about Arsenal/United: I know Wenger likes to sub off his wingers/midfielders at around 70 minutes, but taking off Chamberlain for Arshavin was a Really Bad Move. Arsenal seemed to lose any attacking ability down that flank and Arshavin let Valencia practically stroll into the box and set up the second goal. It was like they were playing with 10 men.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on January 22, 2012, 02:03:51 PM
I enjoyed the dude knocking himself out at the goal.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 22, 2012, 02:25:42 PM
Ed watches soccer. :o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on January 22, 2012, 02:31:52 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 22, 2012, 02:25:42 PM
Ed watches soccer. :o

Shocking, isn't it?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 22, 2012, 02:35:43 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on January 22, 2012, 02:31:52 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 22, 2012, 02:25:42 PM
Ed watches soccer. :o

Shocking, isn't it?

I'll sacrifice several hipsters tomorrow in your honor.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on January 22, 2012, 02:39:02 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 22, 2012, 02:35:43 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on January 22, 2012, 02:31:52 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 22, 2012, 02:25:42 PM
Ed watches soccer. :o

Shocking, isn't it?

I'll sacrifice several hipsters tomorrow in your honor.

Your sacrifice has been noticed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on January 22, 2012, 02:41:15 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 22, 2012, 01:57:16 PM
But about Arsenal/United: I know Wenger likes to sub off his wingers/midfielders at around 70 minutes, but taking off Chamberlain for Arshavin was a Really Bad Move. Arsenal seemed to lose any attacking ability down that flank and Arshavin let Valencia practically stroll into the box and set up the second goal. It was like they were playing with 10 men.

AOC was tired. The problem, as it has been the last number of games, is the lack of full-backs. They are absolutely vital in 4-3-3. In any case, I have no idea what the home fans were thinking booing the decision and then Arshavin; the general sense of entitlement that Arsenal fans now seem to have is appaling. They had the energy to boo Arshavin, but could barely make a peep the entire first half. Insuffrable gits.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 22, 2012, 02:54:12 PM
Quote from: Warspite on January 22, 2012, 02:41:15 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 22, 2012, 01:57:16 PM
But about Arsenal/United: I know Wenger likes to sub off his wingers/midfielders at around 70 minutes, but taking off Chamberlain for Arshavin was a Really Bad Move. Arsenal seemed to lose any attacking ability down that flank and Arshavin let Valencia practically stroll into the box and set up the second goal. It was like they were playing with 10 men.

AOC was tired. The problem, as it has been the last number of games, is the lack of full-backs. They are absolutely vital in 4-3-3. In any case, I have no idea what the home fans were thinking booing the decision and then Arshavin; the general sense of entitlement that Arsenal fans now seem to have is appaling. They had the energy to boo Arshavin, but could barely make a peep the entire first half. Insuffrable gits.


I do feel really bad for Arshavin. He put in a couple of decent shifts over the past few games so I was hoping to see more of the same. I was pretty appalled myself at the boos as he came on. Unfortunately, the booing seemed to have affected his play.

I guess I'm trying not to be overly critical of Wenger's substitutions. Taking Djourou off for Yennaris was a good move and stabilized that side of the back four. And he likes to take off one of his wingers off around 70 minutes, and as you said AOC was tired. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on January 24, 2012, 08:37:05 PM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fz0AO6.gif&hash=8982dc846c5577f2f2451be728356f5b66cdc0fc)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 24, 2012, 08:40:28 PM
 :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on January 24, 2012, 08:54:13 PM
So far only bright spot for me in EPL with Arsenal looking like :x is performance of Clint Dempsey for Fulham.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on January 24, 2012, 09:25:33 PM
Yep, :lol: worthy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 24, 2012, 10:21:28 PM
Were they booing Arshavin, specifically? I thought they were booing WEnger for removing AOC.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 24, 2012, 10:22:01 PM
Quote from: katmai on January 24, 2012, 08:54:13 PM
So far only bright spot for me in EPL with Arsenal looking like :x is performance of Clint Dempsey for Fulham.

Dempsey's was the first hat trick by an American in the EPL.  :cool:

But yeah, Arsenal is not looking so hot. Wilshere and Sagna come back in February, so hopefully things will tick up.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 24, 2012, 10:30:35 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on January 24, 2012, 08:37:05 PM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fz0AO6.gif&hash=8982dc846c5577f2f2451be728356f5b66cdc0fc)

WTF. :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 24, 2012, 10:38:40 PM
Quote from: Josephus on January 24, 2012, 10:21:28 PM
Were they booing Arshavin, specifically? I thought they were booing WEnger for removing AOC.

I was a little confused myself. When it happened I had to turn the volume up because I thought the music I was playing in the background was producing the boos. It did seem like they were booing Wenger for the sub. Arshavin was just collateral damage. I'm pretty sure if he had subbed off Walcott there wouldn't have been such an outrage.

Van Persie looked a little perplexed at the substitution as well, though I think the media made a mountain out of a mole hill from his reaction.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on February 05, 2012, 10:11:18 AM
Where would I best buy Premier League tickets online?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on February 05, 2012, 02:17:24 PM
I enjoyed the flopping in the ManU-Chelsea game.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 05, 2012, 02:43:10 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on February 05, 2012, 02:17:24 PM
I enjoyed the flopping in the ManU-Chelsea game.  :)

Yeah, it was a good one.

Hopefully tonight's football extravaganza will match this morning's, uhh, football extravanganza.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on February 05, 2012, 03:32:47 PM
Quote from: Zanza on February 05, 2012, 10:11:18 AM
Where would I best buy Premier League tickets online?

Best to go via club websites. Which club are you looking to see?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on February 05, 2012, 03:37:50 PM
I'll be in London in March. Apparently only the Queens Park Rangers and Fulham have home games that weekend. There is also Tottenham vs ManU, but that's too late for my flight back and I guess it will be harder to get tickets for that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on February 05, 2012, 04:08:04 PM
It should not be hard to get QPR or Fulham tickets unless it's a derby game. Have a go via their websites, if you have no luck let me know as I can ask some friends who are fans if they have any ideas. Tottenham / Man Utd will sell out for sure.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 05, 2012, 04:35:21 PM
@ Boner  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 05, 2012, 04:35:51 PM
Quote from: Warspite on February 05, 2012, 04:08:04 PM
It should not be hard to get QPR or Fulham tickets unless it's a derby game. Have a go via their websites, if you have no luck let me know as I can ask some friends who are fans if they have any ideas. Tottenham / Man Utd will sell out for sure.

Hey, (totally unrelated to this thread) I've just PMed you, just to let you know.  :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on February 06, 2012, 04:23:30 PM
Most interesting thing at the Tottenham-Liverpool game: The cat on the field.

The game itself: BORING
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on February 06, 2012, 04:32:53 PM
Carroll is a worthless tall turd.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on February 06, 2012, 04:33:23 PM
Quote from: Warspite on February 05, 2012, 04:08:04 PM
It should not be hard to get QPR or Fulham tickets unless it's a derby game. Have a go via their websites, if you have no luck let me know as I can ask some friends who are fans if they have any ideas. Tottenham / Man Utd will sell out for sure.

This reminds me - my dad out of nowhere has become a big soccer fan (probably because its the one sport he didn't have to cover in his days as a sports reporter), and has chosen Fulham to be his favourite team (almost certainly because him and my mom ran "Fulham Castle Bed and Breakfast" for a number of years on Fulham Ave).

Someone needs to give me some material I can use to belittle Fulham.   :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 06, 2012, 05:19:08 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on February 06, 2012, 04:23:30 PM
Most interesting thing at the Tottenham-Liverpool game: The cat on the field.

The game itself: BORING

What happened to the cat afterwards. I'm pretty sure it spent the rest of the game hiding in Assou-Ekotto's hair.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 06, 2012, 05:32:07 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on February 06, 2012, 04:32:53 PM
Carroll is a worthless tall turd.
:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 06, 2012, 06:27:08 PM
Quote from: Barrister on February 06, 2012, 04:33:23 PM
Quote from: Warspite on February 05, 2012, 04:08:04 PM
It should not be hard to get QPR or Fulham tickets unless it's a derby game. Have a go via their websites, if you have no luck let me know as I can ask some friends who are fans if they have any ideas. Tottenham / Man Utd will sell out for sure.

This reminds me - my dad out of nowhere has become a big soccer fan (probably because its the one sport he didn't have to cover in his days as a sports reporter), and has chosen Fulham to be his favourite team (almost certainly because him and my mom ran "Fulham Castle Bed and Breakfast" for a number of years on Fulham Ave).

Someone needs to give me some material I can use to belittle Fulham.   :ph34r:

Its supporters are known as Cottagers, which can be taken to say that they look for anonymous gay sex in public lavatories.

And they have a statue of Michael Jackson outside their stadium, because he was a buddy of the club's president, Mohammed Al-Fayed, owner of Harrods and father of Dodi al-Fayed, of Lady Di poshumous fame.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on February 06, 2012, 06:32:20 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 06, 2012, 05:32:07 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on February 06, 2012, 04:32:53 PM
Carroll is a worthless tall turd.
:lol:

He spent more time whining to the ref than playing the game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 06, 2012, 06:50:21 PM
Quote from: The Larch on February 06, 2012, 06:27:08 PM
And they have a statue of Michael Jackson outside their stadium, because he was a buddy of the club's president, Mohammed Al-Fayed, owner of Harrods and father of Dodi al-Fayed, of Lady Di poshumous fame.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.dailymail.co.uk%2Fi%2Fpix%2F2011%2F04%2F03%2Farticle-1372878-0B7671FB00000578-972_306x423.jpg&hash=9b1f8e17d45b09f49f3d2f9859ebbc590f24f4fe)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 06, 2012, 07:20:12 PM
What a crappy statue.
And yes, certainly on the cottagers. :lol:

Fulham...odd choice of team! They're just not top league material. A total non-entity lower league team in my childhood and for most of their history, just getting up to the premier on account of their rich owner.

Who're QPR/Fulham playing at the time you're looking at?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on February 07, 2012, 04:46:56 AM
QPR v Everton
Fulham v Wolves

So it's bound to be a shit game, but my brother and I have never attended a Premier League game before. Tottenham v ManU would be awesome of course, but it's too late on Sunday to reach our flights home.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on February 07, 2012, 05:20:25 AM
Go to Fulham. Quaint, historic stadium on the river, nice seats. Loftus Rd on the other hand is a terrible stadium - no leg room, in a less interesting part of town.

However, Fulham are playing on the Sunday so don't know if that affects you.





Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on February 07, 2012, 05:26:18 AM
If it was me I'd pick Fulham as well, just to get chance to watch Clint Dempsey playing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on February 07, 2012, 05:31:43 PM
Quote from: Barrister on February 06, 2012, 04:33:23 PM
Quote from: Warspite on February 05, 2012, 04:08:04 PM
It should not be hard to get QPR or Fulham tickets unless it's a derby game. Have a go via their websites, if you have no luck let me know as I can ask some friends who are fans if they have any ideas. Tottenham / Man Utd will sell out for sure.

This reminds me - my dad out of nowhere has become a big soccer fan (probably because its the one sport he didn't have to cover in his days as a sports reporter), and has chosen Fulham to be his favourite team (almost certainly because him and my mom ran "Fulham Castle Bed and Breakfast" for a number of years on Fulham Ave).

Someone needs to give me some material I can use to belittle Fulham.   :ph34r:

A large number of Fulham fans suddenly became Chelsea FC fans (which is actually closer to Fulham Broadway than Fulham FC is) when Chelsea became good. Beyond that, the statue - which is as bad in real life as it is in that photo.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on February 08, 2012, 02:55:30 PM
Fabio Capello quit.  :huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on February 08, 2012, 03:01:33 PM
Quote from: Zanza on February 08, 2012, 02:55:30 PM
Fabio Capello quit.  :huh:

He deliberately did this to scupper my 'neighbour's' chance of becoming the next England manager.   :mad:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on February 08, 2012, 03:35:08 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on February 06, 2012, 06:50:21 PM
Quote from: The Larch on February 06, 2012, 06:27:08 PM
And they have a statue of Michael Jackson outside their stadium, because he was a buddy of the club's president, Mohammed Al-Fayed, owner of Harrods and father of Dodi al-Fayed, of Lady Di poshumous fame.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.dailymail.co.uk%2Fi%2Fpix%2F2011%2F04%2F03%2Farticle-1372878-0B7671FB00000578-972_306x423.jpg&hash=9b1f8e17d45b09f49f3d2f9859ebbc590f24f4fe)

Excellent material. :rubshands:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 08, 2012, 04:56:12 PM
Quote from: mongers on February 08, 2012, 03:01:33 PM
Quote from: Zanza on February 08, 2012, 02:55:30 PM
Fabio Capello quit.  :huh:

He deliberately did this to scupper my 'neighbour's' chance of becoming the next England manager.   :mad:

Mourinho for England boss  :bowler: :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 08, 2012, 05:35:35 PM
I've a feeling Capello was looking for any excuse to leave. Much as I'm an England fan, and have been since I was born the summer they won the World Cup, I'm predicting England to bow out with a 0-3 record in the Euros.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 08, 2012, 07:16:18 PM
True, it does make sense for him to leave now over taking a stand than to be kicked out for failing yet again (though wasn't he going to quit post-euro cup anyway?)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 08, 2012, 07:27:27 PM
I remember him saying he was going to leave after the Euros, yeah.

http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/840428-fabio-capello-will-absolutely-quit-as-england-manager-after-euro-2012

Quote from: Josephus on February 08, 2012, 05:35:35 PM
I've a feeling Capello was looking for any excuse to leave. Much as I'm an England fan, and have been since I was born the summer they won the World Cup, I'm predicting England to bow out with a 0-3 record in the Euros.

I'm inclined to agree. Seems like this argument over Terry is as good an issue as any to leave. Wash his hands clean of the whole ordeal and let his successor deal with it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on February 09, 2012, 05:10:52 AM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fstatic.cl1.vanilladev.com%2Fcharltonlife.vanillaforums.com%2Fuploads%2Fthumbnails%2FFileUpload%2Fad%2F9478c4383158564f252091fe3ea234.jpg&hash=7ef189d99050f00dca713fa2c92ab150fe2b7f01)

Hmm, dunno how to make this bigger
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on February 09, 2012, 05:14:18 AM
You FAIL gupta!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on February 09, 2012, 11:52:59 AM
Premier League tickets are freakin' expensive.  :bleeding: :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on February 11, 2012, 09:29:48 AM
Liverpool's Carroll is being a douche again.

Edit: A lazy douche.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on February 11, 2012, 09:44:42 AM
:o el jefe watching same game as me, wait watching soccer at all!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 11, 2012, 09:44:47 AM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FtbVWn.jpg&hash=c924dfeae287b695ab08c7e1a604dc189c90296a)

:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on February 11, 2012, 09:46:21 AM
Quote from: katmai on February 11, 2012, 09:44:42 AM
:o el jefe watching same game as me, wait watching soccer at all!

SHOCKA
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 11, 2012, 10:54:00 AM
Liverpool sucks.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on February 11, 2012, 01:03:43 PM
THIERRY HENRY! THIERRY HENRY! THIERRY HENRY!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on February 11, 2012, 01:46:26 PM
Quote from: Warspite on February 11, 2012, 01:03:43 PM
THIERRY HENRY! THIERRY HENRY! THIERRY HENRY!

:D

Loan is ovah! Back to MLS he comes :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Octavian on February 11, 2012, 05:26:03 PM
Quote from: katmai on February 11, 2012, 09:44:42 AM
:o el jefe watching same game as me, wait watching soccer at all!

In many ways Ed Anger has always been the most European of Languish' American posters

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on February 11, 2012, 05:49:22 PM
Quote from: Octavian on February 11, 2012, 05:26:03 PM
Quote from: katmai on February 11, 2012, 09:44:42 AM
:o el jefe watching same game as me, wait watching soccer at all!

In many ways Ed Anger has always been the most European of Languish' American posters

YOU TAKE THAT BACK
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 11, 2012, 06:06:59 PM
Quote from: Octavian on February 11, 2012, 05:26:03 PM
In many ways Ed Anger has always been the most European of Languish' American posters

Grumpy and unemployed?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Octavian on February 12, 2012, 10:33:24 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on February 11, 2012, 05:49:22 PM
Quote from: Octavian on February 11, 2012, 05:26:03 PM
Quote from: katmai on February 11, 2012, 09:44:42 AM
:o el jefe watching same game as me, wait watching soccer at all!

In many ways Ed Anger has always been the most European of Languish' American posters

YOU TAKE THAT BACK

:P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on February 12, 2012, 10:34:23 AM
So hurtful.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 12, 2012, 07:17:36 PM
Quote from: Warspite on February 11, 2012, 01:03:43 PM
THIERRY HENRY! THIERRY HENRY! THIERRY HENRY!
<_<
Fecking typical, its old school Sunderland come again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on February 12, 2012, 08:07:58 PM
HERVE RENARD :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 14, 2012, 02:44:35 AM
.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on February 14, 2012, 09:18:33 AM
QuoteLONDON (Reuters) - A Manchester United fan aims to block rival Manchester City's "goals of football domination" by selling off thousands of parcels of a site earmarked by the world's richest club for a 100-million-pound training complex.

Businessman Shaun O'Brien has divided the land at his vehicle recovery company, OB Trucks, near City's Etihad Stadium, into 18,500 square-foot plots for sale in a bid to disrupt a proposed council order to make him sell it.

He was selling the plots for 250 pounds each through website, Unite Against the City, to "ardent Reds and anybody else that feels strongly about our David & Goliath situation," in order to make the club negotiate individually and fairly for each plot, the website said.

The sale had attracted buyers from around the world, including the United States and Spain, since the website went live on February 6, O'Brien told Reuters, declining to reveal the sales figures. "We're very close to fulfilling the 5,000 minimum."

The campaign was "to prevent Manchester City's attempts to acquire our land in Eastlands, Manchester, in order to further their goals of football domination", O'Brien wrote on the website.

Local newspaper Manchester Evening News said O'Brien had refused a one-million-pound offer from City to leave the site, stalling the club's bid to redevelop a run-down, 80-acre plot near their stadium.

O'Brien said City had offered him 200,000 pounds for the land for the past two years, though they had said they would pay another 750,000 pounds for moving and expenses.

"But it's just not enough," he said. "I've been here for 15 years, I had no intention to sell (the land)... As a business who want my land to further their business they should come and sit down, negotiate and we'll hack out a figure, whereas all along they've said we'll give you 200,000 pounds or we'll get the council to CPO you," he said.

A compulsory purchase order has now been issued by Manchester City Council and the club to try to force O'Brien to sell at market value.

Manchester City hold the title of the world's richest club, gained after they were bought by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi three years ago
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 14, 2012, 10:09:24 AM
So for the sake of football rivalry he's trying to fuck over regeneration in his city?
Wonderful.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 14, 2012, 11:11:53 AM
Rangers gone belly up? Gone into administration
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on February 14, 2012, 11:29:33 AM
According to the chart I should support West Bromwich, I think. :unsure:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on February 14, 2012, 12:57:59 PM
Quote from: Tyr on February 14, 2012, 10:09:24 AM
So for the sake of football rivalry he's trying to fuck over regeneration in his city?
Wonderful.

It's pretty obvious he's trying to bolster his negotiating position and the anti-Man City spin is simply a bit of marketing where he sells small plots of land at something along the lines of 20 times market value.

It's an absolute con. The Council will be able to CPO the land anyway (albeit with a degree of administrative inconvenience). The compensation they willl have to pay to anyone who ownes a square foot of isolated land will be a nominal sum - a pound maybe since a square foot of land has zero market value.

Fortunately for the owner, it sounds as if Mancs are as gullible as Mackems.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on February 14, 2012, 01:19:32 PM
Quote from: Syt on February 14, 2012, 11:29:33 AM
According to the chart I should support West Bromwich, I think. :unsure:

I should support the Blue Lion on the top left. Chelsea?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 14, 2012, 01:21:43 PM
yes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on February 14, 2012, 01:27:51 PM
i'm the wolf one at the bottom right
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on February 14, 2012, 01:28:58 PM
also what team is the swimming pope-head sperm?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 14, 2012, 01:56:44 PM
The wolf is...well Wolves (Wolverhampton United).

I think the spermy thing is Bolton Wanderers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolton_Wanderers_F.C.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 14, 2012, 07:32:46 PM
Wow. I haven't been following things in Glasgow at all, sounds like crazy developments there.

Hopefully this will be the start of the unwinding of the Scottish league and their joining the English league.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 14, 2012, 07:48:30 PM
Quote from: Tyr on February 14, 2012, 07:32:46 PM
Wow. I haven't been following things in Glasgow at all, sounds like crazy developments there.

Hopefully this will be the start of the unwinding of the Scottish league and their joining the English league.


Yeah, Neil would become gay before that ever happens. Scotland would rather have a one-team league than join the perfidious English.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on February 14, 2012, 07:49:24 PM
As for which team I follow, I just watch what the mothership tells me.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 14, 2012, 08:19:37 PM
Quote from: Josephus on February 14, 2012, 07:48:30 PM
Quote from: Tyr on February 14, 2012, 07:32:46 PM
Wow. I haven't been following things in Glasgow at all, sounds like crazy developments there.

Hopefully this will be the start of the unwinding of the Scottish league and their joining the English league.


Yeah, Neil would become gay before that ever happens. Scotland would rather have a one-team league than join the perfidious English.

I dunno. Some Rangers and Celtic fans would support it, it would really help their teams become actual European competitors....eventually.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Razgovory on February 14, 2012, 08:20:31 PM
Huh.  I just found out that my Grandfather is in the St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame.  I guess he did a lot stuff.  I just thought of him as a Mailman/criminal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on February 15, 2012, 04:21:15 AM
Quote from: Josephus on February 14, 2012, 07:48:30 PM
Quote from: Tyr on February 14, 2012, 07:32:46 PM
Wow. I haven't been following things in Glasgow at all, sounds like crazy developments there.

Hopefully this will be the start of the unwinding of the Scottish league and their joining the English league.


Yeah, Neil would become gay before that ever happens. Scotland would rather have a one-team league than join the perfidious English.

You're kidding. They've been desperate to for years but the English have told them there's no chance. They also tried to set up an Atlantic league with Portugal, Denmark and a few others but that didn't work.

The Scottish League is absolutely terrible. Two big teams who would struggle in the Championship let alone the Prem, a few others who might do OK in League 1 or 2 and nasty secterian fans. We wouldn't touch them with a bargepole.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on February 15, 2012, 07:33:53 AM
Similar in Austria. 10 or so teams, of which only two or three are not horrible. There was a motion once to put some of the South East European teams together to have a competitive league (with, e.g. Croatia, Serbia, Hungary, Austria, Czech Rep. etc.), but UEFA shot it down before this could be substantiated.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 15, 2012, 09:47:44 AM
Somewhat related question: I know this comes up every few years, but how likely is it that the top European teams will form a "super" league amongst themselves?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 15, 2012, 09:56:37 AM
For all intents and purposes, there already is the Champions League.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 15, 2012, 09:57:14 AM
Quote from: Gups on February 15, 2012, 04:21:15 AM
Quote from: Josephus on February 14, 2012, 07:48:30 PM
Quote from: Tyr on February 14, 2012, 07:32:46 PM
Wow. I haven't been following things in Glasgow at all, sounds like crazy developments there.

Hopefully this will be the start of the unwinding of the Scottish league and their joining the English league.


Yeah, Neil would become gay before that ever happens. Scotland would rather have a one-team league than join the perfidious English.

You're kidding. They've been desperate to for years but the English have told them there's no chance. They also tried to set up an Atlantic league with Portugal, Denmark and a few others but that didn't work.

The Scottish League is absolutely terrible. Two big teams who would struggle in the Championship let alone the Prem, a few others who might do OK in League 1 or 2 and nasty secterian fans. We wouldn't touch them with a bargepole.

I dunno. Rangers as they stand are only Championship worthy but with their fanbase and the potential to play in the top leagues they could build up a pretty good team and get themselves into the premier.
Likewise some of the smaller teams have decent enough fanbases that with the opportunity the English league offers they could get themselves up to scratch.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on February 15, 2012, 10:42:39 AM
I agree. Both Rangers and Celtic are big clubs with big fanbases. A few years of sky money and the ability the attract players and they'd be challenging for top 4 places.

But what's in it for the English clubs? Two teams woudl have to drop out of the ELP to make space for the Glaswegians. The top 5 or 6 will have more competition for CL places. The costs of policing will go through the roof (remember Rangers in Manchester a few years ago).

No club in the EPL will vote to admit Celtics or Rangers.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on February 15, 2012, 11:29:51 AM
Quote from: Josephus on February 15, 2012, 09:56:37 AM
For all intents and purposes, there already is the Champions League.

Indeed. Long ago, when there were the original cups (Champions Cup, Cup Winners Cup and UEFA Cup), the UEFA Cup was often the most fun to watch, because it gathered a lot of big teams from all over Europe, and not just one per country. This is basically what the Champions League has become. The Euro League (or whatever the former UEFA Cup is called these days) is basically division 2 in this context.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on February 15, 2012, 04:27:16 PM
Arky!  I'm gonna cry after watching this performance tonight.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 15, 2012, 04:45:30 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 15, 2012, 09:47:44 AM
Somewhat related question: I know this comes up every few years, but how likely is it that the top European teams will form a "super" league amongst themselves?

Highly unlikely IMO, as it'd have to happen totally outside of current UEFA backed leagues and international competitions. Big clubs that put this forward want to have their cake and eat it, but it won't happen.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on February 15, 2012, 04:48:30 PM
Quote from: katmai on February 15, 2012, 04:27:16 PM
Arky!  I'm gonna cry after watching this performance tonight.

We've all just stopped caring over here. :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on February 15, 2012, 06:24:30 PM
Well i can see why :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on February 15, 2012, 08:37:54 PM
After watching the UFEA stuff, I just don't care for it that much.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 15, 2012, 09:46:11 PM
Quote from: katmai on February 15, 2012, 04:27:16 PM
Arky!  I'm gonna cry after watching this performance tonight.

That may have been the worst performance since the 4-3 at Blackburn this season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 15, 2012, 09:52:59 PM
Quote from: Gups on February 15, 2012, 10:42:39 AM
I agree. Both Rangers and Celtic are big clubs with big fanbases. A few years of sky money and the ability the attract players and they'd be challenging for top 4 places.

But what's in it for the English clubs? Two teams woudl have to drop out of the ELP to make space for the Glaswegians. The top 5 or 6 will have more competition for CL places. The costs of policing will go through the roof (remember Rangers in Manchester a few years ago).

No club in the EPL will vote to admit Celtics or Rangers.

I'd think the money to be had from pseudo-internationals whenever the Scottish teams visit could be pretty decent.
It'd be another few million potential premier league customers too- perhaps small fry though for the premier who are regularly cracking big foreign countries.

Were it to happen I don't think a team would drop out, they'd just play a year or two with 22 teams then another year or two with 21 then get back to 20, steadily rippling the changes down the league.

Maybe they could be allowed into the Championship first? Those teams....would be a bit more enthusiastic about the gate receipts an international derby would bring. And though somewhat insulted the old firm could console themselves with it meaning just another few years from being one of Europe's big boys.

I don't see it happening sadly, its too late for that, but...a British (isles?) league would be awesome.
If only Wimbledon had moved to Dublin....
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 16, 2012, 08:05:58 AM
Aren't there already Welsh teams in the EPL?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 16, 2012, 08:14:20 AM
Quote from: The Larch on February 16, 2012, 08:05:58 AM
Aren't there already Welsh teams in the EPL?
Swansea were promoted this season.  I think they're the first.

But I think all of the Welsh teams (like Cardiff and Swansea) were in the English Leagues from the start.  I know Wrexham were at least.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 16, 2012, 08:24:12 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on February 16, 2012, 08:14:20 AM
Quote from: The Larch on February 16, 2012, 08:05:58 AM
Aren't there already Welsh teams in the EPL?
Swansea were promoted this season.  I think they're the first.

But I think all of the Welsh teams (like Cardiff and Swansea) were in the English Leagues from the start.  I know Wrexham were at least.

So when were Welsh leagues created, then? I guess than English leagues predate them, if I read you right.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on February 16, 2012, 08:56:23 AM
The Welsh premier league was formed in the early 90s. The biggest Welsh teams are in the English leagues. The semi-pro ones have a choice between the English non-league system and the Welsh Prem League.

It's really difficult to get between north and south Wales so Welsh teams have always played English neighbours.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 16, 2012, 09:03:45 AM
Quote from: Gups on February 16, 2012, 08:56:23 AM
The Welsh premier league was formed in the early 90s. The biggest Welsh teams are in the English leagues. The semi-pro ones have a choice between the English non-league system and the Welsh Prem League.

It's really difficult to get between north and south Wales so Welsh teams have always played English neighbours.

Before the 90s all Welsh teams competed in English leagues? I guess that the Scottish league was created roughly at the same time than the English one, though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on February 16, 2012, 09:13:54 AM
Well it depends how far up the pyramid they were. Amateur teams play in local leagues, based around a town or county or district.

Teams like Cardiff, Swansea, Wrexham and Newport have played in the full professional leagues in my memory. Onoly Cardiff and Swansea are theer now. Wrexham and Newport are both in the Blue Square prem which at the top of the non-league pyramid and is largely professional. A few other Welsh teams play in lower English leagues.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on February 25, 2012, 10:38:57 AM
Chelsea-Bolton is boring me. I demand dangerous tackles.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 25, 2012, 11:39:02 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on February 25, 2012, 10:38:57 AM
Chelsea-Bolton is boring me. I demand dangerous tackles.

It's Fox Soccer's CLASH OF GIANTS!!!11
:zzz

Milan and Juve ought to be a better game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on February 25, 2012, 12:35:22 PM
Italian football  :yawn:

But yeah the Chelsea game was quite horrible apart from the end result.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 25, 2012, 04:48:27 PM
Quote from: Tamas on February 25, 2012, 12:35:22 PM
Italian football  :yawn:

Napoli's owner disagrees. http://youtu.be/oNo0Ui2hTt4
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on February 25, 2012, 05:05:14 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 25, 2012, 11:39:02 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on February 25, 2012, 10:38:57 AM
Chelsea-Bolton is boring me. I demand dangerous tackles.

It's Fox Soccer's CLASH OF GIANTS!!!11
:zzz


:lol:

I enjoyed Man City's curb stomping of Blackburn.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 25, 2012, 05:10:37 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 25, 2012, 04:48:27 PM
Quote from: Tamas on February 25, 2012, 12:35:22 PM
Italian football  :yawn:

Napoli's owner disagrees. http://youtu.be/oNo0Ui2hTt4

The real show in Italian footie is outside the pitch.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on February 25, 2012, 05:12:21 PM
too greasy.  :yuk:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on February 26, 2012, 10:37:10 AM
:yeah:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 26, 2012, 10:57:24 AM
Quote from: Warspite on February 26, 2012, 10:37:10 AM
:yeah:

Saw you on TV:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi42.tinypic.com%2F2nspvo.jpg&hash=e969a2e9a2e7766a36ba6c7da0b8503a9a06e1fd)



Rosicky scored a goal  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on February 27, 2012, 09:32:54 AM
I'm watching the DVR recording of the Carling cup. Enjoyable. :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on February 27, 2012, 10:00:27 AM
My favourite bit of the Carling Cup final

http://i41.tinypic.com/2wrmdcl.gif (http://i41.tinypic.com/2wrmdcl.gif)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on February 27, 2012, 12:35:34 PM
I must have lost count of how many times Carroll was all grumpy at the refs. If everytime I took a drink he was whining to the ref, I'd be drunk 25 minutes in.

And Suarez  needs to whiten his teef. Damn dude, Hi-Def does him no favors.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 27, 2012, 12:37:41 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on February 27, 2012, 12:35:34 PM
If everytime I took a drink he was whining to the ref, I'd be drunk 25 minutes in.

So just like Carrol then.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on February 27, 2012, 12:39:18 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 27, 2012, 12:37:41 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on February 27, 2012, 12:35:34 PM
If everytime I took a drink he was whining to the ref, I'd be drunk 25 minutes in.

So just like Carrol then.

I DON'T DRINK.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 27, 2012, 12:54:10 PM
Well then I'm like Carrol. Feel wasted in the morning and shit at soccer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on February 27, 2012, 12:56:08 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 27, 2012, 12:54:10 PM
Well then I'm like Carrol. Feel wasted in the morning and shit at soccer.

BUT HE IS SO TALL.

I giggle everytime some shrimp out works him in the box.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on February 27, 2012, 01:18:46 PM
I'll go to the Fulham - Wolverhampton game on Sunday.  :cool: :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on February 27, 2012, 01:29:02 PM
Have fun. Leave a bit of time to get there, it's quite a  long (but nice) walk from the tube to the ground.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 29, 2012, 04:56:14 PM
USA! USA! USA!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on February 29, 2012, 08:17:18 PM
That was fun to see.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 03, 2012, 10:16:56 AM
Robin van Persie :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on March 03, 2012, 12:59:12 PM
The best-selling item on the Arsenal online store right now is the Robin Van Persie tea tray. Guaranteed to carry ten mugs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 03, 2012, 04:05:40 PM
My friends would look at me weirdly if I brought a van Persie tea tray to practice. I'll just bring my Balotelli fireworks and go-cart instead.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on March 05, 2012, 02:37:42 PM
The Fulham - Wolverhampton game I visited in shitty English weather ended 5-0. Was actually quite fun, but Wolverhampton was terrible.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 05, 2012, 03:27:10 PM
I am jealous: You got to see Clint "American Dream" Dempsey score two goals.  :mad: :cool:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on March 05, 2012, 05:24:19 PM
Quote from: Zanza on March 05, 2012, 02:37:42 PM
The Fulham - Wolverhampton game I visited in shitty English weather ended 5-0. Was actually quite fun, but Wolverhampton was terrible.

I thought of you when looking at the rainstorm through my window. :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on March 05, 2012, 05:27:34 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 05, 2012, 03:27:10 PM
I am jealous: You got to see Clint "American Dream" Dempsey score two goals.  :mad: :cool:
He was quite close to scoring a hat trick a couple of times.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on March 05, 2012, 05:30:56 PM
Quote from: Warspite on March 05, 2012, 05:24:19 PM
Quote from: Zanza on March 05, 2012, 02:37:42 PM
The Fulham - Wolverhampton game I visited in shitty English weather ended 5-0. Was actually quite fun, but Wolverhampton was terrible.

I thought of you when looking at the rainstorm through my window. :D
It was freaking cold too. Too cold to enjoy a beer really. And the coffee and hotdogs in Craven Cottage don't get a recommendation from me either. But at least it was a really fun game and there were some funny Englishmen around us.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 06, 2012, 12:04:08 AM
On Sunday the girl I'm seeing came to visit and we had a nice day of football.
Went to see recently relegated into J2 to J1 Kofu play, they won 2-1; their stadium is roofless and it started raining in the second half which sucked. I've said it before, I'll say it again, Japanese football is odd.
Then on Sunday night glory of glories Japanese satelite TV was on some free to watch week for some reason so I got to see the Sunderland-Newcastle game. It ended 1-1 with Newcastle scoring in the final minutes. It feels like a loss. Ugh..... And we had a player sent off after the final whistle and another during the game for something stupid, they're both to be out for a while- and we've Liverpool next then Everton in the cup; we're better than Everton but those are two of our best players we're missing.... I really want to win the cup....
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 06, 2012, 12:07:50 AM
Quote from: Tyr on March 06, 2012, 12:04:08 AMwe're better than Everton
<_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on March 06, 2012, 04:48:49 PM
Pride is restored, but how vital was that bought Ibrahimovic penalty in the first game now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 06, 2012, 05:00:22 PM
Quote from: Warspite on March 06, 2012, 04:48:49 PM
Pride is restored, but how vital was that bought Ibrahimovic penalty in the first game now.

Good game, they almost snatched it. It's a shame RvP couldn't slot in his chance in the 2nd half. I guess he is human after all.

Milan were pathetic today. I know they were missing some players, but they definitely need a wake-up call.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 07, 2012, 06:01:33 PM
So Leverkusen is out?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 07, 2012, 06:20:46 PM
Quote from: Liep on March 07, 2012, 06:01:33 PM
So Leverkusen is out?

Mightily so.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 07, 2012, 06:22:50 PM
I read it was the first time anyone scored five goals since Søren Lerby in '79. I might concede that Messi is a greater player than Lerby. Might.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on March 07, 2012, 06:34:53 PM
Quote from: Warspite on March 03, 2012, 12:59:12 PM
The best-selling item on the Arsenal online store right now is the Robin Van Persie tea tray. Guaranteed to carry ten mugs.

:lol:



That has to based on an olde worlde joke.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 07, 2012, 09:22:18 PM
APOEL  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on March 07, 2012, 09:25:55 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 07, 2012, 09:22:18 PM
APOEL  :)

:thumbsup:

And now watching the first of two CONCAF Champions League QF's (LA Galaxy-Toronto FC), (Seattle-Santos Laguna)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 07, 2012, 09:27:05 PM
Yes I am watching LA-Toronto too.  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on March 07, 2012, 09:30:00 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 07, 2012, 09:27:05 PM
Yes I am watching LA-Toronto too.  :bowler:

heh since I came back home I've been getting up god awful early to watch the EPL games on weekend (They start between 3:30am-7am here in Alaska)
:blush:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 07, 2012, 09:40:42 PM
Yeah the UK lunch time kickoffs are killer. The early games start about sunrise here.

Though it's much worse for you.  :console:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 07, 2012, 10:37:52 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 07, 2012, 09:40:42 PM
Yeah the UK lunch time kickoffs are killer. The early games start about sunrise here.

Though it's much worse for you.  :console:

I love them, gives me perfect game watching time!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 07, 2012, 10:49:08 PM
Quote from: Tyr on March 07, 2012, 10:37:52 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 07, 2012, 09:40:42 PM
Yeah the UK lunch time kickoffs are killer. The early games start about sunrise here.

Though it's much worse for you.  :console:

I love them, gives me perfect game watching time!

Saw this and thought of you.  :D
http://youtu.be/6s7x8UePIgo
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on March 08, 2012, 04:17:50 AM
Getting harder and harder to argue that Messi isn't the greatest of all time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 08, 2012, 06:21:32 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 07, 2012, 10:49:08 PM
Quote from: Tyr on March 07, 2012, 10:37:52 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 07, 2012, 09:40:42 PM
Yeah the UK lunch time kickoffs are killer. The early games start about sunrise here.

Though it's much worse for you.  :console:

I love them, gives me perfect game watching time!

Saw this and thought of you.  :D
http://youtu.be/6s7x8UePIgo

:lol:
That's the way it is. A pretty important game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 08, 2012, 07:23:42 AM
I was at the Toronto game. With 47,000 others. Great atmosphere. Shame about that last goal. Oh well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on March 08, 2012, 08:16:20 AM
Quote from: Josephus on March 08, 2012, 07:23:42 AM
I was at the Toronto game. With 47,000 others. Great atmosphere. Shame about that last goal. Oh well.

Yeah I was trying to get down to Seattle for that game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 08, 2012, 08:57:42 AM
Quote from: Josephus on March 08, 2012, 07:23:42 AM
I was at the Toronto game. With 47,000 others. Great atmosphere. Shame about that last goal. Oh well.

Wow. You get that many at American games now? :blink:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on March 08, 2012, 09:04:47 AM
Toronto is in America?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on March 08, 2012, 09:05:53 AM
Quote from: Tyr on March 08, 2012, 08:57:42 AM
Quote from: Josephus on March 08, 2012, 07:23:42 AM
I was at the Toronto game. With 47,000 others. Great atmosphere. Shame about that last goal. Oh well.

Wow. You get that many at American games now? :blink:

Toronto  is 3rd in attendance only passed by Seattle who averages 38,000 and MLS has passed basketball and hockey in avg attendance to only trail Football and Baseball here in States.



Team    Attendance    Capacity    Percent Full    Last Year's Average Attendance
Chicago Fire    14,274    20,000    71.37%    15,814
Chivas USA    14,830    27,000    54.92%    14,575
Colorado Rapids    14,838    18,086    82.04%    13,328
Columbus Crew    12,185    20,455    59.57%    14,641
DC United    15,211    23,865    63.74%    14,531
FC Dallas    12,861    21,193    60.68%    10,815
Houston Dynamo    17,694    25,462    69.49%    17,309
Los Angeles Galaxy    23,335    27,000    86.43%    21,436
New England Revolution    13,222    22,385    59.07%    12,986
New York Red Bulls    19,691    25,189    78.17%    18,441
Philadelphia Union    18,258    18,500    98.69%    19,254
Portland Timbers    18,827    18,627    101.07%    ---
Real Salt Lake    17,594    20,008    87.94%    17,095
San Jose Earthquakes    11,858    10,300    115.13%    9,659
Seattle Sounders    38,495    35,700    107.83%    36,173
Sporting Kansas City    17,810    18,467    96.44%    10,287
Toronto FC    20,267    21,800    92.97%    20,453
Vancouver Whitecaps    20,406    20,500    99.54%    ---
Average    17,870    21,919    81.53%    16,675
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on March 08, 2012, 09:06:24 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on March 08, 2012, 09:04:47 AM
Toronto is in America?

No but the Team plays in the American league :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on March 08, 2012, 09:07:04 AM
Quote from: katmai on March 08, 2012, 09:06:24 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on March 08, 2012, 09:04:47 AM
Toronto is in America?

No but the Team plays in the American league :P

LET ME GET MY SHOTS IN.  :mad:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 08, 2012, 09:10:44 AM
Quote from: Tyr on March 08, 2012, 08:57:42 AM
Quote from: Josephus on March 08, 2012, 07:23:42 AM
I was at the Toronto game. With 47,000 others. Great atmosphere. Shame about that last goal. Oh well.

Wow. You get that many at American games now? :blink:

Yes but there is an asterix. (And Toronto being in Canada, as an aside.)

Toronto FC holds their games at BMO field which can hold around 21,000 and frequently does. When this game was scheduled back in December the fear was it would be cold, snowy, etc so it was moved to Rogers Centre, a domed stadium used by the baseball team. The capacity is double BMO. There was a fair bit of marketing done and cheap upper level tickets sold to get the 47,000.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on March 08, 2012, 09:43:57 AM
How are average attendances exceeding capacity at some of the clubs?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on March 08, 2012, 09:54:17 AM
Quote from: katmai on March 08, 2012, 09:05:53 AM

Toronto  is 3rd in attendance only passed by Seattle who averages 38,000 and MLS has passed basketball and hockey in avg attendance to only trail Football and Baseball here in States.


Those attendance percentages are nice and high. Attendencewise this puts you yanks up there with the dutch league (only without the big stadia in amsterdam and rotterdam). My two questions are

1- TV deals, is there TV money in the american league?
2- Supporters, are the supporters still limited to ethnic minorities? Basically, are whitey and the blacks going to the games?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 08, 2012, 10:19:13 AM
Quote from: Gups on March 08, 2012, 09:43:57 AM
How are average attendances exceeding capacity at some of the clubs?

Seattle plays at CenturyLink Field, which is an NFL stadium. I assume it can expand to sell a few more seats.
67,000 came to watch when Manchester United visited last July.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on March 08, 2012, 11:24:55 AM
Viking- MLS has tv deals with Fox sports and with ESPN, the contracts are ending next year and talk of how much the new deal could be worth since the game is gaining popularity.
I have no idea the breakdown though i did just see the other day for 18-34 year old Latinos it is 2nd only to NFL in popularity.

Funk- Yeah when Seattle first started they set it up for like 22,000 seats and it has been bumped up to close to 40,000 in current configuration.
Both Portland and Vancouver also came in last year and were averaging 19k per game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on March 08, 2012, 11:28:37 AM
Ooops apparently missed the news. So ESPN and NBC have the tv rights here in US.

QuoteFor the 2012 season, NBC Sports signed a three-year deal with MLS to nationally televise 40 matches per year, primarily on the NBC Sports Network. All NBC telecasts will include pre- and post-game coverage, and NBC intends to promote its games during its other major sporting properties, such as the Olympics.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 08, 2012, 12:43:55 PM
Quote from: Viking on March 08, 2012, 09:54:17 AM
1- TV deals, is there TV money in the american league?

TV money for MLS broadcasting rights is miniscule compared to the big leagues, of course. Kat alluded to the new deal with NBC. As far as I can see the amount is undisclosed, but is rumored to be between $10-$12 million a year for three years. ESPN's current deal of $8.5 million a year runs out in 2014. It seems MLS is trying to use World Cup fever as a way to leverage more money when these deals end in 2014.

Clubs can also sell rights to regional TV broadcasters. LA Galaxy just made a deal with Time Warner for $55 million over ten years.


Quote
2- Supporters, are the supporters still limited to ethnic minorities? Basically, are whitey and the blacks going to the games?

Having never been to an MLS game, I can't honestly say. However, the teams that seem to have the most excited supporters seem to be the two northwest clubs, Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers, which are populated largely by white folk. When the Sounders play on TV it's basically a sea of white hipsters wearing neon green.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 08, 2012, 01:12:26 PM
If anything, in Toronto, the ethnics DON'T come out. They're only interested in teams from their home country. Toronto FC is by and largely supported by Whites of Anglo origin.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on March 08, 2012, 04:25:18 PM
Quote from: Josephus on March 08, 2012, 01:12:26 PM
If anything, in Toronto, the ethnics DON'T come out. They're only interested in teams from their home country. Toronto FC is by and largely supported by Whites of Anglo origin.

Yeah... I don't think immigrants from football culture countries. get into the MLS style teams. I have a buddy who's really into it - he's got season tickets and all - but it's just not the same for me. I care way more about my hometown team in Denmark than I do the Whitecaps.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 08, 2012, 04:27:27 PM
Kat, are you watching the ManU - Athletic?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 08, 2012, 05:07:55 PM
Quote from: Jacob on March 08, 2012, 04:25:18 PM
Quote from: Josephus on March 08, 2012, 01:12:26 PM
If anything, in Toronto, the ethnics DON'T come out. They're only interested in teams from their home country. Toronto FC is by and largely supported by Whites of Anglo origin.

Yeah... I don't think immigrants from football culture countries. get into the MLS style teams. I have a buddy who's really into it - he's got season tickets and all - but it's just not the same for me. I care way more about my hometown team in Denmark than I do the Whitecaps.

To me, and I don't mean this antagonistically, but to me that's your loss. Nothing against supporting your DAnish team, but if you like football, there's nothing wrong with going out and cheering on the Whitecaps either.
When Toronto FC started out here five or six years ago, I was a skeptic. A fan of the big leagues, I didn't think the MLS would measure up. Which it doesn't. But my older brother got seasons tickets and invited me down to a few games and I slowly got into it so that now I've become a diehard and go to 10-15 games (all competitions) a year.  It's all good fun, there's a great atmoshphere. It's not the Serie A or EPL (though I'm sure it measures up against the Danish league) but it's just a lot of fun.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 08, 2012, 05:27:52 PM
Quote from: The Larch on March 08, 2012, 04:27:27 PM
Kat, are you watching the ManU - Athletic?

I saw it. 3-2 was generous.

Bielsa's Athletic Bilbao :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on March 08, 2012, 05:45:16 PM
Quote from: Josephus on March 08, 2012, 05:07:55 PMTo me, and I don't mean this antagonistically, but to me that's your loss. Nothing against supporting your DAnish team, but if you like football, there's nothing wrong with going out and cheering on the Whitecaps either.
When Toronto FC started out here five or six years ago, I was a skeptic. A fan of the big leagues, I didn't think the MLS would measure up. Which it doesn't. But my older brother got seasons tickets and invited me down to a few games and I slowly got into it so that now I've become a diehard and go to 10-15 games (all competitions) a year.  It's all good fun, there's a great atmoshphere. It's not the Serie A or EPL (though I'm sure it measures up against the Danish league) but it's just a lot of fun.

Yeah I think you're probably more or less right.

The reason I'm attached to my Danish team is not that it's a superior quality of football in that league compared to the MLS (it may or may not be), it's a nostalgia thing.

I might end up following your trajectory, though. My buddy got seasons tickets to the Whitecaps, so I expect I'll be seeing a few games with him and get drawn into it.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 08, 2012, 06:01:22 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 08, 2012, 05:27:52 PM
Quote from: The Larch on March 08, 2012, 04:27:27 PM
Kat, are you watching the ManU - Athletic?

I saw it. 3-2 was generous.

Bielsa's Athletic Bilbao :wub:

Yeah, if it wasn't for that dumb penalty at the end United would be toast for the return leg.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 08, 2012, 06:44:57 PM
It will be fun Jacob. You'll like it. Try go to the rivalry games ( I think Portland or Seattle? Not sure). Too bad the Whitecaps will suck again this year. :D There's sort of an on-going rivalry with Toronto over the Canadian championship (Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and Edmonton vie in a knockout tournament for the honours).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 08, 2012, 07:04:45 PM
Quote from: The Larch on March 08, 2012, 06:01:22 PM
Yeah, if it wasn't for that dumb penalty at the end United would be toast for the return leg.

Yes, United got really lucky there.

Athletic simply outplayed United everywhere. They seemed to win most of the 50-50s, they ran hard and fast at United, pressed in groups when needed, and transitioned very quickly once they got the ball back. And they just didn't stop attacking. It wasn't unusual to see six Athletic players in United's box. The passing was exquisite, played very direct without having to hoof the ball up aimlessly.

I've only seen Athletic play one other time, their game earlier this season against Barca at San Mamés, when they played on a lake instead of a field.  :lol: Good stuff all around.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 08, 2012, 07:19:07 PM
QuoteToronto is in America?

I just knew someone would try and pick at that. Even considered writing N.American....but its the American league, not the N.American league. :p

Quote from: Josephus on March 08, 2012, 09:10:44 AM
Quote from: Tyr on March 08, 2012, 08:57:42 AM
Quote from: Josephus on March 08, 2012, 07:23:42 AM
I was at the Toronto game. With 47,000 others. Great atmosphere. Shame about that last goal. Oh well.

Wow. You get that many at American games now? :blink:

Yes but there is an asterix. (And Toronto being in Canada, as an aside.)

Toronto FC holds their games at BMO field which can hold around 21,000 and frequently does. When this game was scheduled back in December the fear was it would be cold, snowy, etc so it was moved to Rogers Centre, a domed stadium used by the baseball team. The capacity is double BMO. There was a fair bit of marketing done and cheap upper level tickets sold to get the 47,000.

So...this was a one off "Lets go see the big game!" event?
As...if they normally fill a stadium of 20,000 but are capable of getting in 40,000 then their stadium is really a bit too small.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 08, 2012, 07:56:00 PM
No, I'd say it was a one-off. Montreal did it about three years ago when they filled Olympic Stadium for a game against a Mexican side, and the feeling was if they could do it, we could.

What happened was that when this game was scheduled in December, many felt that the smaller 21,000 BMO field, an outdoor stadium, would be too cold in Toronto, in early March for a game. Chances are it could snow causing delays, postponements, etc.

So the decision was made to move it to the indoor stadium. Then the challenge was made. It should be noted that these Champions League middle-of-the-week games don't typically draw larger crowds at all. The return match in L.A. will be capped at 7,000 due to L.A's agreement with the stadium, which is on a campus, not to interfere with student parking.  :huh:

As it turned out yesterday was a balmy 16C in Toronto.



PS. It's called Major LEague Soccer not the American League.  ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 08, 2012, 08:05:32 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 08, 2012, 07:04:45 PM
Quote from: The Larch on March 08, 2012, 06:01:22 PM
Yeah, if it wasn't for that dumb penalty at the end United would be toast for the return leg.

Yes, United got really lucky there.

Athletic simply outplayed United everywhere. They seemed to win most of the 50-50s, they ran hard and fast at United, pressed in groups when needed, and transitioned very quickly once they got the ball back. And they just didn't stop attacking. It wasn't unusual to see six Athletic players in United's box. The passing was exquisite, played very direct without having to hoof the ball up aimlessly.

I've only seen Athletic play one other time, their game earlier this season against Barca at San Mamés, when they played on a lake instead of a field.  :lol: Good stuff all around.

They're a really exciting team to watch, young, talented and hard working, with probably the best pure striker there has been in Spain for ages. I have high hopes for them this year, surely a CL spot is within reach.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on March 08, 2012, 08:32:06 PM
Speaking of stadiums, they tried to have the Columbus Crew play in Ohio Stadium. But it looked so pathetic when they could only fill a few of the 100,000+ seats. Plus the stadium needed some work, so out they went.

So they built Crew stadium, which is much better venue for soccer. And they had a billionaire backing the construction.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on March 08, 2012, 10:16:20 PM
Quote from: The Larch on March 08, 2012, 04:27:27 PM
Kat, are you watching the ManU - Athletic?

I wish it was on here on channel i get, but alas none of the Europa games are on.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on March 08, 2012, 10:18:42 PM
Quote from: The Larch on March 08, 2012, 08:05:32 PM

They're a really exciting team to watch, young, talented and hard working, with probably the best pure striker there has been in Spain for ages. I have high hopes for them this year, surely a CL spot is within reach.

Yeah that is what I've heard, wish had chance to see them from here.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on March 08, 2012, 10:25:23 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on March 08, 2012, 08:32:06 PM
Speaking of stadiums, they tried to have the Columbus Crew play in Ohio Stadium. But it looked so pathetic when they could only fill a few of the 100,000+ seats. Plus the stadium needed some work, so out they went.

So they built Crew stadium, which is much better venue for soccer. And they had a billionaire backing the construction.

A big part of why MLS is finally become profitable in last 8 years is the owners/teams playing in soccer specific stadiums.

Seattle is an anomaly in playing in NFL facility and I know there is worries how the field will hold up this fall as it is home to Sounders (MLS), Seahawks (NFL) and Huskies (NCAAFB).


And yeah Jacob check out Whitecaps if you can, should be fun team to see, I'm part of Sounders FC Alliance.

QuoteThe Sounders FC Alliance was established at the request of minority owner Drew Carey. Based on the fan association at FC Barcelona, members of the Alliance have the ability to vote on the removal of the General Manager and on other team decisions. Season ticket holders become automatic members, while non-season ticket holders may buy into the Alliance for a fee. Membership benefits include voting privileges, an invitation to the annual meeting and other team perks. Members can also be elected to the Sounders FC Alliance Council by receiving at least 25 nominations from other members on an annual basis. The first vote on retaining or replacing Sounders FC General Manager Adrian Hanauer is scheduled to be held in November 2012, following the club's fourth season. Drew Carey is the chairman of the Sounders FC Alliance.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 08, 2012, 11:14:26 PM
The closest MLS teams to me are Houston and Dallas, but I don't feel like driving four hours to see a game and then drive back. I wish there was a closer team.

There is a new NASL (second-tier on the pyramid) team starting its first season here in April. I'll probably go to at least a few games.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 09, 2012, 12:28:31 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 08, 2012, 12:43:55 PMHaving never been to an MLS game, I can't honestly say. However, the teams that seem to have the most excited supporters seem to be the two northwest clubs, Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers, which are populated largely by white folk. When the Sounders play on TV it's basically a sea of white hipsters wearing neon green.  :lol:
:lol:

Interesting.  The impression I've got from US TV and stuff is that football is kind of the hipster sport.  A bit like cycling's become over here.  Is that how it is?  How'd it happen?

Would certainly explain the Pacific Northwest - a NYT football correspondent tweeted that he might have to write a long piece about football in that area which would be interesting.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 09, 2012, 12:08:14 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 09, 2012, 12:28:31 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 08, 2012, 12:43:55 PMHaving never been to an MLS game, I can't honestly say. However, the teams that seem to have the most excited supporters seem to be the two northwest clubs, Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers, which are populated largely by white folk. When the Sounders play on TV it's basically a sea of white hipsters wearing neon green.  :lol:
:lol:

Interesting.  The impression I've got from US TV and stuff is that football is kind of the hipster sport.  A bit like cycling's become over here.  Is that how it is?  How'd it happen?

I wouldn't go as far to say that soccer is seen as a hipster sport, but it is growing in popularity among demographics associated with hipsters.

Whereas soccer is seen broadly throughout the world as a sport for the urban poor or working classes, it's seen here as a largely suburban, middle-class, predominantly white sport (i.e. soccer moms), with exceptions for certain immigrant communites like first- or second-generation Hispanic-Americans.

In the main, soccer is played by middle- and upper-class kids whose parents have enough money to get them on a club soccer team year after year, which I would say explains some of the the hipster demographic. Add the fact that soccer is much more chic nowadays, and that it's seen as exotically "European", and I think that explains the hipster preoccupation with the sport.

Most kids drop soccer in high school to focus on American football and basketball. Soccer is becoming much more popular now, though, so this is slowly changing. The main problem is that American professional soccer doesn't pay nearly as well as professional football/basketball, so essentially kids grow up playing soccer but switch to other sports when they get older. The growing academy system, which focuses exclusively on developing young talent to feed to the professional leagues, at the expense of the traditional high school/collegiate system, is supposed to change this.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on March 09, 2012, 12:23:06 PM
Quote from: katmai on March 08, 2012, 11:24:55 AM
I have no idea the breakdown though i did just see the other day for 18-34 year old Latinos it is 2nd only to NFL in popularity.

Well that is shocking.  They sure do not show that by showing up to soccer games.  Maybe they just enjoy thinking about it at home.

Generally following soccer over here is pretty much for hipster white people.  At least that is who is most vocal in their support.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on March 09, 2012, 09:25:37 PM
I don't see that at all Valmy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 09, 2012, 09:51:08 PM
Quote
Most kids drop soccer in high school to focus on American football and basketball. Soccer is becoming much more popular now, though, so this is slowly changing. The main problem is that American professional soccer doesn't pay nearly as well as professional football/basketball, so essentially kids grow up playing soccer but switch to other sports when they get older. The growing academy system, which focuses exclusively on developing young talent to feed to the professional leagues, at the expense of the traditional high school/collegiate system, is supposed to change this.
I dunno, I think football is the best option thinking purely in terms of money.
Yeah, the top leagues of American sports pay very well but the amount of positions there are really super limited.
With football meanwhile...there's at a lot of leagues around the world which pay very good money.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on March 10, 2012, 08:09:19 AM
QPR just got robbed of clear goal, if hockey can have the technology to tell if ball is in net, why can't Soccer?



* I know there are couple of companies working on it, just can't believe there isn't anything in place already.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 10, 2012, 08:38:40 AM
Quote from: katmai on March 10, 2012, 08:09:19 AM
QPR just got robbed of clear goal, if hockey can have the technology to tell if ball is in net, why can't Soccer?



* I know there are couple of companies working on it, just can't believe there isn't anything in place already.

It's not a matter of availability, it's a matter of FIFA being stubborn bastards in not allowing any of it to be used.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on March 10, 2012, 08:41:47 AM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.betweenthegoalposts.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2011%2F08%2FLampard-goal-never-was.jpg&hash=d5514ed3657c73c9b3e881256635926e482a4ea3)

:P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on March 10, 2012, 09:22:55 AM
The QPR-Bolton game bores me.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 10, 2012, 09:44:50 AM
Quote from: katmai on March 10, 2012, 08:09:19 AM
QPR just got robbed of clear goal, if hockey can have the technology to tell if ball is in net, why can't Soccer?



* I know there are couple of companies working on it, just can't believe there isn't anything in place already.

call me a Luddite, but I'm against it. It works both ways in the end, soemtimes bad calls go against you, sometimes they don't. I'm not against having another linesman behind the net as they do in UEFA games, but I'm no fan of technology having a hand in the game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on March 10, 2012, 02:18:13 PM
Quote from: Josephus on March 10, 2012, 09:44:50 AM
Quote from: katmai on March 10, 2012, 08:09:19 AM
QPR just got robbed of clear goal, if hockey can have the technology to tell if ball is in net, why can't Soccer?



* I know there are couple of companies working on it, just can't believe there isn't anything in place already.

call me a Luddite, but I'm against it. It works both ways in the end, soemtimes bad calls go against you, sometimes they don't. I'm not against having another linesman behind the net as they do in UEFA games, but I'm no fan of technology having a hand in the game.

The entire point of the game is to have the ball cross the line, and it is the single greatest thing to be cheated out of if it's not called. There is absolutely no excuse these days for not having technology determines that instantly. Unlike a foul, the ball crossing the line is not a matter of interpretation of the rules.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 10, 2012, 02:29:51 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on March 10, 2012, 09:22:55 AM
The QPR-Bolton game bores me.

The second half of Everton-Spurs was fun. I guess the commentator's mics were too close to a certain section of unruly fans. You could hear them hurling expletive-laced insults at the players.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 10, 2012, 02:34:24 PM
Quote from: Warspite on March 10, 2012, 02:18:13 PM
Quote from: Josephus on March 10, 2012, 09:44:50 AM
Quote from: katmai on March 10, 2012, 08:09:19 AM
QPR just got robbed of clear goal, if hockey can have the technology to tell if ball is in net, why can't Soccer?



* I know there are couple of companies working on it, just can't believe there isn't anything in place already.

call me a Luddite, but I'm against it. It works both ways in the end, soemtimes bad calls go against you, sometimes they don't. I'm not against having another linesman behind the net as they do in UEFA games, but I'm no fan of technology having a hand in the game.

The entire point of the game is to have the ball cross the line, and it is the single greatest thing to be cheated out of if it's not called. There is absolutely no excuse these days for not having technology determines that instantly. Unlike a foul, the ball crossing the line is not a matter of interpretation of the rules.
Agreed. But it's worked fine for 150 years without it. Yes every now and then you get a bad call (England 2010 v. Germany) but every now and then you get a good call. (Engalnd 1966 v. Germany). It works both ways. It doesn't bother me, the way it is.
Technology only tends to slow down games and remove momentum (see hockey). If you have one ref, two assistants and one behind the goal line, odds are you will catch most issues.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on March 10, 2012, 03:41:44 PM
Quote from: Josephus on March 10, 2012, 02:34:24 PM
Agreed. But it's worked fine for 150 years without it.

The game has changed utterly in 150 years. If we had this sort of inertia from the start, we'd not have:
- Substitutions
- The offside law
- Yellow and red cards

QuoteYes every now and then you get a bad call (England 2010 v. Germany) but every now and then you get a good call. (Engalnd 1966 v. Germany). It works both ways. It doesn't bother me, the way it is.

The opinion on the 1966 goal is inconclusive, but the 2010 decision was madness. Bad goal decisions have cost teams unfairly in tight games.

QuoteTechnology only tends to slow down games and remove momentum (see hockey). If you have one ref, two assistants and one behind the goal line, odds are you will catch most issues.

Technology works fine in plenty of sports; goal line technology doesn't even have to stop football matches, you can just request a review of the decision at the next break in play.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on March 10, 2012, 04:35:09 PM
Why does it need to stop play at all?  Doesn't hockey have a system that reads when the puck crosses the goal mouth and sounds the bell instantly?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 10, 2012, 05:36:21 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on March 10, 2012, 04:35:09 PM
Why does it need to stop play at all?  Doesn't hockey have a system that reads when the puck crosses the goal mouth and sounds the bell instantly?

No. Or at least I don't think so. There's a guy behind the net who does that.

REgarding Warspite's comment about waiting till there's a break in play. God, no. they do that in hockey. If after, say, five minutes of play the ball goes out and they do a review and decide it's a goal...what happens to that five minutes they just played? Does the clock go back? They don't do that in football. Do they add five minutes at the end? And this doesn't slow the game down?  I can assure you even if technology does come into it, (and it probably will), it won't happen that way. Most likely the ref will call a review there and then. Which makes the best sense.

I accept the agruments in favour...I'm just an old-fashioned Luddite.  ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 10, 2012, 09:50:29 PM
We definitely need goal line detectors yes.
Sure, there are good calls and bad calls, etc.... but....the luck of bad decisions shouldn't be part of the game.
It should be a simple matter to have some wee cameras in the goalposts that tennis style give a little confirmation beep to the ref and linesmen when the ball crosses the line.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on March 11, 2012, 02:41:19 AM
Goal line detection could be instant. If the ball crosses the line, the referee gets a sign via radio. No need to review. It's not like the system would be used very often anyway as most goals are very clear.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 11, 2012, 03:22:37 PM
Watching MLS' first game on the re-branded NBC Sports network. A few points:


Apparently it was free vuvuzela day in Dallas. :bleeding: :bleeding:

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 11, 2012, 03:31:54 PM
I see that L.A. played their full squad pretty much for 90 minutes in a 3-1 loss to Salt Lake. Whcih means they will be tired for the Wednesday game v. Toronto second leg Champions League Q/F game.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 11, 2012, 04:20:22 PM
Quote from: Josephus on March 11, 2012, 03:31:54 PM
I see that L.A. played their full squad pretty much for 90 minutes in a 3-1 loss to Salt Lake. Whcih means they will be tired for the Wednesday game v. Toronto second leg Champions League Q/F game.  :)

I'm guessing Arena doesn't care much about CONCACAF Champions League if he's running his first team out for 90 min two days before the final leg in a quarterfinal tie they're losing.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on March 12, 2012, 10:55:30 AM
Will be interesting to see whether Podolski can keep up his great form with Arsenal. Is Mertesacker any good? He doesn't seem to be a starter for Germany anymore.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 12, 2012, 10:57:13 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 11, 2012, 04:20:22 PM
Quote from: Josephus on March 11, 2012, 03:31:54 PM
I see that L.A. played their full squad pretty much for 90 minutes in a 3-1 loss to Salt Lake. Whcih means they will be tired for the Wednesday game v. Toronto second leg Champions League Q/F game.  :)

I'm guessing Arena doesn't care much about CONCACAF Champions League if he's running his first team out for 90 min two days before the final leg in a quarterfinal tie they're losing.  :lol:

he does though. In fact he played his first team for the first leg---three days before the season opener. :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on March 12, 2012, 11:23:31 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 11, 2012, 03:22:37 PM
Watching MLS' first game on the re-branded NBC Sports network. A few points:



  • The Brit commentator is pretty good.


He was the Commentator for Sounders last year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on March 12, 2012, 02:36:24 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 11, 2012, 03:22:37 PM
The Brit commentator is pretty good. The American color commentator is not so good, but tolerable. I didn't like him on Fox Soccer, either.

The Brit is doing play by play or color?  They should have a Yank doing play by play and a Yank (or maybe a Kraut) doing color.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on March 12, 2012, 02:52:49 PM
Weird, several Americans showing real interest and enthusiasm about football, including ed anger :gasp: 

And yet there are several Brits on this forum who're not so interested in our national game.  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on March 12, 2012, 02:56:51 PM
Quote from: mongers on March 12, 2012, 02:52:49 PM
Weird, several Americans showing real interest and enthusiasm about football, including ed anger :gasp: 

And yet there are several Brits on this forum who're not so interested in our national game.  :hmm:

Don't get over enthused. I need something to occupy my sports time until September.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on March 12, 2012, 03:03:10 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on March 12, 2012, 02:56:51 PM
Quote from: mongers on March 12, 2012, 02:52:49 PM
Weird, several Americans showing real interest and enthusiasm about football, including ed anger :gasp: 

And yet there are several Brits on this forum who're not so interested in our national game.  :hmm:

Don't get over enthused. I need something to occupy my sports time until September.

Yeah, I can see that, especially as how you've done procreation to death.   :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 12, 2012, 05:23:06 PM
Quote from: mongers on March 12, 2012, 02:52:49 PM
Weird, several Americans showing real interest and enthusiasm about football, including ed anger :gasp: 

I grew up on the game and played it throughout my youth, and watched it back when the only games available were on Spanish-language television or the World Cup.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on March 12, 2012, 05:47:19 PM
Soccer, yes it is soccer, has been one of my "other sports" for quite a while.  I do not like the local team (I shun everything Denverish other than the airport), but have followed such for a while.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on March 12, 2012, 06:29:50 PM
I need a bandwagon to jump on. Before Timmay jumps on it and shits on the floormats.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on March 12, 2012, 06:33:56 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 12, 2012, 05:23:06 PM
Quote from: mongers on March 12, 2012, 02:52:49 PM
Weird, several Americans showing real interest and enthusiasm about football, including ed anger :gasp: 

I grew up on the game and played it throughout my youth, and watched it back when the only games available were on Spanish-language television or the World Cup.

Yep, I've been playing soccer since I was 6, and remember watching the '82 World Cup.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 12, 2012, 07:03:33 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on March 12, 2012, 06:29:50 PM
I need a bandwagon to jump on. Before Timmay jumps on it and shits on the floormats.

Bandwagon team are as follows:

Manchester United
Barcelona
Real Madrid
Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal

Choose wisely.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on March 12, 2012, 07:05:10 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on March 12, 2012, 06:29:50 PM
I need a bandwagon to jump on. Before Timmay jumps on it and shits on the floormats.

Yeah, Timmay could kill the onwards march of the Premiership stone dead,
"Up the Arzenalls", "Come on The Red Devils give ManU a thrashing", "Tottingham are bound to beat The Celtics."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 12, 2012, 07:05:36 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 12, 2012, 07:03:33 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on March 12, 2012, 06:29:50 PM
I need a bandwagon to jump on. Before Timmay jumps on it and shits on the floormats.

Bandwagon team are as follows:

Manchester United
Barcelona
Real Madrid
Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal

Choose wisely.

Many of those aren't exactly in great shape at the moment.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on March 12, 2012, 07:06:15 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 12, 2012, 07:03:33 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on March 12, 2012, 06:29:50 PM
I need a bandwagon to jump on. Before Timmay jumps on it and shits on the floormats.

Bandwagon team are as follows:

Manchester United
Barcelona
Real Madrid
Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal

Choose wisely.

No greasy Spaniards.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 12, 2012, 07:14:00 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on March 12, 2012, 07:06:15 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 12, 2012, 07:03:33 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on March 12, 2012, 06:29:50 PM
I need a bandwagon to jump on. Before Timmay jumps on it and shits on the floormats.

Bandwagon team are as follows:

Manchester United
Barcelona
Real Madrid
Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal

Choose wisely.

No greasy Spaniards.

Well, the only non Spanish team of that group that is still competing for the Champions League is Chelsea, and they might get kicked out by Napoli this week.  ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on March 12, 2012, 07:18:15 PM
I don't watch those other leagues or that UEFA crap. I watch the English one. I can at least get a chuckle from the shirtless trash in the crowd and understand most of the names on the jerseys.

Except for Andy Carroll. He is a whiny baby.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on March 12, 2012, 07:22:29 PM
Quote from: Zanza on March 12, 2012, 10:55:30 AM
Will be interesting to see whether Podolski can keep up his great form with Arsenal. Is Mertesacker any good? He doesn't seem to be a starter for Germany anymore.

Mert snapped a ligament on a shitty pitch a few weeks ago, so he's out for the rest of the season. Otherwise, he divides Arsenal fans. i'm in the "he's very good" camp: calm, collected defending. Excellent positioning. He's a continental defender, relying on technical ability rather than PASSION and GRIT!!!oneone.

What is disappointing is that he is not as good in the air as you might hope. Further, he struggles on occasion in a high defensive line. But, with a fit Arsenal team, he's a top class defender when the manager can choose between him, Vermaelen or Koscienly depending on the team you are playing, as he's more of a stopping defender rather than playing cover.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on March 12, 2012, 07:25:25 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 12, 2012, 07:03:33 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on March 12, 2012, 06:29:50 PM
I need a bandwagon to jump on. Before Timmay jumps on it and shits on the floormats.

Bandwagon team are as follows:

Manchester United
Barcelona
Real Madrid
Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal

Choose wisely.

Depends what bandwagon you want:

Man Utd: I'm from southeast Asia and got into football in the mid 1990s.
Barcelona: I heard this Messi guy is quite good, but I don't know who Pele or Cruyff are.
Real Madrid: Di Stefano was better than Messi. OR - I think CR7 is hot
Chelsea: I am an African, and love Drogba.
Liverpool: I started watching football in 1981.
Arsenal: I love beautiful football, but am averse to actually winning things. OR - I moved to London as an investment banker and can afford an executive box at a shiny stadium.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on March 12, 2012, 07:30:27 PM
The mothership (ESPN) wants Americans to watch either Man U or Liverpool. Since they are usually showing one of those teams.

Liverpool is just too hard to watch sometimes. Carroll is a lump of shit, and Suarez has buck yellow teeth (on the HD channel). It is like a tree and a jackass playing together.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on March 12, 2012, 07:31:27 PM
Fucking hell, I could have been at the game tonight.

Christ, look at the run Vermaelen makes: http://arsenalist.com/video/?id=xpenxj

It's nice to be mugging other teams for a change.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 12, 2012, 07:31:49 PM
Quote from: Warspite on March 12, 2012, 07:25:25 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 12, 2012, 07:03:33 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on March 12, 2012, 06:29:50 PM
I need a bandwagon to jump on. Before Timmay jumps on it and shits on the floormats.

Bandwagon team are as follows:

Manchester United
Barcelona
Real Madrid
Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal

Choose wisely.

Depends what bandwagon you want:

Man Utd: I'm from southeast Asia and got into football in the mid 1990s.
Barcelona: I heard this Messi guy is quite good, but I don't know who Pele or Cruyff are.
Real Madrid: Di Stefano was better than Messi. OR - I think CR7 is hot
Chelsea: I am an African, and love Drogba.
Liverpool: I started watching football in 1981.
Arsenal: I love beautiful football, but am averse to actually winning things. OR - I moved to London as an investment banker and can afford an executive box at a shiny stadium.

What about City? Not much of a bandwagon there?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on March 12, 2012, 07:49:12 PM
Manchester City: "I'm actually from Manchester"
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 12, 2012, 08:46:38 PM
Quote from: Warspite on March 12, 2012, 07:31:27 PM
Fucking hell, I could have been at the game tonight.

Christ, look at the run Vermaelen makes: http://arsenalist.com/video/?id=xpenxj

It's nice to be mugging other teams for a change.

Vermaelen and his bombing runs :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 12, 2012, 08:50:28 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on March 12, 2012, 07:30:27 PM
The mothership (ESPN) wants Americans to watch either Man U or Liverpool. Since they are usually showing one of those teams.

Liverpool is just too hard to watch sometimes. Carroll is a lump of shit, and Suarez has buck yellow teeth (on the HD channel). It is like a tree and a jackass playing together.

Man United = Constantly winning everything = Alabama/Auburn/SEC team
Liverpool = Living in the past = Notre Dame
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on March 12, 2012, 08:53:21 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 12, 2012, 08:50:28 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on March 12, 2012, 07:30:27 PM
The mothership (ESPN) wants Americans to watch either Man U or Liverpool. Since they are usually showing one of those teams.

Liverpool is just too hard to watch sometimes. Carroll is a lump of shit, and Suarez has buck yellow teeth (on the HD channel). It is like a tree and a jackass playing together.

Man United = Constantly winning everything = Alabama/Auburn/SEC team
Liverpool = Living in the past = Notre Dame

AINT NO WAY I"LL WATCH NOTRE DAME. FUCK YOU BRADY QUINN. WARGHARBL.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 12, 2012, 09:00:02 PM
 :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 12, 2012, 09:45:48 PM
Quote from: katmai on March 12, 2012, 06:33:56 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 12, 2012, 05:23:06 PM
Quote from: mongers on March 12, 2012, 02:52:49 PM
Weird, several Americans showing real interest and enthusiasm about football, including ed anger :gasp: 

I grew up on the game and played it throughout my youth, and watched it back when the only games available were on Spanish-language television or the World Cup.

Yep, I've been playing soccer since I was 6, and remember watching the '82 World Cup.

I remember the 74, though only vaguely (I was six then). The first one I got into was Argentina 78
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 13, 2012, 02:04:34 AM
QuoteMan Utd: I'm from southeast Asia and got into football in the mid 1990s.
Barcelona: I heard this Messi guy is quite good, but I don't know who Pele or Cruyff are.
Real Madrid: Di Stefano was better than Messi. OR - I think CR7 is hot
Chelsea: I am an African, and love Drogba.
Liverpool: I started watching football in 1981.
Arsenal: I love beautiful football, but am averse to actually winning things. OR - I moved to London as an investment banker and can afford an executive box at a shiny stadium.

Also common amongst foreigners.

Leeds: I started watching football in the 70s. Woops.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 13, 2012, 02:28:49 AM
Quote from: Tyr on March 13, 2012, 02:04:34 AM
Also common amongst foreigners.

Leeds: I started watching football in the 70s. Woops.
Norgy's a Nottingham Forest fan and I've met a couple of others who had a similar problem :lol:

I've started to notice lots of new Spurs fans the last year or so.  You could jump on that bandwagon early-ish and hopefully.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valdemar on March 13, 2012, 04:01:22 AM
I semi follow Liverpool for the history grit.. and Agger,

I semi follow Arsenal for its fast football, Fabregas, their youth academy, and to a little extend, Bendtner.

I semi follow Aston Villa, because they always seems to get the short end of the stick, and because laursen did so fucking well there before he got perm injuries and retired.

I loath Man C and somewhat chelsea for their cash and what it did for actually BUILDING a team, and from over here Man C is seen as a bandwagon club because ppl. only noticed them when they started buying their way to hte top.

My oldest son follow Man U for their determined, and steady performance, and for Roony and Nani
My youngest follow Liverpool ofr somewhat the same reasons i did, and for Torres when he was there.

They are 12 and 9 ;)

V
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 13, 2012, 04:03:17 AM
I pity the poor Scandi kids of the mid-90s that were lured into supporting Blackburn Rovers...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on March 13, 2012, 04:04:30 AM
I started supporting Chelsea when it wasn't cool.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 13, 2012, 04:11:42 AM
Quote from: Warspite on March 12, 2012, 07:25:25 PM
Barcelona: I heard this Messi guy is quite good, but I don't know who Pele or Cruyff are.
So you can't support Barcelona if you know who Cruyff is? :p I got on that bandwagon when Laudrup, Koeman, Stoitchov and Romario were the shit.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 13, 2012, 04:41:05 AM
Quote from: Tamas on March 13, 2012, 04:04:30 AM
I started supporting Chelsea when it wasn't cool.

Wow.
Before Mr moneybags Chelsea were not just uncool but chronicly uncool, one of the least cool teams in the country.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on March 13, 2012, 04:46:56 AM
Quote from: Tyr on March 13, 2012, 04:41:05 AM
Quote from: Tamas on March 13, 2012, 04:04:30 AM
I started supporting Chelsea when it wasn't cool.

Wow.
Before Mr moneybags Chelsea were not just uncool but chronicly uncool, one of the least cool teams in the country.

They grew on me because of Championship Manager :P But I liked them. Chronic underachievers, but could deliver very cool surprises against big teams.

And I reall wasnt interested in the bandwagon teams.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 13, 2012, 05:25:43 AM
Whenever I meet someone who says he's a Chelsea fan they always follow with: "yeah, but I started following them before.. you know".
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on March 13, 2012, 05:28:47 AM
Quote from: Liep on March 13, 2012, 05:25:43 AM
Whenever I meet someone who says he's a Chelsea fan they always follow with: "yeah, but I started following them before.. you know".

:lol: But I DID!

And I can understand that need to comment because it has become a bandwagon team (altough they may be sucky enough this last couple of years to change that), while a lot of foreign supporters I guess got attached to them because they were decent, but without the usual bandwagon-suspects circling around them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on March 13, 2012, 05:33:28 AM
The last time Chelsea were cool was in the early/mid 70 when they had Ron "Chopper" Harris, Alan Hudson and Peter Osgood.

They then became an underperforming club followed by racist thugs before becoming an overresourced club followed by johnny-come-lately foreigners and kids. Throughout they have been thoroughly uncool.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on March 13, 2012, 05:36:00 AM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.media.myigrad.com%2Fimages%2Fcareer%2FContrarian%2520thinking%2520in%2520your%2520job%2520search.jpg&hash=7513dd559f16dfd2e7c120bd80e6c2166af5f050)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on March 13, 2012, 07:26:38 AM
Tamas rooting for the racist team, color me shocked!


Been an Arsenal fan since early 90's
And of course root for Athletic Bilbao too.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on March 13, 2012, 09:46:47 AM
Quote from: Valdemar on March 13, 2012, 04:01:22 AM
I loath Man C and somewhat chelsea for their cash and what it did for actually BUILDING a team, and from over here Man C is seen as a bandwagon club because ppl. only noticed them when they started buying their way to hte top.

It's a real shame about City. When they were shit they were brilliant. They did failure with such elan and humour you couldn't help but like them. I remember going to their London pub with a City suppoprting mate when they won the play off final to get promoted to the Prem, haven't laughed so much in my life.

Now they're just another club with overpaid players, owners with more money than sense and a sense of entitlement. Even the food for corporate hospitality is shit (contrast with Chelsea's which is absolutely, michelin star level,  brilliant).

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 13, 2012, 09:57:48 AM
I have a soft spot for City because their colours are the same as my team's. That's why I also have an uneasy intuitive affinity for Lazio, despite their naughtyness.  :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on March 13, 2012, 10:05:25 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 13, 2012, 02:28:49 AMI've started to notice lots of new Spurs fans the last year or so.  You could jump on that bandwagon early-ish and hopefully.

I always liked the Spurs (go go the Jewish team), since maybe the mid 80s; I'd always go for Man City too, back when they were in the 2nd division - it was a nice counterpoint to all the people who always went for Man U and Liverpool back in the day. Not sure how I feel about the bandwaggoning, though I suppose I'm nowhere near hardcore enough of a supporter to have a strong opinion.

What's behind all these new Spurs fans? Just that the club is placing better, or is there more to it?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on March 13, 2012, 10:28:58 AM
Spurs has always been a very well supported club in London and the south-east, just not much abroad. They play decent, attractive football, are run very well and have some really decent players. Shame their fans are a bund of whining twats and the ground is such a pain in the arse to get to.

IMO there are only two good reasons for supporting a football club (1) your Dad makes you (2) they are your local professional team.

It's a lottery. And if, like me, you end up with a shitty club it's an early lesson in life that you will have to put up with misery, incompetence and mediocrity punctuated with moments of sheer joy and camaraderie. 

No problem with furriners liking English teams and enjoying them, but frankly none of you are supporters no matter how much you know about the club, how long you've been following them and how many comedy jester hats in club colours you've got. If you don't go to the games, you ain't a fan.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on March 13, 2012, 10:44:40 AM
If someone held a gun to my head and forced me to support an English team I would pick Blackburn Rovers, because the name sounds cool.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on March 13, 2012, 10:46:06 AM
Or possibly Tottenham, for the same reason.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on March 13, 2012, 11:07:48 AM
Don't see what's cool about the name Blackburn Rovers (mayeb echos of the Beatles song in your mind?).

Tottenham Hotspur is a good name.

Others:

Aston Villa
Leyton Orient
Accrington Stanley
Nottingham Forest
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on March 13, 2012, 11:14:48 AM
Nottingham Forest is shmaltzy.

Blackburn Rovers sounds cool mostly because Blackburn sounds pretty cool.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 13, 2012, 11:42:52 AM
I always thought Crystal Palace was a cool name. :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on March 13, 2012, 12:00:24 PM
fair point Gups, I never claimed otherwise. But I am also not feeling bad for claiming emotional attachment and declaring myself a fan, after years upon years of following a foreign team.

I wish I could use a local professional team as a channel for tribalism, but prof. football here deserves no support :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 13, 2012, 12:20:10 PM
As a child I supported Sliema Wanderers  :contract:

http://www.sliemawfc.org/website/index.html
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on March 13, 2012, 12:54:31 PM
Quote from: Gups on March 13, 2012, 10:28:58 AM
Spurs has always been a very well supported club in London and the south-east, just not much abroad. They play decent, attractive football, are run very well and have some really decent players. Shame their fans are a bund of whining twats and the ground is such a pain in the arse to get to.

IMO there are only two good reasons for supporting a football club (1) your Dad makes you (2) they are your local professional team.

It's a lottery. And if, like me, you end up with a shitty club it's an early lesson in life that you will have to put up with misery, incompetence and mediocrity punctuated with moments of sheer joy and camaraderie. 

No problem with furriners liking English teams and enjoying them, but frankly none of you are supporters no matter how much you know about the club, how long you've been following them and how many comedy jester hats in club colours you've got. If you don't go to the games, you ain't a fan.

Fair enough. Nothing compares to following your team, going to the grounds week in and week out and experiencing the ups and downs right there. That's a given. I've been to enough FC Copenhagen games to know the difference.

But there's a whole other logic to what teams you pick in foreign leagues and why. Norgy was/is a big Nott's Forest fan for example. It's usually something you do quite young, and then you stick with it.

As for what makes a "real fan" or a "real supporter" I frankly don't care. I've liked the spurs for about 25 years, and I expect I'll continue to do so for a while. If you want to look down on the non-local customers of the various Man U/ Chelsea/ Barca/ Real Madrid/ etc marketing empires , or anyone else, that is your right; that's pretty much the point of being a football (or most other sport) supporter, isn't it? To be able to declare with loud confidence that you are the authentic fan of a real team, and everyone else is a wanker.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 13, 2012, 01:08:42 PM
Quote from: Valdemar on March 13, 2012, 04:01:22 AM
I loath Man C and somewhat chelsea for their cash and what it did for actually BUILDING a team, and from over here Man C is seen as a bandwagon club because ppl. only noticed them when they started buying their way to hte top.
I dislike Man C less than Chelsea though.  They're buying their way to the top but they're doing it with some style at least - Silva and Aguero especially - or a sense of fun - Balotelli.  Chelsea, on the other hand, have John Terry.

QuoteWhat's behind all these new Spurs fans? Just that the club is placing better, or is there more to it?
I think that they've been quite a fun team to watch the last few years - my flatmate was a Spurs fan so I enjoyed their CL adventure.  They're less fun this season but, until recently, they've been performing better in the league.  I think it's started the bandwagon rolling.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on March 13, 2012, 02:20:45 PM
Quote from: Gups on March 13, 2012, 10:28:58 AM
IMO there are only two good reasons for supporting a football club (1) your Dad makes you (2) they are your local professional team.

That's my philosophy.  I don't understand people who claim that their favourite team is thousands of kms away in a city they've never been to.  I mean I understand you're following the team, but it seems like you're missing an essential element of the whole experience.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 13, 2012, 02:25:04 PM
Quote from: Barrister on March 13, 2012, 02:20:45 PM
Quote from: Gups on March 13, 2012, 10:28:58 AM
IMO there are only two good reasons for supporting a football club (1) your Dad makes you (2) they are your local professional team.

That's my philosophy.  I don't understand people who claim that their favourite team is thousands of kms away in a city they've never been to.  I mean I understand you're following the team, but it seems like you're missing an essential element of the whole experience.

Possibly. I support Toronto FC cause I live near here, but I've been following Serie A and the EPL since I was a kid and have developed a fondness for certain teams (Napoli and Liverpool). I don't think there's anything wrong in that. Those are, arguably, two of the top three leagues in the world and it's not unusual for people to support teams from there. How many CAnadians have favourite NFL teams for instance?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on March 13, 2012, 02:35:33 PM
Quote from: Josephus on March 13, 2012, 02:25:04 PM
Quote from: Barrister on March 13, 2012, 02:20:45 PM
Quote from: Gups on March 13, 2012, 10:28:58 AM
IMO there are only two good reasons for supporting a football club (1) your Dad makes you (2) they are your local professional team.

That's my philosophy.  I don't understand people who claim that their favourite team is thousands of kms away in a city they've never been to.  I mean I understand you're following the team, but it seems like you're missing an essential element of the whole experience.

Possibly. I support Toronto FC cause I live near here, but I've been following Serie A and the EPL since I was a kid and have developed a fondness for certain teams (Napoli and Liverpool). I don't think there's anything wrong in that. Those are, arguably, two of the top three leagues in the world and it's not unusual for people to support teams from there. How many CAnadians have favourite NFL teams for instance?

Oh I certainly do. :)

By my fondness for, say, the Vikings is something of a pale imitation of my fondness for the Blue Bombers as a result of living within walking distance of the games, attending games, that kind of thing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 13, 2012, 02:51:59 PM
Quote from: Josephus on March 13, 2012, 02:25:04 PM
Quote from: Barrister on March 13, 2012, 02:20:45 PM
Quote from: Gups on March 13, 2012, 10:28:58 AM
IMO there are only two good reasons for supporting a football club (1) your Dad makes you (2) they are your local professional team.

That's my philosophy.  I don't understand people who claim that their favourite team is thousands of kms away in a city they've never been to.  I mean I understand you're following the team, but it seems like you're missing an essential element of the whole experience.

Possibly. I support Toronto FC cause I live near here, but I've been following Serie A and the EPL since I was a kid and have developed a fondness for certain teams (Napoli and Liverpool). I don't think there's anything wrong in that. Those are, arguably, two of the top three leagues in the world and it's not unusual for people to support teams from there. How many CAnadians have favourite NFL teams for instance?

Well, one thing is having a certain fondness for a team from another country and another different thing is actually supporting it actively.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 13, 2012, 02:52:27 PM
OK, yeah I agree. That's why despite it being a much smaller league I'm a huge Toronto FC fan, cause I go to the games and the like.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on March 13, 2012, 02:56:32 PM
Quote from: Josephus on March 13, 2012, 02:52:27 PM
OK, yeah I agree. That's why despite it being a much smaller league I'm a huge Toronto FC fan, cause I go to the games and the like.

Yeah - don't take me to say you can't follow sports from a different country.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on March 13, 2012, 05:17:41 PM
Quote from: Gups on March 13, 2012, 11:07:48 AM
Don't see what's cool about the name Blackburn Rovers (mayeb echos of the Beatles song in your mind?).

Tottenham Hotspur is a good name.

Others:

Aston Villa
Leyton Orient
Accrington Stanley
Nottingham Forest

Accrington Stanley? Who are they?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Brazen on March 13, 2012, 05:26:01 PM
Quote from: Warspite on March 13, 2012, 05:17:41 PM
Accrington Stanley? Who are they?
Exactly!

Now drink your milk.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 13, 2012, 07:30:38 PM
Quote from: Gups on March 13, 2012, 10:28:58 AM
Spurs has always been a very well supported club in London and the south-east, just not much abroad. They play decent, attractive football, are run very well and have some really decent players. Shame their fans are a bund of whining twats and the ground is such a pain in the arse to get to.

IMO there are only two good reasons for supporting a football club (1) your Dad makes you (2) they are your local professional team.

It's a lottery. And if, like me, you end up with a shitty club it's an early lesson in life that you will have to put up with misery, incompetence and mediocrity punctuated with moments of sheer joy and camaraderie. 

No problem with furriners liking English teams and enjoying them, but frankly none of you are supporters no matter how much you know about the club, how long you've been following them and how many comedy jester hats in club colours you've got. If you don't go to the games, you ain't a fan.

:lol:
Sign me up for both.

Though I do disagree a bit. Its not foreigners fault they were born that way. Though I do have a lot more respect for those who start supporting odd teams because they had a certain player from their country or they saw them play once or somesuch than those who just go "I like....Uhhh...Man Utd cos they always win!"
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on March 14, 2012, 11:52:20 AM
Gomez four goals against Basel mean that he shot 72 goals in the last 72 competitive games for Bayern.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on March 14, 2012, 04:16:22 PM
Are Tamas's pants a Bandwagoning dairy factory?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on March 14, 2012, 05:31:43 PM
HA!

Take THAT, Chelsea haters! :P

Great game. The defense is still sucky, Torres would miss from the goal line, but great spirit and resolve, and England's face saved in the CL.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 14, 2012, 05:32:37 PM
:(

Whatever happened to Italians?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 14, 2012, 05:52:04 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 14, 2012, 05:32:37 PM
:(

Whatever happened to Italians?

Well...there's not too many that play for Napoli, for one. ;)

As a Napoli fan, was very disappointed. Their defence, as per usual, sucked, but also they were unable to get anything going from their holy trinity. Hamsik, especially, was invisible.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 14, 2012, 06:59:25 PM
That Napoli choke job was epic.  :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on March 15, 2012, 07:22:10 AM
Drogba needs to be banned for a significant number of matches. I absolutely hate that type of playacting.

Only watched extra time and enjoyed it. Both sides really went at it although I can't imagine a Mourinho Chelsea team continuing to attack after scoring. Napoli looked more like an English side than an Italian one.

Ref sucked
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on March 15, 2012, 07:29:53 AM
Quote from: Gups on March 15, 2012, 07:22:10 AM
Drogba needs to be banned for a significant number of matches. I absolutely hate that type of playacting.

Only watched extra time and enjoyed it. Both sides really went at it although I can't imagine a Mourinho Chelsea team continuing to attack after scoring. Napoli looked more like an English side than an Italian one.

Ref sucked

Drogba's acting can be ridiculous and I hate it. For a while he cut back on it, but looks to be back in it with a full swing. But he is a great striker DESPITE his schenangians, not because of them. Plus, the Italians were doing the same when they were ahead, so I don't care much.
The camera catching Drogba peeking out of his "agony" was priceless.

The Mourinho-era Chelse would had indeed started to defend at 2-0. And you know what? It would had stayed 2-0. I am glad this Chelsea didn't stand back though, because this defense, is not the Mourinho-era defense and they would had been teared apart.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on March 15, 2012, 07:49:22 AM
Luiz would never get into a Mouringo team.

I think this is Drogba's last season for Chelsea. He's improved lately and looked good last night but he's definately not the player he was.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 15, 2012, 08:17:18 AM
In other news...Toronto FC upset the Galaxy and qualify for the semi-final of the Concacaf Champions League :) :cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 15, 2012, 08:37:53 AM
Quote from: Josephus on March 15, 2012, 08:17:18 AM
In other news...Toronto FC upset the Galaxy and qualify for the semi-final of the Concacaf Champions League :) :cheers:

I missed that game.

I watched Santos-Seattle for the first half but left when it was still close. Apparently Santos went on to win 6-1.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on March 15, 2012, 08:49:46 AM
Quote from: Gups on March 15, 2012, 07:49:22 AM
Luiz would never get into a Mouringo team.

I think this is Drogba's last season for Chelsea. He's improved lately and looked good last night but he's definately not the player he was.

Luiz is like a huge wild card. He just can't control himself. Moments of brilliance and reckless asshatery - you never know what he will do next.
I can't help but admire him somewhat.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on March 15, 2012, 11:25:09 AM
50k tickets sold to Montreal's MLS home debut (http://www.impactmontreal.com/en/news/2012/03/over-50000-tickets-sold-home-opener-olympic-stadium)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on March 15, 2012, 01:37:35 PM
Americans paying attention to football is just... weird.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 16, 2012, 04:16:04 AM
What happens when the Turkish FA introduces a bengal ban in stadiums?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KinmQNdOULc (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KinmQNdOULc)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 17, 2012, 12:41:43 PM
40 000+ at Vancouver's home opener.
48000 at TFC's CCL quarter final game
53000 expected at Montreal's debut this afternoon.

:) :Canuck:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on March 17, 2012, 01:39:24 PM
Was watching the FA cup match between Spurs and Bolton :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 17, 2012, 06:07:42 PM
Quote from: katmai on March 17, 2012, 01:39:24 PM
Was watching the FA cup match between Spurs and Bolton :(

Yeah. Me too. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 18, 2012, 06:16:35 AM
When did all footballers become faux-religious? I mean, the Italitards have always been big on the substitution cross, but British and even Danish players now "praying" for that poor Bolton player?

It's clear that these adulterous, alcoholic, overpaid fuckers aren't religious, but why feel the need to say you pray for someone?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on March 18, 2012, 07:29:41 AM
Quote from: Liep on March 18, 2012, 06:16:35 AM
When did all footballers become faux-religious? I mean, the Italitards have always been big on the substitution cross, but British and even Danish players now "praying" for that poor Bolton player?

It's clear that these adulterous, alcoholic, overpaid fuckers aren't religious, but why feel the need to say you pray for someone?

When did open showcasing of religiousness start to be honest?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 18, 2012, 09:29:29 AM
Quote from: Tamas on March 18, 2012, 07:29:41 AM
When did open showcasing of religiousness start to be honest?
I don't know, was it ever? I just noticed it happening more.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 18, 2012, 09:32:17 AM
I don't think you need to be very religious to use language like 'praying' or even to try praying with what happened yesterday.  I'd say you need to be more anti-religious not to.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Razgovory on March 18, 2012, 10:40:27 AM
Quote from: Tamas on March 15, 2012, 01:37:35 PM
Americans paying attention to football is just... weird.

My Grandfather played Soccer professionally.  It's a family secret we keep for fear of ostracization. It's roughly equivalent to a European admitting there are Jews in the family tree.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on March 18, 2012, 11:19:06 AM
Torres: back in the game?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 18, 2012, 07:31:00 PM
Pfffft. Lettow could score against Leicester.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on March 18, 2012, 07:33:34 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 18, 2012, 09:32:17 AM
I don't think you need to be very religious to use language like 'praying' or even to try praying with what happened yesterday.  I'd say you need to be more anti-religious not to.

Indeed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 19, 2012, 02:57:01 AM
Yeah, praying is a figure of speech, doesn't actually mean they're literally praying to some imaginary sky monster.

Pretty weird stuff that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on March 19, 2012, 03:05:51 AM
Quote from: mongers on March 18, 2012, 07:33:34 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 18, 2012, 09:32:17 AM
I don't think you need to be very religious to use language like 'praying' or even to try praying with what happened yesterday.  I'd say you need to be more anti-religious not to.

Indeed.

I disagree. Well, I am not a native speaker so what do I know, but to "pray" appears much more religious and not as "instinctive" as for example saying "god damn it" :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valdemar on March 19, 2012, 03:23:21 AM
Whether meant litterarily or not "pray" is a pretty strong and laden word, and not to be used lightly. Especially in Denmark where religion is traditionally a very personal and private thing such an open display is a sign of a huge shift.

It is seen as grandstanding and bad manners especially as it often comes from young star seeking wannabees more than actually sounding genuine.

So Liep is correct, from a Danish viewpoint having danish footballers suddenly "praying" for an otherwise unknown foreign player seems weird and slightly insincere.

As a contrast, a local football hero was struck by lightning during a training match a few years ago, survived, but ended up having amputated one or both lower legs, a promising carreer ended. A lot of public support from all over the fottball community. BUT NO F***** public "praying" on twitter, FB or elsewhere.

V
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 19, 2012, 03:35:02 AM
Britain is big on its bandwagon displays of affection
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valdemar on March 19, 2012, 03:45:27 AM
True, British are often closet catholics :D

V
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: CountDeMoney on March 19, 2012, 07:04:07 AM
Quote from: Josephus on March 17, 2012, 06:07:42 PM
Quote from: katmai on March 17, 2012, 01:39:24 PM
Was watching the FA cup match between Spurs and Bolton :(

Yeah. Me too. :(

Did they show them defibbing him right there on the field, or did they cut away?
23 years old, they say he's still in a coma.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 19, 2012, 08:19:36 AM
Quote from: Valdemar on March 19, 2012, 03:23:21 AM
Whether meant litterarily or not "pray" is a pretty strong and laden word, and not to be used lightly. Especially in Denmark where religion is traditionally a very personal and private thing such an open display is a sign of a huge shift.

It is seen as grandstanding and bad manners especially as it often comes from young star seeking wannabees more than actually sounding genuine.
Okay.  This may be a cultural difference and is perhaps odder for Danish footballers to do it.  I don't think '#pray4Muamba' or even the use of the word 'prayer' has anywhere near as much strength in England.  Phrases like 'our thoughts and prayers go to...' are very commonly used.

Also I don't think it's grandstanding, I think it's genuine concern and shock.  Even footballers probably have 'there, but for the grace of God, go I' moments.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on March 19, 2012, 08:23:16 AM
Of course the shock must be mostly genuine - a guy in their trade who should have been as far from dying as humanly possible, being 23 years old and an athlete in one of the toughest rackets, ended up almost dying, and in a coma. This must imply to them that this could happen to any single one of them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valdemar on March 19, 2012, 08:37:36 AM
Indeed, but as I mentioned, when that lightning struck their reactions were equally shocked and worried on his behalf, and that struck far closer to home, but their reactions at the time seemed far more genuine and far less grandstanding than a twitter update using the word prayer..

I still agree with Liep that todays youth culture and access to ready mass coverage makes them seem more like they are trying to attract the right responses towards themselves than actually supporting the poor bastard.

V
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 19, 2012, 12:13:37 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on March 19, 2012, 07:04:07 AM
Quote from: Josephus on March 17, 2012, 06:07:42 PM
Quote from: katmai on March 17, 2012, 01:39:24 PM
Was watching the FA cup match between Spurs and Bolton :(

Yeah. Me too. :(

Did they show them defibbing him right there on the field, or did they cut away?
23 years old, they say he's still in a coma.

The cameras caught Muamba right after he collapsed and showed him face down going through what looked like some kind of epileptic fit. They cut away to show the players' and crowd's reactions as soon as they realized Muamba was going through some serious shit. The players were visibly shaken and people were crying in the stands. It was really shocking to see live.  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 19, 2012, 01:35:16 PM
Here's what they showed on TV. it loses its emotional impact, over time, a little bit. Watching it live was someething else.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI37VW9kKWU
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: CountDeMoney on March 19, 2012, 02:51:48 PM
Quote from: Josephus on March 19, 2012, 01:35:16 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI37VW9kKWU

QuoteR.I.P. FROM GREECE MUAMBA!
7rompi 2 minutes ago

:lol:  Idiots.  He's still alive
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on March 19, 2012, 03:01:29 PM
lol greeks
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on March 19, 2012, 04:55:21 PM
I have chosen a team to follow in the Premier League.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 19, 2012, 04:56:15 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on March 19, 2012, 04:55:21 PM
I have chosen the English team to follow.
Which one? 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on March 19, 2012, 04:58:01 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 19, 2012, 04:56:15 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on March 19, 2012, 04:55:21 PM
I have chosen the English team to follow.
Which one?

Liverpool. Mainly to make fun of Bucky Beaver(Suarez) and Andy Carroll, the whiniest person alive.

That and their colors are RED.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 19, 2012, 05:14:20 PM
Red as in European socialism and with a Danish sponsor. Not the team I thought you'd select! :-p
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on March 19, 2012, 05:43:02 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on March 19, 2012, 04:58:01 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 19, 2012, 04:56:15 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on March 19, 2012, 04:55:21 PM
I have chosen the English team to follow.
Which one?

Liverpool. Mainly to make fun of Bucky Beaver(Suarez) and Andy Carroll, the whiniest person alive.

That and their colors are RED.

The best reason to follow Liverpool is for their history of one of the great 70s and 80s team/s.

I'm not a fan, but I think unusually for English football, where it's the norm to hate the most successful team of the time, those Liverpool teams garnered a certain respect from other club fans.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on March 19, 2012, 05:47:52 PM
Quote from: Liep on March 19, 2012, 05:14:20 PM
Red as in European socialism and with a Danish sponsor. Not the team I thought you'd select! :-p

I know about the socialist part, and who cares about sponsors? Or Danes for that matter?

Be thankful I'm paying attention to your goddamn sport. All I hear from Eurofags is "WHY WONT JOO AMEIKKKANS WATCH FOOTBALL?"

Get off my back.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on March 19, 2012, 05:52:24 PM
And yes, I sound grumpier than I should be.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 19, 2012, 05:58:42 PM
No, you don't. You should possibly use more caps now that you're an English football fan.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on March 19, 2012, 06:00:20 PM
Quote from: Liep on March 19, 2012, 05:58:42 PM
No, you don't. You should possibly use more caps now that you're an English football fan.

ANDY CARROLL EATS A BAG OF DICKS EVERYDAY GOV'NOR!

better?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 19, 2012, 06:08:48 PM
I'm not actually sure what they yell from the stands. But then again I don't understand Danish football fans either.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 19, 2012, 06:41:10 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on March 19, 2012, 04:58:01 PM
Liverpool. Mainly to make fun of Bucky Beaver(Suarez) and Andy Carroll, the whiniest person alive.

That and their colors are RED.
<_<

Suarez also has an extremely girlish scream :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 19, 2012, 10:15:39 PM
Pics from the massive riot that forced the abandonment of the Panathinaikos - Olympiakos derby.

http://imgur.com/a/ilc5B#11 (http://imgur.com/a/ilc5B#11)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valdemar on March 20, 2012, 04:02:21 AM
Quote from: Liep on March 19, 2012, 05:14:20 PM
Red as in European socialism and with a Danish sponsor. Not the team I thought you'd select! :-p

Erhmm its been two seasons since Carlsberg was the sponsor....

V
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on March 20, 2012, 04:03:32 AM
Quote from: Liep on March 19, 2012, 05:14:20 PM
Red as in European socialism and with a Danish sponsor. Not the team I thought you'd select! :-p

Standard Chartered are Danish now?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on March 20, 2012, 04:08:09 AM
Liverpool  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 20, 2012, 04:37:23 AM
Quote from: Valdemar on March 20, 2012, 04:02:21 AM
Quote from: Liep on March 19, 2012, 05:14:20 PM
Red as in European socialism and with a Danish sponsor. Not the team I thought you'd select! :-p

Erhmm its been two seasons since Carlsberg was the sponsor....

V

Oh, shows how much I follow the PL. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Octavian on March 20, 2012, 05:15:51 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on March 19, 2012, 05:47:52 PM
Quote from: Liep on March 19, 2012, 05:14:20 PM
Red as in European socialism and with a Danish sponsor. Not the team I thought you'd select! :-p


Be thankful I'm paying attention to your goddamn sport. All I hear from Eurofags is "WHY WONT JOO AMEIKKKANS WATCH FOOTBALL?"

Get off my back.

Please you make it sound like you are doing Europeans a favor. As a true Euromerican you follow that sport because you like it!

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 20, 2012, 05:26:56 PM
Eurosnobs trying to put an American man down for liking Liverpool well FU GUYS
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valdemar on March 21, 2012, 02:46:20 AM
I like Liverpool :) I was mostly making fun of Liep for not noticing Carlsberg left as sponsor a long time ago :)

V
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on March 21, 2012, 02:50:15 AM
Liverpool fans are douche bags.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on March 21, 2012, 06:16:00 AM
Wankers, the lot of them.  Top to bottom.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on March 21, 2012, 07:03:59 AM
The Liverpool Supporters Association has considered your application and delivered its verdict


(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ft0.gstatic.com%2Fimages%3Fq%3Dtbn%3AANd9GcR55ohRdceeyDPbNzR1gT5iatlZN5ZSwLhTmAoZy1OIgMpZeRXw&hash=1eba828a1eb60968ca6aad38a8bcb74f656cc74f)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on March 21, 2012, 07:45:57 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 19, 2012, 10:15:39 PM
Pics from the massive riot that forced the abandonment of the Panathinaikos - Olympiakos derby.

http://imgur.com/a/ilc5B#11 (http://imgur.com/a/ilc5B#11)

:)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on March 21, 2012, 09:17:44 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on March 19, 2012, 04:55:21 PM
I have chosen a team to follow in the Premier League.

Now you need to pick a CFL team to follow.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 21, 2012, 12:47:13 PM
Quote from: Gups on March 21, 2012, 07:03:59 AM
The Liverpool Supporters Association has considered your application and delivered its verdict


(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ft0.gstatic.com%2Fimages%3Fq%3Dtbn%3AANd9GcR55ohRdceeyDPbNzR1gT5iatlZN5ZSwLhTmAoZy1OIgMpZeRXw&hash=1eba828a1eb60968ca6aad38a8bcb74f656cc74f)

Somehow I think that opinion would change if Henry and co. would spend £100 million every season like Abramovich or Sheikh Mansour.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on March 21, 2012, 01:49:42 PM
I think they are fine with Henry. This dates from Hicks and Gillett days.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on March 21, 2012, 04:07:39 PM
Quote from: Barrister on March 21, 2012, 09:17:44 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on March 19, 2012, 04:55:21 PM
I have chosen a team to follow in the Premier League.

Now you need to pick a CFL team to follow.

Fuck no. Canada can just piss off.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on March 21, 2012, 04:32:00 PM
 
Quote from: Ed Anger on March 21, 2012, 04:07:39 PM
Quote from: Barrister on March 21, 2012, 09:17:44 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on March 19, 2012, 04:55:21 PM
I have chosen a team to follow in the Premier League.

Now you need to pick a CFL team to follow.

Fuck no. Canada can just piss off.
:hug: :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 21, 2012, 05:09:40 PM
Fuck, supporting Liverpool's a bitch. :mad:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on March 26, 2012, 08:51:57 PM
US Olympic qualifying :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 26, 2012, 09:22:46 PM
The commentators are shitting their pants that we may not qualify  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 26, 2012, 09:26:51 PM
But Canada qualifies, despite being unable to beat Cuba :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on March 26, 2012, 09:30:42 PM
Quote from: Josephus on March 26, 2012, 09:26:51 PM
But Canada qualifies, despite being unable to beat Cuba :)

Not for Olympics, just the semis and Mexico :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on March 26, 2012, 09:31:35 PM
About time, now get another one dammit. Draw does them no good.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 26, 2012, 09:32:00 PM
Poor Cubans got walloped by everyone but the Canadians
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on March 26, 2012, 09:34:44 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 26, 2012, 09:32:00 PM
Poor Cubans got walloped by everyone but the Canadians

Clearly the Canadians have been spending too much time on beaches down there....and YES! GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLL!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on March 26, 2012, 10:01:06 PM
Wow, bye USA.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 26, 2012, 10:02:22 PM
 :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao:

That was some seriously shitty goalkeeping.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on March 26, 2012, 10:07:14 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 26, 2012, 10:02:22 PM
:lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao:

That was some seriously shitty goalkeeping.

Yeah it was, I mean Hamid gets somewhat of pass as his 2 allowed were right after he hurt himself, so some blame goes to not getting him subbed in quicker, but Johnson's? Ugh
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 26, 2012, 10:14:30 PM
I only saw the second half and I haven't seen the Hamid's slip ups so I won't criticize him much, but yeah, Johnson's was straight out of Looney Tunes.

PALM IT AWAY FROM GOAL IDIOT
AWAY, IT'S WHAT THEY TEACH YOU IN U8s FOR CRISSAKE
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 27, 2012, 07:07:02 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 26, 2012, 09:32:00 PM
Poor Cubans got walloped by everyone but the Canadians

We like them too much. The Canadian players were all, "hey...amigo, uno mojito por favore!"
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on March 28, 2012, 01:59:31 AM
Apoel  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 28, 2012, 07:18:17 AM
Quote from: Maladict on March 28, 2012, 01:59:31 AM
Apoel  :(

They stood strong, I thought. Went as far as they could and held Madrid goal less until the 74th. Good job.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on March 28, 2012, 07:27:03 AM
Absolutely, but 0-1 or 0-2 would have left something to hope for.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on March 28, 2012, 08:02:53 AM
I remembered one of the several reasons why Ed is stupid to have chosen Liverpool over Chelsea:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sinuniforme.com%2Fmedia%2Fupload%2F2011%2F09%2Feva620.png&hash=4e5b3d7e15a89239fce1d851c203ff16bfcb341a)

doctor of the first team. Hottest football doc I have seen, especially on the account of being the only female one I have seen.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 28, 2012, 08:42:21 AM
Yeah, I love it when Chelsea players get hurt. love watching her get on the field.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on March 28, 2012, 11:58:49 AM
Quote from: Josephus on March 28, 2012, 08:42:21 AM
Yeah, I love it when Chelsea players get hurt. love watching her get on the field.
Team must have a record for on field hernia's
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 28, 2012, 12:36:03 PM
She's the only reason why any neutral would bother watching this Chelsea team this season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 28, 2012, 12:40:29 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 28, 2012, 12:36:03 PM
She's the only reason why any neutral would bother watching this Chelsea team this season.

Agreed. Strangely, i thought I was the only one who noticed her. :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on March 28, 2012, 08:13:31 PM
Of course after selecting Liverpool, they pretend they are the Cincinnati Bengals. THANKS A FUCKING LOT.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 28, 2012, 08:26:27 PM
 :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on March 28, 2012, 10:37:16 PM
Monterrey kicking Pumas butt :yeah:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 29, 2012, 06:18:20 AM
froze ass off at Toronto game v. Santos Laguna last night. We got a 1-1 draw, which while that score won't hold up in leg 2, I'm pleased that we held Mexico's league leaders to a draw.

And...

bench clearing brawl to top it all off.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 01, 2012, 12:18:08 PM
I think I may have tainted Liverpool.....

QuoteAndy Carroll, signed by Liverpool from Newcastle for 35 million pounds ($56 million) in January 2011, was yellow-carded for diving in the penalty area

Nope.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 02, 2012, 09:09:39 AM
Georgio Chinaglia's dead.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 02, 2012, 10:39:29 AM
I had to google him. I'm still young, yay!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 02, 2012, 11:12:18 AM
Quote from: Liep on April 02, 2012, 10:39:29 AM
I had to google him. I'm still young, yay!

LOL...I actually remember him with Lazio in the mid 70s. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 02, 2012, 11:40:51 AM
Addio, you fascist mafia linked gunman (also a great striker).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on April 02, 2012, 06:02:54 PM
Fox Soccer seems to have a hardon for Tottenham.

Question for the Poms: how long has the word "joy" (in the sense of good chance of success) been a standard part of the fodbol lexicon?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 02, 2012, 06:32:24 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 02, 2012, 06:02:54 PM
Fox Soccer seems to have a hardon for Tottenham.



really? how so? they don't seem to focus on them in games they air, at least not that i've noticed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on April 02, 2012, 06:37:43 PM
I've seen them playing about three times when I'm surfing (or watching).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 02, 2012, 07:03:55 PM
Quote from: Josephus on April 02, 2012, 11:12:18 AM
Quote from: Liep on April 02, 2012, 10:39:29 AM
I had to google him. I'm still young, yay!

LOL...I actually remember him with Lazio in the mid 70s. :(

NASL ftw
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on April 03, 2012, 04:47:04 AM
...aaaand  I hope this evening Barcelona will shoot three SCUDs through Milan's ass.

:sleep:

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 03, 2012, 04:49:01 AM
Quote from: Pedrito on April 03, 2012, 04:47:04 AM
...aaaand  I hope this evening Barcelona will shoot three SCUDs through Milan's ass.

:sleep:

L.

:thumbsup:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on April 03, 2012, 05:54:03 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 02, 2012, 06:02:54 PM
Fox Soccer seems to have a hardon for Tottenham.

Question for the Poms: how long has the word "joy" (in the sense of good chance of success) been a standard part of the fodbol lexicon?

As long as I can remember. It's  always used in the negative - e.g. "City will get no joy from this defence"
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on April 03, 2012, 03:38:27 PM
Quote from: Pedrito on April 03, 2012, 04:47:04 AM
...aaaand  I hope this evening Barcelona will shoot three SCUDs through Milan's ass.

:sleep:

L.
:yeah: :cool:

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 03, 2012, 03:45:00 PM
Quote from: Pedrito on April 03, 2012, 03:38:27 PM
Quote from: Pedrito on April 03, 2012, 04:47:04 AM
...aaaand  I hope this evening Barcelona will shoot three SCUDs through Milan's ass.

:sleep:

L.
:yeah: :cool:

L.

:thumbsup:

Too bad they will rape this year's crappy Chelsea defense in the semis.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 04, 2012, 04:55:45 PM
Did anyone see the Cypriot losing his teeth? Seems over the top to continue playing afterwards though. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on April 05, 2012, 06:51:44 AM
Quote from: Liep on April 04, 2012, 04:55:45 PM
Did anyone see the Cypriot losing his teeth? Seems over the top to continue playing afterwards though. :P
:huh:  I was too busy playing CK2, what happened?

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 05, 2012, 06:53:32 AM
Quote from: Pedrito on April 05, 2012, 06:51:44 AM
Quote from: Liep on April 04, 2012, 04:55:45 PM
Did anyone see the Cypriot losing his teeth? Seems over the top to continue playing afterwards though. :P
:huh:  I was too busy playing CK2, what happened?

L.

Apparently a APOEL player lost his balance in a header duel with Ronaldo and smashed his head into his teammate. He lost a few teeth went to the sideline where they pulled another and then back onto the pitch.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 05, 2012, 07:22:09 AM
My father has been a Barca fan for decades, these CL games are ackward in the family  :lol:

The last time, when Barca got through with that absolutely last moment überlucky goal after being bested by Chelsea, I flipped and yelled about the god damn cheating referee and Barca in general, for a couple of minutes to Dad and a friend of his  :D

I think this year Chelsea will be humiliated - after all they struggled to survive agaisnt 10 men Benfica. But, hope dies last.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 06, 2012, 12:57:08 AM
Gotta love Italian Soccer.

QuoteAtalanta defender Andrea Masiello was arrested earlier this week by Italian police and is reported to have admitted to receiving nearly $500,000 in illegal payments in exchange for performing poorly in certain games. Masiello, who was with Bari at the time of the incidents, faces a prison sentence for his actions, but claims he was targeted by mafia members and later tried to return the money.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 07, 2012, 08:55:55 PM
Two goals today from American superhero and Texan Clint Dempsey made him Fulham's top scorer ever in the league. He's fifth in the league, one behind Demba Ba (16). 21 in all competitions.

Suck it Englanders.  :nelson:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 08, 2012, 07:48:15 AM
What horrible calls in Manu-qpr game.
First no offsides call then redcard and penalty awarded on dive. :x
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on April 08, 2012, 12:21:29 PM
Watched a tiny bit of KC vs. LA last night (during commercial breaks of To Kill a Mockinbird-the young Robert Duvall!).

I'm curious how you soccer hooligans think the US league compares to other professional leagues. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 08, 2012, 12:58:20 PM
In my opinion the MLS is like a second or third tier European league. A bit scrappy, making up for lack of skill with more physicality.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 08, 2012, 01:08:36 PM
I'll agree with that.

Also, MLS is a league where older players past their prime go to see out their twilight years in nice cities like LA or NY.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on April 08, 2012, 03:36:16 PM
So something like the Dutch or Portuguese league?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on April 08, 2012, 05:17:29 PM
Those leagues have one (or two) teams that are among the better(ish) teams in Europe from time to time, the MSL seems to be like the "league right under the top league" teams in most of the major European leagues.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 08, 2012, 05:38:33 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 08, 2012, 03:36:16 PM
So something like the Dutch or Portuguese league?

Not even so. The Portuguese league is even above the French league, at least according to the UEFA coefficient.
http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/uefarankings/country/index.html

Results over the last 5 seasons to give some perspective.

PS: this could change if the Paris Saint-German uses well its newfound Qatari money. They won 2-1 vs Marseilles tonight, a sine qua non victory to stay in the fight for the title but not sufficient.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on April 08, 2012, 05:59:01 PM
Quote from: PDH on April 08, 2012, 05:17:29 PM
the MSL seems to be like the "league right under the top league" teams in most of the major European leagues.

Say what now?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on April 08, 2012, 06:28:20 PM
The opinion of MLS is improving because the quality is getting better, but right now it's still on par with second or third tier football in the UK.

The Dutch and Portugese leagues have some famous teams but have been hit by the concentration of talent in an ever smaller number of big, continental outfits. Nevertheless, Dutch and Portugese players remain of a very high general quality. The Dutch particularly so because of the importance placed on technique from an early age. I don't know about the Portugese youth system but I would presume so as well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on April 08, 2012, 07:06:55 PM
Never mind Peedy, I got it now.  MLS is AAA or AA.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 08, 2012, 08:09:39 PM
I enjoyed Balotelli's petulance and Ryu style flying kicks to the knees today.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on April 08, 2012, 08:12:36 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 08, 2012, 08:09:39 PM
I enjoyed Balotelli's petulance and Ryu style flying kicks to the knees today.

Fuck Balotelli, that tackle almost ended Song's career.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 08, 2012, 08:17:03 PM
Somebody send Balotelli after Andy Carroll.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 08, 2012, 08:31:27 PM
Quote from: Warspite on April 08, 2012, 08:12:36 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 08, 2012, 08:09:39 PM
I enjoyed Balotelli's petulance and Ryu style flying kicks to the knees today.

Fuck Balotelli, that tackle almost ended Song's career.

Yeah that was vicious. He got what he deserved in the end though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 08, 2012, 08:48:56 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 08, 2012, 08:17:03 PM
Somebody send Balotelli after Andy Carroll.
:XD:

I don't know if you saw Liverpool lose to Newcastle, but Andy was pretty much humiliated against his old club.(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi76.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj18%2FFunkMonk2000%2FCarroll.gif&hash=04247ffa351ed3d2e1c3e80dc4494f7122bfae25)

Then he threw a fit walking off the field when he was subbed.

Personally, I wouldn't be surprised to see Carroll sold in the summer anyway, but if they don't get rid of him I'd expect to see a lot less of him next season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 08, 2012, 08:59:30 PM
I saw bits and pieces of it.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on April 09, 2012, 05:04:19 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 08, 2012, 08:48:56 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 08, 2012, 08:17:03 PM
Somebody send Balotelli after Andy Carroll.
:XD:

I don't know if you saw Liverpool lose to Newcastle, but Andy was pretty much humiliated against his old club.(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi76.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj18%2FFunkMonk2000%2FCarroll.gif&hash=04247ffa351ed3d2e1c3e80dc4494f7122bfae25)

Then he threw a fit walking off the field when he was subbed.

Personally, I wouldn't be surprised to see Carroll sold in the summer anyway, but if they don't get rid of him I'd expect to see a lot less of him next season.

Here's the incident from another angle:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fstatic.fjcdn.com%2Fgifs%2FHorse_5cf42d_1076098.gif&hash=7650219ca988e1941eed6f7e26205e0c977d2df2)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 09, 2012, 03:41:43 PM
Dempsey!!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 09, 2012, 04:00:09 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 07, 2012, 08:55:55 PM
American superhero and Texan Clint Dempsey

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 09, 2012, 06:52:33 PM
I liked that wee tiny stadium. I could have put it in my trenchcoat pocket.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 09, 2012, 07:07:18 PM
Is that a stadium in your trenchcoat pocket...?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 10, 2012, 01:35:22 AM
Quote from: katmai on April 09, 2012, 03:41:43 PM
Dempsey!!

Got damn Chelsea was shite.

The CL game against Barca will be embarrassing. :(

My only hope is that the Barca players already concluded it's a done deal and will decide to not show up on the matches.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 10, 2012, 02:59:03 AM
I had no idea there were games at 3pm yesterday (WTF?).
I'm glad I didn't know that given the result.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 10, 2012, 03:06:44 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 10, 2012, 02:59:03 AM
I had no idea there were games at 3pm yesterday (WTF?).
I'm glad I didn't know that given the result.

Easter does weird shit to football schedules.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 10, 2012, 06:41:29 AM
Pepe is at it again, though, this time he kicked a teammate after a very poor stunt fall.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F29.media.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_m2748tKQiF1r1fq7do1_250.gif&hash=83f8f8e04fbabaf9cf7397a7f5b93aa47dc2a1c9)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 10, 2012, 06:52:00 AM
He's a psycho. I guess that Casquero still has one of his studs incrusted on his back.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on April 10, 2012, 12:31:23 PM
Balotelli horror challenge on Alex Song (studs up on the knee): no further punishment.

Derry red card because of an Ashley Young dive while he was offside: upheld.

If you want to know what is wrong with the UK, look at the Football Association. Bunch of clowns.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 10, 2012, 01:53:10 PM
Quote from: Warspite on April 10, 2012, 12:31:23 PM
Balotelli horror challenge on Alex Song (studs up on the knee): no further punishment.

Derry red card because of an Ashley Young dive while he was offside: upheld.


Wow.  :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 10, 2012, 02:40:26 PM
The FA is becoming as farcical as FIFA.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on April 10, 2012, 02:51:50 PM
Hola Tamas

here's to Believing in Fernando (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dB5Hpo30xXQ), he'll score...eventually... just maybe for Chelsea Reserves.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on April 10, 2012, 02:54:53 PM
Quote from: Warspite on April 10, 2012, 12:31:23 PM
Balotelli horror challenge on Alex Song (studs up on the knee): no further punishment.

One of the good things about people who played rugby in school is that the thugs get filtered out in school since nobody with any good sense will want to play with thugs on the pitch, on either side.

Balotelli's behaviour is monstrous and destructive. If he keeps being allowed to play he will mame somebody. I don't care how good he is, if he is deliberately and unecessarily risking the health and wellbeing of his fellow sportsmen on the pitch he should not be allowed to play.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on April 10, 2012, 03:48:08 PM
Quote from: Josephus on April 10, 2012, 02:40:26 PM
The FA is becoming as farcical as FIFA.

You can't spell FIFA without FA.

Bunch of mugs, the lot of them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on April 10, 2012, 03:49:38 PM
Quote from: Viking on April 10, 2012, 02:54:53 PM
Quote from: Warspite on April 10, 2012, 12:31:23 PM
Balotelli horror challenge on Alex Song (studs up on the knee): no further punishment.

One of the good things about people who played rugby in school is that the thugs get filtered out in school since nobody with any good sense will want to play with thugs on the pitch, on either side.

true, which is why there's a lot less general thuggery on the rugby field than the football pitch.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 10, 2012, 05:07:22 PM
Carroll is clearly the greatest player alive.

:P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on April 11, 2012, 12:51:47 AM
Quote from: Warspite on April 10, 2012, 12:31:23 PM
Balotelli horror challenge on Alex Song (studs up on the knee): no further punishment.


The refereee saw the incident and made a decision. The FA can only punish if the ref didn't see it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 11, 2012, 11:47:59 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 10, 2012, 05:07:22 PM
Carroll is clearly the greatest player alive.

:P

Your love affair with geordies knows no bounds.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on April 11, 2012, 03:39:42 PM
Quote from: Gups on April 11, 2012, 12:51:47 AM
Quote from: Warspite on April 10, 2012, 12:31:23 PM
Balotelli horror challenge on Alex Song (studs up on the knee): no further punishment.


The refereee saw the incident and made a decision. The FA can only punish if the ref didn't see it.

I hope Andre Marriner never officiates again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 11, 2012, 05:20:35 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 11, 2012, 11:47:59 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 10, 2012, 05:07:22 PM
Carroll is clearly the greatest player alive.

:P

Your love affair with geordies knows no bounds.

So that explains his constant whining during a game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 14, 2012, 08:46:40 AM
Ed's avatar has inspired Liverpool to the FA cup final. :o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 14, 2012, 08:48:08 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 14, 2012, 08:46:40 AM
Ed's avatar has inspired Liverpool to the FA cup final. :o

I am the lightbringer.

Also, I APOLOGIZE TO ANDY CARROLL.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 14, 2012, 08:48:54 AM
:weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 14, 2012, 08:52:51 AM
I'm a little upset. I was rooting for American Number One Tim Howard and The Evertons.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 14, 2012, 10:25:57 AM
Rumour has Liverpool showing up in Toronto in mid July  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on April 14, 2012, 10:41:59 AM
 An italian football player died today on the pitch.
Heart attack.

This is happening too often these days :(


L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 14, 2012, 12:28:26 PM
Quote from: Pedrito on April 14, 2012, 10:41:59 AM
An italian football player died today on the pitch.
Heart attack.

This is happening too often these days :(


L.

:(

Only 25 too.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on April 14, 2012, 12:48:46 PM
I know this is me being a total dick, but apparently there is at least one Italian who wasn't faking it fell over as if he were dead. On a more serious note, what are the odds of performance enhancing drugs being involved?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 14, 2012, 01:43:36 PM
I read apparently the ambulance was delayed leaving the stadium because a traffic police car was blocking the way out.

Very sad though :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 15, 2012, 02:08:00 PM
Chelsea v Liverpool.  A final no-one wants <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 15, 2012, 02:10:44 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 15, 2012, 02:08:00 PM
Chelsea v Liverpool.  A final no-one wants <_<

Ed's tears will be delicious.

Great game. I feel sorry for Cudicini though, I liked him when he was the Chelsea goalie.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 15, 2012, 03:48:15 PM
Tears? Over a sport I'm watching to keep my mind off other things? Silly Gyppos.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 15, 2012, 05:27:59 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 15, 2012, 03:48:15 PM
Tears? Over a sport I'm watching to keep my mind off other things? Silly Gyppos.  :lol:

Preparing your retreat from the inevitable, ha?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 15, 2012, 05:32:29 PM
Liverpool will win. They're destined. Kenny's last hurrah.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 15, 2012, 07:34:55 PM
Quote from: Tamas on April 15, 2012, 05:27:59 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 15, 2012, 03:48:15 PM
Tears? Over a sport I'm watching to keep my mind off other things? Silly Gyppos.  :lol:

Preparing your retreat from the inevitable, ha?

Believe what you want, beet boy. I'll just turn off your stupid off for awhile.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 15, 2012, 08:14:38 PM
Quote from: Josephus on April 15, 2012, 05:32:29 PM
Liverpool will win. They're destined. Kenny's last hurrah.

Personally I'd like Liverpool to win and then Newcastle to pip Spurs and Chelsea for 4th.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 16, 2012, 02:10:30 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 15, 2012, 07:34:55 PM
Quote from: Tamas on April 15, 2012, 05:27:59 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 15, 2012, 03:48:15 PM
Tears? Over a sport I'm watching to keep my mind off other things? Silly Gyppos.  :lol:

Preparing your retreat from the inevitable, ha?

Believe what you want, beet boy. I'll just turn off your stupid off for awhile.

You have become so emo lately.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 16, 2012, 07:10:16 AM
like Tamas all class....
QuoteLONDON —

Chelsea says a section of its fans "embarrassed" the club by singing and jeering during a minute's silence to pay respects to the 96 victims of the Hillsborough Stadium disaster in 1989 and the death of Livorno midfielder Piermario Morosini.

The jeering occurred before kickoff in Sunday's FA Cup semifinal at Wembley Stadium.

Chelsea released a statement saying the club "is extremely disappointed that a very small minority of fans embarrassed the club today by not honoring the moment's silence."

Interim Chelsea manager Roberto di Matteo added that he was "extremely disappointed" by the fans' actions.

Morosini collapsed and died Saturday after suffering a heart attack during a Serie B game in Italy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 16, 2012, 07:12:07 AM
Heh, that is about the club acknowledging embarrasment over those assholes.

It's not like I became a fan because of the Shed end of the stadium
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 16, 2012, 11:47:53 AM
QuoteAntonio Di Natale says Udinese have promised to take care of the sister of Piermario Morosini, who died during a Serie B game on Saturday. Morosini, who was 25 years old, was on loan from Udinese at Livorno when he suffered a cardiac arrest playing against Pescara.

The former Italy Under-21 international is survived by his severely disabled older sister. His mother passed away when he was 15, his father died soon after and his disabled brother killed himself.

Udinese's captain Di Natale said: "We know the situation of his sister and we as a team, the club, and Udinese for Life have decided to help her because she is in real need. It is essential to stay by the side of Piermario's sister for her entire life. She needs us and we want to help, both for her and for Mario.

"When I saw the scene on the TV it was immediately clear that it was something serious. It was a very bad moment. He was an exceptional lad, so full of life. Despite all the problems he had, he was always at the disposal of the team and every day he gave us all strength."

The Italian Football Association (FIGC) cancelled all Serie A fixtures in the wake of Morosini's death.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/apr/16/udinese-piermario-morosini-di-natale

So sad all around. Brother was a suicide, mom and dad died early in his life, and he was taking care of his disabled sister by himself. Good to see Udinese step up and look after his sister.  :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 16, 2012, 08:38:49 PM
And yet Tamas would have booed the moment of silence for him.



Despicable!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 17, 2012, 01:38:25 AM
Quote from: katmai on April 16, 2012, 08:38:49 PM
And yet Tamas would have booed the moment of silence for him.



Despicable!

oh ha-ha! :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on April 17, 2012, 03:16:38 AM
Paid £39 to watch 8 minutes of Arsenal comedy defending, 82 minutes of Wigan timewasting, and 90 minutes of woeful Arsenal attacking.  :glare:  :grr: :ultra: :bash: :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 17, 2012, 03:32:36 AM
 :nelson:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 17, 2012, 05:40:14 AM
New National team unis

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 17, 2012, 05:57:54 AM
 :x
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 17, 2012, 07:22:18 AM
Where's Waldo?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 17, 2012, 09:28:38 AM
Quote from: Warspite on April 17, 2012, 03:16:38 AM
Paid £39 to watch 8 minutes of Arsenal comedy defending, 82 minutes of Wigan timewasting, and 90 minutes of woeful Arsenal attacking.  :glare:  :grr: :ultra: :bash: :weep:

Arteta  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 17, 2012, 10:41:09 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 17, 2012, 09:28:38 AM
Arteta  :(
:(

On the other hand I love Wigan.  Hopefully we'll get Martinez this summer :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 17, 2012, 10:50:28 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 17, 2012, 10:41:09 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 17, 2012, 09:28:38 AM
Arteta  :(
:(

On the other hand I love Wigan.  Hopefully we'll get Martinez this summer :wub:

I see plenty of Spanish loving in there.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on April 17, 2012, 01:46:47 PM
Quote from: katmai on April 17, 2012, 05:40:14 AM
New National team unis

I'm a big fan of hoops, but I'm not sure they work as a national team jersey.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on April 17, 2012, 02:10:59 PM
Quote from: katmai on April 17, 2012, 05:40:14 AM
New National team unis

Are we going to recruit our players exclusively from our prison population or something?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on April 17, 2012, 02:17:43 PM
Quote from: Valmy on April 17, 2012, 02:10:59 PM
Quote from: katmai on April 17, 2012, 05:40:14 AM
New National team unis

Are we going to recruit our players exclusively from our prison population or something?

They made a movie about this

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Felectronic.idilis.ro%2Fuploaded_images%2Fmean_machine_poster-790837.jpg&hash=5ad3333e84a5916e3046323add58017c6efb2a00)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 17, 2012, 02:21:52 PM
There was a movie a long time ago with POWs in a German camp or something forming a football team. Pele was in it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 17, 2012, 02:38:39 PM
Quote from: Josephus on April 17, 2012, 02:21:52 PM
There was a movie a long time ago with POWs in a German camp or something forming a football team. Pele was in it.

Victory
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on April 17, 2012, 03:15:39 PM
Ahem, Escape to Victory.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 17, 2012, 03:17:01 PM
Quote from: Warspite on April 17, 2012, 03:15:39 PM
Ahem, Escape to Victory.

In the important part of the world, just Victory
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 17, 2012, 03:22:58 PM
Quote from: Warspite on April 17, 2012, 03:15:39 PM
Ahem, Escape to Victory.

And you people call cookies..... biscuits. NOT ME SIRRAH!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 17, 2012, 04:16:09 PM
Quote from: Viking on April 17, 2012, 02:17:43 PM
Quote from: Valmy on April 17, 2012, 02:10:59 PM
Quote from: katmai on April 17, 2012, 05:40:14 AM
New National team unis

Are we going to recruit our players exclusively from our prison population or something?

They made a movie about this

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Felectronic.idilis.ro%2Fuploaded_images%2Fmean_machine_poster-790837.jpg&hash=5ad3333e84a5916e3046323add58017c6efb2a00)

trivia for katmai: Vinny Jones was a Chelsea player, and allegedly holds the record for fastest red card send off ever  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on April 17, 2012, 04:18:59 PM
Quote from: Tamas on April 17, 2012, 04:16:09 PM
trivia for katmai: Vinny Jones was a Chelsea player, and allegedly holds the record for fastest red card send off ever  :D

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgfx.dagbladet.no%2Fpub%2Fartikkel%2F4%2F47%2F476%2F476841%2Fvinniegazza_1158315554.jpg&hash=224ace35d61d506b2e37c40bf31e949c121bfbf2)

Ah, the loving embrace of Vinnie Jones.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 17, 2012, 04:21:21 PM
I know who Vinnie Jones is and his life before Cinema.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 18, 2012, 03:39:17 PM
Barca off night + Chelsea playing 10-0-0 = meh game
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 18, 2012, 03:48:43 PM
Not enough shots of Chelsea's physio.  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 20, 2012, 01:33:46 AM
QuoteFox networks to televise 9 EPL games on May 13

NEW YORK (AP) -- Fox's cable networks and digital services will televise nine of the 10 Premier League games on May 13 live in the U.S.

Fox said it will broadcast matches on FX, SPEED, FSN, FUEL TV, Fox Soccer and Fox Soccer Plus, with one simulcast on FOX Deportes. One game will be available on FoxSoccer.com and two on Fox Soccer 2Go.

The 10th game will be on ESPN2 under that network's sublicense.

All games on what Fox is calling "Survival Sunday'' start at 10 a.m. EDT. Games have not yet been assigned to specific networks.

The final day of the season could see the league title decided and which teams are being relegated to the second-tier League Championship. The schedule includes Chelsea-Blackburn, Everton-Newcastle, Manchester City-Queens Park Rangers, Norwich-Aston Villa, Sunderland-Manchester United, Tottenham-Fulham, West Bromwich Albion-Arsenal, Wigan-Wolverhampton, Stoke-Bolton and Swansea-Liverpool.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 20, 2012, 06:25:51 AM
QuoteSPEED

OH MAH GOD, WHAT IS THIS SOCCER SHIT? WHERE IS DW? BOOGITY BOOGITY BOOGITY!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 20, 2012, 04:21:42 PM
Quote from: katmai on April 17, 2012, 05:40:14 AM
New National team unis

I prefer the French ones  :cool:

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 20, 2012, 04:23:48 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 20, 2012, 06:25:51 AM
QuoteSPEED

OH MAH GOD, WHAT IS THIS SOCCER SHIT? WHERE IS DW? BOOGITY BOOGITY BOOGITY!

This time Fox has gone TOO FAR. It was sacrilegious enough when they played tape-delayed Premier League games before/after NFL games last year. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 20, 2012, 05:14:34 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 20, 2012, 04:23:48 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 20, 2012, 06:25:51 AM
QuoteSPEED

OH MAH GOD, WHAT IS THIS SOCCER SHIT? WHERE IS DW? BOOGITY BOOGITY BOOGITY!

This time Fox has gone TOO FAR. It was sacrilegious enough when they played tape-delayed Premier League games before/after NFL games last year.

I was slightly offended when they got their peanut butter in my chocolate.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 21, 2012, 12:15:09 AM
Hey Ed, did you know that King James is minority owner of Liverpool?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 21, 2012, 06:21:34 AM
Quote from: katmai on April 21, 2012, 12:15:09 AM
Hey Ed, did you know that King James is minority owner of Liverpool?

No.  :mad:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 21, 2012, 01:18:13 PM
I had the extreme misfortune of watching part the Arsenal-Chelsea game. Woooooo, what a borefest.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 21, 2012, 01:31:21 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 21, 2012, 01:18:13 PM
I had the extreme misfortune of watching part the Arsenal-Chelsea game. Woooooo, what a borefest.

I got up at 6:45 to watch that shit godamn
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 21, 2012, 01:38:03 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 21, 2012, 01:31:21 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 21, 2012, 01:18:13 PM
I had the extreme misfortune of watching part the Arsenal-Chelsea game. Woooooo, what a borefest.

I got up at 6:45 to watch that shit godamn

:XD:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 21, 2012, 04:36:51 PM
For those of you interested in lower division American soccer (:lol:), my completely new local team played its first game in Atlanta and produced this video (http://youtu.be/njdizqICL8M). Judging by the music and the quality of the video they timetraveled back to 1992 just for this game.

We proceeded to get stomped 4-0 by Puerto Rico Islanders in our home opener. I was not present.  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 21, 2012, 06:26:36 PM
Toronto FC's off to a flying 0-6 start to the season. :Embarrass:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 22, 2012, 02:05:07 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 21, 2012, 01:31:21 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 21, 2012, 01:18:13 PM
I had the extreme misfortune of watching part the Arsenal-Chelsea game. Woooooo, what a borefest.

I got up at 6:45 to watch that shit godamn


try 3:45am here :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 22, 2012, 08:56:54 AM
Today's game was worth getting up for.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 22, 2012, 09:25:37 AM
Quote from: Josephus on April 22, 2012, 08:56:54 AM
Today's game was worth getting up for.  :)

Yes it was and I did! :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on April 22, 2012, 12:11:21 PM
Jelavic :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 22, 2012, 01:04:58 PM
Why does the big game next week have to be on Monday :mad:? Think I feel a cold coming on.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 22, 2012, 01:29:49 PM
LOLiverpool.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 22, 2012, 03:44:27 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 22, 2012, 01:29:49 PM
LOLiverpool.  :lol:

Pathetic.

I'm not even gonna bother watchin them when they come to Toronto in July.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 22, 2012, 03:46:51 PM
Quote from: Josephus on April 22, 2012, 03:44:27 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 22, 2012, 01:29:49 PM
LOLiverpool.  :lol:

Pathetic.

I'm not even gonna bother watchin them when they come to Toronto in July.

You know you want to watch Andy Carroll (if he is still there) pout at the ref.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 22, 2012, 03:48:31 PM
QuoteItalian Soccer Match Delayed When Fans Demand Players Hand Over Their Jerseys

Today's Serie A match between Genoa and Siena was delayed for 30 minutes when Genoa supporters, angered by the team being down 4-0, took matters into their own hands. As reported at Goal.com:

    The club's ultras then took action by blocking the entrance to the dressing room as they wanted the players to hand their jerseys over on the grounds that they were not "worthy" of the colours.

    All of the Genoa players incredibly cooperated, except loan striker Giuseppe Sculli, who refused to remove his shirt, while wing back Giandomenico Mesto broke down in tears.

    Captain Marco Rossi, who was given the responsibility of taking the jerseys and passing them on to the ultras, proceeded to go over to the group of supporters in a bid to bargain with them.

Sculli, you can see in the above video, attempted to negotiate a treaty of sorts with the ultras, who eventually gave the jerseys back and allowed the match to continue. We're still a bit shocked the team actually took their shirts off on the pitch and handed them over; Italy sounds like an excellent place to start a new career as a bank robber.

I love this shit.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 22, 2012, 06:20:15 PM
Quote from: Warspite on April 22, 2012, 12:11:21 PM
Jelavic :wub:
And how :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 24, 2012, 02:30:06 PM
Ah yes John Terry, such a class act. :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 24, 2012, 02:44:09 PM
Stupid fucking Terry. What a fucking arsehole. What the fuck was he thinking?

So second half is about facing the best attacking team in the world with no central defenders on the pitch, and one man down.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 24, 2012, 02:46:13 PM
Quote from: Tamas on April 24, 2012, 02:44:09 PM
Stupid fucking Terry. What a fucking arsehole. What the fuck was he thinking?

So second half is about facing the best attacking team in the world with no central defenders on the pitch, and one man down.

Yep, not an impossible task, nope not at all.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 24, 2012, 03:21:59 PM
In the 78th min now, Tamas hyperventilating yet?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 24, 2012, 03:35:38 PM
Haha Torres
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on April 24, 2012, 03:42:31 PM
Torres, unbelievable.

What's this, his third goal in all the season?

Good game Chelsea :thumbsup:

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 24, 2012, 03:43:56 PM
That was awesome. I'm actually starting to like this Chelsea squad. :o

Also I'm happy for Torres.  :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 24, 2012, 03:48:10 PM
Nothing better in the world than Champions League football. Nothing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 24, 2012, 03:49:56 PM
I wonder how many Mexicans and Turks I'll see tomorrow wearing a Barca shirt. :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 24, 2012, 03:53:56 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 24, 2012, 03:49:56 PM
I wonder how many Mexicans and Turks I'll see tomorrow wearing a Barca shirt. :hmm:

How many did you see today?  :huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on April 24, 2012, 03:54:30 PM
I've got to say that coming back from two goals down with 10 men on the pitch losing your captain and only competent central defender against barcelona with torres as striker really has to be one of the greatest achievements within the sport this year.

I think the search for a manager has ended, give the job to bob.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on April 24, 2012, 03:54:53 PM
Quote from: Josephus on April 24, 2012, 03:48:10 PM
Nothing better in the world than Champions League football. Nothing.
You're so right. :yes:

About Chelsea, it seems that Di Matteo has given some squareness at least.

And Drogba is probably a horrible cheater, but what. a. player.

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 24, 2012, 03:57:36 PM
Quote from: katmai on April 24, 2012, 03:53:56 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 24, 2012, 03:49:56 PM
I wonder how many Mexicans and Turks I'll see tomorrow wearing a Barca shirt. :hmm:

How many did you see today?  :huh:

On campus I see Mexicans/Arabs/Turks in either Barca or Real Madrid kit all the time. Only white people wear English clubs here.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 24, 2012, 03:59:24 PM
Quote from: Viking on April 24, 2012, 03:54:30 PM
I think the search for a manager has ended, give the job to bob.

Agreed. He turned a mediocre team into a Champions League finalist.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 24, 2012, 04:05:10 PM
OMG what a game. What an effort. MY HEART!!!!

The final will be played by the reserve squad btw. Terry, Ivanovic, Ramirez, Meireiles, all gone for it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 24, 2012, 04:08:15 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 24, 2012, 03:59:24 PM
Quote from: Viking on April 24, 2012, 03:54:30 PM
I think the search for a manager has ended, give the job to bob.

Agreed. He turned a mediocre team into a Champions League finalist.

Grant also led them to the final. Although it is different now, they clearly have chemistry with dimatteo
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on April 24, 2012, 04:12:23 PM
Quote from: Tamas on April 24, 2012, 04:05:10 PM
OMG what a game. What an effort. MY HEART!!!!

The final will be played by the reserve squad btw. Terry, Ivanovic, Ramirez, Meireiles, all gone for it.

Regarding player availability, in the defense after terry's sending off chelsea was defending with three fullbacks and defensive midfielder, which sort of begs the question, why the hell does anybody need out and out central defenders when playing against barcelona?

Cole - Luiz - Cahill - Boswinga

works as a defensive line... eh .. sort of... it has Luiz in it, so maybe not...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 24, 2012, 04:23:13 PM
Quote from: Viking on April 24, 2012, 04:12:23 PM
Regarding player availability, in the defense after terry's sending off chelsea was defending with three fullbacks and defensive midfielder, which sort of begs the question, why the hell does anybody need out and out central defenders when playing against barcelona?


Interesting. Chelsea essentially played 6-3-0 for the second half. With that many players packing the box and occupying space their limited choices of central defenders maybe weren't as problematic as they would have been normally.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on April 24, 2012, 05:33:07 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 24, 2012, 04:23:13 PM

Interesting. Chelsea essentially played 6-3-0 for the second half. With that many players packing the box and occupying space their limited choices of central defenders maybe weren't as problematic as they would have been normally.

Chelseas subs were Boswinga for Cahill (offensive back for a central defender), Kalou for Mata ("like" for "like") and Torres for Drogba (blank shooter for godlike awesom). There were alot of chelsea players who are better known for their offensive skills rather than their defensive ones.

Barca breaks down established defenses by moving the ball around forcing the defense to open up a gap which can be exploited or force the defense to allow one of its dribblers enough space and time to create a gap. To be blunt your central defenders will not be contributing to stopping this, they will react to the gaps. They are not looking for crosses or target men, they keep the ball in the team and if you can keep their opportunities to exploit space to low success percentages. Basically seeing the passing go Messi to Xavi to Busquets to Xavi to Iniesta to Xavi to Messi to Xavi for 45 minutes without any passes to open the defense is what chelsea was aiming for and seems to have gotten. If you are going to defend like that you'll prefer fast skilfull players to strong motivated players.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on April 24, 2012, 05:42:57 PM
Chelsea invented new football positions tonight: inside and outside fullbacks.

I still don't rate Di Matteo as a manager yet. People forget his previous managerial experiences and the fact that a lot of the Chelsea squad's revitalisation is, I suspect, part of a desire to rescue their reputation after essentially having forced AVB out. I would advise Chelsea fans to not start sucking each other's dicks quite yet: they're still outsiders for fouth place in the PL.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 24, 2012, 05:45:08 PM
Quote from: Warspite on April 24, 2012, 05:42:57 PM
I would advise Chelsea fans to not start sucking each other's dicks quite yet: they're still outsiders for fouth place in the PL.

Let's go Newcastle!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 24, 2012, 06:08:42 PM
Quote from: Warspite on April 24, 2012, 05:42:57 PM
Chelsea invented new football positions tonight: inside and outside fullbacks.

I still don't rate Di Matteo as a manager yet. People forget his previous managerial experiences and the fact that a lot of the Chelsea squad's revitalisation is, I suspect, part of a desire to rescue their reputation after essentially having forced AVB out. I would advise Chelsea fans to not start sucking each other's dicks quite yet: they're still outsiders for fouth place in the PL.

I'd say I have been as skeptical of Chelsea under di Matteo as you are, but today's game convinced me otherwise. I know Barca has been running on fumes recently, but holding them off over two legs in a Champions League semifinal is a pretty great accomplishment.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on April 24, 2012, 06:15:06 PM
Quote from: Viking on April 24, 2012, 05:33:07 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 24, 2012, 04:23:13 PM

Interesting. Chelsea essentially played 6-3-0 for the second half. With that many players packing the box and occupying space their limited choices of central defenders maybe weren't as problematic as they would have been normally.

Chelseas subs were Boswinga for Cahill (offensive back for a central defender), Kalou for Mata ("like" for "like") and Torres for Drogba (blank shooter for godlike awesom). There were alot of chelsea players who are better known for their offensive skills rather than their defensive ones.

Barca breaks down established defenses by moving the ball around forcing the defense to open up a gap which can be exploited or force the defense to allow one of its dribblers enough space and time to create a gap. To be blunt your central defenders will not be contributing to stopping this, they will react to the gaps. They are not looking for crosses or target men, they keep the ball in the team and if you can keep their opportunities to exploit space to low success percentages. Basically seeing the passing go Messi to Xavi to Busquets to Xavi to Iniesta to Xavi to Messi to Xavi for 45 minutes without any passes to open the defense is what chelsea was aiming for and seems to have gotten. If you are going to defend like that you'll prefer fast skilfull players to strong motivated players.

Centre backs do not just exist to stop crosses and target men. To counter Barca's ball movement you need exceptionally aware defenders who are comfortable operating right in front of the goal and excellent tacklers while also being supreme anticipators to know when to move up to stop a move. All the while, displaying outstanding positioning and calmness. In other words, world class centre backs. Let's not forget Chelsea were carved open twice and could quite easily have been down by more. I agree with you if you are really saying that you don't need brutish tacklers to stop Barca's style, as re-reading your post you seem to be suggesting that a Koscielny-type defender is required - fast and skilful.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 24, 2012, 06:15:24 PM
Quote from: katmai on April 24, 2012, 05:45:08 PM
Quote from: Warspite on April 24, 2012, 05:42:57 PM
I would advise Chelsea fans to not start sucking each other's dicks quite yet: they're still outsiders for fouth place in the PL.

Let's go Newcastle!

Geordie fags.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on April 24, 2012, 06:17:26 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 24, 2012, 06:08:42 PM
Quote from: Warspite on April 24, 2012, 05:42:57 PM
Chelsea invented new football positions tonight: inside and outside fullbacks.

I still don't rate Di Matteo as a manager yet. People forget his previous managerial experiences and the fact that a lot of the Chelsea squad's revitalisation is, I suspect, part of a desire to rescue their reputation after essentially having forced AVB out. I would advise Chelsea fans to not start sucking each other's dicks quite yet: they're still outsiders for fouth place in the PL.

I'd say I have been as skeptical of Chelsea under di Matteo as you are, but today's game convinced me otherwise. I know Barca has been running on fumes recently, but holding them off over two legs in a Champions League semifinal is a pretty great accomplishment.

Sure, but then again Chelsea were a few pieces of woodwork away from being ignomiously dumped out.

This sort of fortune is all well and good in cups, but ultimately you are a big club because of your league position, and as they say the karma always evens out over a season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 24, 2012, 06:22:20 PM
Quote from: Viking on April 24, 2012, 05:33:07 PMBarca breaks down established defenses by moving the ball around forcing the defense to open up a gap which can be exploited or force the defense to allow one of its dribblers enough space and time to create a gap. To be blunt your central defenders will not be contributing to stopping this, they will react to the gaps. They are not looking for crosses or target men, they keep the ball in the team and if you can keep their opportunities to exploit space to low success percentages. Basically seeing the passing go Messi to Xavi to Busquets to Xavi to Iniesta to Xavi to Messi to Xavi for 45 minutes without any passes to open the defense is what chelsea was aiming for and seems to have gotten. If you are going to defend like that you'll prefer fast skilfull players to strong motivated players.
Isn't a lot of this what Bielsa tends to do?  Play a fast skilful midfielder in defence because they're often able to read the game better, are quicker and more skilful, but also able to start an attack from defence very, very quickly. 

I like di Matteo and thought he had a tough break with West Brom. 

QuoteLet's go Newcastle!
Yeah :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 24, 2012, 06:22:40 PM
Well Arky they gotta secure a Champions League spot next season somehow, right :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 24, 2012, 06:23:38 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 24, 2012, 06:15:24 PM
Quote from: katmai on April 24, 2012, 05:45:08 PM
Quote from: Warspite on April 24, 2012, 05:42:57 PM
I would advise Chelsea fans to not start sucking each other's dicks quite yet: they're still outsiders for fouth place in the PL.

Let's go Newcastle!

Geordie fags.

I remember watching them with Les Ferdinand and Alan Shearer while I was drinking Newcastle Brown almost 20 years ago, you bandwaggoning Liverpuddian fag.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 24, 2012, 06:26:50 PM
Quote from: katmai on April 24, 2012, 06:23:38 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 24, 2012, 06:15:24 PM
Quote from: katmai on April 24, 2012, 05:45:08 PM
Quote from: Warspite on April 24, 2012, 05:42:57 PM
I would advise Chelsea fans to not start sucking each other's dicks quite yet: they're still outsiders for fouth place in the PL.

Let's go Newcastle!

Geordie fags.

I remember watching them with Les Ferdinand and Alan Shearer while I was drinking Newcastle Brown almost 20 years ago, you bandwaggoning Liverpuddian fag.

I didn't know the north needed Mexicans to bring in the crops.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 24, 2012, 06:30:27 PM
Quote from: Warspite on April 24, 2012, 06:17:26 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 24, 2012, 06:08:42 PM
Quote from: Warspite on April 24, 2012, 05:42:57 PM
Chelsea invented new football positions tonight: inside and outside fullbacks.

I still don't rate Di Matteo as a manager yet. People forget his previous managerial experiences and the fact that a lot of the Chelsea squad's revitalisation is, I suspect, part of a desire to rescue their reputation after essentially having forced AVB out. I would advise Chelsea fans to not start sucking each other's dicks quite yet: they're still outsiders for fouth place in the PL.

I'd say I have been as skeptical of Chelsea under di Matteo as you are, but today's game convinced me otherwise. I know Barca has been running on fumes recently, but holding them off over two legs in a Champions League semifinal is a pretty great accomplishment.

Sure, but then again Chelsea were a few pieces of woodwork away from being ignomiously dumped out.

This sort of fortune is all well and good in cups, but ultimately you are a big club because of your league position, and as they say the karma always evens out over a season.

True enough. I agree with you that their resurrection is mainly attributable to their wounded egos trying to redress their league position. And, except for Arsenal and Barcelona, their competition since AVB's sacking have been middling or out-of-form teams that you would expect a normal Chelsea side to defeat.

I know I won't be surprised to see di Matteo gone in the summer, but a part of me thinks The Russian may give him a chance next season in light of this victory. If he doesn't work out he'll just sack him like he does everyone else :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 24, 2012, 06:32:09 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 24, 2012, 06:22:20 PM

Isn't a lot of this what Bielsa tends to do?  Play a fast skilful midfielder in defence because they're often able to read the game better, are quicker and more skilful, but also able to start an attack from defence very, very quickly. 


Sorta like Mascherano now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 24, 2012, 06:33:01 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 24, 2012, 06:26:50 PM
Quote from: katmai on April 24, 2012, 06:23:38 PM
I remember watching them with Les Ferdinand and Alan Shearer while I was drinking Newcastle Brown almost 20 years ago, you bandwaggoning Liverpuddian fag.

I didn't know the north needed Mexicans to bring in the crops.

:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on April 24, 2012, 06:56:14 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 24, 2012, 06:22:20 PM
Isn't a lot of this what Bielsa tends to do?  Play a fast skilful midfielder in defence because they're often able to read the game better, are quicker and more skilful, but also able to start an attack from defence very, very quickly. 

I like di Matteo and thought he had a tough break with West Brom. 


Nils Arne Eggen has been doing it since the 1980s starting with this guy, Sverre Brandhaug.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rbk.no%2Fmultimedia%2Farchive%2F00070%2FBrandhaug_70599a.jpg&hash=1bf0c71cdbf6390c49d5c769d571c2d7a4fb28c9)

also, Eggen is almost as crazy as Bielsa, but much more sociable.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on April 25, 2012, 04:15:44 PM
Very tight game, ending in penalty shootout...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on April 25, 2012, 04:17:57 PM
Ronaldo Misses!!!!! Real can win now, I'm satisfied.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on April 25, 2012, 04:18:43 PM
Kaka misses as well, Manuel Neuer is having a good day.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on April 25, 2012, 04:20:53 PM
Kroos and Lahm have missed as well, Casillas is having a good day as well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on April 25, 2012, 04:22:06 PM
Ramos misses, Schweinsteiger will win it if he gets this one.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 25, 2012, 04:22:25 PM
 :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on April 25, 2012, 04:23:06 PM
GOOOOOOOOOLLLLL!!!!!

We get a dago free final!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 25, 2012, 04:26:15 PM

Congrats Bayern Munich Eastern Conference Champions 2011-2012


Both Spanish teams out  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on April 25, 2012, 04:30:54 PM
as gary lineker said

QuoteFootball is a game of two halves, between 2 sides of 11 men, and at the end of the game Germany win on penalties.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 25, 2012, 04:32:13 PM
I repeat what I said yesterday---Is there anything better than Champions League Football. Other than searching for Scarlett Johansson's G-spot, I think not.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on April 25, 2012, 04:59:03 PM
Kaka 65 million euros
Ronaldo 94 million euros
Being German in a penalty shootout Priceless
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valdemar on April 26, 2012, 03:16:58 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 24, 2012, 06:32:09 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 24, 2012, 06:22:20 PM

Isn't a lot of this what Bielsa tends to do?  Play a fast skilful midfielder in defence because they're often able to read the game better, are quicker and more skilful, but also able to start an attack from defence very, very quickly. 


Sorta like Mascherano now.

Agger when he is fit

V
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 26, 2012, 03:25:44 AM
I'm soooooooo thankful to Bayern and Chelsea for kicking the Spanish teams out. The coming weeks would have been unbearable if either of them had qualified, and I can't even begin to imagine the possibility of both going through.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on April 26, 2012, 03:40:36 AM
I know some Bayern-haters (they're the Yankees of the Bundesliga - the team people love to hate) who  are rextremely annoyed that Bayern will be the first team (and probably the only one for a long time) that will play the final in their own stadium.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 26, 2012, 04:08:37 AM
At least they will take comfort in the fact of them losing the final in their own stadium!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on April 26, 2012, 04:29:16 AM
Quote from: Syt on April 26, 2012, 03:40:36 AM
I know some Bayern-haters (they're the Yankees of the Bundesliga - the team people love to hate) who  are rextremely annoyed that Bayern will be the first team (and probably the only one for a long time) that will play the final in their own stadium.
It happened two times before, Real Madrid at Bernabeu and Internazionale at San Siro in the Sixties, if we count the Champions Cup.

I'll be in Munich on saturday, I think lots of people will be still suffering from hangovers  ;)

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on April 26, 2012, 04:38:46 AM
Quote from: Pedrito on April 26, 2012, 04:29:16 AM
It happened two times before, Real Madrid at Bernabeu and Internazionale at San Siro in the Sixties, if we count the Champions Cup.

But not in Champions League. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on April 26, 2012, 04:48:55 AM
The Champions League is a monstrous creature of Blatter, and has no dignity of existence.

Especially if Juventus FC doesn't play in it  :P

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 26, 2012, 04:52:25 AM
Quote from: Pedrito on April 26, 2012, 04:48:55 AM
The Champions League is a monstrous creature of Blatter, and has no dignity of existence.

Especially if Juventus FC doesn't play in it  :P

L.

So next year it'll be a glorious competition, right?  ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on April 26, 2012, 04:59:21 AM
Quote from: Pedrito on April 26, 2012, 04:48:55 AM
The Champions League is a monstrous creature of Blatter

On that I agree.

Still, my preference would be a post-season tournament for the European clubs (tricky since season format varies, e.g. Russia using the calendar year instead of going summer => summer).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on April 26, 2012, 05:08:30 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 26, 2012, 04:52:25 AM
Quote from: Pedrito on April 26, 2012, 04:48:55 AM
The Champions League is a monstrous creature of Blatter, and has no dignity of existence.

Especially if Juventus FC doesn't play in it  :P

L.

So next year it'll be a glorious competition, right?  ;)
I HOPE SO  :menace:

At least I will be more interested in the loathsome group stage, that is usually useless (with some notable exceptions, see this year's APOEL advance).

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 26, 2012, 05:14:47 AM
Quote from: Pedrito on April 26, 2012, 05:08:30 AM
At least I will be more interested in the loathsome group stage, that is usually useless (with some notable exceptions, see this year's APOEL advance).
Winnowing out Manchester was worth it too :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on April 26, 2012, 05:19:19 AM
Quote from: Syt on April 26, 2012, 04:59:21 AM
Quote from: Pedrito on April 26, 2012, 04:48:55 AM
The Champions League is a monstrous creature of Blatter

On that I agree.

Still, my preference would be a post-season tournament for the European clubs (tricky since season format varies, e.g. Russia using the calendar year instead of going summer => summer).

Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Finland also don't play soccer in the winter.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffotball.bt.no%2Fmultimedia%2Farchive%2F00084%2Fchelsea1_84048b.jpg&hash=1798ff848cc9e768d5a0cbf0e0b60d1b1a50a0b5)

For good reason

Gianfranco Zola, Gianluca Vialli, Roberto Di Matteo, Mark Hughes, Dennis Wise, Franck Leboeuf and Ed De Goey didn't like it up em when it started snowing.

The out of sync seasons have helped Rosenborg in its various successful CL seasons. We were playing at the end of the season with our players at full fitness and not distracted by other competitions. Our opponents are usually either in pre-season or burdened with three game week program.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 26, 2012, 07:45:38 AM
Quote from: Viking on April 26, 2012, 05:19:19 AM
Gianfranco Zola, Gianluca Vialli, Roberto Di Matteo, Mark Hughes, Dennis Wise, Franck Leboeuf and Ed De Goey

:wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 26, 2012, 09:13:17 AM
I was listening to a podcast last night that pointed out that a lot of the top Spanish players seem, well, tired and burnt out, ie, Barca and RM players playing a bit labored, Silva looking jaded in Manchester City. This doesn't bode well for them in the Euros, perhaps? I mean, four years of constantly winning everything (since Euro 08) has to take a toll on the players not only physically but mentally.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on April 26, 2012, 09:17:38 AM
That sounds alot like a pre-emptive excuse for being knocked out in the group stage and Real and Barca not qualifying for the final.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 26, 2012, 09:22:38 AM
I hope Ireland beats them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 26, 2012, 09:29:36 AM
That was the excuse England used for their tired performance at the last world cup. :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 26, 2012, 10:08:04 AM
Quote from: Josephus on April 26, 2012, 09:29:36 AM
That was the excuse England used for their tired performance at the last world cup. :bowler:

But England doesn't win anything  :bowler: :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 26, 2012, 10:51:47 AM
Watch them win the Euros this summer. There's so little expectation this time, that they may pull it off.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on April 26, 2012, 01:07:54 PM
Real Madrid has paid 937 million Euro for transfers since they last won the Champion's League ten years ago...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 27, 2012, 05:16:18 AM
Quote from: Pedrito on April 26, 2012, 04:48:55 AM
The Champions League is a monstrous creature of Blatter, and has no dignity of existence.

Especially if Juventus FC doesn't play in it  :P

L.
Yes, I have trouble caring about the CL.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 27, 2012, 05:21:37 AM
Guardiola will leave Barcelona at the end of the league. Dawning of a new era, anyone?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on April 27, 2012, 06:45:37 AM
I wonder if Arsenal are lining up a cheeky bid for Fabregas. :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on April 27, 2012, 06:54:24 AM
Quote from: Warspite on April 27, 2012, 06:45:37 AM
I wonder if Arsenal are lining up a cheeky bid for Fabregas. :D

It would be really really funny if Arsenal paid up for Cesc before Barca finishes paying for him.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on April 27, 2012, 08:11:51 AM
We could call it evens and save them the wage bill.

Fabregas seems to be struggling slightly to adapt to Barca's more patient game. It would be a shame if Cesc's ability to play quick balls and thrive in a free role is coached out of him. It is, after all, what got Spain that goal in the World Cup final.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 27, 2012, 08:55:37 AM
Guardiola.....future manager of England. Perhaps. Hmmmmm?


Or Liverpool maybe

Chelsea?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on April 27, 2012, 09:04:45 AM
Quote from: Josephus on April 27, 2012, 08:55:37 AM
Guardiola.....future manager of England. Perhaps. Hmmmmm?


Or Liverpool maybe

Chelsea?

Guardiola is a guy who can't deal with players taller than 6'. Explaining to 23 players with the mental and social abilities of wayne rooney that they are not supposed to try and get the ball into the box and score might be too much for a non-native and non-yob speaker.

Trying to get the best out of Drogba, Lampard, Terry, Ramires et.al. might not be possible for a man who doesn't believe their skills are of true value.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 27, 2012, 09:08:42 AM
So where does he go from here? Italy? Inter perhaps or Juve?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on April 27, 2012, 09:13:21 AM
Quote from: Josephus on April 27, 2012, 09:08:42 AM
So where does he go from here? Italy? Inter perhaps or Juve?

Replace del bosque?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 27, 2012, 09:26:52 AM
Theoretically he's taking a sabbatical year next season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on April 27, 2012, 11:08:18 AM
Quote from: Josephus on April 27, 2012, 09:08:42 AM
So where does he go from here? Italy? Inter perhaps or Juve?
Juventus does not need him  :sleep:

It is very possible that he will come to Italy: knows the language, has played some time here, and Inter's and Milan's owners are courting him since some time.

An english club does not seem a likely destination, more probably the spanish national team, if Del Bosque leaves after Euro '12.

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 28, 2012, 11:07:29 AM
Watching an Arsenal game is just painful. Best part of the game was the Stoke fans mocking Wenger at the end of the game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 28, 2012, 11:18:28 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 28, 2012, 11:07:29 AM
Best part of the game was the Stoke fans mocking Wenger at the end of the game.
Yeah I loved that :lol:

Also, Jelavic :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 28, 2012, 11:21:00 AM
Wigan :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 28, 2012, 11:27:22 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 28, 2012, 11:07:29 AM
Watching an Arsenal game is just painful. Best part of the game was the Stoke fans mocking Wenger at the end of the game.

Arsenal games are usually either breathlessly entertaining or boredom defined depending on how well the other team defends and if Arsenal decide to give a shit.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 28, 2012, 11:28:50 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 28, 2012, 11:27:22 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 28, 2012, 11:07:29 AM
Watching an Arsenal game is just painful. Best part of the game was the Stoke fans mocking Wenger at the end of the game.

Arsenal games are usually either breathlessly entertaining or boredom defined depending on how well the other team defends and if Arsenal decide to give a shit.
Stoke games on the other hand...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 28, 2012, 11:32:37 AM
Stoke wouldn't look out of place in the NFC East.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 28, 2012, 11:33:25 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 28, 2012, 11:27:22 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 28, 2012, 11:07:29 AM
Watching an Arsenal game is just painful. Best part of the game was the Stoke fans mocking Wenger at the end of the game.

Arsenal games are usually either breathlessly entertaining or boredom defined depending on how well the other team defends and if Arsenal decide to give a shit.

I've discovered that they numb the mind and I should avoid them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 28, 2012, 11:34:31 AM
You chose Liverpool, so you ain't got nuttin to be bitching about.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 28, 2012, 11:39:32 AM
Quote from: katmai on April 28, 2012, 11:34:31 AM
You chose Liverpool, so you ain't got nuttin to be bitching about.

Which doesn't really matter. You fags are going to have to realize this is a spring time killer for me.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 28, 2012, 11:40:57 AM
Plus I can't make fun of Carroll this week. He hurt his groin jumping fences during a fox hunt.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 28, 2012, 11:47:40 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 28, 2012, 11:39:32 AM
Quote from: katmai on April 28, 2012, 11:34:31 AM
You chose Liverpool, so you ain't got nuttin to be bitching about.

Which doesn't really matter. You fags are going to have to realize this is a spring time killer for me.  :D

I knew you weren't hardcore <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 28, 2012, 11:47:46 AM
Sweet Jesus, the liverpool game is worse and I'm having trouble understanding the announcers. Take the balls out of each others mouths please.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 28, 2012, 11:48:20 AM
Quote from: katmai on April 28, 2012, 11:47:40 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 28, 2012, 11:39:32 AM
Quote from: katmai on April 28, 2012, 11:34:31 AM
You chose Liverpool, so you ain't got nuttin to be bitching about.

Which doesn't really matter. You fags are going to have to realize this is a spring time killer for me.  :D

I knew you weren't hardcore <_<

I told u I wasn't to begin with.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 28, 2012, 11:57:15 AM
Oh dear lord, please don't show the crowd again. That chick had extreme snaggletooth.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on April 28, 2012, 01:01:22 PM
Saints promoted to the Premiership.  :cool:

Good grief, how did that happen, 2 seasons ago they were languishing in the middle of league one( ie 3rd tier football)


edit:
and if I were a battle hardened fan, I'd be cheering that on the same day Pompey were demoted to league one.   :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on April 28, 2012, 01:17:25 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 28, 2012, 11:33:25 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 28, 2012, 11:27:22 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 28, 2012, 11:07:29 AM
Watching an Arsenal game is just painful. Best part of the game was the Stoke fans mocking Wenger at the end of the game.

Arsenal games are usually either breathlessly entertaining or boredom defined depending on how well the other team defends and if Arsenal decide to give a shit.

I've discovered that they numb the mind and I should avoid them.

Stoke have one of the best and most frustratingly organised defences in the game when playing at home.

I love Stoke fans: booing Aaron Ramsey because he suffered a nearly career-ending tackle at the Britannia two years ago. There are cunts, and then there are Stoke fans.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 28, 2012, 01:22:50 PM
Clearly Angerbutt picked the wrong team to support then.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 28, 2012, 01:30:29 PM
Quote from: katmai on April 28, 2012, 01:22:50 PM
Clearly Angerbutt picked the wrong team to support then.

:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 28, 2012, 01:34:16 PM
Suarez.  :) :) :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 28, 2012, 01:38:04 PM
Carroll meanwhile is chewing on a sugar cube the trainer gave him.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 28, 2012, 09:20:15 PM
I'm not entirely sure why but I'm really hoping Villa get relegated.
Its a long shot but...would be nice.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 29, 2012, 08:46:00 AM
Toronto FC now 0-7 :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on April 29, 2012, 01:17:45 PM
Torres gets hat-trick against QPR. Doubling his goal tally for the season in one game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 29, 2012, 01:24:04 PM
Quote from: Viking on April 29, 2012, 01:17:45 PM
Torres gets hat-trick against QPR. Doubling his goal tally for the season in one game.


:cool:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on April 29, 2012, 02:31:22 PM
Torres has now equalled Vermaelen's tally for the season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 30, 2012, 08:36:14 PM
Man U vs Man City..... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Other than the managers going at it that is. HIT THE WOP! HIT THE WOP!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 30, 2012, 09:17:39 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 30, 2012, 08:36:14 PM
the managers going at it that is. HIT THE WOP! HIT THE WOP!

Yeah that was great  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 30, 2012, 09:30:51 PM
Yeah, it was a dull game. All that hype. "Best derby game in the history of the premier league and all that."

Well it's City's to lose now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on May 01, 2012, 03:37:36 PM
Fulham's first ever win at Liverpool.

How are you liking your chosen team now Ed?!?!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on May 01, 2012, 03:41:25 PM
Quote from: katmai on May 01, 2012, 03:37:36 PM
Fulham's first ever win at Liverpool.

How are you liking your chosen team now Ed?!?!

My dad'll be excited.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 01, 2012, 04:07:37 PM
So I bought tickets today for Liverpool v. Toronto. Should be fun. The two suckiest teams in the world. :mad:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on May 01, 2012, 05:11:43 PM
Quote from: katmai on May 01, 2012, 03:37:36 PM
Fulham's first ever win at Liverpool.

How are you liking your chosen team now Ed?!?!

Same as I did the otherday.  ^_^

Seriously Dorsey4Tacos, you need to try harder. ITS JUST A SOCCER TEAM.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on May 01, 2012, 05:13:50 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 01, 2012, 05:11:43 PM
Quote from: katmai on May 01, 2012, 03:37:36 PM
Fulham's first ever win at Liverpool.

How are you liking your chosen team now Ed?!?!

Same as I did the otherday.  ^_^

Seriously Dorsey4Tacos, you need to try harder. ITS JUST A SOCCER TEAM.

:mmm: Tacos.

And i know you don't care, but who am I gonna give you shit for, the Dayton Flyers?!?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on May 01, 2012, 05:15:26 PM
Quote from: katmai on May 01, 2012, 05:13:50 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 01, 2012, 05:11:43 PM
Quote from: katmai on May 01, 2012, 03:37:36 PM
Fulham's first ever win at Liverpool.

How are you liking your chosen team now Ed?!?!

Same as I did the otherday.  ^_^

Seriously Dorsey4Tacos, you need to try harder. ITS JUST A SOCCER TEAM.

:mmm: Tacos.

And i know you don't care, but who am I gonna give you shit for, the Dayton Flyers?!?

DONT EVER CALL ME A DAYTON FLYERS FAN

:P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on May 02, 2012, 03:42:45 PM
Nice game for Newcastle over Chelsea.

Suck it Tamas.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 02, 2012, 03:56:24 PM
Quote from: katmai on May 02, 2012, 03:42:45 PM
Nice game for Newcastle over Chelsea.

Suck it Tamas.

I can't get over that second goal. I was am still flipping out. :o  :cool:
http://youtu.be/gZRglsjuf-0
http://youtu.be/ysuQdnA2X_Y
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 02, 2012, 04:01:14 PM
 :( I am in the desolate wastelands of Poland so I couldn't watch it, perhaps for the better. This means one more motivation for winning the CL final
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 02, 2012, 04:04:33 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 02, 2012, 03:56:24 PM

I can't get over that second goal. I was am still flipping out. :o  :cool:
http://youtu.be/gZRglsjuf-0
http://youtu.be/ysuQdnA2X_Y
:o :blink:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on May 02, 2012, 04:08:49 PM
Goal of the year candidate that. Well Played Sir.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on May 03, 2012, 01:31:22 AM
(dangerously near to relegation) Fiorentina's coach subs one player halfway through first half, the player applauds, the coach punches him.

Result: coach fired, Fiorentina draws, player bruised

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QRrEvR3mw8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QRrEvR3mw8)

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 03, 2012, 04:48:55 AM
Quote from: Zanza on April 26, 2012, 01:07:54 PM
Real Madrid has paid 937 million Euro for transfers since they last won the Champion's League ten years ago...

Most of that in the last few years, in Florentino's 2.0 stage, and now they finally have a relevant title to show for it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on May 03, 2012, 02:33:34 PM
The Americans are coming......Again!
QuoteAmerican businessman set for Rangers takeover
The Associated Press – 2 hours 45 minutes ago

GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) The American businessman on the verge of buying Rangers vowed on Thursday to end the culture of financial mismanagement that brought one of Britain's biggest clubs to the brink of closure.

Bill Miller, the chairman of a Tennessee-based towing and recovery equipment company, was named as the preferred bidder for Scotland's most successful team after weeks of negotiations with its administrators.

The takeover is reportedly worth $18.1 million and should prevent the 140-year-old club, which has won a record 54 domestic league titles, from being liquidated after years of overspending under previous owners.

''What Rangers, which includes supporters, players, staff and anyone with the club at heart, have been put through, particularly in recent months, is a travesty and from what I can see they have been badly let down by a number of individuals,'' Miller said.

''This will not happen on my watch should I become the custodian of this great club.''

Rangers' joint administrator, Paul Clark, said he hopes the sale will be completed ''by the end of the current season,'' which finishes on the weekend of May 12-13.

''We believe that the structure of the bid from Mr. Miller provides not only the most deliverable outcome but preserves the history of the club,'' Rangers' joint administrator Paul Clark said. ''Rangers Football Club will continue as the football club it has been for 140 years.''

Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool are among 10 English Premier League clubs under foreign ownership but neither Rangers nor Celtic - the biggest teams in Scotland - have ever been bought by overseas owners.

Rangers has been under the supervision of administrators since February when it entered bankruptcy protection following a long-running dispute with the tax authorities.

Its future has been at stake after falling into tax debts of $14 million since the takeover of Craig Whyte last May. The Glasgow club is also awaiting the verdict of a tax tribunal over long-standing contested liabilities of up to $119 million.

''Under my stewardship, Rangers will be managed with fiscal discipline such that the club not only conforms to UEFA Financial Fair Play regulations but also such that Rangers will never have to suffer this kind of anguish again,'' the 65-year-old Miller said. ''From now on, Rangers will live within its means - no excuses.''

Miller was competing with a supporter-backed consortium called the ''Blue Knights.'' Singaporean businessman Bill Ng also made an offer but pulled out last month.

''His approach has been consistent throughout the process and on two occasions he has stepped back from the fray to enable other parties to submit an unconditional bid,'' Clark said of the American tycoon. ''Mr. Miller's proposal can provide the opportunity for the club to return to success on and off the field.''

Rangers was last week placed under a transfer embargo, preventing the club from signing players for the next 12 months unless they are under 18.

Its already narrow hope of retaining the Scottish Premier League title were ended by a 10-point deduction that was automatically triggered by going into administration.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on May 03, 2012, 07:27:52 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 02, 2012, 03:56:24 PM
Quote from: katmai on May 02, 2012, 03:42:45 PM
Nice game for Newcastle over Chelsea.

Suck it Tamas.

I can't get over that second goal. I was am still flipping out. :o  :cool:
http://youtu.be/gZRglsjuf-0
http://youtu.be/ysuQdnA2X_Y

Yeah Fredy Montero of Sounders had nice goal from 35yds out last night to boot.
Beating the Galaxy. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=tgGMBTgoA2E#!)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 03, 2012, 07:32:02 PM
lazy defending lol
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 03, 2012, 07:33:40 PM
Quote from: katmai on May 03, 2012, 07:27:52 PM
to boot.

:bash:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on May 05, 2012, 08:00:37 AM
Finally, an enjoyable Arsenal game.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 05, 2012, 08:42:02 AM
jesus fucking christ arsenal
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 05, 2012, 12:13:03 PM
The FA cup final needs a manager brawl.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 05, 2012, 01:19:48 PM
Didn't watch the game but kept up with the Guardian MBM. Reads like Ed wrote it:

Quote
55 min: Here comes Carroll!
GOAL!!!!! Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool (Carroll 63) Andy Carroll?! He collects the ball around eight yards out and as he fumbles about, the entire television audience is waiting for an air shot. But get this – he thumps it into the roof of the net. Brilliant finish.
66 min: My oh my, Liverpool needed that. Chelsea just needed to go through the motions to win or so it seemed and Carroll is rampant now. The strutting powerful figure who was terrific for Newcastle
71 min: This is turning into the best Cup final since West Ham-Liverpool in 2006. Carroll wins a towering header and flicks it back to Gerrard on the edge of the area but his volley is 40 yards or so over. That header by Carroll was magnificent
75 min: Carroll is running around like a big lolloping dog now
77 min: Andy Carroll is the greatest player of the last 500 years
80 min: With all the excitement over Carroll being able to play football,
90min +2 min: Carroll races into the box, he's terrifying when he bears down on the opposition. And isn't rubbish.

:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on May 05, 2012, 01:30:28 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 05, 2012, 01:19:48 PM
Didn't watch the game but kept up with the Guardian MBM. Reads like Ed wrote it:

Quote
55 min: Here comes Carroll!
GOAL!!!!! Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool (Carroll 63) Andy Carroll?! He collects the ball around eight yards out and as he fumbles about, the entire television audience is waiting for an air shot. But get this – he thumps it into the roof of the net. Brilliant finish.
66 min: My oh my, Liverpool needed that. Chelsea just needed to go through the motions to win or so it seemed and Carroll is rampant now. The strutting powerful figure who was terrific for Newcastle
71 min: This is turning into the best Cup final since West Ham-Liverpool in 2006. Carroll wins a towering header and flicks it back to Gerrard on the edge of the area but his volley is 40 yards or so over. That header by Carroll was magnificent
75 min: Carroll is running around like a big lolloping dog now
77 min: Andy Carroll is the greatest player of the last 500 years
80 min: With all the excitement over Carroll being able to play football,
90min +2 min: Carroll races into the box, he's terrifying when he bears down on the opposition. And isn't rubbish.

:lol:

:lol:

King Kenny didn't give him his sugar cubes before the game. And I totally missed the game.

The way it sounds, I'm not going to bother with the DV-R recording when I get back home tomorrow.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on May 05, 2012, 01:32:32 PM
If Carroll stays with LOLiverpool, I'm gonna have so much fun next season. I'm boning up on my horse jokes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 05, 2012, 08:55:04 PM
Not a good day to be a REds fan, on both sides of the ATlantic.

Watched Liverpool lose and then headed to BMO field to see Toronto FC lose their eighth in a row. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on May 05, 2012, 09:00:05 PM
Quote from: Josephus on May 05, 2012, 08:55:04 PM
Not a good day to be a REds fan, on both sides of the ATlantic.

Watched Liverpool lose and then headed to BMO field to see Toronto FC lose their eighth in a row. :(

Damn TO lost again?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 05, 2012, 09:06:23 PM
Yup. 2-0 to DC. :mad:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on May 05, 2012, 09:09:24 PM
So i guess would be poor form for me to tout the Sounders 4th win in a row?  :unsure:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 05, 2012, 09:59:37 PM
Nah, good for you. Sounders have always been a pretty solid team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 06, 2012, 01:32:06 AM
Just seen the game since it was on 3am last season - wtf is with the timing, 5pm and before the season has finished?

Somebody had spoiled before hand that Chelsea won (Gah!) but wasn't sure how. Poor Liverpool. Not a fan of them at all but much  prefer them to the most hated team in the world outside of Africa.

We really should have goal line detectors. It wouldn't even have to involve stopping the game. It should be an instantaneous beep, just means there are a few more seconds of play until the referee stops and says "wait wait, that was a goal there"
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 06, 2012, 02:08:34 AM
It was quite obvious that the ball did not cross the line in it's entirity. Which, by the rules, mean it was not a goal.

And if it wasn't for the freak timing of Liverpool's wakeup coinciding with Chelsea falling apart in nervousness due to the first Pool goal, it would have been a very shameful day for the reds.
They weren't on the pitch for 1.5 halves.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 06, 2012, 02:22:22 AM
Didnt look like it was in no. Its not the only time there has been such a situation though and even in this quite clear one there is controversy. Many others arent so clear.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on May 06, 2012, 03:59:05 PM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi132.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fq2%2FPedrito2007%2Fjuventus-casa.gif&hash=8de935eff7a5ddf25ec624b0217387da561a9512)

Serie A winners, 2011-2012.

I'm ecstatic.

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on May 06, 2012, 04:06:39 PM
Schalke 04 gets 3rd place.

Sure, sure, they were Nazis, sure they support Russian Natural Gas imperialism, sure they are living in the past - but a little story:

The first FM I played (at Katmai and Norgy's recommendation), I played Real Salt Lake for a couple of years, then I got the call up to the big time - Schalke 04 asked me to become their head.  They had a couple of Brazilians, a good German/Turk striker, and the game called them "Gelsenkirchen" after the town they are in (not the district), but they were in Europe so I accepted.

As the first European team to take me on as manager, they won my loyalty.  I don't have a Gazprom shirt, but I do follow them.  They will always be 2nd or 3rd, they will win a few German Cups now and then, and they might every few years fight relegation battles, but dammit they chose me.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on May 08, 2012, 03:28:52 PM
WHERE THE FUCK WAS THIS LIVERPOOL TEAM THIS WEEKEND?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 08, 2012, 05:25:20 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 08, 2012, 03:28:52 PM
WHERE THE FUCK WAS THIS LIVERPOOL TEAM THIS WEEKEND?

Fun to see Liverpool take their chances for once. ANDY CARROLLWUTWUT
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 08, 2012, 05:27:30 PM
YEAH. Liverpool did great in that second leg. We take the cup 5-3 on aggregate. Well done REds.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on May 08, 2012, 06:29:04 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 08, 2012, 05:25:20 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 08, 2012, 03:28:52 PM
WHERE THE FUCK WAS THIS LIVERPOOL TEAM THIS WEEKEND?

Fun to see Liverpool take their chances for once. ANDY CARROLLWUTWUT

His acting in the box was hilarious. Chop to the throat? Act like being hit in the face.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Richard Hakluyt on May 08, 2012, 06:34:03 PM
A rare Hakluyt contribution to the footie thread :

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2141203/Blue-colour-Football-fans-travel-230-miles-dressed-Smurfs-follow-team-final-game-season.html

Charlton 3 - Hartlepool 2
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 09, 2012, 07:39:31 AM
Puyol will miss the Euro Cup due to a knee injury.  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 09, 2012, 07:43:34 AM
QuoteOrganiser John 'Papa Smurf' Pearson – said: 'It's good craic and helps the day along.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2141203/Blue-colour-Football-fans-travel-230-miles-dressed-Smurfs-follow-team-final-game-season.html#ixzz1uNMtIFCz
:ultra:
The spelling is crack!

But lol.
I'm quite fond of Hartlepool
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 09, 2012, 07:46:15 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 08, 2012, 03:28:52 PM
WHERE THE FUCK WAS THIS LIVERPOOL TEAM THIS WEEKEND?

On the pitch sir. But they didn't face the Chelsea Reserves.

And Terry wasn't hungover on Saturday.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 09, 2012, 08:41:50 AM
Quote from: The Larch on May 09, 2012, 07:39:31 AM
Puyol will miss the Euro Cup due to a knee injury.  :(

I think Spain's reign is done anyway.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 09, 2012, 09:28:49 AM
Quote from: Josephus on May 09, 2012, 08:41:50 AM
Quote from: The Larch on May 09, 2012, 07:39:31 AM
Puyol will miss the Euro Cup due to a knee injury.  :(

I think Spain's reign is done anyway.

Well, this will most surely shift Ramos to centre back instead of right back, where he's IMO not that good and where his concentration slips, to which he's quite prone, are much more harmful. I still think we have a great squad with very good chances, but I'd rate Germany as the main favourites for the title at this moment.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on May 09, 2012, 10:00:47 AM
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on May 08, 2012, 06:34:03 PM
A rare Hakluyt contribution to the footie thread :

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2141203/Blue-colour-Football-fans-travel-230-miles-dressed-Smurfs-follow-team-final-game-season.html

Charlton 3 - Hartlepool 2

As a loyal Charlton season ticket holder, I was at this match with my son and his mate.  Was a great day, with the smurfs, the Red Devils parachuting onto the pitch, various opera singers, a sell-out ground and a trophy presentation. After 7 years of misery we are finally on the way back up!

The pools fans were great, staying to the end to applaud Charlton picking up the trophy, posing with kids for photos etc. We had them in the final game of last season as well - they were oompa loompas then and just as much fun.

You don't get this kind of support at the plastic clubs.

(https://p.twimg.com/AsIA3hQCEAAABIv.jpg:large)





Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 09, 2012, 10:11:39 AM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1147.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fo552%2Fbarq_in%2FEssien-Tackle.gif&hash=ae2b87f12f69685ee6d57df77ba381ea35e5062c)

:pinch:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Richard Hakluyt on May 09, 2012, 10:18:16 AM
@Gups - yes, if I actively supported any team it would be my local one PNE - which would be nothing but heartbreak i think  :lol:

Though I did feel sorry for a MUFC fan once. Born and raised a few hundred yards from Old Trafford, he really was supporting his local team, nowadays just a big business.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 09, 2012, 10:18:47 AM
Essien is just a shadow of himself since that string of injuries :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 09, 2012, 10:23:32 AM
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on May 09, 2012, 10:18:16 AM
@Gups - yes, if I actively supported any team it would be my local one PNE - which would be nothing but heartbreak i think  :lol:

Though I did feel sorry for a MUFC fan once. Born and raised a few hundred yards from Old Trafford, he really was supporting his local team, nowadays just a big business.

IMO supporting your local club come hell or high water should be mandatory during formative years, as it helps kids deal with failure and defeat, which they'll have to do a lot during their adult lives. Supporting big teams, and from other countries to boot (hi Tamas!) is such a cop out I can't even begin to describe it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on May 09, 2012, 10:24:40 AM
I jump on bandwagons that have already passed.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 09, 2012, 12:46:41 PM
My local club just won its very first home game ever.  :cool:

http://youtu.be/HK0U3Mtqq64

Yes we play on a high school football field. :bleeding: :bleeding:
The soccer-specific stadium is still being built and will be opened next season.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on May 09, 2012, 01:28:23 PM
I don't have a local club. And no, I don't count the Columbus Crew as 'local'.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on May 09, 2012, 01:53:42 PM
Our company's owner told me rather proudly that his home club of Toronto now has German Thorsten Frings as player/manager.

Guess wearing my Blue Jays jersey on casual Fridays won't score me brownie points if he's a soccer fan. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 09, 2012, 02:01:51 PM
Quote from: The Larch on May 09, 2012, 10:23:32 AM
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on May 09, 2012, 10:18:16 AM
@Gups - yes, if I actively supported any team it would be my local one PNE - which would be nothing but heartbreak i think  :lol:

Though I did feel sorry for a MUFC fan once. Born and raised a few hundred yards from Old Trafford, he really was supporting his local team, nowadays just a big business.

IMO supporting your local club come hell or high water should be mandatory during formative years, as it helps kids deal with failure and defeat, which they'll have to do a lot during their adult lives. Supporting big teams, and from other countries to boot (hi Tamas!) is such a cop out I can't even begin to describe it.

get off your high horse! I refuse to support what passes for top level football in this country.

More to the point, I fell in love with Chelsea when they were struggling to reach an UEFA CUp worthy place.

There.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 09, 2012, 02:13:48 PM
Quote from: Syt on May 09, 2012, 01:53:42 PM
Our company's owner told me rather proudly that his home club of Toronto now has German Thorsten Frings as player/manager.

Guess wearing my Blue Jays jersey on casual Fridays won't score me brownie points if he's a soccer fan. :(

he's not player/manager. Just player.

The manager is Aaron Winter, former Dutch player.

And it's not really a recent thing. Frings has been with the team since last year.

PS...maybe knowing this will score you brownine points. Say somthing to him like, "hey maybe Toronto FC will finally win a game this weekend."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on May 09, 2012, 02:14:41 PM
I don't follow soccer much these days. I blame Austrian soccer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 09, 2012, 02:43:11 PM
Ooh, struggling to get to Uefa, yeah, that's a real challenge. Get back when you battle relegation or fight for promotion.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 09, 2012, 03:07:47 PM
Quote from: The Larch on May 09, 2012, 02:43:11 PM
Ooh, struggling to get to Uefa, yeah, that's a real challenge. Get back when you battle relegation or fight for promotion.

:rolleyes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on May 10, 2012, 03:55:42 AM
Hmmm, with all the plaudits sent Bielsa's way for his formations and what not, not really loooking like Athletic are faring any better in La Liga.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on May 10, 2012, 08:27:12 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 09, 2012, 01:28:23 PM
I don't have a local club. And no, I don't count the Columbus Crew as 'local'.

Whoops.

http://www.daytondutchlionsfc.com/site/

Dutch Lions? LOLOLOLOLOL

Oh, it looks like an academy team for a dutch club. Still. LOLOLOLOLOL

Edit: Even funnier, they play in my town's HS stadium. LOLOLOLOLOL
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 10, 2012, 08:49:33 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 10, 2012, 08:27:12 PM

Edit: Even funnier, they play in my town's HS stadium. LOLOLOLOLOL

Yeah, that's a regular occurrence for shit-league American clubs. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 13, 2012, 11:08:45 AM
Grade-A stuff your English Premier League is.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on May 13, 2012, 11:37:26 AM
Today Alessandro Del Piero played his last game for Juventus.
He played 19 seasons for Juventus, more than 700 matches, and scored 290 goals.

With Juve and the national team he won almost every trophy possible: national titles, champions League,  Uefa cup, European Super Cup, Intercontinental cup, World Championship.

No one in the recent history of Juve played such a pivotal role.

I am very sad because he wanted to continue playing, but the team's chairman did not let him end his career at Juventus.

C'è solo un capitano (There's only one captain)

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 13, 2012, 11:44:57 AM
Not letting him end his career there? Is he going to play one more year or two elsewhere?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on May 13, 2012, 11:58:36 AM
Quote from: The Larch on May 13, 2012, 11:44:57 AM
Not letting him end his career there? Is he going to play one more year or two elsewhere?
I've read he wants to go to England or United States. he's still pretty fit, surely he isn't as quick as
in the youth, but can still contribute some goals and a remarkable baggage of experience to almost every team.

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 13, 2012, 12:11:42 PM
Nothing today beat the last five minutes of the Premier League
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 13, 2012, 12:22:51 PM
Quote from: Pedrito on May 13, 2012, 11:58:36 AM
Quote from: The Larch on May 13, 2012, 11:44:57 AM
Not letting him end his career there? Is he going to play one more year or two elsewhere?
I've read he wants to go to England or United States. he's still pretty fit, surely he isn't as quick as
in the youth, but can still contribute some goals and a remarkable baggage of experience to almost every team.

L.

Oh please god let him come to MLS so I can watch him play in person :o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 13, 2012, 12:23:19 PM
Quote from: Josephus on May 13, 2012, 12:11:42 PM
Nothing today beat the last five minutes of the Premier League

Scintillating :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on May 13, 2012, 12:27:47 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 13, 2012, 12:22:51 PM
Oh please god let him come to MLS so I can watch him play in person :o
I, like 99,7% of the supporters, am still hoping for one more season at Juventus, but it seems a very unlikely outcome.

I think he could get some more years of good game in the MLS.

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 13, 2012, 02:56:24 PM
Villareal just got relegated.  :wacko:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 13, 2012, 04:15:43 PM
Montpellier almost French league champion thanks to a 94th minute goal. Last game of them will be against an already relegated team, Auxerre. The PSG won 3-0 but will have to hope for a defeat of Montpellier to be champion.
Another tough season for French football on the Champion's league next year ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on May 13, 2012, 05:27:12 PM
I was enjoying the crowd shots of butthurt Man City fans before they pulled that game out of their asses. Especially angry scarf man.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 13, 2012, 05:29:52 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 13, 2012, 05:27:12 PM
I was enjoying the crowd shots of butthurt Man City fans before they pulled that game out of their asses. Especially angry scarf man.

My favorite part was the Joey Barton showdown. The man is a credit to the English race.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on May 13, 2012, 05:33:52 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 13, 2012, 05:29:52 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 13, 2012, 05:27:12 PM
I was enjoying the crowd shots of butthurt Man City fans before they pulled that game out of their asses. Especially angry scarf man.

My favorite part was the Joey Barton showdown. The man is a credit to the English race.

They should have let Balotelli go after him. I would have enjoyed that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on May 13, 2012, 05:35:36 PM
My facial expression after those two goals:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F30fps.mocksession.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F05%2F2012-May-11-11-7-25.jpg&hash=08e62d23a8356931c737e59e0faef461d43a5d98)

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 13, 2012, 06:06:22 PM
 :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 13, 2012, 07:42:06 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 13, 2012, 05:33:52 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 13, 2012, 05:29:52 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 13, 2012, 05:27:12 PM
I was enjoying the crowd shots of butthurt Man City fans before they pulled that game out of their asses. Especially angry scarf man.

My favorite part was the Joey Barton showdown. The man is a credit to the English race.

They should have let Balotelli go after him. I would have enjoyed that.

It almost happened. Balottelli was ready to go after him, but he was pulled back. Taht would have been awesome.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on May 13, 2012, 09:23:20 PM
Quote from: The Larch on May 13, 2012, 02:56:24 PM
Villareal just got relegated.  :wacko:

The Yellow Submarine is going down?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Neil on May 13, 2012, 10:01:21 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 13, 2012, 05:27:12 PM
I was enjoying the crowd shots of butthurt Man City fans before they pulled that game out of their asses. Especially angry scarf man.
Yeah, that was something.  Both the butthurt, and then the comeback.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 14, 2012, 03:07:46 AM
Pretty damn shocking turn of events. I'd hate to be a QPR fan, to lose it in the last moments like that...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Brazen on May 14, 2012, 03:29:16 AM
Having lived in Manchester for three years I support City. I was flicking between both games with a United supporter. After each goal we'd flick back to see the reaction as everyone studied their mobile phones. I have to admit I though the Blues had blown it, but to see the faces of the Reds fall in that last minute made all the stress worthwhile.

Further evidence, were it needed, that Joey Barton is, in fact, a twat.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.whoateallthepies.tv%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F05%2F5upTs.png&hash=4785fb9ac5828ae23e76d8d4172464a0ce0090cc)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 14, 2012, 07:20:15 AM
Quote from: Tyr on May 14, 2012, 03:07:46 AM
Pretty damn shocking turn of events. I'd hate to be a QPR fan, to lose it in the last moments like that...

it didn't matter to them. They were celebrating at the end as well, since they avoided relegation due to Bolton's tie.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 15, 2012, 04:02:59 AM
An article on Juventus' that Pedrito will surely enjoy:

QuoteAndrea Pirlo's peerless pass-mastery could lift even the Trentside fog
Juventus's pageant with Notts County and the title–winning form of their regista epitomise a fine moment for the Old Lady

The first time I saw Andrea Pirlo was on a cold and fog-shrouded November evening in Monza in 2000, when he was a member of the Italy Under-21 team sent out to confront Howard Wilkinson's England selection. Only 11 minutes had been played when the referee abandoned the match but since that night Pirlo's quality has illuminated every ground on which he has played, and none more so than Juventus's new stadium, where he and his team-mates celebrated the Serie A championship on Sunday.

A byword for graceful creativity, Pirlo has been the most influential midfield player in Europe this season, bar none. Last summer he left Milan, his home for 10 glittering years in which, mostly under Carlo Ancelotti, he won two European Cups, two Uefa Super Cups, one Fifa Club World Cup and two Italian league titles, and where he had intended to finish his career. But Massimiliano Allegri, Ancelotti's latest successor, wanted to install a different sort of influence in the position Pirlo had made his own, at the base of midfield: someone more physical, more aggressive, such as Mark van Bommel or Massimo Ambrosini.

A one-year extension was the best Milan could offer when Pirlo's contract expired. The player reckoned that, at 32, three more years would be about right. Milan declined his suggestion and probably no greater misjudgment has been made since Real Madrid sold Claude Makélélé to make room for David Beckham. Once it became known that Pirlo was on the market, Juventus snapped him up. Their new coach, Antonio Conte, himself a former international midfield player of great distinction, saw Pirlo as the foundation of the side he was building to go with the club's new home.

Last September the stadium was inaugurated with a stylish gala. Following the speeches and the presentation of great figures associated with the club's history, from Giampiero Boniperti to Edgar Davids, a game took place between Conte's new team and Notts County, the current representatives of the club who, back in 1903, sent Juventus a set of the black and white striped shirts in which they have played ever since.

When you think of all the famous clubs who would have happily accepted such an invitation, the Barcelonas and Manchester Uniteds and Bayern Munichs, this was a gesture of great historical sensitivity on the part of Andrea Agnelli, Juve's 36-year-old president, the fourth member of his family to hold the post. It came in response to a tentative call from Jim Rodwell, Notts's chief executive, wanting to ask Juventus to help mark this year's 150th anniversary of the world's oldest professional football club. Certainly, Agnelli responded, but why don't you join our celebrations first?

And so it came to pass that the players and officials of a club in the third tier of the English game found themselves on a private jet and in a five-star hotel, all at the expense of hosts for whom their ancestors had done a small favour more than a century earlier. For that, as much as for anything else, I reckon Juventus fully deserve their success in recapturing the Serie A title, the reward for a deed of outstanding dignity and generosity.

Others will conclude that Juve's success in remaining unbeaten throughout the entire league season was more to do with the quality of Pirlo's passing. As he did for year after year in Milan's colours, the newcomer made himself constantly available to his team-mates, always there to receive the ball and move it on in the most relevant direction. He was compass and metronome rolled into one, and he did not get injured or suspended.

As the very promising Conte showed the extent of his tactical imagination by shuffling his team's formation from an initial 4-2-4 to 4-1-4-1, then to 4-2-3-1, and finally to an alternation between 4-3-3 and 3-5-2, Pirlo remained the keystone, utterly reliable and seemingly ageless. Only the colour of the stripes had changed.

Pirlo began his career as a classic No10, an attacking midfielder in the mould of Gianni Rivera or the young Roberto Baggio. The role did not quite suit him and it was while he was on loan from Internazionale, his first big club, back to Brescia, where he had started out, that the veteran coach Carlo Mazzone identified a new, deeper position from which he could direct the play. He became what Italians call a regista. Not having a word for it, we borrow a term from American football: the quarterback. Xabi Alonso and Paul Scholes are pretty good exponents but no one in recent times has come close to Pirlo's calm mastery and next month he will be a key figure in Cesare Prandelli's Italy at the Euro 2012 finals.

And so on Wednesday, four days before their team conclude a highly successful season with an appearance in the Coppa Italia final against Napoli, Agnelli and his fellow directors will open their new club museum, located in the Juventus Stadium (which really deserves a more resonant name). Among their guests will be Ray Trew, Notts County's owner, who rescued the club from their latest flirtation with oblivion two years ago, and Jim Rodwell. With their own anniversary functions already under way, the pair will be hoping to bring back news of a return fixture with the new champions of Italy before the start of next season. Imagine it: Andrea Pirlo at Meadow Lane. Just as long as the Trentside fog holds off ...

Really cool the part about inviting Notts County for the maiden match at their new stadium. If they now go to Nottingham in the summer for Notts' 150 anniversary that'd really be super classy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 15, 2012, 04:07:48 AM
Yeah, really nice of Juve; who have always been my favourite Italian club.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on May 15, 2012, 05:07:59 AM
Pirlo is one of the most genial playmakers I've ever seen in action, his abilty to dictate the timing of the offensive manoeuvering is really impressive. Plus, he's a great assist man and an exceptional free kick taker. Allegri is still biting his hands.

just look at the assist for Grosso for the first goal against Germany in the World Cup 2006, look at the movements of the head, scanning the field for the most reliable passing option:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7HUMGvvwf8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7HUMGvvwf8)  :worthy: :worthy: God, it still gives me the goosebumps

About Notts County, it was really a nice move by the chairman, and I really hope they will go to Nottingham this summer.

Little piece of useless trivia: Juve's away jersey this year was pink in honour of the first Juventus jersey, that was used for some years until Notts County sent their signature B&W jerseys.

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on May 19, 2012, 12:30:05 PM
Bayern - Chelsea will start in an hour.

Bayern was in bad form the last few games and came second both in the championship and the national cup. Let's see if they can beat Chelsea anyway. I hold my thumbs for them. Would be awesome to win in their own stadium.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 19, 2012, 12:53:04 PM
I'm neutral, but will probably cheer for Bayern.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 19, 2012, 01:05:39 PM
Quote from: Zanza on May 19, 2012, 12:30:05 PM
I hold my thumbs for them.

How...foreign.  Is this supposed to generate good luck?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 19, 2012, 01:05:50 PM
Renowned soccer commentator Curt Menefee opens the presentation to the sounds of Fox's NFL theme music. :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on May 19, 2012, 01:06:25 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 19, 2012, 01:05:50 PM
Renowned soccer commentator Curt Menefee opens the presentation to the sounds of Fox's NFL theme music. :bleeding:

Needs MOAR Terry Bradshaw retarding it up.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on May 19, 2012, 01:10:11 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on May 19, 2012, 01:05:39 PM
Quote from: Zanza on May 19, 2012, 12:30:05 PM
I hold my thumbs for them.

How...foreign.  Is this supposed to generate good luck?
I guess it means the same as crossing your fingers. I thought it's used in English as well, but apparently not.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 19, 2012, 01:13:26 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 19, 2012, 01:06:25 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 19, 2012, 01:05:50 PM
Renowned soccer commentator Curt Menefee opens the presentation to the sounds of Fox's NFL theme music. :bleeding:

Needs MOAR Terry Bradshaw retarding it up.

I'm breathlessly anticipating the giant robot animations diving into the grass and crying for a penalty.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on May 19, 2012, 01:14:07 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 19, 2012, 01:13:26 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 19, 2012, 01:06:25 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 19, 2012, 01:05:50 PM
Renowned soccer commentator Curt Menefee opens the presentation to the sounds of Fox's NFL theme music. :bleeding:

Needs MOAR Terry Bradshaw retarding it up.

I'm breathlessly anticipating the giant robot animations diving into the grass and crying for a penalty.

They have FlopOS 8.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on May 19, 2012, 03:40:09 PM
Extra Time :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on May 19, 2012, 03:47:45 PM
Chelsea is so gonna have the mental edge in the penalty shootout.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on May 19, 2012, 03:48:25 PM
It is starting to feel like destiny.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on May 19, 2012, 04:29:30 PM
extra penalties!!! wtf
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on May 19, 2012, 04:31:05 PM
Sweinsteiger misses Drogba wins it for Chelsea!!!!!

It's like the plot from an american underdog sports team movie

football is now a game of two halves that the english win on penalties
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on May 19, 2012, 04:32:40 PM
Meh. Bayern has only themselves to blame. They should have sealed this in regular time. Or at least with Robben's penalty.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 19, 2012, 04:33:07 PM
Wow. Massive choke on Bayern's part.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 19, 2012, 05:23:55 PM
OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




I gotta' say, despite all this, and despite the players clearly liking him, DiMatteo shouldn't stay. Bad tactics. There was no need for giving up the midfield without a fight. EVERY TIME Chelsea decided to fight and attack they were an even match for Bayern.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 19, 2012, 06:40:17 PM
:(

I do like di Matteo though, if Chelsea sack him he clearly deserves a lot better than West Brom.

Edit:  Also you've got to feel for Spurs who were so much better in the league.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 19, 2012, 07:31:25 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 19, 2012, 06:40:17 PM
:(

I do like di Matteo though, if Chelsea sack him he clearly deserves a lot better than West Brom.

Edit:  Also you've got to feel for Spurs who were so much better in the league.

Congrats to Drogba F.C. A big last hurrah for the last remnants of Mourinho's Chelsea.

I also feel a little bad for Tottenham. I would have liked to have seen American Hero Brad Friedel in the Champions League. He's so old now it's unlikely he'll get another chance. :( :(





Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 19, 2012, 09:10:13 PM
well, it's not often that an English team beats the Germans on penalties. :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on May 19, 2012, 09:38:28 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 19, 2012, 07:31:25 PM


I also feel a little bad for Tottenham. I would have liked to have seen American Hero Brad Friedel in the Champions League. He's so old now it's unlikely he'll get another chance. :( :(

Why i was rooting for bayern. fucking krauts.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 26, 2012, 09:00:56 PM
Wtf is this!? USA is up 5 -1 against the brutish Scots.  :lol: :lol:

Scotland is seriously shit. US looks like Spain here. American Messi Landon Donovan has a hat trick. Whatever Michael Bradley is drinking at Chievo it makes him play like Xabi Alonso.  :lol: Even jermaine jones has a goal. :lmfao:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Hp2E6DdIvk&feature=colike

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 27, 2012, 09:39:14 AM
Yeah, Scotland suck
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on May 30, 2012, 07:00:46 PM
Looking forward to seeing how this US squad does vs the Brazilians even if this is just a friendly.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 30, 2012, 07:08:52 PM
Expecting a 2-0 or 3-0 loss, honestly. I'd just like to see a good run out from the team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 30, 2012, 07:42:49 PM
Well 2-0 in 24 minutes. Back to earth it seems.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on May 30, 2012, 07:43:19 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 30, 2012, 07:42:49 PM
Well 2-0 in 24 minutes. Back to earth it seems.

It's all your fault for not believing.  <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on May 30, 2012, 07:44:14 PM
Team USA vs Brazil:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.gawkerassets.com%2Fimg%2F17o9hw20h1okwgif%2Fcmt-medium.gif&hash=9893bc1f7c33aaca50a99a9376e1302f43f45f72)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 30, 2012, 07:46:42 PM
 :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 30, 2012, 07:49:28 PM
Quote from: katmai on May 30, 2012, 07:43:19 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 30, 2012, 07:42:49 PM
Well 2-0 in 24 minutes. Back to earth it seems.

It's all your fault for not believing.  <_<

Ever since we lost to Iran in '98 I've been pretty sober about USMNT prospects.  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on May 30, 2012, 07:59:27 PM
That was a pretty counter/take advantage of the Brazil flop.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 30, 2012, 08:09:41 PM
Michael Bradley is slowly becoming my favorite American player.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on May 30, 2012, 08:11:56 PM
Scoring makes thing seem a bit brighter - of course the US has no possession and no ability to move it around that much, but that was a nice run up the left from one of our Germans.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on May 30, 2012, 08:12:30 PM
Michael Bradley has become a man in Italy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on May 30, 2012, 09:05:02 PM
4-1, could have easily been 5-3.  The US finishing was unlucky, but the Brazilian counter is superb as always.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 30, 2012, 09:06:50 PM
4-1 sucks but I'm liking the look of this team and I'm optimistic for the qualifiers.

That said, we need to cream Canada 5-0.  <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on May 30, 2012, 09:10:57 PM
I would have been far happier with even 4-2 had that last header not hit the bar.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on May 30, 2012, 09:14:07 PM
This team can get to challenge the likes of Mexico, occasionally beat a world power, but right now it is the center defense that hurts.  I like the fullbacks and midfield now, and given time the forwards will just become better.  All those US soldiers fucking German girls 20 years ago means that there is a wealth of talent that will be coming the US way.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 30, 2012, 09:14:19 PM
I'm just happy the US had decent periods of possession and threatened to score on several occasions. 

On the other hand, the defense needs an overhaul. The marking was disgusting.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on May 30, 2012, 09:19:10 PM
Well, for all his slowness, Cherundolo can't miss minutes - that last drives came when he was out, and the US won't see too many Neymars.  Johnson is a revelation, he will be stellar.  the middle is too weak and slow and dumb. 

Still, in the last 20 minutes the USA did press far better, with far better control.  Dempsey changed the game dynamics, and when he is back healthy the offense will be far better.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on May 30, 2012, 09:22:50 PM
Gooch is getting old, and our best Central Defender is still recuperating from ACL (Omar Gonzalez)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 30, 2012, 09:23:20 PM
I'm not sure what's to be done with the center of defense, honestly. Boca and Gooch are getting on and prospects like Ream, Cameron, and Castillo aren't looking that great.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 30, 2012, 09:42:24 PM
In local news, my lower league club slipped past former MLS champion Houston Dynamo in the US Open cup.  :showoff:

QuoteThe San Antonio Scorpions made history Tuesday night when they defeated the Houston Dynamo of Major League Soccer with a 1-0 shutout in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The win is the first in Scorpions history against an MLS franchise.

Hans Denissen's penalty kick in the 51st minute proved to be enough for the Scorpions in a match that was physical from kickoff to the final whistle.

The victory, in front of a crowd of 7,164 at Heroes Stadium, helped the Scorpions improve their unbeaten streak in league and tournament play to eight games.
http://sanantonioscorpions.com/team-news/item/308-scorpions-defeat-dynamo
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on May 30, 2012, 10:00:45 PM
Quote from: katmai on May 30, 2012, 09:22:50 PM
Gooch is getting old, and our best Central Defender is still recuperating from ACL (Omar Gonzalez)

I wish more American GIs had fucked women who would give birth to towering central defenders with speed who were not quite good enough to make the German team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 30, 2012, 10:03:27 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 30, 2012, 09:06:50 PM
4-1 sucks but I'm liking the look of this team and I'm optimistic for the qualifiers.

That said, we need to cream Canada 5-0.  <_<

I don't think it will be that high, but yeah, you'll win. I'll be at the game. If you watch it on TV look for me. I'll be the guy in the red shirt.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 30, 2012, 10:05:02 PM
Quote from: Josephus on May 30, 2012, 10:03:27 PM
I don't think it will be that high, but yeah, you'll win. I'll be at the game. If you watch it on TV look for me. I'll be the guy in the red shirt.

Top it off with a giant Maple Leaf hat.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on May 30, 2012, 10:17:51 PM
Quote from: PDH on May 30, 2012, 10:00:45 PM
Quote from: katmai on May 30, 2012, 09:22:50 PM
Gooch is getting old, and our best Central Defender is still recuperating from ACL (Omar Gonzalez)

I wish more American GIs had fucked women who would give birth to towering central defenders with speed who were not quite good enough to make the German team.

Uh Omar is a Wetback, silly PDH :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Octavian on May 31, 2012, 05:18:37 AM
LOL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=sC1CLnmtQFo
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 01, 2012, 07:35:09 PM
Italy. LOL. :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on June 01, 2012, 07:42:34 PM
Quote from: PDH on May 30, 2012, 10:00:45 PM
Quote from: katmai on May 30, 2012, 09:22:50 PM
Gooch is getting old, and our best Central Defender is still recuperating from ACL (Omar Gonzalez)

I wish more American GIs had fucked women who would give birth to towering central defenders with speed who were not quite good enough to make the German team.

Every country on the planet except Catalonia desires the best quality pacy towering central defenders to be available to them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on June 01, 2012, 07:59:08 PM
Boris vs Germany:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOivzoRc0I8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOivzoRc0I8)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on June 01, 2012, 08:14:10 PM
Quote from: mongers on June 01, 2012, 07:59:08 PM
Boris vs Germany:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOivzoRc0I8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOivzoRc0I8)

At Boris' school they only had one form of footie and that was the one where they didn't kick the ball like pansies.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 01, 2012, 10:01:30 PM
Quote from: mongers on June 01, 2012, 07:59:08 PM
Boris vs Germany:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOivzoRc0I8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOivzoRc0I8)
:lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on June 03, 2012, 05:25:38 PM
Bonjour!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/euro2012/article-2153989/Euro-2012-Patrice-Evra-used-shirt-wipe-bottom.html
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 03, 2012, 06:27:31 PM
My team just got promoted to the 1st division!  :w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 03, 2012, 08:38:04 PM
Canada/USA was insipid and boring. :zzz:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 03, 2012, 09:17:25 PM
Just got back. It wasn't boring at all :) Thought Canada played decently enough, and should have scored at the end.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 03, 2012, 09:28:02 PM
You were at the match? Cool.  :)

Canada played well enough and could have won. The US looked tired and out of ideas. Not sure if going back to the 4-4-2 to accommodate Donovan and Dempsey was the right idea imo. There are other ways to do that without going to a 4-4-2 and just hoofing it up the field.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on June 03, 2012, 10:30:32 PM
4-1-2-2-1 has worked the best so far.  Only problem is that there is no room for Altidore in that given how Herculez has played.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on June 05, 2012, 09:42:52 PM
Hey funk or mr. Malta, you watching the US Cup match between Seattle and Cal FC( team that wasn't even around at beginning of year, a collection of castoffs brought together by Eric Wynalda)?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 05, 2012, 09:46:01 PM
I am now.  :cool:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on June 05, 2012, 09:46:36 PM
:thumbsup:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 05, 2012, 09:57:28 PM
nah, they're not showing it here. What's the score?

ah...found it. 0-0 halftime. Nice. I see Harrisburg beat NY.  :lmfao:

I guess it's not taken too seriously is it?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 05, 2012, 10:00:30 PM
Eric Wynalda coaches an amateur team sponsored by Fox Soccer?  :lol:

Also, is that Sounders' training facility or something? Why are they playing there and not CenturyLink?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on June 05, 2012, 11:20:03 PM
yeah that is their training place and where the women's team plays.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 07, 2012, 01:39:51 PM
Toronto FC fire head coach Winter. Mariner now is the sixth coach in seven years.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on June 07, 2012, 02:17:30 PM
Villarreal gets relegated from La Liga
they hire new coach yesterday with plans to introduce him tomorrow
QuoteOn Wednesday, 54-year-old Manuel "Manolo" Preciado was announced as relegated Villarreal's new manager and the man tasked with getting the club back in La Liga as quickly as possible. A press conference unveiling Preciado was scheduled for Friday, but early Thursday morning Preciado suffered a heart attack and passed away.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 07, 2012, 05:32:18 PM
It was a real pity, the guy was super cool, a true character of the league. It's a terrible loss for Spanish footie.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 07, 2012, 05:49:22 PM
 :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 07, 2012, 05:50:29 PM
 :( He was great in High Chapparal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 07, 2012, 08:06:04 PM
Was reminded today that ten years and two days ago this happened: http://youtu.be/qyNA2ue9QeA (USA 3-2 Portugal)
Brian McBride and young Landon Donovan as a front two :wub:

I remember getting up at like 3 AM and watching this on the huge TV in the dorm living area. There was a group of us going wild and waking everybody up. It was worth having to slog through the day's orientations on two hours of sleep.

The only other time I felt like that was when this happened: http://youtu.be/ALJu7YPMNBI (USA 1-0 Algeria)


I love soccer :wub: :wub:


I'm getting old.  :(

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on June 07, 2012, 10:23:15 PM
I remember some folks on EUOT getting quite upset that the USA could win a big game after the USA vs Portugal match.  Oh, memories.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 08, 2012, 07:28:10 AM
Euros are very protective. I remember the last worldcup when the USA tied England, the brits were all like, "feck we're shite, can't even beat the Americans."

While they were right about England being shite,  I think Euros tend to underestimate the Americans whom I would rate as a second-tier European team, meaning not quite up to Germany, Spain standards but just as good as..say, Belguim or Denmark. And better than england.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 08, 2012, 08:03:50 AM
Quote from: Josephus on June 08, 2012, 07:28:10 AM
While they were right about England being shite,  I think Euros tend to underestimate the Americans whom I would rate as a second-tier European team, meaning not quite up to Germany, Spain standards but just as good as..say, Belguim or Denmark. And better than england.
You're right.  But there'd be the same angst if we lost to a second-tier Euro team, despite being one ourselves.  In terms of protectiveness (and arrogance and self-pity) you should maybe choose a different team than England :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 08, 2012, 10:43:47 AM
I'm masochistic that way. :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on June 08, 2012, 07:57:38 PM
Herculez, Herculez!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 08, 2012, 07:59:58 PM
Quote from: katmai on June 08, 2012, 07:57:38 PM
Herculez, Herculez!

Rofl comedy goal making right there. Still, I'll take it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on June 12, 2012, 09:53:34 PM
Following the USA at Guatemala on the matchtracker - not nearly as good as watching the game.  At least at half USA up 1 to nothing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on June 13, 2012, 02:36:02 AM
Quote from: PDH on June 12, 2012, 09:53:34 PM
Following the USA at Guatemala on the matchtracker - not nearly as good as watching the game.  At least at half USA up 1 to nothing.
Pinche CONCACAF and Gutaemalan FA
Quote• *The TV situation has to get better.* It's a shame that a U.S. World Cup qualifier was only available for $30 on pay-per-view and Ustream, denying large numbers of fans the chance to see an important match. The Guatemalan FA was given the rights by CONCACAF and sold to the highest bidder, which is capitalism at work. But the main fault lies with CONCACAF, which sets the rules for rights sales and could easily take over centralized rights packages for all of the region's World Cup qualifying. That's what UEFA does, which is a win-win for everyone: federations (which make more money), UEFA (which makes more money and gets the games out to the biggest audiences) and, most importantly, fans (who deserve to see a game that's in the national public interest).

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/grant_wahl/06/12/us.guatemala.three.thoughts/index.html#ixzz1xeliyV60
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valdemar on June 13, 2012, 06:47:40 AM
Quote from: Josephus on June 08, 2012, 07:28:10 AM
Euros are very protective. I remember the last worldcup when the USA tied England, the brits were all like, "feck we're shite, can't even beat the Americans."

While they were right about England being shite,  I think Euros tend to underestimate the Americans whom I would rate as a second-tier European team, meaning not quite up to Germany, Spain standards but just as good as..say, Belguim or Denmark. And better than england.

Now now, Denmark and Belgium arent even in the same tier :)

V
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 13, 2012, 07:01:57 AM
We're 9th on the trustworthy FIFA world ranking! Belgium is 54th.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 13, 2012, 07:04:08 AM
The new US uniforms are truly dorktacular.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valdemar on June 13, 2012, 07:59:11 AM
Quote from: Liep on June 13, 2012, 07:01:57 AM
We're 9th on the trustworthy FIFA world ranking! Belgium is 54th.

:showoff:


Even if that list should be taken lightly we are some steps ahead of Belgium - potentially only some steps ahead of US

V
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on June 13, 2012, 06:27:02 PM
Harry's been kicked out of Tottenham. :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 13, 2012, 06:30:18 PM
Quote from: Warspite on June 13, 2012, 06:27:02 PM
Harry's been kicked out of Tottenham. :lol:

Tomorrow's news: Pep Guardiola agrees to North London move
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 13, 2012, 07:52:04 PM
Quote from: Warspite on June 13, 2012, 06:27:02 PM
Harry's been kicked out of Tottenham. :lol:

LOL...Hope he didn't turn down teh England job for this.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 13, 2012, 10:09:33 PM
...Moyes? :weep: :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 15, 2012, 08:46:46 AM
Michael Laudrup is the new Swansea manager and therefore the first Danish manager in the Premier League. Go Swans!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on June 15, 2012, 08:55:41 AM
DiMatteo has been confirmed as permanent Chelsea manager.

Not sure what to think. Will see.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 15, 2012, 09:09:33 AM
Quote from: Tamas on June 15, 2012, 08:55:41 AM
DiMatteo has been confirmed as permanent Chelsea manager.

Not sure what to think. Will see.

Permanent is a rather subjective word.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 18, 2012, 10:21:12 AM
Drogba's pay next year in China is £200.000. What. The. Fuck.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 18, 2012, 05:14:36 PM
Quote from: Liep on June 18, 2012, 10:21:12 AM
Drogba's pay next year in China is £200.000. What. The. Fuck.

:o  :lol:

Is that more than The Russian was paying him?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 18, 2012, 05:34:42 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on June 18, 2012, 05:14:36 PM
Quote from: Liep on June 18, 2012, 10:21:12 AM
Drogba's pay next year in China is £200.000. What. The. Fuck.

:o  :lol:

Is that more than The Russian was paying him?

I forgot to add per week.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 18, 2012, 05:35:28 PM
Yeah, I figured that was understood. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 18, 2012, 05:39:59 PM
I thought that would've been the highest paid footballer ever... but apparently only highest in China. This is more crazy than I could imagine, Messi gets over half a million pounds a week.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 18, 2012, 06:53:36 PM
Quote from: Liep on June 18, 2012, 05:39:59 PM
I thought that would've been the highest paid footballer ever... but apparently only highest in China. This is more crazy than I could imagine, Messi gets over half a million pounds a week.
Isn't Eto'o the highest paid footballer for some Russian team in Dagestan? :blink:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 19, 2012, 05:29:26 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on June 18, 2012, 06:53:36 PM
Isn't Eto'o the highest paid footballer for some Russian team in Dagestan? :blink:

He could be, I'm just baffled about the wages as I hadn't any clue they had risen so high.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on June 19, 2012, 05:48:04 AM
Quote from: Liep on June 19, 2012, 05:29:26 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on June 18, 2012, 06:53:36 PM
Isn't Eto'o the highest paid footballer for some Russian team in Dagestan? :blink:

He could be, I'm just baffled about the wages as I hadn't any clue they had risen so high.

The top stars are coming to same lvl as American team sports, yet they all still trail Boxers, Golfers and Tennis players :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 19, 2012, 11:34:30 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on June 18, 2012, 06:53:36 PM
Quote from: Liep on June 18, 2012, 05:39:59 PM
I thought that would've been the highest paid footballer ever... but apparently only highest in China. This is more crazy than I could imagine, Messi gets over half a million pounds a week.
Isn't Eto'o the highest paid footballer for some Russian team in Dagestan? :blink:

Yup, Eto'o is the highest paid player in the world, 20 million € per season.

Btw, I always get confused with footballers' pay being declared as weekly. That makes no sense whatsoever.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on June 19, 2012, 11:40:12 AM
What happens if a year has 53 weeks?

As far as I know you also pay your landlord weekly rates in England, no? Do you get your salary weekly as well?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 19, 2012, 11:48:45 AM
Quote from: Zanza on June 19, 2012, 11:40:12 AM
What happens if a year has 53 weeks?

As far as I know you also pay your landlord weekly rates in England, no? Do you get your salary weekly as well?

I was told that it's a holdout from the times of industrialization, as factory workers were paid weekly, but I'm not sure how true it is.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on June 19, 2012, 12:09:46 PM
Quote from: The Larch on June 19, 2012, 11:48:45 AM
I was told that it's a holdout from the times of industrialization, as factory workers were paid weekly, but I'm not sure how true it is.
That seems to be quite stressful for payroll accounting.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on June 19, 2012, 04:27:43 PM
Quote from: Zanza on June 19, 2012, 11:40:12 AM
What happens if a year has 53 weeks?

As far as I know you also pay your landlord weekly rates in England, no? Do you get your salary weekly as well?

Eh, we pay monthly and get paid monthly.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 20, 2012, 03:34:48 AM
Yeah, I only encountered weekly payments when I was temping as a labourer. And collecting the dole. Usually monthly.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on June 20, 2012, 08:32:49 AM
It anachronistic.

It used to be that if you were in a manual job you got paid weekly and if you were in a clerical or professional job, monthly.

Professional football was a working class job and so was always paid on a weekly basis. That's the story in England anyway, not sure why other countries do the same.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 20, 2012, 10:03:30 AM
Quote from: Gups on June 20, 2012, 08:32:49 AM
It anachronistic.

It used to be that if you were in a manual job you got paid weekly and if you were in a clerical or professional job, monthly.

Professional football was a working class job and so was always paid on a weekly basis. That's the story in England anyway, not sure why other countries do the same.

But are footballers really paid weekly or is it just the way it is traditionally reported by the press? AFAIK player's wages are only quoted as weekly in England, I guess it's the same in the rest of the UK.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on June 20, 2012, 11:18:36 AM
No idea Larchie. In the old days if you did manual work you actually used to get a pay packet with cash in it and footballers did too. These days they 'd do themselves an injury if they had to pick up that much cash.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 26, 2012, 04:06:26 AM
It is being reported over here that Drogba is ripping his contract with the Chinese team to sign for Barcelona.  :blink:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 26, 2012, 04:12:55 AM
Nononono. I was content with him not being in European football any more. Though, one diver less is hardly noticeably.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on June 30, 2012, 01:43:10 PM
Quote
ESPN convinced US soccer audience has knowledge

By RONALD BLUM
AP Sports Writer


When Ian Darke and Steve McManaman broadcast the European Championship final from Kiev on Sunday, they'll assume their audience back in the U.S. has a fairly deep knowledge of soccer and the Spanish and Italian players on the field in Ukraine.

"I think it's made such massive strides now that it really would be an insult if somebody like me and Macca came on trying to sort of teach people to suck eggs about the game," Darke said. "I think they tune into it because they know it and they love it - or most of them do."

ESPN was criticized when lead broadcaster Dave O'Brien displayed a lack of soccer knowledge during the 2006 World Cup. For the 2008 European Championship final in Vienna, the network had Adrian Healey and Andy Gray provide commentary from a studio in Bristol, Conn.

Then two years ago, ESPN used Martin Tyler, Darke, Healey and Derek Rae - all British - as its four lead broadcasters for the World Cup in South Africa, and that September ESPN hired Darke as the primary soccer voice for its U.S. networks. He was paired with McManaman, the former Liverpool and Real Madrid star who had been a studio analyst at the World Cup. The duo have become a steady presence on ESPN's Premier League telecasts, which air mostly at 7:45 a.m. Eastern on Saturday mornings and have become as much a part of weekend breakfast for American soccer fans as coffee and orange juice.

"We're on at an awkward time," McManaman said outside London's White Hart Lane one cold evening last winter before a Tottenham match. "Certainly if you live in L.A. sometimes we're on at 4:45 in the morning, so it takes the hard-core group of fans who will watch it and will look at the Premier League and will want to watch the football at different times of day, no matter what time of day the game's on."

He compares the expansion of the U.S. audience for big tournaments to his interest in American-style football.

"I won't avidly watch the NFL year in, year out, all the time," McManaman said, "but once it starts to get round to the playoffs ... you watch it and you become attached to it. And then you want to watch the playoffs. Of course, you want to watch the Super Bowl, don't you?"

In an era when many sports struggle to maintain ratings, U.S. viewership of international soccer is increasing at a startling rate. The two semifinals averaged 1.91 million viewers, a 46 percent increase from 1.31 million four years ago. With both semis starting at 2:45 p.m. EDT, Spain's penalty kicks victory over Portugal was seen by 1.95 million on Wednesday, and Italy's 2-0 upset win over Germany was viewed by 1.85 million the following day. ESPN said the semis averaged 576,000 additional viewers on computers, smart phones, tablets and Xbox.

The first 31 matches averaged 1.2 million viewers on ESPN's networks, up 61 percent from 2008.

ESPN President John Skipper has been among soccer's biggest boosters in the U.S. The network's streak of televising six straight World Cups will end after the 2014 tournament in Brazil, with Fox taking over for 2018 in Russia and 2022 in Qatar, but ESPN has the 2016 Euros in France and a steady weekly presence with the Premier League, at least through next season, under a sublicense from Fox.

"It's clear that there's been a significant upgrade in the attention we pay to the world's sport," he said.

Darke and McManaman have been on site for the entire tournament. While some first-round matches were broadcast from Bristol, ESPN had its announcers at the stadiums for all knockout-round games.

In Europe, American interest in soccer still is viewed with some skepticism. Darke remembers during the 2010-11 season speaking to Steve Bruce, then Sunderland's manager, before broadcasting The Black Cats' game against Stoke, a less than glamorous matchup.

"He said, `Who are you doing it for?'" Darke recalled. "I said I'm doing it for ESPN in America."

"Really? OK." Bruce responded.

"As he was leaving," Darke remembered, "he turned around and said, `Us against Stoke? In America? What are you trying to do? Put them off?'"
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on June 30, 2012, 01:55:32 PM
Quotewith Fox taking over for 2018 in Russia and 2022 in Qatar,

OH BOY, FOX SOCCER ROBOTS.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 30, 2012, 02:40:55 PM
Quote from: katmai on June 30, 2012, 01:43:10 PM
Quote
"As he was leaving," Darke remembered, "he turned around and said, `Us against Stoke? In America? What are you trying to do? Put them off?'"[/b]

:lol:

I do like Darke and McManaman. ESPN's coverage has been really good since the 2010 World Cup, certainly better than with Dave O'Brien. FOX seems like it's trying to NFLize the coverage, which puts me off. Last year's Champions League final had Michael Strahan trying to explain the laws of the game.
:lol: :yuk:

I'm dreading FOX's coverage for 2018 and 2022. Maybe by then they'll wise up and not try to baby its audience. A lot of newcomers to the game watch with people who are already knowledgeable. They can get the rules from them. New people just need to watch and learn for a couple games. Hell, most parents should already know the basics: They watch their twelve year olds play soccer every weekend.

In closing, ESPN: good, FOX: shit, America: :huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on June 30, 2012, 05:13:48 PM
I don't think Fox Soccer coverage is that bad. But it hits Fox network, they stupidize everything they touch.

NHL: Fun at first, got stupid
NFL: 1st year: HEY THIS IS FUN! 5th year: SHUT UP TERRY BRADSHAW 10th Year: OH FUCK THIS SHIT
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 30, 2012, 07:21:31 PM
The only people I like on FOX Soccer are:

Eric Wynalda
???

Their commentary pipes into the Premier League international feed, so they don't have real commentators on-site like ESPN. While I appreciate listening to Martin Tyler, the rest of the Brits annoy me. At least Ian Darke and Steve McManaman have decent chemistry and often relate the commentary to AMERICA(!).

FOX also has a couple of people on their nightly soccer show that I like too, but it's produced by a Canadian affiliate and its getting canned anyway. So fuck you FOX.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on July 01, 2012, 04:29:52 PM
Brits: can you believe we have to fucking pay to listen to Linekar, Lawro, Hansen and Shearer? Awful, awful pundits.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on July 01, 2012, 05:12:17 PM
Quote from: Warspite on July 01, 2012, 04:29:52 PM
Brits: can you believe we have to fucking pay to listen to Linekar, Lawro, Hansen and Shearer? Awful, awful pundits.

They are rather a yawn, part of the reason why I don't bother with football, saving World Cups.

As for paying for them, I don't mind, the licence fee is worth it for the amount of radio 4 and world service I 'consume'.  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on July 02, 2012, 02:28:40 AM
Quote from: Warspite on July 01, 2012, 04:29:52 PM
Brits: can you believe we have to fucking pay to listen to Linekar, Lawro, Hansen and Shearer? Awful, awful pundits.

Lawro does nothing but moan all the time. Shearer has less charisma than a cardboard box. Hansen is a parody of himself. Lineker is just about OK. The beeb's football coverage needs a reboot. Not that ITV are any better.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 02, 2012, 05:34:56 AM
It is rather shocking that Shearer, even when he was a player, famed for being the most boring man in the north, became a standard commentator.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on July 03, 2012, 07:39:42 PM
QuoteFormer Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas was confirmed as the new manager of Tottenham on Tuesday following the shock departure of Harry Redknapp last month.

"The club is delighted to announce Andre Villas-Boas as Head Coach," Spurs confirmed on their official Twitter feed following days of speculation concerning the Portuguese coach.

And want to own ManU?

QuoteNEW YORK (AP) -- Manchester United plans to go public. In the United States, to boot.

The record 19-time English champions filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday to hold an initial public offering of stock and become a listed company on the New York Stock Exchange. The deal could ease pressure on the club's cash flow as it tries to keep and acquire players in an attempt to regain English and European titles.

While the stock price and the number of shares were not listed, the registration statement said the club hoped to raise a maximum of $100 million - a place-holding figure that could change before the offering becomes effective.

''We intend to use all of our net proceeds from this offering to reduce our indebtedness,'' the team's filing said.

The Glazer family, which bought the club in 2005, would retain control through Class B shares, which would have 10 times the voting power of the stock that would be sold to the public.

Under the reorganization, the team would become a wholly owned subsidiary of Manchester United Ltd., a newly formed holding company based in the Cayman Islands.

The team was listed on the London Stock Exchange from 1991 until June 2005, when Glazers completed a leveraged buyout valued at $1.47 billion. The Glazers also own the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on July 03, 2012, 08:07:52 PM
Well, I don't care much for Fox Sports, but at least they're better than NBC Sports.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on July 03, 2012, 08:10:53 PM
So if I buy ManU stock, do I get a scarf?

I'd attend the stockholder meeting and mock the Glazers over the Bucs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 03, 2012, 09:40:00 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on July 03, 2012, 08:10:53 PM
So if I buy ManU stock, do I get a scarf?

I'd attend the stockholder meeting and mock the Glazers over the Bucs.

:D

Manchester United - Based in the Cayman Islands, listed in Singapore and New York.
Relation to England: Zero
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on July 04, 2012, 02:59:16 PM
QuoteGLASGOW, Scotland (AP) -- Glasgow Rangers will not be playing in the Scottish Premier League next season as a result of the club's financial meltdown, a move that likely ensures rival Celtic will win the title.

The SPL says clubs on Wednesday ''voted overwhelmingly'' to reject a bid by a reformed Rangers to stay in the division

The 140-year-old club has won a record 54 domestic league titles but has tax debts of 21 million pounds ($32.7 million) and entered bankruptcy protection in February.

Failure to secure agreement with tax authorities led to Rangers chairman Charles Green purchasing the club's assets in a 5.5 million pound ($8.6 million) deal and establishing a new company.

Celtic and Rangers have won every league title since Aberdeen in 1985 and no other club has finished as high as second since Hearts in 2006.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on July 04, 2012, 03:33:40 PM
So the SPL is going to be even more boring.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on July 04, 2012, 03:34:50 PM
Quote from: Liep on July 04, 2012, 03:33:40 PM
So the SPL is going to be even more boring.

Indeed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 04, 2012, 04:25:40 PM
I'm going out on a limb and say Celtic will win.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 04, 2012, 07:09:17 PM
Quote from: katmai on July 04, 2012, 02:59:16 PM
QuoteGLASGOW, Scotland (AP) -- Glasgow Rangers will not be playing in the Scottish Premier League next season as a result of the club's financial meltdown, a move that likely ensures rival Celtic will win the title.

The SPL says clubs on Wednesday ''voted overwhelmingly'' to reject a bid by a reformed Rangers to stay in the division

The 140-year-old club has won a record 54 domestic league titles but has tax debts of 21 million pounds ($32.7 million) and entered bankruptcy protection in February.

Failure to secure agreement with tax authorities led to Rangers chairman Charles Green purchasing the club's assets in a 5.5 million pound ($8.6 million) deal and establishing a new company.

Celtic and Rangers have won every league title since Aberdeen in 1985 and no other club has finished as high as second since Hearts in 2006.

Wow. :mellow:

Hope this could be enough of a kick up the butt to get them to join the English league...though I doubt it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on July 05, 2012, 07:43:45 AM
They are desperate to join the English league, have been for ages. The English don't want them.

Scottish football if even more fucked then it was before. Several SPL clubs will go into administration in the next six months - most of them are finacially dependent on the Old Firm and the gate receipts, TV money and sponsorship they bring.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valdemar on July 05, 2012, 07:51:43 AM
Quote from: Gups on July 05, 2012, 07:43:45 AM
They are desperate to join the English league, have been for ages. The English don't want them.

Scottish football if even more fucked then it was before. Several SPL clubs will go into administration in the next six months - most of them are finacially dependent on the Old Firm and the gate receipts, TV money and sponsorship they bring.

Why don't the English PL want them? wouldn't it simply mean 2 maybe only 1 after rangers' collaps in the actual PL and the rest in the leaques below?

V
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on July 05, 2012, 08:05:27 AM
Nobdoy wants to drop out of the premier league

The integrity of the league would be compromised by allowing teams to join just because they have large followings and at teh expense of others.

Neither team is very good. Mid-level championship is most people's guess.

They bring with them violent, rowdy fans (Rangers fans wrecked Manchester in 2008) and religious bigotry which would adversely affect the global image of the EPL.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on July 05, 2012, 08:12:46 AM
Oh and the other Scottish teams are tiny. The third best supported club is Hearts with an avergae gate last year of about 13K. There are 42 English clubs who got better gates last season.

Five of the 12 SPL teams had average crowds of lesst than 5,000. That's league 2 (division 4) territory in England and at that level nobody wants the extra costs of travelling to jockland
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valdemar on July 05, 2012, 08:29:18 AM
Makes sense, but it would only be 1 team in PL proper then, with 1 potential coming up if rangers get their act together?

A solution could be to have leaque 2 teams stay in a smaller scottish league, we do that here with the really minor leagues to avoid travelling, we have a PL like, a Championship like and a Leaque 1, then IIRC it goes into two leaque 2, east and west.

V
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 05, 2012, 09:58:35 PM
http://theworldofsport.tumblr.com/post/26416121716/robson-pep-mourinho-ronaldo-blanc-and-co-at

Robson, Pep, Mourinho, Ronaldo, Blanc and co at Barcelona in 1996.

Mourinho has the exact same mannerisms.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 07, 2012, 04:49:27 AM
Quote from: Valdemar on July 05, 2012, 08:29:18 AM
Makes sense, but it would only be 1 team in PL proper then, with 1 potential coming up if rangers get their act together?

A solution could be to have leaque 2 teams stay in a smaller scottish league, we do that here with the really minor leagues to avoid travelling, we have a PL like, a Championship like and a Leaque 1, then IIRC it goes into two leaque 2, east and west.

V

I've thought about the practicalities of European leagues a lot.
The trouble is wheras with American leagues and lower divisions its fine to have north/south  and east/west splits when you've got a solid border it doesn't really work.
If it was just northern Britain/southern Britain then you could well see a terrible Leeds playing in the mostly Scottish league one year. With it English and Scottish though....I doubt many fans would appreciate being in the Scottish league, nor the Scots having an overly English (Berwick doesnt count) team in their league.



Scottish teams not having enough fans- I think most of that is down to the crappiness and old firm domination of the Scottish league. Were there to be a united British league with Scottish teams competing against English teams on an even footing then Edinburgh could easily support a big, 30,000+ a week, team or two. A few other cities could get respectable crowds too.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on July 18, 2012, 08:56:10 PM
this seattle v chelsea game is 10mins old and already ugly.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 18, 2012, 08:57:08 PM
Fuck Chelsea.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on July 18, 2012, 10:32:53 PM
Well 4-2 loss is better than the 7-0 in '09 :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 21, 2012, 09:53:33 PM
Just came back from watching Toronto tie Liverpool 1-1.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on July 21, 2012, 10:05:45 PM
Wow Liverpool must be bad if can only tie Toronto.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 22, 2012, 12:02:05 AM
Only watched the first half when Liverpool played their youth squad. Still, decent result for Toronto.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 22, 2012, 08:55:27 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on July 22, 2012, 12:02:05 AM
Only watched the first half when Liverpool played their youth squad. Still, decent result for Toronto.  :)

Toronto played their academy side in the second half. Liverpool's" first half youths" included: Alberto Aquilani, Jose Enrique, Charlie Adam and Jamie Carragher. They also had Skrtl and Cole

Just saying. ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 22, 2012, 09:05:54 AM
Quote from: katmai on July 21, 2012, 10:05:45 PM
Wow Liverpool must be bad if can only tie Toronto.
We can only hope :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on July 22, 2012, 09:17:58 AM
Please do remember that pre-season games don't really matter when it comes to outcomes since. Managers are often tweaking teams trying out tactics and playing with players who often have varying levels of fitness.

But, most importantly, what the icelandic national team and scandinavian club sides have found out in the last 20 years. A well drilled, well organized team of motivated players of reasonable quality can hold their own against much better teams. Liverpool, Chelsea and ManU are not built to win games, they are built to win seasons.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 23, 2012, 05:31:29 AM
Have to agree that pre-season friendlies tend not to matter.
If you watch the games you can see the players are clearly just treating it as more of a dress rehersal, a special training session, than a proper game.
That being said the way some of Sunderland's young players performed in our game against Gronginen bodes well for the future. I hope.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on July 23, 2012, 05:52:48 AM
Quote from: Tyr on July 23, 2012, 05:31:29 AM
That being said the way some of Sunderland's young players performed in our game against Gronginen bodes well for the future. I hope.

Haven't seen it but Groningen have been awfully weak for over a year now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 23, 2012, 08:29:51 AM
Quote from: Tyr on July 23, 2012, 05:31:29 AM
Have to agree that pre-season friendlies tend not to matter.
If you watch the games you can see the players are clearly just treating it as more of a dress rehersal, a special training session, than a proper game.
That being said the way some of Sunderland's young players performed in our game against Gronginen bodes well for the future. I hope.

So tell me this liverpool player was indifferent to his goal against Toronto. No one's arguing that it's not the Champions Cup final, but to say the players  are indifferent to the game is nonsense. Most of  these players are vying for a spot on the first team.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHTBTPPofbQ
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on July 28, 2012, 05:02:35 PM
Watched the Liverpool-Tottenham game from Baltimore. Total snoozefest.

Needed Andy Carroll doing a Ray Lewis dance. OR SOMETHING.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 28, 2012, 05:30:56 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on July 28, 2012, 05:02:35 PM
Watched the Liverpool-Tottenham game from Baltimore. Total snoozefest.

Needed Andy Carroll doing a Ray Lewis dance. OR SOMETHING.

Preseason games lololol
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on July 28, 2012, 05:43:54 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on July 28, 2012, 05:30:56 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on July 28, 2012, 05:02:35 PM
Watched the Liverpool-Tottenham game from Baltimore. Total snoozefest.

Needed Andy Carroll doing a Ray Lewis dance. OR SOMETHING.

Preseason games lololol

Also, that fuckhead on ESPN2 doing the Maryland capital joke repeatedly didn't help.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 31, 2012, 06:08:42 PM
The Mighty Red Bulls of "NY" are playing The Tottenham "Tots" Hotspur on ESPN2.

Tim Cahill's first game for NYRB. Interesting.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on July 31, 2012, 06:21:30 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on July 31, 2012, 06:08:42 PM
The Mighty Red Bulls of "NY" are playing The Tottenham "Tots" Hotspur on ESPN2.

Tim Cahill's first game for NYRB. Interesting.

How is local hero Jan Gunnar Solli doing at NYRB? He's probably playing center midfielder or right winger.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on July 31, 2012, 06:27:21 PM
He's not starting in this game, Played in 15 games, scored twice and seems to be playing right FB or WB
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on July 31, 2012, 06:32:37 PM
Quote from: katmai on July 31, 2012, 06:27:21 PM
He's not starting in this game, Played in 15 games, scored twice and seems to be playing right FB or WB

That little bitch.. he left Rosenborg because we kept playing him a right back, bitching for a full year before he left for cash flush Brann in bergen.

I still wish him well though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 31, 2012, 06:35:40 PM
Quote from: Viking on July 31, 2012, 06:21:30 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on July 31, 2012, 06:08:42 PM
The Mighty Red Bulls of "NY" are playing The Tottenham "Tots" Hotspur on ESPN2.

Tim Cahill's first game for NYRB. Interesting.

How is local hero Jan Gunnar Solli doing at NYRB? He's probably playing center midfielder or right winger.

What katmai said. I don't watch many NYRB games but the few I've seen he's played as a FB and done well.

I'd like to see NYRB win the MLS cup this year, honestly. They have a solid squad and they've been improving for the past few seasons. Deserve it imo.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 02, 2012, 08:49:37 AM
Málaga, which appeared to be a new challenger in the Spanish league last year after getting a Qatari owner, seems to be in dissarray. There have been rumours of unpaid wages from last year and the possibility of losing their Champions League spot, or even relegation as a long shot, for financial irregularities. Cazorla might probably sign with Arsenal after just a year there, and now even Pellegrini might leave, followed by other players. Sugardaddy owners seem to be the bane of ambitious teams when they turn out to be fickle...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 02, 2012, 11:09:14 AM
Arsenal were after Cazorla last year so good for them.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on August 02, 2012, 04:00:59 PM
Cazorla! :yeah:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 02, 2012, 04:30:46 PM
Quote from: Warspite on August 02, 2012, 04:00:59 PM
Cazorla! :yeah:

So far this window has been kinder to Arsenal than last year's debacle. :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on August 02, 2012, 04:52:10 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 02, 2012, 04:30:46 PM
Quote from: Warspite on August 02, 2012, 04:00:59 PM
Cazorla! :yeah:

So far this window has been kinder to Arsenal than last year's debacle. :lol:

Yeah, I'm not quite sure what to think.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on August 03, 2012, 06:20:43 PM
QuoteNEW YORK (AP) -- Manchester United will receive $559 million under its seven-year shirt sponsorship agreement with General Motors Co.'s Chevrolet division.

Chevrolet takes over from the insurer Aon starting with the 2014-15 season. Manchester United said it will receive $70 million during the first season of the new deal.

The agreement was signed July 26 and announced Monday. The financial details were disclosed by the soccer team Friday in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as part of Manchester United's planned initial public offering of stock.

United said the payment will increase 2.1 percent annually during the deal, which runs through the 2020-21 season. In addition, the Red Devils said the agreement calls for them to receive about $18.6 million in fees in each of the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 03, 2012, 07:17:26 PM
Houston vs NYRB right now.

Tim Cahill's first MLS game.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 03, 2012, 10:20:51 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 03, 2012, 07:17:26 PM
Houston vs NYRB right now.

Tim Cahill's first MLS game.  :)

Bet he's thinking he made the wrong decision now.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 04, 2012, 08:26:20 AM
Well Dynamo is a Texas team so I'm happy.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 15, 2012, 06:52:50 PM
Katmai, Mexico v. USA at the Azteca on ESPN in 10 minutes. :cool:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 15, 2012, 06:54:44 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 03, 2012, 07:17:26 PM
Tim Cahill's first MLS game.  :)
:wub:  Enjoy him :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 15, 2012, 09:09:58 PM
OMG first win ever in the Azteca LOLOLOLOLOLol
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on August 15, 2012, 09:13:43 PM
Suck on that, Mexico.  Tim Howard gets a gold medal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 15, 2012, 09:15:37 PM
Klinsmann owns. I am happy tonight.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on August 15, 2012, 09:15:55 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 15, 2012, 09:09:58 PM
OMG first win ever in the Azteca LOLOLOLOLOLol

The Americans must have cheated.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 15, 2012, 09:18:35 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on August 15, 2012, 09:15:55 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 15, 2012, 09:09:58 PM
OMG first win ever in the Azteca LOLOLOLOLOLol

The Americans must have cheated.

First win in 75 years in that stadium.

With our B team.  :lol:

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on August 18, 2012, 01:14:36 AM
QuoteLet's mark the 21st season of the Premiership with a comparative look back to 20 years ago.

— Just 13 non-British players started for their teams when the Premier League kicked off in August 1992. Nowadays, the Premiership is extremely cosmopolitan, with most teams fielding players from all over the world.

— In 1992, two Canadians — Craig Forrest and Frank Yallup — suited up for Ipswich Town. Since then, only another seven Canadians have plied their trade for the EPL. This includes Simeon Jackson, who will play for Norwich City this year. Forrest, a goalkeeper, was one of 13 "foreign" players to play on Aug. 15, 1992. He also holds an unenviable Premiership record: most goals conceded (nine) in one game. Ooops.

— In contrast, 34 U.S.-born players have played in the EPL, including the first, John Harkes (for Sheffield Wednesday) and current US internationals Landon Donovan (Everton) and Tim Howard (Manchester United & Everton).

— In 1992, the top transfer fee paid by a British club before the start of the inaugural EPL season was £3.3 million (when Blackburn Rovers poached Alan Shearer from Southampton). In 2012, the top fee paid was by Chelsea for Eden Hazard (from Lille) for a whopping £32 million.

— In 1992, Manchester United's Alex Ferguson paid Cambridge United (who were in the second tier of the English Football league) £1 million for striker Dion Dublin. Two days ago, "Fergie" forked out £22.5 million for Robin Van Persie, to the global horror of Arsenal fans. Cambridge now plays in the fifth tier of the league, by the way. Fergie is hoping RVP can do better than Dion — who only played 12 times for United, scoring just twice (that's £500,000 a goal).

— After the 1992-93 season, speedy winger Ryan Giggs was named the Professional Footballers Association "Young Player of the Year." Now, 20 years on, Giggs is still playing for Manchester United — the only team he has ever played for. He's still not half bad! And he is English football's most decorated player, with 12 league titles, 4 FA Cup medals, 3 League Cup medals and 2 Champions League titles.

— Alex Ferguson is the only remaining manager from the 1992-1993 season. Andre Villa-Boas, the current manager for Tottenham, was just 14 years old when Fergie lifted the EPL trophy for the first time. Dean Hammond, current Captain of new boys Southampton, was just 9 years old, bless him.

— Arsenal can fit more than 60,000 screaming fans into their stadium this season, compared to just 24,000 in 1992. That is 36,000 more balti pies that can be eaten in 90 minutes.

— Brian Deane of Sheffield United scored the first-ever EPL goal at approximately 3:05 p.m. on August 15, 1992, against Manchester United. He is now a lawyer.

— A glance at some members of the first-ever EPL season makes for interesting reading now: Nottingham Forest (currently playing in the Championship), Oldham (now third-tier football), Swindon Town (which played fourth-tier football last year) and Wimbledon, which became the MK Dons before being reborn into AFC Wimbledon, playing in League Two (fourth tier).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on August 18, 2012, 07:36:54 PM
LOLerpool:

http://gif.mocksession.com/2012/08/liverpoo/

Andy Carroll is clearly the farter. Also the game result:  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on August 18, 2012, 07:43:03 PM
Carroll's farts probably smell like horse shit.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on August 18, 2012, 07:51:30 PM
Quote from: PDH on August 18, 2012, 07:43:03 PM
Carroll's farts probably smell like horse shit.

All Geordies do. Shit, vomit and coal dust.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 18, 2012, 10:24:30 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on August 18, 2012, 07:36:54 PM
LOLerpool:

http://gif.mocksession.com/2012/08/liverpoo/

Andy Carroll is clearly the farter. Also the game result:  :lol:

Now officially your favorite player.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on August 19, 2012, 06:47:09 PM
http://gif.mocksession.com/2012/08/southampton-fan/

Too many Jaffa cakes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on August 20, 2012, 03:17:03 PM
If you fuckheads aren't watching the Everton-Man U game, you should. Everton up one at 58 minutes.

Good stuff.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 20, 2012, 04:16:15 PM
Yeah I saw that. Super game. I'm going to do my Sheilbh impression now:

Everton  :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on August 20, 2012, 04:24:24 PM
Andy Carroll meanwhile, farted again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 22, 2012, 05:55:02 AM
So, prem predictions?
I see us (Sunderland) ending up rather blandly in mid-table again.
Winners...will Man City do it again considering they've now had time to gel and managed it even when nascant? It seems highly possible. Man Utd have made some decent new signings though and...well they're Man Utd.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 22, 2012, 06:38:12 AM
I've recently become a Swansea fan, so I'm hoping they do well and end up just above Sunderland in the mid-table.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 22, 2012, 07:26:36 AM
Liverpool will suck.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on August 22, 2012, 12:02:17 PM
Went to my first game of the new season last night, a 2-1 win for the mighty Charlton against the expensively assembled and very good Leciester. A poor turnout of 16,000 but a great, end-to-end match with a fantastic noisy atmosphere created by both sets of fans.

After 3 years of shitty League One football, its good to be back playing proper teams.

Plus we've signed Ricardo Fuller, who if he manages to regain his fitness will be the best player in the Championship.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on August 22, 2012, 12:04:49 PM
George Soros has bought an 8% stake in Man U. :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 22, 2012, 02:34:27 PM
Chelsea's Eden Hazard has a neck beard that is pissing me off.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on August 22, 2012, 02:35:31 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 22, 2012, 02:34:27 PM
Chelsea's Eden Hazard has a neck beard that is pissing me off.

He seems to be just as good in reality as he is in FM. I love that he is in blue.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on August 22, 2012, 02:39:47 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 22, 2012, 02:34:27 PM
Chelsea's Eden Hazard has a neck beard that is pissing me off.

Andrew Luck neck beard that makes him look retarded or the standard child molester neck beard?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 22, 2012, 02:43:11 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on August 22, 2012, 02:39:47 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 22, 2012, 02:34:27 PM
Chelsea's Eden Hazard has a neck beard that is pissing me off.

Andrew Luck neck beard that makes him look retarded or the standard child molester neck beard?

The kind that makes him look like a complete hipster douche and a weak baby at the same time. On ESPN 2 now if you're interested, against mighty Reading.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on August 22, 2012, 02:44:52 PM
I'll take a look.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on August 22, 2012, 02:53:40 PM
Yep he looks like a douche.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 22, 2012, 02:58:09 PM
 :lol:

Good player but seems like a real douche. Doesn't help that he plays for Chelsea now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on August 22, 2012, 02:59:55 PM
Oscar looks like he is 12 years old.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 22, 2012, 03:04:29 PM
Part of their new plan to buy all the kids for way too much money and then inevitably fail to win anything.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on August 22, 2012, 07:08:16 PM
http://gif.mocksession.com/2012/08/reading-piss-off/

Notice the dude wearing a KC Royals shirt.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 25, 2012, 03:02:18 AM
Holy shit. So it seems Sunderland finally have Johnson. :o
We've been wanting him for years but it just never worked out, and now here he is.
With the Fletcher signing I was dubious, expensive and not so great but there aren't many strikers out there.
With Johnson though...didn't expect that to happen.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 25, 2012, 08:37:11 AM
I just read that my team signed Krohn-Deli, a Danish international. Liep, I need a full report asap!  ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 25, 2012, 08:45:41 AM
Swansea are wonderful. Only scored 44 goals last season and already have 8 in two games :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 25, 2012, 08:50:56 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 25, 2012, 08:45:41 AM
Swansea are wonderful. Only scored 44 goals last season and already have 8 in two games :wub:

They made an awesome signing with Michu this summer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: clandestino on August 25, 2012, 09:17:02 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 25, 2012, 08:37:11 AM
I just read that my team signed Krohn-Deli, a Danish international. Liep, I need a full report asap!  ;)

Not Liep, but in the last Euro, Krohn-Deli was perhaps the best Danish player in the tournament. IIRC: strong winger who could drift inside with good finishing skills.

Are you a Celta or Deportivo fan? Depor seems to have more portuguese these days than most of our teams...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 25, 2012, 01:26:07 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 20, 2012, 04:16:15 PM
Yeah I saw that. Super game. I'm going to do my Sheilbh impression now:

Everton  :wub:
:lol: Yeah it was a great game. Haven't seen today's highlights yet but it sounds like more of the same. Disconcerting winning games this early :huh:

Also how good will Belgium be in a few years? Kompany, Fellaini, Hazard, Mirallas, Lukaku (?) and probably a few I'm forgetting.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 25, 2012, 01:28:49 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 22, 2012, 02:58:09 PM
:lol:

Good player but seems like a real douche. Doesn't help that he plays for Chelsea now.
Yeah, the self-comparisons with Messi don't help either :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on August 25, 2012, 02:11:18 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 25, 2012, 01:26:07 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 20, 2012, 04:16:15 PM
Yeah I saw that. Super game. I'm going to do my Sheilbh impression now:

Everton  :wub:
:lol: Yeah it was a great game. Haven't seen today's highlights yet but it sounds like more of the same. Disconcerting winning games this early :huh:

Also how good will Belgium be in a few years? Kompany, Fellaini, Hazard, Mirallas, Lukaku (?) and probably a few I'm forgetting.

Hazard is probably hated by the rest of the Belgium team, which seems to be expressed in the fact that he sucks major time in international games. Belgium has the added problem (much greater than england's problem of fitting both gerrard and lampard in a 4-4-2) of finding some way making them fit together. The other great belgian up and comer boyata (at city with kompany) sort of makes fellaini superfluous in his usual everton role of anchor and superfluous in an attack with hazard in it.

National teams don't do well with fiddly formations. They don't have the opportunity to learn them instictively. That's why national teams have a much more constant playing style than club sides. (this is also the reason why furriners can't succeed with the england team if they don't let it play english).

These guys are great players, but I'm not sure they can work together.. sort of the eternal curse of belgium. While at it's best it is french food with dutch portion sizes, but mostly it is dutch food with french portion sizes served by a pedophile.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on August 25, 2012, 02:55:13 PM
Hazard is awesome, and good to see Torrest scoring goals like today's.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 25, 2012, 04:22:22 PM
Quote from: clandestino on August 25, 2012, 09:17:02 AMAre you a Celta or Deportivo fan?

Nigga plz.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.guiadelaliga.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2009%2F08%2F1_rc_celta_de_vigo.jpg&hash=eb48ed00dc48b68750c79d7ee2bfef2f78075be6)

:P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 25, 2012, 11:02:14 PM
Swansea were indeed marvelous.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 26, 2012, 03:48:44 AM
Swansea. :yeah:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 26, 2012, 03:50:58 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 25, 2012, 08:37:11 AM
I just read that my team signed Krohn-Deli, a Danish international. Liep, I need a full report asap!  ;)
Good signing for you. He's been the best player on the national team for quite a while now, a strong winger. He's been seriously hampered by playing for the chaos that is Brøndby IF, so this'll be good for him as well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: clandestino on August 26, 2012, 11:40:21 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 25, 2012, 04:22:22 PM

:P

So... how strong is the clubs rivalry these days?

Unfortunately for Celta not enough Portuguese playing for us to care. It seems that quota is fullfiled by the unmentionable club in white and to some extent Depor (and we care because those are players from big clubs here).

Now 10 years ago when you had Mostovoi... or Bruno Caires... :bleeding: :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on August 26, 2012, 01:53:33 PM
Watched the LOLerpool game.

Borini sucks
Put the Centaur in.
Enough with the popped collars on your uniform Gerrard
Borini sucks
Bring back the Anfield cat
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 26, 2012, 01:54:09 PM
Quote from: Liep on August 26, 2012, 03:50:58 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 25, 2012, 08:37:11 AM
I just read that my team signed Krohn-Deli, a Danish international. Liep, I need a full report asap!  ;)
Good signing for you. He's been the best player on the national team for quite a while now, a strong winger. He's been seriously hampered by playing for the chaos that is Brøndby IF, so this'll be good for him as well.

That's good to hear, as the team had been crazy looking for a winger for the last few weeks. He plays on the left, right?  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 26, 2012, 02:06:41 PM
Quote from: clandestino on August 26, 2012, 11:40:21 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 25, 2012, 04:22:22 PM

:P

So... how strong is the clubs rivalry these days?

Unfortunately for Celta not enough Portuguese playing for us to care. It seems that quota is fullfiled by the unmentionable club in white and to some extent Depor (and we care because those are players from big clubs here).

Now 10 years ago when you had Mostovoi... or Bruno Caires... :bleeding: :P

As strong as ever! Last year it really got rekindled, after Depor went down (Celta had been on the 2nd division for a short while) in 2011. Last season both got promoted, so now the derby will be played in the 1st division.  :)

And you're forgetting about Cadete and Capucho.  :lol: More recently we had Vasco Fernandes, but you do very well not knowing who he is.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 26, 2012, 04:00:25 PM
As an American plastic, after two weeks of the Barclays English Premier Soccer foot-to-ball League, I am going to say I am cautiously optimistic for the team that I support, the Arsenal Football Gunners of North Londontown oi oi.  :bowler: :bowler: :bowler: :bowler: :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 27, 2012, 01:12:42 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 26, 2012, 01:54:09 PM
That's good to hear, as the team had been crazy looking for a winger for the last few weeks. He plays on the left, right?  :P

Yeah.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 31, 2012, 07:21:15 AM
Andy Carroll leaves Liverpool for a season-long loan to West Ham. Sorry Ed. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 31, 2012, 07:26:47 AM
West Ham? :blink:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on August 31, 2012, 07:28:14 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 31, 2012, 07:21:15 AM
Andy Carroll leaves Liverpool for a season-long loan to West Ham. Sorry Ed. :(

:(

No more Carroll endlessly bitching to the ref. No more Centaur clopping through the box. No more flops and ghostly injuries in the box at Anfield.

Oh well. I still have bucky beaver to make fun of.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 31, 2012, 07:30:51 AM
Bendtner to Juventus. A new country in which our best forward won't get any game time. Wooo!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on August 31, 2012, 08:09:19 AM
I really hope it is not the case that Wenger thinks Song does not need replacing.  <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 31, 2012, 08:42:17 AM
My team just got a Korean striker on loan for Arsenal. Arkie, know anything about him? I see that he barely played during his only season there.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on August 31, 2012, 09:14:23 AM
Quote from: Warspite on August 31, 2012, 08:09:19 AM
I really hope it is not the case that Wenger thinks Song does not need replacing.  <_<

I've been operating on the assumption that M'Vila (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yann_M%27Vila) was going to Arsenal. But I stopped making that assumption when Rennais sold Tettey (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Tettey) to Norwich.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 31, 2012, 09:23:31 AM
The Premier League seems to be undergoing a 2nd Spanish fever (after the Liverpool one fueled by Benítez) this summer, with all kinds of players being signed there. Even 3rd rate teams like Swansea or QPR are spending big bucks in signing players who have never been full internationals, and I just heard that Man City wants to splash 30 million bucks in Javi García. Mind boggling.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 31, 2012, 10:56:58 AM
Spanish clubs need the money.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on August 31, 2012, 12:45:30 PM
Quote from: The Larch on August 31, 2012, 08:42:17 AM
My team just got a Korean striker on loan for Arsenal. Arkie, know anything about him? I see that he barely played during his only season there.

He played about 15 minutes (including at a game I was at - a Carling Cup game against Shrewsbury). Without question, he is one of the most mind-boggling transfers ever made by a top-flight football team.

But, he seems to deliver for the national team. So it's all the more confusing. I hope he gets back on track at your place.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on August 31, 2012, 12:47:18 PM
Quote from: Viking on August 31, 2012, 09:14:23 AM
Quote from: Warspite on August 31, 2012, 08:09:19 AM
I really hope it is not the case that Wenger thinks Song does not need replacing.  <_<

I've been operating on the assumption that M'Vila (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yann_M%27Vila) was going to Arsenal. But I stopped making that assumption when Rennais sold Tettey (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Tettey) to Norwich.

There was a lot of talk about M'Vila heading over, but then I heard rumours that Wenger had gone sour on the deal due to his off-pitch behaviour.

The thing is, I really like Diaby as a player, although his through balls tend to be slightly over or under hit as to slow down play. But there is no way he's going to play a 50 game season. And then who do we have? Coqelin, who again looks a great promise but is inexperienced, and in the middle of the pitch inexperience leads to goals conceded.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on August 31, 2012, 01:00:32 PM
Quote from: Warspite on August 31, 2012, 12:47:18 PM
Quote from: Viking on August 31, 2012, 09:14:23 AM
Quote from: Warspite on August 31, 2012, 08:09:19 AM
I really hope it is not the case that Wenger thinks Song does not need replacing.  <_<

I've been operating on the assumption that M'Vila (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yann_M%27Vila) was going to Arsenal. But I stopped making that assumption when Rennais sold Tettey (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Tettey) to Norwich.

There was a lot of talk about M'Vila heading over, but then I heard rumours that Wenger had gone sour on the deal due to his off-pitch behaviour.

The thing is, I really like Diaby as a player, although his through balls tend to be slightly over or under hit as to slow down play. But there is no way he's going to play a 50 game season. And then who do we have? Coqelin, who again looks a great promise but is inexperienced, and in the middle of the pitch inexperience leads to goals conceded.

There have been some rumors about that frog at newcastle, cabaye.

tbh last season arsenal seemed flimsy if anything. If diaby gets injured you don't have any defensive quality int he midfield left. I learned the true value of the defensive midfielder two seasons ago when we had Ghanean Anthony Annan at Rosenborg, he was always open to take a back pass and recycle an attack and he was always in position to disrupt a counter attack, we ran away with the league winning it with 5 games to go iirc, I never truely understood the Makalele role before then. Arsenal needs that more than any other team in the league given that the rest of the squad are little boys who can only go forward. (not to mention van Persie is gone).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 31, 2012, 01:02:34 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 31, 2012, 10:56:58 AM
Spanish clubs need the money.

And English clubs have money to burn? I mean, Swansea just paid 7 millions for Pablo Hernández and QPR 12 millions for Esteban Granero. We're not talking about Chelsea (who paid another 7 for Azpilicueta) or City (who seem to want to pay 20 for Javi García). All of them are good players, but none of them is a great player, and those are all big bucks signings. Arsenal got Cazorla for 15 millions, that was a great signing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on August 31, 2012, 03:16:35 PM
Quote from: Viking on August 31, 2012, 01:00:32 PMArsenal needs that more than any other team in the league given that the rest of the squad are little boys who can only go forward. (not to mention van Persie is gone).

Our problem is that our midfield needs three people who can all play with the ball; a Scott Parker type one-dimensional attack dog will not do. There aren't many of these players around who are for sale.

That said, Arteta has done quite well as the deep midfielder, even against the physical clout of stoke. Diaby's the one who's being allowed to push forward. I would love Etienne Capoue at Arsenal, he's strong and can pass the ball.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on August 31, 2012, 03:30:49 PM
meh
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on August 31, 2012, 04:01:23 PM
Quote from: Tamas on August 31, 2012, 03:30:49 PM
meh

Falcao?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on August 31, 2012, 04:04:39 PM
Quote from: Viking on August 31, 2012, 04:01:23 PM
Quote from: Tamas on August 31, 2012, 03:30:49 PM
meh

Falcao?
first hat trick since the 70's or something. They need more dirty russian money.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 31, 2012, 05:04:54 PM
I was hoping Chelsea would buy Falcao at halftime.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 31, 2012, 05:26:43 PM
Quote from: Warspite on August 31, 2012, 08:09:19 AM
I really hope it is not the case that Wenger thinks Song does not need replacing.  <_<

lol
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on August 31, 2012, 05:30:42 PM
Quote from: Josephus on August 31, 2012, 05:04:54 PM
Falcao

I liked his song Der Kommisar.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on August 31, 2012, 06:53:05 PM
Fucking hell, once again our midfield is one injury away from disaster. I am going to start sacrificing colleagues to make Wilshere come back from injury quicker so he can be LIKE A NEW SIGNING
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 31, 2012, 10:35:16 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on August 31, 2012, 05:30:42 PM
Quote from: Josephus on August 31, 2012, 05:04:54 PM
Falcao

I liked his song Der Kommisar.  :)

And Rock Me Amadeus, don't forget that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on September 02, 2012, 09:48:05 AM
LOLpool.   :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 02, 2012, 10:47:07 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on September 02, 2012, 09:48:05 AM
LOLpool.   :lol:

It was a delightful game.

Although my favorite bit was some of the post-game banter on FSC.

Rough summary
Warren Barton: "I have some good things to say about Arsenal for once."
Host: "No fuck that lets talk about how shitty Liverpool was."
Me:  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 02, 2012, 10:55:59 AM
Joe Allen looks like he needs to cross the Shire to get to Mount Doom.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on September 02, 2012, 11:41:56 AM
:yeah:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 02, 2012, 08:28:17 PM
Quote from: Warspite on August 31, 2012, 12:45:30 PM
Quote from: The Larch on August 31, 2012, 08:42:17 AM
My team just got a Korean striker on loan for Arsenal. Arkie, know anything about him? I see that he barely played during his only season there.

He played about 15 minutes (including at a game I was at - a Carling Cup game against Shrewsbury). Without question, he is one of the most mind-boggling transfers ever made by a top-flight football team.

But, he seems to deliver for the national team. So it's all the more confusing. I hope he gets back on track at your place.
I can't help but wonder whether a large part of teams signing players from countries not traditionally associated with football isn't partially at least to do with advertising and marketing the team in those countries.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 03, 2012, 07:56:56 PM
LeBron, Kanye,and Jay-Z inbound to Anfield.  :lol:

QuoteNBA superstar LeBron offers Sin City celebration for Liverpool players... if they land silverware!
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
PUBLISHED: 03:11 EST, 3 September 2012 | UPDATED: 03:17 EST, 3 September 2012
Comments (31)
Share
 

NBA superstar LeBron James has handed Liverpool players a huge incentive to get their season on track and land silverware this season: a massive party in Las Vegas.
Brendan Rodgers is under scrutiny after the Merseyside club landed just one point from their opening three games, but the Miami Heat star made a promise to captain Steven Gerrard in the summer which he intends to keep.
James has vowed to give the players a lavish party they will never forget in Sin City, co-hosted by his pal, rap star Kanye West.

Party time: Rodgers' players will be given a huge celebration - if they win a trophy


LeBron told The Sun: 'I spent some time with Steven Gerrard and he is passionate about his team.
'Everybody in sport needs incentive and if the guys at Liverpool win something this year I will give them the best weekend of their life in Vegas.
'Kanye is in and trust me, nobody does Vegas like LeBron and Kanye.'
LeBron added: 'We will take them to places in Vegas 99 per cent of people don't even know exist. There is Vegas and then there is Vegas.'
He plans to visit Anfield this season with Kanye and his other big hip-hop pal Jay-Z to meet the players again.
It's 17 months since James signed a deal with owners Fenway Sports Group to take a minority shareholding in the Merseyside club who have floundered despite massive investment in new players.

Sin City: James has promised a party of a lifetime in Las Vegas


But he has revealed he will jet to England to watch Liverpool play at some stage this season. And he's bringing some high-profile friends, too.
LeBron said: 'I am coming over to see a game soon with Kanye and Jay-Z so maybe we can talk more about the trip then.
'From a business point of view if Liverpool do well, I do well, so it is in my interest to offer this incentive.'


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2197471/LeBron-James-offers-Liverpool-players-Las-Vegas-party-win-silverware.html#ixzz25SSZNkZA

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on September 03, 2012, 08:01:02 PM
Lol
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 04, 2012, 04:47:14 AM
Cristiano Ronaldo just threw a tantrum the other day after the last Real Madrid match, saying that he was feeling "sad" for professional reasons and that he had let the team know about it, but wouldn't tell the exact reasons to the press, ensuing an epic shitstorm in the press and conspiracy theories about his motivations. Jesus fucking Christ is this cringeworthy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: clandestino on September 05, 2012, 09:30:48 AM
Yeah, it is also dominating talks about the National Team concentration these days.

From this side of the border, the first "motive" that was given was that he was sad about not winning the UEFA 2011 best player award. The last theory (and possibly the correct one) is that he's sad about the hike in taxes that he will have to pay (poor boy), also being implied that he wiches a contract renewal (read: more money) from Madrid.

And yes, it's pathetic and as you certainly imagine, his antics about money were very well received in a an ecominicaly depressed country. :wanker:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 05, 2012, 11:26:12 AM
Quote from: clandestino on September 05, 2012, 09:30:48 AM
Yeah, it is also dominating talks about the National Team concentration these days.

From this side of the border, the first "motive" that was given was that he was sad about not winning the UEFA 2011 best player award. The last theory (and possibly the correct one) is that he's sad about the hike in taxes that he will have to pay (poor boy), also being implied that he wiches a contract renewal (read: more money) from Madrid.

And yes, it's pathetic and as you certainly imagine, his antics about money were very well received in a an ecominicaly depressed country. :wanker:

Apparently it's one or a combination of:

- Dissapointment for not winning the UEFA 2011 best player over Iniesta.
- Not feeling appreciated and/or supported enough by the club. Now that the Golden Ball has to be decided he might fear that the club won't support him 100% for it and might want to back other players in the team as well.
- Internal rivalries between factions in the dressing room (apparently he and Casillas don't talk to each other, with each one representing the "Portuguese" and "Spanish" gangs).
- Not having had his contract renewed and his salary significantly raised since he arrived to Real Madrid, while in Manchester he got almost yearly improvements. Now he's on the bottom end of the top 10 best paid footie players in the world, with all the big Man City and PSG signings getting ahead of him when he used to be amongst the top 3.

So, basically, mo' money, mo' worship.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: clandestino on September 05, 2012, 12:46:57 PM
Well, that seems in line with what our media is reporting.

Except the factions stuff. IIRC Ronaldo isn't usually connected with that, when reporting our media talks more about Coentrão (or Pepe) but I guess that could be as well.

My guess is your door nr 4 really.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on September 05, 2012, 12:58:28 PM
Quote- Internal rivalries between factions in the dressing room (apparently he and Casillas don't talk to each other, with each one representing the "Portuguese" and "Spanish" gangs).

:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: clandestino on September 05, 2012, 01:06:50 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on September 05, 2012, 12:58:28 PM

:lol:

:unsure:

Doesn't that happen as well in your sports? IE a group of players from the same country playing in the same team getting really close and sometimes clashing with the other team mates?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on September 05, 2012, 01:11:46 PM
Quote from: clandestino on September 05, 2012, 01:06:50 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on September 05, 2012, 12:58:28 PM

:lol:

:unsure:

Doesn't that happen as well in your sports? IE a group of players from the same country playing in the same team getting really close and sometimes clashing with the other team mates?

Locker room tiffs? Yes. Usually the player causing it is a major asshole.

I was laughing at the nationalistic absurdity of it all.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: clandestino on September 05, 2012, 01:21:34 PM
I see. I guess the names of Portuguese and Spanish "gangs" are just for easier identification. I'm not following Madrid that much, but maybe it's possible that di Maria, an Argentinian, be part of the Portuguese one.

And in the beggining at least, this "clash" appeared to be made mainly by the media who couldn't understand why some overrated Spanish youngsters from the cantera weren't having enough playing chances versus the new Portuguese signings.

Maybe Larchie can share with us his opinion about this as well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 05, 2012, 01:28:45 PM
AFAIK the sides were the Spaniards on one side, with the internationals at the forefront (Casillas, Ramos, Alonso, Arbeloa) and the "Portuguese" at the other side, with the Mendes-represented ones at the front (Pepe, Coentrao, Carvalho, etc). And the media here still doesn't understand why they paid a humongous transfer fee for worthless Coentrao when they already had Marcelo on the team, suspecting about a Mourinho-Mendes arrangement to inflate transfer fees.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: clandestino on September 05, 2012, 01:36:33 PM
So Coentrão is still seen as worthless, even after the last Euro?

I thought that the general opinion after that was of confusion about the difference in quality in performance in club vs. national team and the conclusion that it had something to do with Mourinho tactics.

From my point of view, Coentrão is/was a good player and the value payed at the time fair for his quality.

About Mendes and inflating prices, he's an agent, so he's always scum for the supporters, and Madrid certainly isn't the only club that had to deal with him.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on September 05, 2012, 02:04:34 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on September 05, 2012, 01:11:46 PM
Quote from: clandestino on September 05, 2012, 01:06:50 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on September 05, 2012, 12:58:28 PM

:lol:

:unsure:

Doesn't that happen as well in your sports? IE a group of players from the same country playing in the same team getting really close and sometimes clashing with the other team mates?

Locker room tiffs? Yes. Usually the player causing it is a major asshole.

I was laughing at the nationalistic absurdity of it all.

It's not nationalism though - it tends to be more a language thing.

Happens in hockey - russian players stick together, as do Swedes and Finns and Czechs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 05, 2012, 02:05:55 PM
Quote from: clandestino on September 05, 2012, 01:36:33 PM
So Coentrão is still seen as worthless, even after the last Euro?

I thought that the general opinion after that was of confusion about the difference in quality in performance in club vs. national team and the conclusion that it had something to do with Mourinho tactics.

From my point of view, Coentrão is/was a good player and the value payed at the time fair for his quality.

About Mendes and inflating prices, he's an agent, so he's always scum for the supporters, and Madrid certainly isn't the only club that had to deal with him.

Yes, he's still seen as a puzzling signing, after his first year in Madrid. He's seen as inferior to Marcelo at left back, and his touted polivalence has been nowhere to be seen (Mourinho insisted on playing him as central midfieldes and right back, and his performance there wasn't anything to write home about). And at 30 millions his signing is seen as economically outrageous. Maybe if he had costed a fraction of that it wouldn't be seen so badly. And the fact that he does perform well at the international level makes it even more puzzling.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on September 05, 2012, 02:37:34 PM
Quote from: Barrister on September 05, 2012, 02:04:34 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on September 05, 2012, 01:11:46 PM
Quote from: clandestino on September 05, 2012, 01:06:50 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on September 05, 2012, 12:58:28 PM

:lol:

:unsure:

Doesn't that happen as well in your sports? IE a group of players from the same country playing in the same team getting really close and sometimes clashing with the other team mates?

Locker room tiffs? Yes. Usually the player causing it is a major asshole.

I was laughing at the nationalistic absurdity of it all.

It's not nationalism though - it tends to be more a language thing.

Happens in hockey - russian players stick together, as do Swedes and Finns and Czechs.

LOL SLAVS and SCANDIWEENIES.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on September 05, 2012, 02:43:34 PM
That's who plays hockey - Canucks, slavss, and scandies. -_-
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on September 05, 2012, 02:48:03 PM
Quote from: Barrister on September 05, 2012, 02:43:34 PM
That's who plays hockey - Canucks, slavss, and scandies. -_-

Miroslav Satan is cool.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 10, 2012, 12:27:45 AM
The local team wins in overtime with an bicycle kick from the goalie. (http://youtu.be/4V1EGiA6g2M)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 10, 2012, 05:45:28 AM
Quote from: Liep on September 10, 2012, 12:27:45 AM
The local team wins in overtime with an bicycle kick from the goalie. (http://youtu.be/4V1EGiA6g2M)

Ossum. I assume that the guy now has a free tab in every pub in his town.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on September 10, 2012, 06:01:43 AM
Quote from: clandestino on September 05, 2012, 01:06:50 PM
Doesn't that happen as well in your sports? IE a group of players from the same country playing in the same team getting really close and sometimes clashing with the other team mates?

No.

I agree that it sounds absurd.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 10, 2012, 06:45:37 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on September 10, 2012, 06:01:43 AM
Quote from: clandestino on September 05, 2012, 01:06:50 PM
Doesn't that happen as well in your sports? IE a group of players from the same country playing in the same team getting really close and sometimes clashing with the other team mates?

No.

I agree that it sounds absurd.
As BBoy says I think it's more often linguistic than nationalist.  So groups of Francophone players sticking together for example.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on September 10, 2012, 06:58:16 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 10, 2012, 06:45:37 AM
As BBoy says I think it's more often linguistic than nationalist.  So groups of Francophone players sticking together for example.

The sticking together thing is not absurd.  The prison gang style clashing thing is absurd.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 10, 2012, 07:00:44 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on September 10, 2012, 06:58:16 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 10, 2012, 06:45:37 AM
As BBoy says I think it's more often linguistic than nationalist.  So groups of Francophone players sticking together for example.

The sticking together thing is not absurd.  The prison gang style clashing thing is absurd.

Nobody is saying that they're shanking each other in the showers.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 10, 2012, 07:08:17 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on September 10, 2012, 06:58:16 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 10, 2012, 06:45:37 AM
As BBoy says I think it's more often linguistic than nationalist.  So groups of Francophone players sticking together for example.

The sticking together thing is not absurd.  The prison gang style clashing thing is absurd.
I think you've the wrong idea.  The correct comparison isn't a prison gang, but Mean Girls.

Plus I think it's kind of inevitable.  You get 20+ young men who are all very rich, competitive and able in the same room and there'll be clashes. 

The reverse happens on the national level when club loyalties can create conflict.  There's always been reports of splits in the England team between Chelsea players based in London and the Northern-based Man U and Liverpool players.  Something similar has, I believe, happened in Spain between Barca and Real players (not least stoked by Mourinho's performance art). 

What helps, in both situations, is if you have older, senior players who can take everyone aside and calm a situation down - which I think happened with Spain where, from what I've read Casillas and Xavi calmed the situation down.  Needless to say England's older statesman, like John Terry, haven't been quite so successful :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 10, 2012, 07:30:26 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 10, 2012, 07:08:17 AM
The reverse happens on the national level when club loyalties can create conflict.  There's always been reports of splits in the England team between Chelsea players based in London and the Northern-based Man U and Liverpool players.  Something similar has, I believe, happened in Spain between Barca and Real players (not least stoked by Mourinho's performance art). 

What helps, in both situations, is if you have older, senior players who can take everyone aside and calm a situation down - which I think happened with Spain where, from what I've read Casillas and Xavi calmed the situation down.  Needless to say England's older statesman, like John Terry, haven't been quite so successful :lol:

Yup, a couple of seasons ago, on Mourinho's first year in Madrid, the rivalry got REALLY heated, and lots of people got seriously worried that it'd affect the atmosphere in the national team, where good locker room atmosphere had been cultivated for many years as a way to unite the team and was considered one of the main strengths and reasons why we won the WC (the dropping of the allegedly controversial Raúl in 2006 has been pointed out as the turning point for the national team, and controversial players have been routinely passed over since then, apparently one of the reasons why Valencia's Soldado wasn't called up for the last Euro).

So, when the rivalry was becoming ridiculous Casillas and Xavi met one day for dinner, talked it over and agreed that it was all BS and that they were not going to allow that to affect the national team. It seems that Casillas was not particulary fond of Mourinho's mind games and was never very cooperative in them, one of the reasons why Mourinho has never really liked him but there's no way that he can drop him from the team. In a way it's only natural that they're good buddies, they're roughly the same age and have been playing together with the national team since they were kids. For instance this is them in the lineup for the U-20 WC final in 1999.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm6.static.flickr.com%2F5140%2F5532065819_b8347dc5ef.jpg&hash=7e6c39d3d28cd4097525c59f8a800449bb6a2bb7)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on September 11, 2012, 02:20:26 AM
I could have gotten a ticket for the World Cup Qualifier Austria-Germany through the company, but I politely declined, because it would have meant spending the evening with a rather obnoxious colleague I can't stand.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on September 11, 2012, 03:55:36 AM
Quote from: Syt on September 11, 2012, 02:20:26 AM
I could have gotten a ticket for the World Cup Qualifier Austria-Germany through the company, but I politely declined, because it would have meant spending the evening with a rather obnoxious colleague I can't stand.

this reminded me of the old joke:

-There will be an Austria - Hungary match soon
-Who they are playing against?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on September 11, 2012, 05:10:12 AM
Quote from: Tamas on September 11, 2012, 03:55:36 AM
Quote from: Syt on September 11, 2012, 02:20:26 AM
I could have gotten a ticket for the World Cup Qualifier Austria-Germany through the company, but I politely declined, because it would have meant spending the evening with a rather obnoxious colleague I can't stand.

this reminded me of the old joke:

-There will be an Austria - Hungary match soon
-Who they are playing against?


The winner of the Denmark-Norway - Poland-Lithuania game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 11, 2012, 08:52:37 AM
I'm seeing an upset in Italy today. Go Malta
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 11, 2012, 04:50:43 PM
Well a 2-0 loss, right in injury time, is almost an upset.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 11, 2012, 07:13:33 PM
If the US men's team loses to Jamaica on this day of all days I will hate them forever.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: clandestino on September 11, 2012, 07:19:00 PM
Quote from: Josephus on September 11, 2012, 04:50:43 PM
Well a 2-0 loss, right in injury time, is almost an upset.

Now I feel somewhat better about last friday's Portuguese 2-1 win against Luxembourg.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 12, 2012, 08:00:41 AM
And Canada sux, and no referee to blame it on. :mad:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on September 12, 2012, 08:03:58 AM
Quote from: Josephus on September 12, 2012, 08:00:41 AM
And Canada sux, and no referee to blame it on. :mad:

It's the man team right?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on September 12, 2012, 08:58:41 AM
Justice for the 92. At last.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/sep/12/hillsborough-disaster-david-cameron-apologises
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 12, 2012, 10:35:55 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on September 12, 2012, 08:03:58 AM
Quote from: Josephus on September 12, 2012, 08:00:41 AM
And Canada sux, and no referee to blame it on. :mad:

It's the man team right?

Yup.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on September 12, 2012, 10:52:16 AM
Quote from: Josephus on September 12, 2012, 10:35:55 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on September 12, 2012, 08:03:58 AM
Quote from: Josephus on September 12, 2012, 08:00:41 AM
And Canada sux, and no referee to blame it on. :mad:

It's the man team right?

Yup.

So, we blame the goalkeeper.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 15, 2012, 01:37:07 PM
Krohn-Dehli gets his first goal in Spain. And is that Comic Sans on Celta's jerseys? :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on September 15, 2012, 02:02:41 PM
Quote from: Liep on September 15, 2012, 01:37:07 PM
Krohn-Dehli gets his first goal in Spain. And is that Comic Sans on Celta's jerseys? :P

Not sure, but it seems they put the names of 10,000 fans on their jerseys:

http://footballfashion.org/wordpress/2012/06/04/celta-de-vigo-li-ning-201213-home-jersey/
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm8.staticflickr.com%2F7228%2F7332356372_c85d15b8a8_h.jpg&hash=4ebd4d825b3adbbbb92291ed8f69805ecadde460)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on September 15, 2012, 03:10:43 PM
Quote from: Syt on September 15, 2012, 02:02:41 PM
Quote from: Liep on September 15, 2012, 01:37:07 PM
Krohn-Dehli gets his first goal in Spain. And is that Comic Sans on Celta's jerseys? :P

Not sure, but it seems they put the names of 10,000 fans on their jerseys:

That's kind of cool.

... and they're sponsored by a Chinese brand!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 16, 2012, 09:35:20 AM
So Liverpool puff piece 'Being: Liverpool' premiers today on FOX in the USA. FOX must be fucking pissed at Liverpool being such crap at the start of the season. I'm sure they were hoping that they start the season on fire instead of having the worst start in over 100 years. Fuck you FOX. :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on September 19, 2012, 03:44:49 PM
Quagliarella :wub:

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 19, 2012, 04:28:35 PM
Quote from: Pedrito on September 19, 2012, 03:44:49 PM
Quagliarella :wub:

L.

As a neutral, I'm glad I picked the right games to watch this week. Watched the Madrid Man City game yesterday and the Chelea Juve game today. Both good games to watch.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 19, 2012, 08:32:52 PM
Chelsea look good this year. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 26, 2012, 10:22:15 AM

I know that not everyone got the same commentary I did for the Man City - Arsenal game this past weekend but when Arsenal conceded a goal on a corner the English color commentator when apoplectic about zonal marking and how terrible it is. Dude went on for the whole game complaining about zonal marking. I wanted to throw my remote through the TV.

Anyway, a good piece by Michael Cox on why it's not that easy to dismiss zonal marking on corners.  :)  http://soccernet.espn.go.com/blog/_/name/tacticsandanalysis/id/225?cc=5901
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 26, 2012, 10:47:07 AM
Must have had the same feed as you. Funny thing is the play by play guy asked him "what is it exactly about zonal marking you don't like" and his response was very vague and wishy washy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on September 30, 2012, 12:21:39 PM
I was watching the villa game and thier fans was giving the west brom goalie a countdown when he was holding the ball. Good thing no Canadians were there to get all pissy about that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on September 30, 2012, 01:51:00 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on September 30, 2012, 12:21:39 PM
I was watching the villa game and thier fans was giving the west brom goalie a countdown when he was holding the ball. Good thing no Canadians were there to get all pissy about that.

Canadians don't care any longer.  NHL lockout season has started.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on September 30, 2012, 02:37:46 PM
 :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 03, 2012, 06:54:17 PM
Had something interesting pointed out to me the other day- Belgium. A lot of great young Belgian players floating about. Come the next international tournament they could make for a rather good surprise package.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 03, 2012, 06:56:47 PM
Is Arsenal somehow contractually obligated to play Olympiakos every year in the Champion's League now?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on October 03, 2012, 07:02:53 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 03, 2012, 06:56:47 PM
Is Arsenal somehow contractually obligated to play Olympiakos every year in the Champion's League now?

dunno, do they have any promising youngsters who's top flight career can be ended by a brutal two footed tackle?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 03, 2012, 07:17:05 PM
Quote from: Viking on October 03, 2012, 07:02:53 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 03, 2012, 06:56:47 PM
Is Arsenal somehow contractually obligated to play Olympiakos every year in the Champion's League now?

dunno, do they have any promising youngsters who's top flight career can be ended by a brutal two footed tackle?

Do they really have to sell their captain every season?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on October 03, 2012, 07:33:30 PM
Interesting that English and European football clubs have only now gained traction with Americans since becoming brands. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 03, 2012, 07:39:37 PM
Quote from: mongers on October 03, 2012, 07:33:30 PM
Interesting that English and European football clubs have only now gained traction with Americans since becoming brands.

We love our commercialism.

Tbh, I'd like to see more Englishmen here with real interest in American football.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on October 03, 2012, 07:50:11 PM
Yeah all we have is thy dirty Croat.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 03, 2012, 08:04:25 PM
Quote from: Tyr on October 03, 2012, 06:54:17 PM
Had something interesting pointed out to me the other day- Belgium.

Yeah. It's been around for a while. East of France, west of Holland and Germany. Lovely little place.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 03, 2012, 08:06:53 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 03, 2012, 07:39:37 PM
We love our commercialism.

Tbh, I'd like to see more Englishmen here with real interest in American football.
I watch the Superbowl.  Channel 4 has rights to American football.  I think they show it live, so at 2 am :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on October 03, 2012, 09:06:47 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 03, 2012, 07:39:37 PM
Quote from: mongers on October 03, 2012, 07:33:30 PM
Interesting that English and European football clubs have only now gained traction with Americans since becoming brands.

We love our commercialism.

Tbh, I'd like to see more Englishmen here with real interest in American football.

My "fandom" is dependent on whether there is nothing on or Ohio state isn't on.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on October 04, 2012, 05:03:39 AM
Is BATE this year's APOEL?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on October 04, 2012, 06:40:02 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on September 19, 2012, 08:32:52 PM
Chelsea look good this year. :(

:thumbsup:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on October 16, 2012, 02:12:50 PM
Germany is just destroying Sweden. You can expect the German team at the 2014 World Cup.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 16, 2012, 02:52:04 PM
Past and present Arsenal players failing massively in Spain-France game. Koscielny gives up a really stupid penalty and Fabregas misses said penalty.   :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on October 16, 2012, 03:22:01 PM
That was perhaps a bit premature. Germany's defense is utterly terrible.

EDIT:  :lmfao: Germany got the 4-4 in the last minute after being up with 4 goals by the 60th minute. I can't remember ever seeing that before.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 16, 2012, 05:15:10 PM
So Canada needed just a draw in HOnduras to qualify for the Hex, the last qualification group in Concacaf, where out of six teams, 3.5 will qualify for the World Cup.

They needed just a draw. Sit back, park the bus.

They lost 8 fucking 1.

Pathetic.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 16, 2012, 05:22:26 PM
Sorry Canada.  :hug:




USA ALL THE WAY BEAT THE GUATEMALA GOATS WOOOO

(expects a shocking loss and a Jamaican win that boots us out of qualifying)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on October 16, 2012, 05:24:39 PM
I would laugh so hard.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 16, 2012, 05:26:03 PM
If we fail to qualify tonight I will hate soccer forever.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 16, 2012, 06:22:10 PM
... and it begins...  :Embarrass:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 16, 2012, 06:25:17 PM
Thanks Funk.

And good luck to the USA...(I know it's started off poorly).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 16, 2012, 06:51:34 PM
The good, attacking USA showed up.  :)

3-1 now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 16, 2012, 08:09:19 PM
USA through to the Hex. :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on October 17, 2012, 01:52:32 AM
:nelson: @ Turkey
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on October 17, 2012, 02:06:51 AM
Poland: what a joke of a country.

Build a stadium with a roof which can't be closed when its raining.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 17, 2012, 03:23:06 AM
I would laugh but thats the kind of thing Britain normally does and then you get people going "only in modern British, sheesh"
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 17, 2012, 04:08:46 AM
Quote from: Josephus on October 16, 2012, 05:15:10 PM
So Canada needed just a draw in HOnduras to qualify for the Hex, the last qualification group in Concacaf, where out of six teams, 3.5 will qualify for the World Cup.

They needed just a draw. Sit back, park the bus.

They lost 8 fucking 1.

Pathetic.

If Guatemala gives you such a nasty beating just imagine what a proper WC caliber team would do to you. Better to save the embarrassment.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 17, 2012, 04:11:43 AM
It is really weird there isn't more of a footballing culture in north America considering the history of migration from the British isles.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on October 17, 2012, 05:50:14 AM
Quote from: Tyr on October 17, 2012, 04:11:43 AM
It is really weird there isn't more of a footballing culture in north America considering the history of migration from the British isles.

Like actual British colonies the US took up Cricket and Rugby rather than soccer. It's just that Doubleday decided that carrying full cricket gear along with his civil war army was a waste of space so they played rounders instead and Heisman though that the only way to keep people from dying from head on collisions was the forward pass after the Americans started wearing protective helmets.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: CountDeMoney on October 17, 2012, 06:21:48 AM
Le oops.

QuoteFrench TV host apologises to Japanese over Fukushima football joke
Broadcaster expresses regret after attributing Japanese goalkeeper's impressive performance to the 'Fukushima effect'

A French broadcaster has apologised after showing a composite picture of Japan's national football team goalkeeper with four arms, prompting a presenter to attribute the extra limbs to the "Fukushima effect".

France 2 said it regretted using the image, which had been intended to complement Eiji Kawashima's impressive performance in Japan's 1-0 victory over France in a friendly last Friday.

In a statement to the Japanese embassy in Paris, France 2's director, Jean Reveillon, apologised to the Japanese people but said the image had not meant to cause offence to them or those affected by last year's triple meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

"We are deeply sorry for having hurt your fellow citizens. [The presenter] Laurent Ruquier did not want to be disrespectful to Japan and the Fukushima victims," Reveillon said.

"In this humorous or satirical programme, our presenter was mostly trying to mock the French football team. In any case, given the emotions that this has sparked, France 2 presents its regrets and reaffirms our friendship to the Japanese people."

Japan had lodged a protest over the image, which appeared as Ruquier, the host of a variety show, attributed a string of saves by Kawashima to the "Fukushima effect", prompting laughter and applause in the studio.

The chief cabinet secretary, Osamu Fujimura, called Ruquier's remark "inappropriate, while Japan's education minister, Makiko Tanaka, accused the presenter of "lacking sensitivity". She added: "Many people were hurt in the nuclear crisis. I don't know how people can make fun of it."

The Fukushima nuclear crisis was triggered by last year's magnitude-9 earthquake and tsunami along Japan's north-east coast, which killed more than 15,000 people and left almost 3,000 others unaccounted for.

Radiation leaks forced the evacuation of 150,000 people living near the nuclear plant, most of whom are still unable to return home.

The French foreign minister, Laurent Fabius, repeated the apology during a meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Koichiro Gemba, in Paris on Tuesday.

Kawashima, who plays for the Belgian club Standard Liege, was targeted for abuse while playing for Lierse SK during a league fixture last year, when opposition fans chanted "Kawashima, Fukushima!"

The referee temporarily halted play following protests from the player, who was reportedly in tears after the match.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on October 17, 2012, 07:24:12 AM
Quote from: Tyr on October 17, 2012, 04:11:43 AM
It is really weird there isn't more of a footballing culture in north America considering the history of migration from the British isles.

Not really. When Brits were migrating, football wasn't codified at all, every school and village had different rules.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 17, 2012, 07:47:25 PM
Quote from: Gups on October 17, 2012, 07:24:12 AM
Quote from: Tyr on October 17, 2012, 04:11:43 AM
It is really weird there isn't more of a footballing culture in north America considering the history of migration from the British isles.

Not really. When Brits were migrating, football wasn't codified at all, every school and village had different rules.
The initial ones yes.
But in the late 19th and early 20th centuries a lot of Brits moved to North America too, just as they did to South America.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 21, 2012, 06:51:26 PM
The derby was yesterday.
As usual Sunderland didn't turn up. Newcastle got a lucky goal early but then went down to 10 men. Sunderland utterly failed to get a shot on goal and only narrowly drew 1-1. We should be whopping teams like that. Ugh. This season is not going well, despite the addition of Fletcher we just can't score.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 21, 2012, 07:41:52 PM
Whenever I see Sunderland play I think how disappointed you must be josq.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 21, 2012, 08:08:52 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 21, 2012, 07:41:52 PM
Whenever I see Sunderland play I think how disappointed you must be josq.  :D
We're very hit and miss.
Sometimes we're utterly crap. Can't pull anything together and struggle against even terrible teams.
When we have our day though we're really one of the best and can give the Man Utds and the Chelseas a very tough game indeed.
Just no consistency.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 21, 2012, 08:38:41 PM
Quote from: Tyr on October 21, 2012, 08:08:52 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 21, 2012, 07:41:52 PM
Whenever I see Sunderland play I think how disappointed you must be josq.  :D
We're very hit and miss.
Sometimes we're utterly crap. Can't pull anything together and struggle against even terrible teams.
When we have our day though we're really one of the best and can give the Man Utds and the Chelseas a very tough game indeed.
Just no consistency.

Oh yeah. I remember when that Korean you have scored in the last minute or so to beat Manchester City last season. Good game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 21, 2012, 09:56:56 PM
Explosives thrown at players on field (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CocZQX9AOFQ#!)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on October 21, 2012, 10:00:56 PM
Soccer is getting interesting again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 21, 2012, 10:02:27 PM
 :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on October 22, 2012, 07:24:58 AM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on October 17, 2012, 06:21:48 AM
Le oops.

QuoteFrench TV host apologises to Japanese over Fukushima football joke
Broadcaster expresses regret after attributing Japanese goalkeeper's impressive performance to the 'Fukushima effect'

A French broadcaster has apologised after showing a composite picture of Japan's national football team goalkeeper with four arms, prompting a presenter to attribute the extra limbs to the "Fukushima effect".

France 2 said it regretted using the image, which had been intended to complement Eiji Kawashima's impressive performance in Japan's 1-0 victory over France in a friendly last Friday.

In a statement to the Japanese embassy in Paris, France 2's director, Jean Reveillon, apologised to the Japanese people but said the image had not meant to cause offence to them or those affected by last year's triple meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

"We are deeply sorry for having hurt your fellow citizens. [The presenter] Laurent Ruquier did not want to be disrespectful to Japan and the Fukushima victims," Reveillon said.

"In this humorous or satirical programme, our presenter was mostly trying to mock the French football team. In any case, given the emotions that this has sparked, France 2 presents its regrets and reaffirms our friendship to the Japanese people."

Japan had lodged a protest over the image, which appeared as Ruquier, the host of a variety show, attributed a string of saves by Kawashima to the "Fukushima effect", prompting laughter and applause in the studio.

The chief cabinet secretary, Osamu Fujimura, called Ruquier's remark "inappropriate, while Japan's education minister, Makiko Tanaka, accused the presenter of "lacking sensitivity". She added: "Many people were hurt in the nuclear crisis. I don't know how people can make fun of it."

The Fukushima nuclear crisis was triggered by last year's magnitude-9 earthquake and tsunami along Japan's north-east coast, which killed more than 15,000 people and left almost 3,000 others unaccounted for.

Radiation leaks forced the evacuation of 150,000 people living near the nuclear plant, most of whom are still unable to return home.

The French foreign minister, Laurent Fabius, repeated the apology during a meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Koichiro Gemba, in Paris on Tuesday.

Kawashima, who plays for the Belgian club Standard Liege, was targeted for abuse while playing for Lierse SK during a league fixture last year, when opposition fans chanted "Kawashima, Fukushima!"

The referee temporarily halted play following protests from the player, who was reportedly in tears after the match.

You know, Japan protesting the cartoon, and the French government apologizing, is no more appropriate than Arab countries protesting perceived slurs against Islam in cartoons or movies, and a Western government apologizing for those.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 22, 2012, 12:01:36 PM
Sunderland are all kinds of awful to watch, despite having a quite decent squad on paper. That's Martin O'Neill though, he would manage to turn Messi into a midfield clogger.

The derby was rather unspectacular, I blame the sending off.

We (Barça) just had the craziest game in a while, winning 4-5 after being up 0-3 at minute 20... No way we're getting anything this season unless we sort out the gaping hole at the back.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 22, 2012, 12:50:43 PM
What are the chances At. Madrid win the league this year? I see they're even on points with Barcelona.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 22, 2012, 12:52:41 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 22, 2012, 12:50:43 PM
What are the chances At. Madrid win the league this year? I see they're even on points with Barcelona.

Zero. It will be a two-horse race as usual between us and Real Madrid. Atlético are doing very well but they don't have the depth to sustain a challenge against the star-studded squads of us two. Falcao has been carrying them and an injury or sudden drop of form means they start dropping points often.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 22, 2012, 01:02:07 PM
Thanks.  :)

I don't get to watch La Liga anymore since BeIn Sports bought the rights here and my cable company doesn't carry it.  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 22, 2012, 01:07:21 PM
Really annoying thing is BeIn also have the rights in Canada (including for Serie A) and BeIn isn't carried by anyone in Canada. :mad:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 26, 2012, 09:43:21 PM
The last round of bidding for the English Premier League rights for 2013-onward in the US ended this week. The only two left are NBC and BeIN Sports.

I am going to miss Ian Darke and Macca on ESPN Saturday mornings. ESPN has such great coverage. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on October 26, 2012, 09:54:09 PM
There went soccer's gain in the states.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on October 27, 2012, 03:00:25 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 26, 2012, 09:43:21 PM
The last round of bidding for the English Premier League rights for 2013-onward in the US ended this week. The only two left are NBC and BeIN Sports.

I am going to miss Ian Darke and Macca on ESPN Saturday mornings. ESPN has such great coverage. :(
NBC would pay about $83 million a year, more than triple what Fox Soccer currently pays.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 27, 2012, 07:08:56 AM
I'm not a fan of FOX Soccer so I'm happy about not having to see Warren Barton and company anymore.  :yucky:

ESPN, on the other hand, has been great the past couple of years. Hopefully NBC will expand on their example.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 27, 2012, 07:12:51 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on October 26, 2012, 09:54:09 PM
There went soccer's gain in the states.

If Qatari-owned BeIn Sport somehow gets the rights I will declare jihad on Qatar.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 27, 2012, 07:32:36 AM
Also, there goes the dream of hearing Joe Buck commentate a soccer game.  :weep:

:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on October 27, 2012, 12:26:49 PM
I enjoyed the leg sweep by the QPR player today.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 27, 2012, 01:44:30 PM
What possessed me to watch Stoke - Sunderland today? I have seen dogs chasing a balloon giving a better show than the "football" on display this afternoon.

The Britannia Stadium is like the Bermuda Triangle, sucking football and making it disappear without a trace.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on October 28, 2012, 10:30:41 AM
Liverpool got robbed there at the end.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 28, 2012, 10:31:50 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on October 28, 2012, 10:30:41 AM
Liverpool got robbed there at the end.

That game was LOL. There is no such thing as a dull game when Luis Suarez is playing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on October 28, 2012, 10:35:19 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 28, 2012, 10:31:50 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on October 28, 2012, 10:30:41 AM
Liverpool got robbed there at the end.

That game was LOL. There is no such thing as a dull game when Luis Suarez is playing.

I was halfway expecting a shattered ankle sometime during the game.

Also Suarez pocketing the coin thrown at him? Priceless.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on October 28, 2012, 01:28:02 PM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbulk.destructoid.com%2Ful%2F121181-wtf_picard-468x.jpg&hash=7a962530f3a2a3c10f0147d27a46bb9fab45e24c)


what a fucking cheating referee. The sooner Ferguson is retired/dead the better.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 28, 2012, 01:29:17 PM
Poor ref decisions today in both the Everton and Man U. games.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on October 28, 2012, 03:48:30 PM
Quote from: Tamas on October 28, 2012, 01:28:02 PM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbulk.destructoid.com%2Ful%2F121181-wtf_picard-468x.jpg&hash=7a962530f3a2a3c10f0147d27a46bb9fab45e24c)


what a fucking cheating referee. The sooner Ferguson is retired/dead the better.

Stoning by beet is too good for him!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on October 28, 2012, 09:35:15 PM
NBC wins EPL rights in US, 250 mil for 3 years.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on October 28, 2012, 09:38:26 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on October 28, 2012, 09:35:15 PM
NBC wins EPL rights in US, 250 mil for 3 years.

QuoteCriticized for using tape delay with the Olympics because of time differences, NBC will not do so with Premier League games, Lazarus said. English-language broadcasts will primarily be on cable channel NBC Sports Network, with Telemundo and mun2 used for Spanish coverage.

NBC's English-language networks will televise six live games a week. One or two of the company's other cable channels will also be used, Lazarus said, but which has not been determined yet as schedules are evaluated. Other games will be streamed live online
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on October 28, 2012, 09:39:59 PM
Hopefully, they'll use USA network. The NCIS marathons are tiring.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 28, 2012, 10:18:32 PM
NBC is suitable.

With both MLS and EPL rights, I guess this means NBC Sports becomes the new 'Fox Soccer Channel', only less crappy (hopefully).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on October 28, 2012, 10:20:42 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on October 28, 2012, 09:39:59 PM
Hopefully, they'll use USA network. The NCIS marathons are tiring.
Bravo screams Soccer to me.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 03, 2012, 08:36:22 AM
Manchester United/Arsenal is a stinker so far.  :yucky:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on November 03, 2012, 10:07:23 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 03, 2012, 08:36:22 AM
Manchester United/Arsenal is a stinker so far.  :yucky:

You guys need to throw in more "cor blimey mate" and "stone the crows" if you're going to sound like authentic English football fans.    :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 03, 2012, 10:13:10 AM
Quote from: mongers on November 03, 2012, 10:07:23 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 03, 2012, 08:36:22 AM
Manchester United/Arsenal is a stinker so far.  :yucky:

You guys need to throw in more "cor blimey mate" and "stone the crows" if you're going to sound like authentic English football fans.    :bowler:

God no why would I want to be like the English :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 03, 2012, 12:03:53 PM
My Fantasy team is sinking without a trace.  :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 03, 2012, 02:04:09 PM
Quote from: mongers on November 03, 2012, 10:07:23 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 03, 2012, 08:36:22 AM
Manchester United/Arsenal is a stinker so far.  :yucky:

You guys need to throw in more "cor blimey mate" and "stone the crows" if you're going to sound like authentic English football fans.    :bowler:

Thought the match was pants!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 10, 2012, 01:44:04 PM
Saw some kids playing soccer in the street at my apartment complex. Never would have seen that even ten or fifteen years ago. There is... hope.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 11, 2012, 06:27:44 PM
Nobody wants to celebrate Suárez' goal with him  :cry:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg5.imageshack.us%2Fimg5%2F2883%2F1352655651923.gif&hash=8f23bb9eaba0d8ded6e60e6341f4259de8b714e0)

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 11, 2012, 08:33:15 PM
 :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 11, 2012, 09:25:56 PM
"So alone....."

I can't stand things this year. Unwatchable. Pahhhhh
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 11, 2012, 10:53:20 PM
Quote from: celedhring on November 11, 2012, 06:27:44 PM
Nobody wants to celebrate Suárez' goal with him  :cry:

I noticed that during the game, it's like the rest of the team was like, "Ah, it's just Suarez scoring again. No big deal."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 12, 2012, 01:47:52 AM
Suarez is an asshole, and the goal was illegal
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 12, 2012, 04:31:20 AM
Quote from: celedhring on November 11, 2012, 06:27:44 PM
Nobody wants to celebrate Suárez' goal with him  :cry:


That's among the saddest gifs I've ever seen. :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 14, 2012, 12:18:33 PM
http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/michael-bradleys-brilliant-volley-united-states-v-russia/ (http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/michael-bradleys-brilliant-volley-united-states-v-russia/)

Goal by Michael Bradley in the 2-2 draw against Russia

Our freedom fighters stole a draw against the post-Soviet scum in the last minute of stoppage time in Krasnodar. Fuck Russia.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on November 14, 2012, 12:26:02 PM
I've bene to every home game Charlton have played this season. The last one was on a freezing Tuesday evening following a dismal 4-1 hammering by Middlesborough.

Still, I planned to go straight from work. Some muppet client calls me at 7 p.m. and keeps me talking for 20 minutes.

I decide, sod it I'm not going to turn up 20 minutes late without any dinner inside me.

I feel pretty smug about this when I check the scores and see we are 2-0 down after 20.

I get back home, the missus has a couple of her friends over and I eat and drink with them. Quick check of the scores and we are 5-2 up (they get 2 back near the end to make it 5-4).

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on November 14, 2012, 12:30:49 PM
:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 14, 2012, 04:22:15 PM
Zlatan. :D

I'm now convinced. Wow.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 14, 2012, 09:33:36 PM
Zlatan's last goal.  :lol: :lol:

Goal: http://youtu.be/VZmp_AgPbt8
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on November 14, 2012, 09:54:59 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 14, 2012, 12:18:33 PM
http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/michael-bradleys-brilliant-volley-united-states-v-russia/ (http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/michael-bradleys-brilliant-volley-united-states-v-russia/)

Goal by Michael Bradley in the 2-2 draw against Russia

Our freedom fighters stole a draw against the post-Soviet scum in the last minute of stoppage time in Krasnodar. Fuck Russia.

Any opinion of Gatt and Diskerud (Mix) and their performances for the US?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 14, 2012, 10:10:02 PM
Quote from: Viking on November 14, 2012, 09:54:59 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 14, 2012, 12:18:33 PM
http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/michael-bradleys-brilliant-volley-united-states-v-russia/ (http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/michael-bradleys-brilliant-volley-united-states-v-russia/)

Goal by Michael Bradley in the 2-2 draw against Russia

Our freedom fighters stole a draw against the post-Soviet scum in the last minute of stoppage time in Krasnodar. Fuck Russia.

Any opinion of Gatt and Diskerud (Mix) and their performances for the US?

I only caught the last ten minutes so I can't speak to complete performances, but I will say Diskerud's goal was really well taken.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on November 14, 2012, 10:17:14 PM
I think both are seen as potentially good players down the road - Gatt's speed could be important with some seasoning, Diskerud has been a good add with both the youth team and recently with the Men's.  Still, it depends on how much Klinsmann wants them around, who is healthy, and who can get the releases to play.

These two playing today, along with Chandler coming back (and being important) was good to see.  Also, That Michael Bradley goal was impressive - he is the rock for this team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 14, 2012, 10:22:10 PM
Bradley has a habit of hitting incredible goals from 25 yards out and since he moved to Italy he has become such a great and important player for us. If he gets injured and can't play in the Hex I'm going to kill myself.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 19, 2012, 09:23:10 PM
Beckham is leaving LA after the Dec 1 final.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 19, 2012, 10:58:51 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 19, 2012, 09:23:10 PM
Beckham is leaving LA after the Dec 1 final.

Sad to see him go. I think he did a decent amount for the game here.

Fun to see LA and Houston in the final again, after both were seeded 4 and 5 respectively in their conferences.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on November 20, 2012, 06:37:57 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 19, 2012, 09:23:10 PM
Beckham is leaving LA after the Dec 1 final.

Thats not surprising, he is almost my age, he should be glad his career has lasted as long as it has.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 20, 2012, 08:53:29 AM
He said he's not retiring from the game yet.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on November 20, 2012, 09:18:01 AM
My money is on a big 1 year contract in China to get some fund to buy his MLS team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on November 20, 2012, 11:05:34 AM
Oz! :contract:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 20, 2012, 03:47:20 PM
Fairplay is not a word in the Ukranian vocabulary it seems. What a douchebag move. :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 20, 2012, 03:48:57 PM
Or wait, Adriano is not Ukranian, just a douche.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 20, 2012, 04:17:15 PM
Quote from: Liep on November 20, 2012, 03:47:20 PM
Fairplay is not a word in the Ukranian vocabulary it seems. What a douchebag move. :D

Yeah that was amazing.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on November 20, 2012, 04:21:37 PM
Quote from: Liep on November 20, 2012, 03:48:57 PM
Or wait, Adriano is not Ukranian, just a douche.
I did not see it (watching Juventus pounding the remains of Chelsea  :menace:); what happened?

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 20, 2012, 04:42:36 PM
I enjoyed watching Chelsea getting completely outclassed by Juve. Good work Pedrito.  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 20, 2012, 06:02:51 PM
I don't think I've seen a douchier move in soccer. Ever.

What happened was that the DAnish team put the ball out of play when a Shaktar player got hurt. In the ensuing play, the ref played a drop ball and the Shaktar player, as is the case, simply booted the ball to the Danish team's zone so they can start the play. But to the dismay of the Danish team, Adriano picked the ball up alone near the Danish penalty box and ran at the confused goalkeeper and scored on him.

wait...here it is, for now.:

http://youtu.be/OyNmMRUYvis?t=30s
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 20, 2012, 06:17:42 PM
Shakhtar's coach has apologised for the incident, but dismisses any UEFA sanctions against his team. Even if he demanded exactly that when something similar happened against his team when they played Barcelona some years back.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on November 20, 2012, 06:25:46 PM
Well, I've seen throw-ins not "given back" after the ball was kicked outside following some injury, and many other cases of lack of fair play; but this one... well, it is worse than them all. Like Shakhtar needed that goal to defeat poor Nordsjaelland   :mad:

Adriano wins Football Douche of the Year. Oh no, that award is firmly in Ronaldo's grasp  :P

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 21, 2012, 04:54:23 AM
DiMatteo quit/got sacked.  :huh:

Abramovich is a douchebag. I never had a big opinion on DiMatteo's tactical skills, but he won the CL, the FA Cup, he kept us going high in the League and well within reach of CL progression until this month-long bad run, and now he is gone. Somebody should tell the crazy Russian that shit happens.

I mean, Arsenal has been in a rough patch for like 6 years and they still keep Arse around
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on November 21, 2012, 04:56:45 AM
Quote from: Tamas on November 21, 2012, 04:54:23 AMus

:rolleyes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 21, 2012, 04:59:25 AM
Quote from: Syt on November 21, 2012, 04:56:45 AM
Quote from: Tamas on November 21, 2012, 04:54:23 AMus

:rolleyes:

alright, alright, "them" :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 21, 2012, 09:18:49 AM
Wow that was quick.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 21, 2012, 09:21:59 AM
Not surprised. Abra is quick on that trigger. And apparently there was some blowout in the dressing room after the loss to Brom on the weekend. Not sure who's gonna want that job now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 21, 2012, 10:32:33 AM
Abramovic is blatantly going to try to fish Mou or Guardiola this summer, can't think of anybody reliable wanting to take what's essentially a 7 month temp job.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 21, 2012, 10:39:05 AM
Quote from: celedhring on November 21, 2012, 10:32:33 AM
Abramovic is blatantly going to try to fish Mou or Guardiola this summer, can't think of anybody reliable wanting to take what's essentially a 7 month temp job.

Well, at least they would know the signs now, and start packing when Abra buys the next burned out old striker.

Everything was fine with Mourinho and Chelse until Shevchenko arrived. He was in no shape to be first choice for a PL contender of course, but Abra wouldn't let him be sidelined. Now probably the same with Torres. One game without Torres as starter lost, and Di Matteo is gone. Coincidence?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 21, 2012, 11:12:38 AM
I see a lot of English media are running the story that Rafa Benítez as a frontrunner. That would be an awful appointment. I still rate him despite his late Liverpool and Inter stints, but the current Chelsea squad doesn't fit his style at all.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 21, 2012, 11:16:28 AM
Quote from: celedhring on November 21, 2012, 11:12:38 AM
I see a lot of English media are running the story that Rafa Benítez as a frontrunner. That would be an awful appointment. I still rate him despite his late Liverpool and Inter stints, but the current Chelsea squad doesn't fit his style at all.

I suspect he'll just get dismissed next summer when Roman dumps a truck load of money on Pep when his sabbatical is up. :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on November 21, 2012, 11:20:38 AM
Pep's not going to go there.

Abra has never liked RdeM, it was obvious he'd get sacked as soon as the opoprtunity presented itself.

Rafe was terrible towards the end at L'pool spunking money on 2nd rate players and falling out with core players like Alonso. God only knows what devastation he'd wreck on Chel$cum. Hope he gets the job.

Rednapp would be a good appointment for Abra. Light touch, mainly in it for the money, will take orders, gives good deadline day.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 21, 2012, 12:50:01 PM
Rednapp is apparently in talks with Ukraine for the national team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 21, 2012, 01:06:25 PM
If Abra keeps this speed up, I should be lining up for the job in about 10 years :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on November 21, 2012, 01:09:23 PM
Brush up on your FM2013
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on November 21, 2012, 04:03:00 PM
Rafa it is. Let's see if he can last longer than the last two.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 21, 2012, 04:14:34 PM
Quote from: katmai on November 21, 2012, 04:03:00 PM
Rafa it is. Let's see if he can last longer than the last two.
This'll be interesting.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 21, 2012, 05:24:45 PM
18-month contract. I say it will be over by May :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on November 22, 2012, 02:21:04 AM
There is hope for us all!!!!!1
QuoteThose who have been ensconced in the unrelenting grasp of a Football manger addiction will know that it can rob you of time, sustenance and all social interaction for extended periods of time. (But the feeling of winning the Europa League with Aldershot Town in a few seasons is totally worth it.)

Fans of the popular management simulation game will be pleased to hear that the man hours skills acquired while playing have finally been validated by some kind of real world application.

A 21-year-old named Vugar Guloglan oglu Huseynzade has been working in an advisory position with Azerbaijani Premier League side FC Baku since February. But with only Football Manager experience to his name, Huseynzade succeeded where other have failed by being awarded the manager's job. He told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet (quote via Eurosport):

    "I've always wanted to work in football and have played Football Manager since 2002."

According to globo.com, Huseynzade beat candidates such as 1991 European Footballer of the Year Jean-Pierre Papin to the job, even though the Frenchman has actually managed several real teams.

The youngster is aiming for Europa League qualification, but will have his work cut out for him with Baku teetering over the Azerbaijan Premier League relegation spots. And with actually having to talk to people and go outside.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 22, 2012, 04:07:01 AM
....wtf?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 28, 2012, 05:33:58 PM
So UEFA thinking about scrapping Europa League. Thoughts? I'm not big on expanding the Champions League. I like it the way it is. But no doubt Europa is a poor cousin.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1243446/uefa-could-scrap-europa-league-in-2014?cc=5901
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 29, 2012, 08:35:07 AM
It's pretty good now. Small enough to only have good teams, big enough so that the teams from the smaller leagues still have a little chance of gaining access.

In other news, once Mighty Brøndby may have turned its downward spiral and have actually won some games. But as always overexcited hooligans don't play by police rules.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmultimedia.pol.dk%2Farchive%2F00700%2Fjd281112-03678_jpg_700609y.jpg&hash=f4e76786d828db00a8407b62d9d0ee7ed8e08d07)

Comment from an observer: "Shameful, it looked like Turkey."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 29, 2012, 11:24:36 AM
Last season the later rounds of the EL produced more exciting games than the CL ones, to be frank.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on November 29, 2012, 11:26:33 AM
Quote from: celedhring on November 29, 2012, 11:24:36 AM
Last season the later rounds of the EL produced more exciting games than the CL ones, to be frank.

That's why it must be gotten rid of - it undercuts The Show.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 29, 2012, 11:55:25 AM
Quote from: celedhring on November 29, 2012, 11:24:36 AM
Last season the later rounds of the EL produced more exciting games than the CL ones, to be frank.

Maybe. But the early rounds are a sideshow. Even the stands are empty quite frequently. And the managers of the good teams end up playing second string teams.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 30, 2012, 01:50:53 AM
I wonder if any teams have ever purposfully thrown games to get themselves in the EL rather than the CL- more chance of winning the trophy against Europe's third best teams than against Europe's first and second best.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on November 30, 2012, 02:49:26 AM
Quote from: Tyr on November 30, 2012, 01:50:53 AM
I wonder if any teams have ever purposfully thrown games to get themselves in the EL rather than the CL- more chance of winning the trophy against Europe's third best teams than against Europe's first and second best.

I doubt it. The money differntial is too huge. Last year Man Unt, knocked out in the group stages of the CL made around £25m from the comeptition. Athletico Madrid, winners of the Europa made about £8m
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on November 30, 2012, 01:03:45 PM
Away to Millwall in a south London derby on Saturday. Taking the boy. Hope we get back alive.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on December 01, 2012, 09:33:12 AM
:nelson: @ Tamas
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on December 01, 2012, 09:38:45 AM
Stupid fucking Russian.

Benitez is even worse tactically than Di Matteo was. WTF
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on December 01, 2012, 09:51:41 AM
Yeah it was pretty sad, but really can't help but feel all warm inside watching Abramovich's petulance hoist him on his own petard.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on December 01, 2012, 10:09:38 AM
Quote from: katmai on December 01, 2012, 09:51:41 AM
Yeah it was pretty sad, but really can't help but feel all warm inside watching Abramovich's petulance hoist him on his own petard.

Well yeah, that's my only conciliation, that the crazy Russian gets pwned for his stupidity.

However, I am afraid he will never learn. Crespo, Schevchenko, Torres, now the "I couldn't see much of Di Matteo on the telly before I appointed him" move... God damn.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on December 01, 2012, 02:10:41 PM
Torres looks like a chick with that hair.

Anyways, I enjoyed the bubbles on TV. That West Ham mascot needs some work.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 01, 2012, 06:53:50 PM
Lol Galaxy win again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on December 02, 2012, 05:26:25 PM
I wonder if Gups survived Millwall or is still being chased throughout the streets by F troop.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 03, 2012, 12:16:46 AM
Did anyone catch the cup game yesterday?
Wimbledon vs. Franchise FC.
Pretty interesting draw. Sucks MK got in a last minute goal, would have been wonderful for Wimbledon to win
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on December 03, 2012, 12:21:10 AM
Yeah watched it this morning.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 03, 2012, 03:50:11 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on December 02, 2012, 05:26:25 PM
I wonder if Gups survived Millwall or is still being chased throughout the streets by F troop.

I did, mainly by leaving as quickly as possible afterthe match finished. Even so, saw some flares and smoke bombs being thrown (by Charlton fans) and the smallwall fans trying to break through a cordon of stewards to get at us.

My son cried off (years of being taught that smallwall are scummy little racist pikeys seems to have put him off) and I'm glad he did. It was a crappy match and a threatening atmosphere oth in and out of teh ground. It used to be much worse back in the 80s but it bothers me more now I'm older.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on December 08, 2012, 10:03:12 AM
Sunderland v Chelsea at 6am alaska start time....:w00t:

I may have a soccer problem.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 08, 2012, 10:04:50 AM
You could witness the fastest coach sacking in history.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on December 08, 2012, 10:09:38 AM
Quote from: katmai on December 08, 2012, 10:03:12 AM
Sunderland v Chelsea at 6am alaska start time....:w00t:

I may have a soccer problem.

it is something to watch.  :)

I'm indifferent to Chelsea, but I want Josq's team destroyed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on December 08, 2012, 10:12:17 AM
It truly is end of the world. Torres scores a goal in EPL.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 08, 2012, 10:20:00 AM
I'm watching Arsenal and West Brom.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on December 08, 2012, 10:20:48 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 08, 2012, 10:20:00 AM
I'm watching Arsenal and West Brom.  :)

Has Wenger melted down yet?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 08, 2012, 10:22:21 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on December 08, 2012, 10:20:48 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 08, 2012, 10:20:00 AM
I'm watching Arsenal and West Brom.  :)

Has Wenger melted down yet?

No bottles thrown or constipated faces yet.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on December 08, 2012, 11:13:45 AM
 
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 08, 2012, 10:20:00 AM
I'm watching Arsenal and West Brom.  :)

Considering it is now 3-0 Chelsea, so am I. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on December 09, 2012, 12:07:36 PM
The Manchester game was awesome.  :)

Even more awesome? Fan butthurt. Especially the one that looked like Farva.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on December 09, 2012, 12:08:57 PM
Yeah was a fun one, up till Rio getting pelted in noggin and irate City fan running onto the pitch.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on December 09, 2012, 12:10:34 PM
That was the best part.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on December 09, 2012, 12:36:02 PM
I must say I'm enjoying the liverpool game too.  :)

Something good before I must suffer the Cowgirls.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 09, 2012, 12:40:42 PM
The pitch invasion and coin throwing was amazing.

Liverpool game got good.

American football incoming.

A good Sunday.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 09, 2012, 04:38:23 PM
Messi just beat the old Gerd Müller record of goals scored in a year. He's at 90 right now, with still a few more games to go.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on December 20, 2012, 09:13:32 AM
Juventus got Celtic in CL's round of 16  :)

There's a rather interesting Milan-Barcellona, and Real Madrid-Man Utd too  :menace:

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on December 24, 2012, 03:13:10 AM
The first reference to football violence, and subsequent banning of the game? A 1314 proclamation by Edward II. Talk about proud tradition. :lol:

QuoteBetween 1314 and 1667, football was officially banned in England alone by more than 30 royal and local laws. King Edward II was so troubled by the unruliness of football in London that on April 13, 1314 he issued a proclamation banning it:

QuoteForasmuch as there is great noise in the city caused by hustling over large balls (grosses pelotes de pee) from which many evils may arise which God forbid; we command and forbid, on behalf of the King, on pain of imprisonment, such game to be used in the city in the future.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attempts_to_ban_football_games
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on December 26, 2012, 01:43:16 PM
I enjoyed watching Newcastle almost give Man U a turd in the punchbowl.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on December 26, 2012, 01:58:17 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on December 26, 2012, 01:43:16 PM
I enjoyed watching Newcastle almost give Man U a turd in the punchbowl.  :)

What the games over, it's only in it's 112th minute.  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on December 26, 2012, 02:09:02 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on December 26, 2012, 01:43:16 PM
I enjoyed watching Newcastle almost give Man U a turd in the punchbowl.  :)

how many fucking games will manure rescure from the gutter after the 90th minute. Annoying.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on December 26, 2012, 02:32:05 PM
Quote from: Tamas on December 26, 2012, 02:09:02 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on December 26, 2012, 01:43:16 PM
I enjoyed watching Newcastle almost give Man U a turd in the punchbowl.  :)

how many fucking games will manure rescure from the gutter after the 90th minute. Annoying.

Yeah, but at least we then don't have to listen to him bitching about it:

Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson bemoans lack of added time

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is frustrated by the lack of injury time following his side's 3-2 defeat to Tottenham
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19774222 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19774222) 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 29, 2012, 03:01:47 PM
Arsenal - Newcastle was entertaining  :bowler: :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on December 29, 2012, 03:54:06 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 29, 2012, 03:01:47 PM
Arsenal - Newcastle was entertaining  :bowler: :bowler:

Lot of goals today, including an apparently enjoyable Stoke 3-3 Southampton:

QuoteThere have been a grand total of 35 Premier League goals today. You have to go back to 5 February 2011 - when there were 41 - to find a day with more.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on January 07, 2013, 03:09:00 PM
Messi just won, as expected, the Fifa Ballon d'Or for the 4th year in a row, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Andrés Iniesta rounding up the top 3. Del Bosque won best coach, with Guardiola and Mourinho behind him. Every single player in the World XI plays in the Spanish league (all but one for either Barcelona or Real Madrid). It's starting to get too one sided, come on ROTW, wake up and make things interesting! :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 07, 2013, 03:12:41 PM
I eagerly await the day an American wins it. When I'm 87 years old.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on January 13, 2013, 07:46:53 AM
Guardiola is going to City this summer. We'll finally get to see whether he's a good manager or if just anybody could win 14 titles with the best team that ever was.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on January 16, 2013, 11:18:55 AM
Quote from: Liep on January 13, 2013, 07:46:53 AM
Guardiola is going to City this summer. We'll finally get to see whether he's a good manager or if just anybody could win 14 titles with the best team that ever was.
Rumour mill was wrong. Now Bayern has confirmed a 4 year contract with Guardiola. Interesting.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 20, 2013, 04:01:12 PM
Clint Dempsey. United killer.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on January 24, 2013, 04:31:22 AM
Best thing I've seen this season: Hazard kicking a ballboy. :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on January 24, 2013, 04:57:15 AM
he went for the ball  :P

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 24, 2013, 12:52:59 PM
Vicious attack on an innocent ballyoungadult.  :mad:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on January 24, 2013, 12:57:39 PM
The initial Chelsea response was extraordinary:
Has football gone mad? Hazard is sent off for kicking the ball under a ball boy attempting to smother the ball rather than return it :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on January 24, 2013, 01:22:17 PM
Quote from: Liep on January 24, 2013, 04:31:22 AM
Best thing I've seen this season: Hazard kicking a ballboy. :lol:

We know two things about Eden Hazard, he is the most talented player ever to come out of Belgium and he is a dick. This is him living up to the latter.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on January 25, 2013, 11:35:50 AM
The Euro 2020 will be held in 13 cities in 13 different countries. Not sure if I like that concept. I guess flight times or so aren't a big problem as you can travel the length of Europe in about four hours anyway, which is not much more than some world cup countries by themselves (e.g. USA). Not having a host nation is actually a plus in my book as that increases the chance to have the best teams competing - however with the new, silly 24 team tournament modus, you'll always have some poor sides.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on January 25, 2013, 12:24:59 PM
Quote from: Zanza on January 25, 2013, 11:35:50 AM
The Euro 2020 will be held in 13 cities in 13 different countries. Not sure if I like that concept. I guess flight times or so aren't a big problem as you can travel the length of Europe in about four hours anyway, which is not much more than some world cup countries by themselves (e.g. USA). Not having a host nation is actually a plus in my book as that increases the chance to have the best teams competing - however with the new, silly 24 team tournament modus, you'll always have some poor sides.

Let's see how many people go to a Swedish stadium to watch a Belgium - Switzerland match.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on January 25, 2013, 08:01:10 PM
Millwall.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on January 26, 2013, 06:51:50 PM
...and Juventus signs, of all the players in the world, the idiot Anelka.

It's for six months only, luckily, but it's too much anyway.

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 26, 2013, 07:26:19 PM
So is Juve collecting forwards now, so no one else can have them?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on January 27, 2013, 05:24:21 PM
LOLerpool.  :lol:

Plus Gerrard's angry/derp face when he had to come in.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 29, 2013, 11:07:34 PM
Just watched the USA - Canada friendly and now I want to kill myself  :yucky:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on January 29, 2013, 11:09:11 PM
Not me, i had a nice peaceful nap because of it. :zzz:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 29, 2013, 11:27:27 PM
I should have known. Luckily I was cooking for half the game so I didn't waste the entire 90 minutes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on January 30, 2013, 12:24:25 AM
QuoteTHE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) -- American forward Jozy Altidore was the target of racist chants Tuesday during AZ Alkmaar's 5-0 win over second-tier Den Boscha in the quarterfinals of the Dutch Cup.

Altidore, who is black, said he had never faced such serious abuse from the stands.

''There's nothing I can do about it,'' he told Dutch television's Eredivisie Live. ''All I can do is pray for them and hope they can become better people.''

Referee Reinold Wiedemeijer wanted to stop the match in the first half because of ''jungle sounds chanted at Altidore,'' according to AZ's official Twitter feed. But AZ players, including Altidore, who is black, persuaded him not to.

Wiedemeijer halted play briefly in the second half because of fans throwing balls of ice at his linesmen, according to the Dutch Eredivisie official Twitter feed and Dutch news website Nu.nl.

''It is terribly sad that this can happen for those involved and for lovers of football in the Netherlands,'' AZ soccer director Earnie Stewart, a former U.S. national team midfielder, told Dutch television's Eredivisie Live at halftime. ''You hear that and wonder what on earth is going on.''

Stewart said Den Bosch officials are ''ashamed'' of the fans involved. The club repeatedly urged its fans to halt the chants, to no avail.

Altidore scored one goal in AZ's 5-0 victory, increasing his total this season to a career-best 20, one more than in 2011-12. Den Bosch finished with nine men after two players were ejected.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on January 30, 2013, 04:29:00 AM
Quote from: katmai on January 30, 2013, 12:24:25 AM
QuoteTHE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) -- American forward Jozy Altidore was the target of racist chants Tuesday during AZ Alkmaar's 5-0 win over second-tier Den Boscha in the quarterfinals of the Dutch Cup.

Altidore, who is black, said he had never faced such serious abuse from the stands.

''There's nothing I can do about it,'' he told Dutch television's Eredivisie Live. ''All I can do is pray for them and hope they can become better people.''

Referee Reinold Wiedemeijer wanted to stop the match in the first half because of ''jungle sounds chanted at Altidore,'' according to AZ's official Twitter feed. But AZ players, including Altidore, who is black, persuaded him not to.

Wiedemeijer halted play briefly in the second half because of fans throwing balls of ice at his linesmen, according to the Dutch Eredivisie official Twitter feed and Dutch news website Nu.nl.

''It is terribly sad that this can happen for those involved and for lovers of football in the Netherlands,'' AZ soccer director Earnie Stewart, a former U.S. national team midfielder, told Dutch television's Eredivisie Live at halftime. ''You hear that and wonder what on earth is going on.''

Stewart said Den Bosch officials are ''ashamed'' of the fans involved. The club repeatedly urged its fans to halt the chants, to no avail.

Altidore scored one goal in AZ's 5-0 victory, increasing his total this season to a career-best 20, one more than in 2011-12. Den Bosch finished with nine men after two players were ejected.

Den Bosch are one of those teams that get promoted to the highest league every once in a decade and then get utterly trashed and relegated again. Their backward hicktown fans are all outraged and do what they do best, embarrass themselves. It's even more sad because it's only been a  few weeks since a linesman was kicked to death and everyone is supposedly on their best behaviour.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 30, 2013, 04:34:55 AM
Wait....the team is called.....The Bosch?
I can only assume it means something rather different over there?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on January 30, 2013, 04:46:27 AM
Quote from: Tyr on January 30, 2013, 04:34:55 AM
Wait....the team is called.....The Bosch?
I can only assume it means something rather different over there?

It's the name of the town, short for 's-Hertogenbosch.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 30, 2013, 01:38:05 PM
I found this pretty amusing. The English here might appreciate it more.  :D

http://youtu.be/h_f1N51Gv9c
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 30, 2013, 01:58:34 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 29, 2013, 11:07:34 PM
Just watched the USA - Canada friendly and now I want to kill myself  :yucky:

Yeah...you guys sucked!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on January 30, 2013, 02:49:31 PM
Quote from: Josephus on January 30, 2013, 01:58:34 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 29, 2013, 11:07:34 PM
Just watched the USA - Canada friendly and now I want to kill myself  :yucky:

Yeah...you guys sucked!

It's called playing down to the competition.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 30, 2013, 03:21:13 PM
Yeah we sucked too....but you guys reallly sucked.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 31, 2013, 12:43:37 PM
I love Wikipedia.  :lol:

QuoteIgnacio "Nacho" Monreal Eraso (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈnatʃo monreˈal eˈɾaso]; born 26 February 1986) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for Málaga CF as a left defender. He is currently on a plane to London. To sign for Arsenal, and on the plane he has had three shits, each time wiping his arse with a spurs shirt

QuoteHe is going to arsenal because Andre Santos revealed that he is in fact not an actual footballer

:lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on January 31, 2013, 12:47:23 PM
Quote from: Tyr on January 30, 2013, 04:34:55 AM
Wait....the team is called.....The Bosch?
I can only assume it means something rather different over there?

Den Bosch literally means "The Forest" and 's Hertogenbosch means Dukes Forest.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 04, 2013, 09:59:11 AM


Quote
Something a little unusual occurred down at Victoria Park on Saturday and it wasn't  just the fact that Hartlepool recorded a rare and very welcome victory.

Manager John Hughes' League One strugglers enjoyed just their second home win of the season in a 2-1 triumph over Notts County.

However, it wasn't so much the fact that the hosts recorded back-to-back victories for the first time in 17 months that made everyone sit up and take notice it was their goal scorers who caught the eye – well their names at least.

James Poole opened the scoring for the third tier's basement side before, and here it comes, Peter Hartley bagged a 70th minute winner after Jamal Campbell-Ryce had leveled for the visitors.

It's the first time both Hartley and Poole have been on the Hartlepool score sheet at the same time.

In fact defender Hartley has netted just eight times since signing for Pool from Sunderland in 2009, while striker Poole has found the net ten times in his 63 appearances for the club.
http://metro.co.uk/2013/02/03/hartley-and-poole-combine-to-make-hartlepools-day-3379171/
:bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 06, 2013, 02:38:35 PM
Americans: Gus Johnson will start commentating select games on Fox Soccer starting next week with the Manchester United - Real Madrid Champions League tie.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on February 06, 2013, 04:35:38 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 06, 2013, 02:38:35 PM
Americans: Gus Johnson will start commentating select games on Fox Soccer starting next week with the Manchester United - Real Madrid Champions League tie.  :lol:

A retard would be an improvement over some of those mush mouthed Brits.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 06, 2013, 04:59:05 PM
I like Gus and want him to grow and succeed as a soccer announcer. He's supposedly being groomed to call the 2018 World Cup on FOX.

I've read that Warren Barton will be co-commentating with him in the meantime. :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on February 06, 2013, 06:01:06 PM
Well at this rate USA won't be in WC for Gus to announce anyways.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 06, 2013, 06:19:32 PM
Quote from: katmai on February 06, 2013, 06:01:06 PM
Well at this rate USA won't be in WC for Gus to announce anyways.

The world is not ready for Gus anyway. Every US game he would commentate would cause the stadium to explode in excitement and exultation and kill everyone in a mile radius.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on February 13, 2013, 02:31:32 PM
Looking forward to Real-ManU match.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 13, 2013, 02:43:08 PM
Quote from: katmai on February 13, 2013, 02:31:32 PM
Looking forward to Gus Johnson.
:D
(https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/537156_484203638309300_1931747336_n.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on February 13, 2013, 03:23:11 PM
What's your verdict so far Funky?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 13, 2013, 03:42:12 PM
He's not terrible but you can tell he's not really all that knowledgeable. All he can do is spout statistics the network gives him and scream loudly when something vaguely interesting happens. No real insight about the game or the players. It doesn't help that his co-commentator doesn't give much either.

He's gotta start somewhere. Hopefully he improves a lot for 2018. I think he needs a really great color commentator for now. I wish they'd just use the Sky feed; it's got Tyler and Neville from what I read.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 20, 2013, 02:23:08 PM
The meat they show in American restaurant commercials doesn't look delicious as one would expect commercial meat to look like. It doesn't even look like meat.

Why is the FOX Soccer the only one with a Barca-Milan link up on firstrow? :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on February 20, 2013, 02:43:59 PM
Sorry we don't serve horse.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 20, 2013, 02:57:50 PM
Ah, the Fleischskandal. Nothing wrong with horse meat though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 20, 2013, 04:40:38 PM
Successful strategy from Milan there. The 8-2-0 tactic most be tried in Football Manager.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on February 20, 2013, 04:46:19 PM
Quote from: Liep on February 20, 2013, 04:40:38 PM
Successful strategy from Milan there. The 8-2-0 tactic most be tried in Football Manager.

FM2006 had defensive AI teams play 3-3-2-1-1

needs wingbacks though...

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 21, 2013, 11:51:33 AM
Quote from: Liep on February 20, 2013, 04:40:38 PM
Successful strategy from Milan there. The 8-2-0 tactic most be tried in Football Manager.

Barca have been found out again. Playing against 10 defenders in La Liga (minus RM) is different than playing against 10 defenders in the Champions League. This Milan may not live up to previous incarnations but they're still a good side with very good players.

I'm certainly not counting Barca out but they'll need to play like they want to win rather than going through the motions and expecting to win because LOLZ WERE BARCELONA!!!!!!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 23, 2013, 08:12:20 AM
"Laudrup tiene los requisitos para entrenar al Real Madrid" - Rangel.

It'd be fun to watch a Real Madrid team coached by Laudrup, it'll certainly boost RM jersey sales in Denmark. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 23, 2013, 07:44:40 PM
Quote from: Liep on February 20, 2013, 02:23:08 PM
The meat they show in American restaurant commercials doesn't look delicious as one would expect commercial meat to look like. It doesn't even look like meat.

The chains that advertise on television don't serve very good meat.  The places that have good beef advertise more in print and the internet.  Here's an example:

http://www.ruthschris.com/
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 24, 2013, 05:08:50 AM
Swansea - Bradford tonight. Have the real teams given up on the League Cup?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 24, 2013, 09:07:22 AM
If any of you have an iPad, there is an app called Live Score Addicts that displays live statistics, shows video of goals, has lineups and live tables, and gives notifications for just about every league in the world and international matches. The video is really nice IMO. 

Not sure if it works with any other apple device.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 24, 2013, 10:02:02 AM
Just checked it out for iPhone, looks great, thanks!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 24, 2013, 11:22:07 AM
League Cup final's on Sky and it's cold outside. Both disappoint me :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on February 24, 2013, 11:23:30 AM
I give my verdict on Gus Johnson on Fox:

He just ain't ready.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 24, 2013, 01:25:40 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on February 24, 2013, 11:23:30 AM
I give my verdict on Gus Johnson on Fox:

He just ain't ready.

It's weird hearing his voice and he often doesn't seem to know when to sound excited and when to sound GUS JOHNSON-excited. He really needs a good co-commentator to pick up his slack.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 24, 2013, 01:26:07 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on February 24, 2013, 11:22:07 AM
League Cup final's on Sky and it's cold outside. Both disappoint me :(

Swansea  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 27, 2013, 11:36:02 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on February 24, 2013, 11:22:07 AM
League Cup final's on Sky and it's cold outside. Both disappoint me :(

I didn't watch it but I am quite happy that two no-name teams were competing.

Though I guess that does kind of show how worthless that cup has become :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 28, 2013, 12:05:42 AM
Think I heard that Tottenham got relegated?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on February 28, 2013, 12:24:49 AM
:blink:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 05, 2013, 08:03:47 PM
No comments on the call? No one? The controversial call in the women's Olympics game got more discussion than this...[although I contributed most of that as well].
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 05, 2013, 08:52:50 PM
Quote from: Josephus on March 05, 2013, 08:03:47 PM
No comments on the call? No one? The controversial call in the women's Olympics game got more discussion than this...[although I contributed most of that as well].

I saw it and laughed at Nani.

I'd say red was a fair enough decision. Referee made a judgement call there on the intent of the player and it was a very dangerous foul.

What I really enjoyed about the call was all the whining and moaning about it from the folks on Fox Soccer. I'm glad that channel is going away soon because I've grown to loathe everyone on it.  Even Brian McBride.  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 05, 2013, 09:03:07 PM
Roy Keane said it was a red card. Which makes me think it probably was.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 05, 2013, 09:21:40 PM
Yeah, I'm half-half on it. But I'm leaning towards it was deserved. It was a dangerous play. Intent or not, it was a studs up tackle.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 06, 2013, 11:36:50 AM
He could've killed him.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on March 06, 2013, 01:32:02 PM
Looked like a yellow at most, and was definitely not a red for me. Even the Madrid players weren't demanding a card. A big clue about whether a sending off is deserved or not is when the opposing team are surprised.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 06, 2013, 03:43:42 PM
To me the foul exists in that space between yellow and red, where 75% of the time the ref will show yellow and the remainder a red. When I initially saw it I thought a yellow myself, but I can easily see a referee giving a red card.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 12, 2013, 03:29:01 PM
Milan needs to learn not to loose the ball to Iniesta in the midfield.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 12, 2013, 04:43:25 PM
LOL @ Schalke
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on March 23, 2013, 12:23:04 AM
Just a little  snow at USA v Costa Rica match tonight.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm9.staticflickr.com%2F8523%2F8581076959_f0382d4deb_z.jpg&hash=4b00e7ec01ef02e5cfb71af5c8fb4cdd15528f24)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 23, 2013, 07:28:35 AM
I didn't get to watch the match. How did the US look katmai?

Also, LOL @ Spain.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on March 23, 2013, 07:46:55 AM
You know the weather was so shitty hard to gauge the Team.
From the 20/25min mark of 1st half they had to give up any semblance  of playing like Klinsmann wanted them and just play long balls as the field conditions were so bad. The announcers mentioned that during course of game had about 6 inches of snow fall, and forecast had it suppose to snow for 12 more hours, so would have been hard pressed to get game in today if the Referees had  suspended play.

Beasley looked good at left back, Altidore was dominating when they could get ball to him.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 23, 2013, 09:44:49 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 23, 2013, 07:28:35 AMAlso, LOL @ Spain.[/quote

Hod-damn is this team frustrating at times. 9 guys at the back? We'll attack through the centre ALL THE TIME LOL.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on March 23, 2013, 04:23:46 PM
Quote from: katmai on March 23, 2013, 12:23:04 AM
Just a little  snow at USA v Costa Rica match tonight.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm9.staticflickr.com%2F8523%2F8581076959_f0382d4deb_z.jpg&hash=4b00e7ec01ef02e5cfb71af5c8fb4cdd15528f24)

This is what Beeb looks like in court.  Without the tattoos.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 26, 2013, 03:36:41 PM
The tabloids are in chock that we're behind against Bulgaria after having controlled the game. A decade without a capable striker was suddenly forgotten when we won 3-0 against the Czechs last week.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on March 26, 2013, 03:50:33 PM
Germany has played both games against Khazakstan without a striker, but with four offensive midfielders (Özil, Müller, Götze, Reus).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on March 26, 2013, 04:06:25 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on March 23, 2013, 04:23:46 PM
Quote from: katmai on March 23, 2013, 12:23:04 AM
Just a little  snow at USA v Costa Rica match tonight.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm9.staticflickr.com%2F8523%2F8581076959_f0382d4deb_z.jpg&hash=4b00e7ec01ef02e5cfb71af5c8fb4cdd15528f24)

This is what Beeb looks like in court.  Without the tattoos.

Well, if he wear that USA jersey in court, it certainly explains why the Canadian judges rule against him all the time.  And here I thought he was just incompetent.   ;)

EDIT:  BTW, Costa Rica is petitioning FIFA to have the qualifier replayed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 26, 2013, 07:39:47 PM
Quote from: Zanza on March 26, 2013, 03:50:33 PM
Germany has played both games against Khazakstan without a striker, but with four offensive midfielders (Özil, Müller, Götze, Reus).
The new Spain :o :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 26, 2013, 09:27:29 PM
MEXICO & USA

GAMEON
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: lustindarkness on March 26, 2013, 10:10:48 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 26, 2013, 09:27:29 PM
MEXICO & USA

GAMEON

I hope I can stay awake for the whole thing.
Futbol day for me. Nina had soccer practice, then we went to the high school game and know watching USA/MX match.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 27, 2013, 06:14:05 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 26, 2013, 07:39:47 PM
Quote from: Zanza on March 26, 2013, 03:50:33 PM
Germany has played both games against Khazakstan without a striker, but with four offensive midfielders (Özil, Müller, Götze, Reus).
The new Spain :o :ph34r:

Can't Müller play as a striker? Anyway, we did that strikerless thingie yesterday against France just after scoring the only goal of the game, taking Villa out for Cesc, and it became a huge drag.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on March 27, 2013, 11:12:09 AM
Müller is not really a central striker. I guess he and Reus qualify as wingers.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on March 27, 2013, 11:26:18 AM
Quote from: lustindarkness on March 26, 2013, 10:10:48 PM
I hope I can stay awake for the whole thing.
Futbol day for me. Nina had soccer practice, then we went to the high school game and know watching USA/MX match.

And it was a glorious result!  A point in Mexico City!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: lustindarkness on March 27, 2013, 11:34:47 AM
Quote from: Valmy on March 27, 2013, 11:26:18 AM
Quote from: lustindarkness on March 26, 2013, 10:10:48 PM
I hope I can stay awake for the whole thing.
Futbol day for me. Nina had soccer practice, then we went to the high school game and know watching USA/MX match.

And it was a glorious result!  A point in Mexico City!

Yes! I dozed on and off to the end, the mexican fans would wake me up every time something happened. LOL
USA played a great defensive game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on April 02, 2013, 04:39:44 AM
WOOHOO I've got two tickets to Juventus-Bayern Munchen, CL quarter finals second leg!  :w00t:

I'll bring the boy with me, let's only hope the first leg won't be a complete disaster for Juventus.

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 02, 2013, 05:12:24 AM
It will be. :console:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 02, 2013, 05:14:03 AM
Oh God. So my team's manager was sacked. Given the odd timing I suspected it had been brewing a while whilst they searched for someone new. Makes sense rather than having a managerless period. I was hoping someone awesome was lined up. Some talk suggested Chelsea' s old manager
It turns out....it's di canio. Lots of controversy flying around. The guy is an admitted fascist and co.durham is a very socialist area. Just.....ugh. we're fucked
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on April 02, 2013, 05:16:04 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 02, 2013, 05:14:03 AM
Oh God. So my team's manager was sacked. Given the odd timing I suspected it had been brewing a while whilst they searched for someone new. Makes sense rather than having a managerless period. I was hoping someone awesome was lined up. Some talk suggested Chelsea' s old manager
It turns out....it's di canio. Lots of controversy flying around. The guy is an admitted fascist and co.durham is a very socialist area. Just.....ugh. we're fucked

love of team is greater than political self respect.. though one of the millibands resigned from the board iirc because of this.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on April 02, 2013, 05:47:17 AM
Quote from: Pedrito on April 02, 2013, 04:39:44 AM
WOOHOO I've got two tickets to Juventus-Bayern Munchen, CL quarter finals second leg!  :w00t:

I'll bring the boy with me, let's only hope the first leg won't be a complete disaster for Juventus.

L.
German teams rarely play well against Italy (Pirlo).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 02, 2013, 06:31:30 AM
Quote from: Viking on April 02, 2013, 05:16:04 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 02, 2013, 05:14:03 AM
Oh God. So my team's manager was sacked. Given the odd timing I suspected it had been brewing a while whilst they searched for someone new. Makes sense rather than having a managerless period. I was hoping someone awesome was lined up. Some talk suggested Chelsea' s old manager
It turns out....it's di canio. Lots of controversy flying around. The guy is an admitted fascist and co.durham is a very socialist area. Just.....ugh. we're fucked

love of team is greater than political self respect.. though one of the millibands resigned from the board iirc because of this.

Nah, just a week or two before he said he was gonna resign as an mp To go and do something else with himself.  This just gave him a good excuse to leave his silly sunderland role too.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on April 02, 2013, 01:50:43 PM
Not the greatest start for Juve...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on April 02, 2013, 02:04:59 PM
Quote from: Tyr on April 02, 2013, 06:31:30 AM
Quote from: Viking on April 02, 2013, 05:16:04 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 02, 2013, 05:14:03 AM
Oh God. So my team's manager was sacked. Given the odd timing I suspected it had been brewing a while whilst they searched for someone new. Makes sense rather than having a managerless period. I was hoping someone awesome was lined up. Some talk suggested Chelsea' s old manager
It turns out....it's di canio. Lots of controversy flying around. The guy is an admitted fascist and co.durham is a very socialist area. Just.....ugh. we're fucked

love of team is greater than political self respect.. though one of the millibands resigned from the board iirc because of this.

Nah, just a week or two before he said he was gonna resign as an mp To go and do something else with himself.  This just gave him a good excuse to leave his silly sunderland role too.

my my aren't you cynical. Personally I'm willing to buy it when a social democrat resigns a symbolic not very time consuming synecure when the organisation hires a self confessed fascist in it's most important role. If he had wanted to quit he could always have said he wanted to spend more time with his family... eh.. ok, it's a milliband, so spend more time with his cat or ed balls... hmm... I see how this is problematic for him. OK I accept your point completely. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 02, 2013, 03:16:56 PM
Miliband's leaving Parliament to head a charity in New York. I think it's unlikely he would've stayed on Sunderland's board and this lets him leave for his 'principles'.

Barca's strip is absolutely horrifying.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on April 02, 2013, 04:49:09 PM
Quote from: Zanza on April 02, 2013, 01:50:43 PM
Not the greatest start for Juve...
:(

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 10, 2013, 10:17:28 PM
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/20130410/real-madrid-fan-jose-mourinho/?sct=sc_t11_a2

QuoteAbel Rodríguez is a 41-year-old Mexican-American who waxes floors in Los Angeles for Metro Transportation. Real Madrid's José Mourinho is one of the world's most famous managers. On the face of things, the two men have nothing in common. Yet recently they became the central figures in a surreal but true buddy story that took Rodríguez behind the scenes as a member of Real Madrid's team in the biggest games of world soccer against Barcelona and Manchester United.
How did Rodríguez become Mourinho's American good luck charm and end up meeting Sir Alex Ferguson, Cristiano Ronaldo, Diego Maradona, Mesut Özil, Kaká and Javier (Chicharito) Hernández? For the past seven years, Rodríguez has taken two weeks of vacation every summer to work for free chasing down errant balls and doing support work for Mourinho's teams when they train in Los Angeles in the preseason.
It's no small effort. Every day during his unpaid "vacation," Rodríguez leaves his house in Fontana, Calif., at 5 a.m., drives to the UCLA training site and spends the rest of the day setting up the practice field and helping with anything Mourinho and his staff need. He arrives home at 11 p.m., gets a few hours of sleep and starts over at 5 a.m. the next morning.
"I've been following European soccer since I was a kid," said Rodríguez, who moved to the L.A. area from Mexico at age 8. But he had never traveled to Europe, and he'd always wanted to attend a Real Madrid-Barcelona Clásico. With Mourinho likely to leave Madrid at season's end, Rodríguez decided the Clásico on March 2 might be his last, best chance to see the spectacle live.
But there were two barriers standing in his way. One, he had been saving for a vacation for his family, including his wife, Olga, and their daughters, Michelle (17), Eliana (13) and Paola (10). And two, he didn't have any contact information for Mourinho or any of his top lieutenants.
"I was really indecisive about going," Rodríguez said, "but the encouragement came from my wife, who said, 'You should go. It's always been your dream.' My oldest daughter came and said, 'You should go.'"
And so he did. On the morning of Feb. 28, Rodríguez arrived in Madrid and showed up unannounced at Real Madrid's Valdebebas training complex. He didn't have a ticket for the game. He didn't even have a hotel reservation. And when the security guy at the guards' shack refused to let him in, Rodríguez was forced to sit on the side of the road. It had snowed the night before, and the conditions were frigid.
"Thank God I was wearing the big coat my wife told me to take," he said. "My toes were frozen."
Yet Rodríguez still couldn't get in. He sat on the roadside for the next five hours.
CREDITOR: American Cinderella story in Copa Libertadores
***
"It was a miracle that I saw him," Mourinho said. "I saw Abel seated on the road outside the training ground. I was leaving in my assistant Rui Faria's car, and there are always a lot of people outside. But I told Rui, 'Stop! It's the guy from Los Angeles.'"
"Amigo! What are you doing here?" Mourinho asked.
"I came to visit you guys," Rodríguez replied. "It's my first time in Europe, and my dream has been to come and see games. I was hoping to see El Clásico."
"But there are no more tickets," Mourinho said. "Where are you staying?"
"I haven't done anything about that," Rodríguez said. "My priority was to see you guys and then make my arrangements. If I didn't see you guys, I'd go to the stadium and try to get a ticket. And if that didn't work, I'd fly back home."
That was when the magic happened. Mourinho called an assistant and arranged for Rodríguez to have his own room at the fancy hotel where Real Madrid was staying before the Barcelona game. Mourinho instructed him to get some rest at the hotel and meet him at the training site the next morning. That evening, the night before El Clásico, the two men caught up for 90 minutes together before sharing dinner with the Real Madrid coaching staff.
As Rodríguez explained the story of his family wanting him to visit Europe, Mourinho stopped him. Real Madrid was leaving for England and its Champions League Round of 16 decider against Manchester United the day after the Barça game. Rodríguez was planning to return to L.A., but Mourinho would have none of it.
"I told him, 'No way, you come to Manchester with us and work as a kit man,'" Mourinho said. "'You help us and you live a bigger dream, a Champions League match from the inside!'"
Rodríguez said he'd love to, but he would pay for everything.
Mourinho shook his head and smiled. "When you're with me in Europe, you don't pay for s---."
Rodríguez started crying at that point -- tears of joy. He raced up to his hotel room and grabbed his passport. Mourinho took a picture of it with his cell-phone camera and sent it to the club's organizers to put Rodríguez on the travel list.
You never know when karma will come back and reward you for something. For seven summers Rodríguez worked for free for Real Madrid, even when the club was willing to pay him for his efforts in Los Angeles. Now he was about to experience the thrill of a lifetime.
The next four days were a whirlwind. On March 2, Rodríguez watched Real Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1 in Estadio Bernabéu. The club gave him a good seat, and afterward Rodríguez visited the locker room, where he had his picture taken next to Cristiano Ronaldo and Maradona, who'd attended the game. (For good measure, he got another one with Maradona's girlfriend.)

Abel Rodriguez with Argentine legend Diego Maradona.
Photo courtesy Abel Rodriguez
Then came the trip to Manchester. Rodríguez was a member of the Real Madrid team this time, working as one of the equipment managers and dressed in full team gear. He helped assemble the bags for the flight to England, and he worked the team's training session the day before the game at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium. By now, Mourinho and the Real Madrid players were viewing him as a good-luck charm, going so far as to rub his stomach for positive vibes.
LYTTLETON: Barcelona needs super sub Messi to survive PSG
On March 5 at Old Trafford -- the Theatre of Dreams -- Rodríguez fulfilled one of his own lifelong dreams, and in doing so became one of the great Zelig figures in world soccer. His family and friends in L.A. saw him walk off the field next to Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson at one point. You can even catch a glimpse of Rodríguez at 0:31 of this YouTube clip next to the wall in the pregame tunnel to the left of Ronaldo.
A few seconds before that, United star Chicharito Hernández had pulled Rodríguez aside to tell him he'd give him his game-worn jersey after the final whistle. (Unknown to Rodríguez, Mourinho had told Hernández about his Mexican-born friend and asked if he could do him the favor.)
"These people treated me like I was part of the team," Rodríguez said. "This is something I'll tell my grandkids."
Real Madrid ended up advancing, of course, in a game that will be remembered by many for the controversial red card given to United's Nani, a call that changed the match. But even though Ferguson was so angry afterward that he refused to speak at the press conference, Rodríguez saw firsthand that he was still willing to share a post-game drink with Mourinho. Said Rodríguez, "He came out of the dressing room with a cup of wine in his hand, and he told me, 'Tell José that the wine is ready, and tell him to hurry up.'"
"You are true gentlemen," Rodríguez said to the two managers, and Ferguson winked and even took a moment to sign the American's book of pictures with top European players and coaches.
There were other memorable moments after the game that day. Outside United's locker room, Hernández followed up on his pledge and gave Rodríguez his game-worn jersey with a personalized dedication on it.
"The first thing he said to me was, 'How long have you been working for Real Madrid?'" Rodríguez said. "I said, 'The truth is I don't work for them.' I explained to him what happened, and he looked shocked at the beginning. But he said, 'You know what? That's amazing.'"

Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez's game-worn Manchester United jersey signed and given to Abel Rodriguez.
Photo courtesy Abel Rodriguez
Back in Madrid's locker room, fullback Marcelo asked Rodríguez if he'd take his jersey over to United's locker room and try to trade it for Robin van Persie's. Rodríguez executed the exchange with a United trainer but decided to have some fun with Marcelo, hiding RVP's shirt behind his back and telling the Brazilian: "He said he'll exchange the jersey with someone else, but not you."
"Really?" Marcelo asked.
"I'm kidding," came the reply. "Here's the jersey."
In the end, Rodríguez took plenty of keepsakes of his own back to Los Angeles. They were gifts from people who knew his story: jerseys from Chicharito, Özil, Kaká and Michael Essien, as well as Kaká's cleats and even one of the match balls from the game.
But the memories are worth even more, he said. On Real Madrid's victorious team flight back to the Spanish capital, Mourinho was moving between the aisles, sharing glasses of wine with members of the delegation, and every so often he'd stop and point and wink at his friend Abel, the good-luck charm from America.
"Everybody at Real Madrid was happy," Mourinho said, "because they know him from preseason and know he is a hard worker and a great person. He was with us and we won both matches! People were saying he has to stay."
On the night the plane from Manchester landed back in Madrid, Rodríguez said, he didn't get the chance to say thank you to Mourinho. Ever the worker, he finished his duties as an equipment guy unloading the plane.
He still doesn't have any contact information for Mourinho. So this story is his way of saying thank you.


Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/20130410/real-madrid-fan-jose-mourinho/#ixzz2Q7ZJE8c0

Mourinho is awesome.  :blush:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 10, 2013, 10:36:18 PM
That's a pretty sweet story.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 10, 2013, 11:22:55 PM
I'm pretty shocked at how he had that unpayed job for Real Madrid. RM are freaking rich, surely they could hire someone? Why would the guy reject it? :blink:

But nice it worked out for him.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 13, 2013, 06:01:55 PM
Millwall fans fought with the police.  :punk:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 14, 2013, 08:00:21 AM
This week for me and every other right thinking Co.Durhamite:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F24.media.tumblr.com%2F5ae11f5088281dec4b62995aaadb2bb6%2Ftumblr_mi7061fwzB1rer0gao1_250.gif&hash=691a6ba327de3771ae659ee0a2bdf122234f185c)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 14, 2013, 09:28:42 AM
 :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 14, 2013, 08:46:19 PM
GIFs are pretty amazing these days.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fassets.sbnation.com%2Fassets%2F2473191%2FSessGoal_medium.gif&hash=768ec727a6a814ee1faa505f006fc442aded49b3)
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fassets.sbnation.com%2Fassets%2F2473215%2FAJGOAL_medium.gif&hash=93052d0df419d8622bc83db693e614e09e923ffc)
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fassets.sbnation.com%2Fassets%2F2473223%2FDV_GOAL_medium.gif&hash=5a7ccdee22abdb298f03ee2afef3f9498e008c71)
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fassets.sbnation.com%2Fassets%2F2473311%2F8647513641_860d9c007b_o_medium.gif&hash=2d1c27f0da2a02463c8b9799252c4851e45b1ef8)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 14, 2013, 08:46:50 PM
GIFs are pretty amazing these days.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fassets.sbnation.com%2Fassets%2F2473191%2FSessGoal_medium.gif&hash=768ec727a6a814ee1faa505f006fc442aded49b3)
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fassets.sbnation.com%2Fassets%2F2473215%2FAJGOAL_medium.gif&hash=93052d0df419d8622bc83db693e614e09e923ffc)
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fassets.sbnation.com%2Fassets%2F2473223%2FDV_GOAL_medium.gif&hash=5a7ccdee22abdb298f03ee2afef3f9498e008c71)
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fassets.sbnation.com%2Fassets%2F2473311%2F8647513641_860d9c007b_o_medium.gif&hash=2d1c27f0da2a02463c8b9799252c4851e45b1ef8)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 14, 2013, 09:02:10 PM
Also

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fepltalk.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F04%2Fnewcastle-hooligan.jpg&hash=2c1ddcc22529d0d03155e393ec6fda032f09636c)

QuoteTwenty nine football supporters have been arrested and four police officers have been injured following hooliganism during and after today's Tyne-Wear derby between Newcastle United and Sunderland.
Bottles were thrown and garbage cans were set ablaze after police officers tried to escort the Newcastle supporters back to the city center. One Newcastle United hooligan tried to fight a police officer on a horse.

Dude punched the horse http://youtu.be/E6Afz_UYq3c
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on April 14, 2013, 09:40:56 PM
Conan he ain't
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 15, 2013, 12:04:27 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 14, 2013, 08:00:21 AM
This week for me and every other right thinking Co.Durhamite:

... and so it was that Co. Durham decided Fascism isn't so bad after all?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 15, 2013, 12:31:14 AM
Us Brits have our priorities straight.
Headline for the Sunderland page on the BBC site: "Attacked police horse not hurt "
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-22153149      :bowler:

Quote from: Jacob on April 15, 2013, 12:04:27 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 14, 2013, 08:00:21 AM
This week for me and every other right thinking Co.Durhamite:

... and so it was that Co. Durham decided Fascism isn't so bad after all?
If he keeps his mouth shut on politics, keeps to football and does well then let him be.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 17, 2013, 01:27:10 PM
So NBC announced their plans for their coverage of the Premier League next season. They plan to televise practically all the games among their universe of tv stations, produce two Match of the Day programs not unlike those on BBC, and for all of us American plastics, they'll show two two-hour game highlights shows, one for Manchester United and Manchester City, the other for Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, and Liverpool.

As for commentators and talking heads...

QuoteNBC SPORTS GROUP'S PREMIER LEAGUE ANNOUNCERS
ARLO WHITE NAMED LEAD PLAY-BY-PLAY VOICE WORKING WITH LEE DIXON AND GRAEME LE SAUX; WILL CALL GAMES FROM THE U.K.
LEGENDARY GARY LINEKER TO SERVE AS SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR TO PREMIER LEAGUE TELECASTS
FORMER JAMAICAN NATIONAL TEAM PLAYER ROBBIE EARLE AND FORMER ENGLISH FOOTBALLER ROBBIE MUSTOE TO SERVE AS STUDIO ANALYSTS WITH HOST REBECCA LOWE

http://epltalk.com/2013/04/16/press-releases-from-nbcs-announcement-of-premier-league-coverage-on-us-tv-and-internet/
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 17, 2013, 05:33:01 PM
Needs more Ian Darke
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 17, 2013, 11:32:11 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 17, 2013, 05:33:01 PM
Needs more Ian Darke

Yeah.  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 20, 2013, 09:51:08 PM
Though Man Utd has ran away with it at the top the bottom of the premier is really tight this year. Add 6 points to the 16th place team and they're 9th.

QPR and Reading are certain to go down but the other remains uncertain. Ideally I hope it's Newcastle, but more realistically Aston Villa could still go down. Which as said before i would like.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 21, 2013, 12:54:10 PM
Suarez play his last game in Liverpool red today?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 21, 2013, 12:57:25 PM
Quote from: Josephus on April 21, 2013, 12:54:10 PM
Suarez play his last game in Liverpool red today?

And 6:45 minutes of extra time to let him score... Fucking disgrace of a referee
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 21, 2013, 05:19:08 PM
Bucky beaver entertained me.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 22, 2013, 07:53:59 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 21, 2013, 05:19:08 PM
Bucky beaver entertained me.  :lol:

Incidents like that are the reason English soccer is so fun to watch.  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on April 23, 2013, 03:06:34 AM
I must admit van Persie had a pretty good day against Villa.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 23, 2013, 07:42:20 AM
and shocker...Man Utd are champions. Saw that coming, oh, back in October. :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 23, 2013, 09:58:00 AM
Bayern are buying Mario Gotze from Dortmund effective July 1st.

The current Bayern team with Gotze, whoever else they pip, and Guardiola managing next season? :o :o :o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on April 23, 2013, 10:29:56 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 23, 2013, 09:58:00 AM
Bayern are buying Mario Gotze from Dortmund effective July 1st.

The current Bayern team with Gotze, whoever else they pip, and Guardiola managing next season? :o :o :o
German pundits assume that Götze is meant to play as a "false nine" for Bayern - like Messi at Barcelona or Götze in recent games for the German national team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 23, 2013, 03:27:26 PM
Pure class from Robben there. :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on April 23, 2013, 03:52:29 PM
Wow, I didn't expect that. I mean Bayern was really strong throughout the season and there was some seriously bad refereeing, but that victory was still deserved, even in that height. Messi was a no-show today, probably not in form after his injury.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 23, 2013, 03:59:28 PM
At least Bayern managed one legal goal at the end!

They were better than Barca regardless, of course.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 23, 2013, 04:20:19 PM
Thoroughfully deserved thrashing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 23, 2013, 06:02:45 PM
 :nelson: @ Barcelona
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: jimmy olsen on April 24, 2013, 05:58:57 AM
I predict the USA will underachieve again in the comming world cup.

And I'm the last responder on every thread on the first page ! :w00t: 4
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 24, 2013, 06:50:44 AM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on April 24, 2013, 05:58:57 AM
I predict the USA will underachieve again in the comming world cup.

And I'm the last responder on every thread on the first page ! :w00t: 4

ruined it! :menace:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 24, 2013, 09:11:53 AM
Intriguing commentary there Tim.  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 24, 2013, 11:03:30 AM
Ten games ban for Suarez.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 24, 2013, 02:34:34 PM
Dortmund started really well, but lost some energy. Also, I can see why the German fans don't particularly like this referee.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 24, 2013, 03:00:50 PM
The 3-1 goal was phenomenal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on April 24, 2013, 03:12:01 PM
Quote from: Liep on April 24, 2013, 02:34:34 PM
Dortmund started really well, but lost some energy. Also, I can see why the German fans don't particularly like this referee.

Not anymore.

Germany 8, Spain 1.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 24, 2013, 03:12:33 PM
Zee German's! :o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 24, 2013, 03:21:32 PM
4-1. Holy Shitskees. What's going on?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 24, 2013, 03:23:17 PM
Quote from: Josephus on April 24, 2013, 03:21:32 PM
4-1. Holy Shitskees. What's going on?
The Germans are very good, and Madrid for some reasons aren't tackling. If Dortmund didn't piss away so many passes they'd be annihilating Madrid even more.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 24, 2013, 03:34:49 PM
That is their long passes. The short passing game has been extraordinary.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 24, 2013, 03:59:40 PM
München has captured Lewandowski as well. :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on April 24, 2013, 04:28:39 PM
Awesome game. A German CL final now looks quite likely which will be epic for every German football fan.  :w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 24, 2013, 05:26:41 PM
Personally I'm glad to see Barcelona and Real Madrid kicked down a notch or two, they've been unbearable for the last few years.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 24, 2013, 07:25:14 PM
First time I've seen someone wearing a Borussia Dortmund shirt here. My fellow plastics are expanding their teams beyond England now.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 24, 2013, 08:09:40 PM
Wearing the shirts of semi-obscure (i.e. you know the name but never see much of them) teams seems quite a usual hipster thing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 24, 2013, 09:38:24 PM
I have an Arsenal shirt so my plasticity shows through it I guess. At least I played the sport for 13 years and I'm knowledgeable about the game.  :bowler:

Poor Dortmund though... Seems like they're going to lose their best players after the CL final. Wouldn't it be terrible for them to lose to Bayern in the final and then lose Gotze and Lewa to them in the summer window.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on April 24, 2013, 09:40:50 PM
Bayern Munchen really are the Yankees.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on April 26, 2013, 10:15:44 AM
Quote from: PDH on April 24, 2013, 09:40:50 PM
Bayern Munchen really are the Yankees.

- of Germany, yes.. Real Madrid are the Yankees of Soccer.


BTW, my local team thrashing the living daylights out of Dortmund way back when...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcxRaiH-twA

11 minute long highlights reel of the game
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 27, 2013, 05:36:44 PM
LOL, Newcastle.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 28, 2013, 09:35:44 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 27, 2013, 05:36:44 PM
LOL, Newcastle.

I missed that game but I knew Tyr was smiling somewhere, wherever he is.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 30, 2013, 02:00:39 PM
Looks like Real will need about 9 100% chances to get the 3 goals they need.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on April 30, 2013, 02:13:13 PM
Quote from: Tyr on April 24, 2013, 08:09:40 PM
Wearing the shirts of semi-obscure (i.e. you know the name but never see much of them) teams seems quite a usual hipster thing.

I bought a Bahia jersey in Brazil, and I wore it going out to Home Depot over the weekend.  Does that make me a hipster? :unsure:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on April 30, 2013, 02:13:43 PM
Quote from: Barrister on April 30, 2013, 02:13:13 PM
Quote from: Tyr on April 24, 2013, 08:09:40 PM
Wearing the shirts of semi-obscure (i.e. you know the name but never see much of them) teams seems quite a usual hipster thing.

I bought a Bahia jersey in Brazil, and I wore it going out to Home Depot over the weekend.  Does that make me a hipster? :unsure:

That depends, is it the home or away strip?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on April 30, 2013, 02:27:21 PM
Quote from: Viking on April 30, 2013, 02:13:43 PM
Quote from: Barrister on April 30, 2013, 02:13:13 PM
Quote from: Tyr on April 24, 2013, 08:09:40 PM
Wearing the shirts of semi-obscure (i.e. you know the name but never see much of them) teams seems quite a usual hipster thing.

I bought a Bahia jersey in Brazil, and I wore it going out to Home Depot over the weekend.  Does that make me a hipster? :unsure:

That depend, is it the home or away strip?

*hits google*

Home.  What difference does that make.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 30, 2013, 02:55:22 PM
Home colours are for fans, away strip is more obscure and therefor more suitable hipster fashion.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on April 30, 2013, 03:08:15 PM
Quote from: Liep on April 30, 2013, 02:55:22 PM
Home colours are for fans, away strip is more obscure and therefor more suitable hipster fashion.

Plus it usually has more eclectic colors which are often eyecatchingly abrasive and thus perfect for hipsters.

Though, hipsterdom can reach a certain level where identifiably obscure home strips are used by hipsters to take it to a further level. You will find old and defunct club (and nation) shirts used in the home version for this purpose. A Hipster might also pick a suitably obscure club to emphasize his non-mainstream ness. In this case you identify the hipster on the wear and tear of the shirt and (especially in the UK) if the person is wearing a hat or scarf and what colour it is and how out of place the strip feels in the ensable (the true fan will not care if it looks cool).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 30, 2013, 03:20:12 PM
Lewandowski is missing everything tonight, did he sign a contract with Real? :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 30, 2013, 03:23:21 PM
So I know Ramos already has the record for most red cards in Real Madrid history, but it's still surprising that it's only 12.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on April 30, 2013, 03:26:26 PM
Quote from: Liep on April 30, 2013, 03:20:12 PM
Lewandowski is missing everything tonight, did he sign a contract with Real? :P

Are you suggesting he is missing on purpose or that now he got the big money deal he doesn't care?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 30, 2013, 03:30:31 PM
Neither, really. At any rate it adds to the excitement. Real has a chance now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 30, 2013, 03:31:45 PM
Rrrrramos.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 30, 2013, 03:40:48 PM
Vamos Dortmund!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 30, 2013, 03:51:10 PM
Quote from: Liep on April 30, 2013, 02:55:22 PM
Home colours are for fans, away strip is more obscure and therefor more suitable hipster fashion.

Away colours are also normally cheaper, so they're the choice of the cash-strapped fan.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 30, 2013, 03:59:39 PM
Mourinho looked almost human in that post game interview. "I want to be where people love me."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 30, 2013, 04:44:31 PM
So glad REal didn't pull that off.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on April 30, 2013, 04:59:02 PM
Quote from: Liep on April 30, 2013, 03:59:39 PM
Mourinho looked almost human in that post game interview. "I want to be where people love me."

We (me and Tamas) still love him. He won trophies.

.... or to put it more succinctly, we will hotly declare that we loved him the entire time should he come back and win trophies.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 30, 2013, 06:53:50 PM
Quote from: Liep on April 30, 2013, 02:55:22 PM
Home colours are for fans, away strip is more obscure and therefor more suitable hipster fashion.
Some away strips are so awful that even that won't work:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.football-shirts.co.uk%2Ffans%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2010%2F06%2Feverton-away-2.jpg&hash=6c5a8c65ccc4c458988e879553a793c0ea97096e)

Unless you're Barcelona. Someone, somewhere probably likes this because it's Barca:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.dailymail.co.uk%2Fi%2Fpix%2F2013%2F04%2F03%2Farticle-2303299-190D6CDF000005DC-19_634x385.jpg&hash=847177b567be2d1c227ca0dfc956328920204266)
:bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 30, 2013, 08:22:08 PM
Quick, somebody post the Chicago white sox unis of the 70's.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on May 01, 2013, 09:31:24 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 30, 2013, 08:22:08 PM
Quick, somebody post the Chicago white sox unis of the 70's.

Which one? The Pin stripes, the Jammies or the Blue Socks?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 01, 2013, 10:07:27 AM
I like playing shirts versus skins. Especially when playing with women.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on May 01, 2013, 10:14:48 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 01, 2013, 10:07:27 AM
I like playing shirts versus skins. Especially when playing with women.

Semi-Contact (Grab rather than touch or tackle) Rugby with the womens team. Note, they always go for the ball, not just the game ball but the male one as well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on May 01, 2013, 02:50:21 PM
Bye bye Barca
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 01, 2013, 02:51:49 PM
Barcelona are shockingly bad.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on May 01, 2013, 03:20:31 PM
This weekend has Bayern - Dortmund in the Bundesliga. I wonder if they'll play any of their regulars.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 01, 2013, 07:51:54 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 01, 2013, 02:51:49 PM
Barcelona are shockingly bad.
They were misplacing loads of passes :blink:

They just looked tired too :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 01, 2013, 09:16:05 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 01, 2013, 07:51:54 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 01, 2013, 02:51:49 PM
Barcelona are shockingly bad.
They were misplacing loads of passes :blink:

They just looked tired too :(

At least Madrid put up a good fight. Barcelona just looked embarrassing.

Anyway, it ought to be fun to see zee Germans invade London.  :menace: :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 02, 2013, 02:08:05 AM
Whatever happened to Barcelona being the best team ever and all that?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 02, 2013, 02:34:53 AM
Quote from: Tyr on May 02, 2013, 02:08:05 AM
Whatever happened to Barcelona being the best team ever and all that?

nothing lasts forever. Will be interesting to see if they are able to regroup for next season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on May 02, 2013, 03:47:21 AM
Looks like Spanish hegemony may collapse in time for the World Cup.  :cool:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 02, 2013, 07:18:56 AM
Wouldn't write Barca's obituary yet. They'll be back. They seemed really tired and ran out of steam. They're still a great team, and Messi is still pretty young.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on May 02, 2013, 07:22:03 AM
Quote from: Tyr on May 02, 2013, 02:08:05 AM
Whatever happened to Barcelona being the best team ever and all that?
that was so 2012. Get with the program josi
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on May 02, 2013, 07:22:48 AM
Quote from: Josephus on May 02, 2013, 07:18:56 AM
Wouldn't write Barca's obituary yet. They'll be back. They seemed really tired and ran out of steam. They're still a great team, and Messi is still pretty young.
need an injection of youth in Centerbacks.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 02, 2013, 08:46:30 AM
The reaming Barca got was a perfect storm of Bayern hitting their peak in an already incredible season and Barcelona playing in a funk while Messi is not fit to play. Barcelona will be fine next season. Bayern, however, might have an even better season next year :o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 02, 2013, 09:44:10 AM
yeah, I do believe Bayern, and German football in general, is on the ascendancy
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on May 02, 2013, 10:44:15 AM
Quote from: katmai on May 02, 2013, 07:22:48 AM
Quote from: Josephus on May 02, 2013, 07:18:56 AM
Wouldn't write Barca's obituary yet. They'll be back. They seemed really tired and ran out of steam. They're still a great team, and Messi is still pretty young.
need an injection of youth in Centerbacks.
Pique was pretty good in both games apart from the own goal and the frustration foul on Müller.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 04, 2013, 04:04:56 PM
The problem at Barcelona is that two of their sacred cows (Xavi and Pujol) are declining fast, their roster is still relatively short, when injuries pile up they run into problems to fill some positions and for some reasons they just don't believe in signing center backs. The coach being away for two monts to get treated for cancer didn't help either.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on May 05, 2013, 12:44:25 AM
Quote from: Josephus on May 02, 2013, 09:44:10 AM
yeah, I do believe Bayern, and German football in general, is on the ascendancy
I don't think so. Bayern was always among the best teams in Europe (it's their tenth final in the competition, only Milan and Real have more). Dortmund had a good few years, but I don't think they'll keep that up.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on May 05, 2013, 08:24:13 AM
Quote from: Josephus on May 02, 2013, 07:18:56 AM
Wouldn't write Barca's obituary yet. They'll be back. They seemed really tired and ran out of steam. They're still a great team, and Messi is still pretty young.

Speaking of obituaries, a referee in Salt Lake City has died after being assaulted by a player in a youth league to whom he had given a yellow card:  http:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 05, 2013, 04:57:04 PM
Went to my local team's home game this Saturday and had a blast. Some pics I snapped:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FHvuj8d6.jpg%3F1&hash=b96470a2b46b244538341fb36211a4865af26f11)

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fq0wtzCV.jpg%3F1&hash=72da9f3c9687ac2c44d4158be5ceaeca9df372b2)

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F9ELJSA8.jpg%3F1&hash=2fecd9f645c46f3933bd0540a065f108b6e2372c)

The stadium is brand new and holds 8,000. It's quite a good soccer stadium I think. We drew 2-2.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on May 05, 2013, 04:59:52 PM
What league are they playing in?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 05, 2013, 05:11:10 PM
What team?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 05, 2013, 05:13:36 PM
The world famous NASL (second-tier). San Antonio Scorpions.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 05, 2013, 06:35:45 PM
Went to the pub with an Argentine friend to watch the Merseyside derby. Not the best one  :Embarrass:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on May 05, 2013, 06:43:36 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 05, 2013, 06:35:45 PM
Went to the pub with an Argentine friend to watch the Merseyside derby. Not the best one  :Embarrass:

Pub, friend or match ?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 05, 2013, 06:46:23 PM
Quote from: mongers on May 05, 2013, 06:43:36 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 05, 2013, 06:35:45 PM
Went to the pub with an Argentine friend to watch the Merseyside derby. Not the best one  :Embarrass:

Pub, friend or match ?
:lol: Match. Superclasico it was not :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 06, 2013, 07:27:29 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 05, 2013, 06:46:23 PM
Quote from: mongers on May 05, 2013, 06:43:36 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 05, 2013, 06:35:45 PM
Went to the pub with an Argentine friend to watch the Merseyside derby. Not the best one  :Embarrass:

Pub, friend or match ?
:lol: Match. Superclasico it was not :(

End of season malaise setting in. The Man u. v. Chelsea game was also pretty slow.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on May 06, 2013, 07:53:00 AM
Gerrard did have a constant angry face going in the derby. Sorta amusing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on May 06, 2013, 07:59:11 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 06, 2013, 07:53:00 AM
Gerrard did have a constant angry face going in the derby. Sorta amusing.

Still can't get over Yanks commentating/following English football clubs/matches, it's almost like you guys enjoy it.   :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 06, 2013, 04:12:19 PM
Quote from: mongers on May 06, 2013, 07:59:11 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 06, 2013, 07:53:00 AM
Gerrard did have a constant angry face going in the derby. Sorta amusing.

Still can't get over Yanks commentating/following English football clubs/matches, it's almost like you guys enjoy it.   :P

WEll, the Premiership is just a tad better than MLS. ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on May 06, 2013, 04:36:46 PM
Quote from: mongers on May 06, 2013, 07:59:11 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 06, 2013, 07:53:00 AM
Gerrard did have a constant angry face going in the derby. Sorta amusing.

Still can't get over Yanks commentating/following English football clubs/matches, it's almost like you guys enjoy it.   :P

Yanks have by and large rejected hockey and like basketball.  We can infer, therefore, that yanks have good taste in sport and so will also like soccer.  Even though they tend to cheat when playing the sport.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on May 06, 2013, 04:41:31 PM
Quote from: mongers on May 06, 2013, 07:59:11 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 06, 2013, 07:53:00 AM
Gerrard did have a constant angry face going in the derby. Sorta amusing.

Still can't get over Yanks commentating/following English football clubs/matches, it's almost like you guys enjoy it.   :P

It is wierd - EPL games are getting more and more coverage over here.  It used to be you had to go to really obscure ethnic bars if you wanted a soccer fix, but now they're being covered on the major cable sports channels.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on May 06, 2013, 04:55:31 PM
Quote from: Barrister on May 06, 2013, 04:41:31 PM
Quote from: mongers on May 06, 2013, 07:59:11 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 06, 2013, 07:53:00 AM
Gerrard did have a constant angry face going in the derby. Sorta amusing.

Still can't get over Yanks commentating/following English football clubs/matches, it's almost like you guys enjoy it.   :P

It is wierd - EPL games are getting more and more coverage over here.  It used to be you had to go to really obscure ethnic bars if you wanted a soccer fix, but now they're being covered on the major cable sports channels.

No doubt someone like JR could tell us more.  I get the impression with the influx of 'foreign' money into the game, there's and effort to market the clubs as global franchises. Plus the American money into MU/the Glassier et al, might means those guys are promoting their clubs in North America sports market ?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 06, 2013, 06:35:17 PM
A lot Americans who played soccer as kids (like me) are grown up now and have jobs and degrees and families and want to spend money on trivial things like watching soccer so it's been receiving greater and greater coverage over the past several years, culminating in NBC taking over the English Premier League TV rights next season. If ten years ago you had told me that NBC would show English soccer on their main network I would have laughed all day long.

Now it is reality  :cry:

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on May 06, 2013, 07:16:11 PM
It's something to watch on Saturday and Sundays in the off season for me. Plus I'm hoping to see a bloody riot break out.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 07, 2013, 07:20:28 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 06, 2013, 07:16:11 PM
It's something to watch on Saturday and Sundays in the off season for me. Plus I'm hoping to see a bloody riot break out.

It's no longer the 80s. British football has become, by and large, fairly safe and riot free. you need to start watching East Euro football for good old fashioned hooliganism.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 07, 2013, 07:40:30 AM
Quote from: Josephus on May 07, 2013, 07:20:28 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 06, 2013, 07:16:11 PM
It's something to watch on Saturday and Sundays in the off season for me. Plus I'm hoping to see a bloody riot break out.

It's no longer the 80s. British football has become, by and large, fairly safe and riot free. you need to start watching East Euro football for good old fashioned hooliganism.

Or the Turkish league, or lower leagues. The Premier became quite family friendly since the 90s.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on May 07, 2013, 07:42:58 AM
I got a police horse punched at least.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 07, 2013, 11:12:24 AM
European soccer is hilarious.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on May 08, 2013, 03:57:41 AM
No more Sir Alex to kick around!
Quote

MANCHESTER, England (AP) -- Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson is retiring at the end of the season, bringing an end to more than 26 trophy-filled years at the club.

''The decision to retire is one that I have thought a great deal about and one that I have not taken lightly,'' Ferguson said in a statement on Wednesday. ''It is the right time.''

The club did not immediately announce a successor.

Since taking charge at Old Trafford in 1986, Ferguson has established himself as the most successful manager in British soccer history, having reversed a previous plan to retire at the end of the 2001-02 season.

After the Scotsman secured a 13th Premier League title two weeks ago - extending the club's record English championship haul to 20 - he declared that he had no retirement thoughts.

But now he has just two more matches left in charge of the club he has turned into one of the world's biggest sports teams.

''It was important to me to leave an organization in the strongest possible shape and I believe I have done so,'' Ferguson said. ''The quality of this league winning squad, and the balance of ages within it, bodes well for continued success at the highest level whilst the structure of the youth setup will ensure that the long-term future of the club remains a bright one.''

Ferguson will stay at the club as a director and an ambassador.

''With these activities, along with my many other interests, I am looking forward to the future,'' Ferguson said. ''I must pay tribute to my family, their love and support has been essential.''
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 08, 2013, 05:01:08 AM
I hope they get the Special One.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 08, 2013, 05:10:40 AM
Quote from: Liep on May 08, 2013, 05:01:08 AM
I hope they get the Special One.

Going from a guy that has stayed for nearly 30 years to another one who bails out after just 3 from each of his last few clubs leaving a wasteland behind doesn't seem like the right policy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on May 08, 2013, 05:15:57 AM
What  does Wayne Gretzky know about Soccer? :huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on May 08, 2013, 06:18:49 AM
Quote from: Liep on May 08, 2013, 05:01:08 AM
I hope they get the Special One.

Roy Keane is looking for a job.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 08, 2013, 08:06:00 AM
I will laugh so hard if Mourinho goes to Manchester United.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on May 08, 2013, 09:11:47 AM
Press here is saying Ole Gunnar Solskjær will get the job. Though while he did win the league last year he has only got 2 points in 7 games so far. I don't think so.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 08, 2013, 09:21:09 AM
Quote from: Viking on May 08, 2013, 09:11:47 AM
Press here is saying Ole Gunnar Solskjær will get the job. Though while he did win the league last year he has only got 2 points in 7 games so far. I don't think so.

:lol: the english press hasnt even mentioned him.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on May 08, 2013, 09:27:38 AM
Moyes, Moyes and more Moyes from sky and fox soccer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 08, 2013, 09:29:49 AM
Does this Man utd. games will now be shorter?



[no Fergie time. ;)]
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on May 08, 2013, 09:50:08 AM
Quote from: katmai on May 08, 2013, 09:27:38 AM
Moyes, Moyes and more Moyes from sky and fox soccer.


http://www.oddschecker.com/football/football-specials/man-utd/next-permanent-manager
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 08, 2013, 07:50:30 PM
Moyes is confirmed no?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on May 09, 2013, 10:20:13 AM
Quote from: Tyr on May 08, 2013, 07:50:30 PM
Moyes is confirmed no?
confirmed today.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 09, 2013, 07:57:53 PM
Oh my :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 09, 2013, 08:02:35 PM
This retirement sort of came out of nowhere. People have been talking about it for years and he is old but it actually coming now was rather sudden.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 09, 2013, 08:05:08 PM
Quote from: Tyr on May 09, 2013, 08:02:35 PM
This retirement sort of came out of nowhere. People have been talking about it for years and he is old but it actually coming now was rather sudden.
I think his hand may have been forced a bit. A few newspapers reported that he was seriously considering it (led by the Telegraph) and given that United are a listed company they had to confirm/deny it quickly. I imagine the plan was for it all to happen after the season's finished.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 09, 2013, 08:06:42 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 09, 2013, 08:05:08 PM
I think his hand may have been forced a bit. A few newspapers reported that he was seriously considering it (led by the Telegraph) and given that United are a listed company they had to confirm/deny it quickly. I imagine the plan was for it all to happen after the season's finished.

Not sure I follow your logic.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 09, 2013, 08:17:39 PM
Which bit?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 09, 2013, 08:26:18 PM
Given listed company, forced.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 09, 2013, 08:33:34 PM
The reports all said there's disclosure requirements for a listed company. Once it was in the media it probably forced their hand a bit and moved the announcement up a couple of weeks. They couldn't deny it because that'd be false, so they had to announce it though it may not have been at a time they'd have chosen.

Or it could've been meant to happen like this all along.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 09, 2013, 08:36:13 PM
Gotcha.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: lustindarkness on May 10, 2013, 10:12:00 AM
I need to vent, regarding the real important soccer, my daughter's YMCA soccer team:

Every year the same great group of kids register for the same team, a couple of awesome players with some good ones and a few decent ones. They play great together, understand the basics, the positions, pass the ball, they have fun and they win. This year the coach was real nice, but had no clue. Despite the coach they won a bunch this season and they make it to the tourney.  Yesterday evening we start with the sun at the goalie's face and the other inferior team somehow manages to keep it tied at 2 by the half. At the second half our team is playing awesome but still tied. The coach decides to coast thru the last few minutes and change all the kids positions to give them the opportunity to play outside of their comfort zone. WTF?!  :mad: Time to teach and learn is over! This is the tournament!  :grr: The best offensive player as goalie?! My Nina the goalie as offense?! We lost the game in the last minute 3-2.  :glare: :(

UGH, but this also showed why I can't volunteer to be their coach, I had to walk away because the PTSD was about to kick in.  :blush:  :ph34r:
I hope I can behave tonight when we go for pizza. :unsure:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on May 10, 2013, 10:37:48 AM
The coach had no clue? On the contrary, positional fluidity (total football, if you will) is a hallmark of the modern game. :p
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on May 10, 2013, 01:26:23 PM
girls soccer run by ymca not the ywca?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: lustindarkness on May 10, 2013, 01:29:17 PM
Quote from: Viking on May 10, 2013, 01:26:23 PM
girls soccer run by ymca not the ywca?

Si, my town is small(ish) and only has a YMCA. They mean good, but some of the volunteer coaches suck.

I may look into the local adult leagues around here for myself. Mostly a bunch of drunk mexicans, but could be fun.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on May 10, 2013, 01:46:11 PM
Quote from: lustindarkness on May 10, 2013, 01:29:17 PM
Quote from: Viking on May 10, 2013, 01:26:23 PM
girls soccer run by ymca not the ywca?

Si, my town is small(ish) and only has a YMCA. They mean good, but some of the volunteer coaches suck.

I may look into the local adult leagues around here for myself. Mostly a bunch of drunk mexicans, but could be fun.

don't you people have AYSO either?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: lustindarkness on May 10, 2013, 02:30:37 PM
Quote from: Viking on May 10, 2013, 01:46:11 PM
Quote from: lustindarkness on May 10, 2013, 01:29:17 PM
Quote from: Viking on May 10, 2013, 01:26:23 PM
girls soccer run by ymca not the ywca?

Si, my town is small(ish) and only has a YMCA. They mean good, but some of the volunteer coaches suck.

I may look into the local adult leagues around here for myself. Mostly a bunch of drunk mexicans, but could be fun.

don't you people have AYSO either?

Soccer leagues? Yes, AYSO not in ths area. She will have it at school in a few years, for now the Y is a good start.

For me as an old fart, I know there is some kind of league in the area, I need to stop been lazy and get some kind of exercise.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 11, 2013, 02:15:20 PM
FOX played the English FA Cup final on their main network, amazingly. I missed it, though that could have been a blessing in disguise because Gus Johnson's commentary has somehow gotten worse over the months.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on May 11, 2013, 04:59:02 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 11, 2013, 02:15:20 PM
FOX played the English FA Cup final on their main network, amazingly. I missed it, though that could have been a blessing in disguise because Gus Johnson's commentary has somehow gotten worse over the months.

:huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 11, 2013, 07:02:54 PM
Quote from: katmai on May 11, 2013, 04:59:02 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 11, 2013, 02:15:20 PM
FOX played the English FA Cup final on their main network, amazingly. I missed it, though that could have been a blessing in disguise because Gus Johnson's commentary has somehow gotten worse over the months.

:huh:

He's commentated a couple games over the past couple weeks that I have been able to watch.

To be honest, I think he was doing better when he first started as opposed to what he's done recently.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 12, 2013, 10:33:46 AM
In other news, Porto won vs Benfica yesterday by 2-1 (victory goal in stoppage time). One-point lead over Benfica so winning the final game will be enough to be champion. Last opponent is an unexpected Paços de Ferreira (surprise club near Porto which will  reach the Champions' League preliminary round).

Good news for Chelski I guess, playing a dispirited Benfica on Wednesday for the Europa League Final.

In France, Paris will be champion if they beat Lyon tonight. Otherwise, they'll have to wait a bit thanks to a 7-point lead. Zlatan may be on his way out, anyway.  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on May 13, 2013, 07:06:44 PM
QuoteMan City fires Mancini 1 year after EPL title win/
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 13, 2013, 07:08:49 PM
At one point during our last game we were 11th, a very respectable mid-table finish. Then Southampton equalised, now we're 17th and relying on Wigan to lose. To sound like a broken record: damn things are tight.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on May 13, 2013, 07:19:06 PM
Quote from: Tyr on May 13, 2013, 07:08:49 PM
At one point during our last game we were 11th, a very respectable mid-table finish. Then Southampton equalised, now we're 17th and relying on Wigan to lose. To sound like a broken record: damn things are tight.

I don't see that, given the 10+ difference in goal tallies, Wigan have to win both of their matches and Sunderland have to lose in order for the Wearsiders to go down.

edit:
The only other option seeing Sunderland going down is if they lose by 6-0 and Wigan draw one and win the other by 5/6-0.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 13, 2013, 08:56:59 PM
True, if Wigan do win tonight then we're not utterly screwed, they have to win their next game and we have to not win ours too, but I'd rather not be sweating next weekend!

Hopefully Arsenal chasing the champions league will be enough to see them through- since Tottenham being in the same position means our chances against them aren't great.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 14, 2013, 07:06:42 PM
Wigan lost and are relegated.

Which meant the odds were slashed on us getting Martinez :ph34r: <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 14, 2013, 08:56:58 PM
Safe. Albeit in shameful fashion.

I woke up accidentally during the middle of the night and decided to quickly check the score on my phone- it was 1-1 at half time. :pinch:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 15, 2013, 03:36:50 PM
Where's Suarez when you need to stop Ivanovic? :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 16, 2013, 12:34:13 PM
The Danish league is finally exciting: penultimate round and my team is battling to stay in. It's looking okay so far, they're at 1-0 but so's the direct competition.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 16, 2013, 12:52:37 PM
And that's it. Red card, 1-1.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on May 16, 2013, 01:02:56 PM
Quote from: Liep on May 16, 2013, 12:34:13 PM
The Danish league is finally exciting: penultimate round and my team is battling to stay in. It's looking okay so far, they're at 1-0 but so's the direct competition.

Am I correct in understanding that the danish league has each team play each other three times, home/away/neutral rather than the traditional two?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 16, 2013, 01:08:19 PM
Quote from: Liep on May 16, 2013, 12:34:13 PM
The Danish league is finally exciting: penultimate round and my team is battling to stay in. It's looking okay so far, they're at 1-0 but so's the direct competition.

Brøndby?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 16, 2013, 01:13:40 PM
Quote from: Viking on May 16, 2013, 01:02:56 PM
Quote from: Liep on May 16, 2013, 12:34:13 PM
The Danish league is finally exciting: penultimate round and my team is battling to stay in. It's looking okay so far, they're at 1-0 but so's the direct competition.

Am I correct in understanding that the danish league has each team play each other three times, home/away/neutral rather than the traditional two?
Yeah, though it's home/away/home or vice verse. The top 6 teams get one more home game than the rest in a season. 33 games.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 16, 2013, 01:15:05 PM
Quote from: Jacob on May 16, 2013, 01:08:19 PM
Brøndby?

Nope, den Gule Fare. :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on May 16, 2013, 01:23:14 PM
Quote from: Liep on May 16, 2013, 01:13:40 PM
Quote from: Viking on May 16, 2013, 01:02:56 PM
Quote from: Liep on May 16, 2013, 12:34:13 PM
The Danish league is finally exciting: penultimate round and my team is battling to stay in. It's looking okay so far, they're at 1-0 but so's the direct competition.

Am I correct in understanding that the danish league has each team play each other three times, home/away/neutral rather than the traditional two?
Yeah, though it's home/away/home or vice verse. The top 6 teams get one more home game than the rest in a season. 33 games.

What do the danes think about the effect on youth development. Do they get squeezed out by cheaper imports from africa or do they get the quality matching they need to develop?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 16, 2013, 01:30:27 PM
Quote from: Viking on May 16, 2013, 01:23:14 PM
What do the danes think about the effect on youth development. Do they get squeezed out by cheaper imports from africa or do they get the quality matching they need to develop?

They made it a small league to increase the quality of play to make it more tv friendly, but that has also made it harder for players for the youth systems to get solid time on the field.

There are a few good youth developing teams though, notably FC Nordsjælland.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on May 16, 2013, 01:36:45 PM
Quote from: Liep on May 16, 2013, 01:30:27 PM
Quote from: Viking on May 16, 2013, 01:23:14 PM
What do the danes think about the effect on youth development. Do they get squeezed out by cheaper imports from africa or do they get the quality matching they need to develop?

They made it a small league to increase the quality of play to make it more tv friendly, but that has also made it harder for players for the youth systems to get solid time on the field.

There are a few good youth developing teams though, notably FC Nordsjælland.

It's probably more lucrative for the teams involved with more games against better teams, means more games worth watching. It's just suggested here in norway that youth development and general quality suffers because compared to denmark the norwegian league has 6 extra relegation level teams (if you assume the leagues to be equal which they in no way are).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 16, 2013, 01:43:51 PM
But, I think, that if you go the Danish way those 6 teams' best players will stay in the upper league, and they take up positions that youth players would get.

But I'm not really too sure, all I can see is that there's fewer candidates for the bench on the national team now than just 10 years ago. The upper talent mass is more or less the same, bar Schmeichel and the Laudrup brothers.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on May 16, 2013, 01:57:27 PM
Quote from: Liep on May 16, 2013, 01:43:51 PM
But, I think, that if you go the Danish way those 6 teams' best players will stay in the upper league, and they take up positions that youth players would get.

But I'm not really too sure, all I can see is that there's fewer candidates for the bench on the national team now than just 10 years ago. The upper talent mass is more or less the same, bar Schmeichel and the Laudrup brothers.

I checked the danish U21 roster, expecting to find a team full of players from ajax, england and italy.. but no... only 4 iirc play outside denmark. Compare that to half the norwegian U21 team - almost all the foreign based players played for teams in the lower half of the table.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 16, 2013, 02:05:20 PM
I haven't followed U21 football since we hosted the EC, but then it was definitely filled with foreign based players.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 16, 2013, 02:13:25 PM
Reading up on forums about this and the opinion is quite divided with a little majority for a 16 team league.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 16, 2013, 02:16:28 PM
Just found this from some time back. It's still valid.

National team coach:
Quote- For mig er det væsentligt, at en udvidelse vil øge antallet af mellemhold. Og det er mellemhold – som f.eks. FC Nordsjælland - der har råd til at udvikle spillere. Det er dem, der tør tage en del af dem, som FCK, Midtjylland, AaB, Brøndby og OB ikke tager, fordi de måske ikke umiddelbart er gode nok til at opfylde deres ambitionsniveau, siger Morten Olsen.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on May 16, 2013, 02:16:40 PM
Quote from: Liep on May 16, 2013, 02:13:25 PM
Reading up on forums about this and the opinion is quite divided with a little majority for a 16 team league.

is that because the supporters of the last 4 teams want them up?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 16, 2013, 02:18:00 PM
Quote from: Viking on May 16, 2013, 02:16:40 PM
Quote from: Liep on May 16, 2013, 02:13:25 PM
Reading up on forums about this and the opinion is quite divided with a little majority for a 16 team league.

is that because the supporters of the last 4 teams want them up?
More because the supporters of the bottom 8 teams wants them to stay up. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on May 16, 2013, 02:19:13 PM
Quote from: Liep on May 16, 2013, 02:18:00 PM
Quote from: Viking on May 16, 2013, 02:16:40 PM
Quote from: Liep on May 16, 2013, 02:13:25 PM
Reading up on forums about this and the opinion is quite divided with a little majority for a 16 team league.

is that because the supporters of the last 4 teams want them up?
More because the supporters of the bottom 8 teams wants them to stay up. :P

I thought 16-12 = 4 ?



anyways, isn't this development thing best solved by mandating u21 players in the match day squad?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 16, 2013, 08:07:56 PM
Quote from: Liep on May 16, 2013, 01:13:40 PM
Quote from: Viking on May 16, 2013, 01:02:56 PM
Quote from: Liep on May 16, 2013, 12:34:13 PM
The Danish league is finally exciting: penultimate round and my team is battling to stay in. It's looking okay so far, they're at 1-0 but so's the direct competition.

Am I correct in understanding that the danish league has each team play each other three times, home/away/neutral rather than the traditional two?
Yeah, though it's home/away/home or vice verse. The top 6 teams get one more home game than the rest in a season. 33 games.
Similar to Scotland then. That hardly seems fair, how do they decide who gets the extra home advantage?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on May 19, 2013, 11:56:34 AM
Gunners in the CL again!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 19, 2013, 06:46:11 PM
Porto champion again. :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 21, 2013, 10:08:29 AM
 Looks like Manchester City and New York Yankees are joining forces to run New York Football Club, the 20th team in MLS.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 21, 2013, 11:04:38 AM
Quote from: Josephus on May 21, 2013, 10:08:29 AM
Looks like Manchester City and New York Yankees are joining forces to run New York Football Club, the 20th team in MLS.

New York FC?

The name doesn't sound very MLS. Shouldn't it be the New York Big Money or the New York Nukes or something? Or at least have some sort of tough sounding animal as part of their name?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on May 21, 2013, 11:15:50 AM
Quote from: Jacob on May 21, 2013, 11:04:38 AM
Quote from: Josephus on May 21, 2013, 10:08:29 AM
Looks like Manchester City and New York Yankees are joining forces to run New York Football Club, the 20th team in MLS.

New York FC?

The name doesn't sound very MLS. Shouldn't it be the New York Big Money or the New York Nukes or something? Or at least have some sort of tough sounding animal as part of their name?

Someone doesn't follow MLS i see <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 21, 2013, 11:30:45 AM
This combined with Tim Cahill makes me want to support the Red Bulls devotedly :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 21, 2013, 11:43:32 AM
Quote from: katmai on May 21, 2013, 11:15:50 AMSomeone doesn't follow MLS i see <_<

Dynamo
Earthquakes
Fire
Rapids
Sounders
Timbers
Whitecaps
Impact
Galaxy
Red Bulls
Revolution
Chivas

... okay, not many fierce animals but they still have that distinctly North American sports team flavour going (which is a perfectly fine thing for North American sports team to have).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on May 21, 2013, 11:44:50 AM
Quote from: Jacob on May 21, 2013, 11:04:38 AM
Quote from: Josephus on May 21, 2013, 10:08:29 AM
Looks like Manchester City and New York Yankees are joining forces to run New York Football Club, the 20th team in MLS.

New York FC?

The name doesn't sound very MLS. Shouldn't it be the New York Big Money or the New York Nukes or something? Or at least have some sort of tough sounding animal as part of their name?

I don't follow MLS at all, but even I know there is already a Toronto FC, and several other teams have very Euro-sounding names (DC United, Sporting Kansas City).

Personally I think its silly - they're apeing european traditions that don't exist in north america, but I guess it is working for them...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 21, 2013, 12:19:30 PM
The peeps behind New York Cosmos must be pissed. Didn't they resurrect that franchise with the expectation they'll join the MLS?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on May 21, 2013, 12:35:54 PM
Quote from: Josephus on May 21, 2013, 12:19:30 PM
The peeps behind New York Cosmos must be pissed. Didn't they resurrect that franchise with the expectation they'll join the MLS?
I think that was their ultimate goal, and yeah this has to kill that or really really damage if this goes through, but how can they compete with the money those two franchises bring to table.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on May 21, 2013, 12:38:44 PM
Quote from: Jacob on May 21, 2013, 11:43:32 AM
Quote from: katmai on May 21, 2013, 11:15:50 AMSomeone doesn't follow MLS i see <_<

Dynamo
Earthquakes
Fire
Rapids
Sounders
Timbers
Whitecaps
Impact
Galaxy
Red Bulls
Revolution
Chivas

... okay, not many fierce animals but they still have that distinctly North American sports team flavour going (which is a perfectly fine thing for North American sports team to have).
12 of 19 teams do follow the structure yes, but as Beeb points out that shows  a decent amount following the European naming, and besides it's not like the European clubs don't have nicknames, they just aren't part of the official name.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 21, 2013, 12:57:57 PM
Quote from: katmai on May 21, 2013, 12:38:44 PM
12 of 19 teams do follow the structure yes, but as Beeb points out that shows  a decent amount following the European naming, and besides it's not like the European clubs don't have nicknames, they just aren't part of the official name.

... and that's totally fine :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on May 21, 2013, 12:58:28 PM
Stop trying to pick i fight with me Dane! :ultra:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 21, 2013, 01:16:30 PM
Quote from: katmai on May 21, 2013, 12:58:28 PM
Stop trying to pick i fight with me Dane! :ultra:

Well, I do think it's silly to have a Real that's not in any way connected to royalty, or a United that was not formed by an amalgamation of two or more clubs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on May 21, 2013, 01:22:15 PM
Imitation is sincerest form of flattery, dammit!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on May 21, 2013, 01:22:55 PM
Quote from: Jacob on May 21, 2013, 01:16:30 PM
Quote from: katmai on May 21, 2013, 12:58:28 PM
Stop trying to pick i fight with me Dane! :ultra:

Well, I do think it's silly to have a Real that's not in any way connected to royalty, or a United that was not formed by an amalgamation of two or more clubs.

Or a "Club" whether "Sporting", "Football" or "Racing" which is not nor ever has been a club.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on May 21, 2013, 01:28:02 PM
Quote from: Viking on May 21, 2013, 01:22:55 PM
Quote from: Jacob on May 21, 2013, 01:16:30 PM
Quote from: katmai on May 21, 2013, 12:58:28 PM
Stop trying to pick i fight with me Dane! :ultra:

Well, I do think it's silly to have a Real that's not in any way connected to royalty, or a United that was not formed by an amalgamation of two or more clubs.

Or a "Club" whether "Sporting", "Football" or "Racing" which is not nor ever has been a club.

Club is often colloquially used to refer to a pro sports team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on May 21, 2013, 01:29:15 PM
If he wasn't a dirty furriner he'd know that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on May 21, 2013, 01:46:41 PM
Quote from: Barrister on May 21, 2013, 01:28:02 PM
Quote from: Viking on May 21, 2013, 01:22:55 PM
Quote from: Jacob on May 21, 2013, 01:16:30 PM
Quote from: katmai on May 21, 2013, 12:58:28 PM
Stop trying to pick i fight with me Dane! :ultra:

Well, I do think it's silly to have a Real that's not in any way connected to royalty, or a United that was not formed by an amalgamation of two or more clubs.

Or a "Club" whether "Sporting", "Football" or "Racing" which is not nor ever has been a club.

Club is often colloquially used to refer to a pro sports team.

Yes and? Is this some imputation that I don't know what the word means or that I don't understand this concept? Of course I understand this concept I find it stupid which is why I am bitching about it.

Quote from: katmai on May 21, 2013, 01:29:15 PM
If he wasn't a dirty furriner he'd know that.

When I 'were a lad growing up in the wilds of Palo Alto California I too learned to do many silly things. Among those things was learning that Sports Franchises are sometimes referred to as clubs colloquially. I don't mind that very much, since this just happens and people are stupid. What I do mind and what I do find stupid is formally naming sports franchises one sort of club or another. I mind this because they are not nor ever have been clubs.

Clubs are features of amateur sports. Many pro-sports teams can in my view justifiably call themselves clubs if they were at some point in their history membership associations.

Sigh.. I've spent too much time and effort answering a stupid point, I know.. but dammit somebody on the internet was wrong.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on May 21, 2013, 01:47:53 PM
Still a dirty Icelander.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on May 21, 2013, 02:02:51 PM
Quote from: Viking on May 21, 2013, 01:46:41 PM
When I 'were a lad growing up in the wilds of Palo Alto California I too learned to do many silly things. Among those things was learning that Sports Franchises are sometimes referred to as clubs colloquially.

Colloquially?  No they are referred to that way officially.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg0.etsystatic.com%2F000%2F0%2F5242459%2Fil_fullxfull.287418724.jpg&hash=353b0a6a8e7b5d23f66880a5d8452be49ad63b99)

It is because all pro teams have their roots in the old amatuer baseball clubs.  When they became professional they continued to be called 'clubs' and so have all of our professional sports erm...clubs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on May 21, 2013, 02:09:58 PM
Quote from: Valmy on May 21, 2013, 02:02:51 PM
It is because all pro teams have their roots in the old amatuer baseball clubs.  When they became professional they continued to be called 'clubs' and so have all of our professional sports erm...clubs.

Well not all pro teams are that old.  But you could still call the Winnipeg Jets (est. 1972 or 1997 depending on who you ask and always as a professional team), is still referred to as a "hockey club".
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on May 21, 2013, 02:12:40 PM
Quote from: Barrister on May 21, 2013, 02:09:58 PM
Quote from: Valmy on May 21, 2013, 02:02:51 PM
It is because all pro teams have their roots in the old amatuer baseball clubs.  When they became professional they continued to be called 'clubs' and so have all of our professional sports erm...clubs.

Well not all pro teams are that old.  But you could still call the Winnipeg Jets (est. 1972 or 1997 depending on who you ask and always as a professional team), is still referred to as a "hockey club".

I did not mean that all our professional clubs (:P) are direct descendents of 19th century baseball clubs but that since those were the first pro organizations that all the others have gone along with their naming conventions.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on May 22, 2013, 06:04:27 AM
Quote from: katmai on May 21, 2013, 01:47:53 PM
Still a dirty Icelander.

I reject being called dirty. Icelanders fetishize bathing (as well as genealogy and knitting). Please find a different and factual insult.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on May 22, 2013, 06:23:27 AM
Quote from: Valmy on May 21, 2013, 02:02:51 PM
Quote from: Viking on May 21, 2013, 01:46:41 PM
When I 'were a lad growing up in the wilds of Palo Alto California I too learned to do many silly things. Among those things was learning that Sports Franchises are sometimes referred to as clubs colloquially.

Colloquially?  No they are referred to that way officially.


Fan Art? It didn't have any logo or copyright info just like an official poster would have?

I wasn't gonna insist on proof that no pink unicorns exist but to recap

1. I complained that US soccer franchises were assuming silly names copying european and south american names that had history.
2. I pointed out that US soccer franchises are not clubs nor ever have been and have no business calling themselves FC

A. The Languish Reaction was, colloquially franchises are often called clubs.

3. What I should have said here is that was beside the point as I was talking about official franchise names.

B. Valmy links to fan art that calles the NY Giants a Football Club.


So, do any US pro sport franchises refer to themselves as clubs outside of soccer? either officially or as referring to the franchise.

... and even if they do it is silly for a club to call itself Real Salt Lake (which king?) or DC United (which two clubs united?) or FC Dallas (when were they ever a club?). They are using these names to sound like european clubs with pedigree. That is crass and degrading. Kowtowing to an alien tradition if you ask me.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on May 22, 2013, 07:12:04 AM
You have a point on the soccer teams Viking but they do it because other sports franchise have an history of it & Europe. It's soccer, in America it has to get fans away from the Euro leagues to them.

Montreal, has had an hockey team for 104 years. It's official name is Club de Hockey Canadiens before that it was Club Athletic Canadiens.

Most of the late 1800s early 1900s sports teams were clubs of somekind, those that survive until today have kept that name.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 22, 2013, 11:07:54 AM
Yeah, most of the original hockey teams were amateur clubs before they became professional. Thus even by Viking's criteria I believe they can legitimately be called hockey clubs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on May 22, 2013, 11:28:03 AM
Quote from: Viking on May 22, 2013, 06:23:27 AM
B. Valmy links to fan art that calles the NY Giants a Football Club.

I am just telling you what is true.  It is a little retro to use it like that which why I used a retro piece to show you and um...why would a fan do that if it were not what they are called?  If I was employed by the NYG I would just use my paystub but I ain't.  Pro teams have been calling themselves that officially since 1869 that is just a fact.

QuoteSo, do any US pro sport franchises refer to themselves as clubs outside of soccer? either officially or as referring to the franchise.

Yes they all do and always have.

Since it seems I need a lawyer here is the legal crap Major League baseball has on their website:

Quote© 2001-2013 MLB Advanced Media, L.P. All rights reserved.

The following are trademarks or service marks of Major League Baseball entities and may be used only with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. or the relevant Major League Baseball entity: Major League, Major League Baseball, MLB, the silhouetted batter logo, World Series, National League, American League, Division Series, League Championship Series, All-Star Game, and the names, nicknames, logos, uniform designs, color combinations, and slogans designating the Major League Baseball clubs and entities, and their respective mascots, events and exhibitions.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on May 22, 2013, 11:29:15 AM
You are all still missing the point.

There is a difference between colloquial and formal names. My issue is not with the colloquial use of "club", though this is rare. Team or Franchise are orders of magnitude more common. My issue is with using "club" (along with the other errors) in formal team or franchise names pulled out of the blue.

Note, this actually also applies to my team in england, Chelsea, which was never a club, but rather a professional team assembled by a businessman who found an empty unused stadium and an unused fanbase. This is one of the reasons why chelsea is still considered a bit posh. So it is not just a US issue. It is a language issue.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 22, 2013, 11:31:59 AM
We got that Viking.

I think you're the one missing a point - as a matter of fact, several North American teams in Hockey and Football (at the very least), started as clubs of exactly the kind you say legitimizes them using the term.

That's the reason why subsequent franchises call themselves clubs as well - much like Chelsea.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on May 22, 2013, 11:51:43 AM
Well what is true is that generally teams in the US do not use their official names.  They are known by their mascots, again because of our history.  There used to be lots of teams in the same city so being 'New York Baseball Club' when there are seven New York Baseball clubs at the same time is a little unwieldy so our solution was simply to call them by their nicknames and eventually official mascots.  I know in Europe they solved this problem a little differently.

Major League Soccer, though, is a baby so they will look for whatever they can find to make themselves appealing to fans.  Mimicing popular European Football clubs is a good way to go about it.  After all that is what our NFL did, they would often put a NFL team in a city and give it the same name (or as close to it as they could legally manage) as the existing MLB club to try to attract the professional sports fanbase.  Detroit Tigers -> Detroit Lions, Chicago Cubs -> Chicago Bears, Boston Braves -> Boston Redskins, New York Giants -> New York Football Giants.

So really going Manchester United -> DC United, Real Madrid -> Real Salt Lake and so forth is pretty expected even if the context of why the name makes sense is lost so I can see your point there.  However being 'New York FC' is perfectly fine since they are, indeed, a Football Club...though in the US they should really be called a Soccer Club but to be honest one of the main signs you show you are a true Soccer fan here is by calling it 'football'.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 22, 2013, 12:07:03 PM
Interesting, Valmy. Didn't know about the Lions & Tigers, Cubs & Bears thing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 24, 2013, 01:15:01 PM
On the other side - interesting story about the recent resurgence in German football: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22628302

One thing I didn't know - and which I think is pretty cool - is that all the German clubs (at least in the top two tiers) are majority fan owned. And it makes it much more affordable to go to the games.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 24, 2013, 06:25:53 PM
I agree with Anally Antisceptic Oil Boy that US fodbol team names are gimmicky.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on May 24, 2013, 11:21:32 PM
Quote from: Jacob on May 24, 2013, 01:15:01 PM
On the other side - interesting story about the recent resurgence in German football: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22628302

One thing I didn't know - and which I think is pretty cool - is that all the German clubs (at least in the top two tiers) are majority fan owned. And it makes it much more affordable to go to the games.
VfL Wolfsburg is owned by Volkswagen AG and Bayer Leverkusen is owned by Bayer AG. Of course neither Volkswagen nor Bayer intend to make a profit with their teams and mainly use them for advertising and corporate social responsibility. And being responsible to their shareholders, they can't invest gigantic sums into their teams like those sheiks and oligarchs.

Hoffenheim is not officially owned by Dietmar Hopp (founder of SAP), but he invested huge sums into the club.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 25, 2013, 12:36:24 AM
Yeah, I read that in another article. It's still an interesting set up compared to the prevailing British and North American ones.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 25, 2013, 03:12:28 AM
Quote from: Zanza on May 24, 2013, 11:21:32 PM
VfL Wolfsburg is owned by Volkswagen AG and Bayer Leverkusen is owned by Bayer AG. Of course neither Volkswagen nor Bayer intend to make a profit with their teams and mainly use them for advertising and corporate social responsibility. And being responsible to their shareholders, they can't invest gigantic sums into their teams like those sheiks and oligarchs.

What prevents them from earning a return on investment?  Is the broadcast rights market in Germany run on feudal lines?

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on May 25, 2013, 04:37:17 AM
I guess they could earn a return on that investment, but then football is not really their main line of business, rather an expensive "hobby" for the company bosses. A bit like racing team for other companies.

Although I am not sure if the statutes of the football league would allow taking money out of the company that runs the professional football. In reality, Volkswagen basically acts like a Russian oligarch and puts in money into the club. Probably not the obscene amounts that e.g. ManCity or PSG get, but still enough to make Wolfsburg, which would otherwise be at best in the second or third division, stay in the top flight. Bayer puts in some money, but apparently less than VW.

The broadcast rights in Germany are sold en bloc for the whole league and while Bayern gets more than the last club, it is not a huge difference like in Spain. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 25, 2013, 05:22:34 AM
Quote from: Zanza on May 25, 2013, 04:37:17 AM
The broadcast rights in Germany are sold en bloc for the whole league and while Bayern gets more than the last club, it is not a huge difference like in Spain.

There's the problem right there.  No upside incentive.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on May 25, 2013, 05:33:48 AM
It's generally considered a big advantage. Football thrives from competition, not from a single team dominating.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 25, 2013, 06:01:44 AM
Quote from: Zanza on May 25, 2013, 05:33:48 AM
It's generally considered a big advantage. Football thrives from competition, not from a single team dominating.

But the market for talent is global. :contract:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on May 25, 2013, 06:31:14 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on May 25, 2013, 06:01:44 AM
Quote from: Zanza on May 25, 2013, 05:33:48 AM
It's generally considered a big advantage. Football thrives from competition, not from a single team dominating.

But the market for talent is global. :contract:
A majority of our players comes from the club's academies. Which are only possible because the TV money is shared.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 25, 2013, 06:36:37 AM
So there was a clause in Götze's new contract forbidding him to play the final? :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on May 25, 2013, 11:25:02 AM
A lot of knob-gobbling going on in the UK press about German football at the moment, reflecting the general zeitgeist on the left here that everything teutonic must be emulated.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 25, 2013, 12:16:13 PM
Trying to get excited about this Cup final. Certainly lacking a sexy factor. Sure it will be good.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on May 25, 2013, 12:52:53 PM
Bayern FTW!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on May 25, 2013, 01:11:16 PM
Goddamn Gus Johnson
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 25, 2013, 03:09:55 PM
Well that was a silly penalty.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on May 25, 2013, 03:35:35 PM
Boo Bayern.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 25, 2013, 03:37:05 PM
Comment about Robben from Danish radio: "Good for him, you know, they say even his own mother doesn't really like him."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 25, 2013, 04:11:28 PM
Saw the game in a bar in Florence surrounded by Germans and Italians. Had a blast and the best part was I didn't have to sit through Gus Johnson's commentary.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 26, 2013, 10:01:42 AM
Quote from: Zanza on May 25, 2013, 04:37:17 AM
The broadcast rights in Germany are sold en bloc for the whole league and while Bayern gets more than the last club, it is not a huge difference like in Spain.
Similar to England. Foreign rights are sold en bloc and divvied up equally. Domestic rights are sold, I think half are distributed equally and half depend on how many matches are televised and league position.

QuoteComment about Robben from Danish radio: "Good for him, you know, they say even his own mother doesn't really like him."
:lol:

Lots of Germans in London last night. Great atmosphere in the (rammed) pub I watched it in.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on May 27, 2013, 03:00:30 AM
Bayern Munich totally dominated the Bundesliga this season, and it's gonna be one for the ages.

http://sportige.com/bayern-munich-new-records-set-bundesliga-season-05-2013/

QuoteBy finishing first with 91 points (29W, 4D, 1L), Bayern set a new Bundesliga record, breaking the 81 points Dortmund set last season. Their 25 point lead over Dortmund at second (66 points) is also a new record, breaking the 16 points, also by Bayern from 10 years ago.

No one has secured the title so early in terms of both matches and date: Bayern needed only 28 matches to clinch the title, with the previous record being 30; they also did it by April 6, with the earliest date before that was April 18. Bayern also led the league from the first day of the season, something the club has accomplished four times in the past.

Their 29 wins this season is a new record as well, beating the 25 by Dortmund from last year, which was tied with the 1972-1973 Bayern side. Fourteen of those wins came back-to-back, four more than the previous record of 10 by Borussia Monchengladback and Wolfsburg. They lost only once, which is tied with the Bayern side from 1987.

Bayern broke another record of their own by conceding only 18 goals throughout the season, better than the 21 conceded by the 2007-2008 Bayern side. They finished with a clean sheet in 21 of their 34 matches, breaking the 19 set by Werder Bremen in 1988 and Bayern in 2002.

They became only the second club in the history of the Bundesliga to score a goal every match, equaling the achievement of FC Koln from 1964. Stretching back to last season, this makes 36 matches in a row with a goal scored, equaling the record set by the club in 1973 and 1974. Their goal difference of +80 blows the previous record (+64, Bayern in 1973) out of the water.

Maybe the most impressive thing about Bayern's season was their away record – They won 15 matches on the road (out of 17), beating the previous record of 11; They didn't lose a single match away from home, something only the Bayern team in 1987 did; Their 47 away points is a new record as well, 10 better than the 37 by Dortmund (2012) and Weder Bremen (2004); and also the longest away winning streak with 9, beating Dortmund's 8 from 2011. No one has conceded so few goals away from home (7), breaking the Bremen record of 10 from 1988.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 27, 2013, 06:09:54 AM
Benfica managed to lose it all this season:

- Portuguese league vs Porto by conceding a goal in the stoppage time
- Europa League vs Chel$ki by conceding a goal in the stoppage time (this one I was disappointed)
- Portuguese Cup vs a minor club (Vitoria Guimarães) by conceding two goals in the last 10 minutes

:lmfao:

ps : edited by Josephi request  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 27, 2013, 06:12:46 AM
"Chelski"  :rolleyes: that's what, 9 years old?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 27, 2013, 09:08:59 AM
Quote from: Tamas on May 27, 2013, 06:12:46 AM
"Chelski"  :rolleyes: that's what, 9 years old?

It needs the dollar sign too...Chel$ki
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on May 27, 2013, 12:36:59 PM
Quote from: Syt on May 27, 2013, 03:00:30 AM
Bayern Munich totally dominated the Bundesliga this season, and it's gonna be one for the ages.

You really have to wonder how Pep Guardiola can in any way improve on this season. He can at best win the treble again, but that's quite unlikely.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on May 27, 2013, 12:47:32 PM
I think after this season, coming close to be as dominant would have to be counted a success. But yeah - it's gonna be very, very hard to top this season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on June 03, 2013, 08:56:15 AM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.1000goals.com%2Fwallpapers3%2Fjose-mourinho-picture1.jpg&hash=b849722843d52a5a12ff123dda5908f60bcd4265)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 03, 2013, 09:49:18 AM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fabload.de%2Fimg%2Fmoureturrrrrnedj4n.gif&hash=dcc17e9f80325af848954e1bf02aa50b51d859b8)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 04, 2013, 01:53:56 PM
Quote from: Viking on May 16, 2013, 02:19:13 PM
Quote from: Liep on May 16, 2013, 02:18:00 PM
Quote from: Viking on May 16, 2013, 02:16:40 PM
Quote from: Liep on May 16, 2013, 02:13:25 PM
Reading up on forums about this and the opinion is quite divided with a little majority for a 16 team league.

is that because the supporters of the last 4 teams want them up?
More because the supporters of the bottom 8 teams wants them to stay up. :P

I thought 16-12 = 4 ?



anyways, isn't this development thing best solved by mandating u21 players in the match day squad?
I meant that the bottom 8 will stay up if the league is embiggened, thus securing their teams survival at top level.

Our U19 team is faring quite well atm, media dubbing them the "golden generation". Only 3 in the starting 11 are playing abroad, will be interesting to see how they'll do in the 21 bracket, and where they'll play.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 05, 2013, 11:22:02 AM
Quote from: Tamas on June 03, 2013, 08:56:15 AM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.1000goals.com%2Fwallpapers3%2Fjose-mourinho-picture1.jpg&hash=b849722843d52a5a12ff123dda5908f60bcd4265)
And in managerial news that'll excite no-one but me, Everton have, at last, appointed Roberto Martinez :w00t: :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 05, 2013, 01:55:13 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on June 05, 2013, 11:22:02 AM
Quote from: Tamas on June 03, 2013, 08:56:15 AM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.1000goals.com%2Fwallpapers3%2Fjose-mourinho-picture1.jpg&hash=b849722843d52a5a12ff123dda5908f60bcd4265)
And in managerial news that'll excite no-one but me, Everton have, at last, appointed Roberto Martinez :w00t: :wub:

A marriage made in heaven.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on June 05, 2013, 02:01:27 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on June 05, 2013, 11:22:02 AM
Quote from: Tamas on June 03, 2013, 08:56:15 AM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.1000goals.com%2Fwallpapers3%2Fjose-mourinho-picture1.jpg&hash=b849722843d52a5a12ff123dda5908f60bcd4265)
And in managerial news that'll excite no-one but me, Everton have, at last, appointed Roberto Martinez :w00t: :wub:

So we can look forward to Everton playing miserably until the last eight matches from which they put in a series of storming victories?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 06, 2013, 08:42:29 AM
Quote from: Warspite on June 05, 2013, 02:01:27 PM
So we can look forward to Everton playing miserably until the last eight matches from which they put in a series of storming victories?
It'll make a pleasant change from playing miserably until January :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 07, 2013, 09:07:56 PM
Jozy Altidore is scoring for the national team again (against Germany and now Jamaica)... now I've seen everything.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 11, 2013, 02:37:22 PM
We're getting our arses kicked by Armenia. Not okay. :mad:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on June 11, 2013, 03:57:45 PM
Quote from: Liep on June 11, 2013, 02:37:22 PM
We're getting our arses kicked by Armenia. Not okay. :mad:

From what I gather it is the most brutal beating armenia has been involved in on either side since 1915.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 11, 2013, 04:11:51 PM
Quote from: Liep on June 11, 2013, 02:37:22 PM
We're getting our arses kicked by Armenia. Not okay. :mad:

Malta beat Armenia  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 11, 2013, 06:48:09 PM
The papers unanimously agree that the coach needs to go. And that they players were a disgrace. Fortunately I was working so didn't see it (I turned off the radio after 30 seconds).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on June 11, 2013, 06:54:48 PM
Watching Mexico-Costa Rica then USA-Panama tonight :w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 11, 2013, 08:18:41 PM
I have it on good authority that Mexico does NOT want to qualify for next year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 11, 2013, 08:54:56 PM
They had to deploy riot guards to stop the Costa Ricans from getting pelted by water bottles.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on June 11, 2013, 09:28:15 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on June 11, 2013, 08:18:41 PM
I have it on good authority that Mexico does NOT want to qualify for next year.

it sure seems that way
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 11, 2013, 09:48:34 PM
Our boy Altidore is all grown up now. :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on June 11, 2013, 09:52:16 PM
Mexico played like the fighting Timmies.

US is missing Jones, but they are scrappy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on June 11, 2013, 09:52:41 PM
Set the record for an American for club scoring this year, and he's only like what 23?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on June 11, 2013, 09:57:40 PM
If Altidore really gets it he could be the first real USA striker that is world class.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 11, 2013, 11:02:39 PM
2-0 win. This plus the Spurs blowout win makes this a really good night.  :cool:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on June 11, 2013, 11:08:11 PM
That was some nice ball movement in the 2nd half too.  I would like to see a refocused Donovan in this mix.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 11, 2013, 11:16:47 PM
Nice to see a Stu Holden appearance at the end too.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 13, 2013, 03:05:05 AM
Quote from: Josephus on June 11, 2013, 04:11:51 PM
Quote from: Liep on June 11, 2013, 02:37:22 PM
We're getting our arses kicked by Armenia. Not okay. :mad:

Malta beat Armenia  :D

In the previous qualifying campaign, Malta was the only team who caused no trouble for Portugal ;)

After beating Russia with a tenuous 1-0 in Lisbon, Portugal can now hope for playoffs since even they are first of their group they have played two more games than Russia who is two points behind and one more than Israel, itself three points behind and has one game to play with Portugal. Portugal other games are vs Northern Ireland away and with Luxemburg at home as in Portugal since when in Luxemburg it's like playing home. ;)

In others news, France lost 0-3 to Brazil in their South American tour after losing 0-1 to Uruguay. Not great for the new coach Didier Deschamps who lost 5 games out of 11.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 13, 2013, 03:23:13 AM
Laudrup to PSG? While that could be interesting to watch, maybe he should try and stay more than one season at a club.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 13, 2013, 04:05:06 AM
Quote from: Liep on June 13, 2013, 03:23:13 AM
Laudrup to PSG? While that could be interesting to watch, maybe he should try and stay more than one season at a club.
http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Le-psg-avance-sur-m-laudrup/378242
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 13, 2013, 06:09:26 AM
Quote from: Liep on June 13, 2013, 04:05:06 AM
Quote from: Liep on June 13, 2013, 03:23:13 AM
Laudrup to PSG? While that could be interesting to watch, maybe he should try and stay more than one season at a club.
http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Le-psg-avance-sur-m-laudrup/378242

Remember, if it's to PSG, it could be for even less than a season, depending on Leonardo's suspension.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 14, 2013, 04:32:42 PM
Watching a really interesting documentary about danish footballer William Kvist, recently he has gone from star player in Stuttgart to the bench.

He's the atypical player, bachelor degree in economics, reads poetry, etc. Some nice insights into the mind of a professional footballer.

http://www.dr.dk/tv/se/indefra-med-anders-agger/indefra-med-anders-agger-8-8#!/

In Danish. All Danes, btw, should watch the rest of the series.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 19, 2013, 11:52:20 AM
Spain defeated Italy yesterday, claiming the European U 21 championship, it's second in a row after winning also in 2011. The Spanish U 19 team is also the current European champion for the second year in a row and will compete in July for a record breaking third championship. The U 20 team will fight for the world championship this summer.

This is truly a golden age. A veritable embarrassment of riches.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on June 19, 2013, 03:46:40 PM
Quote from: The Larch on June 19, 2013, 11:52:20 AM
Spain defeated Italy yesterday, claiming the European U 21 championship, it's second in a row after winning also in 2011. The Spanish U 19 team is also the current European champion for the second year in a row and will compete in July for a record breaking third championship. The U 20 team will fight for the world championship this summer.

This is truly a golden age. A veritable embarrassment of riches.
It's not like Spanish youth have much to do besides playing football. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 19, 2013, 05:54:10 PM
Quote from: Zanza on June 19, 2013, 03:46:40 PM
Quote from: The Larch on June 19, 2013, 11:52:20 AM
Spain defeated Italy yesterday, claiming the European U 21 championship, it's second in a row after winning also in 2011. The Spanish U 19 team is also the current European champion for the second year in a row and will compete in July for a record breaking third championship. The U 20 team will fight for the world championship this summer.

This is truly a golden age. A veritable embarrassment of riches.
It's not like Spanish youth have much to do besides playing football. :P

The ones that get to that level might end up extremely well employed, so it's an investment.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on June 19, 2013, 05:55:54 PM
US did what they had to, and looks like Altidore is maturing nicely with another goal for 4 straight games with one.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 19, 2013, 09:22:07 PM
Quote from: katmai on June 19, 2013, 05:55:54 PM
US did what they had to, and looks like Altidore is maturing nicely with another goal for 4 straight games with one.

I am slowly preparing myself for when the media build a giant hype machine around Altidore and then his eventual fall from grace when he goes through another goal scoring drought.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on June 19, 2013, 09:30:52 PM
I read a good piece (in the NYT blog?) about Altidore today.  They noted that it wasn't the goal, but rather how he was in the game - charging the goalie late in the match after a back pass and forcing an errant kick that was mark of his maturity.  He seems to be more "in" the game now, and it is showing.

Of course, as a striker, he will always have periods of being on and periods of being off - but it is nice to see Altidore being on when he is needed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 19, 2013, 09:36:04 PM
Knowing I only have time to watch one game from the Confed this evening, I chose to "tape"  the Brazil - Mexico game, instead of what turned out to be a far more exciting Italy-Japan game. Who knew?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 19, 2013, 10:10:57 PM
Apparently Mignolet is going to Liverpool. He's just too good for us. Hope we can get some decent money out of them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 30, 2013, 06:29:01 PM
The producers thank Pique for finally giving them a reason to show footage of Shakira.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 30, 2013, 06:38:00 PM
This is just a warm up anyway, right?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 30, 2013, 06:44:25 PM
Quote from: The Larch on June 30, 2013, 06:38:00 PM
This is just a warm up anyway, right?

Yeah, better luck next year. But Gene Hackman will have made his guys even better by then.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 30, 2013, 10:26:13 PM
Gene Hackman. LOL.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 01, 2013, 03:24:10 AM
Quote from: Liep on June 30, 2013, 06:44:25 PM
Quote from: The Larch on June 30, 2013, 06:38:00 PM
This is just a warm up anyway, right?

Yeah, better luck next year. But Gene Hackman will have made his guys even better by then.

I think that a Mourinho-less year of Spanish footie will work wonders in the spirit of the national team for detoxing purposes, so I hope we'll also be better by then.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 09, 2013, 07:32:25 PM
So, Yanks;
how do you rate this Altidore  fellow?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 09, 2013, 08:28:22 PM
He's still young so don't expect the world from him. Watching the Dutch league is pretty much impossible in 'Murrica but from the clips I've seen of him recently and his recent performances for the national team, he is definitely improving. Honestly can't see the national team performing without him right now.
He's strong and his link up play is decent I think. Also he doesn't seem to dawdle on the ball or make as many bad decisions as he used to. He's only 23 so he's only going to improve, I hope. I'll be rooting for Sunderland this season.
:cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 10, 2013, 06:41:48 PM
Hope he does turn out well... It has been our way in recent seasons to blow vast sums on supposed hot young stars only for them to turn out to be mediocre at best and their careers to go nowhere.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on July 11, 2013, 06:33:04 PM
Dempsey Transfer listed by Spurs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 14, 2013, 09:40:31 PM
Quote from: katmai on July 11, 2013, 06:33:04 PM
Dempsey Transfer listed by Spurs.

He should go to Sunderland and link up with Jozy.  :lol:

Sunderland. America's Team. Make it happen Tyr.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 17, 2013, 01:33:38 AM
:thumbsup:
http://www.rokerreport.com/2013/7/16/4520376/a-bluffers-guide-for-sunderlands-new-american-fanbase
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: clandestino on July 22, 2013, 06:38:47 PM
Seattle Sounders have lent Fredy Montero to the club I support.

To the Americans: is he any good?

It seems he was on loan also last year, so I'm not that hopeful. :unsure:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on July 22, 2013, 06:41:31 PM
Quote from: clandestino on July 22, 2013, 06:38:47 PM
Seattle Sounders have lent Fredy Montero to the club I support.

To the Americans: is he any good?

It seems he was on loan also last year, so I'm not that hopeful. :unsure:

Whoa!

Haven't seen you around for a while! Welcome back :cheers:

... as for Fredy: no idea.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: clandestino on July 22, 2013, 07:01:42 PM
 :cheers:

Thanks mate. :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on July 22, 2013, 07:23:17 PM
Quote from: clandestino on July 22, 2013, 06:38:47 PM
Seattle Sounders have lent Fredy Montero to the club I support.

To the Americans: is he any good?

It seems he was on loan also last year, so I'm not that hopeful. :unsure:

I think they sold him to you guys?

He's been a streaky striker in MLS for Seattle, after the end of the MLS season (in Oct) he went on loan back home in Colombia and right before the start of this years MLS  campaign he was sold.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: clandestino on July 22, 2013, 08:47:36 PM
Quote from: katmai on July 22, 2013, 07:23:17 PM

I think they sold him to you guys?

He's been a streaky striker in MLS for Seattle, after the end of the MLS season (in Oct) he went on loan back home in Colombia and right before the start of this years MLS  campaign he was sold.

According to the papers over here, he was lent with a buy-in clause. No values revealed so far.

Anyway, Sporting is not on a buying streak, being with a few financial problems and atempting to sell or loan anyone with a high pay check. Of course business in soccer can be quite obscure around here, but being valued in the stock exchange makes it less likely.

I don't think they are buying him so far, money is being kept tight this season. The team so far seems to be made of youngsters and a few signings that will only cover the positions options. From what you're telling me this seems the case. He'll be a backup striker, although so far Sporting doesn't have anyone that will be holding that position for sure, so he might see some play, at least in the beggining of the season, unless they get a decent striker/ forward.

Edit: removed a we when refering to the club. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on July 22, 2013, 08:52:15 PM
Yeah he was known as being good regular season player, but in the MLS playoffs or other big games he seemed to disappear.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 24, 2013, 06:03:34 PM
Our Brave American Lads are up against the Honduran hordes today in the Gold Cup Semifinal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on July 24, 2013, 06:17:02 PM
Goooooooal!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on July 24, 2013, 06:32:54 PM
Gooooooooal!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on July 24, 2013, 06:39:50 PM
The female national team lucked their way into a quarter final (by winning a draw) and narrowly beat the French in a penalty shootout.

Finding themselves somewhat in the spotlight from sports journalists coming of a Tour de France high I hope they can find it in them to lose in fashion so the poor Danish nation won't be gripped with female soccer fever. Pray for us. And Heja Norge!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 24, 2013, 06:46:48 PM
Quote from: katmai on July 24, 2013, 06:17:02 PM
Goooooooal!

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fw2dFeT3.gif%3F1&hash=f24d8a2a837083218ed7f109786e9ee2aa682a57)

The US has been playing so much better over the past three months. The progression is amazing. I wonder if it's the Klinsmann factor.  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on July 24, 2013, 06:48:05 PM
Heh, the podcast i was listening to right before the match was cautioning folks to remember this was Belize, Cuba and El Salvador for half of this win streak :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 24, 2013, 06:51:13 PM
Yeah that's definitely a factor.  :lol:

It's still nice to see them manhandle teams they SHOULD be dismantling and not stumbling towards a 1-1 draw against teams fielding semi-pros.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 24, 2013, 07:55:23 PM
Klinsmann sent to the stands. He is truly an American hero now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on July 24, 2013, 09:31:43 PM
US looked good, good movement and energy.  Of course, the goal given up was on a set piece...the team's continued weakness...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on July 25, 2013, 08:56:45 AM
http://concacaf.globalsportsmedia.com/page.php?sport=soccer&language_id=us&page=tournament&view=match&match_id=1459920

Panama 2 Mexico 1

:nelson:

The Championship is within our grasp.

Edit: I looked it up, this is the first time in 22 years Mexico has not reached the Gold Cup finals  :lol:

Ah CONCACAF and your fierce competition.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 25, 2013, 05:42:05 PM
i stopped following after after Canada lost to Guadeloupe.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on July 25, 2013, 05:48:10 PM
Quote from: Josephus on July 25, 2013, 05:42:05 PM
i stopped following after after Canada lost to Guadeloupe.

The Canadian team wasn't very good.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 25, 2013, 09:50:13 PM
Quote from: katmai on July 25, 2013, 05:48:10 PM
Quote from: Josephus on July 25, 2013, 05:42:05 PM
i stopped following after after Canada lost to Guadeloupe.

The Canadian team wasn't very good.

Yeah....no shit  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on July 26, 2013, 04:15:20 AM
So after making headlines that they didn't make headlines even if they were in the EC semi final the Danish female national team lost to Norway, and now won't be making any headlines, still.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 26, 2013, 05:55:17 AM
Its weird Canada can't play football considering the amount of British migration it got/gets.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on July 26, 2013, 06:03:42 AM
Quote from: Tyr on July 26, 2013, 05:55:17 AM
Its weird Canada can't play football considering the amount of British migration it got/gets.

British migration is associated with non-soccer types of football. viz Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina, Canada and US. Soccer was transmitted to the world not through migration rather than through commercial and business links. Argentina is the best example of this, a country without british political control at any time but has both migration and commercial links. Soccer was played in the commercial ports and cities while argentine rugby centers in the regions of welsh and english settlement in the countryside.

To simplify it. It's easy to teach the local dagos soccer, but to form a rugby team you need expats - this is a personal experience from playing rugby in norway. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 26, 2013, 11:47:58 AM
Quote from: Tyr on July 26, 2013, 05:55:17 AM
Its weird Canada can't play football considering the amount of British migration it got/gets.

Because other anglo countries are such powerhouses...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 26, 2013, 04:27:46 PM
And let's not forget the high level of Scottish migration to Canada :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on July 26, 2013, 04:30:34 PM
What's more puzzling is why Canucks aren't any good at/don't play other Dominion sports either, like rugby and cricket.  Summer too short maybe?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on July 26, 2013, 05:27:18 PM
Too much flannel
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 26, 2013, 05:42:23 PM
There's plenty of Italians, Germans and South Americans too. Soccer isn't ingrained in Canadian culture. If you're a decent Canadian athlete you go on to play hockey (what you call ice hockey) because that's where the money is. Now soccer isn't particularly ingrained in American culture either but the Americans are throwing something into it that Canada isn't....money. They're taking the time to develop and scout players and it's paying off nicely. Canada isn't anywhere near that standard.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on July 26, 2013, 09:27:19 PM
QuoteDespite his diminutive stature, veteran guard Nate Robinson has lasted eight NBA seasons and counting. After turning into an unlikely scoring star for the Chicago Bulls last season, Robinson has signed on with the Denver Nuggets, his sixth team. He'll be counted on to provide scoring punch off the bench for a team in need of reinforcements after a tumultuous offseason.

Yet, while the challenge of integrating into a new team stands paramount for any offseason addition, Robinson is also faced with picking a new number. Throughout his career, he has opted for single digits, using Nos. 2, 3, and 4 at his various stops. With his preferred No. 2 retired for Alex English, Robinson has decided to go in a different direction. He will wear No. 10, in honor of one of the best athletes in the world. From an interview with Nate Simmons of Denver Stiffs (via Beyond the Buzzer):

    I usually dig the single digit numbers, but No. 2 is retired. Alex English, great player. He was my coach at predraft camp when I played in Chicago. He was my coach and I averaged like 22 points and 8 assists, something like that, and he was just letting me go. I was like, "Man, it's a pleasure. You rocked my favorite number." I knew exactly who he was and I was like, "Man that No. 2, there is something special about it." I'm going to change it up and wear No. 10. I'm going to wear it for [Lionel] Messi, that's my favorite soccer player. I've been playing a lot of FIFA lately and watching the games. He's the best little guy to do it and I've got to be the best little guy to do it at No. 10 in the NBA. That's my goal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on July 27, 2013, 12:03:21 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on July 26, 2013, 04:30:34 PM
What's more puzzling is why Canucks aren't any good at/don't play other Dominion sports either, like rugby and cricket.  Summer too short maybe?

Dunno.. being culturally overwhelmed by the neighbor to the south perhaps?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 27, 2013, 03:12:39 PM
Quote from: Viking on July 27, 2013, 12:03:21 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on July 26, 2013, 04:30:34 PM
What's more puzzling is why Canucks aren't any good at/don't play other Dominion sports either, like rugby and cricket.  Summer too short maybe?

Dunno.. being culturally overwhelmed by the neighbor to the south perhaps?

cricket hasn't really caught on at all...and rugby is just a college sport at best.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on July 27, 2013, 06:50:48 PM
Quote from: Josephus on July 27, 2013, 03:12:39 PM
Quote from: Viking on July 27, 2013, 12:03:21 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on July 26, 2013, 04:30:34 PM
What's more puzzling is why Canucks aren't any good at/don't play other Dominion sports either, like rugby and cricket.  Summer too short maybe?

Dunno.. being culturally overwhelmed by the neighbor to the south perhaps?

cricket hasn't really caught on at all...and rugby is just a college sport at best.

I don't know how that is relevant... since both cricket and rugby did catch on in the US. Baseball is "legendarily" invented by Abdner Doubleday when he ditches the cricket gear his civil war army is carrying on campaign and has the men play Rounders (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rounders) instead.. which became baseball. Football becomes distinct in the US when Heisman introduces the forward pass to avoid the problem of the primacy of the defense with the banning of the lethal Flying Wedge (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_wedge).

Baseball and Football are evolved from Cricket and Rugby.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 27, 2013, 07:21:19 PM
Apparently Spurs turned down a €100 million offer for Bale :blink:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 28, 2013, 01:57:54 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on July 27, 2013, 07:21:19 PM
Apparently Spurs turned down a €100 million offer for Bale :blink:
:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on July 28, 2013, 03:41:25 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on July 27, 2013, 07:21:19 PM
Apparently Spurs turned down a €100 million offer for Bale :blink:

This is what happens when you let the  :Joos run a football club.

But seriously, they have solid finances, a good relationship with Bale, ambitions to join the top 4 in england. Real Madrid need a Ronaldo replacement and PSG has the money too. The can let them bid.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 28, 2013, 05:16:59 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on July 26, 2013, 04:30:34 PM
What's more puzzling is why Canucks aren't any good at/don't play other Dominion sports either, like rugby and cricket.  Summer too short maybe?
The main reason I think, which covers the US too, is north America was quite heavily colonised before the sports were fully codified. They thus de sloped their own codes.

But yeah, given the constant influx of immigrants it's odd that some don't stick to the games they know.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 28, 2013, 05:19:16 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 26, 2013, 11:47:58 AM
Quote from: Tyr on July 26, 2013, 05:55:17 AM
Its weird Canada can't play football considering the amount of British migration it got/gets.

Because other anglo countries are such powerhouses...




Australia have always been pretty respectable. For much of their history they suffered from being in Oceania however and having no real teams to play.
South Africa struggled due to apartheid. Football is  mainly black sport whilst the whites like cricket and rugby, so...it's only recently it has been able to develop.
The US have always been somewhat decent, never a world beater but perpetually there on the fringe.
NZ is small. And in Oceania. Does ok considering its positionthough
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on July 28, 2013, 05:55:17 AM
Quote from: Tyr on July 28, 2013, 05:19:16 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 26, 2013, 11:47:58 AM
Quote from: Tyr on July 26, 2013, 05:55:17 AM
Its weird Canada can't play football considering the amount of British migration it got/gets.

Because other anglo countries are such powerhouses...




Australia have always been pretty respectable. For much of their history they suffered from being in Oceania however and having no real teams to play.
South Africa struggled due to apartheid. Football is  mainly black sport whilst the whites like cricket and rugby, so...it's only recently it has been able to develop.
The US have always been somewhat decent, never a world beater but perpetually there on the fringe.
NZ is small. And in Oceania. Does ok considering its positionthough

Until the 1995 Rugby world cup in south africa sports was apartheid. Soccer was anti-apartheid, rugby and cricket were pro-apartheid. Things has changed here, but still the south african rugby and cricket teams are white with a few blacks on it and the soccer team is black with a few whites on it.

As for australia. Soccer is played by the greek, italian, serbian and croat immigrants NOT by the decendents of the anglo and irish "locals". The best Australian soccer player of all time, Christian Vieri, came to australia as an infant and was discovered by an italian scout which playing for an ethnic italian club in melbourne.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 28, 2013, 06:50:53 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on July 27, 2013, 07:21:19 PM
Apparently Spurs turned down a €100 million offer for Bale :blink:

Appently they changed their minds
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on July 28, 2013, 06:59:13 AM
€100 million could change my mind about a few things, too.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 28, 2013, 08:24:53 AM
Whatever happened to this financial fair play stuff that is suppose  to be coming in? Hmm....
100 million is crazy money for anyone. But Bale?? Good player certainly but not the sort of superstar who breaks records like that
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 28, 2013, 10:53:29 AM
Quote from: Tyr on July 28, 2013, 05:19:16 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 26, 2013, 11:47:58 AM
Quote from: Tyr on July 26, 2013, 05:55:17 AM
Its weird Canada can't play football considering the amount of British migration it got/gets.

Because other anglo countries are such powerhouses...

Australia have always been pretty respectable. For much of their history they suffered from being in Oceania however and having no real teams to play.
South Africa struggled due to apartheid. Football is  mainly black sport whilst the whites like cricket and rugby, so...it's only recently it has been able to develop.
The US have always been somewhat decent, never a world beater but perpetually there on the fringe.
NZ is small. And in Oceania. Does ok considering its positionthough

As you've already been told, British influence in those countries has very little to do with their footie prowess. There'd be a better case to be built with Nigeria or Ghana, they have football clubs that are older than many European counterparts.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 28, 2013, 05:07:39 PM
Klinsmann wins his first trophy as USMNT manager.  :)

USA USA USA USA
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 28, 2013, 06:00:00 PM
Nice win.

I prefer the blue jersey to the Where's Waldo stripes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on July 28, 2013, 06:07:55 PM
Geez the last 10 minutes was a wrestling/boxing match.  Still, it is nice to raise a trophy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on July 29, 2013, 07:48:21 AM
Quote from: Tyr on July 26, 2013, 05:55:17 AM
Its weird Canada can't play football considering the amount of British migration it got/gets.

The real puzzle is why England isn't any good, despite having the infrastructure and culture to play the game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 29, 2013, 04:55:32 PM
England hasn't been good at much of anything really for a long time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on July 29, 2013, 05:51:54 PM
QuoteWell, Premier League fans were promised coverage like they'd never seen before, and the NBC Sports Group appears to have delivered.

The network announced its EPL schedule through December 1 on Monday, and it features an impressive commitment to the league. NBC itself will air 10 matches live on Saturday afternoons, while NBC Sports Network (soon-to-be rebranded as NBCSN) will air 57 matches on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. CNBC will chip in with two additional Sunday matches, while Telemundo and mun2 will handle Spanish-language broadcasts of 27 matches.

NBC will also make every game available via TV Everywhere (the NBC Sports Live Extra App) and via a new package that works similar to the MLB Extra Innings or NFL Sunday Ticket packages. This is known as Premier League Extra Time. To date, AT&T U-Verse, Cablevision, Comcast, DIRECTV, DISH and Suddenlink have opted to carry the Extra Time package. Verizon hasn't agreed to carry Extra Time, but does grant access to the NBC Sports Live Extra app. 100 other partners have also opted in. If you'd like a definitive yes or no, perhaps leave the name of your provider in the comments and we'll get it sorted out.

The way things work is as follows: typically, NBCSN will air a game at 7:45 a.m. ET that has already been scheduled. At 10 a.m. ET, they will air a match that will be determined as the season goes along (a spokesman for NBC told me to expend the announcement of the first month soon). NBC will air 10 matches between now and Dec. 1 live at 12:30 p.m. ET. It is the largest-ever commitment to EPL (or really any soccer league) by a broadcast network in the United States.

Arlo White is the lead play-by-play man for the EPL on NBC. He'll call two matches per week with either Lee Dixon or Graham Le Saux. Rebecca Lowe hosts NBC's studio show for all Premier League coverage.

What follows is NBC's 69-game schedule of EPL matches through Dec. 1. Note that some matches are subject to change due to things like Europa League matches moving games back from Saturdays to Sundays, but most of the matches listed here are fairly set in stone.

Date    Time    Match    Network
Aug. 17    7:45 a.m. ET    Liverpool vs. Stoke    NBCSN
Aug. 17    10 a.m. ET    TBD    NBCSN
Aug. 17    12:30 p.m. ET    Swansea vs. Manchester United    NBC
Aug. 18    8:30 a.m. ET    Crystal Palace vs. Tottenham    NBCSN
Aug. 18    11 a.m. ET    Chelsea vs. Hull    NBCSN
Aug. 19    3 p.m. ET    Manchester City vs. Newcastle    NBCSN
Aug. 21    2:30 p.m. ET    Chelsea vs. Aston Villa    NBCSN
Aug. 24    7:45 a.m. ET    Fulham vs. Arsenal    NBCSN
Aug. 24    10 a.m. ET    TBD    NBCSN
Aug. 24    12:30 p.m. ET    Aston Villa vs. Liverpool    NBC
Aug. 25    11 a.m. ET    TBD    NBCSN
Aug. 26    3 p.m. ET    Manchester United vs. Chelsea    NBCSN
Aug. 31    7:45 a.m. ET    Manchester City vs. Hull    NBCSN
Aug. 31    10 a.m. ET    TBD    NBCSN
Aug. 31    12:30 p.m. ET    Crystal Palace vs. Sunderland    NBC
Sept. 1    8:30 a.m. ET    Liverpool vs. Manchester United    NBCSN
Sept. 1    11 a.m. ET    Arsenal vs. Tottenham    NBCSN
Sept. 14    7:45 a.m. ET    Manchester United vs. Crystal Palace    NBCSN
Sept. 14    10 a.m. ET    TBD    NBCSN
Sept. 14    12:30 p.m. ET    Everton vs. Chelsea    NBC
Sept. 15    11 a.m. ET    Southampton vs. West Ham    NBCSN
Sept. 16    3 p.m. ET    Swansea vs. Liverpool    NBCSN
Sept. 21    7:45 a.m. ET    Norwich vs. Aston Villa    NBCSN
Sept. 21    10 a.m. ET    TBD    NBCSN
Sept. 21    12:30 p.m. ET    Chelsea vs. Fulham    NBCSN
Sept. 22    8:30 a.m. ET    Arsenal vs. Stoke    CNBC
Sept. 22    11 a.m. ET    Manchester City vs. Manchester United    NBCSN
Sept. 28    7:45 a.m. ET    Manchester City vs. Everton    NBCSN
Sept. 28    10 a.m. ET    TBD    NBCSN
Sept. 28    12:30 p.m. ET    Swansea vs. Arsenal    NBC
Sept. 29    8:30 a.m. ET    Stoke vs. Norwich    NBCSN
Sept. 29    11 a.m. ET    Sunderland vs. Liverpool    NBCSN
Sept. 30    3 p.m. ET    Everton vs. Newcastle    NBCSN
Oct. 5    7:45 a.m. ET    Manchester City vs. Everton    NBCSN
Oct. 5    10 a.m. ET    TBD    NBCSN
Oct. 5    12:30 p.m. ET    Sunderland vs. Manchester United    NBC
Oct. 6    8:30 a.m. ET    Norwich vs. Chelsea    NBCSN
Oct. 6    11 a.m. ET    West Brom vs. Arsenal    NBCSN
Oct. 19    7:45 a.m. ET    Newcastle vs. Liverpool    NBCSN
Oct. 19    10 a.m. ET    TBD    NBCSN
Oct. 19    12:30 p.m. ET    West Ham vs. Manchester City    NBC
Oct. 20    11 a.m. ET    Aston Villa vs. Tottenham    NBCSN
Oct. 21    3 p.m. ET    Crystal Palace vs. Fulham    NBCSN
Oct. 26    7:45 a.m. ET    Crystal Palace vs. Arsenal    NBCSN
Oct. 26    10 a.m. ET    TBD    NBCSN
Oct. 26    12:30 p.m. ET    Southampton vs. Fulham    NBCSN
Oct. 27    9:30 a.m. ET    Chelsea vs. Manchester City    NBCSN
Oct. 27    12 p.m. ET    Sunderland vs. Newcastle    NBCSN
Nov. 2    8:45 a.m. ET    Newcastle vs. Chelsea    NBCSN
Nov. 2    11 a.m. ET    TBD    NBCSN
Nov. 2    1:30 p.m. ET    Arsenal vs. Liverpool    NBC
Nov. 3    8:30 a.m. ET    Everton vs. Tottenham    CNBC
Nov. 3    11 a.m. ET    Cardiff vs. Swansea    NBCSN
Nov. 9    10 a.m. ET    TBD    NBCSN
Nov. 9    12:30 p.m. ET    Norwich vs. West Ham    NBC
Nov. 10    7 a.m. ET    Tottenham vs. Newcastle    NBCSN
Nov. 10    9 a.m. ET    Sunderland vs. Manchester City    NBCSN
Nov. 10    11 a.m. ET    Manchester United vs. Arsenal    NBCSN
Nov. 23    7:45 a.m. ET    Everton vs. Liverpool    NBCSN
Nov. 23    10 a.m. ET    TBD    NBCSN
Nov. 23    12:30 p.m. ET    Manchester City vs. Tottenham    NBC
Nov. 24    8:30 a.m. ET    West Ham vs. Chelsea    NBCSN
Nov. 24    11 a.m. ET    Cardiff vs. Manchester United    NBCSN
Nov. 25    3 p.m. ET    West Brom vs. Aston Villa    NBCSN
Nov. 30    7:45 a.m. ET    Tottenham vs. Manchester United    NBCSN
Nov. 30    10 a.m. ET    TBD    NBCSN
Nov. 30    12:30 p.m. ET    Newcastle vs. West Brom    NBC
Dec. 1    8:30 a.m. ET    Hull vs. Liverpool    NBCSN
Dec. 1    11 a.m. ET    Chelsea vs. Southampton    NBCSN
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on July 29, 2013, 06:26:23 PM
Still needs Ian Darke.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 29, 2013, 06:27:01 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on July 29, 2013, 06:26:23 PM
Still needs Ian Darke.

This
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 29, 2013, 06:27:21 PM
Some riveting matches out there!

QuoteAug. 31    12:30 p.m. ET    Crystal Palace vs. Sunderland    NBC
Sept. 21    7:45 a.m. ET    Norwich vs. Aston Villa    NBCSN
Sept. 29    8:30 a.m. ET    Stoke vs. Norwich    NBCSN
Oct. 21    3 p.m. ET    Crystal Palace vs. Fulham    NBCSN
Oct. 26    12:30 p.m. ET    Southampton vs. Fulham    NBCSN
Oct. 27    12 p.m. ET    Sunderland vs. Newcastle    NBCSN
Nov. 3    11 a.m. ET    Cardiff vs. Swansea    NBCSN
Nov. 9    12:30 p.m. ET    Norwich vs. West Ham    NBC
Nov. 25    3 p.m. ET    West Brom vs. Aston Villa    NBCSN
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 29, 2013, 06:30:52 PM
Cardiff v Swansea should be good.

As with the domestic TV, not enough Everton <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on July 29, 2013, 08:02:31 PM
Stuart Holden tore his ACL.  A damn shame.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on July 29, 2013, 08:21:49 PM
Quote from: PDH on July 29, 2013, 08:02:31 PM
Stuart Holden tore his ACL.  A damn shame.

Damn, poor sob his snakebit is snakebit!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on July 29, 2013, 08:29:43 PM
Spaz.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on July 29, 2013, 08:30:22 PM
In his sleep he probably sees Evans coming at him studs high to this day.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 30, 2013, 12:31:43 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 29, 2013, 06:27:21 PM
Some riveting matches out there!

QuoteAug. 31    12:30 p.m. ET    Crystal Palace vs. Sunderland    NBC
Sept. 21    7:45 a.m. ET    Norwich vs. Aston Villa    NBCSN
Sept. 29    8:30 a.m. ET    Stoke vs. Norwich    NBCSN
Oct. 21    3 p.m. ET    Crystal Palace vs. Fulham    NBCSN
Oct. 26    12:30 p.m. ET    Southampton vs. Fulham    NBCSN
Oct. 27    12 p.m. ET    Sunderland vs. Newcastle    NBCSN
Nov. 3    11 a.m. ET    Cardiff vs. Swansea    NBCSN
Nov. 9    12:30 p.m. ET    Norwich vs. West Ham    NBC
Nov. 25    3 p.m. ET    West Brom vs. Aston Villa    NBCSN

Sarcasm?
Odd mix, some like Southampton,-Fulham at  thoroughly meh but the derbies will be good
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on August 02, 2013, 09:17:49 PM
Twitter reports of Clint Dempsey to Seattle.

Seems kinda off when just last summer he moved from Fulham because he wanted chance to play in Champions league.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on August 02, 2013, 10:03:12 PM
It seems to be done. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 04, 2013, 09:24:02 PM
Dempsey's unveiling at Seattle: http://youtu.be/zFr5MM7EdGw

My favorite part is the Deuce rap  :lol:
So that leaves Bradley at Roma and now Jozy at Sunderland as our best players overseas, ignoring the few other Americans playing on smaller teams in smaller leagues.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 05, 2013, 12:50:36 PM
NBC, in anticipation of millions of new American soccer fans following their first season of English Premier League coverage, created this: Premier League Pick a Side (http://www.nbcsports.com/PremierLeague)

I eagerly await the newly formed legions of my fellow American plastics.  :bowler: :bowler: :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on August 05, 2013, 01:30:28 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 05, 2013, 12:50:36 PM
NBC, in anticipation of millions of new American soccer fans following their first season of English Premier League coverage, created this: Premier League Pick a Side (http://www.nbcsports.com/PremierLeague)

I eagerly await the newly formed legions of my fellow American plastics.  :bowler: :bowler: :bowler:

That questionnaire failed because it completely missed the class warfare and regional chauvinism which is vital for deciding which team to support.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 05, 2013, 02:24:47 PM
I don't think NBC means it to be a serious thing, but if people actually use it to decide who to follow that wouldn't surprise me. In conversations I've had with a few people IRL, when I'm asked what team they should follow, I just say they should just watch as many games as they can and form their own opinion. You don't need to follow one if you just enjoy the game for its own sake. I guess it appeals to people though because if you feel you have a personal stake in a team then that makes it more exciting. I've met someone who was simultaneously a Manchester City fan, a Bayern Munich fan, a Spurs fan, and a Chelsea fan. I know that would make some people keel over in absurdity.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 05, 2013, 02:44:35 PM
Surely tracing your family / local history to whichever region if England is the correct way to go. :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on August 05, 2013, 03:05:02 PM
Quote from: Tyr on August 05, 2013, 02:44:35 PM
Surely tracing your family / local history to whichever region if England is the correct way to go. :bowler:

I'd rather go analogy to city and culture so you get the same emotional relationship you have towards your american sports team to your english soccer one.

Or, you could do it the scandinavian way. Every single scandinavian person has an english team, even if they are not soccer fans. It is either determined by some emotional connection to some city in england or some event in england or some person from england, or it is inherited from family (e.g. my dad loved coventry, so I love coventry, and if I ever go to england I will go to a coventry game!!!!!111111oneoneone) or it is the home team in the first full game you watched on tv. That last one is surprisingly arbitrary, but apparently completely binding.

BTW, referring to the first of the scandinavian reasons, when Newcastle Brown Ale started becoming popular in norway 20 years ago the amount of magpie fans increased massively.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 05, 2013, 03:11:49 PM
Quote from: Viking on August 05, 2013, 03:05:02 PMor it is the home team in the first full game you watched on tv. That last one is surprisingly arbitrary, but apparently completely binding. 

Indeed, the legendary 'Tipslørdag' programme showed one game each Saturday, and is why I have a connection to Sheffield Wednesday. Not that I follow them intensely, but they are often my choice of team in Football Manager. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on August 06, 2013, 02:48:34 PM
Quote from: Tyr on August 05, 2013, 02:44:35 PM
Surely tracing your family / local history to whichever region if England is the correct way to go. :bowler:

That would mean I would have to be a Liverpool fan :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on August 06, 2013, 03:13:20 PM
VALMY IS A SCOUSER!

Lets laugh at him.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on August 06, 2013, 03:14:38 PM
Quote from: Valmy on August 06, 2013, 02:48:34 PM
Quote from: Tyr on August 05, 2013, 02:44:35 PM
Surely tracing your family / local history to whichever region if England is the correct way to go. :bowler:

That would mean I would have to be a Liverpool fan :(

Or Everton.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on August 06, 2013, 03:16:01 PM
Quote from: Jacob on August 06, 2013, 03:14:38 PM
Quote from: Valmy on August 06, 2013, 02:48:34 PM
Quote from: Tyr on August 05, 2013, 02:44:35 PM
Surely tracing your family / local history to whichever region if England is the correct way to go. :bowler:

That would mean I would have to be a Liverpool fan :(

Or Everton.

Ewwwww.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on August 06, 2013, 03:19:36 PM
Quote from: Viking on August 05, 2013, 03:05:02 PMI'd rather go analogy to city and culture so you get the same emotional relationship you have towards your american sports team to your english soccer one.

Or, you could do it the scandinavian way. Every single scandinavian person has an english team, even if they are not soccer fans. It is either determined by some emotional connection to some city in england or some event in england or some person from england, or it is inherited from family (e.g. my dad loved coventry, so I love coventry, and if I ever go to england I will go to a coventry game!!!!!111111oneoneone) or it is the home team in the first full game you watched on tv. That last one is surprisingly arbitrary, but apparently completely binding.

BTW, referring to the first of the scandinavian reasons, when Newcastle Brown Ale started becoming popular in norway 20 years ago the amount of magpie fans increased massively.

Exactly.

However many years ago when I was nine or so we were watching the game at my mate's house while and there was this one guy on the team whose play style and heart I liked and since then the Spurs have been the team for me in the English league (this was before the EPL was a thing).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on August 06, 2013, 03:21:55 PM
I just pick whoever tickles my fancy. Like when I was a kid and Bobby Knight was yelling at everybody. Right then, I like Hoosier basketball.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on August 06, 2013, 03:24:32 PM
I found this far more entertaining than I probably should: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KeG_i8CWE8
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on August 06, 2013, 03:59:18 PM
Quote from: Valmy on August 06, 2013, 03:24:32 PM
I found this far more entertaining than I probably should: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KeG_i8CWE8

:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on August 06, 2013, 04:10:00 PM
Quote from: Valmy on August 06, 2013, 03:24:32 PM
I found this far more entertaining than I probably should: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KeG_i8CWE8

That was pretty funny :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on August 06, 2013, 04:12:10 PM
Quote from: Jacob on August 06, 2013, 03:19:36 PM
Quote from: Viking on August 05, 2013, 03:05:02 PMI'd rather go analogy to city and culture so you get the same emotional relationship you have towards your american sports team to your english soccer one.

Or, you could do it the scandinavian way. Every single scandinavian person has an english team, even if they are not soccer fans. It is either determined by some emotional connection to some city in england or some event in england or some person from england, or it is inherited from family (e.g. my dad loved coventry, so I love coventry, and if I ever go to england I will go to a coventry game!!!!!111111oneoneone) or it is the home team in the first full game you watched on tv. That last one is surprisingly arbitrary, but apparently completely binding.

BTW, referring to the first of the scandinavian reasons, when Newcastle Brown Ale started becoming popular in norway 20 years ago the amount of magpie fans increased massively.

Exactly.

However many years ago when I was nine or so we were watching the game at my mate's house while and there was this one guy on the team whose play style and heart I liked and since then the Spurs have been the team for me in the English league (this was before the EPL was a thing).

Ginola? Gazza?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on August 06, 2013, 04:18:52 PM
Quote from: Viking on August 06, 2013, 04:12:10 PMGinola? Gazza?

It was in the early 80s - maybe 82 or 83, so it was before either of those two. I never did learn his name....
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on August 06, 2013, 04:20:28 PM
Quote from: Jacob on August 06, 2013, 04:18:52 PM
Quote from: Viking on August 06, 2013, 04:12:10 PMGinola? Gazza?

It was in the early 80s - maybe 82 or 83, so it was before either of those two. I never did learn his name....

I was going to post as much, but my browser swallowed it. 

Maybe Hoddle or perhaps Chris Waddle ?

edit:
maybe check out the 1980s section on this wiki, could be one of those:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Tottenham_Hotspur_F.C. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Tottenham_Hotspur_F.C.)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on August 06, 2013, 04:25:00 PM
Quote from: Jacob on August 06, 2013, 04:18:52 PM
Quote from: Viking on August 06, 2013, 04:12:10 PMGinola? Gazza?

It was in the early 80s - maybe 82 or 83, so it was before either of those two. I never did learn his name....

Ardiles?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on August 06, 2013, 04:26:51 PM
Ok so...if I were to live in the Ellesmere Port area which club would I be supporting?  Everton?  Liverpool?  Other?

And I mean Premier League not whatever two bit local bunch I would be watching.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on August 06, 2013, 04:36:22 PM
Quote from: Viking on August 06, 2013, 04:25:00 PM
Quote from: Jacob on August 06, 2013, 04:18:52 PM
Quote from: Viking on August 06, 2013, 04:12:10 PMGinola? Gazza?

It was in the early 80s - maybe 82 or 83, so it was before either of those two. I never did learn his name....

Ardiles?

Ricardo Villa
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on August 06, 2013, 04:37:34 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 05, 2013, 12:50:36 PM
NBC, in anticipation of millions of new American soccer fans following their first season of English Premier League coverage, created this: Premier League Pick a Side (http://www.nbcsports.com/PremierLeague)

I eagerly await the newly formed legions of my fellow American plastics.  :bowler: :bowler: :bowler:

It gave me Man U.  I don't think so.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on August 06, 2013, 04:38:36 PM
Quote from: Valmy on August 06, 2013, 04:26:51 PM
Ok so...if I were to live in the Ellesmere Port area which club would I be supporting?  Everton?  Liverpool?  Other?

And I mean Premier League not whatever two bit local bunch I would be watching.

Since anfield and goodison park are almost next to each other and on the far side of the liverpool area you can pick either.. or.. wrexham in the welsh league  :lol:

but pick a side

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merseyside_derby

basically they both fish in the same pond, so... blue or red?

edit: if you still can't decide.. go for the "friendly derby" trope, get your significant other or some person you truly care about, get them to pick one and then go for the other.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on August 06, 2013, 04:41:25 PM
Quote from: Barrister on August 06, 2013, 04:37:34 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 05, 2013, 12:50:36 PM
NBC, in anticipation of millions of new American soccer fans following their first season of English Premier League coverage, created this: Premier League Pick a Side (http://www.nbcsports.com/PremierLeague)

I eagerly await the newly formed legions of my fellow American plastics.  :bowler: :bowler: :bowler:

It gave me Man U.  I don't think so.

Gave me Arsenal :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 06, 2013, 04:58:03 PM
Quote from: Valmy on August 06, 2013, 02:48:34 PM
Quote from: Tyr on August 05, 2013, 02:44:35 PM
Surely tracing your family / local history to whichever region if England is the correct way to go. :bowler:

That would mean I would have to be a Liverpool fan :(
Or Everton :w00t: :hug:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 08, 2013, 03:59:35 PM
NBC Sports Network is showing a program tonight designed to help your average Joe Shmoe American figure out which Premier League club to support. Hopefully everyone chooses Cardiff or Hull.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on August 09, 2013, 10:01:33 PM
Quote from: katmai on August 06, 2013, 04:41:25 PM
Quote from: Barrister on August 06, 2013, 04:37:34 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 05, 2013, 12:50:36 PM
NBC, in anticipation of millions of new American soccer fans following their first season of English Premier League coverage, created this: Premier League Pick a Side (http://www.nbcsports.com/PremierLeague)

I eagerly await the newly formed legions of my fellow American plastics.  :bowler: :bowler: :bowler:

It gave me Man U.  I don't think so.

Gave me Arsenal :)

I got Chelsea.  But, you know, NBC Sports sucks.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 11, 2013, 11:21:48 AM
Last season's one and two are playing each other today, their current position are last and second last. Great show it will be!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on August 11, 2013, 11:57:49 AM
Quote from: Liep on August 11, 2013, 11:21:48 AM
Last season's one and two are playing each other today, their current position are last and second last. Great show it will be!

What happened with FCK?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 11, 2013, 12:46:28 PM
Quote from: Jacob on August 11, 2013, 11:57:49 AM
Quote from: Liep on August 11, 2013, 11:21:48 AM
Last season's one and two are playing each other today, their current position are last and second last. Great show it will be!

What happened with FCK?
They lost three in a row. Fan outrage followed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 11, 2013, 03:30:42 PM
It ended 2-2 with the last goal scored by a rather spectacular bicycle kick by Nordstrand.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 14, 2013, 03:26:20 PM
Altidore can't stop scoring.  :o Hat trick and an assist lol

Hopefully Sunderland don't ruin him.  :bowler:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Ffpc4MrD.gif&hash=f8946a58e79c0ebd934e8f892ea93043901dd349)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on August 15, 2013, 06:40:02 AM
Nice.

Is that for Sunderland or for Oosa?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on August 15, 2013, 06:52:15 AM
Quote from: katmai on August 06, 2013, 04:41:25 PM
Quote from: Barrister on August 06, 2013, 04:37:34 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 05, 2013, 12:50:36 PM
NBC, in anticipation of millions of new American soccer fans following their first season of English Premier League coverage, created this: Premier League Pick a Side (http://www.nbcsports.com/PremierLeague)

I eagerly await the newly formed legions of my fellow American plastics.  :bowler: :bowler: :bowler:

It gave me Man U.  I don't think so.

Gave me Arsenal :)
it gave me Chelsea :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on August 15, 2013, 08:05:33 AM
Gave me Hitler.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on August 15, 2013, 08:08:43 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on August 15, 2013, 08:05:33 AM
Gave me Hitler.
so you got Chelsea too? :console:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on August 15, 2013, 08:24:21 AM
I'll stick with Loserpool.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on August 15, 2013, 08:49:08 AM
Gives me Norwich.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 15, 2013, 10:59:04 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 15, 2013, 06:40:02 AM
Nice.

Is that for Sunderland or for Oosa?

USA international friendly away game to Bosnia-Herzegovina. Good game to watch. US was 2-0 down at the half, scored four straight and won 3-4.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 15, 2013, 03:12:39 PM
Apparently northern Ireland beat Russia. Weren't the russkies meant to be good these days? :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on August 15, 2013, 03:18:16 PM
Quote from: Tyr on August 15, 2013, 03:12:39 PM
Apparently northern Ireland beat Russia. Weren't the russkies meant to be good these days? :hmm:

Well there is good and then there is Northern Ireland good.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on August 15, 2013, 05:10:55 PM
Quote from: Tyr on August 15, 2013, 03:12:39 PM
Apparently northern Ireland beat Russia. Weren't the russkies meant to be good these days? :hmm:

The thing about European International Soccer.. there a are a whole list of really really small countries that rarely do well but do manage to put together national sides with 8-11 top league players, usually from the minor teams. Even Iceland has manged 2 top league players (Tottenham and Hellas Verona) and 8 second tier (3 dutch league, 2 belgian, 1 russia, 1 serie B and 1 portugese) and another 6 overseas pros (5 in scandinavia 1 in league one). These players do from time to time hold their own against world stars. Even the best teams in the world need to take iceland seriously or they will draw or even lose.

Then again teams like Wales, North Ireland and Slovenia have long traditions of doing decently internationally and have quality players as well as experience professionals. The Euro Championships are a much harder competition to win than the World cup.

Northern Ireland has half a dozen premiership players and the rest are in the championship or scotland (and olympiakos). They should be taken seriously by everybody.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on August 16, 2013, 09:21:44 AM
Quote from: Viking on August 15, 2013, 05:10:55 PM
Then again teams like Wales, North Ireland and Slovenia have long traditions of doing decently internationally and have quality players as well as experience professionals. The Euro Championships are a much harder competition to win than the World cup.

I hear that said by a lot of europeans, but I think it is rather demonstrably false.

16 european teams qualify for the euro championship, and 13 for the World Cup. So at the benefit of avoiding competition from the 3 most marginal european teams in terms of qualifying, you pick up Brazil, Argentina, and 17 other squads from around the world.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 17, 2013, 03:25:16 PM
On that team picker I got Crystal palace for  some dumb reason. Surprise at being in the premier or some such.


Today's result-:bleeding:
Sounds like typical sunderland even despite the new signings. Played a 7-0 win of  a game, failed  to score, the other team got one chance and scored.


Quote from: Jacob on August 06, 2013, 03:19:36 PM
Quote from: Viking on August 05, 2013, 03:05:02 PMI'd rather go analogy to city and culture so you get the same emotional relationship you have towards your american sports team to your english soccer one.

Or, you could do it the scandinavian way. Every single scandinavian person has an english team, even if they are not soccer fans. It is either determined by some emotional connection to some city in england or some event in england or some person from england, or it is inherited from family (e.g. my dad loved coventry, so I love coventry, and if I ever go to england I will go to a coventry game!!!!!111111oneoneone) or it is the home team in the first full game you watched on tv. That last one is surprisingly arbitrary, but apparently completely binding.

BTW, referring to the first of the scandinavian reasons, when Newcastle Brown Ale started becoming popular in norway 20 years ago the amount of magpie fans increased massively.

Exactly.

However many years ago when I was nine or so we were watching the game at my mate's house while and there was this one guy on the team whose play style and heart I liked and since then the Spurs have been the team for me in the English league (this was before the EPL was a thing).

My Italian team are Juventus because when I was a kid we didn't get English football on tv (well, cup finals and maybe once in a blue moon), we did get Italian football though. I liked Ravenelli's celebration.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on August 18, 2013, 04:19:41 AM
Quote from: alfred russel on August 16, 2013, 09:21:44 AM
Quote from: Viking on August 15, 2013, 05:10:55 PM
Then again teams like Wales, North Ireland and Slovenia have long traditions of doing decently internationally and have quality players as well as experience professionals. The Euro Championships are a much harder competition to win than the World cup.

I hear that said by a lot of europeans, but I think it is rather demonstrably false.

16 european teams qualify for the euro championship, and 13 for the World Cup. So at the benefit of avoiding competition from the 3 most marginal european teams in terms of qualifying, you pick up Brazil, Argentina, and 17 other squads from around the world.

The point isn't that Lithuania can challenge for the cup, it is that Germany destroyed Saudi Arabia in the world cup 8-0, while they would count themselves satisfied to get 2-1 in Belfast. Why is the Euro Cup a harder competition to win? Needing to get one more goal against denmark (who famously didn't even qualify for the Euro Cup they won) is more likely to get a goal against the run of play than needing to get a goal against costa rica or south africa.

It is harder for a big side to win, there are more chances to screw up and more potential dark horses to go the whole distance)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Iormlund on August 18, 2013, 08:32:13 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on August 16, 2013, 09:21:44 AM
Quote from: Viking on August 15, 2013, 05:10:55 PM
Then again teams like Wales, North Ireland and Slovenia have long traditions of doing decently internationally and have quality players as well as experience professionals. The Euro Championships are a much harder competition to win than the World cup.

I hear that said by a lot of europeans, but I think it is rather demonstrably false.

16 european teams qualify for the euro championship, and 13 for the World Cup. So at the benefit of avoiding competition from the 3 most marginal european teams in terms of qualifying, you pick up Brazil, Argentina, and 17 other squads from around the world.

It's about the first stage. In the WC there is rarely more than a single group without some fourth rate team from Asia or whatever, so a top contender has to play really badly not to reach the play-offs. In the EC however, there are no charity matches. If you don't play at a 100%, even the Swiss or the Irish are able to ruin your day.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on August 18, 2013, 11:02:29 PM
Quote from: Viking on August 18, 2013, 04:19:41 AM

The point isn't that Lithuania can challenge for the cup, it is that Germany destroyed Saudi Arabia in the world cup 8-0, while they would count themselves satisfied to get 2-1 in Belfast. Why is the Euro Cup a harder competition to win? Needing to get one more goal against denmark (who famously didn't even qualify for the Euro Cup they won) is more likely to get a goal against the run of play than needing to get a goal against costa rica or south africa.

It is harder for a big side to win, there are more chances to screw up and more potential dark horses to go the whole distance)

Except dark horses have never gone the distance in the World Cup (Uruguay might be considered a dark horse now, but not in the state the sport was in at the time and with home field advantage). I'd suggest that dark horses have won the euro cup though others may disagree.

Some easy marks make it into the World Cup, but there are also 32 teams. Getting past the easy marks in the group stage just leaves you in a field of 16, the same as the euro cup starting point.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Iormlund on August 18, 2013, 11:23:19 PM
You got it the other way around Alfred. It's not that any team can win the EC, it's that any team can ruin your chance to win the tournament.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on August 19, 2013, 01:46:23 AM
Quote from: alfred russel on August 18, 2013, 11:02:29 PM

Some easy marks make it into the World Cup, but there are also 32 teams. Getting past the easy marks in the group stage just leaves you in a field of 16, the same as the euro cup starting point.

In a group stage a small side like greece can ruin your day and guarantee his own qualification by just drawing from the group stage. In the group stage a draw is often enough and a competent side going for a draw very often trumps a quality side going for a win. In the knockout stage when both sides are going for the win then the quality side has a greater advantage.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 01, 2013, 08:35:05 AM
Liverpool and United this morning on NBC Sports.

I miss Ian and Macca.  :Embarrass:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on September 01, 2013, 09:34:28 AM
 :)

I liked Gerrard getting in Persie's face. Persie likely not able to understand Gerrard's accent.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 02, 2013, 05:49:39 AM
I'd agree with the European cup is harder assessment.
In the world cup you generally have  a few easy games for the team to gel and get used to the local conditions too.
The world cup has more good teams but by the nature of the competitions structure you're unlikely to eve  meet most  of them. It's the mediocre teams rather than crap team  in the early stages that does it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 02, 2013, 08:51:38 AM
The Bendtner Transfer Saga is getting more coverage here than the astronomical deal sending Bale to Madrid. Right now Arsenal is giving him away for free and are willing to pay him extra money to take a deal. Right now he's apparently close to a deal with Crystal Palace.

He will fail, will Bale fail, too? It'll be tough to be more successful than Ronaldo.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 02, 2013, 05:24:56 PM
Ozil? To Arsenal?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 02, 2013, 06:27:22 PM
Quote from: Josephus on September 02, 2013, 05:24:56 PM
Ozil? To Arsenal?

Warspite's pants are a dairy factory.

The Wenger master plan is slowly being revealed. Not all roses though; still couldn't get another striker, but Walcott, Podolski, Sanogo, and my favorite Arsenal player of all time Nicklas Bendtner are serviceable backups.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 02, 2013, 07:42:44 PM
Not a Gunners fan, but in any case don't think they needed another striker. I think they're good up front. What they needed was a good creative playmaker to get the ball out to Walcott and Geroud. I think they found that in Ozil. Good move.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 06, 2013, 10:37:58 PM
Losing 3-1 right now to Costa Rica. The US midfield is total shit without Bradley. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 07, 2013, 12:35:51 PM
Damn my Maltese almost got a point off Denmark!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on September 07, 2013, 12:45:37 PM
Apparantly, Mexico fired their coach after the loss to Honduras, or maybe he resigned--ESPN's report wasn't quite clear on that point, but the implication seemed to be that he was fired.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on September 07, 2013, 01:54:34 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on September 02, 2013, 06:27:22 PM
Quote from: Josephus on September 02, 2013, 05:24:56 PM
Ozil? To Arsenal?

Warspite's pants are a dairy factory.

:yeah:

Ozil is a wonderful player, and finally replaces Cesc (and is two years younger). It's nice to have options in midfield again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 10, 2013, 05:16:57 PM
USA v Mexico tonight  :licklips:
I'll be in my Labor Economics class tonight :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on September 10, 2013, 09:36:20 PM
I like Mix Diskerud.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 10, 2013, 10:13:07 PM
Mexico are fucked. :o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on September 10, 2013, 10:39:20 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on September 10, 2013, 10:13:07 PM
Mexico are fucked. :o

Nah, they are tied for the playoff spot with Panama. Panama plays Mexico and the US, Mexico plays Panama and Jamaica. I bet they get the playoff spot, which they should win (against New Zealand). Mexico should be sweating it though.

It is too bad the US didn't convert that late PK tonight; that would have put them behind Panama on goal differential.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 11, 2013, 07:59:07 AM
Quote from: alfred russel on September 10, 2013, 10:39:20 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on September 10, 2013, 10:13:07 PM
Mexico are fucked. :o

Nah, they are tied for the playoff spot with Panama. Panama plays Mexico and the US, Mexico plays Panama and Jamaica. I bet they get the playoff spot, which they should win (against New Zealand). Mexico should be sweating it though.

It is too bad the US didn't convert that late PK tonight; that would have put them behind Panama on goal differential.

The table I saw had them below Panama, but it could have been incorrect.

Still, they SHOULD make the 4th spot, and SHOULD win a playoff against fucking Oceania FFS, but the way they played last night, it makes me worry for them.  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on September 11, 2013, 08:30:12 AM
Suck it Mexico! We are going to brazil. We are going to Brazil. We are going, we are going, we are going to Brazil!

Man Mexico looked just horrible yesterday, they excelled at really nothing but flopping.  They are probably going to have to win a playoff with Oceania or something to qualify.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on September 11, 2013, 08:46:12 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on September 11, 2013, 07:59:07 AM

The table I saw had them below Panama, but it could have been incorrect.

Still, they SHOULD make the 4th spot, and SHOULD win a playoff against fucking Oceania FFS, but the way they played last night, it makes me worry for them.  :(

So did the one I saw...but they have the same number of points and goal differential. I'm not sure how the tiebreakers work.

I guess that Panama - Mexico game is going to be huge.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on September 14, 2013, 09:19:26 AM
Sunderland looks fucked.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 14, 2013, 09:50:28 AM
0-zil to the Arsenal lol

Also Olivier Giroud is really, really good.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 14, 2013, 10:09:48 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on September 14, 2013, 09:50:28 AM
0-zil to the Arsenal lol

Also Olivier Giroud is really, really good.


Giroud's only starting until B-52 is ready to play again. :yes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on September 14, 2013, 10:20:52 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on September 14, 2013, 09:19:26 AM
Sunderland looks fucked.

I might be wrong.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on September 14, 2013, 10:26:16 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on September 14, 2013, 10:20:52 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on September 14, 2013, 09:19:26 AM
Sunderland looks fucked.

I might be wrong.

I might be wrong again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 14, 2013, 10:30:45 AM
Christian Eriksen had a good debut for Spurs, 1 assist and involved in the 2-0 goal as well. I predict a rush of Danish Tottenham fans.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 14, 2013, 10:39:58 AM
Quote from: Liep on September 14, 2013, 10:09:48 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on September 14, 2013, 09:50:28 AM
0-zil to the Arsenal lol

Also Olivier Giroud is really, really good.


Giroud's only starting until B-52 is ready to play again. :yes:

Lol
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on September 14, 2013, 02:02:01 PM
Quote from: PDH on September 10, 2013, 09:36:20 PM
I like Mix Diskerud.

We (we as in my local team which I support) got him on the cheap from Stabæk as that club went bankrupt and went to the bottom of the league system here in norway. He signed for a 1 year deal, expecting to go abroad after the year, nobody wanted him, so he signed an extension... THEN he went and earned a spot on the US national team. He'll be helping us qualify for the Champions League next year.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.t-a.no%2Fincoming%2Farticle3640821.ece%2FBINARY%2Fw380%2FJArbk.JPG&hash=14de10e73c67466e7ae5d3f49e2084eaa406098f)

I like Mix too.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on September 14, 2013, 02:04:39 PM
Quote from: Liep on September 14, 2013, 10:30:45 AM
Christian Eriksen had a good debut for Spurs, 1 assist and involved in the 2-0 goal as well. I predict a rush of Danish Tottenham fans.

Seriously dude, way to bury the lead.. about the guy who scored both goals.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 14, 2013, 02:24:10 PM
Quote from: Viking on September 14, 2013, 02:04:39 PM
Seriously dude, way to bury the lead.. about the guy who scored both goals.

Seriously dude, Gylfi is a stupid name. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on September 14, 2013, 02:32:41 PM
Quote from: Liep on September 14, 2013, 02:24:10 PM
Quote from: Viking on September 14, 2013, 02:04:39 PM
Seriously dude, way to bury the lead.. about the guy who scored both goals.

Seriously dude, Gylfi is a stupid name. :P

One of Odin's pseudonyms :contract:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on September 16, 2013, 02:57:12 AM
Hey Clandestino, how you liking Montero so far? :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 16, 2013, 06:34:19 AM
The referee for Sunderland-Arsenal: :bleeding:
Arsenal defender tries to foul Altidore but he fumbles through and scores....referee disallows it and calls the ball back for a Sunderland free kick which was then wasted. ITS CALLED PLAYING AN ADVANTAGE YOU MORON.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 16, 2013, 07:08:48 AM
I once saw a referee fall to his knees begging for forgiveness because he called a foul just before the fouled player scored.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on September 16, 2013, 01:36:50 PM
Quote from: Tyr on September 16, 2013, 06:34:19 AM
The referee for Sunderland-Arsenal: :bleeding:
Arsenal defender tries to foul Altidore but he fumbles through and scores....referee disallows it and calls the ball back for a Sunderland free kick which was then wasted. ITS CALLED PLAYING AN ADVANTAGE YOU MORON.

Consider it cosmic justice for the usual gameplan of: kicking Wilshere off the pitch.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on September 16, 2013, 01:44:02 PM
Quote from: Tyr on September 16, 2013, 06:34:19 AM
The referee for Sunderland-Arsenal: :bleeding:
Arsenal defender tries to foul Altidore but he fumbles through and scores....referee disallows it and calls the ball back for a Sunderland free kick which was then wasted. ITS CALLED PLAYING AN ADVANTAGE YOU MORON.

Anti-American ref bias. :ultra:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on September 16, 2013, 10:02:09 PM
Quote from: Viking on September 14, 2013, 02:02:01 PM

I like Mix too.

The set up for the goal against Mexico was wonderful - his control and movement after just coming on, cutting through the defense, the cross...wonderful.

I am glad his mom is from Arizona.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 17, 2013, 03:41:12 PM
FCK tied 1-1 against Juventus. Hard to believe considering how much FCK suck in the home league right now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 25, 2013, 01:36:19 PM
Big Ben is in the starting eleven against WBA. Maybe this time he won't drink away his talent and appreciate his second chance.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 25, 2013, 02:13:24 PM
Right, so B-52 (now playing with number 23, unfortunately) picked up a minor injury. He ran into a goal post.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 25, 2013, 05:31:36 PM
Bente played 120 minutes, made an assist and scored in the penalty shoot out. Not a bad comeback for the Danish enfant terrible.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on September 28, 2013, 10:33:46 AM
Man City :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 28, 2013, 11:02:49 AM
Man Utd.  :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on September 28, 2013, 12:56:01 PM
gunners!!!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 28, 2013, 01:03:49 PM
Quote from: katmai on September 28, 2013, 12:56:01 PM
gunners!!!

Swansea. :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 28, 2013, 01:14:07 PM
Quote from: Liep on September 28, 2013, 01:03:49 PM
Quote from: katmai on September 28, 2013, 12:56:01 PM
gunners!!!

Swansea. :weep:

Swansea.  :mellow:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on September 28, 2013, 02:25:20 PM
Quote from: Josephus on September 28, 2013, 11:02:49 AM
Man Utd.  :lmfao:

Is this the haunted look of a man awaiting his execution?

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.bbcimg.co.uk%2Fmedia%2Fimages%2F70168000%2Fjpg%2F_70168589_mmftbmnuwbamoyesint.jpg&hash=f50ab07825f4349077a00b64333f1b77f9aa4eb7)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 28, 2013, 03:00:01 PM
Quote from: mongers on September 28, 2013, 02:25:20 PM
Quote from: Josephus on September 28, 2013, 11:02:49 AM
Man Utd.  :lmfao:

Is this the haunted look of a man awaiting his execution?

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.bbcimg.co.uk%2Fmedia%2Fimages%2F70168000%2Fjpg%2F_70168589_mmftbmnuwbamoyesint.jpg&hash=f50ab07825f4349077a00b64333f1b77f9aa4eb7)

:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on September 28, 2013, 03:08:58 PM
He scores when he wants
He scores when he waaa-aaants
Aaron Ramsey
He scores when he wants. :yeah:  :yeah:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on September 28, 2013, 06:08:46 PM
I enjoy Aston Villa fucking people up.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 29, 2013, 12:53:17 PM
Suarez is back :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 29, 2013, 03:33:39 PM
Quote from: mongers on September 28, 2013, 02:25:20 PM
Quote from: Josephus on September 28, 2013, 11:02:49 AM
Man Utd.  :lmfao:

Is this the haunted look of a man awaiting his execution?

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.bbcimg.co.uk%2Fmedia%2Fimages%2F70168000%2Fjpg%2F_70168589_mmftbmnuwbamoyesint.jpg&hash=f50ab07825f4349077a00b64333f1b77f9aa4eb7)
In fairness he looks like that when overjoyed :mellow:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 30, 2013, 02:43:40 PM
Ed. You may shortly see Newcastle fans assaulting a horse :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on September 30, 2013, 04:00:40 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 30, 2013, 02:43:40 PM
Ed. You may shortly see Newcastle fans assaulting a horse :lol:

I was watching the game.  :lol:

Also got to see crying Newcastle kid in the stands.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 30, 2013, 04:54:08 PM
Shelf, you like Everton ya? What do you think of Martinez and how they're playing now?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 03, 2013, 09:30:52 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on September 30, 2013, 04:54:08 PM
Shelf, you like Everton ya? What do you think of Martinez and how they're playing now?
I love him. We did very well in the summer and hopefully we can get another couple of decent permanent signings in January and next year (I'd love Altidore).

So far so good on how we're playing. The first half against Newcastle was the best Everton performance I can remember, it was outstanding. Also we've had some pretty solid defensive performances which was a worry about Martinez.

We've got a younger and deeper squad than under Moyes, and there's a new style of play. So it'll take time and there'll be mistakes. But overall I'm optimistic.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 03, 2013, 09:20:13 PM
I'm hoping to see Everton finish above Moyes' United.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 07, 2013, 08:48:06 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on October 03, 2013, 09:30:52 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on September 30, 2013, 04:54:08 PM
Shelf, you like Everton ya? What do you think of Martinez and how they're playing now?
We did very well in the summer and hopefully we can get another couple of decent permanent signings in January and next year (I'd love Altidore).


To be honest Altidore hasn't looked very good so far this season. I know Sunderland are terrible right now but Altidore isn't doing much to help his cause. He looks slow, is constantly out of position, his movement is bad, and he looks like he just doesn't care. Hopefully the new manager there, whoever it is, will have some faith in him and charge him up some. At least until Fletcher returns and Altidore becomes a permanent sub.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on October 07, 2013, 10:57:39 AM
Did you watch this weekends game?  All i saw was atrocious passing from the midfield until they brought on the 2nd forward.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 07, 2013, 11:21:47 AM
Yeah I did. The team as a whole is bad and will get relegated most likely (sorry Tyr). To be fair to the Jozster he isn't getting very good service. The only player of quality in the midfield is Giaccherini, and a couple of times I could swear he and some of the other Sunderland players were seeing Jozy and deliberately not passing to him. I don't know if that's just in my head, but maybe there's some mistrust in the camp there, which wouldn't be surprising considering who the manager was for many months.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 07, 2013, 12:26:04 PM
I disagree they're just bad. What is particularly frustrating about Sunderland is that they often play so well for long spells...then suddenly fall apart for a little while and let the opposition score and win. Often the other teams goals just come out of nowhere, one minute the ball is bobbing about in midfield and the next its in the back of the net and nobody knows what happened.
We did well against Man Utd for instance. Putting in a good performance gets you nowhere in fooball though.

Also I'd get the opposite impression about scoring. We're pretty good at getting 8/10 of the way towards scoring but completely fall flat in the important part.

I have to just hope for the best. I tell myself we're only 2 wins from a respectable league position, and on paper at least we certainly have good enough players that we shouldn't be in anything like the trouble we are.
Hopefully we'll play like we did for most of the Man Utd game in the next few matches and manage to finally get the season started.

One thing that does really have me worried at Sunderland is that apparently we went in for a more continental system with Di Canio. The old, flawed system of new managers coming in regularly and completely rebuilding the team was to be done away with. We would have head coach Di Canio and a more permanent and solid backroom staff....yet this seems to have been quite thoroughly linked with Di Canio. And the sort of team they want to build remains a mystery to me.

Semi-related: I learned something on Friday. That good new Korean player we have? Turns out he's a stupid racist, infamous in Japan for some incident where he called Japanese people monkeys (despite being Korean.....). Wonder if it played a part in Di Canio aquiring him.


Totally unrelated: Has anyone ever read Soccernomics? I'm reading it now. It makes some pretty nifty academic observations about the game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 07, 2013, 12:57:06 PM
Yeah, to be fair, Sunderland have played Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United so far, and di Canio supposedly lost the confidence of the squad. I figure they only have one direction to go from this position, and that's up.

And yeah, I've read Soccernomics. Really interesting read.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on October 15, 2013, 07:05:39 AM
http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/oct/15/world-cup-2014-qualifier-iceland-norway

Right now Iceland is three games away from qualifying for the Brazil World Cup and if they make it they would be the smallest population country ever to qualify. To qualify first "we" need to either win against norway (which has nothing to play for and  chaos in the backroom) or perfrom as good or better than slovenia against switzerland (which is already qualified). Both away games.

Then Iceland will need to beat one of the seeded second place finishers over two legs.

We have hope and if we crash and burn we will be proud of doing as well as we did.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 15, 2013, 08:45:50 AM
Come on Iceland! That would be fun.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on October 15, 2013, 09:17:13 AM
Especially if they draw Portugal  :)

That said, I'd rather hope Portugal draw France.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 15, 2013, 06:15:43 PM
Eng-er-land!

Just qualified for the world cup. Now follows eight months of english media building them up to be the best team evah!...only to see them get knocked out in the first round.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on October 15, 2013, 06:20:37 PM
annoyed i'm suppose to buy ppv to watch the panama game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 15, 2013, 06:29:52 PM
Quote from: Josephus on October 15, 2013, 06:15:43 PM
Just qualified for the world cup. Now follows eight months of english media building them up to be the best team evah!.
I doubt it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 15, 2013, 10:01:02 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on October 15, 2013, 06:29:52 PM
Quote from: Josephus on October 15, 2013, 06:15:43 PM
Just qualified for the world cup. Now follows eight months of english media building them up to be the best team evah!.
I doubt it.

They tend to do that before every world cup. wait and see.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on October 15, 2013, 10:18:04 PM
Buh Bye Mexico!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on October 15, 2013, 10:23:37 PM
Quote from: katmai on October 15, 2013, 10:18:04 PM
Buh Bye Mexico!

I guess they can thank Zusi for keeping them alive!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 15, 2013, 10:36:30 PM
Quote from: Josephus on October 15, 2013, 10:01:02 PM
They tend to do that before every world cup. wait and see.
Not really. They normally talk about a Semi-Final and maybe, just maybe reaching the final.

I doubt even that'll happen this year because of this team, Roy Hodgson and 2010. Expectations are pretty low and I don't think they'll get out of control. There wasn't any pressure really in Euro 2012.

The previous few tournaments were the 'golden generation' and a lot of hope on the managers.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 15, 2013, 11:31:47 PM
Didn't get to see the game but just saw the CONCACAF scores.

So Mexico loses to Costa Rica in a MUST WIN OMGGGG but still makes the playoff spot because two stoppage time USA goals knock Panama out of fourth? Incredible :lmfao: :lmfao:  :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 15, 2013, 11:34:46 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on October 15, 2013, 10:36:30 PM
Quote from: Josephus on October 15, 2013, 10:01:02 PM
They tend to do that before every world cup. wait and see.
Not really. They normally talk about a Semi-Final and maybe, just maybe reaching the final.

I doubt even that'll happen this year because of this team, Roy Hodgson and 2010. Expectations are pretty low and I don't think they'll get out of control. There wasn't any pressure really in Euro 2012.

The previous few tournaments were the 'golden generation' and a lot of hope on the managers.

Ironically, when expectations are at their lowest, England will make the Final.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 15, 2013, 11:36:42 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 15, 2013, 11:34:46 PM
Ironically, when expectations are at their lowest, England will make the Final.  :P
Don't tell Jos, but that's the plan  :ph34r: :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 16, 2013, 12:20:39 AM
http://youtu.be/oz1XhaBT45I

Mexican commentary of the US goal putting Mexico into the playoff against New Zealand.   :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on October 16, 2013, 01:11:35 AM
 :lol:

What was he saying about the pants after the 3rd US goal?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on October 16, 2013, 04:25:05 AM
Quote from: Josephus on October 15, 2013, 10:01:02 PM

They tend to do that before every world cup. wait and see.

They didn't last time. Or the time before. Or the time before that. 98 was the last time I remember anyone actually suggesting we had a chance.

General consensus is that the quarters are par for us.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 16, 2013, 04:43:20 AM
Quote from: Maladict on October 15, 2013, 09:17:13 AM
Especially if they draw Portugal  :)

That said, I'd rather hope Portugal draw France.

Having Platini at the UEFA would help in this case I guess. ;)
As for Portugal, the tie with Israel really hurt specially since Azerbainja managed to tie at the 90th. Of course, had Portugal won vs Israel, the Russians would have been more motivated...
Third play-offs in a row for Portugal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 16, 2013, 06:22:08 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on October 16, 2013, 01:11:35 AM
:lol:

What was he saying about the pants after the 3rd US goal?

He was saying that the Mexican coach should either man up or resign.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 16, 2013, 06:28:58 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on October 15, 2013, 11:36:42 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 15, 2013, 11:34:46 PM
Ironically, when expectations are at their lowest, England will make the Final.  :P
Don't tell Jos, but that's the plan  :ph34r: :P

hope so... :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on October 16, 2013, 06:51:43 AM
Quote from: Maladict on October 15, 2013, 09:17:13 AM
Especially if they draw Portugal  :)

That said, I'd rather hope Portugal draw France.

"We" can beat anybody, and sometimes we do. I think our possible opponents are Ukraine, Croatia, Portugal and Greece.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on October 16, 2013, 06:55:35 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on October 16, 2013, 01:11:35 AM
:lol:

What was he saying about the pants after the 3rd US goal?

I know what I was saying.... dammit, if it hadn't been for a groin injury last year when we called him up he'd be playing for iceland right now.

sigh, my beloved americans, Aron Jóhansson is our gift to you a product of our genetics and soccer youth development. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on October 16, 2013, 07:38:53 AM

Seeded teams for the WC: Spain, Brazil, Germany, Argentina, Belgium, Switzerland, Colombia, Uruguay/Italy/Holland.

:huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on October 16, 2013, 07:50:49 AM
Quote from: Maladict on October 16, 2013, 07:38:53 AM

Seeded teams for the WC: Spain, Brazil, Germany, Argentina, Belgium, Switzerland, Colombia, Uruguay/Italy/Holland.

:huh:

http://www.fifa.com/worldranking/rankingtable/

It's math, not subjective backroom dealing
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on October 16, 2013, 07:51:36 AM
Supposed to be the top 8 in the rankings as of tomorrow. I don't think Italy have a chance.

Just shows up how crap the rankings are.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 16, 2013, 08:30:15 AM
Quote from: Viking on October 16, 2013, 06:55:35 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on October 16, 2013, 01:11:35 AM
:lol:

What was he saying about the pants after the 3rd US goal?

I know what I was saying.... dammit, if it hadn't been for a groin injury last year when we called him up he'd be playing for iceland right now.

sigh, my beloved americans, Aron Jóhansson is our gift to you a product of our genetics and soccer youth development.

It was fate. :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on October 16, 2013, 09:00:34 AM
Quote from: Viking on October 16, 2013, 07:50:49 AM
Quote from: Maladict on October 16, 2013, 07:38:53 AM
Seeded teams for the WC: Spain, Brazil, Germany, Argentina, Belgium, Switzerland, Colombia, Uruguay/Italy/Holland.

:huh:

http://www.fifa.com/worldranking/rankingtable/

It's math, not subjective backroom dealing

I know it is, but  :huh: is still justified.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on October 16, 2013, 09:16:43 AM
Quote from: Viking on October 16, 2013, 06:51:43 AM
Quote from: Maladict on October 15, 2013, 09:17:13 AM
Especially if they draw Portugal  :)

That said, I'd rather hope Portugal draw France.

"We" can beat anybody, and sometimes we do. I think our possible opponents are Ukraine, Croatia, Portugal and Greece.

Thinking about it.. I hope we get portugal. If only  because the entire world will be rooting for us knock Ronaldo out.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on October 16, 2013, 11:51:35 AM
I cannot believe the freaking US bailed out Mexico like that.  They should have just stood around during injury time and put a stake in Mexico.  Meh.  No less than Mexico would have done for the US in that situation.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on October 16, 2013, 01:56:05 PM
Quote from: The Larch on October 16, 2013, 06:22:08 AM
He was saying that the Mexican coach should either man up or resign.

Thanks.  Can you give me the exact expression for man up please.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 16, 2013, 03:39:20 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on October 16, 2013, 01:56:05 PM
Quote from: The Larch on October 16, 2013, 06:22:08 AM
He was saying that the Mexican coach should either man up or resign.

Thanks.  Can you give me the exact expression for man up please.

He said "ponerse los pantalones", but I had never heard it before, must be Mexican slang or something. Man up is a free translation, you can say "walk the walk", "get real", or something to the same effect.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 16, 2013, 03:45:51 PM
Quote from: Valmy on October 16, 2013, 11:51:35 AM
I cannot believe the freaking US bailed out Mexico like that.  They should have just stood around during injury time and put a stake in Mexico.  Meh.  No less than Mexico would have done for the US in that situation.

It's probably more humiliating for Mexico this way. The only reason why Mexico has a chance to qualify is because their arch rival, at the top of hexagonal and playing with their C team, scored two last minute goals against little Panama. Lmao
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: clandestino on October 17, 2013, 08:49:41 PM
Quote from: katmai on September 16, 2013, 02:57:12 AM
Hey Clandestino, how you liking Montero so far? :P

Was without pc for the last weeks, sorry for the late reply. :)

Montero has been great. He manages to score almost every game and he's currently the best scorer in the league above such players as Porto's Jackson Martinez or Benfica's Oscar Cardozo.

The team so far is completely surprising fans. After the new president was elected last season, although he talked about restoring Sporting, most fans knew that the coffers were empty and that it would be a difficult season, just trying to improve last years 7th finish and securing a UEFA cup spot. The signings were few and cheap and again there was a bet on the younger players that came from last year B team.

So far the results have been very good with only two draws, both at home, one against Benfica wich is reasonale and one against Rio Ave, not that good and the team is currently seating at 2nd place only two points behind Porto. The new manager is doing a good job and the team has managed a few very good results with 4 goals margins.

Nevertheless, next league game will be away at Porto and unfortunatelly I don't believe they will win it. If for some miracle they manage to do it, it'll start a max hysteria and people will start believing that they can be champions. :lol:

About the rest, Porto is first but not playing that well and Benfica is on the brick of turmoil, with what was called by his president "the best Benfica team in the last 30 years" and managing some poor results. There is constant talk about sacking Jesus and the white scarfs have been seen in Benfica's stadium for a couple of games.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 18, 2013, 09:04:29 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 16, 2013, 03:39:20 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on October 16, 2013, 01:56:05 PM
Quote from: The Larch on October 16, 2013, 06:22:08 AM
He was saying that the Mexican coach should either man up or resign.

Thanks.  Can you give me the exact expression for man up please.

He said "ponerse los pantalones", but I had never heard it before, must be Mexican slang or something. Man up is a free translation, you can say "walk the walk", "get real", or something to the same effect.

"Take charge". It's derived from the more familiar expression "llevar los pantalones".

Also, it's now written in the stars that Mexico will beat the US in the WC.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on October 18, 2013, 12:36:02 PM
Pfft I'm not sure that team can even beat New Zealand.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on October 18, 2013, 02:56:49 PM
The statistics are 'loaded' against England, in their home league, one of the 'best' in the world, Englishmen play for only about 1/3 of the player minutes, a figure of 32.8% rings a bell. 

You could say that means Englands best players play all season against some of the best of the ROTW talent, but I'm sceptical. 

Also I'd like to see the stats on percentage of goal scorers/attacking players/forwards are English in the premiership.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on October 18, 2013, 06:39:42 PM
Don't buy the too-many-foreigners argument.

The best English players still rise to the top, even in clubs like Arsenal where Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs and Carl Jenkinson feature regularly enough even at a very young age. John Terry and Frank Lampard have been the core of a successful Chelsea side with millions to lavish on the best foreigners. I could go on.

Having more mediocre English players in the PL would not make a better England team. The English problem has been a combination of relatively poor technical skills, poor tactics, and a lack of tournament mentality. It's also plain difficult to win major international tournaments.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 18, 2013, 10:00:36 PM
This Guardian article from 2010 also highlights a huge coaching shortage in England as compared to their continental counterparts. Englanders, what do you make of this disparity?

QuoteOnly 2,769 English coaches hold Uefa's B, A and Pro badges
Spain has 23,995, Italy 29,420 and Germany 34,790

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jun/01/football-coach-shortage-england
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on October 19, 2013, 01:45:04 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 18, 2013, 10:00:36 PM
This Guardian article from 2010 also highlights a huge coaching shortage in England as compared to their continental counterparts. Englanders, what do you make of this disparity?

QuoteOnly 2,769 English coaches hold Uefa's B, A and Pro badges
Spain has 23,995, Italy 29,420 and Germany 34,790

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jun/01/football-coach-shortage-england

I've seen it argued elsewhere that you can't look at just UEFA qualifications as there are lots of coaches in England with FA qualifications, don't know how true this is.

The problem, however, is not how many coaches there are in England, it's how the game is taught at a young age, It's changed now for the better. But the generations of players plying their trade as seniors now learnt in a very different system that prized physicality and commitment over technical skills at a very young age. There's also an actual suspicion of anything too tactical in British football, hence the periodic debates over whether the England team should ever play anything other than 4-4-bloody-2.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 19, 2013, 03:16:21 AM
I'm all for foreign player quotas in the premier.
It does hinder English players from emerging. Some like Rooney are awesome early and they will always ride to the top. A lot of players though are late bloomers, mediocre into their 20s when they really take off: the current system hurts these guys.

Of course there's always thproblem of cap English players bing there just becaus teams have no choice but pick them to make up the numbers. That is a rather iffy situation, but hopefully fixable by improved development of Brits....
Which is an issue I have. It should be a Brit quota, not an English one- if at least for the Swansea/Cardiff factor , but for other reasons too.

I also wonder about the legal issues. Doesn't it go against eu law?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 19, 2013, 07:51:32 AM
Spain, Italy and Germany don't have quotas and they are doing quite fine in the national team front. I think that's a bit of an excuse.

Actually, given the work permit system in the UK, it's harder to sign foreigners in the PL than in the other European leagues.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on October 19, 2013, 09:17:29 AM
With the exception of Eiður Guðjohnsen and a few older guys the bulk of the present Icelandic National team (and Aron Jóhansson in the USA) are the same age plus minus a few years and they are the first generation of a new mindset i icelandic youth football. That is professional coaches for young talents. The general youth sports coaching was reduced and the best coaches went to the best players, in addition to a concerted effort to increase the qualifications of coaches. The result was 11 quality players on the U21 side all of which graduated pretty much immediately to the national side when they came of age.

I think the guardian might be on to something there.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 19, 2013, 10:16:23 AM
What about the recent batch of young Belgian superstars? How has little Belgium managed to produce so much talent? Their league obviously isn't top tier. Is it coaching? Has the Belgian FA changed their national youth set up?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 19, 2013, 10:35:19 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 19, 2013, 10:16:23 AM
What about the recent batch of young Belgian superstars? How has little Belgium managed to produce so much talent? Their league obviously isn't top tier. Is it coaching? Has the Belgian FA changed their national youth set up?

Luck? Every once in a while a country gets a golden generation. I'm quite sure we didn't change much when we had Elkjær, Laudrup, Arnesen, Lerby, Mølby, Simonsen, Olsen, etc. in 1986.

A quick google later reveals that Marouane Fellaini thinks it's luck, and the head of Belgium's FA thinks it's because of the changed guidelines for the development of talents that the FA send out in 2001.

It's likely both. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 19, 2013, 11:34:33 AM
Yeah there's certainly a degree of luck in it. I think that might be really important for positions as well. Your national team may have a wonderful group of world class midfielders but what if you have a subpar striker?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on October 19, 2013, 01:33:44 PM
Quote from: Gups on October 16, 2013, 07:51:36 AM
Supposed to be the top 8 in the rankings as of tomorrow. I don't think Italy have a chance.

Just shows up how crap the rankings are.
I predict that Italy will do better at the world cup than Switzerland or Columbia.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 19, 2013, 02:59:20 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 19, 2013, 11:34:33 AM
Yeah there's certainly a degree of luck in it. I think that might be really important for positions as well. Your national team may have a wonderful group of world class midfielders but what if you have a subpar striker?

I don't think there are many teams that have the complete package. I.e. Spain have loads of great midfielders but our strikers aren't as good as when we had Villa and Torres in their peaks. Brazil's midfield isn't very creative, Italy's defence (strangely) isn't as good, etc...

Quote from: Zanza on October 19, 2013, 01:33:44 PM
Quote from: Gups on October 16, 2013, 07:51:36 AM
Supposed to be the top 8 in the rankings as of tomorrow. I don't think Italy have a chance.

Just shows up how crap the rankings are.
I predict that Italy will do better at the world cup than Switzerland or Columbia.

Indeed the FIFA rankings are a complete laugh; they could give us some pretty fun WC groups though, given the amount of top teams that won't be seeded.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 19, 2013, 06:08:16 PM
Quote from: Liep on October 19, 2013, 10:35:19 AM
Luck? Every once in a while a country gets a golden generation. I'm quite sure we didn't change much when we had Elkjær, Laudrup, Arnesen, Lerby, Mølby, Simonsen, Olsen, etc. in 1986.
Yep. I read an article in the Guardian about 'golden generations' and there was a quote from a Serbian tennis coach who basically said they had no idea how they suddenly had a raft of highly talented players. Very little had changed in the set-up. Sometimes I think it just happens.

I don't buy the lack of English players (or coaches) argument.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 20, 2013, 09:43:34 AM
http://arsenalist.com/f/arsenal-vs-norwich/video-wilshere-s-goal-1-0.html

Arsenal's first goal yesterday.  :cool:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on October 21, 2013, 08:13:52 AM
Iceland - Croatia

Modric and crew against the man who replaced him at Spurs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 21, 2013, 08:20:21 AM
Quote from: Viking on October 21, 2013, 08:13:52 AM
Iceland - Croatia

Portugal-Sweden
Ukraine-France
Greece-Romania

So no game between Portugal and France but Sweden is not exactly easier to play, but then they wanted Iceland too.
Iceland can make it.
Greece-Romania is very open but I expect a tedious match.
Evra will perhaps be spared the Ukrainian cold weather given the recent polemic and that could be a bonus for the French squad which never lost against Ukraine, yet.

PS : Evra insulted some French sport journos and managed to look sillier than them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 21, 2013, 08:54:03 AM
Viva Zlatan!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on October 21, 2013, 02:27:14 PM
What UB Smokin' ESPN

http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/worldcupcentral/id/992?cc=5739

QuoteIceland vs. Croatia

If not the fixture with the most exciting names, that in itself makes it the most exhilarating story. Should Iceland qualify, they will become the smallest nation in history to qualify for the World Cup. Here, they have at least been fortunate to have drawn probably the weakest of the seeds. Croatia have not won in five qualifiers, lost to Scotland twice in that period and have just sacked their manager. In contrast to their chaos, Iceland are a young side in a clearly upward curve. They stormed into second in an admittedly weak group with some brave performances, led by the likes of Tottenham Hotspur's Gylfi Sigurdsson. While many of these playoffs could be gripped by tension, this has the feel of one that could be fired by a sense of opportunity.

History awaits, unless Croatia can prevent a recurrence of the recent histrionics.

Prediction: Iceland
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 24, 2013, 02:38:27 AM
Quote from: Liep on October 21, 2013, 08:54:03 AM
Viva Zlatan!

I repeat myself. That 3rd goal was insane.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on October 24, 2013, 11:16:11 AM
Germany announced that it will apply to host the 2024 EC. :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on October 27, 2013, 10:18:55 AM
Newcastle wears black stripes
Sunderland wears red stripes

On Tv, they look almost the same.  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 27, 2013, 01:04:22 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on October 27, 2013, 10:18:55 AM
Newcastle wears black stripes
Sunderland wears red stripes

On Tv, they look almost the same.  :rolleyes:
You should buy a colour one.   ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 27, 2013, 09:03:17 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on October 27, 2013, 10:18:55 AM
Newcastle wears black stripes
Sunderland wears red stripes

On Tv, they look almost the same.  :rolleyes:

Yeah that was tough to watch.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: CountDeMoney on October 27, 2013, 09:23:57 PM
What, no comments on Barcelona beating RM?

I wonder how many stabbings there were as a result.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on October 27, 2013, 09:25:31 PM
I don't watch greasy spaniards.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: CountDeMoney on October 27, 2013, 09:26:22 PM
Bet you would if they had frosting on them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 28, 2013, 03:06:52 AM
QuoteNewcastle wears black stripes
Sunderland wears red stripes

On Tv, they look almost the same.  :rolleyes:
It was weird. Usually they make the away team switch to white shorts but not this time for some reason.


Yesterday was an unexpected spot of happiness just when things were looking blackest. Perhaps there is hope afterall.
I was watching with a bunch of Japanese people. They agreed to support Sunderland as long as Ki stayed on the bench.  Quite humerously in the same pub there looked to be a Newcastle supporter with his presumably Japanese and non-football appreciating girlfriend. His quick departure after the game was sweet.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Richard Hakluyt on October 28, 2013, 04:12:52 AM
Sunderland will be unbeatable now that they have the support of the Holy Father  :pope:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-24669218
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 28, 2013, 07:43:39 AM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on October 27, 2013, 09:23:57 PM
What, no comments on Barcelona beating RM?

I wonder how many stabbings there were as a result.

No stabbings that I know of, but plenty of hand wringing on TV about the refereeing, which is absolutely par for the course and terribly tedious.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on October 30, 2013, 04:44:30 AM
When asked about the option of Mario Balotelli going to Chelsea, Balotelli's agent said that they (balotelli and mourinho) know each other and don't hate each other.

What this says about marios opinion of all his other managers I don't know...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 31, 2013, 03:20:29 PM
So Zlatan and the rest of the players in the French league are striking for two games in November in protest against the millionaire tax.

I hear there's some excellent and newly constructed football fields near Groznyj... :whistle: :frog:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on November 03, 2013, 11:04:18 AM
Cardiff vs Swansea, feels like meri should be watching.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 03, 2013, 01:21:39 PM
I'm sweet on this Rebecca Lowe bird on NBC.  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on November 03, 2013, 04:35:57 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 03, 2013, 01:21:39 PM
I'm sweet on this Rebecca Lowe bird on NBC.  :bowler:

She's got Michelle Obama arms.  :yucky:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 03, 2013, 04:51:00 PM
I googled her.  She used to be a body builder.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on November 03, 2013, 05:06:34 PM
I don't mind Michelle Obama arms.  They can open a beer for me.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on November 03, 2013, 05:06:36 PM
I miss Ian Darke.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on November 03, 2013, 05:07:17 PM
Quote from: PDH on November 03, 2013, 05:06:34 PM
I don't mind Michelle Obama arms.  They can open a beer for me.

Barf. I like my women thin, like my hair.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on November 03, 2013, 05:09:50 PM
As I age and get more feeble I want women who can open a jar of pickles by themselves.  Of course, I wanted some of those pickles and they can damn well go to the kitchen to get me some while they're up.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 03, 2013, 06:15:24 PM
Well I like her.  :rolleyes:

But yeah Ed's right. NBC needs to hire Ian Darke for commentary. Saturday morning breakfast isn't the same.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 03, 2013, 06:47:05 PM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffangsbites.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F03%2FRebecca-Lowe-NBC.jpg&hash=f99eff1d3939cbc3eaec1d8945b0523bbd2a5d39)

Really?  This little blonde woman is too big and buff for Ed?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on November 03, 2013, 08:41:26 PM
Muscular arms mean they can fight back. Duh.  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on November 03, 2013, 09:09:47 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on November 03, 2013, 08:41:26 PM
Muscular arms mean they can fight back. Duh.  :rolleyes:

Not if they are tired from opening jars of pickles.  Duh.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on November 03, 2013, 09:12:02 PM
Your advanced Pickle theory intrigues me.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 09, 2013, 01:27:47 PM
http://youtu.be/3xiN7TIb8RE

Two kids having a kick during half time.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 09, 2013, 10:45:23 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA2AUksZzTg

Just saw this ad during American football.  Thought you fodbolistas might enjoy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 10, 2013, 05:35:19 PM
Quote from: The Larch on October 28, 2013, 07:43:39 AM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on October 27, 2013, 09:23:57 PM
What, no comments on Barcelona beating RM?

I wonder how many stabbings there were as a result.

No stabbings that I know of, but plenty of hand wringing on TV about the refereeing, which is absolutely par for the course and terribly tedious.

There's far more history of violence inside the pitch than outside of it, when it comes to el Clásico :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 10, 2013, 06:20:22 PM
Quote from: celedhring on November 10, 2013, 05:35:19 PM
Quote from: The Larch on October 28, 2013, 07:43:39 AM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on October 27, 2013, 09:23:57 PM
What, no comments on Barcelona beating RM?

I wonder how many stabbings there were as a result.

No stabbings that I know of, but plenty of hand wringing on TV about the refereeing, which is absolutely par for the course and terribly tedious.

There's far more history of violence inside the pitch than outside of it, when it comes to el Clásico :D

Mostly when Pepe is on the pitch.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 11, 2013, 07:44:00 AM
So Sunderland won a game. It was the total opposite of our usual- Man City were all over us but just couldn't score.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 12, 2013, 11:37:15 AM
For some reason I'm loving the shots of mourning Premier League mascots during Remembrance Day:

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BY4YsNCIUAAxGaX.jpg:large)

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BY4Zc3MIEAAUO90.jpg:large)

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BYu9vPrIMAAOA1Q.jpg)

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shoutingatco.ws%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2011%2F04%2F35hgqrs1.jpg&hash=34cd496d83c336d295e420b6107577c5b1be49b3)

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.independent.co.uk%2Fincoming%2Farticle8919046.ece%2FALTERNATES%2Fw620%2F186626412.jpg&hash=dee7ac8cde0d38513214491b5c028a1c3d5478ed)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 12, 2013, 11:38:49 AM
 :lol:

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 12, 2013, 12:21:28 PM
 :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 15, 2013, 06:33:53 PM
Iceland 0-0 Croatia  :mellow:
Portugal 1-0 Sweden  :(
Ukraine 2-0 France   :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on November 15, 2013, 06:37:04 PM
Quote from: Maladict on November 15, 2013, 06:33:53 PM
Iceland 0-0 Croatia  :mellow:
Portugal 1-0 Sweden  :(
Ukraine 2-0 France   :lol:

and that was with 10 men for the last 30 mins
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 16, 2013, 05:37:08 AM
But at home. So replay in Croatia? Come on Iceys!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on November 16, 2013, 05:51:51 AM
Stimac had done so much damage to the team, I'm not surprised it ended 0-0. Didn't catch the game but I hear Croatia looked better than under him. I hope Kovac switches back to a more obvious midfield triangle of Rakitic, Modric and Kovacevic/Badelj. Perisic apparently looked really good. AJMO VATRENI
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on November 16, 2013, 11:08:40 AM
Quote from: Warspite on November 16, 2013, 05:51:51 AM
Stimac had done so much damage to the team, I'm not surprised it ended 0-0. Didn't catch the game but I hear Croatia looked better than under him. I hope Kovac switches back to a more obvious midfield triangle of Rakitic, Modric and Kovacevic/Badelj. Perisic apparently looked really good. AJMO VATRENI

Croatia isn't what it once was. After seeing out defensive organization this game I think that we have a reasonable chance of holding the zero in zagreb.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on November 17, 2013, 07:48:26 AM
Quote from: Viking on November 16, 2013, 11:08:40 AM
Quote from: Warspite on November 16, 2013, 05:51:51 AM
Stimac had done so much damage to the team, I'm not surprised it ended 0-0. Didn't catch the game but I hear Croatia looked better than under him. I hope Kovac switches back to a more obvious midfield triangle of Rakitic, Modric and Kovacevic/Badelj. Perisic apparently looked really good. AJMO VATRENI

Croatia isn't what it once was. After seeing out defensive organization this game I think that we have a reasonable chance of holding the zero in zagreb.

On paper Croatia's forwards are better today than at any point since 1998; Mandzukic in front of a mature Modric, an in-form Rakitic and a line up of other creative ball-playing mids. Srna is still the blistering metronome up and down the wing. The problem is that Niko Kovac was never really replaced, and Ognen Vukojevic and Domagoj Vida haven't really stepped up to replace his excellent read of the game and relentless stamina.

I think Croatia will probably edge it at home, but with an unconvincing performance.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 19, 2013, 02:52:07 PM
Come on Sweden, do us all a favor.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 19, 2013, 03:38:45 PM
Come on Iceland!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 19, 2013, 03:56:47 PM
It's all going horribly wrong  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 19, 2013, 04:17:40 PM
ZLATAN.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 19, 2013, 04:18:37 PM
Zlatan!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 19, 2013, 04:22:06 PM
shit  :mad:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 19, 2013, 04:32:44 PM
Greaseball > ZLATAN

:(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 19, 2013, 04:35:58 PM
Well that sucks. Even Ukraine is failing us.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 19, 2013, 04:56:20 PM
Quote from: Maladict on November 19, 2013, 04:35:58 PM
Well that sucks. Even Ukraine is failing us.

:nelson:

The French never surrender!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on November 19, 2013, 05:00:48 PM
What are my local club, Southampton, doing in 3rd spot in the Premiership ahead of Manu and Chelski?  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on November 19, 2013, 05:36:33 PM
Sigh, no Iceland in the WC. But still, it's the highest position we have ever reached.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 19, 2013, 05:39:18 PM
Quote from: Maladict on November 19, 2013, 02:52:07 PM
Come on Sweden, do us all a favor.

:yeah:

I also have to see the French game since that victory saves the Hollande régime :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 19, 2013, 05:54:25 PM
Quote from: mongers on November 19, 2013, 05:00:48 PM
What are my local club, Southampton, doing in 3rd spot in the Premiership ahead of Manu and Chelski?  :hmm:
Wonderful work :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 19, 2013, 06:25:49 PM
Disappointing. No big upsets. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 04, 2013, 03:07:33 PM
Big Ben redeems himself! Now he hasn't been arrested more times than he has scored goals this season. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on December 04, 2013, 04:53:46 PM
:yeah:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 04, 2013, 06:11:44 PM
:w00t:  :yeah:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 04, 2013, 07:49:29 PM
Arsenal own. Everton own. Luis Suarez owns.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on December 04, 2013, 07:51:19 PM
Hey, Loserpool woke up.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 04, 2013, 08:18:27 PM
They released the Suarez. Four goals and each of them were great and hilarious. It's ridiculous how good he is.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on December 04, 2013, 08:29:52 PM
Bring back Andy Carroll.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 04, 2013, 08:32:27 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on December 04, 2013, 08:29:52 PM
Bring back Andy Carroll.

LOL
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 04, 2013, 08:36:08 PM
I agree.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 06, 2013, 05:40:57 AM
WC draw today.
France weaseled their way out of pot 2, of course.  <_<


Quote
Pot One: Argentina, Brazil, Belgium, Colombia, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Uruguay

Pot Two: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Algeria, Nigeria, Cameroon, Chile, Ecuador

Pot Three: US, Japan, Iran, South Korea, Australia, Mexico, Costa Rica and Honduras

Pot Four: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, England, France, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Russia

Pot Four is comprised of nine unseeded UEFA nations. During Friday's draw one of these teams will be placed into Pot Two.

Pots 1 and 4 look about equally strong actually. Could make for a horrendous group of death.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 06, 2013, 06:18:27 AM
The Group of Death-by-Boredom: Switzerland, Iran, Algeria & Greece.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2013, 07:21:11 AM
Quote from: Liep on December 06, 2013, 06:18:27 AM
The Group of Death-by-Boredom: Switzerland, Iran, Algeria & Greece.

I laughed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 06, 2013, 07:38:54 AM
The rankings system really is daft
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 06, 2013, 09:45:38 AM
Brazil, Italy, USA, Portugal  :mmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on December 06, 2013, 10:01:52 AM
When/how/why did Belgium become a Pot 1 team?  :huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 06, 2013, 10:16:34 AM
Quote from: Syt on December 06, 2013, 10:01:52 AM
When/how/why did Belgium become a Pot 1 team?  :huh:

They've been very strong in the last couple of years and have a very talented and young squad. They should be a team to watch for in the foreseeable future.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 06, 2013, 10:58:54 AM
Quote from: Maladict on December 06, 2013, 09:45:38 AM
Brazil, Italy, USA, Portugal  :mmm:

:bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on December 06, 2013, 12:12:22 PM
Fuck
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on December 06, 2013, 12:19:09 PM
Double Fuck
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 06, 2013, 12:19:17 PM
Mother fucker :bleeding::bleeding::bleeding::bleeding::bleeding::bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 06, 2013, 12:20:31 PM
Damn frenchies, they get to the WC in the playoff and finish in the easiest group...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 06, 2013, 12:24:03 PM
Group A: Brazil, Croatia, Mexico, Cameroon.
Group B: Spain, Netherlands, Chile, Australia.
Group C: Greece, Colombia, Cote d'Ivoire, Japan.
Group D: Uruguay, Italy, England, Costa Rica.
Group E: Switzerland, France, Ecuador, Honduras.
Group F: Argentina, Nigeria, Bosnia, Iran.
Group G: Germany, Portugal, Ghana, EEUU.
Group H: Belgium, Russia, Argelia, South Korea.


Groups B, D and G are awfully tough. Groups C, E and H are pieces of cake.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 06, 2013, 12:31:44 PM
Considering the US was in the EASY group in 2010, this shouldn't be a surprise.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 06, 2013, 01:00:11 PM
USA  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 06, 2013, 01:00:53 PM
Quote from: Maladict on December 06, 2013, 01:00:11 PM
USA  :lol:

But I'll be rooting for you guys.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 06, 2013, 01:55:14 PM
Theres some pretty good challenging groups.

Spain with Holland and Chile should be won to watch.

England's in deep shit with the Italians and Uruguayns.

And USA.....well they should look at this positively. Get out of this group and they can rightfully claim to be a top tier team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 06, 2013, 02:06:49 PM
Argelia? :unsure:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 06, 2013, 02:26:23 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 06, 2013, 02:06:49 PM
Argelia? :unsure:

Former Soviet republic of... :D


guess that's Argentina?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 06, 2013, 02:30:06 PM
What's the problem with Argelia? You know, north African country, sandwiched between Morocco a Tunisia...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 06, 2013, 02:31:58 PM
Ah.  We call that place Algeria.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 06, 2013, 02:33:29 PM
I have to say chanting U-S-A rolls off the tongue better than E-E-U-U
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 06, 2013, 02:34:00 PM
Quote from: Josephus on December 06, 2013, 01:55:14 PM
And USA.....well they should look at this positively. Get out of this group and they can rightfully claim to be a top tier team.

Ghana will rue the day they got put in our group.  Oh yes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 06, 2013, 02:40:13 PM
Quote from: Valmy on December 06, 2013, 02:33:29 PM
I have to say chanting U-S-A rolls off the tongue better than E-E-U-U

Oh damn, forgot to change that.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on December 06, 2013, 07:33:55 PM
Quote from: Josephus on December 06, 2013, 01:55:14 PM
.And USA.....well they should look at this positively. Get out of this group and they can rightfully claim to be a top tier team.

And, if we can win the group, we get a Group H team in the round of 16.
Title: Eeek.
Post by: mongers on December 06, 2013, 07:42:08 PM
Klaus Kinski will be turning in his grave, England play Italy in Manaus.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on December 07, 2013, 08:40:32 AM
Pretty tough group for Germany, but Germany can beat all three teams on an average day.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 08, 2013, 01:19:42 PM
:mmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on December 08, 2013, 02:21:05 PM
So, Alex Ferguson, the greatest football manager to have not coached a national side? :unsure:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 08, 2013, 02:37:34 PM
Manchester United should have just skipped Moyes and gone straight for Roberto Martinez.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on December 08, 2013, 03:21:37 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 08, 2013, 02:37:34 PM
Manchester United should have just skipped Moyes and gone straight for Roberto Martinez.

How many weeks do think he's got left ? 

If he doesn't dramatically improve, I'd guess he'll not be in charge come the new year - Xmas coup ?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 08, 2013, 04:29:30 PM
Unless they finish in the top 6 or win a trophy I think Moyes will get shuffled out at the end of the season, but that will depend on what coaches are available next summer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 08, 2013, 04:41:31 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 08, 2013, 04:29:30 PM
Unless they finish in the top 6 or win a trophy I think Moyes will get shuffled out at the end of the season, but that will depend on what coaches are available next summer.

20 something years of Ferguson, with their ups and downs, and they'll only give one year to his replacement?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 08, 2013, 07:30:04 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 08, 2013, 04:29:30 PM
Unless they finish in the top 6 or win a trophy I think Moyes will get shuffled out at the end of the season, but that will depend on what coaches are available next summer.

Given the modern nature of the game maybe so. Though that would be dumb, didn't it take ferguson a few years to find his feet? I recall reading there were calls to sack  him in the first few years.
I guess moyes will get 2 or 3 years to sort things out. If he doesn't.... It's too early for manager giggs so who knows
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 08, 2013, 08:06:53 PM
If they're languishing in 9th or 10th place or lower then I wouldn't think it unreasonable that he gets sacked. This is largely the same the same team that won the league last year so I'm making the assumption that at least a top 6 finish is within the scope of this team's abilities. Anything below that and it's likely he'll get sacked. I never expected Moyes to win the league this year, or even next year.  If they give him time, he and the team will be all the better for it. But things need to improve, and fast.

To be fair, a 6th place finish wouldn't be all that bad, considering the amount of competition this year. You have Arsenal, Manchester City, and Chelsea as serious contenders for 1st, with Liverpool, Tottenham, and Everton behind them. If you include a surprisingly impressive Southampton then 6th place honestly isn't bad at all for a team that just lost the man that was the heart and soul of the club.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 09, 2013, 10:03:37 AM
Also Manchester United suck  :nelson:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 09, 2013, 10:09:28 AM
But did Man U come from being the most successful english team when Ferguson took over? And did he have to deal with spoiled multi-millionaire players? I think, because of Ferguson's long tenure, that the fans will be more forgiving of Moyes than the players will.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 09, 2013, 11:14:12 AM
I don't know. I remember a while back that Manchester United claimed to have the most fans in the world. I think perhaps a large portion of these fans expect constant success from the club and if they don't win things they'll conveniently start supporting Arsenal, or Chelsea, or Manchester City (lol). As the Englanders would say, the glory hound plastics will fuck off to ruin some other club.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on December 09, 2013, 12:43:40 PM
Quote from: Liep on December 09, 2013, 10:09:28 AM
But did Man U come from being the most successful english team when Ferguson took over? And did he have to deal with spoiled multi-millionaire players? I think, because of Ferguson's long tenure, that the fans will be more forgiving of Moyes than the players will.

One of the most important bits of Fergie lore was when he first came down from Aberdeen he had a bit of a rough first season and was on the verge of being fired. If the results in the next game went against him he was gone, Man U squaked a win. He stayed... and stayed.. and stayed... and build the biggest club in the world.

The Fergie Fanbois won't be out for his blood, they'll see the parallel.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 09, 2013, 01:03:00 PM
It is a bit insane though, isn't it? To believe that Moyes will achieve similar results as Ferguson? I don't get the logic:

1. He was picked by Ferguson.
2. He's Scottish.
3. ...
4. Win another twenty league titles. 

Moyes is a decent manager but to expect anyone, much less David Moyes, to be Alex Ferguson 2.0 is just damn silly. He may prove to be a stable manager in the end for United but the glory days of winning everything forever are over unless the Glazers just chuck money at the club and buy all the best players, like all the other "normal" big clubs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on December 09, 2013, 01:49:51 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 09, 2013, 01:03:00 PM
It is a bit insane though, isn't it? To believe that Moyes will achieve similar results as Ferguson? I don't get the logic:

1. He was picked by Ferguson.
2. He's Scottish.
3. ...
4. Win another twenty league titles. 

Moyes is a decent manager but to expect anyone, much less David Moyes, to be Alex Ferguson 2.0 is just damn silly. He may prove to be a stable manager in the end for United but the glory days of winning everything forever are over unless the Glazers just chuck money at the club and buy all the best players, like all the other "normal" big clubs.

What I'm arguing is that Ferguson's example will fortify Man U fans (if there really are any foul weather ones) with patience with moyes lack of failure.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: jimmy olsen on December 09, 2013, 05:46:37 PM
The World Cup Draw was fixed! :tinfoil:

http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2013/12/09/was_the_2014_world_cup_draw_fixed.html
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 09, 2013, 05:59:57 PM
Whatever happened to the financial fair play rules that were supposed to be coming into play?
Big clubs can still just throw their rich owners money at top players
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 09, 2013, 06:06:11 PM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on December 09, 2013, 05:46:37 PM
The World Cup Draw was fixed! :tinfoil:

http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2013/12/09/was_the_2014_world_cup_draw_fixed.html

I hate Slate and I hate conspiracy theories but FIFA is so fucking corrupt that I wouldn't be surprised at all if the draw was rigged.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 09, 2013, 08:54:03 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 09, 2013, 11:14:12 AM
I don't know. I remember a while back that Manchester United claimed to have the most fans in the world. I think perhaps a large portion of these fans expect constant success from the club and if they don't win things they'll conveniently start supporting Arsenal, or Chelsea, or Manchester City (lol). As the Englanders would say, the glory hound plastics will fuck off to ruin some other club.
Who knows? I think globally Liverpool still have the second most shirt sales of the English teams, so you can ride on reputation for a while.

Many ManU fans might be more forgiving because I think there is a sense that the team isn't quite up to it and that the summer transfer fuck ups weren't wholly his fault, after all they changed CEO at the same time.

I think the problem he has though, which I saw someone mention elsewhere, is that he doesn't really have a style that's identified with him so he's only got results. He can't point to a loss in the way that Wenger, Martinez, Moyes or AVB can and say 'we're changing the team at the minute, but this is what we're working to even though we're not doing well enough yet'.

Edit: Having said all that I think things need to go a lot worse before he'd get shuffled out. I think he has at least one and a half seasons.

QuoteManchester United should have just skipped Moyes and gone straight for Roberto Martinez.
Well they can't have him <_<

QuoteI hate Slate and I hate conspiracy theories but FIFA is so fucking corrupt that I wouldn't be surprised at all if the draw was rigged.
Yeah. FIFA+France :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 09, 2013, 09:08:56 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 09, 2013, 08:54:03 PM
Yeah. FIFA+France :hmm:

I do not know what you are talking about.  Switzerland, Ecuador, and Hondoras is a trio of terror indeed.  I cannot think of any side in the WC that would switch places with France.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 09, 2013, 10:28:05 PM
Quote from: Tyr on December 09, 2013, 05:59:57 PM
Whatever happened to the financial fair play rules that were supposed to be coming into play?
Big clubs can still just throw their rich owners money at top players

I've seen mentioned around the internets that there are ways around FFP. Also, the rules are being phased in over the course of several years, so clubs aren't stressing too much about it quite yet.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 09, 2013, 10:34:51 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 09, 2013, 08:54:03 PM

I think the problem he has though, which I saw someone mention elsewhere, is that he doesn't really have a style that's identified with him so he's only got results. He can't point to a loss in the way that Wenger, Martinez, Moyes or AVB can and say 'we're changing the team at the minute, but this is what we're working to even though we're not doing well enough yet'.

Edit: Having said all that I think things need to go a lot worse before he'd get shuffled out. I think he has at least one and a half seasons.

Yeah, I agree that's a huge problem. David Moyes doesn't exactly scream beautiful, free flowing football, and a trademark of Ferguson's sides was always being able to come back from seemingly impossible odds to win. I'm not exactly sure what he's trying to build. I'm not even sure he knows, either. He's caught between trying to emulate the old boss and trying to impose his own 'style' and 'culture'. I feel bad for the fellow.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 11, 2013, 05:51:24 AM
So Istanbul gets snow and we're still stuck with fog and rain? Lousy December. :mad:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 11, 2013, 07:24:53 AM
Quote from: Viking on December 09, 2013, 12:43:40 PM
[One of the most important bits of Fergie lore was when he first came down from Aberdeen he had a bit of a rough first season and was on the verge of being fired. If the results in the next game went against him he was gone, Man U squaked a win. He stayed... and stayed.. and stayed... and build the biggest club in the world.


That was his 4th season. His previous 3 included one second place and two mid table finishes. There was a lot of pressure from teh fans to get rid of him in December 89 after he lost like 6 games in a row or something but they won the cup that year and started improving.

Fans were a lot more pateient those days.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on December 11, 2013, 04:49:49 PM
Champions League Round of 16: 4 English, 4 German, 3 Spanish, 1 each from Italy, France, Turkey, Russia and Greece...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 11, 2013, 04:57:47 PM
Italy must be disappointed with being behind the other big 3.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 11, 2013, 05:30:57 PM
Quote from: Liep on December 11, 2013, 04:57:47 PM
Italy must be disappointed with being behind the other big 3.

They should be happy, Milan only just made it  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 12, 2013, 07:13:39 AM
We get to keep Morten Olsen for another 3 years. Oh joy.

The only games I remember fondly with him as coach are the games against Sweden, the first in EC '04 that ended 2-2 and saw Italy booted. :P to Pedrito.

The second was the 0-3 loss. It was good because we came back from 0-3 to 3-3 and it was on my birthday. One of the most exciting finishes I've ever seen, but in the 89th minute a jackass (Poulsen) stomach punched a Swede in the penalty area and in the following chaos another jackass (spectator) punched the ref in the face giving us an administrative loss of 0-3.

So, in conclusion, another sucky 3 years for our national side. :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on December 15, 2013, 02:43:50 PM
I enjoyed that Liverpool game.  :)

Then I took a glorious 2 hour nap.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 16, 2013, 06:55:06 AM
Villas-Boas is out. I guess 0-6 and 0-5 was one humiliation too much for Tottenham.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 16, 2013, 07:15:01 AM
Quote from: Liep on December 16, 2013, 06:55:06 AM
Villas-Boas is out. I guess 0-6 and 0-5 was one humiliation too much for Tottenham.

Well, Porto could use another coach...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 22, 2013, 12:56:54 PM
:w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 29, 2013, 02:08:20 PM
Bah. L'pool fall from first to fifth in less than a week.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 01, 2014, 01:53:38 PM
Big Nik Bendtner strikes again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on January 01, 2014, 04:03:59 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 01, 2014, 01:53:38 PM
Big Nik Bendtner strikes again.

Hey! That's my line. Is this the 2nd time in one season he had to be substituted following a goal? Is he eyeing a record here?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on January 02, 2014, 09:43:26 AM
196,000 tweets about Bendtner yesterday. Now I just need a tabloid to make a frontpage with a "good" headline and he's my new avatar.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 06, 2014, 10:27:55 AM
I'm just thinking today...how often do teams sign players for the marketing opportunities in their home country?
Its an obvious bonus with many but I'm wondering how often it will interfere with decision making so that a slightly less good player from a commercially better country will be signed.
This comes to mind as I'm watching Milan play on Japanese TV. Its rare for a game to be on non-paid TV, but Milan have just signed Keisuke Honda, one of the most popular Japanese players. The guy isn't even playing today, he's just sitting in the stands and watching, but the camera still constantly goes to him.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on January 06, 2014, 01:40:55 PM
Bloody hell, Walcott's out for six months  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 06, 2014, 05:50:33 PM
Quote from: Warspite on January 06, 2014, 01:40:55 PM
Bloody hell, Walcott's out for six months  :(

And any slim hope of England getting past Italy, Uruguay and, um, the other team, go right out the window now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 06, 2014, 07:48:25 PM
Guess Wengy will buy another striker now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on January 07, 2014, 01:28:12 AM
Nah, Bendtner will be back soon.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on January 07, 2014, 02:32:52 PM
No strikers around that replace Walcott; incredible pace and finishing but also a great whipped cross.

Better to let Oxlade-Chamberlain and Gnabry step up and perhaps tweak how the team generates its width.

A lot of the strikers we're being linked with in the press are similar to Giroud rather than Walcott, anyway.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on January 08, 2014, 08:22:03 AM
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25653594

QuoteFifa: No decision made on 2022 Qatar World Cup move

Fifa has moved quickly to play down claims from its own general secretary that the Qatar 2022 World Cup will not take place in the summer.

The sport's governing body stressed no final decision on the tournament will be taken until after the 2014 World Cup and only after lengthy consultation.

It comes after Jerome Valcke told Radio France: "The dates for the World Cup (in Qatar) will not be June-July."

He suggested it could take place between 15 November and 15 January.

President Sepp Blatter had already said the tournament would be in November or December but organisers still hope to host it in June and July.

Following Valcke's Radio France interview, a Fifa spokesperson said he had been expressing "his view".

Fifa added: "The precise event date is still subject to an ongoing consultation process which involves all main event stakeholders, including both the international football community (Fifa confederations, member associations, leagues, clubs, players) as well as Fifa's commercial partners.

"As the event will not be played until eight years' time the consultation process will not be rushed and will be given the necessary time to consider all of the elements relevant for a decision.

"No decision will be taken before the upcoming 2014 Fifa World Cup Brazil as agreed by the Fifa executive committee."

Britain's Fifa vice-president Jim Boyce also said he was "totally surprised" at Valcke's statement - and confirmed the decision had to be taken by the executive committee.

The scheduling of the tournament has been debated since it was controversially awarded to Qatar in December 2010.

Fears have been raised that the summer heat in the Gulf emirate would be dangerous for players and fans alike.

Valcke said: "If you play between 15 November and the end of December that's the time when the weather conditions are best, when you can play in temperatures equivalent to a warm spring season in Europe, averaging 25 degrees.

"That would be perfect for playing football."

The Africa Cup of Nations is already scheduled for January 2023.

Blatter said two months ago that a firm decision on dates for the World Cup will be made in December 2014.

The Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee has indicated it would be happy to switch to a winter World Cup.

Failed bidders Australia have vowed to seek compensation from Fifa if the 2022 World Cup is played in winter.

None of the 19 World Cups to date have ever been played outside of May, June or July.

If there was every a doubt that FIFA has become a corporate hellhole, the proof is in the language of the bolded bit. :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 08, 2014, 08:22:17 PM
Dempsey and Dafoe to Toronto FC?  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on January 08, 2014, 08:35:19 PM
Quote from: Josephus on January 08, 2014, 08:22:17 PM
Dempsey and Dafoe to Toronto FC?  :)

Uh no.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 08, 2014, 09:26:43 PM
Quote from: katmai on January 08, 2014, 08:35:19 PM
Quote from: Josephus on January 08, 2014, 08:22:17 PM
Dempsey and Dafoe to Toronto FC?  :)

Uh no.

I meant Bradley. :blush:

All Americans look alike to me. ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on January 08, 2014, 09:38:18 PM
:glare: I look nothing like Garbo or Ide!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 08, 2014, 10:37:32 PM
Thank God :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on January 09, 2014, 05:48:50 AM
Bradley is a very good player just entering his prime. He has absolutely no business in the MLS.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 09, 2014, 08:38:20 AM
Quote from: celedhring on January 09, 2014, 05:48:50 AM
Bradley is a very good player just entering his prime. He has absolutely no business in the MLS.

This is a correct opinion. If he isn't getting time at Roma then he needs to move to another Italian team or possibly some other team in Europe's top leagues.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on January 09, 2014, 08:49:24 AM
:rolleyes:

Making the MLS better is a patriotic duty of any American.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 09, 2014, 09:19:45 AM
Then he should be playing for DC United or LA Galaxy, not some dirty Canadian team!!!!!!

Seriously though, I suspect that MLS is throwing him a lot of money and it's a World Cup year so that could explain such a bizarre move at this point in his career.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 09, 2014, 09:33:37 AM
It isn't unknown for players to choose to play for lesser teams in lesser leagues because it means they get to be closer to home/somewhere they want to live.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on January 09, 2014, 10:16:05 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on January 09, 2014, 08:49:24 AM
:rolleyes:

Making the MLS better is a patriotic duty of any American.

Having him play in a top European league would serve the interests of the US National team better. They are apparently throwing a lot of money at him, so one can't fault him wanting to make the most of his career financially, but the MLS might be getting to the point where its success and willingness to perform trophy signings like this could endanger the development of some of the better American players.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on January 09, 2014, 10:24:20 AM
Dempsey is 30, Bradley is getting paid 5x what he was at Roma.
Both were getting squeezed out of playing time for their clubs 
Not worried about any trend starting here.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 09, 2014, 01:26:34 PM
Roberto Martinez gives a very candid interview on an Evertonian podcast.

https://soundcloud.com/followtonians/roberto-martinez-meets-the
Dude is awesome and is my favorite manager in British football. :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on January 09, 2014, 09:31:26 PM
He's a wonderful, wonderful man :wub:

It's a pretty interesting listen actually.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 11, 2014, 11:44:10 AM
And Toronto FC's newest striker just scores for Spurs
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on January 16, 2014, 08:39:04 AM
Was reading a writeup on the current ownership crisis at Southampton (http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25755711) and I stumbled upon this bit:

Quote
Then the 45-year-old focused on the environment. Now, when Southampton travel away from home, the hotel is often booked for two nights rather than one. On the first night, club staff arrive and clean the already pristine rooms. They vacuum up every particle of dust that might cause illness or carry a bug. Then bespoke mattresses are placed on each bed, tailored to each player. The duvets, the pillow cases and the sheets are washed and ironed by the club, using the same washing powder and the same methods. Wherever the players are, their bed smells and feels the same.

Is Howard Huges the Saints' director of football?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on January 16, 2014, 05:02:41 PM
Mr. Posh Spice is trying to get a MLS franchise going in Miami.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on January 16, 2014, 05:28:13 PM
Yep part of his contract when he first signed with MLS had provision about ownership of team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on January 18, 2014, 06:44:03 PM
From Liverpool....

https://vine.co/v/hlvwwpztEgr
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 18, 2014, 06:53:40 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on January 18, 2014, 06:44:03 PM
From Liverpool....

https://vine.co/v/hlvwwpztEgr
:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 22, 2014, 11:41:22 AM
Mata to Manchester United for £40 million.  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on January 22, 2014, 11:42:29 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 22, 2014, 11:41:22 AM
Mata to Manchester United for £40 million.  :hmm:

not surprised at all.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on January 22, 2014, 11:45:30 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 22, 2014, 11:41:22 AM
Mata to Manchester United for £40 million.  :hmm:

Is that a rumour?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on January 22, 2014, 11:49:31 AM
Quote from: Tamas on January 22, 2014, 11:45:30 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 22, 2014, 11:41:22 AM
Mata to Manchester United for £40 million.  :hmm:

Is that a rumour?
Not quite:
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jan/21/chelsea-manchester-united-juan-mata
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on January 22, 2014, 11:50:24 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on January 22, 2014, 11:49:31 AM
Quote from: Tamas on January 22, 2014, 11:45:30 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 22, 2014, 11:41:22 AM
Mata to Manchester United for £40 million.  :hmm:

Is that a rumour?
Not quite:
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jan/21/chelsea-manchester-united-juan-mata

"Formal offer believed to be imminent
Mata must tell Chelsea he wants to leave"

oh yes it is
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 22, 2014, 03:03:42 PM
Mata is a great player but I'm not convinced that he alone will propel United to fourth place. Also, I wonder what Mourinho is thinking, if this is at all true.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 22, 2014, 05:38:23 PM

I woke up at 4am to watch the Man Utd-Sunderland game today. I dozed during a lot of it. Kept having dreams it was over and Sunderland had lost.
I was wide awake for Sunderland's equaliser and just knew it wouldn't last...and it didn't.
It went to penalties and I thought it was story of my life; teams I supprot never win on penalties.
Both teams turned out to be utterly crap at the penalties and our keeper, no doubt more warmed up than Mna Utds, was the difference that put us through.
So....Sunderland in the final :w00t:
Now I just have to hope any teams playing Man City next month kick them to bits and Sunderland's form keeps up.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on January 22, 2014, 06:40:34 PM
Of course the downside is you've now got Europa League next year.

As an outsider it's great though :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 23, 2014, 12:16:51 AM
Quote from: Tyr on January 22, 2014, 05:38:23 PM

I woke up at 4am to watch the Man Utd-Sunderland game today. I dozed during a lot of it. Kept having dreams it was over and Sunderland had lost.
I was wide awake for Sunderland's equaliser and just knew it wouldn't last...and it didn't.
It went to penalties and I thought it was story of my life; teams I supprot never win on penalties.
Both teams turned out to be utterly crap at the penalties and our keeper, no doubt more warmed up than Mna Utds, was the difference that put us through.
So....Sunderland in the final :w00t:
Now I just have to hope any teams playing Man City next month kick them to bits and Sunderland's form keeps up.

:cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on January 23, 2014, 03:33:31 AM
I don't think my Geordie friends could deal with Sunderland winning a cup.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 23, 2014, 04:18:55 AM
Quote from: celedhring on January 23, 2014, 03:33:31 AM
I don't think my Geordie friends could deal with Sunderland winning a cup.
I'm a Geordie and I'm very fine with it. :p
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on January 23, 2014, 04:38:11 PM
Barcelona's president has just resigned because of irregularities in Neymar's signing. I didn't think I'd ever see a Spanish football club president resigning if it's not to enter jail directly.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on January 23, 2014, 05:30:46 PM
The official song for WC '14 is produced and written by a Dane, so I guess we're sort of participating.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 23, 2014, 05:33:00 PM
Quote from: The Larch on January 23, 2014, 04:38:11 PM
Barcelona's president has just resigned because of irregularities in Neymar's signing. I didn't think I'd ever see a Spanish football club president resigning if it's not to enter jail directly.

What sort of irregularities? I'm not plugged into Spanish football so I'm wondering what the hell is going on.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on January 23, 2014, 05:48:09 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 23, 2014, 05:33:00 PM
Quote from: The Larch on January 23, 2014, 04:38:11 PM
Barcelona's president has just resigned because of irregularities in Neymar's signing. I didn't think I'd ever see a Spanish football club president resigning if it's not to enter jail directly.

What sort of irregularities? I'm not plugged into Spanish football so I'm wondering what the hell is going on.  :P

Not disclosing the full transfer fee paid for him. According to the club initially the transfer was for 30 something million €, afterwards they said that it was 50 something millions and AFAIK they're now putting it in the 70 something millions ballpark. Plenty of palms were greased in that deal, and now the case is formally under investigation by courts.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on January 23, 2014, 05:52:50 PM
I mean, the surprising thing is that Spanish clubs routinely misquote the transfer fees they give and receive, and their accounting is roughly on par to that of Hollywood studios in sneakiness, so the surprise is that this particular deal is receiving so much scrutiny.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on January 23, 2014, 05:56:26 PM
Any theories why it's receiving so much scrutiny?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on January 23, 2014, 06:01:10 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on January 23, 2014, 05:56:26 PMAny theories why it's receiving so much scrutiny?

A Barcelona club member took it to court so that the real price tag would come to light, as he has asked in the assembly and never received a satisfactory answer. AFAIK regular courts had never been involved in this kind of thing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 23, 2014, 06:30:46 PM
Ah interesting. Thanks Larch.

Do you think this investigation could lead to a change in the way transfer deals are done in Spain, ie make them more honest and transparent?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on January 23, 2014, 06:41:07 PM
Maybe it won't become so blatant, but this rot in buried deep into Spanish footie at the club level. They're legal black holes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on January 23, 2014, 06:49:21 PM
For instance, Bale's transfer fee is also widely in doubt. Real Madrid put it at 93 million €, IIRC, but Tottenham said that they received 103 millions. AFAIK Real Madrid didn't want to remove Cristiano Ronaldo's "Most expensive transfer ever" title, so they've always said that they paid less for Bale than what they paid for CR. Then you read what Tottenham says to have received and you see that their stories don't match.

It's also very funny when strange lopsided deals are announced for a certain price tag and, when the other team is required by law to disclose the fee because of being a publicly traded company (has happened with Benfica and Porto in the past, with investment companies partially owning the rights of footballers) and the amounts never ever match. I'd certainly welcome a worldwide ban on investment funds owning the rights of football players, as the Premier League did, but in some places like Portugal and South America they're very entrenched.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on January 24, 2014, 10:25:57 AM
Quote from: The Larch on January 23, 2014, 06:01:10 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on January 23, 2014, 05:56:26 PMAny theories why it's receiving so much scrutiny?

A Barcelona club member took it to court so that the real price tag would come to light, as he has asked in the assembly and never received a satisfactory answer. AFAIK regular courts had never been involved in this kind of thing.

Well, the thing is that he's accused Barça's president of greasing its own palm, which would land him in jail. I mean, I'm sure that it happens veeery often in Spanish footie, but it's not just misquoting transfer details.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 26, 2014, 09:43:51 PM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FU18Zmky.jpg%3F1&hash=26ff0ba873d697268bb2daee26220368e6abf835)


After a two-day course, I am now a United States Soccer Federation-certified Grade 8 referee. I look forward to dealing with annoying parents living vicariously through their unruly children and coaches who think they are Alex Ferguson.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on January 26, 2014, 09:52:55 PM
Your cat is suitably unimpressed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 26, 2014, 09:59:37 PM
Nor should he be  :lol:

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on January 26, 2014, 10:18:58 PM
Grats Funk!
What do you have to do for that, I am interested.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 26, 2014, 10:21:19 PM
Congrats.

I expect to see you refereeing a World Cup final in no time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 26, 2014, 10:37:18 PM
Not sure if it's different between regions but in my region I had to take a two-day course (two eight-hour sessions) and pass a 50 question test with at least a 76. I got a 96 of course.  :showoff:

I can referee youth games and some adult games. If I like it enough I may try to make Grade 7 in a couple years.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on January 26, 2014, 10:39:03 PM
MOAR CAT
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 26, 2014, 10:42:36 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on January 26, 2014, 10:39:03 PM
MOAR CAT

Bertie will be playing soccer with me tomorrow. Stay tuned.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on January 26, 2014, 10:43:07 PM
PM sent funk :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 27, 2014, 06:04:51 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 26, 2014, 09:43:51 PM
(http://i.imgur.czmky.jpg?1)


After a two-day course, I am now a United States Soccer Federation-certified Grade 8 referee. I look forward to dealing with annoying parents living vicariously through their unruly children and coaches who think they are Alex Ferguson.
So Funk is the bastard in black ey. :p
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 27, 2014, 10:16:19 AM
Quote from: Tyr on January 27, 2014, 06:04:51 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 26, 2014, 09:43:51 PM

After a two-day course, I am now a United States Soccer Federation-certified Grade 8 referee. I look forward to dealing with annoying parents living vicariously through their unruly children and coaches who think they are Alex Ferguson.
So Funk is the bastard in black ey. :p

Actually it's a gold uniform for us.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on January 28, 2014, 04:15:48 PM
Tonight I will mainly be drinking methylated spirits and hot tears :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on January 28, 2014, 05:12:48 PM
There was an awesome shot of an Everton fan picking his nose.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 28, 2014, 05:18:37 PM
Days like this, feels good to be a Reds fan again. :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 28, 2014, 06:27:56 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on January 28, 2014, 04:15:48 PM
Tonight I will mainly be drinking methylated spirits and hot tears :weep:

I didn't see the game but I saw the score. My condolences.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on February 01, 2014, 10:00:44 AM
C'mon Newcastle fans! Punch a police horse this year too.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 01, 2014, 10:57:06 AM
Jozy Altidore is really bad.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 02, 2014, 07:02:55 AM
Altidore this year has been pretty mediocre at best generally but he has had some good games, in yesterdays game he played very well. Did everything but score.

Quote from: Ed Anger on February 01, 2014, 10:00:44 AM
C'mon Newcastle fans! Punch a police horse this year too.
We had to settle for pitch invasions to trying to stop the game :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 02, 2014, 12:11:45 PM
Bugs me about Liverpool is they can go from a  great high to playing like a bottom-table side in a few days :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 08, 2014, 09:43:20 AM
....and then they return and smash a top side again. Frustrating being a Reds fan
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on February 08, 2014, 10:15:46 AM
I enjoyed it.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 08, 2014, 11:18:03 AM
FFS Arsenal  :bleeding: :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on February 08, 2014, 01:54:06 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 08, 2014, 11:18:03 AM
FFS Arsenal  :bleeding: :bleeding:

Did you see crying arsenal fan in the visiting fan section on TV? Hilarious.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 08, 2014, 11:01:03 PM
I turned the TV off after the fourth goal  :lol:

I did see that crazy-looking Arsenal fan with the long white hair and nose piercings who goes to every Arsenal match. The camera crews always seem to search for him. He was not pleased at all.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on February 09, 2014, 09:24:33 AM
<_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 09, 2014, 10:37:25 AM
<_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on February 11, 2014, 01:44:31 PM
Bayern Munich just got 110 million Euro for a 8.3% share of their stocks from Allianz AG, a big insurance company. They have now got Audi, Adidas and Allianz as owners now with the other 75% being owned by the original sports club. They will pay off their arena with that money and will then be debt free.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 11, 2014, 05:53:56 PM
They're a death star :o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 11, 2014, 06:41:05 PM
They have the best team on the planet, Pep Guardiola, and all the money in the world. They should be winning everything forever.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 13, 2014, 08:18:40 AM
Some materials leaked over at the Palm Beach Post suggest that one of the discussed names for Beckham's Miami MLS franchise is...

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.palmbeachpost.com%2Fcaneswatch%2Ffiles%2F2014%2F02%2Fmiamisoccer-2-200x300.jpg&hash=c6987763b6307ce3b76d54ca936c0a9794ea277b)

http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/caneswatch/2014/02/12/miami-david-beckham-mls-team-name-logos-kit/

Make it happen.  :cool:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 13, 2014, 08:40:53 AM
 :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 13, 2014, 09:43:56 AM
Richard Møller Nielsen died today. :( The coach who lead the national team to victories in the EC '92 and Confederations Cup in '95.

RIP.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on February 13, 2014, 09:47:20 AM
Quote from: Liep on February 13, 2014, 09:43:56 AM
Richard Møller Nielsen died today. :( The coach who lead the national team to victories in the EC '92 and Confederations Cup in '95.

RIP.

:( RIP mighty leader of Vikings.

However you are not allowed to be happy about the Confederations Cup, I was informed when I got excited about the US making the finals in 2009 that nobody cares about it and I was a yankee doofus for thinking that mattered.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 13, 2014, 09:55:10 AM
It was named something different, after a Saudi Arabian sheik iirc. But anyhoo, winning 2-0 against Argentina in a glorious game in the heat is something that mattered for us. And it still does, even if it has that club world championship vibe, a tournament I've never watched and never will watch.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 13, 2014, 10:01:12 AM
Quote from: celedhring on February 13, 2014, 08:18:40 AM
Some materials leaked over at the Palm Beach Post suggest that one of the discussed names for Beckham's Miami MLS franchise is...

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.palmbeachpost.com%2Fcaneswatch%2Ffiles%2F2014%2F02%2Fmiamisoccer-2-200x300.jpg&hash=c6987763b6307ce3b76d54ca936c0a9794ea277b)

http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/caneswatch/2014/02mi-david-beckham-mls-team-name-logos-kit/

Make it happen.  :cool:

Wait...one of their colours is green?
That's a rarity.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on February 13, 2014, 02:44:34 PM
 <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 14, 2014, 10:07:54 AM
17 or 41? What age is Joseph Minala, the youth player from Lazio. This picture looks photoshopped, like someone took the head of a 41 year old and put it on a younger body.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmultimedia.pol.dk%2Farchive%2F00822%2FJoseph_Minala_822677a.png&hash=1ce95698bf30851a472db2bd777150ee147546cf)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 14, 2014, 10:43:55 AM
Picture isn't shopped at all, google his name and you'll see that's certainly his head.

About his real age, dunno. I don't think he's 41, his body seems youthful enough in all the pics I have seen. He might just have some really bad skin/features.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on February 14, 2014, 11:36:50 AM
Quote from: Tyr on February 13, 2014, 10:01:12 AM
Wait...one of their colours is green?
That's a rarity.

Green/Teal isn't uncommon for sports teams in Miami.

Did anyone see this:

http://www.bobsblitz.com/2014/02/soccer-player-scores-headbutts-through.html

Awesome. I don't get the red card though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 14, 2014, 03:25:00 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on February 14, 2014, 11:36:50 AM
Quote from: Tyr on February 13, 2014, 10:01:12 AM
Wait...one of their colours is green?
That's a rarity.

Green/Teal isn't uncommon for sports teams in Miami.

Did anyone see this:

http://www.bobsblitz.com/2014/02/soccer-player-scores-headbutts-through.html

Awesome. I don't get the red card though.

It's the douchebag rule, perfectly acceptable card.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 14, 2014, 03:33:46 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on February 14, 2014, 11:36:50 AM
Quote from: Tyr on February 13, 2014, 10:01:12 AM
Wait...one of their colours is green?
That's a rarity.

Green/Teal isn't uncommon for sports teams in Miami.

Did anyone see this:

http://www.bobsblitz.com/2014/02/soccer-player-scores-headbutts-through.html

Awesome. I don't get the red card though.

:lmfao:

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on February 14, 2014, 06:30:14 PM
I see Greg Oden is playing for Lazio now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 14, 2014, 07:20:41 PM
Did I mention Toronto FC now also has Brazil's No. 1 goalkeeper?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 14, 2014, 09:33:58 PM
Quote from: Josephus on February 14, 2014, 07:20:41 PM
Did I mention Toronto FC now also has Brazil's No. 1 goalkeeper?
That's like saying the local whorehouse has Scotland's hottest woman.
That may be so. But hot women are hardly what Scotland is known for. :p
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 15, 2014, 08:38:11 AM
Too early in the a.m. for me to figure out that metaphor.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 15, 2014, 08:39:54 AM
Although I have been in Scotland and did make an observation about the women there. They all had huge breasts. The weren't particularly pretty. And all the 16 year olds were wheeling babies in prams.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 15, 2014, 09:12:36 AM
My point was just that despite Brazil being famous for being amazing at football its keepers are one area where it isn't particularly reknowned.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 15, 2014, 01:14:57 PM
Julio César is a quality goalkeeper though, and it's a World Cup year so he won't lazy it up.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 15, 2014, 03:11:34 PM
Quote from: Tyr on February 15, 2014, 09:12:36 AM
My point was just that despite Brazil being famous for being amazing at football its keepers are one area where it isn't particularly reknowned.

True. Though he did win several scudettos and a champions league.

Luck, probably.  ;)

Look, no one's saying he's the best goalie ever....but he was pretty good, and still is.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 15, 2014, 03:15:28 PM
Quote from: celedhring on February 15, 2014, 01:14:57 PM
Julio César is a quality goalkeeper though, and it's a World Cup year so he won't lazy it up.

that's the only reason he's here now. He wasn't getting playing time at QPR and needs game time before WC, so yeah, he'll be at his best, at least until June
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 15, 2014, 10:26:29 PM
Yesterday was the FA cup. There was a lot of talk on Sunderland fan sites about fixture congestion in March, which would become worse if we drew that game and had to replay. Luckily we won. But I then read a pre-match inteview with our head coach where he said he would rather lose than draw.
That got me thinking.
I was wondering about a theoretical. Neither side particularly care about a cup competition and want to lose. Would there be any fines or genuine negative treatment by the FA if both tried to lose? (fans would of course be pissed off) Has such a thing ever happened?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on February 15, 2014, 11:18:55 PM
Quote from: celedhring on February 15, 2014, 01:14:57 PM
Julio César is a quality goalkeeper though, and it's a World Cup year so he won't lazy it up.

Too bad the World Cup is not being played in Gaul.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 16, 2014, 06:02:39 AM
Quote from: Valmy on February 15, 2014, 11:18:55 PM
Quote from: celedhring on February 15, 2014, 01:14:57 PM
Julio César is a quality goalkeeper though, and it's a World Cup year so he won't lazy it up.

Too bad the World Cup is not being played in Gaul.

Good that it's not being played in March, though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 16, 2014, 09:01:38 AM
Quote from: Tyr on February 15, 2014, 10:26:29 PM
Yesterday was the FA cup. There was a lot of talk on Sunderland fan sites about fixture congestion in March, which would become worse if we drew that game and had to replay. Luckily we won. But I then read a pre-match inteview with our head coach where he said he would rather lose than draw.
That got me thinking.
I was wondering about a theoretical. Neither side particularly care about a cup competition and want to lose. Would there be any fines or genuine negative treatment by the FA if both tried to lose? (fans would of course be pissed off) Has such a thing ever happened?

It'll never happen. Teams always play to win. It's in their nature. Some teams, as happens often, may rest top players or those carrying a knock around, but the 11 on the field always play to win.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 16, 2014, 11:14:22 AM
Some bastard shot a tear gas cannister into my team's game yesterday.   :wacko:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on February 16, 2014, 02:16:04 PM
Quote from: The Larch on February 16, 2014, 11:14:22 AM
Some bastard shot a tear gas cannister into my team's game yesterday.   :wacko:

I LOVE SOCCER FANS.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on February 17, 2014, 10:24:13 AM
:yeah:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdb2.stb.s-msn.com%2Fi%2FC0%2F62434F78A4707DA96A77BD33B3277_h300_w300_m6_q80_cebbkjNmg.jpg&hash=2579b91789b9aae600cc28f3f680a4cece9c2f5c)

:yeah: :yeah:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on February 17, 2014, 10:41:23 AM
Bucky beaver looks like he got shot in that picture.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 18, 2014, 06:14:44 PM
Great win at the Etihad tonight. To be frank given our decline these past months and City's form was fearing it would get ugly. But we aren't finished yet.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 18, 2014, 08:10:01 PM
You got a red card on a play that just maybe wasnt a penatly.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 19, 2014, 04:25:51 AM
Quote from: Josephus on February 16, 2014, 09:01:38 AM
Quote from: Tyr on February 15, 2014, 10:26:29 PM
Yesterday was the FA cup. There was a lot of talk on Sunderland fan sites about fixture congestion in March, which would become worse if we drew that game and had to replay. Luckily we won. But I then read a pre-match inteview with our head coach where he said he would rather lose than draw.
That got me thinking.
I was wondering about a theoretical. Neither side particularly care about a cup competition and want to lose. Would there be any fines or genuine negative treatment by the FA if both tried to lose? (fans would of course be pissed off) Has such a thing ever happened?

It'll never happen. Teams always play to win. It's in their nature. Some teams, as happens often, may rest top players or those carrying a knock around, but the 11 on the field always play to win.
Yeah, of course they could always just throw out the youth team and ignore it.
But still, I wonder about the theoretical.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 19, 2014, 04:40:05 AM
Quote from: Josephus on February 18, 2014, 08:10:01 PM
You got a red card on a play that just maybe wasnt a penatly.

It was always a red card regardless of the penalty, and we got a goal wrongly disallowed later on.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on February 20, 2014, 08:12:21 AM
:ultra:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 20, 2014, 09:46:06 AM
Remember the Neymar-gate, which costed Barcelona's president his job? The judge has just indicted today the club itself for a potential financial crime.  :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 20, 2014, 10:58:33 AM
€9m, pocket change given our loooong story of problems with the Spanish IRS. We paid up €40m just a few years ago.

Oh, what I would give for a proper board.  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 20, 2014, 02:43:56 PM
End Spanish football and send all their players to the MLS.  :menace:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on February 23, 2014, 07:48:26 AM
Euro 2016 qualifying groups:

Group A: Netherlands, Czech Republic, Turkey, Latvia, Iceland, Kazakhstan.
Group B: Bosnia-Hercegovina, Belgium, Israel, Wales, Cyprus, Andorra.
Group C: Spain, Ukraine, Slovakia, Belarus, FYR Macedonia, Luxembourg.
Group D: Germany, Republic of Ireland, Poland, Scotland, Georgia, Gibraltar.
Group E: England, Switzerland, Slovenia, Estonia, Lithuania, San Marino.
Group F: Greece, Hungary, Romania, Finland, Northern Ireland, Faroe Islands.
Group G: Russia, Sweden, Austria, Montenegro, Moldova, Liechtenstein.
Group H: Italy, Croatia, Norway, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, Malta.
Group I: Portugal, Denmark, Serbia, Armenia, Albania.

The top two teams in each of the nine groups qualify for the tournament finals, along with the best third-placed finisher. The remaining eight third-placed teams go into the play-offs in November 2015.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 23, 2014, 07:52:30 AM
Wait, Bosnia was seeded first? They should've joined us then for maximum Balkan fun. Anyhoo, it's an annoying group which we'll surely fail in.

Also have Gibraltar competed before? :huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 23, 2014, 08:04:34 AM
No, its their first time, just got recognised by UEFA a little while ago, not recognised by FIFA yet. They play all their games in Portugal.
Earlier today I read an article about them on the BBC website. They were hoping for England and a bunch of minnows. They got Scotland....I guess that's nice for them. And I suppose Germany will appeal too.
I read in the article that things were set so that they would not be drawn in the same group as Spain. I wonder if there are other blocks in place in the draw.

England seems to have gotten a fairly light group. :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on February 24, 2014, 07:25:44 PM
Quote from: Liep on February 23, 2014, 07:52:30 AM
Wait, Bosnia was seeded first?

Doesn't seem to me like anybody in that group resembles a first seed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on February 26, 2014, 04:23:51 PM
Schalke might just barely not make it against Real...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on February 26, 2014, 04:47:02 PM
Quote from: Zanza on February 26, 2014, 04:23:51 PM
Schalke might just barely not make it against Real...

wow  :mellow:

Bad week for the English teams.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on February 27, 2014, 03:26:36 PM
Lots of action and suspense in Frankfurt for the Europa League between Frankfurt and Porto. Like a remake of the first game with more goals [spoiler]and a different result[/spoiler]
[spoiler]I must confess i started to despair once[/spoiler]

Weird time for the start which made me miss the beginning.  :Embarrass:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 02, 2014, 05:23:24 AM
Cup final day. I fear the worst. Yet ha'way the lads,
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 02, 2014, 05:35:33 AM
Quote from: Tyr on March 02, 2014, 05:23:24 AM
Cup final day. I fear the worst. Yet ha'way the lads,

You'll win, don't worry.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 02, 2014, 10:51:55 AM
Fuck this world
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 02, 2014, 11:10:25 AM
My friends from Newcastle are possibly celebrating this more than if they won the cup themselves.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 02, 2014, 09:34:00 PM
Hence the local nickname of Newcastle fans; the scum.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 02, 2014, 10:05:31 PM
If it makes you feel better I knew I was wrong when I wrote that you'd win.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on March 02, 2014, 10:14:30 PM
I liked the Newcastle coach head butting that player. Must have thought he was a police horse.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 02, 2014, 11:21:47 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on March 02, 2014, 10:14:30 PM
I liked the Newcastle coach head butting that player. Must have thought he was a police horse.
:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on March 02, 2014, 11:28:22 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on March 02, 2014, 10:14:30 PM
I liked the Newcastle coach head butting that player. Must have thought he was a police horse.
Or Andy Carroll?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on March 03, 2014, 10:25:36 AM
Quote from: katmai on March 02, 2014, 11:28:22 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on March 02, 2014, 10:14:30 PM
I liked the Newcastle coach head butting that player. Must have thought he was a police horse.
Or Andy Carroll?

Neigh.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on March 05, 2014, 12:17:52 PM
Going to watch Germany v Chile friendly today in the stadium. I've never seen the national team live before.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 05, 2014, 03:28:46 PM
England looks good so far, of course our defense isn't looking sharp at all. All of that doesn't matter though, as B52, the Big Ben, Bendtner is playing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 05, 2014, 03:44:05 PM
Christian Eriksen would've scored on that run, but we have to settle for the clumsiness that is Jakob Poulsen. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 05, 2014, 03:51:36 PM
And Schmeichel with a nice save. It's been too long since I've been able to say that last.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 05, 2014, 04:27:05 PM
Bomber Ben, Biggie B, The Bendtster is out. Duncan is in, but he fails a 100% chance as the first thing he does.

Tsk, tsk.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on March 07, 2014, 05:03:26 AM
Funnily enough the Hungarian national team just keeps sinking to new lows.

FRIENDLY game AT HOME, against FINLAND. They get a leading goal via handball, and then try to sit on it so much that the Hungarian goalkeeper gets a yellow card for TIMEWASTING in the 40th minute of the FIRST HALF.

But as it turned out, you cannot play an ultra-defensive game with only sorry excuses for defenders. So the Finns, despite their utter inability to make something out of their attacks, still manage to score 2.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 07, 2014, 06:29:55 AM
Was those two goals by Litmanen? He can't be more than 45, surely he's still playing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on March 07, 2014, 07:04:32 AM
What a surprise that a key Arsenal player gets injured on international duty in the run up to the most important part of the season. Fuck these friendlies.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 07, 2014, 07:12:30 AM
Quote from: Liep on March 07, 2014, 06:29:55 AM
Was those two goals by Litmanen? He can't be more than 45, surely he's still playing.

43, actually, but already retired. He played until he was 40, though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 07, 2014, 07:13:15 AM
Quote from: Warspite on March 07, 2014, 07:04:32 AM
What a surprise that a key Arsenal player gets injured on international duty in the run up to the most important part of the season. Fuck these friendlies.
Is it a surprise that it was a Liverpool player who injured him? :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 07, 2014, 07:57:54 AM
It's Wilshere who we are talking about. You should always assume he's injured unless there's been an accident of some sorts.

Such a pity though, all that talent might go to waste since he's made of glass.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on March 07, 2014, 08:00:43 AM
Quote from: Warspite on March 07, 2014, 07:04:32 AM
What a surprise that a key Arsenal player gets injured on international duty in the run up to the most important part of the season. Fuck these friendlies.

Even more shocking it was a Jack Wheelchair.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 08, 2014, 11:52:56 AM
I'm going to spend tonight stealing hub caps in Islington.

Or drinking heavily. Whichever's easiest.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 08, 2014, 10:13:43 PM
The writing increasingly seems to be on the wall for international football. People care less and less and stuff like this..
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 09, 2014, 04:29:37 AM
It's just friendlies, nobody gives a fuck about club friendlies, what should they care more for international ones? The world will be out in force for the WC.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 09, 2014, 02:18:57 PM
After City lost today, it looks like Arsenal are the favorites to win the FA Cup this year and could finally win a trophy after 9 years. Their only competition are Championship sides and Hull so--

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.dailymail.co.uk%2Fi%2Fpix%2F2011%2F02%2F27%2Farticle-1360926-0D63BB28000005DC-455_634x436.jpg&hash=659443f651a6af5f13165a33a4a85c9b4d8af06d)

Oh.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on March 09, 2014, 02:44:31 PM
<_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on March 09, 2014, 04:03:19 PM
Bayern continues to stomp over the Bundesliga competition. They are like Celtic Glasgow this season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 09, 2014, 05:27:39 PM
Is this a new tradition, like City's annual 1-0 loss to Sunderland? :mellow:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 10, 2014, 05:20:59 AM
Quote from: celedhring on March 09, 2014, 04:29:37 AM
It's just friendlies, nobody gives a fuck about club friendlies, what should they care more for international ones? The world will be out in force for the WC.
They used to matter.
Playing for England (or whoever) was the big deal that everyone aspired to.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on March 10, 2014, 06:32:14 AM
Quote from: Tyr on March 10, 2014, 05:20:59 AM
Quote from: celedhring on March 09, 2014, 04:29:37 AM
It's just friendlies, nobody gives a fuck about club friendlies, what should they care more for international ones? The world will be out in force for the WC.
They used to matter.
Playing for England (or whoever) was the big deal that everyone aspired to.

International friendlies are the closest thing to competetive matches that can be used to evaluate players, see how the gel, get them to gel etc.

You can't show up to the world cup and meet your striking partner for the first time at the airport.

But to be honest I'd be pissed if Eden Hazard got injured playing a friendly for Belgium, just like I'd get pissed if Gylfi Þór Sigurðsson got injured playing a friendly for Tottenham.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 10, 2014, 09:41:29 AM
Quote from: Warspite on March 09, 2014, 02:44:31 PM
<_<

:hug: :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Beenherebefore on March 10, 2014, 12:05:04 PM
I'm cheering for Nigel Clough's Sheffield United (a team I would normally loathe) and hope Our Number Nine gets the medal that was denied him in 1991 as a player.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on March 11, 2014, 12:12:43 PM
Looks like Bayern president Uli Hoeness could get a prison sentence for tax evasion - he might owe more than 25 million Euro which has a six months to ten years prison term as punishment.
He was responsible for establishing Bayern as the formidable enterprise they are nowadays since he took over in 1979.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on March 11, 2014, 01:10:41 PM
Bayern shot a goal in 99 out of its last 100 games. The only exception was the second game against Arsenal last year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Beenherebefore on March 11, 2014, 01:13:33 PM
Bayern München impresses me. Not just because of the results, but because of the football produced. It's a sight for sore eyes.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on March 11, 2014, 03:41:34 PM
Quote from: Zanza on March 11, 2014, 01:10:41 PM
Bayern shot scored a goal in 99 out of its last 100 games. The only exception was the second game against Arsenal last year.

:)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on March 13, 2014, 12:48:08 PM
Quote from: Zanza on March 11, 2014, 12:12:43 PM
Looks like Bayern president Uli Hoeness could get a prison sentence for tax evasion - he might owe more than 25 million Euro which has a six months to ten years prison term as punishment.
He was responsible for establishing Bayern as the formidable enterprise they are nowadays since he took over in 1979.
He got three years and six months, but will appeal to the federal court of justice. As he was really the most important man at Bayern for the last thirty years, this might have an influence on Bayern's midterm prospects.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 13, 2014, 01:19:25 PM
He'll do like the narcos and rule his empire from within jail  :P

Happy about our win yesterday. We have been in such a sucky form/attitude this year that I was losing hope. Hope Messi starts picking up form, he was back to his old dominant self yesterday.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 15, 2014, 05:56:53 PM
Defoe gets two on his TFC debut

(it rhymes).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 16, 2014, 01:43:24 PM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.minus.com%2Filk6aEtKWmrBK.gif&hash=216026f35d56e990dafe313be5474f1e78651d6e)

:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Neil on March 16, 2014, 02:41:23 PM
Is there a lot of rejoicing in Europe over Chelsea being beaten?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on March 16, 2014, 04:43:47 PM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FuLpy920.jpg&hash=24a7974609fc0b85a0505cc34dc7056906258c62)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on March 16, 2014, 05:27:27 PM
:yeah: :yeah: :yeah:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 16, 2014, 05:29:03 PM
For someone who's not a fan of Arsenal or Spurs, I'm really enjoying Tim Sherwood's period in our lives. I don't know why  :Embarrass:

Today: :)

Edit: Incidentally Mata for Ferdinand is woefully reminiscent of Cahill for Neville :bleeding: :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on March 21, 2014, 07:07:27 AM
CL Quarter Final:

FC Barcelona - Atlético Madrid
Real Madrid - Borussia Dortmund
Paris St. Germain - FC Chelsea
Manchester United - Bayern München
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 21, 2014, 07:37:05 AM
Should be some fun games. The Man U game will be painful to watch though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on March 21, 2014, 07:46:02 AM
Not for Bayern fans.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 21, 2014, 09:39:29 AM
All of those look tasty to watch.

Especially Man Utd and Bayern.  :menace: :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on March 21, 2014, 09:56:42 AM
QuoteMoscow is facing a raft of sanctions from the US and EU, but Fifa President Sepp Blatter tells the BBC's Alex Capstick that there are no plans to take the 2018 World Cup away from Russia: "This World Cup has been paid for by voted to Russia and we are going forward with it," he says
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on March 22, 2014, 08:46:54 AM
Arsenal looks stinky.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 22, 2014, 08:57:38 AM
Arsenal  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 22, 2014, 09:04:52 AM
So that's Chelsea winning the league then. Shame, I was looking forward to it being someone new for a change- Liverpool have more novelty but Arsenal are less cuntish.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 22, 2014, 09:27:19 AM
I feel bad for Wenger, no one deserves that in their 1000th game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on March 22, 2014, 11:20:05 AM
you can all go to hell
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 22, 2014, 11:24:55 AM
I stopped watching after the third goal. :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on March 22, 2014, 11:30:35 AM
Bayern Munich is unbeaten in 51 league games in a row. Of those 51 games, 45 are wins. They've now won 18 games in a row.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on March 22, 2014, 11:33:45 AM
Quote from: Syt on March 22, 2014, 11:30:35 AM
Bayern Munich is unbeaten in 51 league games in a row. Of those 51 games, 45 are wins. They've now won 18 games in a row.

I've noticed all those 'The Bundesliga is so competitive; isn't German football wonderful and perfect?" editorials in British newspapers have stopped.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 22, 2014, 11:51:56 AM
Quote from: Tyr on March 22, 2014, 09:04:52 AM
So that's Chelsea winning the league then. Shame, I was looking forward to it being someone new for a change- Liverpool have more novelty but Arsenal are less cuntish.

Not so fast, Liverpool have a fair argument to make. As do City.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 22, 2014, 11:54:47 AM
Quote from: Tyr on March 22, 2014, 09:04:52 AM
So that's Chelsea winning the league then. Shame, I was looking forward to it being someone new for a change- Liverpool have more novelty but Arsenal are less cuntish.
Don't even joke about Liverpool winning the league :weep:  :yucky:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on March 22, 2014, 12:32:40 PM
Quote from: Warspite on March 22, 2014, 11:33:45 AM
I've noticed all those 'The Bundesliga is so competitive; isn't German football wonderful and perfect?" editorials in British newspapers have stopped.
The other 17 teams are fairly competitive. ;) But Bayern almost literally play in a league of its own. Will be interesting to see how they do in the CL this year. I expect them to win against ManU at least.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on March 22, 2014, 01:54:33 PM
Quote from: Warspite on March 22, 2014, 11:33:45 AM
Quote from: Syt on March 22, 2014, 11:30:35 AM
Bayern Munich is unbeaten in 51 league games in a row. Of those 51 games, 45 are wins. They've now won 18 games in a row.

I've noticed all those 'The Bundesliga is so competitive; isn't German football wonderful and perfect?" editorials in British newspapers have stopped.

It's basically like the scottish league now that rangers are still climbing back up.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on March 22, 2014, 02:02:48 PM
What is interesting is that the 2-4 teams (at least) do well in international play, at least decently play in the group stages.  That means Bayern Munich is just that much better.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 22, 2014, 05:41:29 PM
Toronto FC now 2-0-0. Defoe 3 goals in two games. What's not to like?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 23, 2014, 12:01:37 AM
I'm done with football. I need a new religion. Maybe I should go all faux-north and give rugby league another crack?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 23, 2014, 04:57:55 PM
Fuck yeah  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on March 23, 2014, 05:01:02 PM
Quote from: Tyr on March 23, 2014, 12:01:37 AM
I'm done with football. I need a new religion. Maybe I should go all faux-north and give rugby league another crack?

Scientology works wonders for the soul, .. apparently.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 23, 2014, 05:01:23 PM
Quote from: celedhring on March 23, 2014, 04:57:55 PM
Fuck yeah  :lol:
I agree.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 23, 2014, 08:37:50 PM
Quote from: mongers on March 23, 2014, 05:01:02 PM
Quote from: Tyr on March 23, 2014, 12:01:37 AM
I'm done with football. I need a new religion. Maybe I should go all faux-north and give rugby league another crack?

Scientology works wonders for the soul, .. apparently.
Needs more arguments about what is and is not canon.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Beenherebefore on March 24, 2014, 08:50:15 AM
0-5 against Derby. Davies out. And now probably Neil Warnock in. Forest is a bloody disaster. Again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on March 26, 2014, 04:36:27 AM
Bayern has won the German championship now with total dominance. They have smashed all records in the Bundesliga this season.

I wonder if it is an advantage for them that they can now completely focus on the Champions League whereas their competitors there must still fight in their domestic leagues.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 26, 2014, 04:39:32 AM
Quote from: Zanza on March 26, 2014, 04:36:27 AM
Bayern has won the German championship now with total dominance. They have smashed all records in the Bundesliga this season.

I wonder if it is an advantage for them that they can now completely focus on the Champions League whereas their competitors there must still fight in their domestic leagues.

When he was with us (good times) Pep always said he'd rather have a competitive game every 3-4 days, since it keeps the players focused.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on March 26, 2014, 06:20:21 AM
Quote from: Beenherebefore on March 24, 2014, 08:50:15 AM
0-5 against Derby. Davies out. And now probably Neil Warnock in. Forest is a bloody disaster. Again.

Even we (Charlton) beat you yesterday. Forest have some good players but they all seem to be injured.

Warnock has turned you down. Looks like it may be Dowie. In which case, enjoy League 1.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on March 26, 2014, 06:28:56 AM
Quote from: Gups on March 26, 2014, 06:20:21 AM
Quote from: Beenherebefore on March 24, 2014, 08:50:15 AM
0-5 against Derby. Davies out. And now probably Neil Warnock in. Forest is a bloody disaster. Again.

Even we (Charlton) beat you yesterday. Forest have some good players but they all seem to be injured.

Warnock has turned you down. Looks like it may be Dowie. In which case, enjoy League 1.

If it's Dowie, I am going to cry and get better anti-depressants.
The twattosphere's saying "Zola" but the club's a right old mess now. Forest had around Christmas a squad that would be good enough for a top six finish. Now we're fielding players like Greening . The Lansbury injury really hit the team hard, and Jack Hobbs is out, Reid's out and those three have been the rocks in the team. If Forest hire Dowie, that's just another Cotternil appointment.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 26, 2014, 02:36:03 PM
UEFA plans to replace international friendlies with a league competition between international sides:

Quote
Uefa's new 'League of Nations' tournament will see some countries win qualifying places for the World Cup and European Championships, it has emerged.

The new tournament, which would be played biennially in odd-numbered years on the dates currently reserved for friendlies, is expected to be given the go-ahead by Uefa's Congress in Kazakhstan on Thursday after receiving backing from the body's ruling executive committee on Wednesday.

The exact format has still to be confirmed, but Uefa sources said European countries would be split into four divisions, with England set to be in a top division of 14 teams along with Spain, Germany, Italy and Holland.

The Nations League would begin after the 2018 World Cup and have a climax of semi-finals and final at a neutral venue, while in the lower divisions there would be a final to decide on promotion and qualification places for the World Cup and European Championships.

The new tournament would not replace the current qualifying competitions for those major events, but it would award the four qualification spots that are currently decided by the play-offs.

There would also be some friendly dates kept to allow smaller countries to arrange high-profile fixtures with the big names in European football, and for countries to play friendlies against others from outside of Europe.

The Football Association has already backed the idea of the Nations League.

FA chairman Greg Dyke said earlier this month: "In principle, we'd be quite interested. The hard thing about that is the detail but I think a Nations League where we played the top nations would be very attractive."

Uefa has been working on the new competition for some time - Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet revealed back in October that European football's chiefs were engaged in discussions to change the format of friendly games.

International friendlies are a really dour watch, so I'm willing to give this the benefit of the doubt.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on March 26, 2014, 03:07:03 PM
UEFA coming up with more silly plans. And here's the weather.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on March 30, 2014, 02:42:41 PM
Go Liverpool!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 30, 2014, 05:21:37 PM
Quote from: Zanza on March 30, 2014, 02:42:41 PM
Go Liverpool!

One step closer to glory.

Two decisive weeks coming up.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on March 30, 2014, 05:36:22 PM
I know once Sheilbh convinced me to back Everton that Liverpool would finally win one  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on March 30, 2014, 05:37:27 PM
Quote from: Valmy on March 30, 2014, 05:36:22 PM
I know once Sheilbh convinced me to back Everton that Liverpool would finally win one  :lol:
the curse :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on March 30, 2014, 06:20:35 PM
Liverpool Football Club has a bit of a reputation in England. Not only were they dirty back in their day, they always got that penno that they complain Man Utd got when they were rampaging through the Premiership. The only club probably more universally disliked by other fans must be "Dirty Leeds". And to be fair, in the 70s, everyone was a dirty bastard.

Have a look at what Kenny Burns did for the supposedly clean-playing Forest side:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2NhFoXT9s8

LFC is playing some good football, but I can't for the life of me bring myself to enjoying it. They have the most annoying fans who feel victimised every time they lose. They go on and on about Hillsborough, which granted was a disaster, but at least their opponents in that game have been out of the Premier League for close to two decades.

I don't hate football clubs, but LFC comes fairly high on my dislike list.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on March 30, 2014, 06:25:10 PM
They were more fun when the centaur Andy Carroll was playing for them. IM A HORSE YOU SEE.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 01, 2014, 06:54:36 AM
Quote from: Valmy on March 30, 2014, 05:36:22 PM
I know once Sheilbh convinced me to back Everton that Liverpool would finally win one  :lol:
I'm building a 'when Liverpool win the League' bunker. All welcome. Bring booze.

On the other hand now you're backing Everton you get to enjoy participating in Arsenal's annual panicked scrap for fourth place, one of the world's  great sporting traditions.

QuoteLiverpool Football Club has a bit of a reputation in England.
I've been up to see my family in Liverpool a couple of times recently. They haven't even won and they're already insufferable :bleeding:

The only upside to this is God willing they'll stop talking about Gerrard and the miracle in Istanbul.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 01, 2014, 06:56:29 AM
You'll never walk alone...to your bunker.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on April 01, 2014, 10:30:40 AM
Do you have a Liverpudlian accent Shelf?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on April 01, 2014, 11:01:00 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 01, 2014, 06:54:36 AM
the miracle in Istanbul.
To be fair, that was one of the best football games I've ever seen.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 01, 2014, 12:11:36 PM
Quote from: Zanza on April 01, 2014, 11:01:00 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 01, 2014, 06:54:36 AM
the miracle in Istanbul.
To be fair, that was one of the best football games I've ever seen.

I was even rooting for Liverpool towards the end  :Embarrass:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on April 01, 2014, 12:19:03 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 01, 2014, 06:54:36 AM
Quote from: Valmy on March 30, 2014, 05:36:22 PM
I know once Sheilbh convinced me to back Everton that Liverpool would finally win one  :lol:
I'm building a 'when Liverpool win the League' bunker. All welcome. Bring booze.

On the other hand now you're backing Everton you get to enjoy participating in Arsenal's annual panicked scrap for fourth place, one of the world's  great sporting traditions.

QuoteLiverpool Football Club has a bit of a reputation in England.
I've been up to see my family in Liverpool a couple of times recently. They haven't even won and they're already insufferable :bleeding:

The only upside to this is God willing they'll stop talking about Gerrard and the miracle in Istanbul.

Most of my mates are Liverpool fans. I didn't think anything could be worse then listening them whine on and on with their chronic sense of entitlement and outsized shoulder chips.

I was wrong.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on April 01, 2014, 12:38:27 PM
:sticks head over parapet:

I'm a Liverpool supporter.

:waves flag slightly self-consciously:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on April 01, 2014, 12:54:30 PM
Why is Liverpool seen so negatively when you have clubs like Chelsea and both Mancunian teams?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on April 01, 2014, 02:24:09 PM
"United have made 10 changes to the starting lineup that won the final against Bayern in 1999"

Ryan Giggs is really a legend by now. And old.  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on April 01, 2014, 02:44:42 PM
Quote from: Zanza on April 01, 2014, 12:54:30 PM
Why is Liverpool seen so negatively when you have clubs like Chelsea and both Mancunian teams?

Well, while I sympathise with my fellow fans they do go on about Hillsborough a bit much (although unfortunately with a degree of justification given the actions of certain members of officialdom at the time, hence why I still have a little patience with it.) You don't hear Bradford fans going on about the fire to anything like the same degree. I also concur with the poster above that Liverpool fans have never got over the end of the winning era of the Seventies and Eighties and that this has led to behaviour that's "got up people's noses".

There's also Heysel (although I haven't heard the name for a few years; the constant refrain of Hillsborough seems to have killed it.) Now, it wasn't just Liverpool's fans that were the problem at the time but it was the last straw that led to English clubs being banned from European competition for the best part of a decade.

There's also the fact that Liverpool were arrogant in the Eighties, without having the tragedy in the background that Manchester United can brandish about whenever anyone starts thinking their arrogance gets out of hand (the Munich Air Disaster which still gets United sympathy to this day!) Manchester United has also always been strangely more popular than other teams; when I was at Junior School in Desborough Manchester United had at least a dozen fans in my class whereas Liverpool (who at the time were at the height of their dominance) only had two or three.

As for Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City they haven't really attracted the baggage that Manchester United or Liverpool have through the latter two clubs winning streaks. British fans don't seem to mind massive influxes of foreign money to other clubs, presumably because they live in the hope of it happening to their side

I must admit if Liverpool do win the League I shall have to raise a glass in apology to Brendan Rogers (described by myself as a "one plan wonder") and to Liverpool's current owners ("why have they hired a one plan wonder") since they will have proved me wrong in the most decisive fashion possible.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 01, 2014, 03:04:46 PM
Nice header.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 01, 2014, 05:47:05 PM
Quote from: Zanza on April 01, 2014, 12:54:30 PM
Why is Liverpool seen so negatively when you have clubs like Chelsea and both Mancunian teams?

Yeah, that's a head scratcher for me as well, as Liverpool is generally seen in a positive light over here. Must be the Benítez legacy, plus the fact that until a few years ago some of the best Spanish players played there. I guess that not being exposed daily to their fans must play a part of that.  :lol:

Btw, our former star Iago Aspas plays there right now, after a juicy transfer last summer, so at least over here we're grateful to them for such a generous influx of cash.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 01, 2014, 08:01:48 PM
Quote from: The Larch on April 01, 2014, 05:47:05 PM
Quote from: Zanza on April 01, 2014, 12:54:30 PM
Why is Liverpool seen so negatively when you have clubs like Chelsea and both Mancunian teams?

Yeah, that's a head scratcher for me as well, as Liverpool is generally seen in a positive light over here. Must be the Benítez legacy, plus the fact that until a few years ago some of the best Spanish players played there. I guess that not being exposed daily to their fans must play a part of that.  :lol:

I dislike Liverpool exactly because of that. The whole "Spanish Liverpool" hype in our media was extremely irritating :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 01, 2014, 09:22:32 PM
Aspas sucks.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 02, 2014, 12:05:59 AM
Quote from: Zanza on April 01, 2014, 12:54:30 PM
Why is Liverpool seen so negatively when you have clubs like Chelsea and both Mancunian teams?
Well we dislike them too :lol:

They're a lot like Man United: a team whose Home Counties fanbase has an overwhelming sense of entitlement and a chip on their shoulder. Unlike United they haven't actually been that good in the past few years.

But they're just gobby. They never lose because they were poor, it's a refs' conspiracy with Ferguson to keep LFC down. They beat Tranmere Rovers in a pre-season friendly and they'll be all 'we're gonna win the league' for the next week.

If they actually win the league :ph34r: :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 02, 2014, 01:25:48 AM
I don't think man utd are as disliked. They always win and their fans are traditionally glory seekers but man utd were always our team in Europe. There was much more of an impression that they were successful because they were good and tried hard rather than say Chelsea which just threw more and more good money after bad until success came their way.
Pre Chelsea then certainly man utd were the hated ones, but post Chelsea.... We realised there were much worse things in this world than a team full of great homegrown talent, loved by referees.

Liverpool though..... I think it's something about  many scousers  in general too. They have this huge chip on their shoulder about being eclipsed by Manchester and today being merely a top 10 English city rather than the far and away second only to London, capital of all that is good, that they believe they should be.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on April 02, 2014, 02:14:02 AM
Quote from: Zanza on April 01, 2014, 12:54:30 PM
Why is Liverpool seen so negatively when you have clubs like Chelsea and both Mancunian teams?

For anyone over 40, we grew up with Liverpool winning everything and gathering legions of fans outside of Merseyside. Fans of clubs like Norwich were deprived of their one chance to play in Europe due to Heysel. And many Liverpool fans are just deeply irritating with their pathetic conspiracy theories as the Suarez/Evra incident showed.

That said, I'd guess that Chelsea and Man Utd are both more hated than Liverpool.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 02, 2014, 03:05:20 AM
Quote from: Gups on April 02, 2014, 02:14:02 AM
Quote from: Zanza on April 01, 2014, 12:54:30 PM
Why is Liverpool seen so negatively when you have clubs like Chelsea and both Mancunian teams?

For anyone over 40, we grew up with Liverpool winning everything and gathering legions of fans outside of Merseyside.

This is why I know of the hate towards them, thanks for making me feel old Gups. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 02, 2014, 06:04:49 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 01, 2014, 08:01:48 PM
Quote from: The Larch on April 01, 2014, 05:47:05 PM
Quote from: Zanza on April 01, 2014, 12:54:30 PM
Why is Liverpool seen so negatively when you have clubs like Chelsea and both Mancunian teams?

Yeah, that's a head scratcher for me as well, as Liverpool is generally seen in a positive light over here. Must be the Benítez legacy, plus the fact that until a few years ago some of the best Spanish players played there. I guess that not being exposed daily to their fans must play a part of that.  :lol:

I dislike Liverpool exactly because of that. The whole "Spanish Liverpool" hype in our media was extremely irritating :D

Luckily there are so many Spanish players abroad nowadays that the media can't push them all down our throats anymore.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 02, 2014, 06:10:09 AM
We've been slapped with a one year transfer ban  :bleeding:

I can't believe how absolutely awful this board has been.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on April 02, 2014, 07:23:49 AM
I feel a bit sorry about Marc ter Stegen. He's a really talented goalkeeper and now can't join your team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 02, 2014, 07:31:26 AM
Aye, was really looking forward having him play for us.

Sigh.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 02, 2014, 09:42:23 AM
Lol @ Barcelona

Also, Liverpool is shit. I have it on good authority that it is in fact Arsenal that are the greatest team the world has ever seen.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 02, 2014, 10:51:39 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 02, 2014, 07:31:26 AM
Aye, was really looking forward having him play for us.

Sigh.

Start bracing for one more year of Pinto as a starter goalie.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 02, 2014, 12:17:49 PM
Quote from: The Larch on April 02, 2014, 10:51:39 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 02, 2014, 07:31:26 AM
Aye, was really looking forward having him play for us.

Sigh.

Start bracing for one more year of Pinto as a starter goalie.  :lol:

Ouch.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 02, 2014, 01:06:12 PM
Quote from: Liep on April 02, 2014, 12:17:49 PM
Quote from: The Larch on April 02, 2014, 10:51:39 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 02, 2014, 07:31:26 AM
Aye, was really looking forward having him play for us.

Sigh.

Start bracing for one more year of Pinto as a starter goalie.  :lol:

Ouch.

Come on, he's a fairly decent keeper.  :P Maybe not first rate but he's surely dependable.  ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 02, 2014, 01:16:54 PM
People rap on a lot on Pinto, but he's fine. Our CB situation is far more grave.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 02, 2014, 01:22:24 PM
Quote from: celedhring on April 02, 2014, 01:16:54 PM
People rap on a lot on Pinto, but he's fine. Our CB situation is far more grave.

It's because of his ponytail. And his cornrows.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 02, 2014, 01:52:40 PM
Well, that started quickly.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 02, 2014, 06:59:16 PM
Jermaine Defoe is injured already. :mad:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 02, 2014, 11:08:42 PM
Granted it is Mexico, but USA looking good.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 03, 2014, 12:11:49 AM
Panamanians can't ref.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on April 03, 2014, 08:02:47 AM
My pants are a dairy factory. Psycho!!!!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on April 03, 2014, 08:05:21 AM
Quote from: Josephus on April 02, 2014, 06:59:16 PM
Jermaine Defoe is injured already. :mad:
have you learned nothing about Toronto sports teams? Hope is fleating and they survive on the tears of fans :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on April 03, 2014, 08:27:20 AM
Quote from: katmai on April 02, 2014, 11:08:42 PM
Granted it is Mexico, but USA looking good.

Never should have helped those punks get to the World Cup.  If they win a single match I will be bitter.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 06, 2014, 09:38:40 AM
:w00t: :mmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 06, 2014, 09:55:22 AM
Arsenal :bleeding: :bleeding: :bleeding: :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 06, 2014, 02:18:42 PM
Andy Carroll today.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on April 06, 2014, 02:21:15 PM
:ultra:

:ultra: :ultra: :ultra:

:ultra: :ultra:

:ultra: :ultra: :ultra: :ultra: :ultra: :ultra: :ultra:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on April 06, 2014, 04:06:21 PM
Quote from: Warspite on April 06, 2014, 02:21:15 PM
:ultra:

:ultra: :ultra: :ultra:

:ultra: :ultra:

:ultra: :ultra: :ultra: :ultra: :ultra: :ultra: :ultra:

No wonder they didn't do well, fielding a team of madmen, including two too many on the pitch and who's ever had success with a 3-2-7 formation.  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on April 06, 2014, 05:32:41 PM
Quote from: mongers on April 06, 2014, 04:06:21 PM
Quote from: Warspite on April 06, 2014, 02:21:15 PM
:ultra:

:ultra: :ultra: :ultra:

:ultra: :ultra:

:ultra: :ultra: :ultra: :ultra: :ultra: :ultra: :ultra:

No wonder they didn't do well, fielding a team of madmen, including two too many on the pitch and who's ever had success with a 3-2-7 formation.  :hmm:

:lol:

I'm ashamed to say that I had to read this twice to get the joke, but still... :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 06, 2014, 07:33:44 PM
Arsenal's drop in form is astonishing, but after Ramsey, Walcott, and Ozil died, can't say it wasn't expected.

It would be interesting to see Arsenal win the FA Cup but end up with 5th place in the league.  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on April 07, 2014, 10:07:19 AM
WENGER OUT
SACK THE BOARD
:ultra:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 07, 2014, 10:15:20 AM
Isn't Arsenal's schtick to fade away in the last third of the season?

Winning the FA would break the trophy duck, at least.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on April 07, 2014, 10:18:34 AM
We faded in the last third of 2007/08, our recent schtick has been to scrape CL qualification.

To throw away our position at the top of the league with 2 points from 12 has me utterly baffled.

I've never been a member of the WOB (Wenger Out Brigade) but I'm seriously questioning what in the name of God he is doing right now with the team. We have our best attacking outlets injured, yet he persists with the same intricate offensive orientation that yields only sterile possession. As a result, teams don't fear our attack and can focus on easy counter-attacking strategies that we find it very difficult to defend against with our slow defensive midfielders.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 07, 2014, 10:21:09 AM
Wenger is one of the best managers going. With a fraction of the funds and fan base of the other big teams he has kept Arsenal consistantly one of the top teams in the country.
I really respect Arsenal for sticking with him where most teams have a revolving door of managers.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on April 07, 2014, 11:24:49 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 07, 2014, 10:21:09 AM
Wenger is one of the best managers going. With a fraction of the funds and fan base of the other big teams he has kept Arsenal consistantly one of the top teams in the country.
I really respect Arsenal for sticking with him where most teams have a revolving door of managers.

And now with the transfer and wage budget to take on the big players, remind me who he brought in during our January injury crisis?

A crocked attacking midfielder
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 07, 2014, 11:28:15 AM
Getting Özil was a coup.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on April 07, 2014, 11:30:06 AM
Everton uber alles
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 07, 2014, 11:33:08 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 07, 2014, 10:15:20 AM
Isn't Arsenal's schtick to fade away in the last third of the season?
I think that's more Spurs' role. And this season they are doing it spectacularly :o

QuoteEverton uber alles
:hug:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on April 07, 2014, 11:33:23 AM
It appears that I will be in Barcelona on the last weekend of October. In case that Barcelona has a home match that evening, how far in advance would it be advisable to buy a ticket?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on April 07, 2014, 12:45:04 PM
Six years.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 07, 2014, 12:50:34 PM
Quote from: Valmy on April 07, 2014, 11:30:06 AM
Everton uber alles


Booooooooooooooooo
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on April 07, 2014, 12:57:13 PM
Quote from: Agelastus on April 06, 2014, 05:32:41 PM
Quote from: mongers on April 06, 2014, 04:06:21 PM
Quote from: Warspite on April 06, 2014, 02:21:15 PM
:ultra:

:ultra: :ultra: :ultra:

:ultra: :ultra:

:ultra: :ultra: :ultra: :ultra: :ultra: :ultra: :ultra:

No wonder they didn't do well, fielding a team of madmen, including two too many on the pitch and who's ever had success with a 3-2-7 formation.  :hmm:

:lol:

I'm ashamed to say that I had to read this twice to get the joke, but still... :lol:

Thanks for that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 07, 2014, 01:17:22 PM
Quote from: Warspite on April 07, 2014, 11:24:49 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 07, 2014, 10:21:09 AM
Wenger is one of the best managers going. With a fraction of the funds and fan base of the other big teams he has kept Arsenal consistantly one of the top teams in the country.
I really respect Arsenal for sticking with him where most teams have a revolving door of managers.

And now with the transfer and wage budget to take on the big players, remind me who he brought in during our January injury crisis?

A crocked attacking midfielder

One of Wenger's great managerial traits is his almost absurd level of confidence in his trusted players. Possibly his greatest fault is his almost absurd level of confidence in his trusted players.

That said, following this collapse, I expect he'll buy big this summer. Striker, midfielder, and defender. Striker because holy hell they need another option other than Giroud and ?????, a midfielder because of the inevitable injury crisis and Wenger loves collecting midfielders anyway, and a defender or two for when Vermaelen and/or Sagna leave in the summer. Striker and defender are most important though.

Anything less will be a failed summer IMO.

Hopefully an FA Cup can tide the fans over after a 5th place finish.  :mellow:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 07, 2014, 01:24:22 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 07, 2014, 01:17:22 PM
Hopefully an FA Cup can tide the fans over after a 5th place finish.  :mellow:
I think Arsenal are still more likely to get 4th.

But will Wenger carry on?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on April 07, 2014, 01:27:46 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 07, 2014, 01:24:22 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 07, 2014, 01:17:22 PM
Hopefully an FA Cup can tide the fans over after a 5th place finish.  :mellow:
I think Arsenal are still more likely to get 4th.

But will Wenger carry on?

Quote
One-Nil To The Arsenal.

Three-Nil Against Arsenal.

I think his work is done.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 07, 2014, 01:43:03 PM
Quote from: Syt on April 07, 2014, 11:33:23 AM
It appears that I will be in Barcelona on the last weekend of October. In case that Barcelona has a home match that evening, how far in advance would it be advisable to buy a ticket?

It really depends on the opposition. For most games you can easily find tickets up to the day of the match as ST holders release their seats. The Camp Nou rarely fills up, it's huge.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 07, 2014, 01:54:40 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 07, 2014, 01:24:22 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 07, 2014, 01:17:22 PM
Hopefully an FA Cup can tide the fans over after a 5th place finish.  :mellow:
I think Arsenal are still more likely to get 4th.

But will Wenger carry on?

I hope he stays for another season or two.  Preferably, he announces his retirement many months prior to actually leaving, so the club has suitable time to find a worthy successor.

Earlier in the season when Arsenal were flying and looked amazing I had an inkling of intuition that he would leave if Arsenal won the league this season. I suspect he'll give it one more try.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on April 07, 2014, 02:22:32 PM
Quote from: celedhring on April 07, 2014, 01:43:03 PM
Quote from: Syt on April 07, 2014, 11:33:23 AM
It appears that I will be in Barcelona on the last weekend of October. In case that Barcelona has a home match that evening, how far in advance would it be advisable to buy a ticket?

It really depends on the opposition. For most games you can easily find tickets up to the day of the match as ST holders release their seats. The Camp Nou rarely fills up, it's huge.
:thumbsup:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on April 07, 2014, 04:11:33 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 07, 2014, 01:17:22 PM
That said, following this collapse, I expect he'll buy big this summer. Striker, midfielder, and defender.

:lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 07, 2014, 04:35:23 PM
I know.  :lol: :Embarrass:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 07, 2014, 06:04:35 PM
We'll buy big this summer you'll see...

Oh wai--  :Embarrass:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 07, 2014, 06:16:28 PM
Quote from: celedhring on April 07, 2014, 06:04:35 PM
We'll buy big this summer you'll see...

Oh wai--  :Embarrass:

:console:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 07, 2014, 06:19:05 PM
I forgot it's a World Cup year so prices will be even more inflated than usual. :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 08, 2014, 03:15:15 PM
Good games tonight, though it appears Real Madrid is missing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 10, 2014, 10:59:51 AM
Liverpool winning the league the season after Ferguson retired would be funny.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 12, 2014, 03:24:33 AM
Any idea what today's premier kickoff times are 3.07?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 12, 2014, 05:34:10 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 12, 2014, 03:24:33 AM
Any idea what today's premier kickoff times are 3.07?

Hillsborough.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on April 12, 2014, 08:53:45 AM
2-5.  :thumbsdown: :pinch:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on April 12, 2014, 09:21:40 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 10, 2014, 10:59:51 AM
Liverpool winning the league the season after Ferguson retired would be funny.

No Man City will win it by a point or goal difference, so Liverpool fans can revel in the feeling of being cheated Again.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on April 12, 2014, 03:00:11 PM
Quote from: mongers on April 12, 2014, 09:21:40 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 10, 2014, 10:59:51 AM
Liverpool winning the league the season after Ferguson retired would be funny.

No Man City will win it by a point or goal difference, so Liverpool fans can revel in the feeling of being cheated Again.  :D

:hmm:

Most likely result if City win tomorrow would be a City title by at least five points (five points based on the games in hand, "at least" based on the way the top three have separated in many of the run-ins of the previous two decades.)

That won't stop the majority of fans from "feeling cheated" of course. [:rolleyes: even as a Liverpool fan.]

Still, on the positive side, Liverpool failing to win the title this year would delay the necessity of me apologising for describing Brendan Rogers as a "one plan wonder" for at least another year. :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 12, 2014, 05:47:54 PM
Everton's got the most points we've ever had in the Premier League and the most since 1986 :o

Also seven wins in a row which we've not done since the 80s :o

And the Mayor of Liverpool's said he expects an announcement about a new stadium in a few months :o

:ph34r: :w00t: :w00t: :ph34r:

Edit: Also, often we're enjoyable to watch :o :ph34r: :w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on April 12, 2014, 06:06:31 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 12, 2014, 05:47:54 PM
Everton's got the most points we've ever had in the Premier League and the most since 1986 :o

Also seven wins in a row which we've not done since the 80s :o

And the Mayor of Liverpool's said he expects an announcement about a new stadium in a few months :o

:ph34r: :w00t: :w00t: :ph34r:

Edit: Also, often we're enjoyable to watch :o :ph34r: :w00t:

You can thank Tim Howard for all of that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on April 12, 2014, 06:18:15 PM
I think both Rodgers and Martinez are among the most exciting managers in English football these days. And they're both in Liverpool clubs.

You could say Wenger, Pellegrini and Mourinho have more to their names, but Wenger's fading a bit, Pellegrini's had an open checkbook and world class talent even on the bench and Mourinho is too special for me.

I am equal parts stoked and apprehensive about Stuart Pearce at Forest from July. The man's a legend at the club, and will have financial backing (unless FFP kicks in and Forest gets severely punished for overspending this season). But his managerial record is just a few notches above definitely mediocre so far. The players haven't put a shift in under Gary Brazil's temporary reign and didn't under Davies' last few matches either. Getting rid of Davies and his cronies is a good thing for Forest. And avoiding Neil Warnock. Might have preferred the so far mediocre Nigel Clough to Pearce, actually.

But back to Brendan Rodgers. I followed his development of Swansea, and it seemed to me that he was a man with a philosophical approach to the game and with an intention to play a certain way. This season, I think he's proven that he's also adaptable to changes, and not at all afraid of changing tactics while remaining true to his overall strategy.
Roberto Martinez is a shockingly good manager compared to how mediocre he was as a player.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on April 12, 2014, 06:24:10 PM
Quote from: Norgy on April 12, 2014, 06:18:15 PM

Roberto Martinez is a shockingly good manager compared to how mediocre he was as a player.

The mediocre players, at least those who wanted to be better but couldn't because of basic physical gifts, are among the better coaches/managers out there - they know what it takes to succeed and often can drive the better players to achieve more.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 12, 2014, 06:37:16 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 12, 2014, 05:47:54 PM
Everton's got the most points we've ever had in the Premier League and the most since 1986 :o

Also seven wins in a row which we've not done since the 80s :o

And the Mayor of Liverpool's said he expects an announcement about a new stadium in a few months :o

:ph34r: :w00t: :w00t: :ph34r:

Edit: Also, often we're enjoyable to watch :o :ph34r: :w00t:

Everton will win the league next seaon at this rate.  :P

Meanwhile, Arsenal can barely scrape past Wigan on the way to an inevitable cup final collapse. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 12, 2014, 06:39:34 PM
Quote from: Norgy on April 12, 2014, 06:18:15 PMI think both Rodgers and Martinez are among the most exciting managers in English football these days. And they're both in Liverpool clubs.
Yeah I agree. I'd love nothing more than for Merseyside to have a few years of both clubs doing well.

QuoteI am equal parts stoked and apprehensive about Stuart Pearce at Forest from July. The man's a legend at the club, and will have financial backing (unless FFP kicks in and Forest gets severely punished for overspending this season). But his managerial record is just a few notches above definitely mediocre so far. The players haven't put a shift in under Gary Brazil's temporary reign and didn't under Davies' last few matches either. Getting rid of Davies and his cronies is a good thing for Forest. And avoiding Neil Warnock. Might have preferred the so far mediocre Nigel Clough to Pearce, actually.
I wish Championship sides were a little bolder in their appointments instead of always going for known quantities like Pearce, Warnock, Coyle, Dave Jones. I read an article recently blaming that (as opposed to foreigners) for getting in the way of good young English managers. They're stuck as assistants or in the lower leagues while Neil Warnock gets another job.

QuoteBut back to Brendan Rodgers. I followed his development of Swansea, and it seemed to me that he was a man with a philosophical approach to the game and with an intention to play a certain way. This season, I think he's proven that he's also adaptable to changes, and not at all afraid of changing tactics while remaining true to his overall strategy.
Roberto Martinez is a shockingly good manager compared to how mediocre he was as a player.
He's also been fortunate to have the backing of the owners to not sell Suarez. Look at that and then, say, Spurs and a fair few other clubs. It was the right decision and impressive from them and him.

There was a really interesting BBC documentary on Swansea: The Fall and Rise, it mainly focused on Martinez's time there but was more about the people who saved and ran the club. But so far Martinez has positively surprised a lot of people - though there are still some fans who can't stand him because we don't 'have a go' enough :bleeding:

QuoteEverton will win the league next seaon at this rate.  :P
Despite sharing a city Liverpool fans get all the bubbly optimism. Everton fans have a grim fatalism that we'll inevitably fuck this up and then end up building a new stadium in Warrington :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on April 12, 2014, 06:52:27 PM
Add to the list:
Mick McCarthy
Billy Davies
Alex McLeish

A "young and bright" manager was supposedly Darren Ferguson. Can't say I have seen any of that.

Dave Jones should be put on permanent gardening leave. Owen Coyle is a poor manager. Pearce has hardly managed in club football, and both stints were in the PL. First at Forest as player-manager, then with Man City on a budget.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on April 12, 2014, 07:23:12 PM
[Eric Morecambe]

Arsenal!

[/Eric Morecambe]
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on April 13, 2014, 05:04:20 AM
This whole "scraped past" narrative is a bit stupid, we dominated Wigan if you look at the statistics. The problem was that we had no finishing from Sanogo who was alone up front until Wenger went 4-4-2. The Ox hit the woodwork three times. Wigan never really threatened our goal. Also let's not forget that Wigan were undefeated in the FA Cup for two years and had just knocked Man City out.

But yes, it was an extremely nervy game. The fans were in very good voice however.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 13, 2014, 09:39:16 AM
Liverpool  :)

In the driver's seat now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 13, 2014, 10:11:18 AM
Quote from: Josephus on April 13, 2014, 09:39:16 AM
Liverpool  :)

In the driver's seat now.

It's actually amazing.

John Henry must have a smug look on his face now. America rulez.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 13, 2014, 10:44:24 AM
Quote from: Warspite on April 13, 2014, 05:04:20 AM
This whole "scraped past" narrative is a bit stupid, we dominated Wigan if you look at the statistics. The problem was that we had no finishing from Sanogo who was alone up front until Wenger went 4-4-2. The Ox hit the woodwork three times. Wigan never really threatened our goal. Also let's not forget that Wigan were undefeated in the FA Cup for two years and had just knocked Man City out.

But yes, it was an extremely nervy game. The fans were in very good voice however.

Fair points. It's hard to criticize a team for its character when they grind out a tough victory in a semifinal.

Wenger looked liked a tortured soul. Amy Lawrence's column was interesting.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on April 13, 2014, 03:00:25 PM
Wigan is one of those shite clubs I wish didn't exist.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on April 13, 2014, 07:13:18 PM
Quote from: Norgy on April 13, 2014, 03:00:25 PM
Wigan is one of those shite clubs I wish didn't exist.

Glass houses?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 13, 2014, 07:18:43 PM
Quote from: Josephus on April 13, 2014, 09:39:16 AM
Liverpool  :)

In the driver's seat now.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wired.com%2Fimages_blogs%2Fphotos%2Funcategorized%2F2007%2F10%2F01%2Fbunker.jpg&hash=74a6b91bf1e793227e25234d4d8a6d83076875ed)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 13, 2014, 09:06:39 PM
no comprende
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on April 13, 2014, 09:13:32 PM
Quote from: Josephus on April 13, 2014, 09:06:39 PM
no comprende

He has a bunker set up to survive Liverpudlian triumphalism.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on April 14, 2014, 03:01:51 AM
Quote from: mongers on April 13, 2014, 07:13:18 PM
Quote from: Norgy on April 13, 2014, 03:00:25 PM
Wigan is one of those shite clubs I wish didn't exist.

Glass houses?

:Embarrass:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 17, 2014, 01:08:57 PM
So City drew with Sunderland.

Holy shit Liverpool are going to win the league out of nowhere.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 17, 2014, 01:22:45 PM
I'm afraid they'll stumble over something that's just controversial enough to give them something to live on the next decade. And the Special One will win.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 17, 2014, 05:32:14 PM
Liverpool have a habit of dropping points against weaker teams. We shall see. This scouser fan is certainly hoping for the title.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 17, 2014, 09:23:54 PM
Gareth Bale's goal against lolcelona. (http://youtu.be/3QMTnnBUnqM)

Also, Ian Darke and Steven McManaman co-commentating again :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 17, 2014, 09:35:02 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 17, 2014, 09:23:54 PM
Gareth Bale's goal against lolcelona. (http://youtu.be/3QMTnnBUnqM)

Also, Ian Darke and Steven McManaman co-commentating again :wub:

I wish NBC could use those two. That Tim Howard color commentary last weekend was painful.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 17, 2014, 09:54:53 PM
Yeah he was brutal. He should stick to playing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 18, 2014, 02:27:43 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 17, 2014, 01:08:57 PM
So City drew with Sunderland.

Holy shit Liverpool are going to win the league out of nowhere.  :lol:

There is still a Chelsea-Liverpool game to go :contract:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 18, 2014, 03:07:37 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 17, 2014, 09:23:54 PM
Gareth Bale's goal against lolcelona. (http://youtu.be/3QMTnnBUnqM)

Also, Ian Darke and Steven McManaman co-commentating again :wub:
I've said it before, but 1 year of Pinto as starter. :console:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 18, 2014, 04:15:22 AM
Still somewhat hopeful we'll somehow swindle/bribe/blackmail our way to a ban postponement and sign somebody this summer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 18, 2014, 04:49:56 AM
It's the way football works. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 18, 2014, 05:03:54 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 17, 2014, 01:08:57 PM
So City drew with Sunderland.

Holy shit Liverpool are going to win the league out of nowhere.  :lol:
So close to winning. Damn false hope.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on April 18, 2014, 08:25:25 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 18, 2014, 02:27:43 AM
There is still a Chelsea-Liverpool game to go :contract:

It is kind of amazing Liverpool has yet to lose a Premier League matchup in 2014 and Chelsea is still hanging with them.  It is destiny or something.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 19, 2014, 01:32:25 PM
:blink: :blink:


:weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 19, 2014, 01:35:36 PM
So... Liverpool.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 19, 2014, 02:27:45 PM
I missed it but apparently Jozy Altidore fell down in the penalty area and Borini, a Liverpool loanee to Sunderland, scored the penalty to ruin Chelsea's title hopes.

You can't make this stuff up.  :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on April 19, 2014, 02:36:41 PM
I'm still keeping my fingers crossed; I've seen too many Liverpool teams of the last twenty years slip up against relative minnows...such as Norwich.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on April 19, 2014, 03:17:43 PM
Quote from: Agelastus on April 19, 2014, 02:36:41 PM
I'm still keeping my fingers crossed; I've seen too many Liverpool teams of the last twenty years slip up against relative minnows...such as Norwich.

Well if Chelsea win their last 3 games they end on 84pt, assuming the goal difference gap of 10 between the two clubs remains broadly the same, then Liverpool would need 7 pts out of 12, so a two wins, a draw and one loss would still win it for them.

Though I can see plenty of pitfalls for each team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on April 19, 2014, 03:24:24 PM
Quote from: mongers on April 19, 2014, 03:17:43 PM
Quote from: Agelastus on April 19, 2014, 02:36:41 PM
I'm still keeping my fingers crossed; I've seen too many Liverpool teams of the last twenty years slip up against relative minnows...such as Norwich.

Well if Chelsea win their last 3 games they end on 84pt, assuming the goal difference gap of 10 between the two clubs remains broadly the same, then Liverpool would need 7 pts out of 12, so a two wins, a draw and one loss would still win it for them.

Though I can see plenty of pitfalls for each team.

City win their last five games and they end up on 86 points; one slip by Liverpool and it could come down to goal difference. City are strong enough to win their last five games, although as you said there's still some possible pitfalls on their route.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on April 19, 2014, 03:30:26 PM
Quote from: Agelastus on April 19, 2014, 03:24:24 PM
Quote from: mongers on April 19, 2014, 03:17:43 PM
Quote from: Agelastus on April 19, 2014, 02:36:41 PM
I'm still keeping my fingers crossed; I've seen too many Liverpool teams of the last twenty years slip up against relative minnows...such as Norwich.

Well if Chelsea win their last 3 games they end on 84pt, assuming the goal difference gap of 10 between the two clubs remains broadly the same, then Liverpool would need 7 pts out of 12, so a two wins, a draw and one loss would still win it for them.

Though I can see plenty of pitfalls for each team.

City win their last five games and they end up on 86 points; one slip by Liverpool and it could come down to goal difference. City are strong enough to win their last five games, although as you said there's still some possible pitfalls on their route.

Indeed, though their form, only 5 wins in the last 10 games, is slight worse than Chelsea.

I'm rather surprised that Liverpool are 10 wins out of 10; maximum 30 points. :gasp:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on April 19, 2014, 04:53:50 PM
Quote from: Valmy on April 18, 2014, 08:25:25 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 18, 2014, 02:27:43 AM
There is still a Chelsea-Liverpool game to go :contract:

It is kind of amazing Liverpool has yet to lose a Premier League matchup in 2014 and Chelsea is still hanging with them.  It is destiny or something.

Man did I just fuck Chelsea or what?  I need to stop posting in this thread.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 19, 2014, 06:00:42 PM
Fuck this shit
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 19, 2014, 09:56:25 PM
So first Sunderland drew (nearly beat...) Man City, and now we've beat Chelsea.
You're welcome Liverpool. We just gave you the league.

Though typical Sunderland. We win the games that are pointless to us and lose the 6 pointers. <_<

Lets just hope Liverpool return the favour and beat Norwich
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 20, 2014, 08:34:43 AM
Liverpool made me sweat, but they pulled it off. Almost home now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on April 20, 2014, 09:03:51 AM
Quote from: Josephus on April 20, 2014, 08:34:43 AM
Liverpool made me sweat, but they pulled it off. Almost home now.

If Man City win all their last five games, then Liverpool would still need 7 points out of 9 in their last three, that assumes Man City maintain their greater goal difference.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on April 21, 2014, 06:56:50 PM
All the newspaper are reporting Moyes is set to go, possibly tomorrow or when it best for the markets.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 21, 2014, 07:21:59 PM
Does he get to keep that stupid Chosen One banner?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 21, 2014, 07:32:47 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 21, 2014, 07:21:59 PM
Does he get to keep that stupid Chosen One banner?

He gets to keep the one from Liverpool fans calling him a football genius.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 21, 2014, 07:36:52 PM
Quote from: mongers on April 21, 2014, 06:56:50 PM
All the newspaper are reporting Moyes is set to go, possibly tomorrow or when it best for the markets.

Supposedly United aren't confirming this but let it leak to try and force Moyes to resign so they don't have to pay him any money.  :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 21, 2014, 08:36:47 PM
Wish this moyes to leave business would have waited till next week, my team could use a demoralized man utd when we play them
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 21, 2014, 10:04:14 PM
So who replaces him?

Fergie back?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 21, 2014, 10:11:43 PM
The press seem to be suggesting Giggs in the short-term.

The bookies favourite for this summer is Louis van Gaal.

God willing that means Spurs stick with Sherwood for another year :lol: :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 21, 2014, 10:52:54 PM
Feel a bit bad for the fellow. Being in Ferguson's shadow is bad enough, but also trying to prove himself to a championship-winning team and try to find his own footing in Manchester United's history must've been too much. The next guy only has to be better than Moyes to be considered tolerable now.

I guess Manchester United now have to realize they're just like every other major team (with exceptions, of course): Find a manager, fire him after a few seasons, find a new one, rinse and repeat.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 22, 2014, 02:49:45 AM
And it is official.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 22, 2014, 04:45:43 AM
They better beat Norwich still :ultra:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on April 22, 2014, 04:50:48 AM
Quote from: Josephus on April 21, 2014, 10:04:14 PM
So who replaces him?

Fergie back?

I heard Butt and Giggs as caretakers.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on April 22, 2014, 08:12:09 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 21, 2014, 10:52:54 PM
Feel a bit bad for the fellow. Being in Ferguson's shadow is bad enough, but also trying to prove himself to a championship-winning team and try to find his own footing in Manchester United's history must've been too much. The next guy only has to be better than Moyes to be considered tolerable now.

I guess Manchester United now have to realize they're just like every other major team (with exceptions, of course): Find a manager, fire him after a few seasons, find a new one, rinse and repeat.

I saw a tv graphic that last season Everton under him finished 25 points below ManU, this season ManU under him is 10 points behind Everton, so other things being equal, the 'Moyes Effect' might be 35 points. :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 23, 2014, 04:56:56 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 18, 2014, 04:15:22 AM
Still somewhat hopeful we'll somehow swindle/bribe/blackmail our way to a ban postponement and sign somebody this summer.

You did it! I'm not sure whether it's an obvious bribe or an unsurprising incompetency in FIFA's bureaucracy. :hmm:

http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/organisation/news/newsid=2322794/index.html?intcmp=fifacom_hp_module_news_top
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 23, 2014, 05:15:41 AM
Last night's match was fucking dreary.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 23, 2014, 09:46:11 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 23, 2014, 05:15:41 AM
Last night's match was fucking dreary.

I didn't watch it. Is it safe to assume that 'Mourinho' happened?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 23, 2014, 09:49:42 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 23, 2014, 09:46:11 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 23, 2014, 05:15:41 AM
Last night's match was fucking dreary.

I didn't watch it. Is it safe to assume that 'Mourinho' happened?

Chelsea shot twice on goal, none of them dangerous. They closed themselves on their own goal leaving Torres stranded on top, and seemed allergic to actual attacking.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 23, 2014, 01:40:39 PM
Mourinho is reprehensible sometimes.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 23, 2014, 02:17:02 PM
Quote from: Liep on April 23, 2014, 04:56:56 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 18, 2014, 04:15:22 AM
Still somewhat hopeful we'll somehow swindle/bribe/blackmail our way to a ban postponement and sign somebody this summer.

You did it! I'm not sure whether it's an obvious bribe or an unsurprising incompetency in FIFA's bureaucracy. :hmm:

http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/organisation/news/newsid=2322794/index.html?intcmp=fifacom_hp_module_news_top

To be honest it makes sense that the ban is suspended until the appelation is resolved. Should the ban be upheld and then the TAS resolved against FIFA, we could probably sue them for damages.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 23, 2014, 10:08:43 PM
So Cruz Azul won Concacaf Champions Cup

:yawn:

In all seriousness, what's it gonna take for an MLS team to win?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on April 23, 2014, 10:28:11 PM
Quote from: Josephus on April 23, 2014, 10:08:43 PM
In all seriousness, what's it gonna take for an MLS team to win?

Some luck.  The Mexican club teams are tough to beat.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on April 23, 2014, 10:30:36 PM
Quote from: Josephus on April 23, 2014, 10:08:43 PM
So Cruz Azul won Concacaf Champions Cup

:yawn:

In all seriousness, what's it gonna take for an MLS team to win?
skill
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 24, 2014, 04:08:34 PM
After seeing this I can only imagine all Spanish football fans look like this:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FudOMPWA.gif&hash=5160ddc1c1fe67e5d1482d5f4083c8235b939988)

How close is it to reality Larchie/celed?  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 24, 2014, 04:15:37 PM
 :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 24, 2014, 06:11:48 PM
I'm sure there are spastics in every country? :huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on April 24, 2014, 11:12:16 PM
Quote from: Josephus on April 24, 2014, 06:11:48 PM
I'm sure there are spastics in every country? :huh:

I don't know what you are talking about

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.sbnation.com%2Fimported_assets%2F986866%2FFAT-NAKED-ARKANSAS-FAN.gif&hash=33dd6111e39436b7292cee16a8278f70c8554ba9)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 25, 2014, 02:23:10 AM
 :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 25, 2014, 08:34:41 AM
Quote from: Valmy on April 24, 2014, 11:12:16 PM
Quote from: Josephus on April 24, 2014, 06:11:48 PM
I'm sure there are spastics in every country? :huh:

I don't know what you are talking about

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.sbnation.com%2Fimported_assets%2F986866%2FFAT-NAKED-ARKANSAS-FAN.gif&hash=33dd6111e39436b7292cee16a8278f70c8554ba9)

You pinky swore never to show my irrational excitement. PINKY SWORE!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 25, 2014, 04:05:11 PM
I like the girl hopping up and down in the red shirt, about six to this left.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on April 25, 2014, 04:07:42 PM
Quote from: Josephus on April 25, 2014, 04:05:11 PM
I like the girl hopping up and down in the red shirt, about six to this left.

I can see that; is the clip wider screen for you or do I have observational skills that poor ?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 25, 2014, 04:37:25 PM
Dont know what you can or can't see. She's hopping up and down like mad. Red top. In front on a crazy guy with glasses. Far right of screen.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on April 25, 2014, 04:58:48 PM
Quote from: Josephus on April 25, 2014, 04:37:25 PM
Dont know what you can or can't see. She's hopping up and down like mad. Red top. In front on a crazy guy with glasses. Far right of screen.

Thanks.

Weird, it seems my browser is in someway truncating the gif.  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on April 26, 2014, 05:35:26 AM
RIP Tito Vilanova.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 26, 2014, 05:44:49 AM
 :(

That's no age to die. Such a likeable fellow, too.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 26, 2014, 09:59:55 AM
Quote from: Zanza on April 26, 2014, 05:35:26 AM
RIP Tito Vilanova.
:(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on April 26, 2014, 10:27:23 AM
The UEFA's silly mode for the Euro 2020 means that it will take in 13 different countries, each of which will host 4 games (first round and either round of sixteen or quarterfinal) and then the final games will take place in either England or Germany.

Only England (for London) and Germany (for Munich) put in a bid for the finals package, which is why it will only be between these two.
There are 12 standard packages available, these are the countries/cities that have made bids:
Azerbaijan (Baku), Belarus (Minsk), Belgium (Brussels), Bulgaria (Sofia), Denmark (Copenhagen), England (London), Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (Skopje), Germany (Munich), Hungary (Budapest), Israel (Jerusalem), Italy (Rome), Netherlands (Amsterdam), Republic of Ireland (Dublin), Romania (Bucharest), Russia (Saint Petersburg), Scotland (Glasgow), Spain (Bilbao), Sweden (Stockholm), Wales (Cardiff).

I hope they select Baku, Minsk, Skopje and Jerusalem.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 26, 2014, 11:04:11 AM
So does hosting guarantee qualification? I guess not, right?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on April 26, 2014, 11:40:57 AM
With 24 participating teams, about half of UEFA's 54 teams will qualify anyway.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 26, 2014, 11:45:34 AM
So I guess I see the point in letting smaller countries get a share in this, but it won't feel like hosting a Euro Cup but more an extended qualification.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 27, 2014, 09:36:13 AM
Liege-Bastogne-Liege, Snooker World Championship and Liverpool - Chelsea. SPORT OVERLOAD.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 27, 2014, 10:04:39 AM
Liverpool just got Mourinho'ed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 27, 2014, 10:09:33 AM
The Mou Special lol
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on April 27, 2014, 10:44:32 AM
Oh well; it was a lovely dream while it lasted. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on April 27, 2014, 10:46:24 AM
Quote from: Josephus on April 25, 2014, 04:05:11 PM
I like the girl hopping up and down in the red shirt, about six to this left.

The chick in black, to the left of cowboy hat, made an impression on me.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on April 27, 2014, 11:42:49 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 27, 2014, 10:46:24 AM
Quote from: Josephus on April 25, 2014, 04:05:11 PM
I like the girl hopping up and down in the red shirt, about six to this left.

The chick in black, to the left of cowboy hat, made an impression on me.

[elbow mode]

She has large shoulder tattoos.  <_<

[/elbow mode]
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 27, 2014, 12:02:43 PM
Quote from: Agelastus on April 27, 2014, 10:44:32 AM
Oh well; it was a lovely dream while it lasted. :(

Yup. Our only hope now lies with Everton.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 27, 2014, 01:00:27 PM
So Sheilbh, Everton gonna give it all so the title travels to Merseyside, right?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 27, 2014, 02:36:40 PM
Quote from: celedhring on April 27, 2014, 01:00:27 PM
So Sheilbh, Everton gonna give it all so the title travels to Merseyside, right?
:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on April 27, 2014, 04:29:56 PM
Quote from: Zanza on April 26, 2014, 10:27:23 AM
The UEFA's silly mode for the Euro 2020 means that it will take in 13 different countries, each of which will host 4 games (first round and either round of sixteen or quarterfinal) and then the final games will take place in either England or Germany.

Only England (for London) and Germany (for Munich) put in a bid for the finals package, which is why it will only be between these two.
There are 12 standard packages available, these are the countries/cities that have made bids:
Azerbaijan (Baku), Belarus (Minsk), Belgium (Brussels), Bulgaria (Sofia), Denmark (Copenhagen), England (London), Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (Skopje), Germany (Munich), Hungary (Budapest), Israel (Jerusalem), Italy (Rome), Netherlands (Amsterdam), Republic of Ireland (Dublin), Romania (Bucharest), Russia (Saint Petersburg), Scotland (Glasgow), Spain (Bilbao), Sweden (Stockholm), Wales (Cardiff).

I hope they select Baku, Minsk, Skopje and Jerusalem.

The ridiculousness of the UEFA is only topped by the FIFA.
They've been ruining football for decades now. The Quatar World Cup is just the icing on a very big cake of shite.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on April 27, 2014, 04:31:23 PM
I'm assuming our Tyr will be happy with the way the results went today.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on April 27, 2014, 04:52:48 PM
Quote from: Norgy on April 27, 2014, 04:29:56 PM
Quote from: Zanza on April 26, 2014, 10:27:23 AM
The UEFA's silly mode for the Euro 2020 means that it will take in 13 different countries, each of which will host 4 games (first round and either round of sixteen or quarterfinal) and then the final games will take place in either England or Germany.

Only England (for London) and Germany (for Munich) put in a bid for the finals package, which is why it will only be between these two.
There are 12 standard packages available, these are the countries/cities that have made bids:
Azerbaijan (Baku), Belarus (Minsk), Belgium (Brussels), Bulgaria (Sofia), Denmark (Copenhagen), England (London), Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (Skopje), Germany (Munich), Hungary (Budapest), Israel (Jerusalem), Italy (Rome), Netherlands (Amsterdam), Republic of Ireland (Dublin), Romania (Bucharest), Russia (Saint Petersburg), Scotland (Glasgow), Spain (Bilbao), Sweden (Stockholm), Wales (Cardiff).

I hope they select Baku, Minsk, Skopje and Jerusalem.

The ridiculousness of the UEFA is only topped by the FIFA.
They've been ruining football for decades now. The Quatar World Cup is just the icing on a very big cake of shite.

The world cup model of competition hosting has been in place since steam ship was the preferred method of transportation. As of today we easily can deal with 20 thousand away fans going to the big champions league games. In one case during the last wc qualifications more iceland fans showed up to the away game in oslo than norwegians showed up -  in this case more than 1% of iceland's entire population was at that game.

Then again, with a set-up like this there no longer seems to be any need for qualifying groups in the championship, which are there to guarantee each team that travels at least 3 games.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on April 27, 2014, 05:20:14 PM
Quote from: Viking on April 27, 2014, 04:52:48 PM

The world cup model of competition hosting has been in place since steam ship was the preferred method of transportation. As of today we easily can deal with 20 thousand away fans going to the big champions league games. In one case during the last wc qualifications more iceland fans showed up to the away game in oslo than norwegians showed up -  in this case more than 1% of iceland's entire population was at that game.

Then again, with a set-up like this there no longer seems to be any need for qualifying groups in the championship, which are there to guarantee each team that travels at least 3 games.

Can you remember the names of your five friends?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on April 27, 2014, 06:04:01 PM
Quote from: mongers on April 27, 2014, 05:20:14 PM
Quote from: Viking on April 27, 2014, 04:52:48 PM

The world cup model of competition hosting has been in place since steam ship was the preferred method of transportation. As of today we easily can deal with 20 thousand away fans going to the big champions league games. In one case during the last wc qualifications more iceland fans showed up to the away game in oslo than norwegians showed up -  in this case more than 1% of iceland's entire population was at that game.

Then again, with a set-up like this there no longer seems to be any need for qualifying groups in the championship, which are there to guarantee each team that travels at least 3 games.

Can you remember the names of your five friends?

I only know two of the players.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 28, 2014, 04:02:39 AM
The Liverpool coach's tears are delicious.

Again this god damn QQ about playing unfair, because you defend when the opposition has a superior offensive line. Such idiocy.

Gotta' admire the organization and dedication of Chelsea. Some of the players who started were barely able to run by the end but they kept going.

Pool thought this title was in the bag already, and they failed to score against what was in essence the Chelsea substitute bench.

I gotta' tell you I'd rather see Man City take it than Liverpool. They seem to have a less arrogant take on the whole thing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on April 29, 2014, 02:13:00 PM
So Bayern will not be the first team to defend the CL trophy...  ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 29, 2014, 02:22:29 PM
They don't really look to have four goals in them, no. They can, however, still injure Pepe.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 29, 2014, 02:28:56 PM
I didn't really want Bayern to win again this year, but a Real Madrid CL win is too high a price to pay for it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 29, 2014, 02:35:30 PM
Either way Chelsea or Real will lose, so that's a positive. Or I guess Atletico could save the day.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 29, 2014, 02:39:38 PM
Wow, Di Maria is a dick.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 29, 2014, 07:56:47 PM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fe3Z3zQS.png&hash=53a9c5c548e6ca70d2ce3cf5dae38a286e1ec716)

:lol: :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 30, 2014, 02:37:38 AM
When you're up against Bale and Ronaldo and are forced to play offensive football because you're for some reason unwilling to cover Ramos on set pieces, well, then possession is a non factor.

But I can't say that I didn't enjoy Ribery's sissy fit and him slapping Carjaval.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 30, 2014, 08:29:46 AM
Ribery is hilarious. Even in video game form. ALL THAT HAND FLAPPING
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 30, 2014, 08:33:07 AM
We won the possession stat last season when Bayern twatted us 7-0 on the aggregate.

It's a means to an end, not an end by itself.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 30, 2014, 11:00:39 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 30, 2014, 08:33:07 AM
We won the possession stat last season when Bayern twatted us 7-0 on the aggregate.

It's a means to an end, not an end by itself.

Tell that to Guardiola.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 30, 2014, 11:13:53 AM
He seems to have lost the plot. I remember an interview with him right after our treble season, explaining the rough concepts of his system, that he ought to watch again - since he seems to have forgotten a lot of it.

The idea behind high possession is that if your opponent doesn't have the ball, he won't be able to create many chances, and if you have it you'll be able to create more - but that's the point, passing it sideways just to pile up the % defeats the purpose of the strategy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 30, 2014, 11:45:04 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 30, 2014, 11:13:53 AM
He seems to have lost the plot. I remember an interview with him right after our treble season, explaining the rough concepts of his system, that he ought to watch again - since he seems to have forgotten a lot of it.

The idea behind high possession is that if your opponent doesn't have the ball, he won't be able to create many chances, and if you have it you'll be able to create more - but that's the point, passing it sideways just to pile up the % defeats the purpose of the strategy.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fstream1.gifsoup.com%2Fview2%2F3809984%2Fsimpsons-soccer-gif-o.gif&hash=88f863452e7e342a2bc13da882a1225b8dd92f14)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 30, 2014, 11:55:07 AM
I thought this was interesting, from a Guardian article.

QuoteMourinho's approach to football has won him trophies (until this season), but his tactical plan for dealing with tough opponents is hard to love. Diego Torres, the El Pais journalist who followed Mourinho closely during his spell at Real Madrid, reports in his controversial biography The Special One that Mourinho's way of dealing with talented attacking teams was to play reactive football. He could call upon Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Mesut Özil and half a team of World Cup winners but, when the biggest matches came along, he reportedly asked his players to give up the ball, minimise their mistakes and take advantage of the opposition's errors. Torres reports that Mourinho had a seven-fold plan to deal with talented attacking teams:

1. The game is won by the team who commits fewer errors
2. Football favours whoever provokes more errors in the opposition
3. Away from home, instead of trying to be superior to the opposition, it's better to encourage their mistakes
4. Whoever has the ball is more likely to make a mistake
5. Whoever renounces possession reduces the possibility of making a mistake
6. Whoever has the ball has fear
7. Whoever does not have it is therefore stronger.

Mourinho is the anti-Pep, but we all already knew that anyway.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 30, 2014, 02:30:20 PM
You can also make mistakes without the ball, it seems.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 30, 2014, 02:49:25 PM
Hazard gives no fucks about defending  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 30, 2014, 03:20:58 PM
Hazard was clearly not ready for this match. Fickity fuckery fuck.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 01, 2014, 01:38:49 AM
https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/early-doors/inactive-keeper-leads-norwich-player-season-voting-145303494.html?soc_src=mediacontentstory
QuoteDisgruntled Norwich City fans have given a resounding thumbs down to their side's disappointing Premier League campaign by voting for reserve keeper Carlo Nash, who has never played for the club, as their Player of the Season.
:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 01, 2014, 03:33:52 AM
:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on May 01, 2014, 08:22:27 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 30, 2014, 11:55:07 AM
I thought this was interesting, from a Guardian article.

QuoteMourinho's approach to football has won him trophies (until this season), but his tactical plan for dealing with tough opponents is hard to love. Diego Torres, the El Pais journalist who followed Mourinho closely during his spell at Real Madrid, reports in his controversial biography The Special One that Mourinho's way of dealing with talented attacking teams was to play reactive football. He could call upon Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Mesut Özil and half a team of World Cup winners but, when the biggest matches came along, he reportedly asked his players to give up the ball, minimise their mistakes and take advantage of the opposition's errors. Torres reports that Mourinho had a seven-fold plan to deal with talented attacking teams:

1. The game is won by the team who commits fewer errors
2. Football favours whoever provokes more errors in the opposition
3. Away from home, instead of trying to be superior to the opposition, it's better to encourage their mistakes
4. Whoever has the ball is more likely to make a mistake
5. Whoever renounces possession reduces the possibility of making a mistake
6. Whoever has the ball has fear
7. Whoever does not have it is therefore stronger.

Mourinho is the anti-Pep, but we all already knew that anyway.

This sounds like the ethos of Norway's much-maligned national team coach Egil Olsen. But essentially, the number 7 hits at least a nail on the head. Defending is easier than attacking, and setting up 7-8 players to do so demands less of your squad than one that has most of the team contributing in the attacking phase. Mourinho is a rather unappealing character in my opinion, but his tactics are as sound as they can get, although painful and irritating to watch. I prefer Brendan Rodgers, and I prefer the less cynical approach, but parking the bus is much easier than playing an attacking game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 01, 2014, 09:32:09 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 30, 2014, 11:55:07 AM
I thought this was interesting, from a Guardian article.

QuoteMourinho's approach to football has won him trophies (until this season), but his tactical plan for dealing with tough opponents is hard to love. Diego Torres, the El Pais journalist who followed Mourinho closely during his spell at Real Madrid, reports in his controversial biography The Special One that Mourinho's way of dealing with talented attacking teams was to play reactive football. He could call upon Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Mesut Özil and half a team of World Cup winners but, when the biggest matches came along, he reportedly asked his players to give up the ball, minimise their mistakes and take advantage of the opposition's errors. Torres reports that Mourinho had a seven-fold plan to deal with talented attacking teams:

1. The game is won by the team who commits fewer errors
2. Football favours whoever provokes more errors in the opposition
3. Away from home, instead of trying to be superior to the opposition, it's better to encourage their mistakes
4. Whoever has the ball is more likely to make a mistake
5. Whoever renounces possession reduces the possibility of making a mistake
6. Whoever has the ball has fear
7. Whoever does not have it is therefore stronger.

Mourinho is the anti-Pep, but we all already knew that anyway.

As far as I remember during his first two Chelsea years when they dominated the league (especially in the second), they held on to the ball and were defensive that way. So even if true it is certainly not a lifelong philosophy of his.

Anyways, I think last night's defeat was on him. Hazard was in no shape to play, and I am not even sure if he is motivated enough for the defensive plays needed against teams like Atletico, and I think the Sky commentators were right, Mourinho switched to the attacking formation too soon.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 01, 2014, 04:23:39 PM
Awww, Valencia. That must be heartbreaking.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 01, 2014, 04:25:25 PM
Quote from: Liep on May 01, 2014, 04:23:39 PM
Awww, Valencia. That must be heartbreaking.

Given how dirty they played after scoring the third goal they kinda deserved it. Props to Sevilla for not giving up.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on May 01, 2014, 04:29:58 PM
Quote from: Tamas on May 01, 2014, 09:32:09 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 30, 2014, 11:55:07 AM
I thought this was interesting, from a Guardian article.

QuoteMourinho's approach to football has won him trophies (until this season), but his tactical plan for dealing with tough opponents is hard to love. Diego Torres, the El Pais journalist who followed Mourinho closely during his spell at Real Madrid, reports in his controversial biography The Special One that Mourinho's way of dealing with talented attacking teams was to play reactive football. He could call upon Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Mesut Özil and half a team of World Cup winners but, when the biggest matches came along, he reportedly asked his players to give up the ball, minimise their mistakes and take advantage of the opposition's errors. Torres reports that Mourinho had a seven-fold plan to deal with talented attacking teams:

1. The game is won by the team who commits fewer errors
2. Football favours whoever provokes more errors in the opposition
3. Away from home, instead of trying to be superior to the opposition, it's better to encourage their mistakes
4. Whoever has the ball is more likely to make a mistake
5. Whoever renounces possession reduces the possibility of making a mistake
6. Whoever has the ball has fear
7. Whoever does not have it is therefore stronger.

Mourinho is the anti-Pep, but we all already knew that anyway.

As far as I remember during his first two Chelsea years when they dominated the league (especially in the second), they held on to the ball and were defensive that way. So even if true it is certainly not a lifelong philosophy of his.

Anyways, I think last night's defeat was on him. Hazard was in no shape to play, and I am not even sure if he is motivated enough for the defensive plays needed against teams like Atletico, and I think the Sky commentators were right, Mourinho switched to the attacking formation too soon.

I think it was a matter of momentum, rather than tactics. Atletico's had momentum all season. And it's a powerful thing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 01, 2014, 04:38:05 PM
Quote from: The Larch on May 01, 2014, 04:25:25 PM
Quote from: Liep on May 01, 2014, 04:23:39 PM
Awww, Valencia. That must be heartbreaking.

Given how dirty they played after scoring the third goal they kinda deserved it. Props to Sevilla for not giving up.

Ah good, didn't see it, as snooker was on.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 01, 2014, 04:48:40 PM
Quote from: Liep on May 01, 2014, 04:38:05 PM
Quote from: The Larch on May 01, 2014, 04:25:25 PM
Quote from: Liep on May 01, 2014, 04:23:39 PM
Awww, Valencia. That must be heartbreaking.

Given how dirty they played after scoring the third goal they kinda deserved it. Props to Sevilla for not giving up.

Ah good, didn't see it, as snooker was on.

Dirty in the sense of wasting time egregiously, not kicking people around, mind you. At some point Pizzi, Valencia's coach, was even telling the guys driving the stretcher car to go slower at it.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 04, 2014, 03:44:05 AM
Ah sunderland. Do note out mascot is a black cat. We're servants of the god of chaos.



To quote another forum an interesting story from Scotland :

QuoteDundee promoted to the Scottish Premiership by winning 2-1 against Dumbarton. I feel sorry for Hamilton Accies. Before the game they needed to win by eight goals if Dundee drew. They won 10-2. Dumbarton hit the post in the last minute.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 05, 2014, 04:00:35 PM
Liverpool. :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 05, 2014, 04:01:43 PM
I am still laughing.  :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao:

https://vine.co/v/MeaB03x7JWA
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on May 05, 2014, 04:14:11 PM
I laughed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on May 05, 2014, 04:30:08 PM
That will keep Sheilbh out of his bunker.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on May 05, 2014, 04:30:54 PM
Liverpool gave away the title when they lost to Chelsea; this was just "the choke" biting again.

Something it seems that "One Plan Wonder" wasn't able to deal with... :glare:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on May 05, 2014, 04:34:50 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 05, 2014, 04:14:11 PM
I laughed.

That choke was so awesome even the 2003 Chicago Cubs were impressed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 05, 2014, 04:46:51 PM
Team of Destiny.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on May 05, 2014, 04:49:21 PM
I'll laugh if Aston Villa wins against City.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 05, 2014, 05:41:08 PM
I cried.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 05, 2014, 05:57:21 PM
Although in the end it doesn't matter.

If City drop one of their next two, Liverpool still win the title by winning their last game.

If City win their next two, Liverpool would have been out anyways, unless they really hammered Palace.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on May 06, 2014, 06:48:32 AM
Are you Arsenal, are you Arsenal, aaaaare you Arsenal in disguiiiiise, etc
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on May 06, 2014, 06:52:49 AM
Quote from: Josephus on May 05, 2014, 05:57:21 PM
Although in the end it doesn't matter.

If City drop one of their next two, Liverpool still win the title by winning their last game.

If City win their next two, Liverpool would have been out anyways, unless they really hammered Palace.

It matters if they win one and tie one, doesn't it?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 06, 2014, 07:14:46 AM
 :lmfao: @ Liverpool
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 06, 2014, 09:19:33 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 05, 2014, 04:49:21 PM
I'll laugh if Aston Villa wins against City.
As much as I hate villa....Oh please let it be so.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 06, 2014, 09:36:07 AM
Quote from: Maladict on May 06, 2014, 06:52:49 AM
Quote from: Josephus on May 05, 2014, 05:57:21 PM
Although in the end it doesn't matter.

If City drop one of their next two, Liverpool still win the title by winning their last game.

If City win their next two, Liverpool would have been out anyways, unless they really hammered Palace.

It matters if they win one and tie one, doesn't it?

Yes. That's the only difference, Man City now only need four points as opposed to six. Either way, my point was that even if Liverpool won yesterday, they lost the title last weekend against Chelsea.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 06, 2014, 11:46:34 AM
Quote from: Josephus on May 06, 2014, 09:36:07 AM
Quote from: Maladict on May 06, 2014, 06:52:49 AM
Quote from: Josephus on May 05, 2014, 05:57:21 PM
Although in the end it doesn't matter.

If City drop one of their next two, Liverpool still win the title by winning their last game.

If City win their next two, Liverpool would have been out anyways, unless they really hammered Palace.

It matters if they win one and tie one, doesn't it?

Yes. That's the only difference, Man City now only need four points as opposed to six. Either way, my point was that even if Liverpool won yesterday, they lost the title last weekend against Chelsea.

In one way this is worse than the Chelsea defeat. At least in that game Liverpool could point to Gerrard's slip and the ensuing goal and say it was a freak accident.

The draw against Crystal Palace was a complete capitulation. On some level it must feel worse for the players. Gerrard was crying and Suarez looked utterly inconsolable. It was total moral defeat. Unless Rodgers does some managerial magic I'll be surprised if they win against Newcastle.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 06, 2014, 11:56:09 AM
I would hope for two Man City defeats, but then Liverpool might still get the title. And I do not want that. I really don't.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on May 06, 2014, 01:34:41 PM
Unless mistaken Arsenal somehow scrapes by and is guaranteed top 4 and CL spot after the fall from lead.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 07, 2014, 09:05:45 AM
French second division team appoints Europe's (where else has had one?) first female manager-

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2622243/Helena-Costa-female-manager-major-European-league-appointment-French-club-Clermont-Foot.html
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on May 07, 2014, 09:09:57 AM
QuoteHow will she have time to do the ironing if shes managing a football team- honestly the worlds gone mad

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on May 10, 2014, 03:26:46 AM
Germany named its provisional 30 man world cup team:

Goalkeepers: Neuer, Weidenfeller, Zieler.

Defenders Boateng, Durm, Grosskreutz, Höwedes, Hummels, Jansen, Lahm, Mertesacker, Mustafi, Schmelzer, Ginter.

Midfielders/forwards Lars Bender, Draxler, Götze, Goretzka, Hahn, Khedira, Klose, Kroos, Meyer, Müller, Özil, Podolski, Reus, Schürrle, Schweinsteiger, Volland.


We only have two real strikers in the team: Klose and Volland. Klose is very old. If he scores two goals he'll be the highest scorer in world cup history though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on May 10, 2014, 04:30:54 AM
Out-and-out strikers seem to become more rare and more of a luxury these days at the highest level.
The side should have plenty of goals between them anyway, so I wouldn't worry, Zanza.
From being one of the most loathed teams in the world, the German national team has become one of the most entertaining to watch, in my opinion.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 10, 2014, 09:12:57 AM
Why isn't ter Stegen in the squad?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 10, 2014, 09:19:17 AM
Christian Eriksen named Player of the Year in Tottenham. Will he ever be good enough for the Danes though? As the 2nd 2nd Laudrup he'll really have to keep up.

The 1st 2nd Laudrup (Martin Jørgensen) did just alright and is now ending his career relegating from the Superliga.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 10, 2014, 09:22:40 AM
Quote from: The Larch on May 10, 2014, 09:12:57 AM
Why isn't ter Stegen in the squad?

He signed with us, hence he'll go on to become crap like every promising keeper we buy. Löw is just doing some preemptive damage control.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 10, 2014, 09:25:56 AM
Quote from: celedhring on May 10, 2014, 09:22:40 AM
Quote from: The Larch on May 10, 2014, 09:12:57 AM
Why isn't ter Stegen in the squad?

He signed with us, hence he'll go on to become crap like every promising keeper we buy. Löw is just doing some preemptive damage control.

At least he'll have a pretty secure position as starter, maybe that'll help.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on May 11, 2014, 04:19:02 AM
Quote from: The Larch on May 10, 2014, 09:12:57 AM
Why isn't ter Stegen in the squad?
ter Stegen and Leno (the keeper of Leverkusen) were named as better alternatives to Zieler in the German press, but it is assumed that Löw took Zieler over the two more ambitious guys as the third keeper is not really crucial anyway and you want a calm guy who fits in there, not some kind of hothead who wants to fight for match practice. There is no way around Neuer anyway.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 11, 2014, 11:46:18 AM
Well, probably never was really in doubt...and man-to-man City is probably the best team in the league.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 13, 2014, 05:00:40 PM
"Fuck france and fuck deschamps! What a shit manager!"

As written on twitter by Nasri's girlfriend. Besides the fact that Nasri is a pretty good footballer I think it's is the right move for France to leave him out as apparently he's quite a strain on the team cohesion.

And even if it was fun to see the total disintegration of the French national team it'll just be sad a second time. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 13, 2014, 05:07:02 PM
no it won't.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 13, 2014, 05:13:34 PM
Does anybody follow dutch footie? The Netherlands' squad, besides half a dozen veterans, seems to be made up entirely by newcomers.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on May 13, 2014, 05:55:22 PM
Quote from: The Larch on May 13, 2014, 05:13:34 PM
Does anybody follow dutch footie? The Netherlands' squad, besides half a dozen veterans, seems to be made up entirely by newcomers.

We've got an even weaker defense than usual this time, due to injuries.
It forced the coach to adopt a new playing style, which he says carries significant risks.

So basically we won't make it past the group phase  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: miozozny on May 13, 2014, 05:56:08 PM
Quote from: The Larch on May 13, 2014, 05:13:34 PM
Does anybody follow dutch footie? The Netherlands' squad, besides half a dozen veterans, seems to be made up entirely by newcomers.

Not that many veteran non-injured good dutch players around...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: miozozny on May 13, 2014, 06:10:46 PM
Quote from: Maladict on May 13, 2014, 05:55:22 PM

So basically we won't make it past the group phase  :(

Probably not, tough group phase again...though until 2012 they survived all groups of death. Not that that meant they got far of course...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 13, 2014, 06:57:08 PM
Quote from: Maladict on May 13, 2014, 05:55:22 PM
Quote from: The Larch on May 13, 2014, 05:13:34 PM
Does anybody follow dutch footie? The Netherlands' squad, besides half a dozen veterans, seems to be made up entirely by newcomers.

We've got an even weaker defense than usual this time, due to injuries.
It forced the coach to adopt a new playing style, which he says carries significant risks.

So basically we won't make it past the group phase  :(

Who is injured? Heitinga, Van der Wiel, Bouhlarouz, Mathijsen? Only two defenders are older than 24 y.o., and the one with more caps has barely 20, and that's possibly the line where a veteran can make the bigger impact. What about Steelekenburg, is he injured too? Barring surprises that is a really shaky, no-name defence indeed. In the midfield, besides three veterans, it's also mostly youngsters. The attack seems to be the only line whith the expected big names.

With Van Gaal as coach I was wondering if he wanted to do a clean slate and get rid of not essential veterans in order to build up for the future.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 13, 2014, 07:02:26 PM
Who's the new guy?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 13, 2014, 07:26:29 PM
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/12/england-world-cup-slogan-bus
Almost all of them are utterly baffling.

I do like Chile's though: 'Chi Chi Chi!, Le Le Le! Go Chile'.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on May 13, 2014, 07:31:26 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 13, 2014, 07:26:29 PM
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/12/england-world-cup-slogan-bus
Almost all of them are utterly baffling.

I do like Chile's though: 'Chi Chi Chi!, Le Le Le! Go Chile'.

Quote
Germany

One nation, one team, one dream!

That's not a spoof article ? :

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 13, 2014, 07:34:15 PM
Nope:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/games/be-there-with-hyundai/winning-slogans/index.html
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 13, 2014, 07:58:38 PM
I was gonna post that FIFA slogan thing but Sheilbh beat me to it  :lol:

USA's is pretty derpy:
QuoteUNITED BY TEAM, DRIVEN BY PASSION

But Australia's is probably the best (and by best I mean worst):
QuoteSOCCEROOS: HOPPING OUR WAY INTO HISTORY!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 14, 2014, 01:45:06 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 13, 2014, 07:26:29 PM
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/12/england-world-cup-slogan-bus
Almost all of them are utterly baffling.

I do like Chile's though: 'Chi Chi Chi!, Le Le Le! Go Chile'.

Quote
Holland

Real men wear orange

Oh my :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on May 14, 2014, 01:53:25 AM
Quote from: The Larch on May 13, 2014, 06:57:08 PM
Quote from: Maladict on May 13, 2014, 05:55:22 PM
Quote from: The Larch on May 13, 2014, 05:13:34 PM
Does anybody follow dutch footie? The Netherlands' squad, besides half a dozen veterans, seems to be made up entirely by newcomers.

We've got an even weaker defense than usual this time, due to injuries.
It forced the coach to adopt a new playing style, which he says carries significant risks.

So basically we won't make it past the group phase  :(

Who is injured? Heitinga, Van der Wiel, Bouhlarouz, Mathijsen? Only two defenders are older than 24 y.o., and the one with more caps has barely 20, and that's possibly the line where a veteran can make the bigger impact. What about Steelekenburg, is he injured too? Barring surprises that is a really shaky, no-name defence indeed. In the midfield, besides three veterans, it's also mostly youngsters. The attack seems to be the only line whith the expected big names.

With Van Gaal as coach I was wondering if he wanted to do a clean slate and get rid of not essential veterans in order to build up for the future.

The biggest problems are Strootman and Van der Wiel. Especially Strootman, there is nobody to replace him really.
It looks like we'll be playing 5-2-3 now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 14, 2014, 04:19:55 AM
Havenaar left out of the Japanese squad :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on May 14, 2014, 07:41:36 AM
Quote from: mongers on May 13, 2014, 07:31:26 PM
Quote
Germany

One nation, one team, one dream!

That's not a spoof article ? :


I wonder who thought that's a good idea. Maybe we should have used that slogan for the Euro 2012 in Poland... :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on May 14, 2014, 07:54:20 AM
QuoteGreece

Heroes play like Greeks

I hope this sounds better in Greek.



QuoteSouth Korea

Enjoy it, Reds!

Most non-aggressive/unambitious slogan?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 14, 2014, 01:45:37 PM
The Italians sure doesn't know how to put on an impressive opening show.  :boring:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 14, 2014, 04:48:07 PM
Some things never change. Benfica lost again a final in my lifetime, on penalties, for the second time...  :mad:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 16, 2014, 02:21:04 PM
If that diabolica thing becomes dominant during the world cup we should nuke Belgium.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 16, 2014, 05:45:35 PM
Ooops, says Blatter,maybe Qatar not such a good idea:

http://www.torontosun.com/2014/05/16/mistake-to-award-world-cup-to-qatar-says-blatter
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 17, 2014, 02:18:05 PM
Arsenal  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 17, 2014, 08:47:28 PM
While I don't agree with Wenger's "give Hull two goals" strategy, I do agree with his "win the goddamn game" strategy implemented in the second half.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on May 18, 2014, 03:47:02 PM
:yeah:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 18, 2014, 07:18:56 PM
Right then. Anyone up for a World Cup pool...pick the game result sort of thing?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on May 18, 2014, 07:26:44 PM
Quote from: Josephus on May 18, 2014, 07:18:56 PM
Right then. Anyone up for a World Cup pool...pick the game result sort of thing?

Spains gonna play keep away all the way to the cup. Germany's a contender though. For some reason I think Brazil's gonna humiliate themselves at home.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 18, 2014, 07:56:44 PM
I'm in.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on May 18, 2014, 09:24:13 PM
I'm rooting for Andorra in an upset.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 18, 2014, 10:54:00 PM
Quote from: Warspite on May 18, 2014, 03:47:02 PM
:yeah:

Congrats.  :cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 18, 2014, 10:54:52 PM
Quote from: HVC on May 18, 2014, 07:26:44 PM
Quote from: Josephus on May 18, 2014, 07:18:56 PM
Right then. Anyone up for a World Cup pool...pick the game result sort of thing?

Spains gonna play keep away all the way to the cup. Germany's a contender though. For some reason I think Brazil's gonna humiliate themselves at home.

Brazil will get knocked out in the quarterfinals and it will be hilarious.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on May 19, 2014, 12:29:53 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 18, 2014, 10:54:52 PM
Quote from: HVC on May 18, 2014, 07:26:44 PM
Quote from: Josephus on May 18, 2014, 07:18:56 PM
Right then. Anyone up for a World Cup pool...pick the game result sort of thing?

Spains gonna play keep away all the way to the cup. Germany's a contender though. For some reason I think Brazil's gonna humiliate themselves at home.

Brazil will get knocked out in the quarterfinals and it will be hilarious.
if so, what would be the greater Brazilian heartbreak, world cup 1950 or 2014?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on May 19, 2014, 02:14:02 AM
We need a World Cup 2014 thread

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 19, 2014, 03:37:22 AM
Brazilian security forces seem to be expecting a Bug attack during the competition:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn.theatlantic.com%2Fstatic%2Finfocus%2Fweek051614%2Fs_w15_20081913.jpg&hash=e69814d1394d04cec8cba2cb9b6907bd5c712631)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on May 19, 2014, 03:40:54 AM
Quote from: Josephus on May 18, 2014, 07:18:56 PM
Right then. Anyone up for a World Cup pool...pick the game result sort of thing?

Has Yahoo got the same "game" up that we played four years ago?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on May 19, 2014, 04:14:20 AM
Quote from: Josephus on May 18, 2014, 07:18:56 PM
Right then. Anyone up for a World Cup pool...pick the game result sort of thing?

Sure.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 19, 2014, 04:31:04 AM
Quote from: celedhring on May 19, 2014, 03:37:22 AM
Brazilian security forces seem to be expecting a Bug attack during the competition:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn.theatlantic.com%2Fstatic%2Finfocus%2Fweek051614%2Fs_w15_1913.jpg&hash=18e300a0f6973f2ce929589d4af5b7f5f074eda9)
:lol:
That does look seriously sci fi doesnt it :blink:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 19, 2014, 08:38:33 AM
forget what I just said
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 19, 2014, 08:42:34 AM
http://www.pooltracker.com/join.asp?poolid=91653

OK, let's try this.

Straightforward one point per result. Deadline is before gametime for each game.

name Languish2014
Password languish
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on May 19, 2014, 08:43:34 AM
The blessings of Valmy will soon be bestowed on many worthy nations  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on May 19, 2014, 09:14:01 AM
Quote from: Josephus on May 19, 2014, 08:42:34 AM
http://www.pooltracker.com/join.asp?poolid=91653

OK, let's try this.

Straightforward one point per result. Deadline is before gametime for each game.

name Languish2014
Password languish

OK I joined
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 19, 2014, 12:19:32 PM
I'm in  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on May 19, 2014, 12:26:33 PM
I joined.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on May 19, 2014, 12:29:03 PM
I'm not an octopus, but I'll certainly try.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 19, 2014, 12:32:34 PM
Ready to jinx every nation I predict to win.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 19, 2014, 01:53:05 PM
strange cause I can see all of you in there...but myself. Anyone see me?

:huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on May 19, 2014, 02:02:19 PM
I'm in.

Mid-table mediocrity here I come! :showoff:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on May 19, 2014, 02:02:46 PM
Quote from: Josephus on May 19, 2014, 01:53:05 PM
strange cause I can see all of you in there...but myself. Anyone see me?

:huh:

I do.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 19, 2014, 02:41:22 PM
Yup, thanks. I see what I did wrong.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 19, 2014, 03:33:50 PM
It's a more palatable website at home where I have AdBlock.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 19, 2014, 05:10:34 PM
It's free. ;)

We could upgrade to the non-ad one if you like.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 19, 2014, 05:37:23 PM
Nah, as I said it's already add free in Chrome. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on May 20, 2014, 01:03:11 AM
Quote from: HVC on May 18, 2014, 07:26:44 PM
Quote from: Josephus on May 18, 2014, 07:18:56 PM
Right then. Anyone up for a World Cup pool...pick the game result sort of thing?

Spains gonna play keep away all the way to the cup. Germany's a contender though. For some reason I think Brazil's gonna humiliate themselves at home.

Germany is in very poor form. A lot of our players were injured this season. I think last year we would have been a contender and could have beaten everybody. But this year, I don't see it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on May 20, 2014, 06:38:26 AM
Don't any of you bet on, predict wins for, or back Croatia in any form of sweepstake, wager or predictor whatsoever. :ultra:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on May 20, 2014, 06:59:29 AM
http://www.oa.no/nyheter/article7368968.ece

There are some defensive tactics to be learnt here.
Norwegian russ vs. firefighters.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on May 20, 2014, 08:00:36 AM
Quote from: Norgy on May 20, 2014, 06:59:29 AM
http://www.oa.no/nyheter/article7368968.ece

There are some defensive tactics to be learnt here.
Norwegian russ vs. firefighters.

The best advice I have ever gotten in my life was this.

When playing rugby against a visiting Royal Navy ship make sure one of the ships officers is the referee, then, in principle, breaking the laws or the game is disobeying orders.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on May 20, 2014, 08:10:45 AM
Quote from: Warspite on May 20, 2014, 06:38:26 AM
Don't any of you bet on, predict wins for, or back Croatia in any form of sweepstake, wager or predictor whatsoever. :ultra:
valmy , you have one job, crush Warspite's spirit.  I know you want to. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 20, 2014, 08:52:33 AM
In June we're all Croatian.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 20, 2014, 08:56:17 AM
I still need a team to root for. Denmark's not in, Zlatanland is also not there, in fact, none of my Scandinavian brethren are there. :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on May 20, 2014, 09:10:25 AM
Root for France, Didier Deschamps is a beloved man of the people. :frog:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 20, 2014, 09:31:09 AM
I'll go with England as usual.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on May 20, 2014, 09:36:05 AM
Quote from: Tamas on May 20, 2014, 09:31:09 AM
I'll go with England as usual.

Me too. Despite decades of non-Forest players littering the team.
At least Pearce will be managing Forest next season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 20, 2014, 09:38:21 AM
Je vais suivre la France, je pense. :frog: Ils ont le meilleur émoticône.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on May 20, 2014, 09:40:17 AM
 :bowler: <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on May 20, 2014, 09:44:33 AM
Quote from: Tamas on May 20, 2014, 09:31:09 AM
I'll go with England as usual.

Why do this to yourself?  I mean the English don't have a choice but you can save yourself Tamas.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on May 20, 2014, 09:45:06 AM
Quote from: Liep on May 20, 2014, 09:38:21 AM
Je vais suivre la France, je pense. :frog: Ils ont le meilleur émoticône.

:w00t: :frog: :hug: :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 20, 2014, 09:54:22 AM
Quote from: Valmy on May 20, 2014, 09:44:33 AM
Quote from: Tamas on May 20, 2014, 09:31:09 AM
I'll go with England as usual.

Why do this to yourself?  I mean the English don't have a choice but you can save yourself Tamas.

I have less options now that I actually live in England.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on May 20, 2014, 10:12:53 AM
I'll go the traditional Portuguese route, I'll support Portugal until they're out, at which point I'll magically transform into a Brazilian :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on May 20, 2014, 10:37:08 AM
Will you do a full one or keep a landing strip?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 20, 2014, 01:30:30 PM
I will bravely support my own country, the United States of America, in the FIFA World Cup of 2014, as they score one goal and lose three games in the group stage.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 20, 2014, 01:31:23 PM
I think I picked them to get one draw, so cheer up!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 20, 2014, 01:31:44 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 20, 2014, 01:30:30 PM
I will bravely support my own country, the United States of America, in the FIFA World Cup of 2014, as they score one goal and lose three games in the group stage.

You really think it's going to be that feeble?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 20, 2014, 01:37:26 PM
Our attackers are past it, our defense won't be able to hold against Germany or Ronaldo, and Ghana is our kryptonite. I'd love to be proved wrong, though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on May 20, 2014, 01:41:48 PM
Quote from: Liep on May 20, 2014, 01:31:23 PM
I think I picked them to get one draw, so cheer up!

Against Ghana?  Heh.  We'll see.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on May 20, 2014, 01:43:48 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on May 20, 2014, 01:31:44 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 20, 2014, 01:30:30 PM
I will bravely support my own country, the United States of America, in the FIFA World Cup of 2014, as they score one goal and lose three games in the group stage.

You really think it's going to be that feeble?

We suck every other World Cup, it is tradition.  I am just glad Mexico did not get some easy group.  Bastards are only in Brazil because the US saved their butts.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 20, 2014, 01:44:43 PM
We will lose to Ghana. Somehow, someway, we will lose.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 20, 2014, 04:12:15 PM
Quote from: Tamas on May 20, 2014, 09:31:09 AM
I'll go with England as usual.

Me too. Think it will be a short world cup for us.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 20, 2014, 04:13:25 PM
Quote from: Norgy on May 20, 2014, 10:37:08 AM
Will you do a full one or keep a landing strip?
:XD:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 20, 2014, 04:14:49 PM
FWIW I think the Americans are becoming a decent team. But I am tired of American pundits going on about group of death. It's Germany and Portugal coming out of that group. America is just not better than either of those two teams.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on May 20, 2014, 04:16:21 PM
Quote from: Josephus on May 20, 2014, 04:14:49 PM
FWIW I think the Americans are becoming a decent team. But I am tired of American pundits going on about group of death. It's Germany and Portugal coming out of that group. America is just not better than either of those two teams.

Right.  It is a group that means the death of our chances at the knock out round or winning any matches.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 20, 2014, 04:19:20 PM
Group D is equally deadly for the two lesser teams in it. Though, England might scrap home a win against Costa Rica.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on May 20, 2014, 04:30:51 PM
Portugal. Less impressive than before. One injury to Ronaldo and they fall apart. Literally.
Germany has the best league on this continent on the whole. Will do well. Might win it.
Spain, always a gamble. Good players all around, will the team work?
England. No chance. Not this time.
France. Another gamble. Could be shite. Could do okayish. Won't win the trophy.
Italy. The Serie A hasn't been this weak for a long, long time. Won't do much.
Russia. Nope. Should work on their tans.
Belgium. Best team they have had since 1986. Could do something.
Croatia. Always a side with flair, never a winner. Much like the Ustache.
Bosnia-Hercegovina. Makeweights. Some good ball players. Liked them at Ullevål a couple of years ago.
Switzerland. Neutral.
The Netherlands. Love the people, used to love the team. Not going to win it, but might go far.
Greece. Will become deep in depth after buying tickets.

European teams for WC 2014 thoroughly analysed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 20, 2014, 04:48:02 PM
After three consecutive big tournament wins we're still a gamble?  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on May 20, 2014, 04:54:42 PM
In my opinion, on Brazilian soil, yes. You could very well win it again, but I think Brazil or Argentina may have something to offer as well. Australia, Honduras, the US and Japan are the weakest sides, and couldn't get through a qualifying round in Europe ever.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 20, 2014, 05:33:29 PM
Quote from: Liep on May 20, 2014, 04:19:20 PM
Group D is equally deadly for the two lesser teams in it. Though, England might scrap home a win against Costa Rica.

Italy v England is the key game in that group.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 20, 2014, 05:34:26 PM
Quote from: Norgy on May 20, 2014, 04:30:51 PM
Greece. Will become deep in depth after buying tickets.


:D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on May 20, 2014, 05:57:16 PM
Quote from: Norgy on May 20, 2014, 04:30:51 PM
.....
Belgium. Best team they have had since 1986. Could do something.
.....

86 was my favourite world cup, closely followed by 94.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 20, 2014, 06:04:56 PM
Quote from: mongers on May 20, 2014, 05:57:16 PM

86 was my favourite world cup



Mine too. Elkjær, Laudrup, Lerby, Olsen, Mølby, Arnesen. :wub:

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

Closely followed by 98. Laudrup, Laudrup. :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on May 20, 2014, 06:06:21 PM
Quote from: mongers on May 20, 2014, 05:57:16 PM
Quote from: Norgy on May 20, 2014, 04:30:51 PM
.....
Belgium. Best team they have had since 1986. Could do something.
.....

86 was my favourite world cup, closely followed by 94.



I think I'd pick 2002, simply because the way my work schedule was set at the time meant that I got to see more matches that year than any other.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 20, 2014, 06:20:20 PM
2002 was my favorite too. Beat Portugal, Mexico, and lost only to the Germans in the quarterfinals.

The first World Cup I remember was 94 though. I was 10. Good times.  :cool:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 20, 2014, 06:22:03 PM
I'm happier about England given how much the team's changed since 2010 (has any other country in both changed the squad as much?). It seems a far better team and one that'll be far easier to support too :lol:

There doesn't seem to be any real expectations either and, so far, everyone seems to be willing to be relatively forgiving given that a lot of them are much younger. Which is nice.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on May 20, 2014, 06:50:07 PM
The 1998 one was mine. Mostly because we beat Brazil with the most unexpected penalty decision ever. :uffda:

The best one for viewing, hard to say, I got fairly involved in England's 1990 campaign. That team deserved more than third-place play-offs.
1982 had the worst tackles and the ugliest play in my lifetime, with Toni Schumacher literally punching France's Patrice Battiston, Claudio Gentile mostly standing on Maradona and a decent Brazil side again, with Eder and Zico. They did better in Mexico '86, but in 1982 they were more fun to watch.

Best player I've seen in any championship was France's Michel Platini in 1984. Zico in 1982 and 1986 a close second. Maradona's performance in 1986 was superb, but the hand of god sort of ruins it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on May 20, 2014, 08:04:19 PM
What was my favorite?  Hmmmm....

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2Fimage%2F5288192-3x2-940x627.jpg&hash=24ade4d3b3697dcd5b2df81cd9d615c02cd50ede)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on May 20, 2014, 08:06:44 PM
Quote from: Norgy on May 20, 2014, 10:37:08 AM
Will you do a full one or keep a landing strip?

I have SS runes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 20, 2014, 08:35:42 PM
I don't know how much play this got outside of England but :bleeding:
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/20/yaya-toure-manchester-city-dispute
QuoteYaya Touré is on a collision course with Manchester City over his future after supporting his agent's claim that he is unhappy – but the club are determined the Ivory Coast midfielder will not be sold.

Touré took to Twitteron Tuesday to agree with Dimitri Seluk after the agent claimed that his player is unhappy at the lack of proper acknowledgement afforded him by the club on the occasion of his birthday last week in Abu Dhabi.

One of Touré's grievances is understood to be that he felt his team-mates David Silva, Vincent Kompany and Sergio Agüero were treated with greater acclaim in Abu Dhabi by Sheikh Mansour, the club's owner, and Khaldoon al-Mubarak, the chairman.

"He got a cake but when it was Roberto Carlos's birthday the president of Anzhi gave him a Bugatti," Seluk told the BBC. "I don't expect City to present Yaya with a Bugatti; we only asked that they shook his hand and said: 'We congratulate you.' It is the minimum they must do when it is his birthday and the squad is all together.

"I hear one newspaper has written that City congratulated him from Twitter but this is a joke. It is better they don't put anything on Twitter if they are not saying anything to him. The club's owners ate a 100kg cake after winning the Premier League this season but when they and the players were all together, none of them shook his hand on his birthday. It shows they don't care about him."
And so it goes on :bleeding: :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 21, 2014, 12:14:13 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 20, 2014, 08:35:42 PM
I don't know how much play this got outside of England but :bleeding:
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/20/yaya-toure-manchester-city-dispute
QuoteYaya Touré is on a collision course with Manchester City over his future after supporting his agent's claim that he is unhappy – but the club are determined the Ivory Coast midfielder will not be sold.

Touré took to Twitteron Tuesday to agree with Dimitri Seluk after the agent claimed that his player is unhappy at the lack of proper acknowledgement afforded him by the club on the occasion of his birthday last week in Abu Dhabi.

One of Touré's grievances is understood to be that he felt his team-mates David Silva, Vincent Kompany and Sergio Agüero were treated with greater acclaim in Abu Dhabi by Sheikh Mansour, the club's owner, and Khaldoon al-Mubarak, the chairman.

"He got a cake but when it was Roberto Carlos's birthday the president of Anzhi gave him a Bugatti," Seluk told the BBC. "I don't expect City to present Yaya with a Bugatti; we only asked that they shook his hand and said: 'We congratulate you.' It is the minimum they must do when it is his birthday and the squad is all together.

"I hear one newspaper has written that City congratulated him from Twitter but this is a joke. It is better they don't put anything on Twitter if they are not saying anything to him. The club's owners ate a 100kg cake after winning the Premier League this season but when they and the players were all together, none of them shook his hand on his birthday. It shows they don't care about him."
And so it goes on :bleeding: :weep:

Yahoo France mentioned it. Beware!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 21, 2014, 01:45:37 AM
Quote from: Josephus on May 20, 2014, 04:14:49 PM
FWIW I think the Americans are becoming a decent team. But I am tired of American pundits going on about group of death. It's Germany and Portugal coming out of that group. America is just not better than either of those two teams.

Sounds like it's a group of death from an American perspective, then.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on May 21, 2014, 03:51:51 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 21, 2014, 10:11:43 PM
The press seem to be suggesting Giggs in the short-term.

The bookies favourite for this summer is Louis van Gaal.

Rules for interviewing Van Gaal.  :D
http://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2014/05/21/british-journalists-follow-these-ten-rules-for-interviewing-louis-van-gaal/ (http://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2014/05/21/british-journalists-follow-these-ten-rules-for-interviewing-louis-van-gaal/)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 21, 2014, 04:06:17 AM
Quote from: Maladict on May 21, 2014, 03:51:51 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 21, 2014, 10:11:43 PM
The press seem to be suggesting Giggs in the short-term.

The bookies favourite for this summer is Louis van Gaal.

Rules for interviewing Van Gaal.  :D
http://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2014/05/21/british-journalists-follow-these-ten-rules-for-interviewing-louis-van-gaal/ (http://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2014/05/21/british-journalists-follow-these-ten-rules-for-interviewing-louis-van-gaal/)

He is still fondly remembered in Spain for his time coaching Barcelona. The press conferences were glorious.  :lol:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2F8Z2Q-8E07FA%2Fhqdefault.jpg&hash=16669838a4c530c9c4c43d7657004feece003c19)

That was his puppet in a satyrical news show back in the day, kinda similar to Spitting Image.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 21, 2014, 05:09:33 AM
The thought of Van Gaal and Mourinho managing in the same league. The feuding and hubris will be off the scale.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on May 21, 2014, 05:13:27 AM
Well, Sir Alex and Arsenal Wenger weren't always on the best of terms, either.

And British journalists had to contend with the likes of Brian Clough before:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqAZsoF-ghw
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on May 21, 2014, 06:07:13 AM
Quote from: Norgy on May 21, 2014, 05:13:27 AM
Well, Sir Alex and Arsenal Wenger weren't always on the best of terms, either.

And British journalists had to contend with the likes of Brian Clough before:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqAZsoF-ghw

I was he the best manager England never had?  :unsure:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 21, 2014, 08:04:19 AM
Quote from: Jacob on May 21, 2014, 01:45:37 AM
Quote from: Josephus on May 20, 2014, 04:14:49 PM
FWIW I think the Americans are becoming a decent team. But I am tired of American pundits going on about group of death. It's Germany and Portugal coming out of that group. America is just not better than either of those two teams.

Sounds like it's a group of death from an American perspective, then.

Well yeah...but it's an overused phrased. Group of death implies four decent teams of more or less the same calibre battling it out.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on May 21, 2014, 08:16:52 AM
Quote from: mongers on May 21, 2014, 06:07:13 AM

I was he the best manager England never had?  :unsure:

"I wouldn't say I was the best manager in the business, but I was in the top one".

It's hard to imagine Cloughie being anything but a bit of an arse. His public personae was abrasive and sometimes downright offensive.
If he hadn't had his success with Derby and Forest, he'd be a non-entity today, much like Robin Friday.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MDeWml8ZMg

Both are good examples as to why we shouldn't just diagnose kids with ADHD and get on with it. And those are just two from football.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 21, 2014, 09:15:39 AM
I am quite looking forward to Van Gaal's first explosion.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 21, 2014, 09:21:51 AM
He will level Old Trafford and the destruction of Manchester United will be complete.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 21, 2014, 09:54:44 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 21, 2014, 09:21:51 AM
He will level Old Trafford and the destruction of Manchester United will be complete.

let's hope so
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 22, 2014, 06:48:37 PM
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/worldcup2014/article-2636100/Luis-Suarezs-World-Cup-setback-huge-boost-Englands-World-Cup-chances.html

need to revise picks. :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 22, 2014, 07:01:14 PM
In other news: Donovan  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 22, 2014, 08:49:28 PM
Bit of a shame he isn't going but if he's not fit he shouldn't be on the plane. Our team is real real bad anyway so it's not like he'll miss much. It'll be a good learning experience for the youngsters like Green and Diskerud.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on May 22, 2014, 08:51:07 PM
I'm rooting against the US anyways. Imperialist running dogs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 22, 2014, 09:53:14 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 22, 2014, 08:49:28 PM
Bit of a shame he isn't going but if he's not fit he shouldn't be on the plane. Our team is real real bad anyway so it's not like he'll miss much. It'll be a good learning experience for the youngsters like Green and Diskerud.

Some pundits are saying that Klinsmann knows his current squad won't get out of the group so is grooming such youngsters for the next one.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 22, 2014, 10:37:38 PM
Quote from: Josephus on May 22, 2014, 09:53:14 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 22, 2014, 08:49:28 PM
Bit of a shame he isn't going but if he's not fit he shouldn't be on the plane. Our team is real real bad anyway so it's not like he'll miss much. It'll be a good learning experience for the youngsters like Green and Diskerud.

Some pundits are saying that Klinsmann knows his current squad won't get out of the group so is grooming such youngsters for the next one.

That's pretty much my thinking too. Our good players are old and slow and most of the rest of the squad aren't rated. It feels like the team is in a transition from the Old Guard to the New. Luckily, Bradley (our best player) is in his prime and has at least one more World Cup to look forward to.

If we get one point out of the group stage I'll consider it a moral victory.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 23, 2014, 01:55:53 AM
Wasn't the European cup that way for Germany too? How many more big tournaments will it take?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on May 23, 2014, 03:36:51 AM
Germany's current great generation has one more tournament after this until players like Lahm or Schweinsteiger will likely retire from the national team. As it is a great team and played nice football, it would be great to see them rewarded. But I don't see it happening. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 23, 2014, 04:10:30 AM
I am considering putting some money on Spain. I think they have one more in them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on May 23, 2014, 04:29:26 AM
Quote from: Tamas on May 23, 2014, 04:10:30 AM
I am considering putting some money on Spain. I think they have one more in them.

Germany, Brazil, Argentina and Spain to make it to the semis.
After that I don't have a clue who to go for.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on May 23, 2014, 06:58:11 AM
I'm gonna be rooting for the americans this time round. Aron Johannsson represents country and Mikkel Diskerud represents club.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on May 23, 2014, 06:24:45 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 22, 2014, 10:37:38 PM
Quote from: Josephus on May 22, 2014, 09:53:14 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 22, 2014, 08:49:28 PM
Bit of a shame he isn't going but if he's not fit he shouldn't be on the plane. Our team is real real bad anyway so it's not like he'll miss much. It'll be a good learning experience for the youngsters like Green and Diskerud.

Some pundits are saying that Klinsmann knows his current squad won't get out of the group so is grooming such youngsters for the next one.

That's pretty much my thinking too. Our good players are old and slow and most of the rest of the squad aren't rated. It feels like the team is in a transition from the Old Guard to the New. Luckily, Bradley (our best player) is in his prime and has at least one more World Cup to look forward to.

If we get one point out of the group stage I'll consider it a moral victory.  :lol:

We could do better than expected, but I sure wouldn't want to have to bet on it.  I actually figure Ghana and Germany to advance from the group.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 24, 2014, 06:02:52 PM
No comments on Champions League final?

Felt bad for Atletico, who were almost there. History will show this as a 4-1 loss but the game told a different story.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 24, 2014, 06:58:18 PM
Yeah, it was close, but it didn't really interest me this year. Madrid v. Madrid, meh.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on May 24, 2014, 07:26:24 PM
Greasy vs Greaseballs. Pass.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on May 24, 2014, 08:10:21 PM
Been working all day. So no chance to watch it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on May 24, 2014, 08:34:19 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 22, 2014, 10:37:38 PM

If we get one point out of the group stage I'll consider it a moral victory.  :lol:

Fuck how many points we get. If we break cristiano ronaldo's leg, I'll consider it a total victory.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on May 24, 2014, 08:42:27 PM
I think it is even money we get out of the group stage. I love Klinsmann not bringing Donovan. Donovan wasn't going to be a key contributor this year anyway, and it takes all the pressure off the team and puts it on him. At the same time, the story line is about a guy who is not there and about how we are fucked because of our group. If that doesn't get the team to pull together and have new leaders step up, nothing will.

Also, maybe this will in the future cause players to have second thoughts about dropping out in the prime of their careers and wandering around third world countries and then think they should get back on the team for the world cup.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 24, 2014, 08:48:58 PM
Oh yeah, that should definitely synergize the hell out of them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on May 24, 2014, 08:51:01 PM
Need to age the players more.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on May 24, 2014, 08:58:02 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 24, 2014, 08:51:01 PM
Need to age the players more.

What does that even mean?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on May 24, 2014, 09:17:11 PM
You know what it means.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on May 24, 2014, 09:19:31 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 24, 2014, 09:17:11 PM
You know what it means.

I really don't.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on May 24, 2014, 09:21:48 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on May 24, 2014, 09:19:31 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 24, 2014, 09:17:11 PM
You know what it means.

I really don't.
Pretend that team US was playing against a CFL team, then it'll all come back to you.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on May 24, 2014, 09:24:30 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on May 24, 2014, 09:19:31 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 24, 2014, 09:17:11 PM
You know what it means.

I really don't.

You don't remember your own bullshit from years ago? Something about aging Miami Hurricanes players?

That's the joke.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on May 24, 2014, 09:43:08 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 24, 2014, 09:24:30 PM

You don't remember your own bullshit from years ago? Something about aging Miami Hurricanes players?

That's the joke.

I remember saying that some college teams have enough front line talent to compare with or even best the teams put out by NFL teams on a given Sunday. A bunch of people jumped on me about that, especially when I pulled out the 2000-2001 Miami Hurricanes as an example. What is seared into my mind is multiple posts by Berkut going off on me saying that a WR trio of Reggie Wayne, Santana Moss, and Andre Johnson had the talent to be a top tier trio in the NFL. He began ranting that I was just a homer and he had never even heard of Andre Johnson.

How that relates to Landon Donovan and Klinsmann, I have no clue.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 24, 2014, 11:34:44 PM
I watched the CL Final. It was crap, then got interesting in the second half. Watching Gareth Bale miss all his shots was funny. When he finally got one, though, it spelled the end for Atletico. They were always going to lose once RM equalized.

The real winner here was Franco.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 24, 2014, 11:42:08 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on May 24, 2014, 08:42:27 PM
I think it is even money we get out of the group stage. I love Klinsmann not bringing Donovan. Donovan wasn't going to be a key contributor this year anyway, and it takes all the pressure off the team and puts it on him. At the same time, the story line is about a guy who is not there and about how we are fucked because of our group. If that doesn't get the team to pull together and have new leaders step up, nothing will.

Also, maybe this will in the future cause players to have second thoughts about dropping out in the prime of their careers and wandering around third world countries and then think they should get back on the team for the world cup.

Yeah, the pressure isn't really on for us to even advance. To meet expectations we merely have to avoid getting bounced 4-0 in our games. All the pressure is on Germany and Ronaldo + 10.

I don't mind leaving out Donovan either. My fear is that leaving him out will lead to discontent in the team first toward Klinsmann and then toward each other. Then we'll definitely get pounded in the ass by Germany.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 25, 2014, 07:25:45 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 24, 2014, 11:34:44 PM
I watched the CL Final. It was crap, then got interesting in the second half. Watching Gareth Bale miss all his shots was funny. When he finally got one, though, it spelled the end for Atletico. They were always going to lose once RM equalized.

The real winner here was Franco.

He's still dead.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 25, 2014, 01:44:01 PM
Quote from: Josephus on May 24, 2014, 06:02:52 PM
No comments on Champions League final?

Felt bad for Atletico, who were almost there. History will show this as a 4-1 loss but the game told a different story.

They were almost there, yes, but I'm not completely sure if they deserved it. They had a total lack of a plan B, they insisted on playing Costa when not fully fit and the physical abuse they've suffered under Simeone's exploits left them totally exhausted for the overtime. Granted, if the overtime was 3 minutes shorter they would have taken it, but...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 25, 2014, 04:03:41 PM
According to an interview with Benítez Liverpool's American owners originally thought that there was a draft in the Premier League and that there was no relegation.  :wacko:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 25, 2014, 04:08:28 PM
Quote from: The Larch on May 25, 2014, 04:03:41 PM
According to an interview with Benítez Liverpool's American owners originally thought that there was a draft in the Premier League and that there was no relegation.  :wacko:
Presumably Gillett and Hicks, not Fenway though? :o

I enjoyed the game last night. Thought Atletico deserved to win at 90 minutes, but they looked exhausted and Real didn't.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 25, 2014, 04:16:51 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 25, 2014, 04:08:28 PM
Quote from: The Larch on May 25, 2014, 04:03:41 PM
According to an interview with Benítez Liverpool's American owners originally thought that there was a draft in the Premier League and that there was no relegation.  :wacko:
Presumably Gillett and Hicks, not Fenway though? :o

Given the timeline I presume he meant G&H, yes, although he didn't give names in the interview.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on May 25, 2014, 05:02:51 PM
Quote from: The Larch on May 25, 2014, 04:16:51 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 25, 2014, 04:08:28 PM
Quote from: The Larch on May 25, 2014, 04:03:41 PM
According to an interview with Benítez Liverpool's American owners originally thought that there was a draft in the Premier League and that there was no relegation.  :wacko:
Presumably Gillett and Hicks, not Fenway though? :o

Given the timeline I presume he meant G&H, yes, although he didn't give names in the interview.

He's talking about Gillette and Hicks - that's been the 99% likely rumour in Britain for several years (only 99% likely because none of the main parties have actually admitted to it - and because its possible that only one of the pair was guilty of this given their respective historical interest in Association Football.)

I'm fairly sure Benitez wasn't the first to suggest it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 25, 2014, 05:10:09 PM
Quote from: Agelastus on May 25, 2014, 05:02:51 PM
Quote from: The Larch on May 25, 2014, 04:16:51 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 25, 2014, 04:08:28 PM
Quote from: The Larch on May 25, 2014, 04:03:41 PM
According to an interview with Benítez Liverpool's American owners originally thought that there was a draft in the Premier League and that there was no relegation.  :wacko:
Presumably Gillett and Hicks, not Fenway though? :o

Given the timeline I presume he meant G&H, yes, although he didn't give names in the interview.

He's talking about Gillette and Hicks - that's been the 99% likely rumour in Britain for several years (only 99% likely because none of the main parties have actually admitted to it - and because its possible that only one of the pair was guilty of this given their respective historical interest in Association Football.)

I'm fairly sure Benitez wasn't the first to suggest it.

He's not suggesting it as a rumour, he mentions meetings in which those topics came up.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on May 25, 2014, 05:17:42 PM
Quote from: The Larch on May 25, 2014, 05:10:09 PM
Quote from: Agelastus on May 25, 2014, 05:02:51 PM
Quote from: The Larch on May 25, 2014, 04:16:51 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 25, 2014, 04:08:28 PM
Quote from: The Larch on May 25, 2014, 04:03:41 PM
According to an interview with Benítez Liverpool's American owners originally thought that there was a draft in the Premier League and that there was no relegation.  :wacko:
Presumably Gillett and Hicks, not Fenway though? :o

Given the timeline I presume he meant G&H, yes, although he didn't give names in the interview.

He's talking about Gillette and Hicks - that's been the 99% likely rumour in Britain for several years (only 99% likely because none of the main parties have actually admitted to it - and because its possible that only one of the pair was guilty of this given their respective historical interest in Association Football.)

I'm fairly sure Benitez wasn't the first to suggest it.

He's not suggesting it as a rumour, he mentions meetings in which those topics came up.

As I said, 99% likely rumour; he's in a position to know but is not a disinterested party.

Needs Hicks or Gillette to confirm it.

Is this a new interview by the way? I thought Benitez had said this originally soon after he lost his job at Liverpool.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 25, 2014, 05:36:35 PM
Quote from: Agelastus on May 25, 2014, 05:17:42 PM
Quote from: The Larch on May 25, 2014, 05:10:09 PM
Quote from: Agelastus on May 25, 2014, 05:02:51 PM
Quote from: The Larch on May 25, 2014, 04:16:51 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 25, 2014, 04:08:28 PM
Quote from: The Larch on May 25, 2014, 04:03:41 PM
According to an interview with Benítez Liverpool's American owners originally thought that there was a draft in the Premier League and that there was no relegation.  :wacko:
Presumably Gillett and Hicks, not Fenway though? :o

Given the timeline I presume he meant G&H, yes, although he didn't give names in the interview.

He's talking about Gillette and Hicks - that's been the 99% likely rumour in Britain for several years (only 99% likely because none of the main parties have actually admitted to it - and because its possible that only one of the pair was guilty of this given their respective historical interest in Association Football.)

I'm fairly sure Benitez wasn't the first to suggest it.

He's not suggesting it as a rumour, he mentions meetings in which those topics came up.

As I said, 99% likely rumour; he's in a position to know but is not a disinterested party.

Needs Hicks or Gillette to confirm it.

Is this a new interview by the way? I thought Benitez had said this originally soon after he lost his job at Liverpool.

It's an interview for a Valencian newspaper, and he was answering questions about how it was working under foreign sugardaddies, as Valencia has just been bought by a guy from Singapore. He answered something to the effect that it was important that the owners shared the European football culture, so that all levels of the club could be in the same wavelength, and at that point mentioned the disconnect between Liverpool's American owners and the rest of the club through a couple of anecdotes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 25, 2014, 07:24:16 PM
Americans should own all Premier League clubs, IMO.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 26, 2014, 02:36:18 AM
An ultra humble club, Eibar, has just won promotion to the Spanish first division yesterday. Last year they were in 2ªB, the third band of Spanish footie, and historically they've been an elevator club between 2nd and 2ªB. The city has less than 30k people, and their stadium seats barely 5.000 people. They have always been run in an ultra-austere way and have zero debt and an iron will to keep every single payment obligation. Theoretically they should be the model club for how an economically healthy sports club has to be run...and yet they might be administratively relegated back to 2ªB if they don't manage to raise around 1'5 million € to fulfill some kind of economic requiriment to be able to participate in footie at the professional level. Mind boggling.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 26, 2014, 08:23:22 AM
Football is about making money, not being responsible or some sort of role model.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 26, 2014, 08:29:18 AM
Quote from: The Larch on May 26, 2014, 02:36:18 AM
An ultra humble club, Eibar, has just won promotion to the Spanish first division yesterday. Last year they were in 2ªB, the third band of Spanish footie, and historically they've been an elevator club between 2nd and 2ªB. The city has less than 30k people, and their stadium seats barely 5.000 people. They have always been run in an ultra-austere way and have zero debt and an iron will to keep every single payment obligation. Theoretically they should be the model club for how an economically healthy sports club has to be run...and yet they might be administratively relegated back to 2ªB if they don't manage to raise around 1'5 million € to fulfill some kind of economic requiriment to be able to participate in footie at the professional level. Mind boggling.
First I've heard of this. Interesting. And lame
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 26, 2014, 08:39:15 AM
Apparently Austria also won the Eurovision in 1966, and Real Madrid also won the European Cup that same year.

All money on England!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 26, 2014, 11:11:38 AM
Oh and Atletico won La Liga.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 26, 2014, 12:17:21 PM
ESPN Classic is replaying the 98 World Cup Final right now.  :cool:

Zidane. :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 26, 2014, 10:48:13 PM
Quote from: Liep on May 26, 2014, 08:39:15 AM
Apparently Austria also won the Eurovision in 1966, and Real Madrid also won the European Cup that same year.

All money on England!
I've seen a few (non british) people posting that on Facebook.
I refuse to even consider the possibility
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 31, 2014, 08:45:40 PM
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/01/qatar-world-cup-bid-mohamed-bin-hammam-accused-further-payments?CMP=twt_gu

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fthabto.files.wordpress.com%2F2013%2F05%2Fshocked-shocked.jpg%3Fw%3D500&hash=aff79016b719e4aaf6f9b9f6d02a7caffed8b8fa)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 31, 2014, 10:59:03 PM
:o :o :o :o :o !!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 01, 2014, 07:00:08 AM
shocking! I don't believe it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 01, 2014, 08:17:32 AM
I fully expect FIFA to conduct an effective investigation and to implement reforms that eliminate corruption in the organization forever.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 01, 2014, 08:34:57 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on June 01, 2014, 08:17:32 AM
I fully expect FIFA to conduct an effective investigation and implement reforms that eliminates corruption in the organization forever.

Anything but the utmost efficiency and transparency would be shocking.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on June 01, 2014, 03:34:39 PM
Blatter will probably become Führer for life.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on June 01, 2014, 03:42:34 PM
Quote from: Norgy on June 01, 2014, 03:34:39 PM
Blatter will probably become Führer for life.
Platini could out-corrupt him.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on June 01, 2014, 05:02:34 PM
I'm not sure I can bring myself to watch any of the World Cup. :gasp:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: jimmy olsen on June 01, 2014, 06:50:09 PM
Soccer is a scam!

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/02/sports/soccer/match-fixing-gang-strikes-at-soccers-fragile-legitimacy.html?_r=0

QuoteMatch-Fixing Gang Strikes at Global Soccer's Fragile Legitimacy

A New York Times investigation of match fixing ahead of the last World Cup gives an unusually detailed look at the ease with which professional gamblers can fix matches.

ROVANIEMI, Finland — A man arrived at the police station here in 2011 with an unusual tip. He told the police that a Singaporean man was fixing matches with the local professional soccer team. The police were incredulous.

This city on the Arctic Circle is known as the hometown of Santa Claus. It boasts a theme park with reindeer, elves and jolly St. Nicks. It is also a popular destination for Asian couples looking to make love under the Northern Lights. Rovaniemi is known for many things, but not for organized crime.

"Then after a few days, we started to realize that we had something real," said Arttu Granat, a police detective at the time who hunts moose on the weekends. "So we started to build up the surveillance team."

The detectives soon discovered that Wilson Raj Perumal, a match fixer from Singapore, was toiling away in Rovaniemi, working with several players, unbeknown to the coach. Mr. Perumal was considered a risk by his associates in a Singaporean match-rigging syndicate, so the group had sent a representative to Finland to tip off the police, Mr. Granat said.

Mr. Perumal was arrested and given a choice: Talk or be sent back to Singapore, where his punishment might be severe.

Mr. Perumal talked. His account — along with confidential documents, judicial investigations and interviews with people with knowledge of the syndicate's operations — revealed how pervasively illicit gambling operations have infected global soccer, leaving the legitimacy of what fans see on the field more fragile than ever.
No match-fixing syndicate has exploited soccer's vulnerabilities more than the group
Mr. Perumal worked for. The syndicate has manipulated hundreds of professional soccer matches around the world by identifying players and referees ripe for bribery — particularly in countries that pay low wages.

The syndicate's schemes often succeeded with apparent ease, including the rigging of exhibition games in the lead-up to the 2010 World Cup, raising concerns about the ability of officials to thwart match fixing.

The Apprentice Fixers

Mr. Perumal learned his trade in an informal school for match fixers in Singapore, along with Tan Seet Eng, a Singaporean man known widely as Dan Tan. In the early 1990s, they would gather in the stadiums where illegal bookmakers would take bets on the Malaysian-Singaporean soccer league.

The fixers were so successful that a Malaysian Cabinet minister estimated that they succeeded in fixing more than 70 percent of the league's matches. The corruption was so bad that the Malaysian-Singaporean league collapsed.

At the bottom of the fixers' hierarchy were runners: the go-betweens for the players and the fixers. Above the fixers were influential businessmen with the money to back the more expensive fixes and the protection muscle to make sure the network ran smoothly.

In the syndicate's early days, there was one king, known as Uncle Frankie, a legend among match fixers. He was a Chinese-Indonesian businessman who sometimes used the name Frankie Chung, but his real name could not be confirmed. He knew that the global expansion of soccer presented lots of fixing opportunities. Uncle Frankie would go to major international tournaments, like the World Cup, and try to bribe players and referees.

Uncle Frankie taught Mr. Tan and Mr. Perumal the dirty secret of international soccer: Many teams and their personnel are poor, so they often have players, coaches and referees open to bribes.

Kwesi Nyantakyi, president of the Ghana Football Association. "Yes, every competition. Every competition, they are there. It is done all the time in major competitions. In all the major tournaments, World Cup, Cup of Nations."

"The gamblers are not Africans," he added. "They are Europeans and Asians. So they have a lot of money to bet on these things."

As a country of talented players with little money, Ghana is one of the countries that fixers frequently target at international tournaments, Mr. Nyantakyi said. So he was not surprised when, in 2007, it was discovered that there had been an attempt to fix an international match involving Ghana's celebrated goalkeeping coach, Abukari Damba, who was working with the Singaporean fixers.

After some players turned him in, Mr. Damba confessed and said in a Ghana Football Association hearing that he had worked with the Singaporean fixers for 10 years.

Enter the Sapina Brothers

Mr. Perumal joined the international match-fixing group in 2008. In his interrogation cell in 2011, he charted the syndicate's organization for Mr. Granat and other Finnish police officers. It had European partners and Chinese backers who supplied money allegedly laundered through casinos in Macau.

The match-fixing syndicate was a criminal network, according to European police investigators. Europeans supplied compliant referees, players and coaches; Mr. Tan and the Singaporeans provided access to the vast, unregulated sports gambling market in Asia.

If the match fixers had only the referee on the take, they would say it was a one-star fix. In this case, the Asian syndicate would bet a smaller amount. If the local fixers had the entire team and the officiating crew on the take, it was called a five-star fix, and the syndicate would wager far more.

This system was devised at a meeting in a hotel room in Vienna in September 2008 between the Asian syndicate run by Mr. Tan and the Sapina brothers, two Berlin-based Croatian fixers who had a vast network of corrupt soccer players, referees and coaches. The Sapinas have twice been convicted of match fixing in Germany and are in prison there.

Together, they fixed hundreds of soccer matches around the world, targeting nearly every league — from the prestigious Champions League and World Cup qualifying matches to obscure, low-level matches. Once the Sapina brothers had persuaded their contacts to fix matches, Mr. Tan could then place bets on the Asian sports gambling market, the biggest in the world. Because much of the Asian market is underground, estimates of its size vary greatly. Patrick Jay, a senior executive of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, one of the largest government-controlled gambling companies in the world, estimated that the Asian market handled $1 trillion in wagering.

"It is huge," Mr. Jay said. "FIFA boasts about how much money they make every four years with the World Cup. You know what they call $4 billion in the illegal betting markets in Asia? Thursday."

680 Suspicious Matches

Terry Steans, a former FIFA investigator who now runs a sports security company in the United Kingdom, said the syndicate of Mr. Tan and Mr. Perumal moved fixing to another level from the early days of simply approaching players in hotel rooms.

"They organized tournaments where they invited entire teams — no one watched the games, they were not televised," Steans said. "The whole thing was set up for the gambling markets."

In February 2011, the syndicate orchestrated one of the strangest tournaments. It invited the national teams of Estonia, Bulgaria, Bolivia and Latvia to a beachside city in Turkey. The tournament's games were played in near-empty stadiums. They were not televised. Yet they attracted millions of dollars in bets on the Asian market.

All seven goals were scored on penalty kicks — all awarded by referees the syndicate had chosen and flown in.

"For sheer nerve, it has to rate high up there," Mr. Steans said. "They hired the stadium. Would not sell tickets. Would not allow fans in. No television. Four international teams. Bought the referees and made money on the gambling market. It is pretty brazen."

FIFA eventually barred all the referees.

In February 2013, Europol, the European Union's police intelligence agency, said the results of 680 matches worldwide from 2008 to 2011, including World Cup qualifying matches and European Champions League matches, were considered suspicious. Mr. Tan's group did most of this work, investigators said.

In just one country — Italy — Mr. Tan was so successful working with Balkan associates, who had connections with Italian organized crime, that more than 20 Italian professional soccer teams were investigated for match fixing. A senior investigator of Italy's National Organized Crime Task Force labeled Mr. Tan as the "No.

1 wanted man in Italy."

"For their part, Dan Tan and his group constitute a criminal network that is both dangerous and quick to violence in case of anyone who breaks their rules," an Italian prosecutor wrote in his statement. "This is stated in the testimony of one of the members who said it takes very little in the case of treason by one of the group to risk their murder."

The European investigators determined that Mr. Tan's syndicate also managed to fix matches played in the United States. In 2010, it persuaded a majority of El Salvador's national team to throw a game against D.C. United of Major League Soccer as well as an international match against the United States in Miami. Many of the Salvadoran players were subsequently barred for life.

The Syndicate Lives On

In 2011, Mr. Perumal was found guilty of corruption in Finland and was sentenced to two years. He was released early. In late April, he was arrested again in Finland because, the police said, he had returned to the fixing business and had an outstanding international arrest warrant. He faces extradition to Singapore.

Last year, Singaporean law enforcement officials arrested Mr. Tan. However, he is in indefinite detention and may not stand trial. The scale of his match fixing may never be fully revealed.

Their arrests are not expected to stanch match fixing in Asia. Mr. Granat, the detective who helped disrupt Mr. Perumal's exploits in northern Finland, said he ultimately recognized the group's extraordinary reach.

"I remember I started to take it seriously when Wilson Raj Perumal had been in prison for a week and he told me, 'This particular game next week will be fixed,' " Mr. Granat said. "He was in custody and he could still tell me these things."

In a recent interview in Kuala Lumpur, an associate of the syndicate's discussed the group's next phase. "Dan Tan and the others are locked up, but the betting cartel has just carried on," he said, speaking on the condition of anonymity for fear of retribution.

"They have new people to do their work. There is no stopping them."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 01, 2014, 07:42:47 PM
A sample e-mail:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BpCpSa9CEAA4yDW.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on June 01, 2014, 07:45:48 PM
It's pretty scandalous to suggest corruption is an serious issue in the Gulf Arab states.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on June 02, 2014, 09:36:48 AM
So Löw dropped the only player other than the 36 year old Miroslav Klose that could play as an all-out striker from Germany's team. We'll go to the world cup with just one striker that has had his best years.

Don't expect much from Germany. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 02, 2014, 09:39:21 AM
Quote from: Zanza on June 02, 2014, 09:36:48 AM
So Löw dropped the only player other than the 36 year old Miroslav Klose that could play as an all-out striker from Germany's team. We'll go to the world cup with just one striker that has had his best years.

Don't expect much from Germany. :(

:w00t: USA!  USA!  USA!

Ah who am I kidding?  We are still going to lose.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 02, 2014, 09:53:01 AM
Quote from: Zanza on June 02, 2014, 09:36:48 AM
So Löw dropped the only player other than the 36 year old Miroslav Klose that could play as an all-out striker from Germany's team. We'll go to the world cup with just one striker that has had his best years.

Don't expect much from Germany. :(
It will be interesting to see. I have read the trend in tactics these days is away from strikers. The formation of the future is 4-6-0!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 02, 2014, 10:19:47 AM
Quote from: Zanza on June 02, 2014, 09:36:48 AM
So Löw dropped the only player other than the 36 year old Miroslav Klose that could play as an all-out striker from Germany's team. We'll go to the world cup with just one striker that has had his best years.

Don't expect much from Germany. :(

No Gómez then?

Besides, wasn't Müller your top scorer for the latest competitions anyway?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on June 02, 2014, 11:43:27 AM
Quote from: The Larch on June 02, 2014, 10:19:47 AMNo Gómez then?
Gomez has barely played this year, so he wasn't consider fit.

QuoteBesides, wasn't Müller your top scorer for the latest competitions anyway?
Yes.

Germany has Thomas Müller (Bayern), Mario Götze (Bayern), Marco Reus (Dortmund), Lukas Podolski (Arsenal), André Schürrle (Chelsea), Julian Draxler (Schalke) and Mesut Özil (Arsenal) as offensive midfielders. Between them scored 107 goals in 306 appearances, which is not quite first-class striker level (e.g. Klose with 68 goals in 131 games), but still not too bad.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 02, 2014, 11:50:39 AM
Quote from: Valmy on June 02, 2014, 09:39:21 AM
Quote from: Zanza on June 02, 2014, 09:36:48 AM
So Löw dropped the only player other than the 36 year old Miroslav Klose that could play as an all-out striker from Germany's team. We'll go to the world cup with just one striker that has had his best years.

Don't expect much from Germany. :(

:w00t: USA!  USA!  USA!

Ah who am I kidding?  We are still going to lose.

Meh, Cristiano Ronaldo is injured and may miss the game vs the US as well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 02, 2014, 06:48:20 PM
Looks like Falcao is out too. Too bad.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on June 03, 2014, 07:44:00 AM
Seems one of the people implicated in the Qatar bribery scandal is the former head of the Ghana FA, Seedy Kinteh.

Seedy Kinteh - that could be a Languish nick for CdM. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on July 11, 2014, 07:10:40 AM
Alexis Sanchez!!!1 :yeah: :yeah:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on July 11, 2014, 07:24:45 AM
Quote from: Warspite on July 11, 2014, 07:10:40 AM
Alexis Sanchez!!!1 :yeah: :yeah:

Very good signing for Arsenal, I think.

Forest are looking at: Mikele Leighterwood and Jobi McAnuff.  :scots:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 11, 2014, 07:26:14 AM
Suarez has left Liverpool.
So much for their rise? Try again in another 20 years?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on July 11, 2014, 07:33:30 AM
Quote from: Syt on June 03, 2014, 07:44:00 AM
Seems one of the people implicated in the Qatar bribery scandal is the former head of the Ghana FA, Seedy Kinteh.

Seedy Kinteh - that could be a Languish nick for CdM. :P

Kunta Kinte: Seedy, the slave hunters are here!
Seedy Kinteh: Oh, look, a comet!
[Seedy stabs Kunta in the leg]
Kunta Kinte: Seedy, brother! Why did you do this! You can't outrun the slavers!
Seedy Kinteh: I don't need to outrun the slavers, I just need to outrun you. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 11, 2014, 08:01:53 AM
Quote from: Tyr on July 11, 2014, 07:26:14 AM
Suarez has left Liverpool.
So much for their rise? Try again in another 20 years?

Arsenal bought Özil and Real Madrid used that money to buy Bale.
Arsenal bought Sanchez and Barca used that money to buy Suarez.

Interesting to see Arsenal indirectly sabotaging their rivals.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on July 11, 2014, 02:54:09 PM
Quote from: Tyr on July 11, 2014, 07:26:14 AM
Suarez has left Liverpool.
So much for their rise? Try again in another 20 years?

Probably. The example of post-Bale Tottenham is not particularly encouraging.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 11, 2014, 07:59:10 PM
http://youtu.be/NGdc-VY3OJw  :lol: :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 20, 2014, 08:45:56 AM
Went to another game for our local team. Really good match. We went up 2 goals early and then had a wrongly disallowed goal just before half time. Apparently the linesman didn't know that a man can be offside and not be involved in a play.  :rolleyes:

Late in the second half the visitors had a penalty given on a clear dive in the box and sent off our man (DOGSO).  It was obviousy a bad call and the amount of abuse the referee got was well deserved. Our keeper is a fucking bossman though because he saved the penalty and got his clean sheet.

Game was fun as fuck and heckling the other team never gets old.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FkUUycbVl.jpg&hash=5499f9fa0748d669893bdf1cac619dbf4d6d625d)

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FCT7YmwNl.jpg%3F1&hash=f55f9c28188e5d3b21b645a362deae806b7981f3)

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F6iqetY8l.jpg&hash=a4018d6978b44ecfd9a260f70ad9cad24177f78a)

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F4rEG2jnl.jpg&hash=adc595ed995916edf58854d878eeb016362ac985)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on July 20, 2014, 09:00:24 AM
Looks like a pretty decent turnout.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 20, 2014, 11:08:35 AM
Yeah, the shots there are of the main stand with the cover. Those seats are more expensive. My friends and I were sitting in the opposite stand, where the seats were cheaper. Our stand was filled up.   :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on July 20, 2014, 02:31:55 PM
I look forward to your future DC United posts.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 20, 2014, 07:09:20 PM
Scorpions games are fun and good. DC United is shit.  :mad:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on July 24, 2014, 06:37:05 PM
Real has sold 345.000 James jerseys in 48 hours. Holy shit.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on July 30, 2014, 12:41:16 PM
Dnipro - FC Copenhagen (played in Kiev) has been temporarily stopped because Ukrainian fans attacked the Danish fans and forced them to jump fence and cross the field to hide in the player's tunnel.

Slavs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on July 30, 2014, 01:31:38 PM
Self defense forces!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 30, 2014, 05:58:48 PM
BILL FOUND THE ARTETA MONEY! :o :w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 30, 2014, 06:35:59 PM
And the Fellaini money.  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 30, 2014, 06:42:08 PM
There's a lot of hate for Bill, but I think you've got to love a man who can get £55 million from selling Rodwell, Fellaini, Anichebe and Jelavic :lol:

Also as chairmen go he's quite winning :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 30, 2014, 07:17:59 PM
Everton will do well again this season.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on July 31, 2014, 09:58:52 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on July 30, 2014, 07:17:59 PM
Everton will do well again this season.



:w00t:  MERSEYSIDE POWAH!!11
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 31, 2014, 11:00:05 AM
My sorry predictions

1) Manchester City
2) Arsenal
3) Chelsea
4) Manchester United
5) Everton
6) Liverpool
7) Tottenham
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on July 31, 2014, 11:03:54 AM
My prediction:

1) Everton
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 31, 2014, 11:05:29 AM
Also Arsenal will win the Champions League
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on July 31, 2014, 11:12:39 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on July 31, 2014, 11:05:29 AM
Also Arsenal will win the Champions League

Let me put that down as unlikely. I mean, how are they going to win anything without the Big Ben?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 31, 2014, 11:26:17 AM
Big Nik was holding himself back and got tired of playing for noted mid-tier side Arsenal. Now that he's gone for greener pastures, both Arsenal and Big Nik can unleash their fully armed and operational battle stations.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on July 31, 2014, 11:35:24 AM
He has deployed a genius strategy of requiring such a large amount of money that only the top tier sides can afford him. The snag is that for some reason only lower tiers want him, but I'm sure this won't stop B-52.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 31, 2014, 11:39:28 AM
Any lower tier team that is blessed and lucky enough to pick him up will immediately become a European powerhouse and champions league favorite.

I'm preparing my champions league winner bet as soon as I hear news of his move to a club as I speak.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on July 31, 2014, 11:41:25 AM
I can see Frankfurt as 2016 Champion's League winners.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on July 31, 2014, 11:58:39 AM
It turns out the Ukrainians attacked the FC Copenhagen fans because they thought they waved flags with pictures of Putin on them. A subdivision of fans called Urban Crew has this logo:

:lol:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bt.dk%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles-dk%2Fnode-images%2F937%2F4%2F4937893-til-sporten.jpg&hash=a7745de6f658417b24974ee953120036148da117)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on July 31, 2014, 01:00:26 PM
Um the man on that flag is bald.  :wacko:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on August 02, 2014, 11:10:23 AM
Stuart Pearce. Rumours of £500 million Kuwaiti investment and a stadium name change. It's not a bad summer to have an above average interest in Nottingham Forest FC.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: grumbler on August 02, 2014, 04:41:19 PM
Real Madrid players (practicing at Eastern Michigan University for their friendly today at Michigan stadium*) try a game of touch football.. touch AMERICAN football: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqu_18WDMhQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqu_18WDMhQ)

One of those guys was throwing a pretty decent spiral.  I suspect they were better at American football (at least the tiny bit that is involved when you play touch) than an American football team would be at footie.

*New record for fans at a football game in the US, btw, and another record for the stadium that holds the record for Div IA College football, NHL hockey, NCAA hockey, and Div IAA college football.  They need to do a basketball game there.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: grumbler on August 02, 2014, 04:41:44 PM
Quote from: Valmy on July 31, 2014, 01:00:26 PM
Um the man on that flag is bald.  :wacko:
Wait.. Putin wears a rug?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on August 03, 2014, 04:45:32 AM
It seems FIFA is thinking about allowing a 4th substitution if a game is going into extra time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 13, 2014, 02:16:35 PM
Big B is going to Wolfsburg it seems, watch out Munich!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 13, 2014, 05:06:26 PM
An article on why Americans should support Everton:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2161748-everton-should-be-americas-de-facto-favorite-team-in-2014-premier-league-season
:w00t: USA! USA! USA!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on August 13, 2014, 05:09:22 PM
Ugh, Bleacher Report.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 13, 2014, 05:22:27 PM
No, Americans should support Sunderland, our owner is a wealthy American and we do our part for helping the USA by keeping a useless black guy (Altidore) in work.
Also our strips are red and white stripes and if you squint the black shorts could sort of look blue. USA! USA!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on August 13, 2014, 05:25:45 PM
I reject your Geordie team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 13, 2014, 05:29:08 PM
Sorry, I'm an Arsenal plastic tried and true.  :bowler: :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 13, 2014, 05:38:48 PM
We're gonna be shit, so it'll soon be hip again to be a Barça fan.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on August 13, 2014, 07:16:57 PM
Quote from: grumbler on August 02, 2014, 04:41:19 PM
Real Madrid players (practicing at Eastern Michigan University for their friendly today at Michigan stadium*) try a game of touch football.. touch AMERICAN football: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqu_18WDMhQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqu_18WDMhQ)

That's cute.

Can one of the Spanish speakers tell me what "calienta jugando" means?  Try their hand at playing, something like that?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on August 13, 2014, 08:23:46 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 13, 2014, 05:06:26 PM
An article on why Americans should support Everton:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2161748-everton-should-be-americas-de-facto-favorite-team-in-2014-premier-league-season
:w00t: USA! USA! USA!

Frankly every human should support Everton.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on August 13, 2014, 10:26:54 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 13, 2014, 07:16:57 PM
Can one of the Spanish speakers tell me what "calienta jugando" means?  Try their hand at playing, something like that?

Now I'm thinking it means "warm up by playing."

Am I close?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 14, 2014, 03:45:17 AM
If the players and clubs don't agree on sharing the commercial profits the players will strike as of tonight. Not that the Danish clubs had any chance of qualifying to the champs league anyway.

Who'll play Keanu Reeves? Can we get Mads Mikkelsen, please!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 14, 2014, 03:52:59 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 13, 2014, 10:26:54 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 13, 2014, 07:16:57 PM
Can one of the Spanish speakers tell me what "calienta jugando" means?  Try their hand at playing, something like that?

Now I'm thinking it means "warm up by playing."

Am I close?

Yes. They are warming up by playing touch football.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 14, 2014, 01:43:18 PM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbilder.bild.de%2Ffotos-skaliert%2Fa-wolfsburg_40303838-1408036549-37252776%2F4%2Cc%3D0%2Cw%3D658.bild.jpg&hash=89e21c515dce6dadc8d44cee0d45307e56f1d64f)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on August 14, 2014, 02:03:45 PM
Stop reading BILD. :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 14, 2014, 02:18:34 PM
Quote from: Syt on August 14, 2014, 02:03:45 PM
Stop reading BILD. :bleeding:

I'm not really reading Bild, but I do like their headlines more than what our tabloids can come up with. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on August 14, 2014, 02:21:51 PM
Anyways, American Soccer Fans should NOT support mine and Tamas' club Chelsea. If you start supporting Chelsea AFTER Abramovich took over that is just as bad a new baseball fans becoming Yankees fans. For the same reason you should not be Man U or Man City or Barcelona or Real Madrid or Bayern Munchen fans, supporting these clubs is a bit like cheating at a soccer manager game.

Unless you started supporting the team before it got rich or unless you never had any choice, you should not support Man C, Man U, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barcelona or Bayern Munchen. You should not support any Italian team either, because they are all evil and hate the game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 15, 2014, 06:15:23 AM
B-3 doesn't have the same ring to it as B-52, poor choice of number there for Biggie B.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on August 15, 2014, 08:22:59 AM
Quote from: Viking on August 14, 2014, 02:21:51 PM
Anyways, American Soccer Fans should NOT support mine and Tamas' club Chelsea. If you start supporting Chelsea AFTER Abramovich took over that is just as bad a new baseball fans becoming Yankees fans. For the same reason you should not be Man U or Man City or Barcelona or Real Madrid or Bayern Munchen fans, supporting these clubs is a bit like cheating at a soccer manager game.

Unless you started supporting the team before it got rich or unless you never had any choice, you should not support Man C, Man U, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barcelona or Bayern Munchen. You should not support any Italian team either, because they are all evil and hate the game.

Hells yeah. I remember all my friends thinking I was weird caring for an English club struggling to get into CL/UEFA every season. Then after the first won season with Mourinho all these Chelsea "supporters" turned up.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on August 15, 2014, 12:07:57 PM
Quote from: Viking on August 14, 2014, 02:21:51 PM
Anyways, American Soccer Fans should NOT support mine and Tamas' club Chelsea. If you start supporting Chelsea AFTER Abramovich took over that is just as bad a new baseball fans becoming Yankees fans. For the same reason you should not be Man U or Man City or Barcelona or Real Madrid or Bayern Munchen fans, supporting these clubs is a bit like cheating at a soccer manager game.

Unless you started supporting the team before it got rich or unless you never had any choice, you should not support Man C, Man U, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barcelona or Bayern Munchen. You should not support any Italian team either, because they are all evil and hate the game.

To the extent I support anyone (which is incredibly limited), I support Man U. That has been since Malcolm Glazer bought the team. A combination of me sort of being a fan of his NFL team and seeing the improvements he made there as owner, plus the anti- Glazer reaction when he bought Man U, pushed me to support them. I always wanted to walk into a pub in england and explain to them how awesome glazer is and how some reforms to be more like American sports would benefit the EPL (yes I know this is real life trolling).

Although I guess I'm sort of an everton fan for as long as tim howard is their goalkeeper.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 15, 2014, 12:44:08 PM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FEadqcUt.gif&hash=d4dfd2f4248c3ae14f2836064f8f32a4c8255cde)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 15, 2014, 01:22:47 PM
Hmm, then I should be an Everton fan.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on August 15, 2014, 01:27:48 PM
Quote from: Liep on August 15, 2014, 01:22:47 PM
Hmm, then I should be an Everton fan.

Play up Everton!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 15, 2014, 03:17:28 PM
Quote from: Valmy on August 15, 2014, 01:27:48 PM
Quote from: Liep on August 15, 2014, 01:22:47 PM
Hmm, then I should be an Everton fan.

Play up Everton!

:hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on August 15, 2014, 03:25:44 PM
Yeah I don't get that either but I heard that was a chant of theirs.  Some British thing I guess.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 15, 2014, 03:26:03 PM
Quote from: Liep on August 15, 2014, 03:17:28 PM
Quote from: Valmy on August 15, 2014, 01:27:48 PM
Quote from: Liep on August 15, 2014, 01:22:47 PM
Hmm, then I should be an Everton fan.

Play up Everton!

:hmm:

Hey, Pompey also wear blue. It's close enough.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 15, 2014, 05:39:18 PM
Quote from: Valmy on August 15, 2014, 03:25:44 PM
Yeah I don't get that either but I heard that was a chant of theirs.  Some British thing I guess.
I had to look this up. Apparently it's an Everton chant from the 1890s :lol: :o

As celed says, now more associated with Portsmouth.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on August 15, 2014, 06:01:14 PM
For some reason, The Wings' "Mull of Kintyre" is Forest's anthem. They just have different lyrics.

Oh, City Ground
A mist rolling in
From the Trent
My desire
Is always to be here

On City Ground

Far have I travelled and much have I seen
Goodison, Anfield are places I've been
Maine Road, Old Trafford still echo the sound
Of the boys in the red from the City Ground

Chorus

Pas-sing the leather like Cloughie's great men
Please take us back to the days I knew then.
Games when we sang in the Nottingham choir
When we thrashed the sheep from Derbyshire

And it goes on and on.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on August 15, 2014, 06:23:02 PM
Been an Arsenal fan since mid 90's when I found out about the team doing a internet search for arsenal software company :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 15, 2014, 07:34:03 PM
I'll never walk alone

Go Reds
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on August 15, 2014, 08:25:13 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 15, 2014, 05:39:18 PM
Quote from: Valmy on August 15, 2014, 03:25:44 PM
Yeah I don't get that either but I heard that was a chant of theirs.  Some British thing I guess.
I had to look this up. Apparently it's an Everton chant from the 1890s :lol: :o

As celed says, now more associated with Portsmouth.

Some of us appreciate the history of our club -_-

Portsmouth stole it
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 16, 2014, 03:49:51 AM
I hate it when other teams steal songs :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on August 16, 2014, 08:23:04 AM
LOLuis van Gaal
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 16, 2014, 08:49:30 AM
Manchester Shitnited hahahahahaha
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 16, 2014, 10:52:41 AM
Fan takes a free kick https://vine.co/v/M3mMh7dKTa2
http://gfycat.com/BaggyHeavenlyArcticduck#

:lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on August 16, 2014, 05:57:03 PM
Local team won 2-1. Forest drew 2-2 after the most expensive signing ever scored two.
All in all, not too shabby.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on August 16, 2014, 07:28:09 PM
Quote from: Valmy on August 15, 2014, 08:25:13 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 15, 2014, 05:39:18 PM
Quote from: Valmy on August 15, 2014, 03:25:44 PM
Yeah I don't get that either but I heard that was a chant of theirs.  Some British thing I guess.
I had to look this up. Apparently it's an Everton chant from the 1890s :lol: :o

As celed says, now more associated with Portsmouth.

Some of us appreciate the history of our club -_-

Portsmouth stole it

It's Pompey, few say Portsmouth.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 17, 2014, 10:57:54 AM
I notice Newcastle comes on the field to the Mark Knopfler Going Home tune.

:cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on August 17, 2014, 04:14:42 PM
Quote from: mongers on August 16, 2014, 07:28:09 PM
It's Pompey, few say Portsmouth.

Similar to how Pompey stole the Kingdom of Pontus.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on August 17, 2014, 04:26:07 PM
Quote from: Valmy on August 17, 2014, 04:14:42 PM
Quote from: mongers on August 16, 2014, 07:28:09 PM
It's Pompey, few say Portsmouth.

Similar to how Pompey stole the Kingdom of Pontus.

I think you could find pages of speculation on the intertubs as to why that is.
My favourite is simply it grew out of pissed people trying to pronounce the city's name; historically there's been quite a bit of boozing in Pompey.  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 18, 2014, 07:06:30 AM
Brandao. :lol:

At what point should players just be punished with temporary bans? Biting another player in the heat of a game is one thing, but waiting in the tunnel after the game and then headbutting your target should secure him at least a life time ban.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 18, 2014, 07:13:58 AM
Quote from: Liep on August 18, 2014, 07:06:30 AM
Brandão. :lol:

At what point should players just be punished with temporary bans? Biting another player in the heat of a game is one thing, but waiting in the tunnel after the game and then headbutting your target should secure him at least a life time ban.

Fixed!

It's Marseille, it just fits in. :)
He played at Marseille, he's now in Bastia.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 19, 2014, 09:35:34 AM
Norwegians!

Is Martin Ødegaard really as good as the Danish tabloids make him out to be?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on August 19, 2014, 09:59:40 AM
[E.M.]

Arsenal!

[/E.M.]
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on August 21, 2014, 06:43:30 PM
Just when I though the LOLerpool stopped with Carroll and Bucky Beaver gone, it looks like Balotelli is being bought.

LOL
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 21, 2014, 06:46:06 PM
Fuck. Even Suarez is more stable.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 21, 2014, 06:46:42 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on August 21, 2014, 06:43:30 PM
Just when I though the LOLerpool stopped with Carroll and Bucky Beaver gone, it looks like Balotelli is being bought.

LOL

:lol: :lol:

To be honest, I like Balotelli. It'll be fun to watch.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on August 21, 2014, 06:54:33 PM
I expect more Gerrard angry face this season
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 21, 2014, 07:29:39 PM
I'm not totally surprised by this move. Liverpool need a striker to replace Suarez and Liverpool is not the kind of team with the riches to attract Cavani and Falcao and others of that ilk. They got B. for a reasonable amount. If he doesn't work out they dump him at the end of the season...OR....it may work. He was pretty good with City when he was in the right mood.  He hated being played in any position but striker and hated being second fiddle to other strikers. It's unlikely that will be an issue with Liverpool. We shall see...Question is will he try Rodgers's patience
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 21, 2014, 07:50:51 PM
Hope that means they'll get a move on with the Borini switch. Assuming it is them holding it up anyway.


Wonder why balliotelli is so cheap
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on August 21, 2014, 07:55:49 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on August 21, 2014, 06:54:33 PM
I expect more Gerrard angry face this season

Does he have any other?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on August 22, 2014, 07:37:41 PM
Damn, looks like a great football talent isn't long for this world, this happened just down the road from here:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.dailymail.co.uk%2Fi%2Fpix%2F2014%2F08%2F22%2Farticle-2731151-20B44E8500000578-377_634x866.jpg&hash=34ef8ef65d8eb6138647c2aef7d5b7f637b3a858)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2731151/Ex-England-ace-Paul-Gascoigne-treated-hospital-today-faces-homeless-following-drinking-binge.html (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2731151/Ex-England-ace-Paul-Gascoigne-treated-hospital-today-faces-homeless-following-drinking-binge.html)

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 22, 2014, 08:15:37 PM
Apparently Israel is responsible for Gazza's recent problems
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on August 22, 2014, 08:17:48 PM
Booooooooooooooooo
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 23, 2014, 10:10:30 AM
Every time a broadcaster replays the Liverpool collapse last season I feel all warm inside.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 23, 2014, 01:48:45 PM
Arsenal looked like shit garbage today but still managed a point because Aaron Ramsey is the best midfielder in the world.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on August 23, 2014, 02:04:11 PM
Quote from: Liep on August 19, 2014, 09:35:34 AM
Norwegians!

Is Martin Ødegaard really as good as the Danish tabloids make him out to be?

Almost certainly not. The kids have some skills that are routinely bred out of regular fjeldaber.

Kids as in him and Dæhli at Cardiff.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on August 23, 2014, 05:25:13 PM
He's 15. Still have about 15 years of failure in him before he peaks in Turkish second division.

From what I've seen of him and heard from some coaches, he's something special by Norwegian standards (which, admittedly, are low nowadays). I think his future development depends on his choice of club. He'd be better off steering well clear of the EPL clubs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 23, 2014, 08:18:39 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 23, 2014, 01:48:45 PM
Arsenal looked like shit garbage today but still managed a point because Aaron Ramsey is the best midfielder in the world.
It helped that Everton Evertoned :bleeding:

Still I was happy with 45 minutes of last weeks game and 60 minutes of this week. At this rate we will, as is traditional, start our season in September :w00t: <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 23, 2014, 09:20:01 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 23, 2014, 08:18:39 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 23, 2014, 01:48:45 PM
Arsenal looked like shit garbage today but still managed a point because Aaron Ramsey is the best midfielder in the world.
It helped that Everton Evertoned :bleeding:

Still I was happy with 45 minutes of last weeks game and 60 minutes of this week. At this rate we will, as is traditional, start our season in September :w00t: <_<

2-2 is better than 0-3 . :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on August 24, 2014, 02:31:19 AM
Quote from: Norgy on August 23, 2014, 05:25:13 PM
He's 15. Still have about 15 years of failure in him before he peaks in Turkish second division.

From what I've seen of him and heard from some coaches, he's something special by Norwegian standards (which, admittedly, are low nowadays). I think his future development depends on his choice of club. He'd be better off steering well clear of the EPL clubs.

What are Rune Bratseth and Jan Åge Fjørtoft up to these days?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on August 24, 2014, 02:49:13 AM
Quote from: Syt on August 24, 2014, 02:31:19 AM
Quote from: Norgy on August 23, 2014, 05:25:13 PM
He's 15. Still have about 15 years of failure in him before he peaks in Turkish second division.

From what I've seen of him and heard from some coaches, he's something special by Norwegian standards (which, admittedly, are low nowadays). I think his future development depends on his choice of club. He'd be better off steering well clear of the EPL clubs.

What are Rune Bratseth and Jan Åge Fjørtoft up to these days?

Fjørtoft is a soccer commentator for german tv
Bratseth is a soccer commenatator for norwegian tv and works for a annual cultural festival here in trondheim after being on the board of Rosenborg for about a decade.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 24, 2014, 05:30:02 AM
Quote from: Norgy on August 23, 2014, 05:25:13 PM
He's 15. Still have about 15 years of failure in him before he peaks in Turkish second division.

From what I've seen of him and heard from some coaches, he's something special by Norwegian standards (which, admittedly, are low nowadays). I think his future development depends on his choice of club. He'd be better off steering well clear of the EPL clubs.

The top ones for sure, they love vaulting young talent.
The lower ones.... Could be ok. Get loaned out to league 1 and championship teams for a few years and then get a shot at the first team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on August 24, 2014, 06:47:18 AM
Quote from: Tyr on August 24, 2014, 05:30:02 AM
Quote from: Norgy on August 23, 2014, 05:25:13 PM
He's 15. Still have about 15 years of failure in him before he peaks in Turkish second division.

From what I've seen of him and heard from some coaches, he's something special by Norwegian standards (which, admittedly, are low nowadays). I think his future development depends on his choice of club. He'd be better off steering well clear of the EPL clubs.

The top ones for sure, they love vaulting young talent.
The lower ones.... Could be ok. Get loaned out to league 1 and championship teams for a few years and then get a shot at the first team.

I'd send them to the netherlands or lower half bundesliga teams.. that's where the icelandic younger players which have broken out have done well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 25, 2014, 04:06:05 PM
Eto'o to Everton. What an odd signing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 26, 2014, 04:27:31 PM
Quote from: celedhring on August 25, 2014, 04:06:05 PM
Eto'o to Everton. What an odd signing.
I'm rather happy with it :)

In other news:
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/aug/26/mk-dons-manchester-united-capital-one-cup
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on August 26, 2014, 04:47:30 PM
LOLchester LOLnited.

I mean seriously, 4-0 to MK Dons...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 26, 2014, 06:13:04 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 26, 2014, 04:27:31 PM
Quote from: celedhring on August 25, 2014, 04:06:05 PM
Eto'o to Everton. What an odd signing.
I'm rather happy with it :)

In other news:
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/aug/26/mk-dons-manchester-united-capital-one-cup

Wouldn't you have preferred a younger, hungrier, non-finished striker?

Also, he's wearing #5? Have a word with yourselves.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 26, 2014, 07:22:11 PM
Quote from: Warspite on August 26, 2014, 04:47:30 PM
LOLchester LOLnited.

I mean seriously, 4-0 to MK Dons...

I thought you meant Manchester United won by 4 goals. Then I checked the score.

:lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on August 26, 2014, 11:59:12 PM
Well, I guess my Scottish (Celtic loving) manager might be a bit grumpy today. And to add insult to injury the franchise owners for Slovenia are in the office today for a meeting with him.

I'll ask him not to punch or shiv anyone. :D

Was a dreadful game, though, and a deserved win for Maribor. In hindsight I should have kept watching the handball game between Kiel and Flensburg (the German handball league equivalents of Bayern Munich and Dortmund).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on August 27, 2014, 04:39:14 AM
£600 million or so for di Maria, 0-4 against Franchise FC. Good week for van Gaal, this. I watched their game against Sunderland, and Man Utd's defence looks shaky even at the best of times.

Meanwhile, the Stuart Pearce effect continues at the City Ground. I actually have some hope Forest might be back in top flight next season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 27, 2014, 04:55:36 AM
Quote from: Warspite on August 26, 2014, 04:47:30 PM
LOLchester LOLnited.

I mean seriously, 4-0 to MK Dons...
I'm embarrassed sunderland only managed  a draw against them now


How long till it's VG out?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on August 27, 2014, 05:18:26 AM
Quote from: Tyr on August 24, 2014, 05:30:02 AM
Quote from: Norgy on August 23, 2014, 05:25:13 PM
He's 15. Still have about 15 years of failure in him before he peaks in Turkish second division.

From what I've seen of him and heard from some coaches, he's something special by Norwegian standards (which, admittedly, are low nowadays). I think his future development depends on his choice of club. He'd be better off steering well clear of the EPL clubs.

The top ones for sure, they love vaulting young talent.
The lower ones.... Could be ok. Get loaned out to league 1 and championship teams for a few years and then get a shot at the first team.

Viking's idea is better.
Dutch club would be good. Spanish clubs would've been good 10 years ago, but nowadays they release academy players by the ton. Some are really talented too.
The Dutch and German youth systems are at present much better than the English (and lightyears ahead of the likes of Norway), which translates into the national team's performances too.

15 is too young an age to leave a relatively safe environment, so I suppose there might be some buy-loan back deal.

Look at Patrick Bamford. Huge talent at Forest, left despite being offered the best terms the club ever had with a youth contract. Spent time in the Chelsea reserves, loaned out to Derby (which, unfortunately for Forest was a successful loan), now sold to Middlesbrough. I am sure his agent and family is happy with him having raked in cash by the ton, but his development hasn't been what it could've been. Mind you, Forest were managed by Steve Cotterill when he was sold, a man who couldn't spot talent if it was carried on pink elephants and with megaphones blaring "This is talent".
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on August 27, 2014, 02:00:35 PM
Tuning into Leverkusen vs. Copenhagen 7 minutes after kick off and Leverkusen is already leading 2-0? WTF??
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 28, 2014, 01:10:23 PM
Quote from: Syt on August 27, 2014, 02:00:35 PM
Tuning into Leverkusen vs. Copenhagen 7 minutes after kick off and Leverkusen is already leading 2-0? WTF??

I heard they were really terrible, and good thing they're out as it would only get worse.

Gruppe A:
Atlético Madrid
Juventus
Olympiakos
Malmö FF

Gruppe B:
Real Madrid
Basel
Liverpool
Ludogorets

Gruppe C:
Benfica
Zenit Skt. Petersborg
Bayer Leverkusen
Monaco

Gruppe D:
Arsenal
Borussia Dortmund
Galatasaray
Anderlecht

Gruppe E:
Bayern München
Manchester City
CSKA Moskva
AS Roma

Gruppe F:
Barcelona
Paris Saint-Germain
Ajax
APOEL

Gruppe G:
Chelsea
Schalke 04
Sporting
Maribor

Gruppe H:
Porto
Shakhtar Donetsk
Athletic Bilbao
BATE Borisov
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 28, 2014, 04:53:38 PM
Looking at those groups the English teams all seem to have a good chance of getting through. Man City has the toughest group...but also the strongest team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 28, 2014, 05:01:57 PM
Quote from: celedhring on August 26, 2014, 06:13:04 PMWouldn't you have preferred a younger, hungrier, non-finished striker?
Yes. But we've already spent £28 million on Lukaku. That's not just the most we've ever spent on a player, it's more than we've ever spent in an entire transfer window - on a single player :lol:

From what I've read it was Eto'o or Welbeck on loan. I think Eto'o for a couple of years'll be good. He'll be back up for Lukaku and with hopefully he'll be able to encourage the younger players like Lukaku and Barkley.

Also the fact that Eto'o is at Everton, even at his age, is mind-blowing. This time last year our strikers were Jelavic and Anichebe :blink:

QuoteAlso, he's wearing #5? Have a word with yourselves.
Yeah. That's inexcusable :blush:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 30, 2014, 06:48:48 AM
Daniel Agger is returning to Brøndby for 3 million pounds and a much lower pay. He rejected contract offers from other big English clubs because his love for both Liverpool and Brøndby is worth more than money as he said.

Rare for a top footballer to return home at age 29. And considering Brøndby has turned total shit while he was gone he must really like the club.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 30, 2014, 08:19:32 AM
Apparently Jack Colback has been called up for England.
In case you're unfamiliar with him Colback is one of the few ginger professional sportsman.
He has played for Sunderland for years, came up through Sunderland's youth system....but last year with his contract due to expire he decided to screw Sunderland around before signing for Newcastle/the scum on a free.
He has only played 2 games for Newcastle, a draw and a loss, and now he is being called up for England?
Just what the hell.
England really has something against Sunderland, calling up that guy who was merely one of our decent players, a so-so midfielder/full back, as opposed to say Cattermole who is one of the leading midfielders in the country; and one who fits into a position that England sorely needs.
National football means less and less to me all the time. The England team doesn't represent my country.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 30, 2014, 08:30:22 AM
As a non-supporter of England, I staunchly support your campaign for Cattermole to be called up. Good luck!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on August 30, 2014, 10:21:20 AM
:lol: Hamburg losing 0-3 at home to Paderborn, who have only just risen to the Bundesliga for the first time in their history. :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 30, 2014, 12:40:59 PM
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BwTa6BaIYAAv2_C.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 30, 2014, 01:20:36 PM
Quote from: Liep on August 30, 2014, 12:40:59 PM
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BwTa6BaIYAAv2_C.jpg)

In a world where Bendtner is the only player on the planet, Bendtner is the best player on the planet.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 30, 2014, 05:32:32 PM
Chelsea with Fabregas + Diego Costa

:bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on August 30, 2014, 05:45:06 PM
 :yeah:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on August 30, 2014, 06:41:15 PM
That was brutal.  I can see why Tim Howard is taking the year off from Team USA.  He has some work to do.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on August 30, 2014, 07:13:33 PM
Quote from: Valmy on August 30, 2014, 06:41:15 PM
That was brutal.  I can see why Tim Howard is taking the year off from Team USA.  He has some work to do.

He needs to stop announcing too. :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 30, 2014, 08:07:26 PM
Quote from: Tamas on August 30, 2014, 05:45:06 PM
:yeah:

I fear they will be unstoppable.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 31, 2014, 05:10:32 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 30, 2014, 05:32:32 PM
Chelsea with Fabregas + Diego Costa

:bleeding:
Based on the last three games, Everton with Jagielka + Distin :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on August 31, 2014, 05:52:18 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 30, 2014, 08:07:26 PM
Quote from: Tamas on August 30, 2014, 05:45:06 PM
:yeah:

I fear they will be unstoppable.


:yeah:

Defense sucks though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on August 31, 2014, 12:53:25 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 30, 2014, 05:32:32 PM
Chelsea with Fabregas + Diego Costa

:bleeding:

as I said, re-enforce the defense
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 31, 2014, 04:28:28 PM
The real Real won.  :)

Madrid have ravaged their squad, imho, in true Galáctico way. Di María and Alonso gave them a great balance.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 31, 2014, 08:54:37 PM
Meanwhile, in CAnada, Toronto FC has become a Bloody Big Disaster. Coach fired...looks like Defoe back to QPR for $11m
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 01, 2014, 04:48:52 AM
Quote from: Josephus on August 31, 2014, 08:54:37 PM
Meanwhile, in CAnada, Toronto FC has become a Bloody Big Disaster. Coach fired...looks like Defoe back to QPR for $11m

Meanwhile, In DEnmark, Brøndby IF has had a Bloody Big Pile of Cash dumped on them...looks like they bought some good players.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 01, 2014, 12:49:09 PM
Not content with Ukraine, Russia makes Bart Simpson Gazprom's bitch.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BwcxsXUCAAEscIQ.png:large)

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/bart-simpson-signs-deal-with-st-petersburg-s-zenit-football-club/506225.html
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on September 01, 2014, 04:46:20 PM
I thought that job was already filled.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 03, 2014, 05:21:33 PM
Germany, give the cup back please.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 03, 2014, 05:24:26 PM
Argentina are unofficial world cup holders, yes?  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 03, 2014, 05:32:02 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on September 03, 2014, 05:24:26 PM
Argentina are unofficial world cup holders, yes?  :bowler:

Yup, just checked their site; they are.

http://www.ufwc.co.uk/
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on September 03, 2014, 06:10:28 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUtSqD_iZUA&src_vid=EBO-LSOiDDI&feature=iv&annotation_id=annotation_1133993007
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 03, 2014, 08:34:07 PM
I watched some of the England came today.
Got that was dull
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on September 03, 2014, 11:54:25 PM
Quote from: Tamas on September 03, 2014, 06:10:28 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUtSqD_iZUA&src_vid=EBO-LSOiDDI&feature=iv&annotation_id=annotation_1133993007

Isn't that what a lot of football matches looked like in the 80s, especially when the goalie could still pick up the ball if it came from a team mate?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 04, 2014, 07:38:42 PM
Good possession football.

Yes, I'm glad they made the rule where the goalie couldn't pick up a back pass.

Nothing like 70s Italy. Zoff passes to Fachetti. Fachetti back to Zoff. Zoff picks up. Bounces. Steps forward. Bounces. Rolls to Fachetti. Fachetti back back to Zoff. Zoff picks up.......
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on September 07, 2014, 01:36:15 PM
First day of Euro 2016 qualification. With the new mode that allows even the third placed team to proceed, it seems completely useless for the stronger nations. There is no way that Germany won't end up among the first three in its group.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 07, 2014, 02:23:51 PM
Quote from: Zanza on September 07, 2014, 01:36:15 PM
First day of Euro 2016 qualification. With the new mode that allows even the third placed team to proceed, it seems completely useless for the stronger nations. There is no way that Germany won't end up among the first three in its group.

Expanding the EC has been an abysmal decision. It will also dilute the competition, with many weaker teams getting qualified.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 07, 2014, 02:27:01 PM
Denmark wins, barely, against Armenia. Lord Bendtner with one assist.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 07, 2014, 02:57:11 PM
Quote from: Zanza on September 07, 2014, 01:36:15 PM
First day of Euro 2016 qualification. With the new mode that allows even the third placed team to proceed, it seems completely useless for the stronger nations. There is no way that Germany won't end up among the first three in its group.
Meh, let's the terrible teams be part of the fun and helps keep everyone sharp. Without qualifiers there would be no competitive games  for 2 years for most.
I guess it will make it all the funnier/more painful if a good team does fail. As England might
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on September 07, 2014, 03:04:26 PM
Euro 2016 will be without Norway. I can tell you this even before a ball is kicked. We're going be had non-consentual sex with by Italy, Hrvatska and those Bulgars.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on September 16, 2014, 03:13:02 PM
Warspite will be pissed tomorrow.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 16, 2014, 05:37:57 PM
This looks bad :(

http://gfycat.com/FocusedAlertCuscus
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on September 16, 2014, 09:30:31 PM
Quote from: Liep on September 07, 2014, 02:27:01 PM
Denmark wins, barely, against Armenia. Lord Bendtner with one assist.

Hayk shall rise again!

Wait Armenia is a European country?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 17, 2014, 03:49:34 AM
Quote from: Valmy on September 16, 2014, 09:30:31 PM
Quote from: Liep on September 07, 2014, 02:27:01 PM
Denmark wins, barely, against Armenia. Lord Bendtner with one assist.

Hayk shall rise again!

Armenia is a european country.

They've always been members of the UEFA and are in the Caucasus, so between two continents. Strong cultural links with Europe though unlike other countries in a comparable position.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 17, 2014, 04:29:58 PM
Can't expect anything from Lisboete clubs.  :rolleyes:
After Benfica's disaster at home vs Zenit St Petersburg (0-2), it's now Sporting being tied 1-1 at the very last minute by an allegedly weaker side from Slovenia, Maribor.
Porto thrashed BATE Borisov 6-0

PSG drew with Ajax (underestimated by Blanc's squad?).
Barcelona won 1-0 only against APOEL.

AS Roma won convincingly by 5-1 as well vs the Moscovite ex-Red Army club.
Bayern won 1-0 vs Man City.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on September 17, 2014, 05:16:21 PM
 <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on September 18, 2014, 03:36:34 AM
German goalie Tim Wiese (formerly Kaiserslautern and Bremen, now Hoofenheim; 6 caps for Germany) supposedly has an offer from WWE following his transformation from this (2012):

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.brash.de%2Ffiles%2Fslideshow%2F10909%2FEM_Kader_2012_Tim_Wiese.jpg&hash=f1cb9939478b41b626d83550a95a348a9c7162a8)

to this (2014):

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.101greatgoals.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F09%2F3520046633.png&hash=dc98ce9a80144d207994566924905bb2af2a2fb8)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 18, 2014, 05:06:46 AM
Did he fall on the steroid cauldron, Obelix style?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 18, 2014, 06:33:42 AM
I guess they don't test for drugs in Bundesliga?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 18, 2014, 06:42:57 AM
Apparently he has just retired from football.

Edit: And it seems that Hoffenheim actually terminated his contract back in january because they didn't think that his new bodybuilder physique was suitable for professional football.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 18, 2014, 06:46:53 AM
Surely he's been taking steroids longer than that though.

Anyway, Kahn would've been a much better wrestler.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on September 18, 2014, 10:13:33 AM
Yeah, not sure if this physique is conducive to playing a position that requires agility and quick reflexes.

Though any opponent coming at him would probably be scared shitless.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 18, 2014, 06:22:53 PM
AaB. :weep:

The last time a Danish team got its ass handed to itself in such a manner was in '93, and at least that was against AC Milan. They were even worse than Brazil who at least lasted 28 minutes before the 5th German goal in their period of shame, AaB had 5 goals scored against them in 14 minutes!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on September 19, 2014, 06:42:49 AM
Euro 2020 semi-finals and final will be in London.

Dublin's Aviva Stadium and Scotland's Hampden Park will both host four matches each – three group stage games and a round of 16 fixture. But there was disappointment for the Welsh FA after the Millennium Stadium missed out.

Munich in Germany, Baku in Azerbaijan, St Petersburg in Russia and Rome in Italy will each host a quarter final and three group stage matches.

Denmark's Copenhagen, Bucharest in Romania, Amsterdam in the Netherlands, Dublin in Ireland, Bilbao in Spain, Budapest in Hungary, Brussels in Belgium and Glasgow in Scotland will all host one round of 16 game and three group stage matches.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on September 19, 2014, 06:47:15 AM
Quote from: Zanza on September 19, 2014, 06:42:49 AM
Euro 2020 semi-finals and final will be in London.

Dublin's Aviva Stadium and Scotland's Hampden Park will both host four matches each – three group stage games and a round of 16 fixture. But there was disappointment for the Welsh FA after the Millennium Stadium missed out.

Munich in Germany, Baku in Azerbaijan, St Petersburg in Russia and Rome in Italy will each host a quarter final and three group stage matches.

Denmark's Copenhagen, Bucharest in Romania, Amsterdam in the Netherlands, Dublin in Ireland, Bilbao in Spain, Budapest in Hungary, Brussels in Belgium and Glasgow in Scotland will all host one round of 16 game and three group stage matches.
:huh: Baku?

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on September 19, 2014, 06:54:16 AM
They have oil money.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 19, 2014, 06:55:48 AM
Hopefully, supporters following a side won't have to go from one end of Europe to the other end more than a couple of times during the tournament. :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on September 19, 2014, 07:00:11 AM
Which stadiums in London? Wembley and the Emirates presumably?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on September 19, 2014, 07:02:17 AM
Only Wembley.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 19, 2014, 11:41:44 AM
WE GOT IT! :w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on September 20, 2014, 02:08:14 PM
LOLerpool  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on September 20, 2014, 05:00:06 PM
Quote from: Warspite on September 20, 2014, 02:08:14 PM
LOLerpool  :D

It was hilarious.  :lol:

I think they need to burn those banana uniforms.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 20, 2014, 06:15:56 PM
Team loses league's best player and replaces him with average or above-average players.  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on September 21, 2014, 08:57:29 AM
Leicester v ManUtd ... what a match.  :wacko:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on September 21, 2014, 09:15:18 AM
 :lmfao: @ ManU
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 21, 2014, 09:19:45 AM
What the hell is going on? :lol:

Genuine question, I'm only laughing at the scoreline.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on September 21, 2014, 09:26:22 AM
Complete collapse of ManU defense. They were leading 3-1, now 5-3 behind. 2 penalties for Leicester (one not justified).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on September 21, 2014, 09:29:30 AM
Also, it seems that Leicester has a few players who were on the Manchester youth programme but were sorted out as "not good enough." :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on September 21, 2014, 09:29:45 AM
Oh that's just fantastic  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 21, 2014, 10:39:22 AM
:wub: :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 21, 2014, 11:03:29 AM
This Manchester United is my favorite Manchester United  :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 21, 2014, 11:56:40 AM
And yet again Sunderland fail to win.
Just what is it with Sunderland and never scoring. It has been this way for a decade. :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 21, 2014, 07:35:12 PM
Let's just give the title to Chelsea and everyone else play for second.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 22, 2014, 06:30:52 PM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgiant.gfycat.com%2FRemoteMellowAsianconstablebutterfly.gif&hash=039acf1b9c8da1608f490897a70d7f0a3a2cc4dc)

It's a beautiful game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on September 22, 2014, 06:36:31 PM
 :lol: Goddamn flopping Krauts.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on September 23, 2014, 12:34:48 AM
And that's a third league game. :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Viking on September 23, 2014, 04:19:01 AM
Quote from: Zanza on September 19, 2014, 06:42:49 AM
Euro 2020 semi-finals and final will be in London.

Dublin's Aviva Stadium and Scotland's Hampden Park will both host four matches each – three group stage games and a round of 16 fixture. But there was disappointment for the Welsh FA after the Millennium Stadium missed out.

Which is strange since Millennium Stadium is owned and operated by the Welsh Rugby Union.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 23, 2014, 07:07:59 PM
I always wondered what happens in a penalty shootout after all 11 players have kicked. Now I know.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on September 23, 2014, 07:42:27 PM
Goalie?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 23, 2014, 07:43:42 PM
11 includes the goalie.

No, they start over again. Happened in today's Liverpool v. Middelesborough game that went to 14 penalties
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 24, 2014, 11:46:40 AM
Watching two premier league teams play each other in te cup is a strange sight. They both have their reserves out. :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 24, 2014, 03:27:43 PM
Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan denies performing human sacrifice.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/sep/24/asamoah-gyan-denies-murdering-rapper-human-sacrifice

Now that's not a headline I read every day in the sports pages.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on September 26, 2014, 01:23:42 AM
There's a news story (in BILD  :rolleyes: ) that the free kick spray may not get clearance by TÜV to be used in Germany:
- it contains too much greenhouse gas
- the container isn't labelled correctly (e.g. "highly flammable", contents, volume, ...)
- contains Parabens (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraben) which have an adverse effect on health
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on September 26, 2014, 01:24:26 AM
Quote from: celedhring on September 24, 2014, 03:27:43 PM
Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan denies performing human sacrifice.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/sep/24/asamoah-gyan-denies-murdering-rapper-human-sacrifice

Now that's not a headline I read every day in the sports pages.

Saw that on BBC and thought, "What did he sacrifice? A chicken?" I was a bit surprised when I read the full article.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on September 29, 2014, 01:55:28 PM
The head medical doctor of FC Bayern Munich and the German National Team, Dr. Müller-Wohlfahrt:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ff1.haveeru.com.mv%2Fwc2014%2Fimages%2Fmedium%2Fdv1730369.jpg&hash=e78d6814d09d3e8f54c0e7e22811bd2a9b5a5d58)

He's 72. :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on October 08, 2014, 09:38:48 AM
Ozil is out for three months.  :lol:

The Annual Arsenal Mystery Injury Crisis continues.  :lol:

:D

:)

:huh:

:(

:weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 08, 2014, 09:57:32 AM
He's played like he had an injury for the past 10 months, so you aren't going to notice the difference, really.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on October 08, 2014, 10:14:13 AM
yeah he was pretty lame against Chelsea.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 10, 2014, 11:45:40 AM
I'm watching Denmark - Iceland (U21). Denmark is looking like 2014-Spain and the Icelanders are taking a strict 11 men behind the ball stance.

Not a very fun game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 10, 2014, 02:51:27 PM
Watching Malta Norway. Not going so well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 10, 2014, 02:52:07 PM
Quote from: Syt on September 29, 2014, 01:55:28 PM
The head medical doctor of FC Bayern Munich and the German National Team, Dr. Müller-Wohlfahrt:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ff1.haveeru.com.mv%2Fwc201edium%2Fdv1730369.jpg&hash=1ef28e3d451b0968b5c9d71cf00f89d04d937356)

He's 72. :hmm:
I must know his secret
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on October 13, 2014, 04:04:22 PM
Iceland just beat Holland 2-0 in EC qualifier.  :mellow:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 13, 2014, 04:13:12 PM
Way to go Iceland.
Didn't they come really close to another giant killing not too long ago? :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 14, 2014, 03:30:09 PM
A drone carrying the Albanian flag has flown over the pitch during the Serbia - Albania EC qualifying match tonight, prompting a battle royal between players, staff and fans. Ah, the Balkans....
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 14, 2014, 04:07:32 PM
Albania is quite a wild card in this group. :( :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 14, 2014, 04:24:19 PM
Well, this is going to be another suffering qualification round for Portugal. Victory versus Denmark, but with a lone goal by Cristiano Ronaldo served by my favourite Gypsy, at the +5 min mark in the extra time. Denmark had a couple good changes (post hit) in the first half. Coming after a defeat at home versus Albania.  :Embarrass: At least the Albanians will fight every opponent, not just the Serbs.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 14, 2014, 07:28:23 PM
Quote from: celedhring on October 14, 2014, 03:30:09 PM
A drone carrying the Albanian flag has flown over the pitch during the Serbia - Albania EC qualifying match tonight, prompting a battle royal between players, staff and fans. Ah, the Balkans....

The match got cancelled after all (the drone incident happened just before half time). And apparently it was not an Albanian flag, but a Greater Albania flag, with a political message supporting the independence of Kosovo (half the Albanian national team is formed by Kosovars). The brother of Albania's prime minister, who was attending the game, was apparently detained by Serbian police as the main suspect of operating the drone.

Here are some pics of the incidents:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.guim.co.uk%2Fstatic%2Fw-700%2Fh--%2Fq-95%2Fsys-images%2FGuardian%2FPix%2Fpictures%2F2014%2F10%2F14%2F1413324441184%2F0ee5a348-0406-4c10-974d-88fa2a1958c1-1020x612.jpeg&hash=5d1462ebcb6eb7bf499784bd23be241b609d6390)

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.guim.co.uk%2Fstatic%2Fw-700%2Fh--%2Fq-95%2Fsys-images%2FFootball%2FClubs%2FClub_Home%2F2014%2F10%2F15%2F1413328649230%2FStefan-Mitrovic-of-Serbia-012.jpg&hash=815b37288c0faffdf9c6adc91f9e4db7a218018c)

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.guim.co.uk%2Fstatic%2Fw-700%2Fh--%2Fq-95%2Fsys-images%2FFootball%2FClubs%2FClub_Home%2F2014%2F10%2F14%2F1413325034505%2FSerbias--Nemanja-Gudelj-L-010.jpg&hash=81661894d2fcc8527c4ea6c6853f5add45531fe6)

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.guim.co.uk%2Fstatic%2Fw-700%2Fh--%2Fq-95%2Fsys-images%2FFootball%2FClubs%2FClub_Home%2F2014%2F10%2F14%2F1413325991849%2FSerbia-v-Albania-010.jpg&hash=8cfadf9f8e4164be13ace542a0e7edf095034ba4)

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.guim.co.uk%2Fstatic%2Fw-700%2Fh--%2Fq-95%2Fsys-images%2FFootball%2FClubs%2FClub_Home%2F2014%2F10%2F14%2F1413326411676%2FBurim-Kukeli-010.jpg&hash=6364eccaabf04921598cf26ae0a03a8c40284eb1)

The whole gallery can be seen here:

http://www.theguardian.com/football/gallery/2014/oct/15/serbia-albania-flag-fury-match-abandoned-in-pictures (http://www.theguardian.com/football/gallery/2014/oct/15/serbia-albania-flag-fury-match-abandoned-in-pictures)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on October 14, 2014, 08:43:23 PM
Any kung fu kicks?  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on October 14, 2014, 08:48:48 PM
Oh those wacky Balkan fellows, though I guess fisticuffs without AK47s and 106mm RRs is progress for those time-warped lands. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 15, 2014, 09:33:28 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on October 14, 2014, 08:43:23 PM
Any kung fu kicks?  :lol:

At least one attempt. :p

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.bbcimg.co.uk%2Fmedia%2Fimages%2F78233000%2Fjpg%2F_78233243_024329845-1.jpg&hash=0cc75622ea5ae54b7f040e1a33ad9a46a91f26e3)

There was also some MMA/Wrestling thing going on.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.bbcimg.co.uk%2Fmedia%2Fimages%2F78233000%2Fjpg%2F_78233237_024329814-1.jpg&hash=3bd66bfec06a00852e2e9c75d260df7b9c2da463)

And apparently the "Albania's PM brother was behind it" story was a hoax.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 15, 2014, 11:34:12 AM
Amazing.
You'd think the EC draw would have included considerations of keeping apart two nations with major beefs outside of football.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 15, 2014, 03:59:30 PM
Quote from: Tyr on October 15, 2014, 11:34:12 AM
Amazing.
You'd think the EC draw would have included considerations of keeping apart two nations with major beefs outside of football.

It's complicated enough as it is.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 15, 2014, 04:45:36 PM
Spain and Gibraltar couldn't be in the same group, for example.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on October 16, 2014, 02:19:00 AM
"In Wien fängt der Balkan an ..." (The Balkans begin in Vienna)

http://www.thelocal.at/20141015/serbs-and-albanians-brawl-in-vienna-after-football

QuoteSerbs and Albanians brawl in Vienna

Police in Vienna had to quell a riot in Ottakring when Serbia's Euro 2016 qualifying match against Albania in Belgrade was abandoned after fighting broke out between players on Tuesday evening.

Around 9.30pm around 50 Albanians gathered in Ottakringerstrasse and threw bottles and burning objects at a Serbian cafe.

Police were able to control the crowd but at 10:30pm a group of 250 Serbs tried to break through police barriers.

Armed police with dogs from across Vienna were called in to provide backup and Ottakringerstrasse, the outer Gürtel road and surrounding streets were closed to traffic.

Police said they were able to prevent any major clashes and at around 11:30pm the two groups dispersed. No one was injured but 14 vehicles were damaged, including police cars.

"A group of 250 to 300 people ran away in all directions, or tried to hide in cafes. Some also ran to the U-Bahn and managed to get away," police spokesman Paul Eidenberger said. He did not say how many police officers had been deployed.

No one was arrested but 30 people were reported for damage to property and could be charged.

The brawl in Belgrade involved players from both sides and a number of pitch invaders from the stands. It was sparked after a drone had been flown above the pitch, lowering a flag bearing an insignia of 'Greater Albania'.

The match was Albania's first visit to Belgrade since 1967 and was highly sensitive given long-running tensions over Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and has a majority ethnic Albanian population.

According to Serbian police, the pilot of the DJI Phantom drone was Olsi Rama, the brother of the Albanian prime minister.  This has been denied however.

"I am very disgusted by the allegation of my having any involvement in the piloting of the drone," Rama told CNN on Wednesday.  He said he had been taking pictures of the game from a VIP suite at the stadium.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 16, 2014, 08:17:10 AM
Look who's popular in the Indian Super League (ISL)

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bz_HcOYCUAMG1Hz.jpg)

:lmfao:  :huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 16, 2014, 09:36:25 AM
Guy needs to plan out usage of the board better.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 16, 2014, 09:38:10 AM
Quote from: Josephus on October 16, 2014, 09:36:25 AM
Guy needs to plan out usage of the board better.

It's very Bendtner-esque to start big but end up somewhat disorientated.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 16, 2014, 09:51:15 AM
He bends for Bendtner.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 18, 2014, 11:51:32 AM
:console: Tyr
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 18, 2014, 11:59:04 AM
I know. :bleeding:

Literally right before the first goal I was wondering whether the opposition wearing a kit that is pretty much identical to Sunderland's usual kit might be confusing to the players, since it's really not a regular occurance for Sunderland. Then I went "Nah, they're professionals......" and then came Vergini's amazing shot from outside of his own box....
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 18, 2014, 12:19:18 PM
You're still above Newcastle but it truly looks like the North East is headed towards a magical football season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 18, 2014, 12:47:08 PM
Sunderland lololol
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on October 18, 2014, 12:51:29 PM
Everton won today.  Awesome sauce.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 18, 2014, 12:52:52 PM
Liverpool didn't lose today. :)...we didn't play.  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on October 18, 2014, 12:55:05 PM
 <_<
Title: save e-
Post by: mongers on October 18, 2014, 04:29:42 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 18, 2014, 12:47:08 PM
Sunderland lololol

I was just thinking to myself, I wonder how the Saints (local team) are doing this season, then I unexpectedly got the answer when I search for the above Sunderland result.  :cool:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 18, 2014, 04:37:46 PM
Meanwhile in Toronto....Bloody Big Deal ends in Bloody Same Shit, as TFC fails to make the playoffs for its eighth straight year
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 18, 2014, 08:03:37 PM
Quote from: Warspite on October 18, 2014, 12:55:05 PM
<_<

When is Wenger going to get a proper striker? It's a dire state of affairs when Alexis Sánchez is your best attacking threat.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on October 19, 2014, 04:55:26 AM
Quote from: celedhring on October 18, 2014, 08:03:37 PM
Quote from: Warspite on October 18, 2014, 12:55:05 PM
<_<

When is Wenger going to get a proper striker? It's a dire state of affairs when Alexis Sánchez is your best attacking threat.

Danny Welbeck? :huh:

The problem is the defence in the middle of the pitch.  Flamini and Arteta are not mobile enough to be the lone anchor in a 4-1-4-1
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on October 19, 2014, 05:15:40 AM
Goddamn you, Forest. When I finally have faith in you, you go and lose.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on October 19, 2014, 06:52:43 AM
Quote from: Norgy on October 19, 2014, 05:15:40 AM
Goddamn you, Forest. When I finally have faith in you, you go and lose.
:hug:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 19, 2014, 08:44:11 AM
Quote from: Warspite on October 19, 2014, 04:55:26 AM
Quote from: celedhring on October 18, 2014, 08:03:37 PM
Quote from: Warspite on October 18, 2014, 12:55:05 PM
<_<

When is Wenger going to get a proper striker? It's a dire state of affairs when Alexis Sánchez is your best attacking threat.

Danny Welbeck? :huh:

The problem is the defence in the middle of the pitch.  Flamini and Arteta are not mobile enough to be the lone anchor in a 4-1-4-1

Not a proper striker. Rather somebody I'd play behind one. You're right about Flamini or Arteta though. I wondered why you didn't come back for Song when we were almost willing to flog him for free (yay us!)

In pure Wenger fashion, your squad seems full to the brim of good-great attacking midfielders.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 19, 2014, 10:03:05 AM
What a mental finish to the Liverpool game!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on October 19, 2014, 12:19:29 PM
LOLiverpool at its finest.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 24, 2014, 06:46:19 AM
UEFA has awarded the Serbia vs Albania game that ended in a riot to Serbia 3:0 after considering the Albanian refusal to play the second half a walkover. At the same time, it docked 3 points from Serbia because of the riots, so no points will be awarded for the match, and they will have to play two matches behind closed doors as punishment as well. Both FAs will be fine 100k € for the incidents.

Oh UEFA, when will you stop amazing us?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 24, 2014, 06:51:21 AM
It'll make our qualification easier if they keep fucking up.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 03, 2014, 03:57:08 PM
Looks like it's going to be another tight year in the premier league. More than a quarter of games played and the 15th placed team is a win away from 7th.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 03, 2014, 04:10:13 PM
Quote from: Tyr on November 03, 2014, 03:57:08 PM
Looks like it's going to be another tight year in the premier league. More than a quarter of games played and the 15th placed team is a win away from 7th.

True...but meanwhile let's just give the trophy to Chelsea.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on November 13, 2014, 05:26:18 AM
http://www.cbc.ca/m/touch/news/story/1.2833426

QuoteFIFA concludes no corruption in Qatar, Russia World Cup bidding

Russia and Qatar were cleared Thursday by a FIFA judge of corruption in their winning bids for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

FIFA ethics judge Joachim Eckert formally ended a probe into the bidding contests, almost four years after the vote by the governing body's scandal-tainted executive committee. No proof was found of bribes or voting pacts.

"The evaluation of the 2018/2022 FIFA World Cups bidding process is closed for the FIFA Ethics Committee," the German judge wrote in a statement released by FIFA.

The 2022 World Cup will finally, it seems, be played in Qatar — though exactly when is still unclear as FIFA seeks an alternative to the desert heat in June and July.

"FIFA welcomes the fact that a degree of closure has been reached," the governing body said Thursday in a statement. "As such, FIFA looks forward to continuing the preparations for Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, which are already well under way."

Despite finding wrongdoing among the 11 bidding nations, Eckert said the integrity of the votes was not affected.

"In particular, the effects of these occurrences on the bidding process as a whole were far from reaching any threshold that would require returning to the bidding process, let alone reopening it," he summarized.

The corruption case is still open for past and current members of FIFA's ruling board.

Critics of FIFA have long relied on Eckert and ethics prosecutor Michael Garcia to build a case to remove the wealthy desert emirate as host in 2022 by proving suspicions that votes and influence were bought. Qatar beat the United States 14-8 in the final round of a five-nation contest.
Investigation reports remain secret

That hope ended as FIFA released Eckert's 42-page summary findings of the investigation reports, which have stayed secret against Garcia's wishes.

Whistleblower evidence from a former Qatar bid staffer who said there were illicit payments made to African voters was dismissed.

Payments by Mohamed bin Hammam to other African officials and FIFA vice president Jack Warner were judged to be for the disgraced Qatari's personal political interests, not the 2022 bid.

Still, both winners had issues highlighted by Eckert.

Qatar's bid had "potentially problematic facts and circumstances," plus a "significant lack of transparency" in its use of advisers. Computers leased for use by Russia staffers were later destroyed.

Garcia, a former U.S. Attorney in New York, was asked by Eckert to prosecute cases against individuals.

Exactly who that implicates is unclear as Eckert did not reveal who Garcia suspects of wrongdoing. Nor did Eckert identify by name any serving member of the FIFA board, except when praising FIFA President Sepp Blatter, nor officials linked to the nine bid candidates.

Eckert has previously said his final judgments could take until April. Appeals against sanctions, to FIFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport, could extend the process even further.

England's failed 2018 campaign, which received only two of 22 votes in an all-European race, fared badly in Eckert's report. Netherlands-Belgium had no issues and Eckert did not include comments on the Spain-Portugal candidacy, which appeared to be the bid noted as the least cooperative with Garcia.

In the 2022 race, Australia was criticized for its consultants' behaviour, while the United States, Japan and South Korea received only minor comments.

Garcia and his team gave Eckert 430 pages of reports after interviewing more than 75 witnesses, and amassing 200,000 pages of supporting documents.

Eckert acknowledged the probe lacked "coercive means" to seize potential evidence such as "money and paper trails," and had to rely on cooperation of witnesses.

Yet of 11 board members in 2010 who are no longer at FIFA, three declined to speak with Garcia and two could not be contacted.

Addressing public skepticism about how Qatar and Russia won, Eckert pointed to his duty as judge.

"The perception for example, according to which a FIFA World Cup vote must have been `bought' if the host selected is not the one that has been generally considered a favourite ... is mere speculation and far from anything a judicial body like the FIFA Ethics Committee is allowed to accept as proof," Eckert noted.


Well, business as usual in a "non profit organization."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 13, 2014, 05:32:11 AM
"So are we corrupt then?"

"Nah, I didn't think so"
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 13, 2014, 06:52:26 AM
Next time they might find out that there's gambling going on in their establishment.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 13, 2014, 07:31:31 AM
The investigator's appealing the report calling it erroneous and including misrepresentations of his investigation :lol:

I look forward to that whitewash of a whitewash. Also the FBI and IRS investigations into corrupt practices.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on November 13, 2014, 09:24:11 AM
Here's the candidate's for FIFA's goal of the year:

fifa.com/ballon-dor/puskas-award/index.html#candidates
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on November 13, 2014, 11:20:28 AM
Fifa is unfuckingbelievable.

I'm not much of a one for boycotts but will be writing to every WC sponsor to tell them I'll be avoiding their goods for as long as they are associated with those lying, thieving bastards in Zurich
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 13, 2014, 01:21:21 PM
:lol: Awesome.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on November 13, 2014, 05:56:30 PM
FBI investigation into FIFA corruption is still ongoing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on November 13, 2014, 06:59:09 PM
I've found myself losing interest in the World Cup these last few years. The corruption certainly doesn't help.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 13, 2014, 11:39:50 PM
Quote from: Jacob on November 13, 2014, 06:59:09 PM
I've found myself losing interest in the World Cup these last few years. The corruption certainly doesn't help.

It is because real Canadians know there is only one true sport.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 13, 2014, 11:50:54 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 13, 2014, 11:39:50 PM
Quote from: Jacob on November 13, 2014, 06:59:09 PM
I've found myself losing interest in the World Cup these last few years. The corruption certainly doesn't help.

It is because real Canadians know there is only one true sport.

:yes: :scots:

The Canada Cup of Curling starts in just a few weeks! :w00t:

http://www.curling.ca/2014canadacup-en/
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 14, 2014, 09:20:53 AM
Quote from: Valmy on November 13, 2014, 11:39:50 PM
Quote from: Jacob on November 13, 2014, 06:59:09 PM
I've found myself losing interest in the World Cup these last few years. The corruption certainly doesn't help.

It is because real Canadians know there is only one true sport.

Apologizing?


Sorry. Bad joke. I know, sorry. Didn't meant to do it. Sorry for taking up your time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on November 14, 2014, 02:53:41 PM
Germany - Gibraltar is on now! Exciting qualifier for the Euro 2016.  :w00t: :w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 14, 2014, 04:13:09 PM
Watching Scotland ireland.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on November 15, 2014, 03:34:32 AM
Well, Gibraltar is better than Brazil.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 15, 2014, 07:05:44 AM
Albania almost beat France in a friendly in the province, Rennes, in Britany.  :D
Denmark's Bendtner got a new scalp, this time it's Serbia, trailing with one point, same as Armenia who lost against Portugal after conceding a fluke goal, despite resisting very well.
Denmark is first with 7 points, Portugal second with 6 but one game less played.
Faeroers won against Greece!  :huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 15, 2014, 07:15:49 AM
I saw that game out of the corner of my eye and mistakenly thought it was Algeria beating France. I laughed. Then realised it was a B :(

No football this weekend. Ho-hum. :yawn:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 15, 2014, 08:53:17 AM
There's some good upsets in these qualifications. Too bad, in the end, they don't mean anything because just about every team qualifies now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 15, 2014, 01:00:30 PM
Wembley looks like shit.

One thing England did good, since they don't play the game very well, is provide great pitches.

Looks like the NFL had a game on it a few days ago.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: CountDeMoney on November 15, 2014, 05:33:49 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on November 13, 2014, 05:56:30 PM
FBI investigation into FIFA corruption is still ongoing.

The investigation needs MOAR IAN DARKE

http://youtu.be/92dvjohiOgo

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on November 15, 2014, 06:33:23 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on November 15, 2014, 05:33:49 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on November 13, 2014, 05:56:30 PM
FBI investigation into FIFA corruption is still ongoing.

The investigation needs MOAR IAN DARKE

http://youtu.be/92dvjohiOgo

LOLZ
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on November 15, 2014, 08:26:26 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 15, 2014, 01:00:30 PM
Wembley looks like shit.

One thing England did good, since they don't play the game very well, is provide great pitches.

Looks like the NFL had a game on it a few days ago.

Three apparently in previous weeks, during an English autumn.  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 16, 2014, 08:04:41 AM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on November 15, 2014, 05:33:49 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on November 13, 2014, 05:56:30 PM
FBI investigation into FIFA corruption is still ongoing.

The investigation needs MOAR IAN DARKE

http://youtu.be/92dvjohiOgo

:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 16, 2014, 04:27:20 PM
15 minutes left...Malta 1-1Bulgaria in Sofia.

Can we pull it off?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on November 16, 2014, 04:31:33 PM
So did Serbia and Albania lose out on that game altogether, or will they play it at some point later?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 16, 2014, 04:40:58 PM
no it was declared a walk over. Forget which team was awarded 3 points
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 16, 2014, 04:44:55 PM
Yes! Malta pull off a 1-1 draw in Sofia. this is like winning the World Cup
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 16, 2014, 07:16:54 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 16, 2014, 04:40:58 PM
no it was declared a walk over. Forget which team was awarded 3 points

None actually, Serbia was declared the winner, but they were also docked 3 points because of the pitch invasion and fights.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 16, 2014, 07:53:16 PM
Wales is top of their group apparently :lol:
Every home nation in the finals?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 16, 2014, 08:12:58 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 16, 2014, 07:16:54 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 16, 2014, 04:40:58 PM
no it was declared a walk over. Forget which team was awarded 3 points

None actually, Serbia was declared the winner, but they were also docked 3 points because of the pitch invasion and fights.

Right.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on November 23, 2014, 10:18:15 AM
LOLlerpool.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 23, 2014, 12:47:22 PM
 :mad:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on November 23, 2014, 01:02:44 PM
Bayern is so dominant that the German league might as well just have 17 teams.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 23, 2014, 02:24:14 PM
It is bizzare that the loss of one man has turned Liverpool from a team that narrowly missed out on the title into （early days yet) relegation candidates :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 23, 2014, 04:20:38 PM
Manchester City with a twist.


(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F365.worldsoccershop.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F11%2FNYCFC3.jpg&hash=d97637bd5357bf98e4e7e68901355e2318309288)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 23, 2014, 04:30:38 PM
Quote from: Tyr on November 23, 2014, 02:24:14 PM
It is bizzare that the loss of one man has turned Liverpool from a team that narrowly missed out on the title into （early days yet) relegation candidates :lol:

A key man though. And they're also missing his partner Sturridge.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 23, 2014, 04:36:56 PM
Quote from: Tyr on November 23, 2014, 04:20:38 PM
Manchester City with a twist.


(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F365.worldsoccershop.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F11%2FNYCFC3.jpg&hash=d97637bd5357bf98e4e7e68901355e2318309288)

They couldn't get a real airline to sponsor them so they just made one up?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on November 23, 2014, 05:17:57 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on November 23, 2014, 04:36:56 PM
They couldn't get a real airline to sponsor them so they just made one up?

Etihad is plenty real and they have some nice cabins if you can afford them:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fstatic1.bornrichimages.com%2Fcdn2%2F683%2F384%2F91%2Fc%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F05%2Frtrtrt345345-870x489.jpg&hash=7c869f31cf595904d2cde61c122b1382c3600c2e)

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi2.cdn.turner.com%2Fcnn%2Fdam%2Fassets%2F140505094952-3-ethiad-first-apartment-horizontal-gallery.jpg&hash=3df922733206802adaa9f998d13345c317a41978)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 23, 2014, 05:48:58 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on November 23, 2014, 04:36:56 PM
Quote from: Tyr on November 23, 2014, 04:20:38 PM
Manchester City with a twist.


(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F365.worldsoccershop.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F11%2FNYCFC3.jpg&hash=d97637bd5357bf98e4e7e68901355e2318309288)

They couldn't get a real airline to sponsor them so they just made one up?

That logo of theirs though, is more reminiscent of Inter's logo.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 23, 2014, 05:59:32 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 23, 2014, 05:48:58 PM


That logo of theirs though, is more reminiscent of Inter's logo.
That could be the one...
I was thinking it looked very familiar. I was thinking an old Chelsea logo or something.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 23, 2014, 06:58:20 PM
This is the Inter logo. Very similaar in style to NYC

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi152.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fs175%2Fjosephus-07%2FInter-Milan-Logo-1024x1024.jpg&hash=ebb6340d4fd184c7dda644bed4edfe90ac608151) (http://s152.photobucket.com/user/josephus-07/media/Inter-Milan-Logo-1024x1024.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 24, 2014, 06:01:23 AM
I think they just took the New York Yankees logo, changed the font for a cleaner one, and added the "C".
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on December 10, 2014, 03:00:41 AM
This rant from a fan after the AFC defeat to Stoke is hilarious:
http://babb.telegraph.co.uk/2014/12/arsenal-lose-to-stoke-man-gets-very-angry-indeed/

:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 10, 2014, 03:16:51 AM
Arsenal fan tv must be one of the worst and best ideas in the story of football. :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 10, 2014, 06:11:06 AM
I can decipher about a quarter of what they're saying.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on December 10, 2014, 09:31:22 AM
Liverpool:  :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 14, 2014, 11:44:45 AM
lol

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B3ORHOAIIAAwrA1.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on December 14, 2014, 04:56:42 PM
The Wealdstone Raider wins.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAhEFuq62-I
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 17, 2014, 01:18:18 PM
Quote from: Norgy on December 14, 2014, 04:56:42 PM
The Wealdstone Raider wins.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAhEFuq62-I
I recently overheard to kids play-fighting in the street quoting him.

Hope in humanity: restored.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 21, 2014, 10:33:17 AM
:w00t: :w00t:  :w00t:  :w00t:  :w00t: :w00t: :w00t:  :w00t:  :w00t:  :w00t: :w00t: :w00t:  :w00t:  :w00t:  :w00t: :w00t: :w00t:  :w00t:  :w00t:  :w00t: :w00t: :w00t:  :w00t:  :w00t:  :w00t: :w00t: :w00t:  :w00t:  :w00t:  :w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on December 21, 2014, 11:43:37 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 17, 2014, 01:18:18 PM
Quote from: Norgy on December 14, 2014, 04:56:42 PM
The Wealdstone Raider wins.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAhEFuq62-I
I recently overheard to kids play-fighting in the street quoting him.

Hope in humanity: restored.

You wansum?  :lol:
Less hilarious if they insist "you've got no fans, you're bloody shit".  :(

On another :( note, Forest just drew 1-1 with Leeds yesterday, and fans are starting to cry for Pearce's head. Because, since the days of Cloughie, changing managers every year or two has worked so well. Give Pearce a chance, as John Lennon would've said.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 21, 2014, 12:05:11 PM
Mein Fuhrer...

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FhL0pG2A.gif&hash=9a3d84b6008a02b5be9a55fa4d22b6278e3bb436)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on December 21, 2014, 01:42:13 PM
"I can't win".
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on December 22, 2014, 12:42:22 PM
Ronaldo's new statue on Madeira.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B5aza4LIUAAmMkb.jpg)

Bit overcompensating?  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 22, 2014, 02:11:40 PM
Does he have something in his pocket or is he happy to see us? :unsure:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 22, 2014, 02:22:36 PM
 :lol:

Canaries are Spanish, no?  What's with the funky dialect?

Or is that Portuguese?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 22, 2014, 02:23:46 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 22, 2014, 02:22:36 PM
:lol:

Canaries are Spanish, no?  What's with the funky dialect?

Or is that Portuguese?

Madeira (and Azores) are Portuguese, the Canaries Spanish.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 22, 2014, 02:26:38 PM
Right, so what's the deal with the inscription?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 22, 2014, 02:37:50 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 22, 2014, 02:26:38 PM
Right, so what's the deal with the inscription?

You tell me, what with it? Besides the boast about him being the best footie player in the world, that is.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 22, 2014, 02:39:59 PM
It does not appear to be in Spanish.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 22, 2014, 02:42:04 PM
Because Madeira is Portuguese, not Spanish.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 22, 2014, 02:44:03 PM
Fuck, my bad. :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 22, 2014, 02:46:22 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 22, 2014, 02:44:03 PM
Fuck, my bad. :bleeding:

It's not as if we didn't tell you. Twice. :p
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on December 22, 2014, 03:30:07 PM
Is the Portuguese inscription "Massive Cock"?  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 22, 2014, 06:35:54 PM
Quote from: Syt on December 22, 2014, 12:42:22 PM
Bit overcompensating?  :hmm:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi47.tinypic.com%2Ffd6o0k.gif&hash=6c28138a3b80389286e2a25bc1187644c5ff904a)

Oldie but goodie.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 22, 2014, 06:44:57 PM
 :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on December 23, 2014, 01:17:40 PM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi0.kym-cdn.com%2Fphotos%2Fimages%2Fnewsfeed%2F000%2F781%2F234%2F57c.gif&hash=6acf84dcd1ed0e3025a66055705c20caf694d7ee)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 23, 2014, 01:24:43 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 22, 2014, 06:35:54 PM

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi47.tinypic.com%2Ffd6o0k.gif&hash=6c28138a3b80389286e2a25bc1187644c5ff904a)

Oldie but goodie.  :lol:

:lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on December 31, 2014, 06:02:30 AM
Arjen Robben has so far scored 66 goals in the Bundesliga since 2009. In the time that he played, Bayern only conceded 65 goals. So Robben is the only player who personally scored more goals than all opponents scored during the time he played...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on December 31, 2014, 06:21:06 AM
Things have gone so poorly lately, so following football is like having a permanent nightmare.  :cry:
Please turn this around, mr. Pearce. Please!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on January 03, 2015, 11:38:36 AM
Some guy named Max Power has scored in the FA Cup.



Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on January 03, 2015, 11:58:08 AM
Quote from: Zanza on December 31, 2014, 06:02:30 AM
Arjen Robben has so far scored 66 goals in the Bundesliga since 2009. In the time that he played, Bayern only conceded 65 goals. So Robben is the only player who personally scored more goals than all opponents scored during the time he played...

He has had a very good year. Still not short listed for the Ballon d'Or, though.  <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 13, 2015, 09:57:58 PM
Defoe to Sunderland for $11m.
Altidore may be on his way to Toronto
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 14, 2015, 06:15:00 PM
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jan/14/david-moyes-crisps-dismissal-real-sociedad
https://vine.co/v/ODQhPg61e5H

:lmfao: :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on January 15, 2015, 12:40:15 PM
So City is ready to pay £480,000,000 for Messi. That's a sum of money I just can't comprehend.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on January 15, 2015, 12:48:18 PM
How does that work with the financial fairplay rules? :huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on January 15, 2015, 12:56:10 PM
Quote from: Zanza on January 15, 2015, 12:48:18 PM
How does that work with the financial fairplay rules? :huh:

Well, City can afford the fines and is otherwise seeming to engage in loss speculation by dividing it among subsidiaries. Something they might also be fined for.

But that sum might just be too much even for them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on January 15, 2015, 01:21:39 PM
Quote from: Liep on January 15, 2015, 12:56:10 PM
Quote from: Zanza on January 15, 2015, 12:48:18 PM
How does that work with the financial fairplay rules? :huh:

Well, City can afford the fines and is otherwise seeming to engage in loss speculation by dividing it among subsidiaries. Something they might also be fined for.

But that sum might just be too much even for them.

Part of the FFP sanctions is limiting how much they can pay for future transfers and how many new transfers they can register, so they can't shrug it off.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 15, 2015, 06:25:25 PM
Quote from: Josephus on January 13, 2015, 09:57:58 PM
Defoe to Sunderland for $11m.
Altidore may be on his way to Toronto
Straight swap I read.
If either is paying I would expect it to be Toronto given Defoe's age and Jose's commercial value.

Hopefully Defoe can still score <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on January 15, 2015, 07:41:34 PM
Read Sunderland is paying him 80k/week until he's 36! Seems a bit of a bad deal, to me.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 15, 2015, 09:06:45 PM
Quote from: Tyr on January 15, 2015, 06:25:25 PM
Quote from: Josephus on January 13, 2015, 09:57:58 PM
Defoe to Sunderland for $11m.
Altidore may be on his way to Toronto
Straight swap I read.
If either is paying I would expect it to be Toronto given Defoe's age and Jose's commercial value.

Hopefully Defoe can still score <_<

Nah swap plus $11m

http://www.torontosun.com/2015/01/13/jermain-defoe-signs-massive-deal-with-sunderland-report
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 16, 2015, 02:52:36 PM
True, the long contract is worrying.
Though these days I am increasingly coming around to thinking 35 is the new 30. The players getting into their 30s now are players who grew up with the modern hyper professional football where they have people looking after everything about their body.
Fingers crossed.

Quote from: Josephus on January 15, 2015, 09:06:45 PM
Quote from: Tyr on January 15, 2015, 06:25:25 PM
Quote from: Josephus on January 13, 2015, 09:57:58 PM
Defoe to Sunderland for $11m.
Altidore may be on his way to Toronto
Straight swap I read.
If either is paying I would expect it to be Toronto given Defoe's age and Jose's commercial value.

Hopefully Defoe can still score <_<

Nah swap plus $11m

http://www.torontosun.com/2015/01/13/jermain-defoe-signs-massive-deal-with-sunderland-report
That would be insane. Either alone wouldn't cost that much.

http://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2015/1/16/7555993/confirmed-swap-deal-completed
http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/sunderland-afc/sunderland-poised-to-confirm-defoe-deal-in-straight-swap-for-altidore-1-7051198
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 16, 2015, 04:25:14 PM
Yeah.  Early reports indicated $11m., but that's being denied now. Trouble with MLS is that they keep this kind of stuff quiet, but it does look like it was a one-for-one swap
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on January 17, 2015, 12:49:10 PM
Eriksen. :yeah:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 17, 2015, 03:58:21 PM
Such bad luck. We brought on useless Graham and he got a perfect chance. Oh well. Spurs are a bonus points team.


In other news:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30757600
Such horrible luck. A team lost both of its keepers in one half.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on January 17, 2015, 06:30:12 PM
QuoteA spectator forced his way onto the pitch and attacked Nottingham Forest defender Kelvin Wilson following the Rams' Championship defeat on Saturday afternoon

We know where Norgy is.

(that is his team...right?)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 18, 2015, 06:18:20 PM
Looks like Toronto will announce another major signing tomorrow. Likely Juve's Giovinco, which is quite a coup for the league.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on January 18, 2015, 08:39:26 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on January 17, 2015, 06:30:12 PM
QuoteA spectator forced his way onto the pitch and attacked Nottingham Forest defender Kelvin Wilson following the Rams' Championship defeat on Saturday afternoon

We know where Norgy is.

(that is his team...right?)

Heck, it wasn't me. I wasn't at "Pride" Park that particular day, and I laughed quite a bit at the twat's attempt at taking on Forest's most gangsta player. Kelvin Wilson probably already have his crew all ready, all recruited from the bum end of Nottingham, to sort this daft bastard out.

Still. It was one of the best wins this season. Osborn (born in Derby) slotting one home in injury time, and showing enough class not to celebrate much.
Thanks, mr. Pearce.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.guim.co.uk%2Fstatic%2Fw-860%2Fh--%2Fq-95%2Fsys-images%2FFootball%2FPix%2Fpictures%2F2015%2F1%2F17%2F1421505924957%2FDerby-County-v-Nottingham-012.jpg&hash=d38bc5d39ed607ab025b5986b1a38a21457ee115)

Passion for the game. It's what it's all about.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on January 19, 2015, 04:45:28 AM
:yeah:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on January 19, 2015, 05:40:28 AM
Quote
14   Aston Villa   22   5   7   10   11   25   22
15   West Bromwich   21   5   6   10   20   29   21
16   Sunderland   22   3   11   8   19   33   20
17   Burnley   22   4   8   10   21   36   20
18   Hull City   22   4   7   11   20   30   19
19   QPR   22   5   4   13   23   39   19
20   Leicester City   22   4   5   13   20   34   17

Hardly any surprises in the Premiership, barring one: Southampton. In third. Which is most impressive, given how many players they've sold. Derby County's record of a measly 11 points in a season won't be broken this season either.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on January 29, 2015, 07:18:28 AM
http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/capital-one-cup-semi-final-christian-eriksen-sees-tottenham-past-sheffield-united/story-e6frf423-1227200375955?nk=743e51bbb780212643fb834c5131bc5b

First video. Best free kick by a Dane ever.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F33.media.tumblr.com%2F339983b466b0eb9682fd92bc7f846fed%2Ftumblr_nixvr9uBpT1qaorn7o1_r1_500.gif&hash=74b43e072c1fb49973b316e848f21323f554eefb)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on January 29, 2015, 10:43:33 AM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgiant.gfycat.com%2FDimpledSeparateCormorant.gif&hash=6a77310b21ab0293dad92b0e34ae89bc0240a6f3)

:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on February 06, 2015, 03:26:27 AM
Predictably, Forest are a right mess off the pitch. Al-Hasawi may put 1,5 million pounds in a week, but his HR policy is reminiscent of that of Genghis Khan's.

Oh, and Pearce was sacked. That's the, what, 7th manager in three years?  :glare:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 22, 2015, 09:30:56 PM
This is wonderful. From the Guardian's match report of Burnsley-Chelsea:
QuoteChelsea appealed in the 43rd minute when Costa collapsed in the box following contact from Jason Shackell. Mourinho, who claims his striker gets a raw deal from officials, threw his arms to the skies in supposed disbelief when the referee waved play on, but the decision seemed fair – Shackell's hands did touch Costa but it was hardly the sort of shove that would, for example, prevent a commuter from boarding a train.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 22, 2015, 10:38:10 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on February 22, 2015, 09:30:56 PM
This is wonderful. From the Guardian's match report of Burnsley-Chelsea:
QuoteChelsea appealed in the 43rd minute when Costa collapsed in the box following contact from Jason Shackell. Mourinho, who claims his striker gets a raw deal from officials, threw his arms to the skies in supposed disbelief when the referee waved play on, but the decision seemed fair – Shackell's hands did touch Costa but it was hardly the sort of shove that would, for example, prevent a commuter from boarding a train.

:o :o  :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on February 23, 2015, 02:13:44 AM
 :lol:

Very good.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on February 23, 2015, 05:07:35 AM
And what the incident where Matic's leg literally bended from a "tackle" but it was him who got sent off because he dared to complain?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on February 23, 2015, 05:39:07 AM
Quote from: Tamas on February 23, 2015, 05:07:35 AM
And what the incident where Matic's leg literally bended from a "tackle" but it was him who got sent off because he dared to complain?

He shouldn't complain. If he were an Arsenal player, his leg would have snapped in three and he would have been sent off for holding up play.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on February 24, 2015, 11:09:08 AM
So, the FIFA 2022 WC in the old and honorable football nation of Qatar (PBU the sponsors of slavery and IS), will likely be moved to winter.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/feb/24/world-cup-2022-winter-qatar-fifa-task-force-temperature

QuoteWorld Cup 2022: the when, why and what of a winter Qatar tournament

A Fifa task force has settled on November to December for temperature reasons – but there's plenty of heated opposition from European clubs and leagues

What are the proposed dates for the 2022 World Cup?
A Fifa task force has recommended that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar should be played between late November and late December. Unconfirmed reports suggest the World Cup final could take place on 23 December.

Why have these dates been chosen?
Ever since the Fifa executive committee controversially voted, in December 2010, for the tiny gulf state of Qatar to host the tournament in preference to the USA, Australia and Japan & South Korea, ignoring an inspection report that warned of a high risk to players and fans from the extreme summer temperatures, there has been a continuing debate about when it should be played.

Temperatures regularly approach 50C in summer but the average temperature in November is 29C, dropping to 25C by mid-December.

Organisers, who have always insisted they were prepared to host the tournament in either summer or winter, had originally claimed that air conditioning technology would lower temperatures within grounds to acceptable levels.

Fifa says it can't be played in January or February of that year because of a clash with the Winter Olympics, which will be staged in either Beijing or Almaty, and that it must be staged during the 2022 calendar year for legal reasons.

Almost immediately after the vote, Franz Beckenbauer suggested it should be moved to winter and Fifa's own chief medical officer, Michel D'Hooghe, has consistently said the tournament must avoid June, July and August.

Are there any concessions?
The task force has recommended that the tournament should be a few days shorter than normal and leagues will argue for a shorter buildup period and fewer international friendlies during the season in question.

What about broadcasters and sponsors?
Fox and Telemundo, Fifa's TV rights holders for 2022 in the US and Latin America, had been among the biggest opponents of a shift to the winter due to the clash with other US sports and the likely effect on viewing figures. In a move that is unlikely to have been a coincidence, a fortnight ago they were awarded the rights to the 2026 tournament without a tender process. Sponsors are unlikely to be concerned, as long as bumper TV audiences are guaranteed.

What do the European clubs think?
The biggest European clubs have been consistent in their belief that Fifa voted for Qatar as a summer host and that it should remain as such. Otherwise, they argue, there should be a revote. The European Professional Football Leagues and the European Clubs Association proposed an alternative schedule, from 5 May to 4 June, arguing the temperatures would be no worse than some of those encountered in Brazil last summer or the USA in 1994.

What will happen to the domestic football schedule?
The traditional English Christmas programme will be impossible, though it remains unclear at this stage whether the Football League will also have to shut up shop for the period.

What happens now?
The recommendation goes before the Fifa executive committee in Zurich next month, which is almost certain to ratify it. The ECA and the EPFL will continue their opposition. The Premier League's chief executive, Richard Scudamore, has been outspoken in his opposition and will continue to argue the case and detailed horse trading over any further concessions will begin.

But given that Uefa has welcomed the move as being in the interests of players and fans, it is hard to see where the clubs can go from here – unless they take the nuclear option of seeking a breakaway and sparking all out civil war. Scudamore, who was on Fifa's task force, said he felt "a little bit let down" by Uefa.

Who else will be affected?
Leagues and competitions across the world will be affected for three seasons – 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24 – because of the knock-on effects of starting the season containing the World Cup early and ending it late. Harold Mayne-Nicholls, the former head of the Chilean FA who led the Fifa inspection team before the World Cup vote, has calculated that 50 leagues across the world will be affected.

Are there any upsides?
Some fans may prefer the idea of settling down in front of the box to watch a winter World Cup but many will miss the traditional frenzy of the domestic programme. It could be argued that England's players will be fresher in December than in June, though the flip side is that they could return burned out for the rest of the season. Advocates of greater flexibility in the international sporting calendar argue that it opens up major events to new parts of the world.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on February 24, 2015, 12:05:09 PM
Meh, watching a football tournament outside in summer is one of the nice things in life. Fuck Sepp Blatter and the rest of FIFA.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on February 24, 2015, 12:06:36 PM
A WC final on December 23rd?  LOL

QuoteMeh, watching a football tournament outside in summer is one of the nice things in life. Fuck Sepp Blatter and the rest of FIFA.

Now you can enjoy it while doing...whatever it is you Germans do for Christmas.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 24, 2015, 12:33:04 PM
Having the WC on while I'm not on holidays is going to suck. Unless I can be independently wealthy by then.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on February 24, 2015, 12:35:46 PM
Man, this is gonna suck.  I suppose if they insist of keeping it in Qatar, player safety does argue against holding it on a traditional summer schedule, but I'd say that fact, politics aside, is a good reason NOT to hold it in Qatar in the first place.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on February 24, 2015, 12:41:11 PM
Yeah even having it in the southern hemisphere winter in South America or South Africa was not even a problem.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on February 24, 2015, 12:44:57 PM
Quote from: dps on February 24, 2015, 12:35:46 PM
Man, this is gonna suck.  I suppose if they insist of keeping it in Qatar, player safety does argue against holding it on a traditional summer schedule, but I'd say that fact, politics aside, is a good reason NOT to hold it in Qatar in the first place.

Bribe money has been accepted, deal has been struck, and men of FIFA are men of integrity.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 24, 2015, 12:48:19 PM
Surely this is better than holding it in the summer in Qatar. :huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on February 24, 2015, 01:15:14 PM
Quote from: dps on February 24, 2015, 12:35:46 PM
Man, this is gonna suck.  I suppose if they insist of keeping it in Qatar, player safety does argue against holding it on a traditional summer schedule, but I'd say that fact, politics aside, is a good reason NOT to hold it in Qatar in the first place.

You know what's funny? The technical commission of FIFA recommended during the run up to the vote that the FIFA world cup should be held in any of the applicant countries ... except Russia and Qatar.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on February 24, 2015, 01:16:03 PM
Quote from: Valmy on February 24, 2015, 12:41:11 PM
Yeah even having it in the southern hemisphere winter in South America or South Africa was not even a problem.

But there winters are warmer than the summers in many traditional football nations. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on February 24, 2015, 01:51:52 PM
Quote from: Tamas on February 24, 2015, 12:44:57 PM
Quote from: dps on February 24, 2015, 12:35:46 PM
Man, this is gonna suck.  I suppose if they insist of keeping it in Qatar, player safety does argue against holding it on a traditional summer schedule, but I'd say that fact, politics aside, is a good reason NOT to hold it in Qatar in the first place.

Bribe money has been accepted, deal has been struck, and men of FIFA are men of integrity.

Honest men, once bought, stay bought, eh?

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 24, 2015, 01:55:48 PM
Quote from: Zanza on February 24, 2015, 12:05:09 PM
Meh, watching a football tournament outside in summer is one of the nice things in life. Fuck Sepp Blatter and the rest of FIFA.

:yes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on February 24, 2015, 04:48:23 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 24, 2015, 12:48:19 PM
Surely this is better than holding it in the summer in Qatar. :huh:

...which highlights the lunacy of the original decision.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 24, 2015, 05:27:30 PM
I guess all we can do is hope for a Qatari regime change
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on February 25, 2015, 05:19:34 AM
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B-mWQMuXAAAbI0n.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on February 25, 2015, 08:22:22 AM
FIFA to clubs: Fuck off and deal with it.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/31620713

Quote2022 World Cup: Fifa rules out compensation for unhappy clubs

Fifa says it will not pay compensation to clubs and leagues unhappy about plans to play the 2022 Qatar World Cup in November and December.

It also said no apology was necessary for the scheduling of the tournament, which will disrupt a number of leagues.

A Fifa taskforce has recommended the 2022 World Cup take place in winter to avoid Qatar's hot summer temperatures.

"There will be no compensation," said Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke. "There are seven years to reorganise."

Fifa's executive committee will meet in Zurich next month to ratify the taskforce's recommendation.

Valcke also suggested that a 2022 World Cup final on 23 December was looking increasingly likely.

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore says a final that close to Christmas will cause havoc with the traditional festive club programme, while Fifa vice-president Jim Boyce wants it played a week earlier.

But Valcke says European governing body Uefa and other confederations are keen on Friday, 23 December, although 18 December is also a possibility.

Valcke also confirmed the 2022 World Cup will be four days shorter as a "concession" to leagues and clubs - 28 days instead of the usual 31 or 32 - and that the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations will move to June from January.

'It's not perfect, we know that'

Speaking at a news conference in Doha on Wednesday, Valcke admitted the situation was "not perfect" but added: "Why are we talking about compensation? It's happening once, we're not destroying football.

"Why should we apologise to the clubs? We have had an agreement with the clubs that they are part of the beneficiaries. It was $40m (£26m) in 2010 and $70m (£45m) in 2014. We are bringing all our people to enjoy the sporting and financial results of the World Cup."

'Clearly there will be fixture challenges'

Scottish Football Association chief executive Stewart Regan has added his voice to those lamenting the impact a winter World Cup will have on leagues and clubs around the world.

"We will look at the knock-on effects of the decision and how it will affect Scottish football," he said. "Clearly there will be fixture challenges for leagues across the world.

"We have been expecting this decision for some time, but it is going to run late into December and just how close to Christmas it gets is something that needs to be thought through."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on February 25, 2015, 08:27:30 AM
How can 1,200 workers in Qatar already be dead?  We still have almost eight years to go.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 25, 2015, 08:33:19 AM
Quote from: Valmy on February 25, 2015, 08:27:30 AM
How can 1,200 workers in Qatar already be dead?  We still have almost eight years to go.

Because nobody cares if they have to work in the summer time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on February 25, 2015, 08:38:39 AM
It appears a number that has come from an investigation by the International Trade Union Confederation.

http://www.ituc-csi.org/global-dispute-over-qatar-2022

QuoteIn the two years since the ITUC first outlined to FIFA the treatment of migrant workers in Qatar, an average of 600 workers have died there. The ITUC estimates 4000 workers will die in Qatar before the start of the World Cup in 2022 if no action is taken.

"Workers' from countries including India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and increasingly Africa are used as forced labour, denied the right to join a union, live in squalid living conditions and often are not paid the wages they are promised. Scores of healthy young men are dying. This web of deadly practices draws in international companies, the Government of Qatar and FIFA," said Sharan Burrow.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on February 25, 2015, 08:43:03 AM
FIFA pissed us all off enough during what should have been uncontroversial World Cups in South Africa and Brazil.  I may be to the point I don't watch Qatar in 2022.  Everybody has their breaking point.  Heck we still have the Putin Cup between now and then.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on February 25, 2015, 08:45:31 AM
Friends and colleagues who spent time in the region are not surprised, btw. They say it's pretty standard practice to lure workers/servants from India/Nepal over to there, confiscate their passports and then basically treat them as serfs or slaves. They said other projects have worse conditions, but the FIFA WC is drawing more attention.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on February 25, 2015, 08:46:51 AM
Quote from: Syt on February 25, 2015, 08:45:31 AM
Friends and colleagues who spent time in the region are not surprised, btw. They say it's pretty standard practice to lure workers/servants from India/Nepal over to there, confiscate their passports and then basically treat them as serfs or slaves. They said other projects have worse conditions, but the FIFA WC is drawing more attention.

Well then why the hell would Qatar want to host the WC?  Are they crazy?  Do they really want these circumstances exposed to the whole world on such a big stage?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on February 25, 2015, 08:47:28 AM
Quote from: Valmy on February 25, 2015, 08:43:03 AM
FIFA pissed us all off enough during what should have been uncontroversial World Cups in South Africa and Brazil.  I may be to the point I don't watch Qatar in 2022.  Everybody has their breaking point.  Heck we still have the Putin Cup between now and then.

I have the small hope that the Qatar WC will be the straw that breaks the camel's back. However, I'm sure there'll be enough shady back room deals between now and then to keep all interested parties mollified, and he hype machine will start in time to gloss over any problems, and the ruler will pay lip service to human rights.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 25, 2015, 08:49:07 AM
Quote from: Valmy on February 25, 2015, 08:46:51 AM
Quote from: Syt on February 25, 2015, 08:45:31 AM
Friends and colleagues who spent time in the region are not surprised, btw. They say it's pretty standard practice to lure workers/servants from India/Nepal over to there, confiscate their passports and then basically treat them as serfs or slaves. They said other projects have worse conditions, but the FIFA WC is drawing more attention.

Well then why the hell would Qatar want to host the WC?  Are they crazy?  Do they really want these circumstances exposed to the whole world on such a big stage?

The world already knows and doesn't give a fuck, apparently.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on February 25, 2015, 08:51:06 AM
Quote from: The Larch on February 25, 2015, 08:49:07 AM
The world already knows and doesn't give a fuck, apparently.

Well yeah, when it is just one of dozens of atrocities being committed in various third world autocracies.  The World Cup is different.  Everybody who has a problem with the Qatari regime will use this opportunity to grand stand.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on February 25, 2015, 08:51:55 AM
Quote from: Valmy on February 25, 2015, 08:46:51 AM
Quote from: Syt on February 25, 2015, 08:45:31 AM
Friends and colleagues who spent time in the region are not surprised, btw. They say it's pretty standard practice to lure workers/servants from India/Nepal over to there, confiscate their passports and then basically treat them as serfs or slaves. They said other projects have worse conditions, but the FIFA WC is drawing more attention.

Well then why the hell would Qatar want to host the WC?  Are they crazy?  Do they really want these circumstances exposed to the whole world on such a big stage?

Qatar is trying to establish itself as THE sports location and the prestige associated with big events. It's why theFIFA WC is there, why the Handball WC was held there (with a local team of legionnaires that were promised lifetime pensions), and why the IAAF (track and field) World Championships 2019 (the biggest such event after Olympics) will be held there:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sport_in_Qatar
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on February 25, 2015, 08:53:20 AM
Oh, and:

QuoteAccording to the US State Department, expatriate workers from nations throughout Asia and parts of Africa are routinely subjected to forced labor and, in some instances, prostitution.[28] Most of these people voluntarily migrate to Qatar as low-skilled laborers or domestic servants, but are subsequently subjected to conditions indicative of involuntary servitude. Some of the more common labor rights violations include beatings, withholding of payment, charging workers for benefits which are nominally the responsibility of the amir, severe restrictions on freedom of movement (such as the confiscation of passports, travel documents, or exit permits), arbitrary detention, threats of legal action, and sexual assault.[28] Many migrant workers arriving for work in Qatar have paid exorbitant fees to recruiters in their home countries – a practice that makes workers highly vulnerable to forced labor once in Qatar.[28]

Like other Persian Gulf nations, Qatar has sponsorship laws, which have been widely criticized as "modern-day slavery."[29] Under the provisions of Qatar's sponsorship law, sponsors have the unilateral power to cancel workers' residency permits, deny workers' ability to change employers, report a worker as "absconded" to police authorities, and deny permission to leave the country.[28] As a result, sponsors may restrict workers' movements and workers may be afraid to report abuses or claim their rights, which contribute to their forced labor situation.[28]

Domestic servants are particularly vulnerable to trafficking since they are isolated inside homes and are not covered under the provisions of the labor law.[28] Qatar is also a destination for women who migrate for legitimate purposes and subsequently become involved in prostitution, but the extent to which these women are subjected to forced prostitution is unknown.[28] Some of these victims may be runaway domestic workers who have fallen prey to forced prostitution by individuals who exploit their illegal status.[28]

The Government states that it is doing a good job with regards to human rights[30] and treatment of laborers. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) was established in 2002 to safeguard and consolidate human rights for everyone subject to the jurisdiction under the state.[31] In a bid to combat Human trafficking, Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al-Missned established the Qatar Foundation on Combating Human Trafficking (QFCHT). To promote more awareness in this area, the Ritz-Carlton Doha, created the World's largest Cake for the QFCHT Sculpture.[32]

Qatari contracting agency Barwa is building a residential area for laborers known as Barwa Al Baraha (also called Workers City). The project was launched after a recent scandal in Dubai's Labor camps, and aims to provide a reasonable standard of living as defined by the new Human Rights Legislation.[33] The overall cost of the project is estimated at around $1.1 billion and will be an integrated city in the Industrial area of Doha. Along with 4.25 square metres of living space per person, the residential project will provide recreational areas and services for laborers. Phase one of the project is set to be completed at the end of 2008 while all phases will be complete by mid 2010.[34]

FIFA World Cup preparations and reported abuses[edit]
The construction boom in advance of Qatar hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup has reportedly led to an increase in human rights abuses. In 2013 Amnesty International published reports showing that unpaid migrant workers were left to go hungry. According to the report, workers are being "treated like cattle"[35] According to a report by the Guardian (and based on documents obtained at the Nepalese embassy in Qatar) dozens of Nepalese migrant laborers had died in Qatar in just a few weeks around in September 2013, and thousands more were enduring appalling labor abuses.[36] According to their analysis, current construction practices will have resulted in over 4,000 deaths by the time of the 2022 event.[36] As of December 2013, FIFA has investigated but taken no action to force Qatar to improve worker conditions.[35]
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on February 25, 2015, 08:55:06 AM
I just hope they do not bid for Super Bowl LIII.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 25, 2015, 08:59:21 AM
Quote from: Valmy on February 25, 2015, 08:55:06 AM
I just hope they do not bid for Super Bowl LIII.

New England Patriots @ Qatar Oilers
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on February 25, 2015, 11:45:08 AM
Yeah, I think I'll be giving the Qatar World Cup a miss. I mean, we'll see when the time comes, but right now it's leaving a pretty bad taste.

The handball thing was pretty obnoxious too.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 25, 2015, 12:45:17 PM
Quote from: Syt on February 25, 2015, 08:45:31 AM
Friends and colleagues who spent time in the region are not surprised, btw. They say it's pretty standard practice to lure workers/servants from India/Nepal over to there, confiscate their passports and then basically treat them as serfs or slaves. They said other projects have worse conditions, but the FIFA WC is drawing more attention.
I was speaking to a pretty high ranking guy at my company, he used to run operations in the Gulf.  He also happens to be Indian.
And....yes. Even he, walking around in a suit, was really treat like shit. They don't like Asians at all.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 25, 2015, 01:28:20 PM
Quote from: Tyr on February 25, 2015, 12:45:17 PM
Quote from: Syt on February 25, 2015, 08:45:31 AM
Friends and colleagues who spent time in the region are not surprised, btw. They say it's pretty standard practice to lure workers/servants from India/Nepal over to there, confiscate their passports and then basically treat them as serfs or slaves. They said other projects have worse conditions, but the FIFA WC is drawing more attention.
I was speaking to a pretty high ranking guy at my company, he used to run operations in the Gulf.  He also happens to be Indian.
And....yes. Even he, walking around in a suit, was really treat like shit. They don't like Asians at all.

I hate to be that guy, but I must point out that they're Asians themselves.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 25, 2015, 01:32:07 PM
Quote from: The Larch on February 25, 2015, 01:28:20 PM
Quote from: Tyr on February 25, 2015, 12:45:17 PM
Quote from: Syt on February 25, 2015, 08:45:31 AM
Friends and colleagues who spent time in the region are not surprised, btw. They say it's pretty standard practice to lure workers/servants from India/Nepal over to there, confiscate their passports and then basically treat them as serfs or slaves. They said other projects have worse conditions, but the FIFA WC is drawing more attention.
I was speaking to a pretty high ranking guy at my company, he used to run operations in the Gulf.  He also happens to be Indian.
And....yes. Even he, walking around in a suit, was really treat like shit. They don't like Asians at all.

I hate to be that guy, but I must point out that they're Asians themselves.
They're Ay-rabs.
Iranians are usually counted in the Asian umbrella but not the Arabs. :p
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on February 25, 2015, 01:36:21 PM
Quote from: The Larch on February 25, 2015, 01:28:20 PM
I hate to be that guy, but I must point out that they're Asians themselves.

They probably don't use UK terminology when discussing race and nationality, or when exhibiting racism.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on February 25, 2015, 01:52:13 PM
I continue to be tripped up by the idea that Asians /= people who live in Asia.  It just seems so logical that it would be so.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 25, 2015, 01:55:01 PM
Quote from: Tyr on February 25, 2015, 01:32:07 PM
Quote from: The Larch on February 25, 2015, 01:28:20 PM
Quote from: Tyr on February 25, 2015, 12:45:17 PM
Quote from: Syt on February 25, 2015, 08:45:31 AM
Friends and colleagues who spent time in the region are not surprised, btw. They say it's pretty standard practice to lure workers/servants from India/Nepal over to there, confiscate their passports and then basically treat them as serfs or slaves. They said other projects have worse conditions, but the FIFA WC is drawing more attention.
I was speaking to a pretty high ranking guy at my company, he used to run operations in the Gulf.  He also happens to be Indian.
And....yes. Even he, walking around in a suit, was really treat like shit. They don't like Asians at all.

I hate to be that guy, but I must point out that they're Asians themselves.
They're Ay-rabs.
Iranians are usually counted in the Asian umbrella but not the Arabs. :p

The Arabian peninsula is in Asia in any way you slice it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 25, 2015, 02:00:00 PM
There's Asian then there's Asian.
To the Americans suggesting an Indian is an Asian would be madness.


I do wonder what this winter WC would mean in England. There is an everpresent underbubbling talking about a winter break
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on February 25, 2015, 02:06:22 PM
Quote from: Tyr on February 25, 2015, 02:00:00 PM
To the Americans suggesting an Indian is an Asian would be madness.

Which Americans are we talking about here?  Because the official definition very much includes Indians.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 25, 2015, 02:08:21 PM
Quote from: Valmy on February 25, 2015, 02:06:22 PM
Quote from: Tyr on February 25, 2015, 02:00:00 PM
To the Americans suggesting an Indian is an Asian would be madness.

Which Americans are we talking about here?  Because the official definition very much includes Indians.

The one where you think not of an Indian when someone says "He's Asian".
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on February 25, 2015, 02:11:50 PM
Quote from: Liep on February 25, 2015, 02:08:21 PM
The one where you think not of an Indian when someone says "He's Asian".

I do.  In fact when I went to SeaWorld San Antonio last may and reported back to Languish about how surprised I was to see such a huge number of Asians there, they were largely Sub-Continent types.

But granted I do not speak for all Americans.  But I do note that the Federal government considers them Asian-Americans.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on February 25, 2015, 02:13:29 PM
Quote from: Tyr on February 25, 2015, 02:00:00 PM
I do wonder what this winter WC would mean in England. There is an everpresent underbubbling talking about a winter break

Well, 25 days before the world cup, the teams must release their players for the tournament. So that means end of October there'll be a two month break. Which will probably mean the season will have to start earlier or end later (which will suck for leagues in Mediterranean countries who will play in summer heat). The Premier League Christmas schedule will likely be non-existent.

In the U.S. Fox has already secured the broadcast rights for 2026, without bidding process. Possibly a compensation for having the 2022 world cup clash with the NFL season.

In countries where winter sports on TV is popular, this will probably mean that there'll be less coverage (and sponsoring) of those events. Open air screens as are customary in big cities in Europe during Euro or World Cup will likely draw much fewer people, if organizers will bother to set them up at all (they might do it for the novelty of it).

EDIT: that said, I think that all these things can be worked around and there'll be solutions. The bigger issue for me is that FIFA gave it to Qatar in the first place under dubious circumstances and runs roughshod over all concerns/criticism.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 25, 2015, 02:14:15 PM
Quote from: Valmy on February 25, 2015, 02:11:50 PM
Quote from: Liep on February 25, 2015, 02:08:21 PM
The one where you think not of an Indian when someone says "He's Asian".

I do.  In fact when I went to SeaWorld San Antonio last may and reported back to Languish about how surprised I was to see such a huge number of Asians there, they were largely Sub-Continent types.

But granted I do not speak for all Americans.  But I do note that the Federal government considers them Asian-Americans.
Well I speak for all Danes when I say that "Asiat" does not cover Indians, even if it may technically.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on February 25, 2015, 02:14:52 PM
Quote from: Syt on February 25, 2015, 02:13:29 PM
Possibly a compensation for having the 2022 world cup clash with the NFL season.

LOL I did not even think about this.  Well there goes any mainstream interest in the World Cup in the US in 2022.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on February 25, 2015, 02:15:44 PM
Quote from: Liep on February 25, 2015, 02:14:15 PM
Well I speak for all Danes when I say that "Asiat" does not cover Indians, even if it may technically.

You Scandis always have much better cultural unity than we do :(

But we are hamstrung by the fact that Christopher Columbus' gaff creates real linguistic confusion now that lots of Asian Indians are over here.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on February 25, 2015, 02:16:42 PM
Well, it's still almost 8 years to go - until then the whole area could well be a war zone and/or part of IS. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 25, 2015, 03:46:33 PM
Quote from: Syt on February 25, 2015, 08:47:28 AM

I have the small hope that the Qatar WC will be the straw that breaks the camel's back. However, I'm sure there'll be enough shady back room deals between now and then to keep all interested parties mollified, and he hype machine will start in time to gloss over any problems, and the ruler will pay lip service to human rights.
I really hope so. I think Russia is a legitimate host whatever the problems, but if everyone just tolerates Qatar :bleeding: :x :ultra:

If we're having a winter world cup I'm sad it's not in Australia. Sidney 2000 was wonderful and the timezone would be even better for places like China.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 25, 2015, 04:15:42 PM
Quote from: Tyr on February 25, 2015, 02:00:00 PM
To the Americans suggesting an Indian is an Asian would be madness.

No it wouldn't.

The madness lies in a definition of Asian that excludes 2/3 of the people living in Asia.

It would be like reserving the word European for Germans.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 25, 2015, 04:21:18 PM
Many people I know use Oriental which I'm uncomfortable with but given that they're of Thai, Chinese, Japanese and Malay origin I should probably just accept - I prefer East Asian.

And my impression was the same as Tyr's, that if you said Asian to a North American they would assume you meant East Asian.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 25, 2015, 04:22:53 PM
That would be the assumption, but if you called a dot head an Asian, no American would start convulsing and projectile vomiting.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 25, 2015, 04:27:23 PM
Okay, it's the same vice-versa.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on February 25, 2015, 04:28:03 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on February 25, 2015, 04:21:18 PM
Many people I know use Oriental which I'm uncomfortable with but given that they're of Thai, Chinese, Japanese and Malay origin I should probably just accept - I prefer East Asian.

And my impression was the same as Tyr's, that if you said Asian to a North American they would assume you meant East Asian.

The safe terms these days (unless you know a person's specific ancestry) is East Asian for "oriental", and south asian for "indian".    There's no really good term for arab/persian types, but I guess Middle Eastern is what is used.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on February 25, 2015, 04:29:02 PM
Oh, I'm signed up to be an Assistant Coach for my kids U6 soccer team.

I know absolutely nothing about soccer, other than it involves kicking a round ball around the field.

What could possibly go wrong!   :wacko:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 25, 2015, 04:30:06 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on February 25, 2015, 04:27:23 PM
Okay, it's the same vice-versa.

On your team, Squeeze is kind of wacko on the topic.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 25, 2015, 04:35:47 PM
Quote from: Barrister on February 25, 2015, 04:29:02 PM
Oh, I'm signed up to be an Assistant Coach for my kids U6 soccer team.

I know absolutely nothing about soccer, other than it involves kicking a round ball around the field.

What could possibly go wrong!   :wacko:

Neither do 5 year old kids. Put a ball on the ground and have them chase it and they'll look like any other U6 team I've ever seen.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 25, 2015, 04:40:00 PM
The only requirement for a coach of five years olds is that you're not a child molester.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 25, 2015, 07:47:22 PM
Quote from: Barrister on February 25, 2015, 04:29:02 PM
Oh, I'm signed up to be an Assistant Coach for my kids U6 soccer team.

I know absolutely nothing about soccer, other than it involves kicking a round ball around the field.

What could possibly go wrong!   :wacko:

Just make sure that only the goalkeepers handle the ball with their hands during play.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on February 25, 2015, 07:56:36 PM
When the twins play soccer, they and their friends form a flying wedge and run over people.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on February 26, 2015, 05:27:35 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on February 25, 2015, 07:56:36 PM
When the twins play soccer, they and their friends form a flying wedge and run over people.

Interestingly, this was the first tactical formation used in association football. The W-W.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on February 26, 2015, 06:34:36 AM
Quote from: Barrister on February 25, 2015, 04:29:02 PM
Oh, I'm signed up to be an Assistant Coach for my kids U6 soccer team.

I know absolutely nothing about soccer, other than it involves kicking a round ball around the field.

What could possibly go wrong!   :wacko:

At the first training session, spend the first half of it referring to the 'round-ball' and urging your 'offenders' into the 'touch-zone' and demanding to know why your players aren't full-body tackling their opponents.

After the half-time water break, emerge from the changing room in a smartly cut suit with a scarf and jumper on. Start shouting things like 'defend from the &%$£ing front', demand your centre-forward play as a 'false nine', and when one team loses the ball, shout 'that's it boys, little pitch now, little pitch'. Complain loudly to any watching parents that the boys are just not cut out for a possession-based 4-3-3. Swear liberally. Kick a water bottle and fumble with your coat's zipper for added authenticity.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on February 26, 2015, 07:21:33 AM
I saw what you did there.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 09, 2015, 02:43:56 PM
Tigres manager Ricardo Ferreti got sent off during a match of the Mexican League. He wasn't happy with the decision, and refused to leave the pitch. He finally seemed to accept the referee's decision though, and started to walk out of the bench area.

This is what he did, though:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.diez.hn%2Fcsp%2Fmediapool%2Fsites%2Fdt.common.streams.StreamServer.cls%3FSTREAMOID%3D8vB%24uSIpuQGXaOktTOkJi8%24daE2N3K4ZzOUsqbU5sYuSoGcX3r33Z4eqa0ZZL%24mKWCsjLu883Ygn4B49Lvm9bPe2QeMKQdVeZmXF%249l%244uCZ8QDXhaHEp3rvzXRJFdy0KqPHLoMevcTLo3h8xh70Y6N_U_CryOsw6FTOdKL_jpQ-%26amp%3BCONTENTTYPE%3Dimage%2Fjpeg&hash=f9c2818d9a3ce10a6b6b9de6cd8e0232a2a56c2e)

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.debate.com.mx%2F__export%2F1425863735446%2Fsites%2Fdebate%2Fimg%2Fahora%2F2015%2F03%2F08%2Fescondido.jpg_1385095262.jpg&hash=1bacc55e26ec22e88398dd5357ff803a2367f717)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 09, 2015, 04:49:36 PM
 :lol: :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 11, 2015, 03:19:21 PM
That was one of the weaker direct red cards I've ever seen.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 11, 2015, 05:17:47 PM
Chelsea - PSG is why we call this the beautiful game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 11, 2015, 05:20:20 PM
The Special One is out so I'm good.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 11, 2015, 05:34:41 PM
And also, I don't know about beautiful but it sure was intense.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 11, 2015, 05:50:19 PM
Anything that means José Mourinho gets to look like a chump is beautiful by definition.

Still, as a sporting contest the game was nonetheless a great narrative. PSG loses a man for an hour and a half, goes behind twice, and still manages to go through - and the player that made a silly penalty that could have eliminated them ends up scoring the winning goal? Perfect story.

And Mourinho gets to look like a chump.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 11, 2015, 05:51:29 PM
Tamas is bashing his head against the nearest wall right now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on March 11, 2015, 06:05:14 PM
Quote from: The Larch on March 11, 2015, 05:51:29 PM
Tamas is bashing his head against the nearest wall right now.

Meh, team played like shit, deserved to be eliminated.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 11, 2015, 07:32:38 PM
For some reason I forgot that away goals still counted in overtime. I thought that once you got into overtime, the score was all that mattered. So with the game tied 2-2, I was expecting penalties.


Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 11, 2015, 07:40:20 PM
Mourinho could turn that into an excuse: "they had 30 minutes more to score an away goal". :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on March 19, 2015, 12:46:33 PM
Poor show by Premier League and Bundesliga teams in Champions League this year, although Bayern is a potential winner.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 19, 2015, 01:07:27 PM
City at least had the misfortune of a tough draw. But Arsenal going out to Monaco? Really?
And Chelsea should be beating PSG 8 times out of 10, imho.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 19, 2015, 01:58:22 PM
FIFA has set the date for the WC final in 2022: 18th of December. And the whole tournament will be played in only 28 days.

It is not April first yet. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 19, 2015, 04:56:44 PM
LORD!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on March 19, 2015, 06:39:46 PM
Quote from: Liep on March 19, 2015, 01:58:22 PM
FIFA has set the date for the WC final in 2022: 18th of December. And the whole tournament will be played in only 28 days.

It is not April first yet. :(

Well, I suppose I could start looking at the bright side of this...I get to watch the World Cup Final on my birthday. :hmm:

Nah...this is still a disastrous mess.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on March 19, 2015, 08:02:21 PM
Forgot to mention this the other day, but we watched the new NYCFC first home match in Yankee stadium, and according to the announcers, they had a bigger crowd than at any Yankees game last year.  Pretty impressive, though I don't know the relative capacity of the stadium for baseball vs soccer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 19, 2015, 08:20:40 PM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yankee_Stadium (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yankee_Stadium)

QuoteCapacity
Baseball: 49,642 (2014–present)
Soccer: 27,470 (Expandable to 49,642)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 20, 2015, 04:13:12 AM
Quote from: Agelastus on March 19, 2015, 06:39:46 PM
Quote from: Liep on March 19, 2015, 01:58:22 PM
FIFA has set the date for the WC final in 2022: 18th of December. And the whole tournament will be played in only 28 days.

It is not April first yet. :(

Well, I suppose I could start looking at the bright side of this...I get to watch the World Cup Final on my birthday. :hmm:

Nah...this is still a disastrous mess.

I guess a positive could be that I might actually not be working on that date. The last two finals I've been working a on call shift but have magically been able to just sit in the break room watching the games. That couldn't possibly continue through a 4th game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 20, 2015, 04:27:09 AM
Chilling in the summer with a beer in hand watching non-stop international football during my vacation has always been a biennial pleasure of mine. Damn this.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on March 20, 2015, 04:49:08 AM
As chance would have it, the 2022 final will be played on Qatar's National Day (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qatar_National_Day)

What a funny coincidence!

Well, maybe we're lucky and there'll be a popular uprising until then that executes Qatar's corrupt leadership.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 20, 2015, 04:54:33 AM
Quote from: Syt on March 20, 2015, 04:49:08 AM
As chance would have it, the 2022 final will be played on Qatar's National Day (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qatar_National_Day)

What a funny coincidence!

Well, maybe we're lucky and there'll be a popular uprising until then that executes FIFA's corrupt leadership.

Fixed.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on March 20, 2015, 05:03:14 AM
Hey, maybe Qatar will reach the final again, like in the World Handball Championship where they fielded a team of imported sellouts and mercenaries?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 20, 2015, 05:10:20 AM
Quote from: Liep on March 20, 2015, 04:13:12 AM
Quote from: Agelastus on March 19, 2015, 06:39:46 PM
Quote from: Liep on March 19, 2015, 01:58:22 PM
FIFA has set the date for the WC final in 2022: 18th of December. And the whole tournament will be played in only 28 days.

It is not April first yet. :(

Well, I suppose I could start looking at the bright side of this...I get to watch the World Cup Final on my birthday. :hmm:

Nah...this is still a disastrous mess.

I guess a positive could be that I might actually not be working on that date. The last two finals I've been working a on call shift but have magically been able to just sit in the break room watching the games. That couldn't possibly continue through a 4th game.

The only positive I can think of is the that a middle season tournament means the players won't be tired or barely recovering from injuries after a long season. Major plus but I like tournaments during the summer as well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 20, 2015, 05:12:33 AM
Quote from: celedhring on March 20, 2015, 04:27:09 AM
Chilling in the summer with a beer in hand watching non-stop international football during my vacation has always been a biennial pleasure of mine. Damn this.

:yes: :ccr

:glare: :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 20, 2015, 05:38:33 AM
Danish magazine Se og Hør (of Kate Middleton titties fame) has bought a piece of land in Scotland for Niklas Bendtner to officially make him a Lord.

LORD! :worthy:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 20, 2015, 07:32:29 AM
Champions League qf:

PSG - Barcelona
Atlético - Real Madrid
Juventus - Monaco
Oporto - Bayern
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on March 20, 2015, 12:39:32 PM
On paper, Bayern should beat Porto.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on March 22, 2015, 09:46:06 AM
Gerrard....SMASH
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on March 22, 2015, 09:57:29 AM
Hey Liverpool are making a game of it. MAXIMIUM HILARITY
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 22, 2015, 11:23:03 AM
45' - Gerrard on for Lallana
46' - Gerrard sent off

  :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao:

One of my favorite things in football is seeing a player sent off seconds after they're subbed on lol just lol
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 22, 2015, 12:48:33 PM
There is such a thing as excessive motivation.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 22, 2015, 03:26:17 PM
El Classico is off to a good start. Prediction: Pepe will be booted.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 22, 2015, 03:31:23 PM
That was the weakest show by a footballer I've seen this year. Pepe really is a shit.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 22, 2015, 03:34:48 PM
Neymar misses a100% chance and seconds later Benzema delivers it perfectly for Ronaldo. 1-1.

I like football.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 22, 2015, 03:44:13 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 22, 2015, 11:23:03 AM
45' - Gerrard on for Lallana
46' - Gerrard sent off

  :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao:

One of my favorite things in football is seeing a player sent off seconds after they're subbed on lol just lol

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F33.media.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_lr9mdlPVgr1qjblfoo1_400.gif&hash=87926f093eaeec88cb980455fc3ac6920248470b)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 22, 2015, 05:11:03 PM
Quote from: Liep on March 22, 2015, 03:34:48 PM
Neymar misses a100% chance and seconds later Benzema delivers it perfectly for Ronaldo. 1-1.

I like football.

It is fine; at the end, Good always triumphs over Evil.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on March 22, 2015, 06:04:35 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 22, 2015, 11:23:03 AM
45' - Gerrard on for Lallana
46' - Gerrard sent off

  :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao:

One of my favorite things in football is seeing a player sent off seconds after they're subbed on lol just lol

I think Gerrard just wants to wrap this shit up and go to LA.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 22, 2015, 06:36:16 PM
Quote from: Liep on March 22, 2015, 03:26:17 PM
El Classico is off to a good start. Prediction: Pepe will be booted.

Just one s. :) Clásico. The only letters that double in spanish are r and l.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 22, 2015, 07:29:30 PM
Quote from: Tyr on March 22, 2015, 03:44:13 PM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F33.media.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_lr9mdlPVgr1qjblfoo1_400.gif&hash=87926f093eaeec88cb980455fc3ac6920248470b)

:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on March 22, 2015, 09:46:39 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 22, 2015, 11:23:03 AM
45' - Gerrard on for Lallana
46' - Gerrard sent off

  :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao:

One of my favorite things in football is seeing a player sent off seconds after they're subbed on lol just lol

Just about all my friends are Liverpool fans (or United), and they virtually exploded on Facebook. A glorious day. Makes Forest's defeat yesterday taste less like Zlatan's socks.

The MLS' gain with Gerrard is the EPL's gain as well now, I think.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 23, 2015, 08:50:13 AM
Quote from: The Larch on March 22, 2015, 06:36:16 PM
Quote from: Liep on March 22, 2015, 03:26:17 PM
El Classico is off to a good start. Prediction: Pepe will be booted.

Just one s. :) Clásico. The only letters that double in spanish are r and l.

''El Clàssic'' in Catalan, though!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on March 25, 2015, 11:07:58 AM
Headline on the German equivalent of The Onion:

Testl for Qatar 2022: World Cup 2018 in Russia will also be held in Winter.
"FIFA spokesman: If it works well in Russia, it will be fine in Qatar as well."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on March 25, 2015, 11:12:10 AM
The winter enabled the Russians to win dramatic upsets over Sweden, France, and Germany in the past so I can understand their thinking :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 25, 2015, 12:42:22 PM
Denmark plays USA today in Jutland. It's aired on cable so I can't watch us beat the yanks. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 25, 2015, 12:46:34 PM
Iniesta is best at picking lunch too.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fekstrabladet.dk%2Fincoming%2Farticle5496599.ece%2FIMAGE_ALTERNATES%2Fp900%2FBarca%2520menukort.png&hash=7d753face2a0e5c19233b0d62528673ffae469f9)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on March 25, 2015, 12:48:00 PM
Quote from: Liep on March 25, 2015, 12:42:22 PM
Denmark plays USA today in Jutland. It's aired on cable so I can't watch us beat the yanks. :(

You couldn't watch that even then. That's right punk. PREPARE TO HAVE YOUR ASS DRAWN.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 25, 2015, 02:03:36 PM
FEAR THE LORD!

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.scribblelive.com%2F2015%2F3%2F25%2F6e3ff80b-9452-473d-97ae-976b364e614d_500.jpg&hash=1fd0efc66bea12fcc2760ce39e7cb6c44e492624)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 25, 2015, 02:52:57 PM
LORD
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 25, 2015, 03:58:39 PM
LORD
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 25, 2015, 04:00:53 PM
Are you drunk, Liep?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 25, 2015, 04:03:22 PM
Quote from: celedhring on March 25, 2015, 04:00:53 PM
Are you drunk, Liep?

No, but praising Bendtner automatically makes you appear so. :P You should see my Twitter feed, it's even worse.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 25, 2015, 04:05:53 PM
LORD with the hattrick! Of course.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 25, 2015, 04:08:57 PM
Bendtner is almost out trending Zayn Malik on Twitter.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 25, 2015, 04:11:22 PM
Quote from: Valmy on March 25, 2015, 12:48:00 PM
Quote from: Liep on March 25, 2015, 12:42:22 PM
Denmark plays USA today in Jutland. It's aired on cable so I can't watch us beat the yanks. :(

You couldn't watch that even then. That's right punk. PREPARE TO HAVE YOUR ASS DRAWN.

Bendtner 3 - 2 USA.

:yeah:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 25, 2015, 04:55:19 PM
Quote from: Liep on March 25, 2015, 12:46:34 PM
Iniesta is best at picking lunch too.

Why? Because of the chorizo?  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 25, 2015, 05:36:19 PM
Yes, obviously because of the chorizo. :P

And, I will stop now, just after this:

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CA-QoJhUcAA80Hg.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 25, 2015, 05:36:55 PM
The Greatest Striker That Ever Lived
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on March 25, 2015, 07:12:48 PM
Quote from: Liep on March 25, 2015, 04:11:22 PM
Bendtner 3 - 2 USA.

:yeah:

A thousand years will pass and the shame of America will not be erased :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on March 25, 2015, 07:31:37 PM
It's a friendly, right?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on March 25, 2015, 07:51:00 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on March 25, 2015, 07:31:37 PM
It's a friendly, right?

Yep
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 31, 2015, 10:18:32 AM
Quote from: Valmy on March 25, 2015, 07:12:48 PM
Quote from: Liep on March 25, 2015, 04:11:22 PM
Bendtner 3 - 2 USA.

:yeah:

A thousand years will pass and the shame of America will not be erased :weep:

Guess Bendtner saved himself for the USA since he was nowhere to be seen in the following friendly game for Denmark on Sunday (great calendar Platoche). Denmark lost 2-0 to France in Saint-Étienne but the Danes did not seem very motivated, even in the second half they dominated.

In other news, Serbia's chances to reach the Euro tournament took a savage hit after losing to Portugal 2-1 in Lisbon. Nice goal by the Serbs though. They can only hope now a third position in the group for the play-offs. They'll have to get their revenge on Albania! balkantard:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 31, 2015, 12:24:30 PM
Denmark is dominating USA right now in a U-21 friendly.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on March 31, 2015, 12:26:41 PM
Quote from: Liep on March 31, 2015, 12:24:30 PM
Denmark is dominating USA right now in a U-21 friendly.

USA future: doomed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 31, 2015, 12:37:44 PM
Quote from: Valmy on March 31, 2015, 12:26:41 PM
Quote from: Liep on March 31, 2015, 12:24:30 PM
Denmark is dominating USA right now in a U-21 friendly.

USA future: doomed.

It's still 0-0 though. Yussuf Poulsen just missed a big chance. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 04, 2015, 10:04:46 AM
Arsenal  :)

Liverpool  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on April 04, 2015, 03:42:22 PM
Fuck it. I am no longer interested in this sport that hands out spankings for my poor soul willy-nilly.  :cry:

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 05, 2015, 08:08:16 AM
Quote from: Norgy on April 04, 2015, 03:42:22 PM
Fuck it. I am no longer interested in this sport that hands out spankings for my poor soul willy-nilly.  :cry:



Who's breaking your heart?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 05, 2015, 02:05:47 PM
Defoe
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 06, 2015, 07:11:30 AM
I just saw a recap of Ronaldo's 5 goals and the following celebrations. What the fuck is that twirl? :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on April 06, 2015, 05:57:31 PM
Forest breaks my heart.
I am hoping they can show something different today.

How I wish I never got involved emotionally.

Just when I think they might come with a late surge for the playoffs, they get beaten at home.

It's been this way for the best part of 14-15 years now. Just servings of shite.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on April 07, 2015, 07:36:08 AM
2nd part of the CONCAFAC champion's league semi-final tonight. Montreal vs Alajualense.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on April 08, 2015, 06:08:16 AM
and they are in!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 08, 2015, 08:37:01 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 08, 2015, 06:08:16 AM
and they are in!

By the skin of their chinny chin chin....but well done.  I shall cheer for them in the final.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 09, 2015, 03:00:59 PM
So this happened:

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

I must say I have never seen that ruled, ever, closest is goalie being off the line (where it was saved), but a player inside the box?

Oh, and when you do rule on it know the fucking rule. :lol: It has been reverted by UEFA and the game is to be replayed with whatever few seconds was left from when the penalty was awarded.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 09, 2015, 07:58:09 PM
I'm confused. So it was dissallowed because another player was in the box?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 15, 2015, 02:49:59 PM
Quote from: Tyr on April 09, 2015, 07:58:09 PM
I'm confused. So it was dissallowed because another player was in the box?

Yes, the correct call would be to retake the kick. But the ref also gave the ball to Norway, which is a bit too much.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 15, 2015, 02:55:49 PM
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CClGaETWgAADSPB.jpg)

There's really only teams left that I'd like to see lose. Except maybe Barca, I would just be indifferent if they won.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 15, 2015, 03:33:39 PM
Bayern down 3-1 after first leg :o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 15, 2015, 03:42:26 PM
Quote from: katmai on April 15, 2015, 03:33:39 PM
Bayern down 3-1 after first leg :o

Didn't see that coming.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 15, 2015, 05:04:37 PM
Holy Christ, Luís Suárez.  :worthy:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 15, 2015, 05:53:09 PM
Quote from: celedhring on April 15, 2015, 05:04:37 PM
Holy Christ, Luís Suárez.  :worthy:

Close those legs, David Luiz.  :pinch:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 16, 2015, 02:02:25 AM
Telegraph liveblogs the Klopp press conference. Doesn't foresee that it'll most likely mainly be in German:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/11537367/Jurgen-Klopp-quits-Borussia-Dortmund-live.html
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 16, 2015, 02:06:38 AM
Quote from: Liep on April 15, 2015, 03:42:26 PM
Quote from: katmai on April 15, 2015, 03:33:39 PM
Bayern down 3-1 after first leg :o

Didn't see that coming.

Lots of missing players for Bayern with a naive defence at times, Jackson unexpected return to form, good show by Porto,and no referee to protect Bayern from Porto, unlike Benfica in the Portuguese league.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 16, 2015, 04:57:42 AM
Quote from: Liep on April 15, 2015, 05:53:09 PM
Quote from: celedhring on April 15, 2015, 05:04:37 PM
Holy Christ, Luís Suárez.  :worthy:

Close those legs, David Luiz.  :pinch:

:lol:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CCqpBspW0AAKlAF.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 16, 2015, 05:11:03 AM
People are slagging Luiz a bit unfairly.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fk2EdcMR.gif&hash=fb5f486a527e7f1c6973d197d7fd7ce52b2c9235)

He barely leaves a gap here. Suárez is just sooooo good.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 16, 2015, 05:33:22 AM
Yeah, he's good, but twice in one game and it's inevitable that you're called out for it.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fpupd727.gif&hash=95acefd6da1dc80f8f6f88c5c931a1b39a8a984f)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 16, 2015, 02:54:33 PM
Luis Suarez is amazing and my favorite footballer. :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on April 16, 2015, 04:16:22 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 16, 2015, 02:54:33 PM
Luis Suarez is amazing and my favorite footballer. :wub:
:x
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on April 21, 2015, 02:41:45 PM
Bayern destroyed Porto in the first half. Reminded me a bit of the Germany - Brazil game...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 21, 2015, 04:01:55 PM
Porto really missed Danilo and Alex Sandro since it meant no true right and left backs available. :( There was like a bit of hope for 10-15 mins in the second half. But that first half...

No surprises in Barcelona despite the return of the great Zlatan. Cavani undecisive again. PSG was never in a position to qualify so no regrets.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 21, 2015, 04:54:16 PM
Just saw the score to the Bayern game :o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 21, 2015, 05:12:29 PM
Yeah, especially after the first leg :lol:
Think I missed something today
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 22, 2015, 01:52:11 AM
David Luiz is a joke; glad it was our turn to laugh at his expense.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 22, 2015, 04:22:49 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 22, 2015, 01:52:11 AM
David Luiz is a joke; glad it was our turn to laugh at his expense.

I just read he was sold by Chelsea for £50,000,000. Woah. I've never seen him play for Chelsea, only in the WC '14 and these two Barca games, so I might not have seen his good games. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 22, 2015, 10:53:09 AM
What team is biggest where, according to twitter.

https://interactive.twitter.com/premierleague

I wonder why Chelsea has the Latin market cornered.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 22, 2015, 11:32:26 AM
If this uses tweets *about* a team without discriminating content, there's plenty of schadenfreude over here regarding Mourinho.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 22, 2015, 11:35:56 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 22, 2015, 11:32:26 AM
If this uses tweets *about* a team without discriminating content, there's plenty of schadenfreude over here regarding Mourinho.

I think it just measures followers by region.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 22, 2015, 11:52:09 AM
Hum yeah, I guess it's that.

Liverpool was the most popular English team over here until they sacked Benítez. It's true that nowadays you see more Chelsea shirts than from any other English team; I don't know why. Regular Spanish football fans pay little attention to the PL though, so I guess you don't need many people to move the needle.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 26, 2015, 10:14:15 AM
No Spanish love for Roberto Martinez? :weep: :P

Also, on a related note :w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 26, 2015, 10:26:59 AM
I always wondered why no Spanish club approached him while he was at Wigan or Swansea.

We're just too insular when it comes to football; if you play/manage outside of Spain you don't exist, unless it's for one of the really big foreign clubs (and still).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 26, 2015, 11:50:13 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 26, 2015, 10:26:59 AM
I always wondered why no Spanish club approached him while he was at Wigan or Swansea.

We're just too insular when it comes to football; if you play/manage outside of Spain you don't exist, unless it's for one of the really big foreign clubs (and still).

Same for players. Carlos Cuéllar was a top notch defender for Aston Villa for several years and never got the slightlest nod or acknowledgement from here. At the same time, Albiol, a reserve at Real Madrid, got capped regularly for Spain because of a lack of central defenders at the national team.

It doesn't help that Martínez's career has taken place mostly in the UK. He's virtually unkown over here.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 26, 2015, 02:06:22 PM
Went to a local bar where most Arsenal supporters here flock to on weekends for the game today. Place was packed to capacity and I met Terry Neill  :bowler: Wonderful time there this morning.

But of course Arsenal got Mourinho'ed  :frusty:

At least it wasn't unexpected. And Everton trounced United.  :) :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 28, 2015, 09:20:56 AM
Until he denies it I'll assume it's Warspite:

http://www.unilad.co.uk/articles/lad-makes-girlfriend-take-arsenal-test/

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 28, 2015, 05:41:50 PM
"Boys, let's make up a little rule to make this a bit more interesting; whoever scores a goal has to assist the next".

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CDs64euWIAAg-Pt.png)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on April 28, 2015, 05:47:31 PM
That's nuts.

Do you think they were just dicking around?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on April 29, 2015, 03:24:42 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 28, 2015, 09:20:56 AM
Until he denies it I'll assume it's Warspite:

http://www.unilad.co.uk/articles/lad-makes-girlfriend-take-arsenal-test/

:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on April 29, 2015, 05:25:56 AM
Robben out for the rest of the season, thanks Bayern! Now we definitely won't qualify for the World Cup.
Getting kicked out of the WC by Germany before it even starts.  :lol:  :(

edit: Euro'16 of course, not the WC. Though that could well happen too  <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on April 29, 2015, 06:41:35 AM
Barca's in fine form.

My local club has a few Spaniards in the team. Mostly former second division ones. And they have that little "something".

We also have a former US College footballer who was drafted by New York City before he got fucked up really well by a knee injury. So far, this team has won 0 in 2. Football hates me.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 29, 2015, 07:28:13 AM
DORSET IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE!!!! :blink: :w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on April 29, 2015, 07:32:33 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 29, 2015, 07:28:13 AM
DORSET IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE!!!! :blink: :w00t:

Chances of staying for more than one year?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 29, 2015, 07:46:52 AM
...Poor.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on April 29, 2015, 01:09:14 PM
Bayern went out of the German cup against Dortmund with four missed penalties. They lost Robben and Lewandowski in the game.

Barcelona will destroy them in the semi finals of the CL this year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on April 29, 2015, 04:15:43 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 29, 2015, 07:28:13 AM
DORSET IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE!!!! :blink: :w00t:

Bournemouth is hands down the best footballing side I have seen the Championship.

What Eddie Howe has done reminds of a certain big-headed northerner in the East Midlands.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 29, 2015, 04:40:51 PM
Quote from: Zanza on April 29, 2015, 01:09:14 PM
Bayern went out of the German cup against Dortmund with four missed penalties. They lost Robben and Lewandowski in the game.

Barcelona will destroy them in the semi finals of the CL this year.

We are a giant with feet of clay, tbh. Lots of firepower upfront, but I have seen too many good teams carve us up this season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 02, 2015, 10:37:14 AM
A thought, something that could be worth studying; I wonder if there is a correlation between a team playing poorer than usual and playing against a team wearing their regular colours.

I mean, if you go most of the year with it in your head instinctually that you have to look out for a the guys in yellow, then suddenly one day your team is in blue and the opposition is in yellow....there could be some statistical anomaly of more passes going astray.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 02, 2015, 11:08:58 AM
Nowadays most teams play roughly the same amount of games in their home and away shirts, though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on May 02, 2015, 01:29:31 PM
Given the amount of yellow tops used during training, I doubt even thickos like footballers would fail to recognise their own team mates.

Mostly, for sides that can't constantly sign the best players, football is still about tactics and confidence.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 02, 2015, 02:01:59 PM
Of course thinking about it for a millisecond and you know you're wearing blue today, but when its purely on instinct I think a few slip ups may happen.
I'm not thinking of teams with common colours here for whom playing in the away kit against another team wearing the same colours is common, but rather of teams with less common colours for whom playing against another team with the same kit is a once a season occurrence, if that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on May 02, 2015, 02:17:15 PM
Quote from: celedhring on April 28, 2015, 09:20:56 AM
Until he denies it I'll assume it's Warspite:

http://www.unilad.co.uk/articles/lad-makes-girlfriend-take-arsenal-test/

:ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 03, 2015, 09:41:33 AM
Chelsea are the Mayweather of football.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 05, 2015, 03:47:01 PM
La Vecchia Signora! :w00t:

Mostly just glad that Real got beaten. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 05, 2015, 03:49:48 PM
They'll still win the tie, sadly.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 05, 2015, 03:51:38 PM
Quote from: celedhring on May 05, 2015, 03:49:48 PM
They'll still win the tie, sadly.

This way there's at least hope.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 06, 2015, 04:31:56 AM
The Spanish Footballers Association is considering to go on strike to protest against their tax burden.  :bleeding:

Millionaires on strike because of their taxes, yeah, that will go down well in a country ravaged by a recession.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 06, 2015, 04:59:28 AM
I'd like to see them try just to see how much stuff will be thrown at them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 06, 2015, 06:37:51 AM
Rich folk just don't have a clue....look at the ones on this forum
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 06, 2015, 03:43:01 PM
Barçagasm  :showoff:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 06, 2015, 04:18:55 PM
They're awesome.

Looks like an all Spanish clash for the final....(I know Juve won leg one...but that away goal's gonna bite them in the arse)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 06, 2015, 04:21:54 PM
First Barca match I've seen in a while. Messi. :worthy:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 06, 2015, 04:27:38 PM
Boateng in the second goal was like:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fstream1.gifsoup.com%2Fview2%2F20140210%2F4975326%2Ffalling-tree-o.gif&hash=0a88211b197a0dcd494b9fa921772927b7c9c996)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 06, 2015, 04:32:25 PM
:yes: When he saw how fast Messi's cut was his body went: "Oh fuck that, I'm out."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 06, 2015, 04:38:22 PM
Quote from: celedhring on May 06, 2015, 04:31:56 AM
The Spanish Footballers Association is considering to go on strike to protest against their tax burden.  :bleeding:

Millionaires on strike because of their taxes, yeah, that will go down well in a country ravaged by a recession.

And now the football union wants to suspend all tournaments because they don't get a big enough cut from the TV rights. Spain. :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on May 06, 2015, 06:48:55 PM
Quote from: Liep on May 06, 2015, 04:38:22 PM
Quote from: celedhring on May 06, 2015, 04:31:56 AM
The Spanish Footballers Association is considering to go on strike to protest against their tax burden.  :bleeding:

Millionaires on strike because of their taxes, yeah, that will go down well in a country ravaged by a recession.

And now the football union wants to suspend all tournaments because they don't get a big enough cut from the TV rights. Spain. :lol:

I know that labor relations are a lot different in Europe, but from an American perspective, that makes a lot more sense than striking over taxes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 07, 2015, 12:51:25 PM
Always felt disappointed that I was too young during Pele's tenure, and need to remind myself to appreciate that I'm living in the reign of the greatest football player ever.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 07, 2015, 12:52:26 PM
Quote from: Josephus on May 07, 2015, 12:51:25 PM
Always felt disappointed that I was too young during Pele's tenure, and need to remind myself to appreciate that I'm living in the reign of the greatest football player ever.

:yes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 07, 2015, 12:53:53 PM
Quote from: dps on May 06, 2015, 06:48:55 PM
Quote from: Liep on May 06, 2015, 04:38:22 PM
Quote from: celedhring on May 06, 2015, 04:31:56 AM
The Spanish Footballers Association is considering to go on strike to protest against their tax burden.  :bleeding:

Millionaires on strike because of their taxes, yeah, that will go down well in a country ravaged by a recession.

And now the football union wants to suspend all tournaments because they don't get a big enough cut from the TV rights. Spain. :lol:

I know that labor relations are a lot different in Europe, but from an American perspective, that makes a lot more sense than striking over taxes.

I've never heard anyone strike over taxes before either. So both are surprising to me.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 07, 2015, 01:05:58 PM
Quote from: Liep on May 07, 2015, 12:53:53 PM
Quote from: dps on May 06, 2015, 06:48:55 PM
Quote from: Liep on May 06, 2015, 04:38:22 PM
Quote from: celedhring on May 06, 2015, 04:31:56 AM
The Spanish Footballers Association is considering to go on strike to protest against their tax burden.  :bleeding:

Millionaires on strike because of their taxes, yeah, that will go down well in a country ravaged by a recession.

And now the football union wants to suspend all tournaments because they don't get a big enough cut from the TV rights. Spain. :lol:

I know that labor relations are a lot different in Europe, but from an American perspective, that makes a lot more sense than striking over taxes.

I've never heard anyone strike over taxes before either. So both are surprising to me.

The French league threatened to do it when Hollande tried to raise max tax to 75%.

Anyway, the footballers association have left out the tax issues off their "official" demand list for this particular strike, making it only about TV money sharing. They say they will pursue other ways to get their tax issues addressed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 07, 2015, 01:07:21 PM
Probably not *the* goofiest strike in European history.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 08, 2015, 01:23:04 PM
This year's batch of black sheep who failed to live up to Financial Fair Play:

AS Roma, AS Monaco, Sporting Lissabon, Besiktas, FC Kuban Krasnodar og Lokomotiv Moskva (Only 22 players for European matches)
Inter FC (21 players)
CSKA Sofia, Kardemir Karabukspor og Rostov (Fines only)

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on May 08, 2015, 01:27:03 PM
How could fucking PSG pass FFP?

These rules are too little, and too bloody late.
Unless you ban Man City, Real Madrid, AC Milan, Chelsea and every other club living off some rich sugar daddy or in perpetual debt supported by swarthy chairmen and municipal governments from entering at all and make them pay all their TV income as fines, the problem won't go away. These fuckers are killing football.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on May 08, 2015, 01:33:51 PM
So Canada is hosting the Women's World Cup.  Yay I guess.

And somehow when nobody else volunteered I got stuck being my kids U6 head coach.

What do these two things have in common?

There is apparently a FIFA rule that no organized soccer matches can be played in a city while there is a world cup match being played.  And sure enough - one of my kids games is set the same time there is a game being played in Edmonton.  So they make us cancel the game.

Right - because a bunch of 5 year olds are going to be sure to go down to Commonwealth Stadium to watch a women's world cup match. :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on May 08, 2015, 02:11:43 PM
Don't try to make sense of FIFA rules regarding World Cups.
The FIFA is a bit like the IOC, but more corrupt.

So, do you find kids coaching fun?

Up until 11-12 years of age, girls and boys are about on par when it comes to physical capability and there's no reason girls shouldn't have the same skill as boys.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 08, 2015, 02:58:22 PM
I once was a coach in a women's football team. It was quite fun. And no, I don't mean *that* kind of fun.

The team was frankly terrible though, poor girls disbanded after one season. The league was just way too tough; they were part-timers and the teams we played against had girls so big that could have twatted even me.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on May 08, 2015, 02:59:40 PM
Quote from: Norgy on May 08, 2015, 02:11:43 PM
Don't try to make sense of FIFA rules regarding World Cups.
The FIFA is a bit like the IOC, but more corrupt.

So, do you find kids coaching fun?

Up until 11-12 years of age, girls and boys are about on par when it comes to physical capability and there's no reason girls shouldn't have the same skill as boys.

I dunno.  As I whined about before, I don't really know anything about soccer.  But at this level you really don't - kids are playing 3 per side, with no goalie, to try and encourage lots of goals.  Lots of running around by the coaches just trying to make sure everyone stays on the playinf field, and doesn't go chasing after the ball two fields over.  :D  Also important to remind the kids what net to air for.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 08, 2015, 03:05:45 PM
My suggestion would be to spend a considerable amount of time practicing kicking with the off foot.  Based on my knowledge of basketball, it's one thing you don't pick up playing unorganized ball, and I imagine it's a lot easier if you learn it young.

I would also imagine you will not see a significant fall off in quality of play.  :sleep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on May 08, 2015, 03:12:15 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on May 08, 2015, 03:05:45 PM
My suggestion would be to spend a considerable amount of time practicing kicking with the off foot.  Based on my knowledge of basketball, it's one thing you don't pick up playing unorganized ball, and I imagine it's a lot easier if you learn it young.

I would also imagine you will not see a significant fall off in quality of play.  :sleep:

We're spending more time just learning not to be afraid of the ball, or not falling down when you go to kick the ball.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 08, 2015, 03:15:14 PM
Quote from: Barrister on May 08, 2015, 03:12:15 PM
We're spending more time just learning not to be afraid of the ball, or not falling down when you go to kick the ball.
:D

OK, but right after verticality maintenance is achieved, practice the off foot.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 08, 2015, 03:20:13 PM
I would say master the best foot first.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on May 08, 2015, 05:27:13 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on May 08, 2015, 03:05:45 PM
My suggestion would be to spend a considerable amount of time practicing kicking with the off foot.  Based on my knowledge of basketball, it's one thing you don't pick up playing unorganized ball, and I imagine it's a lot easier if you learn it young.

I would also imagine you will not see a significant fall off in quality of play.  :sleep:

Genuine two-footers are few and far between. If you're a forward, being able to shoot with both feet is a pretty good ability, same if you're playing out wide for hitting crosses.

The two most pertinent things to learn as a kid in soccer are most likely to be comfortable on the ball, and that you are not the only player on your team.
I was horrifyingly right-footed and could only play short passes with my left foot.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 08, 2015, 05:36:27 PM
I only used my right foot to walk, tbf, I had a decent left peg though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on May 08, 2015, 06:16:23 PM
The twins formed a flying wedge with their friend and ran over everybody. Kid soccer is awesome.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 08, 2015, 08:42:47 PM
Quote from: Barrister on May 08, 2015, 01:33:51 PM
So Canada is hosting the Women's World Cup.  Yay I guess.

And somehow when nobody else volunteered I got stuck being my kids U6 head coach.

What do these two things have in common?

There is apparently a FIFA rule that no organized soccer matches can be played in a city while there is a world cup match being played.  And sure enough - one of my kids games is set the same time there is a game being played in Edmonton.  So they make us cancel the game.

Right - because a bunch of 5 year olds are going to be sure to go down to Commonwealth Stadium to watch a women's world cup match. :rolleyes:

You're shitting me, right? That's just crazy
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on May 08, 2015, 08:45:58 PM
Quote from: Barrister on May 08, 2015, 01:33:51 PM
So Canada is hosting the Women's World Cup.  Yay I guess.

And somehow when nobody else volunteered I got stuck being my kids U6 head coach.

What do these two things have in common?

There is apparently a FIFA rule that no organized soccer matches can be played in a city while there is a world cup match being played.  And sure enough - one of my kids games is set the same time there is a game being played in Edmonton.  So they make us cancel the game.

Right - because a bunch of 5 year olds are going to be sure to go down to Commonwealth Stadium to watch a women's world cup match. :rolleyes:

You should have bribed FIFA as is the norm.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 09, 2015, 03:12:50 AM
Quote from: PDH on May 08, 2015, 08:45:58 PM
Quote from: Barrister on May 08, 2015, 01:33:51 PM
So Canada is hosting the Women's World Cup.  Yay I guess.

And somehow when nobody else volunteered I got stuck being my kids U6 head coach.

What do these two things have in common?

There is apparently a FIFA rule that no organized soccer matches can be played in a city while there is a world cup match being played.  And sure enough - one of my kids games is set the same time there is a game being played in Edmonton.  So they make us cancel the game.

Right - because a bunch of 5 year olds are going to be sure to go down to Commonwealth Stadium to watch a women's world cup match. :rolleyes:

You should have bribed FIFA as is the norm.

"Nice kid soccer game you have there, would be a pity if something happened to it"
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on May 09, 2015, 01:41:17 PM
We had the "David Cameron derby" today in football - at least according to the commentator. :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on May 09, 2015, 02:11:57 PM
At least Milliband knew what his favourite team was.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 10, 2015, 04:40:55 PM
 :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 12, 2015, 02:03:12 PM
I was going to say Barça might actually fuck this up, but then Messi, Suarez and Neymar play their game for 10 seconds and they bag the game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on May 12, 2015, 02:06:07 PM
Quote from: Josephus on May 08, 2015, 08:42:47 PM
Quote from: Barrister on May 08, 2015, 01:33:51 PM
So Canada is hosting the Women's World Cup.  Yay I guess.

And somehow when nobody else volunteered I got stuck being my kids U6 head coach.

What do these two things have in common?

There is apparently a FIFA rule that no organized soccer matches can be played in a city while there is a world cup match being played.  And sure enough - one of my kids games is set the same time there is a game being played in Edmonton.  So they make us cancel the game.

Right - because a bunch of 5 year olds are going to be sure to go down to Commonwealth Stadium to watch a women's world cup match. :rolleyes:

You're shitting me, right? That's just crazy

I am not shitting you.  No minor soccer games in Edmonton (or any other World Cup city) if there is a game going on in that city.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 12, 2015, 02:19:22 PM
Boateng proves to be useless again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on May 12, 2015, 02:32:31 PM
Quote from: Barrister on May 12, 2015, 02:06:07 PM

I am not shitting you.  No minor soccer games in Edmonton (or any other World Cup city) if there is a game going on in that city.

It makes no sense, so I can see FIFA getting behind it with great enthusiasm.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 13, 2015, 02:11:46 PM
Ugh.  :x
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 13, 2015, 03:05:03 PM
never have i cheered for juve so much

:)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 13, 2015, 03:11:24 PM
I've been a Juve fan since I was wee. Really. I swear.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 13, 2015, 03:38:42 PM
Casillas. Oh dear.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 13, 2015, 03:39:50 PM
Casillas' throw in will be the most giffed moment of this week.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 13, 2015, 03:40:26 PM
And also: YAY!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 13, 2015, 03:45:38 PM
Quote from: Liep on May 13, 2015, 03:40:26 PM
And also: YAY!

No classico for champions League  :)

go Barca.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 13, 2015, 03:52:42 PM
Goddamn, it's clásico. We don't double the s in Spanish.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 13, 2015, 03:53:53 PM
 :blush:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 13, 2015, 03:55:15 PM
http://futbol.as.com/futbol/imagenes/2015/05/13/champions/1431549743_813407_1431549809_noticia_grande.jpg

:yeah: :yeah: :yeah:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on May 13, 2015, 03:59:45 PM
I loathe Italian football.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 13, 2015, 04:03:32 PM
Quote from: Josephus on May 13, 2015, 03:53:53 PM
:blush:

Sorry for the outburst, it's a pet peeve of mine. :hug:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 13, 2015, 04:38:00 PM
I know it's probably unfair to single this moment out. But it's fucking hilarious.

https://vine.co/v/eKM92j0g5Aj

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 13, 2015, 05:59:00 PM
Good prevails.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 13, 2015, 06:03:06 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 13, 2015, 05:59:00 PM
Good prevails.

It's still an Italian team. Lawful Neutral at best, imho.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 13, 2015, 06:18:13 PM
We are spared a clásico final. I am happy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 13, 2015, 06:23:01 PM
Everybody should be happy. The next few weeks would be absolutely unbearable over here. Now we'll get plenty of merengue drama, though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 13, 2015, 06:33:54 PM
My schadenfreude counter is over 9000 at the moment, watching Spanish late night footie shows.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 13, 2015, 08:51:06 PM
Quote from: The Larch on May 13, 2015, 04:03:32 PM
Quote from: Josephus on May 13, 2015, 03:53:53 PM
:blush:

Sorry for the outburst, it's a pet peeve of mine. :hug:

No problem. Lesson learned. :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 14, 2015, 01:53:39 AM
Quote from: The Larch on May 13, 2015, 04:03:32 PM
Quote from: Josephus on May 13, 2015, 03:53:53 PM
:blush:

Sorry for the outburst, it's a pet peeve of mine. :hug:

We call it "El Clàssic" over here  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 14, 2015, 07:14:16 AM
Quote from: celedhring on May 13, 2015, 06:33:54 PM
My schadenfreude counter is over 9000 at the moment, watching Spanish late night footie shows.

The Spanish sports papers sure know how to write about failure.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fekstrabladet.dk%2Fincoming%2Farticle5564124.ece%2FIMAGE_ALTERNATES%2Fp600%2FMarca%2520forside.png&hash=6ac269be5530af7c97b625cad7d60939d39f4dce)
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fekstrabladet.dk%2Fincoming%2Farticle5564129.ece%2FIMAGE_ALTERNATES%2Fp600%2FMundo%2520deportivo%2520Forside.png&hash=fe54ffff59154701da96151cc7a0a221ca252b71)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 14, 2015, 07:25:30 AM
Spanish sport rags dial it up to 12 on ocasions like these.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on May 14, 2015, 04:36:50 PM
Quote from: celedhring on May 13, 2015, 06:03:06 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 13, 2015, 05:59:00 PM
Good prevails.

It's still an Italian team. Lawful Neutral at best, imho.
I wouldn't define Lawful a team that was sent in Serie B following Calciopoli.

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 15, 2015, 02:17:14 AM
Quote from: Pedrito on May 14, 2015, 04:36:50 PM
Quote from: celedhring on May 13, 2015, 06:03:06 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 13, 2015, 05:59:00 PM
Good prevails.

It's still an Italian team. Lawful Neutral at best, imho.
I wouldn't define Lawful a team that was sent in Serie B following Calciopoli.

L.

As a baseline we must assume that all Italian teams cheat, and so we can't fault Juventus more just because they got caught.

:P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 15, 2015, 03:12:51 AM
With Moggi in charge it can be argued that they were Neutral Evil at that time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 17, 2015, 04:38:23 PM
Champions  :w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 19, 2015, 07:15:44 AM
So Xavi is moving to Qatar. I really, really want to see his pay check. He's one of those players who deserves a few quiet seasons while earning ridiculous money before he gets chewed up by fans and media once he starts coaching. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 19, 2015, 08:06:22 AM
Quote from: Liep on May 19, 2015, 07:15:44 AM
So Xavi is moving to Qatar. I really, really want to see his pay check. He's one of those players who deserves a few quiet seasons while earning ridiculous money before he gets chewed up by fans and media once he starts coaching. :P

He reportedly gets less per season than at Barça, but with a longer contract.

And yes, we love to overhype and then eat and spit out our legends over here.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 19, 2015, 08:20:53 AM
Quote from: celedhring on May 19, 2015, 08:06:22 AM
He reportedly gets less per season than at Barça, but with a longer contract.

With 0% tax I'm sure.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 19, 2015, 08:22:25 AM
Quote from: celedhring on May 19, 2015, 08:06:22 AM
Quote from: Liep on May 19, 2015, 07:15:44 AM
So Xavi is moving to Qatar. I really, really want to see his pay check. He's one of those players who deserves a few quiet seasons while earning ridiculous money before he gets chewed up by fans and media once he starts coaching. :P

He reportedly gets less per season than at Barça, but with a longer contract.

And yes, we love to overhype and then eat and spit out our legends over here.

Over/under on how long it'll take him to coach Barcelona?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 19, 2015, 08:56:40 AM
Quote from: The Larch on May 19, 2015, 08:22:25 AM
Quote from: celedhring on May 19, 2015, 08:06:22 AM
Quote from: Liep on May 19, 2015, 07:15:44 AM
So Xavi is moving to Qatar. I really, really want to see his pay check. He's one of those players who deserves a few quiet seasons while earning ridiculous money before he gets chewed up by fans and media once he starts coaching. :P

He reportedly gets less per season than at Barça, but with a longer contract.

And yes, we love to overhype and then eat and spit out our legends over here.

Over/under on how long it'll take him to coach Barcelona?

Two consecutive second place finishes. Three at best.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 21, 2015, 12:19:09 PM
Luis Figo is out of the race for FIFA presidency. He did not have kind parting words. :lol:

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/32826308
Quote"I travelled and met extraordinary people who, though they recognized the value of much that had been done, also concurred with the need for change, one that cleans up Fifa's reputation as an obscure organization that is so often viewed as a place of corruption," he said.
"But over the past few months I have not only witnessed that desire [for change], I have witnessed consecutive incidents, all over the world, that should shame anyone who desires soccer to be free, clean and democratic.
"I have seen with my own eyes federation presidents who, after one day comparing Fifa leaders to the devil, then go on stage and compare those same people with Jesus Christ. Nobody told me about this. I saw it with my own eyes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 21, 2015, 12:23:38 PM
Good. I know he was fighting the good fight, but he's still Luís Fucking Judas Figo. May he rot in hell while an army of devils fondle his testicles with hot irons.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 21, 2015, 12:24:03 PM
Somebody is surprised that there's gambling going on in this establishment.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 21, 2015, 12:25:53 PM
Quote from: celedhring on May 21, 2015, 12:23:38 PM
Good. I know he was fighting the good fight, but he's still Luís Fucking Judas Figo. May he rot in hell while an army of devils fondle his testicles with hot irons.

Is this also your opinion about our national treasure Señor Laudrup? :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on May 21, 2015, 12:27:29 PM
So we don't keep score in kids U6 soccer, but I'm pretty sure even 4 and 5 year olds can tell that we're getting blown out by about 20-0 in every game.  I think my team has scored 2 goals in three games so far.

:(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 21, 2015, 12:28:47 PM
Quote from: celedhring on May 21, 2015, 12:23:38 PM
Good. I know he was fighting the good fight, but he's still Luís Fucking Judas Figo. May he rot in hell while an army of devils fondle his testicles with rusty forks.

Bah, switching from Barça to Real, who cares in this football mercenary age. Dealing with the likes of José Sócrates or Kadyrov (nice watch can I have it? Da!) should have taught him a thing or two about rotten politicians. Guess he found the next level with Blatter and the like.

PS: he does not recall being a "friend" of Sócrates anymore. A friendship bought by Sócrates for popularity reasons. Still Figo is right about FIFA.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 21, 2015, 12:40:56 PM
Quote from: Liep on May 21, 2015, 12:25:53 PM
Quote from: celedhring on May 21, 2015, 12:23:38 PM
Good. I know he was fighting the good fight, but he's still Luís Fucking Judas Figo. May he rot in hell while an army of devils fondle his testicles with hot irons.

Is this also your opinion about our national treasure Señor Laudrup? :(

He was forced out, so he gets a pass. Signing for Madrid tarnished his image, so he hasn't been inducted into our altars like Koeman or Stoichkov have, but he isn't hated.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 21, 2015, 01:01:00 PM
Quote from: Barrister on May 21, 2015, 12:27:29 PM
So we don't keep score in kids U6 soccer, but I'm pretty sure even 4 and 5 year olds can tell that we're getting blown out by about 20-0 in every game.  I think my team has scored 2 goals in three games so far.

:(

Fifa Women's world cup break might be a blessing. :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on May 24, 2015, 09:31:09 AM
LOL, Liverpool
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on May 24, 2015, 09:45:10 AM
LOLZ
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 24, 2015, 09:59:40 AM
Oh dear.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 24, 2015, 12:31:03 PM
They should try to get Klopp because lol Rodgers lmao
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 24, 2015, 03:17:23 PM
Yup I guess this was his last game for Liverpool. And I don't mean Gerrard
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: jimmy olsen on May 27, 2015, 12:58:29 AM
Ten FIFA officials arrested in Switzerland for bribery charges relating to the World Cup in Qatar.

http://screamer.deadspin.com/reports-justice-department-brings-the-goddamn-hammer-d-1707109298
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 27, 2015, 01:04:02 AM
Man, if the yanks end up saving football. There'll be no end to it.

I hope they go all RICO on FIFA tbf.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: jimmy olsen on May 27, 2015, 01:12:10 AM
Quote from: celedhring on May 27, 2015, 01:04:02 AM
Man, if the yanks end up saving football. There'll be no end to it.

I hope they go all RICO on FIFA tbf.
Jeffrey Webb, a Fifa vice-president and president of the Concacaf was among those arrested

http://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2015/may/27/fifa-officials-arrested-on-corruption-charges-live
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 27, 2015, 02:28:59 AM
Nice to see that Jack Warner's legacy is alive and well.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on May 27, 2015, 04:03:26 AM
Zeit.de is reporting that Switzerland is also opening an investigation into corruption charges regarding the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 27, 2015, 04:05:11 AM
Fantastic news, this. I hope that the yanks threaten them with 10 years in Gitmo so the little pigs squeal and we can get the big hoss.

Pleasepleaseplease arrest the head of the Spanish FA while you're at it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on May 27, 2015, 04:25:40 AM
Tagesschau reports that Swiss police raided FIFA HQ and confiscated electronic data and documents pertaining to the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, plus bank data.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgifrific.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F08%2FChristoph-Waltz-Dancing-in-Chair-Inglourious-Basterds.gif&hash=7b14c02eabadb7a8ea5752506c0e9b6c90dcd7c8)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 27, 2015, 05:04:49 AM
Quote from: Syt on May 27, 2015, 04:25:40 AM
Tagesschau reports that Swiss police raided FIFA HQ and confiscated electronic data and documents pertaining to the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, plus bank data.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgifrific.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F08%2FChristoph-Waltz-Dancing-in-Chair-Inglourious-Basterds.gif&hash=7b14c02eabadb7a8ea5752506c0e9b6c90dcd7c8)

If only... :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 27, 2015, 05:56:51 AM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgifrific.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F08%2FChristoph-Waltz-Dancing-in-Chair-Inglourious-Basterds.gif&hash=7b14c02eabadb7a8ea5752506c0e9b6c90dcd7c8)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on May 27, 2015, 06:25:34 AM
 :nelson:

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on May 27, 2015, 06:30:41 AM
Prediction: they will end up with a (financial) slap on the wrist, and promise to never, ever do it again (so obviously).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: DGuller on May 27, 2015, 06:57:10 AM
Woah, holy crap. :o I had no idea FIFA was so crooked.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on May 27, 2015, 07:00:52 AM
FIFA press conference: "We're glad this happened. We're the victims of this corruption!"

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fabovethelaw.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F09%2FRenault.gif&hash=481527da251d8d63036b15cd802d1e170dad0c6b)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on May 27, 2015, 07:15:26 AM
'You're Qatar bribe sir'

'Thank you very much.'
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 27, 2015, 08:03:33 AM
Quote from: celedhring on May 27, 2015, 01:04:02 AM
Man, if the yanks end up saving football. There'll be no end to it.

I hope they go all RICO on FIFA tbf.

If the Yanks arrest Blatter, I won't knock their calling the game soccer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on May 27, 2015, 08:07:03 AM
Quote from: Josephus on May 27, 2015, 08:03:33 AM
Quote from: celedhring on May 27, 2015, 01:04:02 AM
Man, if the yanks end up saving football. There'll be no end to it.

I hope they go all RICO on FIFA tbf.

If the Yanks arrest Blatter, I won't knock their calling the game soccer.
he has been doing this long enough that he probably knows how to protect himself. Others will fall, and they will be replaced by others and nothing will change.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 27, 2015, 10:09:55 AM
Quote from: Josephus on May 27, 2015, 08:03:33 AM
Quote from: celedhring on May 27, 2015, 01:04:02 AM
Man, if the yanks end up saving football. There'll be no end to it.

I hope they go all RICO on FIFA tbf.

If the Yanks arrest Blatter, I won't knock their calling the game soccer.

Part of the sentence will be changing the name to FISA. And playoffs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on May 27, 2015, 10:23:23 AM
That name would make no sense. Soccer just means asSOCiation football.

The Federation of international Association Associations?

But there should be playoffs. And no ties.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 27, 2015, 10:26:49 AM
The World Cup is a playoff. :mellow:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on May 27, 2015, 10:29:34 AM
World Cup USA 2022 is pretty much confirmed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 27, 2015, 10:31:26 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on May 27, 2015, 10:26:49 AM
The World Cup is a playoff. :mellow:

Not European domestic leagues though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 27, 2015, 01:12:56 PM
So we saved soccer after all. USA! USA! USA!

I've never been prouder to be an American.  :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 27, 2015, 01:31:42 PM
This shows how the US can be a force of Good in the world without resorting to military power. Go USA!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on May 27, 2015, 01:33:03 PM
Is the death penalty on the table?  :shifty:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on May 27, 2015, 01:35:32 PM
Quote from: Norgy on May 27, 2015, 01:33:03 PM
Is the death penalty on the table?  :shifty:

Only for treason, terrorism, espionage, murder, drug trafficking, or attempting to kill a federal court official. Surely FIFA has done all of that and more.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 27, 2015, 01:46:36 PM
Is there a chance FIFA or CONCACAF get RICOed?  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Habbaku on May 27, 2015, 04:48:13 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on May 27, 2015, 10:29:34 AM
World Cup USA 2022 is pretty much confirmed.

Nah, 2015:

http://www.theonion.com/article/fifa-frantically-announces-2015-summer-world-cup-u-50525
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on May 28, 2015, 05:15:22 AM
Quote from: Habbaku on May 27, 2015, 04:48:13 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on May 27, 2015, 10:29:34 AM
World Cup USA 2022 is pretty much confirmed.


Nah, 2015:

http://www.theonion.com/article/fifa-frantically-announces-2015-summer-world-cup-u-50525
:lol:

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 28, 2015, 05:55:22 AM
Putin's view on the subject: blame Yankee imperialism  :tinfoil:

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/may/28/vladimir-putin-fifa-united-states-meddling (http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/may/28/vladimir-putin-fifa-united-states-meddling)

QuoteVladimir Putin has accused the United States of meddling outside its jurisdiction by arresting officials from Fifa.

"This is yet another blatant attempt [by the United States] to extend its jurisdiction to other states," the Russian president said on Thursday.

Putin added that the arrests were a "clear attempt" to prevent the re-election of Fifa head Sepp Blatter and that the Swiss had Russia's backing.

"It looks very strange, the arrests are carried out on the request of the USA side," he said.

Live Fifa: Sepp Blatter under pressure amid arrests and World Cup inquiry - live
The latest news and updates on the crisis at Fifa, where Sepp Blatter is under increasing pressure to step down
Read more
"They are accused of corruption – who is? International officials. I suppose that someone broke some rules, I don't know. But definitely, it's got nothing to do with the USA. Those officials are not US citizens. If something happened it was not in the US and it's nothing to do with them.

"It's another clear attempt by the USA to spread its jurisdiction to other states. And I have no doubt – it's a clear attempt not to allow Mr Blatter to be re-elected as president of Fifa, which is a great violation of the operating principles of international organisations. The US prosecutor, as our media report, has already said that those Fifa officials have committed a crime. As if the prosecutor didn't know about the principle of the presumption of innocence."

Citing former US intelligence contractor Edward Snowden and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, both of whom have evaded prosecution in the United States by hiding abroad, Putin questioned Washington's right to request the Fifa officials' extradition.

"Unfortunately, our American partners use such methods to achieve their selfish aims and illegally persecute people. I do not rule out that in the case of Fifa, it's exactly the same," Putin said.

Russia won the rights to stage the 2018 World Cup under Blatter's auspices. That 2010 decision, along with the award to Qatar of the 2022 tournament, is the subject of a Swiss criminal investigation running parallel to the US action.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on May 28, 2015, 07:17:20 AM
http://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/news/y=2015/m=5/news=statement-by-fifa-president-blatter-2609360.html

QuoteStatement by FIFA President Blatter
(FIFA.com) 27 May 2015

This is a difficult time for football, the fans and for FIFA as an organisation. We understand the disappointment that many have expressed and I know that the events of today will impact the way in which many people view us.

As unfortunate as these events are, it should be clear that we welcome the actions and the investigations by the US and Swiss authorities and believe that it will help to reinforce measures that FIFA has already taken to root out any wrongdoing in football. :lol:

While there will be many who are frustrated with the pace of change, I would like to stress the actions that we have taken and will continue to take. In fact, today's action by the Swiss Office of the Attorney General was set in motion when we submitted a dossier to the Swiss authorities late last year.

Let me be clear: such misconduct has no place in football and we will ensure that those who engage in it are put out of the game. Following the events of today, the independent Ethics Committee – which is in the midst of its own proceedings regarding the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups - took swift action to provisionally ban those individuals named by the authorities from any football-related activities at the national and international level. These actions are on top of similar steps that FIFA has taken over the past year to exclude any members who violate our own Code of Ethics.

We will continue to work with the relevant authorities and we will work vigorously within FIFA in order to root out any misconduct, to regain your trust and ensure that football worldwide is free from wrongdoing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 30, 2015, 04:58:49 PM
Champions!  :w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 30, 2015, 07:53:01 PM
I have it on good authority that Arsenal, Arsenal FC, are by far the greatest team, the world has ever seen.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on May 31, 2015, 06:27:31 AM
:yeah:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 31, 2015, 06:34:22 AM
I'm still giggling like a little girl when I picture Messi's goal in my head again. Unbelievable stuff.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on May 31, 2015, 10:06:36 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 30, 2015, 07:53:01 PM
I have it on good authority that Arsenal, Arsenal FC, are by far the greatest team, the world has ever seen.

I heard several people say Nottingham Forest are magic, are magic, are magic. I have not seen it since the days of Bohinen, Pearce, Roy and Collymore, so it might have been a lie.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 31, 2015, 10:34:55 AM
I hope eufa do veto the World Cup.
Would be nice if we could drag the Latin Americans in for our own tournament for good teams :menace:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 01, 2015, 07:41:01 AM
Quote from: Tyr on May 31, 2015, 10:34:55 AM
I hope eufa do veto the World Cup.
Would be nice if we could drag the Latin Americans in for our own tournament for good teams :menace:

CONCACAF will do the same. Our World Cup will be a best 2 out of 3 between us and Mexico every four years.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on June 01, 2015, 07:59:27 AM
Quote from: Valmy on June 01, 2015, 07:41:01 AM
Quote from: Tyr on May 31, 2015, 10:34:55 AM
I hope eufa do veto the World Cup.
Would be nice if we could drag the Latin Americans in for our own tournament for good teams :menace:

CONCACAF will do the same. Our World Cup will be a best 2 out of 3 between us and Mexico every four years.

It will be called "World Series of Soccer."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 01, 2015, 08:04:16 AM
Quote from: Syt on June 01, 2015, 07:59:27 AM
It will be called "World Series of Soccer."

From a fellow baseball fan to :weep:

Anyway you should know it would therefore be the 'World Soccer Classic'.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on June 01, 2015, 08:08:54 AM
When I was a kid and I heard the "World Series" being alluded to in movies, I thought they were actual world series with baseball teams from all other the world competing in them. Kids are so naive.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 01, 2015, 08:15:27 AM
Quote from: celedhring on June 01, 2015, 08:08:54 AM
When I was a kid and I heard the "World Series" being alluded to in movies, I thought they were actual world series with baseball teams from all other the world competing in them. Kids are so naive.

Well we do have that. It is called the 'World Baseball Classic'. The name some 19th century business men came up with the market their inter-league championship series is something else. Now it is tradition so we are stuck with it. However, generally MLB does contain most of the top players from around the world...unlike a CONCACAF-only soccer championship :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on June 01, 2015, 12:07:03 PM
Quote from: Valmy on June 01, 2015, 08:15:27 AM
Quote from: celedhring on June 01, 2015, 08:08:54 AM
When I was a kid and I heard the "World Series" being alluded to in movies, I thought they were actual world series with baseball teams from all other the world competing in them. Kids are so naive.

Well we do have that. It is called the 'World Baseball Classic'. The name some 19th century business men came up with the market their inter-league championship series is something else. Now it is tradition so we are stuck with it. However, generally MLB does contain most of the top players from around the world.

The World Baseball Classic is kind of cool IMO.  Obviously it has no tradition or history behind it, and the timing of it isn't very good (before spring training), but it's kidn of fun none the less.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 01, 2015, 12:14:15 PM
Huge fan of the WBC. Though it does expose how far behind US Baseball development is behind the Dominicans and the Japanese.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on June 01, 2015, 12:17:24 PM
Isn't baseball still quite huge in Cuba? Maybe they'll join now.
La Habaña 59ers.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 01, 2015, 12:19:27 PM
Quote from: Norgy on June 01, 2015, 12:17:24 PM
Isn't baseball still quite huge in Cuba? Maybe they'll join now.
La Habaña 59ers.


They compete in the WBC. They have never won it though.

The Dutch beat them at the last one.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on June 01, 2015, 12:27:56 PM
While I suspect MLB would not mind expanding to central or even south america, the countries where baseball is huge really don't have the kind of incomes which would support MLB prices.

Cuba has always participated in the WBC.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 01, 2015, 12:29:32 PM
Quote from: Barrister on June 01, 2015, 12:27:56 PM
While I suspect MLB would not mind expanding to central or even south america, the countries where baseball is huge really don't have the kind of incomes which would support MLB prices.

Cuba has always participated in the WBC.

Oh does he mean a Major League club in Cuba? Heh the Canadians can hardly support theirs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on June 01, 2015, 12:41:00 PM
I admit I know as little about baseball as about cricket.

I seem to remember an old photo of Fidel, cigar in mouth, with a baseball bat, though.

Back to the FIFA thing.
Sports federations come and go. In the 30s, workers' clubs split off from the Norwegian Federation Of Sports and built their own federation.

It can be done again.
Let the Africans and Asians have their World Cup with Putin and the sheiks.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on June 01, 2015, 12:46:20 PM
Indeed
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 01, 2015, 12:47:18 PM
Again it kind of sounds like UEFA and CONMEBOL are not exactly squeaky clean themselves.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on June 01, 2015, 01:12:18 PM
Quote from: Valmy on June 01, 2015, 12:47:18 PM
Again it kind of sounds like UEFA and CONMEBOL are not exactly squeaky clean themselves.

Oh, they are not. The UEFA has destroyed the game in Europe.

John Oliver had a go at FIFA last night. It was glorious.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 01, 2015, 01:33:02 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qr6ar3xJL_Q

Nice. Will Europe truly love us if we lock up Blatter?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on June 01, 2015, 01:45:40 PM
I love the US. If you feel like beheading him on Times Square, I'd be for that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on June 02, 2015, 02:14:11 AM
So the referee made sure that Hamburg stayed in the Bundesliga ... they've sucked for several years now, delivering abysmal season after abysmal season, with no motivation on field, a new coach every few months, and yet the squeak by all the time. In the history of the Bundesliga (= since 1963) they're the only club that's always been on the top level (they even have a clock for that in their stadium), but it's about time they get trounced into oblivion.

EDIT: Just checked - they actually had 5(!) different coaches this season. :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on June 02, 2015, 05:07:09 AM
HSV - Nottingham Forest 0-1 (Santiago Bernabeu, 1980)

One of the first televised European Cup finals I saw.
A fat little Scotsman scored the winner.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on June 02, 2015, 05:44:27 AM
http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/jun/02/40-years-on-how-new-york-cosmos-lured-pele-to-a-football-wasteland

Nice blog post.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on June 02, 2015, 05:45:29 AM
Zenit St. petersburg celebrate their championship with a group photo.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi2.cdn.turner.com%2Fcnnnext%2Fdam%2Fassets%2F150601181840-zenit-tease-exlarge-169.jpg&hash=4019d308172824dcd59ff2334cba0df3869d4503)

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 02, 2015, 06:00:24 AM
Classier than Leicester's celebration.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on June 02, 2015, 06:38:09 AM
Quote from: Liep on June 02, 2015, 06:00:24 AM
Classier than Leicester's celebration.

:lol:

So group sex in Thailand is: not classy?  :ph34r:


A question for the North Americans. Do the old NASL clubs like New York Cosmos still exist?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on June 02, 2015, 07:16:11 AM
Yes, the NASL still exist & the Cosmos play in it.

(The league was reformed in 2011)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 02, 2015, 07:21:09 AM
The current NASL is a minor league though. MLS is what actually replaced the NASL.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 02, 2015, 07:24:47 AM
Since Raúl is now playing there the Spanish sports press won't shut up about the Cosmos. Apparently they don't give a fuck that Marcos Senna is also playing for the team, as well as another lesser Spanish player, because they're never mentioned at all.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 02, 2015, 07:26:12 AM
My hometown has a team in NASL and the soccer stadium they built is awesome and the games are awesome and NASL is awesome.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 02, 2015, 07:32:19 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on June 02, 2015, 07:26:12 AM
My hometown has a team in NASL and the soccer stadium they built is awesome and the games are awesome and NASL is awesome.

Go Scorpions!

Austin is now in the USL. That is kind of a mixed thing. Back when they were in the PDL the majority of the players were homegrown central Texans. Now that they are in Tier 3 that is coming to a close and that is a shame.

Edit: Looking at the current roster there are only 2 defenders and 1 forward are still locals. I liked it when it was our team with our local guys.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on June 02, 2015, 08:03:19 AM
Quote from: The Larch on June 02, 2015, 07:24:47 AM
Since Raúl is now playing there the Spanish sports press won't shut up about the Cosmos. Apparently they don't give a fuck that Marcos Senna is also playing for the team, as well as another lesser Spanish player, because they're never mentioned at all.

I like the Cosmos, I hope they get promoted to the MLS.

Oh wai--
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on June 02, 2015, 08:25:40 AM
I'm glad there is no promotion stuff in US soccer. Plus that college soccer annoys the soccer homos on fox sports one.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 02, 2015, 08:35:55 AM
Quote from: celedhring on June 02, 2015, 08:03:19 AM
I like the Cosmos, I hope they get promoted to the MLS.

Oh wai--

Clubs do get promoted all the time. It is just not based on actually winning games :P

However there are already two NYC clubs in MLS. I would be surprised if there was a third.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on June 02, 2015, 08:41:11 AM
My local team has a player who was drafted by New York City. He suffered a pre-season injury and was released. He is rather awesome. Norwegian, though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on June 02, 2015, 08:43:58 AM
I used to be able to get free tickets for the Columbus games. Now they don't hand them out like candy from a creeper van.  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on June 02, 2015, 08:50:42 AM
Quote from: celedhring on June 02, 2015, 08:03:19 AM
Quote from: The Larch on June 02, 2015, 07:24:47 AM
Since Raúl is now playing there the Spanish sports press won't shut up about the Cosmos. Apparently they don't give a fuck that Marcos Senna is also playing for the team, as well as another lesser Spanish player, because they're never mentioned at all.

I like the Cosmos, I hope they get promoted to the MLS.

Oh wai--

You laugh but promotion system is a tool of the devil & unamerican.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 02, 2015, 08:54:22 AM
I am a huge fan of the promotion system. It makes the shit owners and apathetic fanbases actually care. As it is you can just suck for decades with no real consequences.

But the business of sports over here make it completely impractical. The very idea of a minor league team being promoted to the major leagues in one of our major sports leagues is so ridiculous it does not even merit discussion.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: garbon on June 02, 2015, 08:59:19 AM
Quote from: Norgy on June 02, 2015, 06:38:09 AM
Quote from: Liep on June 02, 2015, 06:00:24 AM
Classier than Leicester's celebration.

:lol:

So group sex in Thailand is: not classy?  :ph34r:


There is so much of that I don't get:

1) Hiring a prostitute/prostitutes
2) Having sex in the same room as my friends while they were having sex (and swapping prostitutes...)
3) Making racially disparaging remarks about the race of person I was at the moment having sex with
4) Filming said orgy
5) Sharing the film of said orgy with my friends back home
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on June 02, 2015, 10:21:22 AM
Quote from: garbon on June 02, 2015, 08:59:19 AM
Quote from: Norgy on June 02, 2015, 06:38:09 AM
Quote from: Liep on June 02, 2015, 06:00:24 AM
Classier than Leicester's celebration.

:lol:

So group sex in Thailand is: not classy?  :ph34r:


There is so much of that I don't get:

1) Hiring a prostitute/prostitutes
2) Having sex in the same room as my friends while they were having sex (and swapping prostitutes...)
3) Making racially disparaging remarks about the race of person I was at the moment having sex with
4) Filming said orgy
5) Sharing the film of said orgy with my friends back home

It's rather puzzling to most people, I think.
Leicester City are often greeted with "You're not English anymore" chants from the opposition, due to the city being very diverse. Which only serves to make this even more puzzling.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on June 02, 2015, 11:49:38 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on June 02, 2015, 07:26:12 AM
My hometown has a team in NASL and the soccer stadium they built is awesome and the games are awesome and NASL is awesome.

Edmonton has  NASL - the imaginatively named FC Edmonton.

I really don't think awesome is the word you're looking for to describe the NASL.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 02, 2015, 11:51:03 AM
Football has been given a new chance. Hurray!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 04, 2015, 07:52:10 PM
Quote from: Barrister on June 02, 2015, 11:49:38 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on June 02, 2015, 07:26:12 AM
My hometown has a team in NASL and the soccer stadium they built is awesome and the games are awesome and NASL is awesome.

Edmonton has  NASL - the imaginatively named FC Edmonton.

I really don't think awesome is the word you're looking for to describe the NASL.

Canadian soccer sucks.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: MadBurgerMaker on June 04, 2015, 08:00:02 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on June 02, 2015, 07:26:12 AM
My hometown has a team in NASL and the soccer stadium they built is awesome and the games are awesome and NASL is awesome.

Hey there's a game on Saturday.  I should go down there and check it out.

E:  Oh wait, I don't want to go to Atlanta and get robbed and stabbed.  Next home game is the 13th.  Against Ottawa.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 04, 2015, 09:24:11 PM
Pitchside seats are cheap and it's a lot more fun shouting obscenities at the away team when they're only a few feet away from you  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: MadBurgerMaker on June 04, 2015, 09:35:28 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on June 04, 2015, 09:24:11 PM
Pitchside seats are cheap and it's a lot more fun shouting obscenities at the away team when they're only a few feet away from you  :D

Yeah, I was looking at some in one of the sections (129) by the "beer garden" right at the front:  $23.  Super cheap. 

E: And right by the beer, so bonus.  Im assuming there is beer available in the beer garden.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 05, 2015, 02:09:35 PM
Quote from: Valmy on June 02, 2015, 08:35:55 AM
Quote from: celedhring on June 02, 2015, 08:03:19 AM
I like the Cosmos, I hope they get promoted to the MLS.

Oh wai--


Clubs do get promoted all the time. It is just not based on actually winning games :P

However there are already two NYC clubs in MLS. I would be surprised if there was a third.

London has a bunch of teams in the English league.
A lot of tokyo area teams in the Japanese league for you more modern types too
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on June 07, 2015, 01:07:36 AM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Festaticos.sport.es%2Fresources%2Fjpg%2F6%2F8%2F1433626022786.jpg&hash=b1f142933aadd45228326b4246dda1647c4b0876)

:cheers:  :lol:  :showoff:  :w00t: :worthy: :yeah:

So happy. Can't even sleep from all the booze and excitement!!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 07, 2015, 05:04:48 AM
A fantastic team. Now if Neymar would only learn from Messi or Iniesta and stop being such a dick.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 07, 2015, 06:30:32 AM
Luis Suarez deserves this  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 07, 2015, 07:10:37 AM
Barcelona wins treble the same day American Pharoah wins the Triple Crown.

Coincidence??? :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 07, 2015, 12:16:19 PM
How will Tottenham waste their Kane millions?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on June 07, 2015, 07:49:09 PM
I do need to give a shout out to the Americans for winning against the Dutch 4-3 in a come back win without 3 of the US top players.  While the  team is  definitely not in the elite still, that was a good result.  Klinsmann has won a few big results on the road vs good teams - that is a positive thought.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on June 08, 2015, 02:58:17 AM
En route to the trophy, we beat the champion of England, the champion of France, the champion of Germany, and the champion of Italy. For once the CL lives up to its name.

Although we weren't champions of Spain...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 08, 2015, 01:28:24 PM
We're down 1-0 against Montenegro. MONTENEGRO.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 10, 2015, 03:59:55 AM
You can apply for tickets to be part of UEFA EURO 2016 from today till July 10th.
QuoteThere are 1 million tickets available in this window, which closes at 20.16CET on 10 July. Apply now for the best chance of getting UEFA EURO 2016 tickets, which will then be allocated by a random selection process after 10 July.

http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-finals/ticketing/index.html (http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-finals/ticketing/index.html)

Cheapest tickets start at 25 €
Cat 1: €145 / Cat 2: €105 / Cat 3: €55 / Cat 4: €25 (group matches and round of 16)


I'll likely be around next summer, so I'm game to guide any Languishite to a match in Paris and/or Saint-Denis. Unless Platini pulls a dirty trick and makes all Portugal games far from Paris, where most Portuguese people are.  :tinfoil:
I will apply first for some tickets in the Parc des Princes (Paris) as a blind buy first (30 min by métro from a place where I can crash), and will see where Portugal plays later.

Other stadia are in the North (Lille and Lens), very good for Brits as well, in the south-east (Marseille and Nice) good for Padanians or (North) Italians, in the south-west (Bordeaux and Toulouse), closer for Spaniards. Other remaining games are in Central France (Lyon and Saint-Etienne), for the Italians or the Swiss perhaps?
Sorry Germans, no stadium in Straßburg, Metz or Nanzig...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 12, 2015, 06:42:34 AM
Quote from: Liep on June 07, 2015, 05:04:48 AM
A fantastic team. Now if Neymar would only learn from Messi or Iniesta and stop being such a dick.

I like that Xavi basically called Neymar a douchebag at his Qatar press conference.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on June 12, 2015, 10:38:44 AM
There's a World Cup going on & no one is talking about it!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 12, 2015, 10:46:27 AM
Yawn

Norwegians are pretty hot.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 12, 2015, 10:47:42 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 12, 2015, 10:38:44 AM
There's a World Cup going on & no one is talking about it!

Because the USA's victory is an inevitability.

I think the most annoying thing about following a woman's sporting event is when you go to check the scores you get bombarded with articles about 'why you should give a shit about women's sports'

Fuck I do give a shit. I am here checking the damn scores aren't I? Damn preaching to the choir. It almost feels like they are trying to make us feel all smug for being so enlightened and progessive and shit as to watch ladies play with balls.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 12, 2015, 10:51:13 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 12, 2015, 10:38:44 AM
There's a World Cup going on & no one is talking about it!

Yeah yeah, sexism, etc. But it's just not at all interesting to watch; most of them lack speed, power, technique and flair. I might watch it from the final when there's enough good players on both teams to make it a proper game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 12, 2015, 10:53:04 AM
Quote from: Liep on June 12, 2015, 10:51:13 AM
Yeah yeah, sexism, etc. But it's just not at all interesting to watch; most of them lack speed, power, technique and flair. I might watch it from the final when there's enough good players on both teams to make it a proper game.

Ladies are smaller and slower. Not sure about technique, they are pretty much equivalent in skills to top men's players. Or at least they are generally, I don't pretend to be some soccer expert.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on June 12, 2015, 10:53:36 AM
I think this is where a misfit to soccer helps.

Yeah, they are slower, hits are weaker, etc but you know what? Soccer is still a sports of fakers, divers & set pieces whether played by men or women. There is no difference.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 12, 2015, 10:56:32 AM
Quote from: Valmy on June 12, 2015, 10:53:04 AM

they are pretty much equivalent in skills to top men's players.

No there are not. I've watched a fair few women's football games and in none of those did I see anything resembling the skill of top men's players.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 12, 2015, 10:58:42 AM
As I said generally that is true in other sports. I am not an expert enough to know if that is true for soccer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 12, 2015, 11:04:37 AM
Quote from: Valmy on June 12, 2015, 10:58:42 AM
As I said generally that is true in other sports. I am not an expert enough to know if that is true for soccer.

That's just another way of saying you're quite sure you're right and that I'm a major asshole. But okay I haven't watched since 2003 so I'll give it another go.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 12, 2015, 11:07:41 AM
Quote from: Liep on June 12, 2015, 11:04:37 AM
Quote from: Valmy on June 12, 2015, 10:58:42 AM
As I said generally that is true in other sports. I am not an expert enough to know if that is true for soccer.

That's just another way of saying you're quite sure you're right and that I'm a major asshole. But okay I haven't watched since 2003 so I'll give it another go.

Actually no that is not what I am saying at all. I do not consider myself superior for knowing shit about women's sports and having enough of an interest to at least be kind of informed. It just means I grew up watching Sportscenter and around the time the University of Texas' woman's basketball team went undefeated. I did it because I am a freak who loves sports long before I knew anything about feminism and smug leftwingism.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 12, 2015, 11:10:48 AM
Quote from: Valmy on June 12, 2015, 11:07:41 AMI did it because I am a freak who loves sports long before I knew anything about feminism and smug leftwingism.

That's hardly freakish. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on June 12, 2015, 11:19:34 AM
I think pace and stamina are a factor, given the hugeness of a football pitch. I.e. I watch women's futsal and it's much more entertaining - and closer to men's as a spectacle - than full-sized women's football is.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 13, 2015, 05:34:56 AM
I'm watching USA- Sweden on replay (70 minutes in). And what I mean with lower skill is mainly ball handling, ie. how they handle incoming passes. Too often it seems the ball runs away from them, now it does look like the ball is behaving completely insane on that turf, so I don't know if that's part of it.

Pros: Just as much heart, if not more. No primadonnas. It's faster paced than I remember. No ridiculous haircuts. Passing game seems to be very good.

Cons: Lack of individual skill (and no outstanding players (maybe that short haired American left winger)). Field seems to big. Faster paced than 2nd league men's football, but still not near top league pace. They're defensively organised better than 2nd league teams, which means that the lack of skill leads to very few scoring chances.

It's very confusing. I do like that the only time someone has been writhing on the ground is because she was headbutted. That's okay.

Sweden sucks at set pieces.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 13, 2015, 05:46:46 AM
Also I am a fan of the tracksuit coaches.

Also a fan of USA #13. :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on June 14, 2015, 04:46:58 AM
Faroe Islands beat Greece AGAIN?  :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on June 14, 2015, 05:41:57 AM
Blatter now considers not resigning after all...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 14, 2015, 05:47:24 AM
Quote from: Zanza on June 14, 2015, 05:41:57 AM
Blatter now considers not resigning after all...

Does he want to see John Oliver vomit up that Bud Lime?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 14, 2015, 05:51:44 AM
QuoteThe newspaper said it had information that Blatter had received messages of support from African and Asian football associations asking him to rethink his decision to step down. The source told the paper Blatter was honoured by the support and had not ruled out remaining in office. Fifa did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Not surprising, I assume that close to 100% of the national football associations in Asia and Africa are corrupt.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 14, 2015, 06:22:20 AM
Women's World Cup update: Brazil - Spain.

Spain's passing game is just not good enough, Brazil is faster and stronger and if you can't out pass that you're doomed.

A more boring game than USA-SWE
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 14, 2015, 10:35:32 AM
The important question: do they have nice butts?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 14, 2015, 12:14:27 PM
Quote from: Tyr on June 14, 2015, 10:35:32 AM
The important question: do they have nice butts?

I can certainly see where Blatter was coming from when he suggested that their shorts should be tighter.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 14, 2015, 02:48:28 PM
LANGUISH IS DYEING!

Germany conquers Gibraltar
7-0, no reaction for a successful Unternehmen Felix? For shame really. They got land access from an Iberian country, though this was Portugal, through Algarve (stadium).

In other UEFA 2016 qualifying round news, French players felt they were already on holiday and lost 1-0. Or Albania might be decent for a balkantard team. Portugal already knows it  :Embarrass: ;)
Serbia is out, thank to Denmark.
Portugal won in Armenia despite a goalkeeper prone to flukes. Yet he delivered an assist to Cristiano Ronaldo.  :hmm:
Not exactly great, but even the golden generation did not manage to win there.

Austria 1 Russia 0
Upset of the round!
Syt did not tell us that Austrian football was on the way to qualify directly to a major qualification for the first time in umpteen years. Do we get an Anschluss group of death in France ?

Copa America started some days ago, but the time schedule is not practical, as always. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 15, 2015, 03:53:40 AM
Pierre-Emil Højbjerg has left the national team because of an injury to his thigh. :( He's one of our best players and vital to a good result in the U21 Europe Cup.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 15, 2015, 07:22:50 AM
Quote from: Tyr on June 14, 2015, 10:35:32 AM
The important question: do they have nice butts?

Brøndby just won the double here, this is how they celebrated it on twitter. It will answer your question.

NSFW: http://twitter.com/JaceLdn/status/609829663876206592/photo/1
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on June 15, 2015, 07:25:38 AM
Austria won in Russia yesterday, so they might just make it to the next Euro Championship: they need 4 points from the next 4 matches.

Then again, the tournament field has been increased from 16 to 24 teams (stupid idea IMHO), so it would be embarrassing if they couldn't get in there. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on June 15, 2015, 07:26:12 AM
Quote from: Liep on June 15, 2015, 07:22:50 AM
Quote from: Tyr on June 14, 2015, 10:35:32 AM
The important question: do they have nice butts?

Brøndby just won the double here, this is how they celebrated it on twitter. It will answer your question.

NSFW: http://twitter.com/JaceLdn/status/609829663876206592/photo/1

:x Carlsberg
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 15, 2015, 07:29:59 AM
Quote from: Syt on June 15, 2015, 07:26:12 AM
Quote from: Liep on June 15, 2015, 07:22:50 AM
Quote from: Tyr on June 14, 2015, 10:35:32 AM
The important question: do they have nice butts?

Brøndby just won the double here, this is how they celebrated it on twitter. It will answer your question.

NSFW: http://twitter.com/JaceLdn/status/609829663876206592/photo/1

:x Carlsberg

A detail I'm willing to look passed. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on June 15, 2015, 12:26:13 PM
Best of Oliver Kahn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrYCg0N7teM

:wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on June 15, 2015, 02:49:45 PM
Are you young'uns making fun of Carlsberg?  <_<

Sort Guld was my favourite beer.

Norway's men's team proved their ineptitude and lack of work ethic with a 0-0 draw AT HOME against some Borat country Friday. Fuckers getting 20k Euro a week should bleed on the pitch.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 17, 2015, 10:53:29 AM
U21 EC starts today in Prague. First game Czech - Denmark, but not before the opening ceremony of course. I guess it could be worse than Czech ladies in skin tight blue suits dancing around. :perv:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 17, 2015, 11:36:46 AM
1-0 :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 17, 2015, 12:43:33 PM
SISTO! :w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 17, 2015, 12:55:04 PM
1-2 :yeah:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Savonarola on June 18, 2015, 01:44:00 PM
Leicester City football players sacked after racist orgy on tour of Thailand (http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/17/football/leicester-city-players-sacked/index.html/) 

Once a racist philosopher, twice a racist pervert.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on June 20, 2015, 02:31:47 AM
Serbia wins U 20 World cup defeating Brazil 2-1 in Extra Time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 20, 2015, 04:31:08 AM
Quote from: katmai on June 20, 2015, 02:31:47 AM
Serbia wins U 20 World cup defeating Brazil 2-1 in Extra Time.

But U20 is 2nd rate isn't it? All the best players play the U21 tournaments I think.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 20, 2015, 04:42:46 AM
The highest Danish division is being expanded from 12 to 14 teams and they're introducing a play off for the top 8 teams. :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on June 20, 2015, 04:45:13 AM
Quote from: Liep on June 20, 2015, 04:31:08 AM
Quote from: katmai on June 20, 2015, 02:31:47 AM
Serbia wins U 20 World cup defeating Brazil 2-1 in Extra Time.

But U20 is 2nd rate isn't it? All the best players play the U21 tournaments I think.

:huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 20, 2015, 04:46:51 AM
Quote from: katmai on June 20, 2015, 04:45:13 AM
Quote from: Liep on June 20, 2015, 04:31:08 AM
Quote from: katmai on June 20, 2015, 02:31:47 AM
Serbia wins U 20 World cup defeating Brazil 2-1 in Extra Time.

But U20 is 2nd rate isn't it? All the best players play the U21 tournaments I think.

:huh:

There's a U21 Euro Cup going on right now, and I'm assuming the players can't play both. So I would guess the best players were used for the higher aged team?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 20, 2015, 04:48:56 AM
Yeah, U20 is very much the weird ugly child of youth football. U21 is important, U19 also moderately so. U20...is just some thing that they have in the middle as a stop gap.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on June 20, 2015, 04:52:32 AM
No idea how you balls of light do it, We here in the greatest country on earth only have National, U-23, U-20, U-19, U-17 teams, none of this U-21 shit.











:P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 20, 2015, 04:55:35 AM
That is why you'll never be good at football.








:P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on June 20, 2015, 04:57:41 AM
U-20 usually gets depleted of talent, kids that are good enough will play U-21, while U-19 kids are often not physically up to snuff to play against older kids - that age group usually gets a lot of 17 or 18 year old hot prospects that are still too small.

U-23 is only for the Olympics.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 20, 2015, 05:08:34 AM
Quote from: Liep on June 20, 2015, 04:46:51 AM


There's a U21 Euro Cup going on right now

England U21 played well but they ended up beaten by Portugal U21 1-0 :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: bogh on June 20, 2015, 11:20:32 PM
Quote from: katmai on June 20, 2015, 02:31:47 AM
Serbia wins U 20 World cup defeating Brazil 2-1 in Extra Time.

I was there last night (the whole thing was held in New Zealand) and it was actually a pretty good game. Serbia were very compact and relied on counters, with Brazil being flamboyant and wasteful. The 3rd place match before it (Senegal vs. Mali) was highly entertaining as well. I also went to a semifinal and a quarterfinal.

The players were quite raw and clearly hadn't played much together, but you could definitely see the potential in some of them and there were flashes of absolutely brilliance along the way. Andrea Pereira from Brazil (who's in the ManU youth squad) scored a fantastic goal against the Serbian keeper who was otherwise very impressive.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on June 21, 2015, 12:48:47 AM
Yeah I was watching the game live here in Alaska.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on June 24, 2015, 02:45:27 PM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FiDZXdIb.jpg&hash=6cdfeb9dcc4ca4b29d063747c093fa4f3151dea3)

:face:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 24, 2015, 03:14:36 PM
LOL
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 24, 2015, 04:18:50 PM
I mean, the designer, his boss, the sign printer, his boss, the 3 hosts, the camera man, the light guy, the producer, the various other people in the studio.

It's mind boggling how many people missed that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 24, 2015, 04:20:03 PM
Took me a while.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 25, 2015, 07:51:16 AM
who says anyone missed it. I'm sure the writer knew exactly what he was doing with it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 25, 2015, 12:10:55 PM
Gonzalo Jara also knew exactly what he was doing, and is now banned from Copa America. :lol:

http://t.co/XCWG9l8J8U

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CIV_P8qXAAAjRWv.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 25, 2015, 12:16:48 PM
Quote from: Syt on June 24, 2015, 02:45:27 PM
(http://i.imdib.jpg)

:face:
What am I looking at?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 25, 2015, 12:35:03 PM
Quote from: Tyr on June 25, 2015, 12:16:48 PM
What am I looking at?

Put your jizz all over our girls.

Is Jara being hostile or friendly? :unsure:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 27, 2015, 12:13:52 PM
Portugal is killing Germany right now in the U21 semi finals. :O
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 27, 2015, 01:49:10 PM
Quote from: Liep on June 27, 2015, 12:13:52 PM
Portugal is killing Germany right now in the U21 semi finals. :O

It's over. 5-0

PS: another German setback in Olmütz (Olomouc), after the infamous Punctation.
PPS: referee was... Greek!  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 27, 2015, 06:16:39 PM
Sweden 4 Denmark 1

Portugal vs Sweden will be the final game of the U21 Euro championship on Tuesday.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on July 05, 2015, 11:15:23 PM
Caught the highlights of the womens' final between the US and Nippon.  Carli Lloyd stole a ball in midfield and hit a shot from the center stripe over the goalie's head to make it a hat trick.  Jap goalie looked pretty retarded.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on July 07, 2015, 08:01:56 AM
Vanuatu needed a 38-0 victory over Micronesia to qualify for the semi finals of the olympic qualification. They won 46-0. :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on July 07, 2015, 08:04:23 AM
Quote from: Liep on July 07, 2015, 08:01:56 AM
Vanuatu needed a 38-0 victory over Micronesia to qualify for the semi finals of the olympic qualification. They won 46-0. :lol:

That strikes me as hard to do against a High School team. Did Micronesia throw the game?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on July 07, 2015, 08:08:22 AM
Quote from: Valmy on July 07, 2015, 08:04:23 AM
Quote from: Liep on July 07, 2015, 08:01:56 AM
Vanuatu needed a 38-0 victory over Micronesia to qualify for the semi finals of the olympic qualification. They won 46-0. :lol:

That strikes me as hard to do against a High School team. Did Micronesia throw the game?

Considering their goal score after 3 games is 0-114 I think they're just really horrible. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on July 07, 2015, 08:17:53 AM
Well their total population is only about 100,000 so that is like San Angelo Texas or Frederiksberg Denmark trying to compete on an international level...but still I think San Angelo could find 11 players who could manage to only lose 20-0. I mean Vanuatu is not exactly Brazil.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 07, 2015, 08:26:40 AM
That's one goal every 2 minutes. Even the most basic timewasting should prevent a score like that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 07, 2015, 08:28:11 AM
Quote from: Liep on July 07, 2015, 08:01:56 AM
Vanuatu needed a 38-0 victory over Micronesia to qualify for the semi finals of the olympic qualification. They won 46-0. :lol:

I've seen some similar stories of scores like this in a cup competition in the baltics. Madness.
But I guess that's the game for small teams whether domestic or international. Gibraltar treat their recent loss to Scotland as a victory because they scored their first goal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on July 07, 2015, 08:43:28 AM
Quote from: celedhring on July 07, 2015, 08:26:40 AM
That's one goal every 2 minutes. Even the most basic timewasting should prevent a score like that.

Yeah no matter how much you suck I presume these guys are full time soccer players. Even basic competence should manage to keep the score under 30. Seems corrupt.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 07, 2015, 08:45:06 AM
Quote from: Valmy on July 07, 2015, 08:43:28 AM
Quote from: celedhring on July 07, 2015, 08:26:40 AM
That's one goal every 2 minutes. Even the most basic timewasting should prevent a score like that.

Yeah no matter how much you suck I presume these guys are full time soccer players. Even basic competence should manage to keep the score under 30. Seems corrupt.

You presume too much. Smaller national teams are frequently composed of part timers.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on July 07, 2015, 08:46:15 AM
Quote from: Valmy on July 07, 2015, 08:43:28 AM
Quote from: celedhring on July 07, 2015, 08:26:40 AM
That's one goal every 2 minutes. Even the most basic timewasting should prevent a score like that.

Yeah no matter how much you suck I presume these guys are full time soccer players. Even basic competence should manage to keep the score under 30. Seems corrupt.

According to wikipedia some of the players had never played football until a few weeks ago.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on July 07, 2015, 08:47:59 AM
Quote from: Maladict on July 07, 2015, 08:46:15 AM
Quote from: Valmy on July 07, 2015, 08:43:28 AM
Quote from: celedhring on July 07, 2015, 08:26:40 AM
That's one goal every 2 minutes. Even the most basic timewasting should prevent a score like that.

Yeah no matter how much you suck I presume these guys are full time soccer players. Even basic competence should manage to keep the score under 30. Seems corrupt.

According to wikipedia some of the players had never played football until a few weeks ago.

Ok well that sounds corrupt as well. FIFA has no basic requirements for competence? Sounds like just a grab for FIFA cash there. I mean all you need is a ball and a flat place and you can play soccer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on July 07, 2015, 08:49:22 AM
Quote from: Valmy on July 07, 2015, 08:17:53 AM
Well their total population is only about 100,000 so that is like San Angelo Texas or Frederiksberg Denmark trying to compete on an international level...but still I think San Angelo could find 11 players who could manage to only lose 20-0. I mean Vanuatu is not exactly Brazil.

Micronesia managed to lose 30-0 to (French) Tahiti and 38-0 to Fidji. The latter being a rugby country. Impressive, most impressive.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 07, 2015, 08:50:54 AM
Quote from: Valmy on July 07, 2015, 08:47:59 AM
Quote from: Maladict on July 07, 2015, 08:46:15 AM
Quote from: Valmy on July 07, 2015, 08:43:28 AM
Quote from: celedhring on July 07, 2015, 08:26:40 AM
That's one goal every 2 minutes. Even the most basic timewasting should prevent a score like that.

Yeah no matter how much you suck I presume these guys are full time soccer players. Even basic competence should manage to keep the score under 30. Seems corrupt.

According to wikipedia some of the players had never played football until a few weeks ago.

Ok well that sounds corrupt as well. FIFA has no basic requirements for competence? Sounds like just a grab for FIFA cash there. I mean all you need is a ball and a flat place and you can play soccer.

Micronesia is not even part of FIFA. These games are part of the Pacific Games that are currently taking place in Papua New Guinea.

This is the football equivalent of that African dude that went to the Olympics swimming competition and could barely swim.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 07, 2015, 08:52:54 AM
I was surprised to find when i visited Liechtenstein that despite several of their team being farmers their fa has a nice prominently located building.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on July 07, 2015, 08:55:05 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 07, 2015, 08:50:54 AM
Micronesia is not even part of FIFA. These games are part of the Pacific Games that are currently taking place in Papua New Guinea.

This is the football equivalent of that African dude that went to the Olympics swimming competition and could barely swim.

You're right. For some reason I thought this was for WC qualifiers or something but it was just for the Olympics and not an important competition. -_-
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 07, 2015, 09:48:53 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxykqi_Nu6A

A few of the goals. Feels like a training session.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on July 07, 2015, 09:49:58 AM
It is so weird to see the players not even celebrating their goals.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 07, 2015, 03:31:01 PM
Quote from: celedhring on July 07, 2015, 09:48:53 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxykqi_Nu6A

A few of the goals. Feels like a training session.
Love the little ballet jump of the last defender on the first one, whilst the right back just points.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 07, 2015, 04:02:51 PM
Quote from: Valmy on July 07, 2015, 09:49:58 AM
It is so weird to see the players not even celebrating their goals.

After goal 20 you just get bored with the whole thing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 07, 2015, 06:24:29 PM
Quote from: Liep on July 07, 2015, 08:01:56 AM
Vanuatu needed a 38-0 victory over Micronesia to qualify for the semi finals of the olympic qualification. They won 46-0. :lol:

This is hilarious and I approve of it
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 07, 2015, 07:19:45 PM
Thanks for ruining it for me guys. Had it PVRd was gonna watch it later.  ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on July 08, 2015, 09:39:18 AM
Last year today:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazil_v_Germany_(2014_FIFA_World_Cup)

Der Postillon:

http://www.der-postillon.com/2015/07/bundesprasident-gauck-legt-kranz-fur.html

"President Gauck lays down a wreath for the Brazilian victims of 08/07/2014"

Article goes on to talk about the cruelty of the German side, with Gauck stressing the German responsibility for the tragedy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 09, 2015, 03:30:39 AM
A small report on the Micronesian team that we talked about the other day:

QuoteMicronesia coach Stan Foster admits some of their players may need counselling after conceding 114 goals in three games without scoring one at the Pacific Games.

    The Australian took a team of teenagers to the tournament for Under-23 players and lost 46-0 to Vanuatu, ranked 200th in the world. Halfway through their second group game, they put a midfielder in goal - and he stayed in for the final match.

    They avoid a place in the record books for biggest international defeats as they are not affiliated with Fifa.

    "Possibly [they'll need counselling], but they're young, they're resilient. Most of them had never been out of their village until we went to Guam as part of our build-up to the Games," Foster told ABC.

    "Most of them had never been on an escalator and I had to show them how to use one."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on July 09, 2015, 07:54:04 AM
Hey the USA won its first match in the CONCACAF championship. USA! USA! USA!

Co-Host Canada, not so lucky, because they are only slightly better than Micronesia.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 09, 2015, 08:55:14 AM
Canada would probably draw 0-0 to micronesia
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on July 12, 2015, 01:31:37 AM
Schweinsteiger is going to Manchester Utd. The Bayern Munich fans are less than thrilled. In fact, they're pretty pissed. He's been on the first team since 2002, and a total of 17 years with Munich.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 12, 2015, 02:40:55 AM
Agent Guardiola  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 12, 2015, 07:11:08 PM
Sterling to Man City...hope he doesn't pan out
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on July 21, 2015, 11:46:44 AM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FQJYqBO0.jpg&hash=375350388c5f0f06927b251a89ee7bfe80b84b7b)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 21, 2015, 12:25:00 PM
 :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 21, 2015, 12:27:14 PM
That suit he's wearing doesn't help.

Chick in black was probably his date. Been there.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: KRonn on July 21, 2015, 12:30:22 PM
Quote from: Syt on July 12, 2015, 01:31:37 AM
Schweinsteiger is going to Manchester Utd. The Bayern Munich fans are less than thrilled. In fact, they're pretty pissed. He's been on the first team since 2002, and a total of 17 years with Munich.

This should be cassus belli for war between the cities to settle the issue!!   :menace:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 21, 2015, 12:33:20 PM
The Messi photo is almost a year old, still funny though  :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on July 21, 2015, 02:53:29 PM
:lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 22, 2015, 08:16:16 AM
The girl in blue is obviously photoshopped to be in Ronaldo's lap. She's actually Messi's wife and was sat next to him in the original picture.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on July 22, 2015, 09:31:27 AM
Of course it's shopped, but it's a very believable alteration.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 22, 2015, 01:13:02 PM
Quote from: The Larch on July 22, 2015, 08:16:16 AM
The girl in blue is obviously photoshopped to be in Ronaldo's lap. She's actually Messi's wife and was sat next to him in the original picture.

REmind me never to go to  magic show with you. ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 22, 2015, 01:42:21 PM
 :blurgh:

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bd4Rhh6CMAA8OnL.jpg:large)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 22, 2015, 05:48:29 PM
Isn't Messi still with his beautiful wife while Cronaldo got dumped by his long-time girlfriend?

The irony is sweet.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 23, 2015, 03:50:34 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on July 22, 2015, 05:48:29 PM
Isn't Messi still with his beautiful wife while Cronaldo got dumped by his long-time girlfriend?

The irony is sweet.

Indeed. Apparently Ronaldo is a huge momma's boy and Irina Shayk and her didn't look eye to eye at all.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 23, 2015, 04:15:44 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 23, 2015, 03:50:34 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on July 22, 2015, 05:48:29 PM
Isn't Messi still with his beautiful wife while Cronaldo got dumped by his long-time girlfriend?

The irony is sweet.

Indeed. Apparently Ronaldo is a huge momma's boy and Irina Shayk and her didn't look eye to eye at all.

The girl in the photo is certainly NOT Irina Shayk so I can see why she dumped him too (unless they had already split when the photo was taken).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 23, 2015, 04:26:43 AM
Quote from: celedhring on July 23, 2015, 04:15:44 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 23, 2015, 03:50:34 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on July 22, 2015, 05:48:29 PM
Isn't Messi still with his beautiful wife while Cronaldo got dumped by his long-time girlfriend?

The irony is sweet.

Indeed. Apparently Ronaldo is a huge momma's boy and Irina Shayk and her didn't look eye to eye at all.

The girl in the photo is certainly NOT Irina Shayk so I can see why she dumped him too (unless they had already split when the photo was taken).

It is her.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ronaldo7.net%2Fnews%2F2014%2F01%2F773-cristiano-ronaldo-and-irina-shayk-fifa-ballon-dor-2013-red-carpet-2.jpg&hash=eece9dee3db5e94eba005b688b7dfc3c55e2c78a)

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.dailymail.co.uk%2Fi%2Fpix%2F2014%2F07%2F02%2Farticle-2677969-1F56C52200000578-757_634x401.jpg&hash=4fdc28368a9374f29532d763a71cd14ef6917c7b)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 23, 2015, 04:43:57 AM
Ok, looked like a different woman from that angle.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 23, 2015, 04:48:09 AM
Quote from: celedhring on July 23, 2015, 04:43:57 AM
Ok, looked like a different woman from that angle.

I have a keen eye for Slavic beauties, and you know it.  :cool:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on July 25, 2015, 10:33:59 AM
The group draw for the 2018 WC qualification is just ongoing. Pictured a vile, corrupt dictator and Vladimir Putin.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.scribblelive.com%2F2015%2F7%2F25%2F381bed9b-5662-4fbd-8a91-5a3367196a01.jpg&hash=d6ffdf58ec83f9eb0f91e548d00d5fecfd36c6a9)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on July 25, 2015, 10:51:52 AM
Brazilian player Hulk who plays for Zenit was supposed to be part of the ceremony, but following his complaint about rampant racism in Russian football stadiums, he isn't.

During a recent game another foreign player was subjected to nonstop racist tirades from the local fans. He showed them the finger. He was fined.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on July 25, 2015, 12:13:24 PM
Armenien
Kasakhstan
Montenegro
Polen
Danmark
Rumænien

A very eastern group. But could've been worse.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on July 26, 2015, 02:16:56 AM
Group A: Netherlands, France, Sweden, Bulgaria, Belarus, Luxembourg

Group B: Portugal, Switzerland, Hungary, Faroe Islands, Latvia, Andorra

Group C: Germany, Czech Republic, NORTHERN IRELAND, Norway, Azerbaijan, San Marino

Group D: WALES, Austria, Serbia, REPUBLIC OF IRELAND, Moldova, Georgia

Group E: Romania, Denmark, Poland, Montenegro, Armenia, Kazakhstan

Group F: ENGLAND, Slovakia, SCOTLAND, Slovenia, Lithuania, Malta

Group G: Spain, Italy, Albania, Israel, FYR Macedonia, Liechtenstein

Group H: Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Estonia, Cyprus

Group I: Croatia, Iceland, Ukraine, Turkey, Finland
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on July 26, 2015, 03:08:03 AM
omg USA didn't even make it to group!!!!


:P

why are you bolding the UK countries Zanza ? :unsure:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on July 26, 2015, 05:40:27 AM
That's us not reaching the WC then.  :Embarrass:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on July 26, 2015, 06:53:37 AM
Quote from: katmai on July 26, 2015, 03:08:03 AM
why are you bolding the UK countries Zanza ? :unsure:
I copy & pasted it from a British website.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 26, 2015, 07:51:30 AM
Quote from: Zanza on July 26, 2015, 02:16:56 AM
Group A: Netherlands, France, Sweden, Bulgaria, Belarus, Luxembourg

Group B: Portugal, Switzerland, Hungary, Faroe Islands, Latvia, Andorra

Group C: Germany, Czech Republic, NORTHERN IRELAND, Norway, Azerbaijan, San Marino

Group D: WALES, Austria, Serbia, REPUBLIC OF IRELAND, Moldova, Georgia

Group E: Romania, Denmark, Poland, Montenegro, Armenia, Kazakhstan

Group F: ENGLAND, Slovakia, SCOTLAND, Slovenia, Lithuania, Malta

Group G: Spain, Italy, Albania, Israel, FYR Macedonia, Liechtenstein

Group H: Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Estonia, Cyprus

Group I: Croatia, Iceland, Ukraine, Turkey, Finland

Group A is quite the group of death. One of Holland, Sweden France won't make it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on July 26, 2015, 11:30:28 AM
Quote from: Josephus on July 26, 2015, 07:51:30 AM
Quote from: Zanza on July 26, 2015, 02:16:56 AM
Group A: Netherlands, France, Sweden, Bulgaria, Belarus, Luxembourg

Group B: Portugal, Switzerland, Hungary, Faroe Islands, Latvia, Andorra

Group C: Germany, Czech Republic, NORTHERN IRELAND, Norway, Azerbaijan, San Marino

Group D: WALES, Austria, Serbia, REPUBLIC OF IRELAND, Moldova, Georgia

Group E: Romania, Denmark, Poland, Montenegro, Armenia, Kazakhstan

Group F: ENGLAND, Slovakia, SCOTLAND, Slovenia, Lithuania, Malta

Group G: Spain, Italy, Albania, Israel, FYR Macedonia, Liechtenstein

Group H: Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Estonia, Cyprus

Group I: Croatia, Iceland, Ukraine, Turkey, Finland

Group A is quite the group of death. One of Holland, Sweden France won't make it.

Blatter could not get France an easier group, thanks to Platini?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 26, 2015, 04:27:04 PM
Gibraltar isn't allowed in this one?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on July 27, 2015, 12:02:59 PM
Gibraltar is not a member of FIFA, just of UEFA.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on July 27, 2015, 01:36:58 PM
Quote from: Josephus on July 26, 2015, 07:51:30 AM


Group A is quite the group of death. One of Holland, Sweden France won't make it.

I'm thinking France might miss out. Sweden has a very good youth side now. The players will be matured enough for the later part of the qualifiers.

The Dutch always have good teams. Except for in the 1980s.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 29, 2015, 09:33:55 AM
Team from the Spanish second division signs some Portuguese fella; guy shows up at his unveiling sporting a Franco t-shirt:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fsia1.subirimagenes.net%2Fimg%2F2015%2F07%2F29%2F150729010505500436.jpg&hash=2084d3438f5f0093f4a6537cc77139d969e03931)

Hilarity ensues.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on July 29, 2015, 09:45:51 AM
Traitor! :mad:

He should have sported a Salazar t-shirt.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on July 31, 2015, 05:42:17 PM
Another footballer caught drugged-up. Fred this time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on August 01, 2015, 11:42:25 AM
Quote from: Norgy on July 27, 2015, 01:36:58 PM

I'm thinking France might miss out. Sweden has a very good youth side now. The players will be matured enough for the later part of the qualifiers.

The Dutch always have good teams. Except for in the 1980s.

You must not have been following our qualifying progress for Euro 2016. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on August 01, 2015, 11:48:34 AM
Quote from: Norgy on July 31, 2015, 05:42:17 PM
Another footballer caught drugged-up. Fred this time.

I wouldn't be surprised if he started doing that after the WC. Kind of hard to blame him, really.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 01, 2015, 08:59:54 PM
Lord.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 04, 2015, 07:12:38 AM
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CLOzdMDWEAAec2Y.jpg:large)

New German away jersey. Even hipsters would despise it, according to early comments.
Twitter generally unimpressed.

https://twitter.com/dw_sports/status/627042088698441728/photo/1 (https://twitter.com/dw_sports/status/627042088698441728/photo/1)
From the Kölner Express, cited by Deutsche Welle.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on August 04, 2015, 07:16:19 AM
That is seriously ugly.

They should bring back the black ones:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi603.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ftt117%2FGolden_Rabbit_48%2FJersey%2520Multisport%2520Name%2FJerseyMultiSportGermanyAway-Ozil.jpg&hash=e3765efc55478d799b5ca4fed625ee523f92414a)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 04, 2015, 07:52:14 AM
Germans in black uniforms might be a bit risque, though.  :P

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.totls.com%2FASS-RFSS-TUNIC-FRONT.jpg&hash=81286fdf3542f4e55168c4699ed2e71a913b3fcd)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on August 04, 2015, 07:55:59 AM
As opposed to field grey? :P

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.warwicks.com.au%2Fimages%2Fproducts%2Fwaffen_ss_officer%2Fl_waffen_ss_officer.jpg&hash=81ca12ecd8d7882f9ed214cda4a1d2a83820b996)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 04, 2015, 07:56:39 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on August 04, 2015, 07:12:38 AM
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CLOzdMDWEAAec2Y.jpg:large)

New German away jersey. Even hipsters would despise it, according to early comments.
Twitter generally unimpressed.

https://twitter.com/dw_sports/status/627042088698441728/photo/1 (https://twitter.com/dw_sports/status/627042088698441728/photo/1)
From the Kölner Express, cited by Deutsche Welle.

Puts me somewhat in mind of:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-bFjX57wMiKg%2FT0qtsnnErZI%2FAAAAAAAAA-Y%2FmvT10E4Re10%2Fs1600%2F1%252BWORST%252Bman%252Butd.png&hash=5e3063fc7a9923c1f2dbd88d3a305b21089edcb4)

:ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on August 04, 2015, 08:06:16 AM
Grey, sure.

What's with the Green?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 04, 2015, 08:06:32 AM
Quote from: Syt on August 04, 2015, 07:55:59 AM
As opposed to field grey? :P

Vert-de-gris (green from grey litteraly) in French, which fits better the new German away jersey.  :P
Best German jersey being the one used in Escape to Victory.  :contract:

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on August 08, 2015, 10:13:23 AM
Been up since 3:30 am watching kickoff to new BPL season. Need one more device so I can watch all three games nbc is broadcasting simultaneously.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on August 09, 2015, 06:16:50 AM
Quote from: Tyr on August 04, 2015, 07:56:39 AM

Puts me somewhat in mind of:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-bFjX57wMiKg%2FT0qtsnnErZI%2FAAAAAAAAA-Y%2FmvT10E4Re10%2Fs1600%2F1%252BWORST%252Bman%252Butd.png&hash=5e3063fc7a9923c1f2dbd88d3a305b21089edcb4)

:ph34r:

It reminds you of Le Tissier and Giggs? Both some of the finest players I have seen. Cloughie wanted to sign Le Tissier so badly he apparently even offered a trade with Teddy Sheringham against Matthew Le Tissier.


But yeah, I get it. The cursed Manure away kit.  :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on August 09, 2015, 06:17:27 AM
Quote from: katmai on August 08, 2015, 10:13:23 AM
Been up since 3:30 am watching kickoff to new BPL season. Need one more device so I can watch all three games nbc is broadcasting simultaneously.

:glare:

Spoilt Americans.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 09, 2015, 09:25:00 AM
The Sun is hot, water is wet, Arsenal are Arsenal. :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 09, 2015, 01:18:09 PM
Liverpool doing better than Chelsea and Arsenal...tied with Man U.

:)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 10, 2015, 02:54:57 AM
4 games and the first coach in the Danish league is fired.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 10, 2015, 03:48:03 AM
That's nothing. Marseille's coach already resigned after the first game, claiming interference and last-minute changes to an almost signed contract, but then I thought Bielsa was wasting his talent at Marseille.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 10, 2015, 03:58:10 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on August 10, 2015, 03:48:03 AM
That's nothing. Marseille's coach already resigned after the first game, claiming interference and last-minute changes to an almost signed contract, but then I thought Bielsa was wasting his talent at Marseille.

Bielsa being Bielsa. I love the man, but he's surely mercurial.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on August 10, 2015, 04:24:00 AM
Hamburg SV, who narrowly escaped relegation to Second League two seasons in a row have played their first competition match of the season yesterday, a cup game against 3rd league team Carl Zeiss Jena. Hamburg lost 2-3 in overtime. Their new captain even managed to injure himself during warm up so he couldn't play. :lol:

Maybe this year they'll finally leave the Bundesliga. Their last seasons have been nothing less than embarrassing and shameful.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on August 10, 2015, 04:27:45 AM
Additionally, the club's sports director reported his backpack stolen earlier last week. A woman found it in a park in Hamburg; it contained among other things the club's salary list.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on August 10, 2015, 04:33:04 AM
Quote from: celedhring on August 10, 2015, 03:58:10 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on August 10, 2015, 03:48:03 AM
That's nothing. Marseille's coach already resigned after the first game, claiming interference and last-minute changes to an almost signed contract, but then I thought Bielsa was wasting his talent at Marseille.

Bielsa being Bielsa. I love the man, but he's surely mercurial.
:yes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on August 10, 2015, 06:28:36 AM
Quote from: Syt on August 10, 2015, 04:27:45 AM
Additionally, the club's sports director reported his backpack stolen earlier last week. A woman found it in a park in Hamburg; it contained among other things the club's salary list.


Doesn't sound like something one should be toting around in a backpack.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 10, 2015, 06:54:36 AM
Quote from: Syt on August 10, 2015, 04:24:00 AM
Hamburg SV, who narrowly escaped relegation to Second League two seasons in a row have played their first competition match of the season yesterday, a cup game against 3rd league team Carl Zeiss Jena. Hamburg lost 2-3 in overtime. Their new captain even managed to injure himself during warm up so he couldn't play. :lol:

Maybe this year they'll finally leave the Bundesliga. Their last seasons have been nothing less than embarrassing and shameful.

I love the clock they have at the stadium that tells the time they have been in the Bundesliga. It's asking for a relegation:

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CFs2Rd3XIAAGI71.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on August 10, 2015, 07:17:42 AM
It's annoying many people. They're the only club to have been in the top tier since the start of Bundesliga's modern era in 1963.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on August 11, 2015, 02:40:48 PM
95th minute equalizer in the Dutch national league, not bad for a goalkeeper.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7v4ZirKQJ6c
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on August 12, 2015, 05:48:49 AM
The next thing in a string of mishaps for Hamburg. A t-shirt "Only the HSV" turns out to have its imagery from a Berlin football club. Hamburg have taken the shirt off their webpage. It's a bit of a goof troops these days. :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 13, 2015, 03:47:31 AM
Quote from: Maladict on August 11, 2015, 02:40:48 PM
95th minute equalizer in the Dutch national league, not bad for a goalkeeper.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7v4ZirKQJ6c

Danish newspapers are naturally all going crazy over this. Understandably so, it is very spectacular.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 13, 2015, 03:49:33 AM
Also, Bendtner has scored in 3 games in a row.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on August 14, 2015, 11:14:47 PM
Nice goal by San Jose in Athletic Bilbao vs Barca. suck it Celedhring
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on August 14, 2015, 11:24:31 PM
Barcelona looked really, really bad, didn't they.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on August 15, 2015, 12:48:49 AM
Quote from: Syt on August 10, 2015, 04:24:00 AM
Hamburg SV, who narrowly escaped relegation to Second League two seasons in a row have played their first competition match of the season yesterday, a cup game against 3rd league team Carl Zeiss Jena. Hamburg lost 2-3 in overtime. Their new captain even managed to injure himself during warm up so he couldn't play. :lol:

Maybe this year they'll finally leave the Bundesliga. Their last seasons have been nothing less than embarrassing and shameful.
And they lost the first game of the season. 5 - 0 to Bayern.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 15, 2015, 02:22:58 AM
Quote from: dps on August 14, 2015, 11:24:31 PM
Barcelona looked really, really bad, didn't they.

That was our second string, bar Messi and Suárez. Thing is, our second string shouldn't look so much out of his depth like they did. That transfer ban has hurt us and our squad isn't up to it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 15, 2015, 10:23:26 AM
2 games into the season and yep. I hate football.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on August 15, 2015, 03:47:17 PM
I am undecided and on the fence. Local team, meh season with a few great games. Forest, horrifying until today and badly screwed by the Football League's so-called Financial Fair Play.
Going to see the local team tomorrow.

One thing I am entirely sure of is that I am giving betting a wide berth from now on.  :Embarrass:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Warspite on August 16, 2015, 06:42:01 AM
Quote from: Norgy on August 15, 2015, 03:47:17 PM
I am undecided and on the fence. Local team, meh season with a few great games. Forest, horrifying until today and badly screwed by the Football League's so-called Financial Fair Play.
Going to see the local team tomorrow.

One thing I am entirely sure of is that I am giving betting a wide berth from now on.  :Embarrass:

Stick to PL fantasy football and we can trade in kudos :p
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 16, 2015, 11:54:42 AM
A day that sees Mourinho's Chelsea humiliated is a good day indeed.  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 16, 2015, 12:09:14 PM
So the BPL is over, hand cup to Man City  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on August 16, 2015, 02:51:06 PM
Quote from: Warspite on August 16, 2015, 06:42:01 AM
Quote from: Norgy on August 15, 2015, 03:47:17 PM
I am undecided and on the fence. Local team, meh season with a few great games. Forest, horrifying until today and badly screwed by the Football League's so-called Financial Fair Play.
Going to see the local team tomorrow.

One thing I am entirely sure of is that I am giving betting a wide berth from now on.  :Embarrass:

Stick to PL fantasy football and we can trade in kudos :p

I am not really that fussed over the Premiership anymore. I only derive pleasure from it when Liverpool loses.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 20, 2015, 12:42:32 PM
Brøndby has disappointed in league so far this season and now they're playing PAOK in the Europe League. It's embarrassing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 20, 2015, 02:19:20 PM
Quote from: Liep on August 20, 2015, 12:42:32 PM
Brøndby has disappointed in league so far this season and now they're playing PAOK in the Europe League. It's embarrassing.

5-0 :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on August 20, 2015, 02:24:32 PM
The Norwegian teams are doing: OK.
Odd is 3-1 up against Borussia Dortmund.
Rosenborg 1-0 up away against Steua Buchuresti.
Molde beat Standard Liege in style 2-0.

We rule the North! :yeah:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 20, 2015, 04:40:06 PM
The brave Middle Jutes secured a nice result in Southampton though with 1-1.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on August 20, 2015, 05:31:32 PM
Odd (which I guess translates into an arrow's edge) lost 3-4, and Rosenborg won 3-0.

Yesterday, Jo-Inge Berget made up for his unsuccessful loan spell at Celtic by scoring two against them in the CL qualifiers for Malmö FF.

Norwegian clubs are on a slow rise again, but our national team will never reach any championship again in my lifetime, I think.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 29, 2015, 08:15:05 AM
http://fusion.net/story/93512/promotion-relegation-mls/

How Promotion and Relegation could work in the US.

QuoteIt would be unfair and probably inaccurate to say that some system of promotion-relegation cannot work in the United States. Rather, what we can say is that the type of system that's practiced in most places around the world would be a very hard sell for Major League Soccer. At this point, owners aren't going to get on board with a format that could cost their team its place in the league.

RELATED
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Does MLS need promotion-relegation? Part one: The debate that never ends

But! ... there is a variation of promotion-relegation that might, just might, function in some version of Major League Soccer's distant future. We're talking at least 10 or 15 years down the road, when MLS can safely reach a larger footprint of 30 or so clubs. In five years, Major League Soccer hopes to have 24 teams within its ranks. Having a league as big as the National Basketball Association or Major League Baseball may not be that far off.

More: What's pro-rel? We explain it to you like you're a six-year-old

Meanwhile, chew on this: The actual concept of promotion-relegation isn't really the problem when it comes to potential adoption here. But for such a framework to function in Major League Soccer, it will require "adaption" more than simple "adoption."

But a different model may well be possible. For it to be workable, we'd need something that includes:

– An MLS that reached 30 teams, minimum. Anything smaller, and there's almost no use splitting teams into two tiers. And as we'll see below, the number 30 carries a few special charms.

– All teams would need to be part of MLS, although a limited number would compete each season in the second tier. This carries all the benefits of sharing revenue, being a partner in MLS's marketing arm, Soccer United Marketing (and getting in on that group's payouts) and leveraging the perks that come with a single-entity structure.

– An unbalanced split between the two leagues; say, 20 teams at the top, and 10 teams in the second division. This keeps the upper league similar to what we have now, while the struggling souls of Major League Soccer can settle into a second tier and regroup.

– Movement between the two tiers would have to be fairly extensive, with four or perhaps even five moving up each year, and an equal number taking the sad tumble down. This business of teams getting stuck for long periods in a lower tier would be rare, if it happened at all. Those that do settle at the bottom (your Chivas USAs of the world) would probably have bigger problems than pro-rel.

— Teams would play "cross-over" schedules. That is, clubs from the top tier would face those from the second tier.

That's the basic outline; here's how it comes together:

Rather than a traditional system of more-or-less equally populated tiers, Major League Soccer could have a top tier and a smaller second-level. We might keep referring to the first division as Major League Soccer and then brand the lower level as "MLS Premier" or "MLS Select," or whatever. MLS (the top tier) would compete for MLS Cup, while the smaller, second tier would essentially be competing only for promotion.

That may sound like a consolation prize, but have you ever seen fans celebrate their team's promotion? Tell them they didn't win something major:



Either way, we get the benefits of promotion-relegation: those dramatic "relegation matches" as teams battle to dodge the lesser level; the elation of that end-of-season win that vaults your team back to the top tier. And because so many teams will have a chance to swap divisions, the truly meaningless matches in both tiers will be kept to a minimum.

MORE: Lower league realities leave pro-rel warriors fighting the wrong battle

Doing things this way also avoids one of the major problems with promotion-relegation: scaring away potential ownership. In this structure, owners certainly wouldn't want to tumble into the second tier, but the threat wouldn't be so severe that they would run away from MLS and the potential financial blow of getting stuck in basement divisions. That's important, because attracting and retaining the right kind of owners is critical to professional soccer's ongoing stability and growth. If you don't think poor ownership can be a serious drag on the league, you don't know your MLS history.

That's where the movement between tiers becomes important. Knowing your team can bounce back quickly makes it easier to weather the storm. So the system would have four or five teams move up and four or five teams would move down, annually. Yes, that is more movement than we see in most leagues. But MLS doesn't have the big stacks of history to lean on. Unbound by tradition, U.S. Soccer's designated top tier can forge a more modern arrangement.

Even more unconventionally, teams would cross over tiers in scheduling. It's an element – perhaps one of several – that traditionalists will see as anathema. But it's a key component. For MLS owners to buy in and to help all clubs retain fan interest in leaner years, they would need to know that the next Thierry Henry or David Beckham or Kaka would be coming to their city and their facility once every two years, at very least.

How scheduling works from there gets tricky, but it probably means some sort of regional "pods." Maybe the top tier ends up sticking with conferences. Either way, clubs in the top tier could play twice against the nine other teams in its region and then meet the 10 other clubs once. Then top-tier clubs would meet each team from the second tier once, creating a 38-game schedule (for a 30-team league).

In the second tier, all 10 teams would meet each other twice (double-round robin). Add in one match against each member of the top-tier, and they, too, get a 38-game schedule. See how neatly that works? Almost as if it's meant to be.

MORE, Part one: Does MLS need pro-rel?

A few other details would need sorting out – like the share of television revenue – but that's the essential framework. It's a system that allows all teams to remain under Major League Soccer's single-entity structure, and one that might assuage most ownership concerns. If the benefits of promotion-relegation are deemed so valuable, this is one way to get it done.

You may not like the thought of "assuaging concerns" when it comes to the filthy rich, but that's the world we live in. If the owners withdraw interest and investment, well, it all goes away. Then we're back to watching minor league soccer in narrow high school stadium fields.

Like it or not, the people who've bought into Major League Soccer want to protect what they've built. That's why any conventional idea of pro-rel maybe a non-starter. But more on that tomorrow.

Interesting idea
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on August 31, 2015, 09:25:16 AM
http://copa90.com/keisuke-honda-takes-over-austrian-third-tier-club-sv-horn/

QuoteKeisuke Honda takes over Austrian third tier club SV Horn

Keisuka Honda and his brothers Youji and Hiroyuki take over 49 percent of SV Horn, a third tier club in Austria. SV Horn were in the second tier, the SkyGo Erste Liga, last season but were relegated to Regionalliga Ost. The club will be turned into a corporation, the goals are promotion to the Austrian Bundesliga as well as the qualification for a European tournament. :lol:

The Honda family were searching for three years for the economical best club to invest in. After an cost-benefit analysis the Japanese found out that Austria has the best market to invest in. Keisuke and his brothers were interested in Wacker Innsbruck, First Vienna, the oldest club in Austria, Wiener Sportklub and SC Wiener Neustadt, but after another cost-benefit analysis decided to choose SV Horn, as the club has low costs and a new stadium, which will be enlarged in the next years.

Keisuke in his brother already own more than 50 youth academies in Japan, the idea behind the SV Horn project is to make the club the ultimate goal for Japanese players. The club shall not be a club for Japanese talents to develop, but a club for the best players to win trophies. But the Hondas clearly said to focus on own, Austrian talents, instead of just bringing Asian players to the club.

Especially assistant manager Massaki Morass was very important for the club. The Japanese made the first contact with the Honda family and played a major role in the takeover. After a half year of talks Keisuke, Youji and Hiroyuki Honda took over the club.

By now it's not clear to say what is really going to happen with the club as everything still feels surreal, but SV Horn and the Honda family seem to be serious and made some good transfers so far. With Hans Kleer they got a good manager, who knows how to promote a team the SkyGo Erste Liga and also got some talented players, who could help the club to realize their dream of promotion.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on August 31, 2015, 09:30:33 AM
Fuck relegation.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 31, 2015, 11:18:29 AM
What's the funny part?
In the uk I can think of a few examples of rich owners bringing crap teams up to the premier and England is far more competitive than Austria
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on August 31, 2015, 11:25:33 AM
Quote from: Tyr on August 29, 2015, 08:15:05 AM
http://fusion.net/story/93512/promotion-relegation-mls/

How Promotion and Relegation could work in the US.

Your article ignores (or the author was unaware) that there is already a 2nd tier north american soccer league - the NASL, North American Soccer League.  Apparently the league would very much like to be involved in a formal promotion-relegation system.  And even if a formal promotion-relegation system is not introduced, pretty much all of the individual team owners would like to move their team into MLS one way or another.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 03, 2015, 06:32:27 AM
It's fair to ignore it though considering it is detached from mls. Maybe mls expansion teams will be drawn from there, who knows, but it is doubtful mls owners would be big on their teams being relegated to the nasl,
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on September 03, 2015, 08:00:57 AM
Quote from: Tyr on September 03, 2015, 06:32:27 AM
It's fair to ignore it though considering it is detached from mls. Maybe mls expansion teams will be drawn from there, who knows, but it is doubtful mls owners would be big on their teams being relegated to the nasl,

Somehow I don't think Premier League owners are super stoked about their clubs being relegated to the Championship either.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on September 03, 2015, 03:02:16 PM
We're being defeated by Iceland.  Again.
And we won't be able to qualify directly, what a mess.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 03, 2015, 03:37:41 PM
Quote from: Valmy on September 03, 2015, 08:00:57 AM
Quote from: Tyr on September 03, 2015, 06:32:27 AM
It's fair to ignore it though considering it is detached from mls. Maybe mls expansion teams will be drawn from there, who knows, but it is doubtful mls owners would be big on their teams being relegated to the nasl,

Somehow I don't think Premier League owners are super stoked about their clubs being relegated to the Championship either.
They don't have a choice, the premier league was set up with the teams who happened to be in division 1 at the time and kept the old system. Ownership of the premier league changes with new teams.
MLS on the other hand was formed by these owners as a weird centralized unified company without a link to a previous system with promotion and relegation. It's members were specifically set up in the best profit making areas
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on September 03, 2015, 03:45:27 PM
Quote from: Tyr on September 03, 2015, 03:37:41 PM
Quote from: Valmy on September 03, 2015, 08:00:57 AM
Quote from: Tyr on September 03, 2015, 06:32:27 AM
It's fair to ignore it though considering it is detached from mls. Maybe mls expansion teams will be drawn from there, who knows, but it is doubtful mls owners would be big on their teams being relegated to the nasl,

Somehow I don't think Premier League owners are super stoked about their clubs being relegated to the Championship either.
They don't have a choice, the premier league was set up with the teams who happened to be in division 1 at the time and kept the old system. Ownership of the premier league changes with new teams.
MLS on the other hand was formed by these owners as a weird centralized unified company without a link to a previous system with promotion and relegation. It's members were specifically set up in the best profit making areas

British sports clubs are about losing money nobly for art and culture. Do you have any idea what a freaking miracle the MLS still exists? This was a pretty long odds project.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 03, 2015, 04:36:10 PM
Promotion and relegation will never happen in the United States. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Legbiter on September 03, 2015, 05:13:41 PM
Quote from: Maladict on September 03, 2015, 03:02:16 PM
We're being defeated by Iceland.  Again.
And we won't be able to qualify directly, what a mess.

No offence but the Dutch team kinda fucked themselves up, not so much the Icelanders.  :lol: :huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 03, 2015, 09:31:01 PM
Malta came so close...again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on September 03, 2015, 09:34:46 PM
Italy always does that to you. They beat everybody 1-0.

Or used to. They seem to have lost their swagger of late.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on September 04, 2015, 12:48:02 AM
Quote from: Legbiter on September 03, 2015, 05:13:41 PM
Quote from: Maladict on September 03, 2015, 03:02:16 PM
We're being defeated by Iceland.  Again.
And we won't be able to qualify directly, what a mess.

No offence but the Dutch team kinda fucked themselves up, not so much the Icelanders.  :lol: :huh:

Oh definitely.  The Dutch were their own worst enemy as usual.
But Iceland played well, and they've now won 6 out of 7.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 04, 2015, 01:57:22 AM
It will be nice to see some new countries in the finals.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 04, 2015, 02:01:38 AM
Denmark v. Albania tonight. We have to win but Albania has proven to be very good and even beating Portugal.

COME ON LORD!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 04, 2015, 02:02:33 AM
Btw Tyr, I'm sure there's still tickets to the game so it's a good chance to see Bendtner in action.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 04, 2015, 11:45:59 AM
Quote from: Liep on September 04, 2015, 02:02:33 AM
Btw Tyr, I'm sure there's still tickets to the game so it's a good chance to see Bendtner in action.

I was wrong. It's completely sold out, apparently there's a lot of Albanians in Denmark and neighbouring countries.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 04, 2015, 11:48:47 AM
I saw bendtner at sunderland :p
Tonight is my Swedish night anyhoo. Copenhagen from the morrow
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on September 06, 2015, 11:28:07 AM
Oh god  :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on September 06, 2015, 12:48:52 PM
I mean, 24 teams get to go to the EC. 24! But noooo...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 06, 2015, 02:26:49 PM
Malta got two goals and a point.  :o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 06, 2015, 09:08:12 PM
lol Holland are garbage
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on September 07, 2015, 01:39:34 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on September 06, 2015, 09:08:12 PM
lol Holland are garbage

Seriously. A new addition to a tradition of embarrassing implosions.


Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on September 07, 2015, 05:07:49 AM
Norway beat Croatia. I think the team actually wants to play in the Euros.
It was even well-deserved.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 07, 2015, 03:48:54 PM
Well, it seems Denmark has decided to help Portugal by having a goalless tie with Armenia.

Later in the evening, Portugal was not exactly inspired and outright boring at times but managed to grab a win in Albania by a 92' goal on a set-up piece.
Albanians can still qualify with two games yet  to play, while Denmark only has a game left to play, in Portugal.

1   Portugal   6   4   15
2   Denmark   7   4   12
3   Albania   6   4   11
4   Armenia   7   -6   2
5   Serbia   6   -6   1
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 07, 2015, 04:02:42 PM
It has been a long time since our national team has played so poorly as they did tonight against Armenia.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 07, 2015, 05:42:03 PM
I wonder if the latest upsurge in lesser footballing nations could be related to the decline in importance of international football for the worlds top players
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Alcibiades on September 07, 2015, 06:53:57 PM
I don't follow soccer well enough, what do you mean by that?   :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on September 07, 2015, 07:09:32 PM
I loathe Portugal, Italy and Spain and hope their planes, ehm, get delayed for their next away fixtures.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 07, 2015, 07:21:51 PM
Quote from: Alcibiades on September 07, 2015, 06:53:57 PM
I don't follow soccer well enough, what do you mean by that?   :hmm:

He meams that top flight football players don't really want to play international football. Not sure if there's substantial evidence for that though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 08, 2015, 02:57:34 AM
Quote from: Norgy on September 07, 2015, 07:09:32 PM
I loathe Portugal

:yes:

But that late goal was very helpful for Denmark so I'll give them a pass in this round. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 08, 2015, 03:06:33 AM
Quote from: Liep on September 08, 2015, 02:57:34 AM
Quote from: Norgy on September 07, 2015, 07:09:32 PM
I loathe Portugal

:yes:

But that late goal was very helpful for Denmark so I'll give them a pass in this round. :P

Selective sour grapes. The worst kind! A tie would have been even more helpful for Denmark. ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 08, 2015, 03:08:26 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on September 08, 2015, 03:06:33 AM
Quote from: Liep on September 08, 2015, 02:57:34 AM
Quote from: Norgy on September 07, 2015, 07:09:32 PM
I loathe Portugal

:yes:

But that late goal was very helpful for Denmark so I'll give them a pass in this round. :P

Selective sour grapes. The worst kind! A tie would have been even more helpful for Denmark. ;)


That's assuming we can beat Portugal which, judging from yesterday, we definitely can't.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on September 08, 2015, 03:17:32 AM
Quote from: Josephus on September 07, 2015, 07:21:51 PM
Quote from: Alcibiades on September 07, 2015, 06:53:57 PM
I don't follow soccer well enough, what do you mean by that?   :hmm:

He meams that top flight football players don't really want to play international football. Not sure if there's substantial evidence for that though.

It's an argument that keeps thrown about a fair bit, especially by teams that play their regular league, plus Champions League, saying that their players are under too much stress from all those matches. Not to mention risk of injury during international matches.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on September 08, 2015, 04:57:51 AM
Quote from: Tyr on September 07, 2015, 05:42:03 PM
I wonder if the latest upsurge in lesser footballing nations could be related to the decline in importance of international football for the worlds top players

I think you can make a case for that.

Being an international isn't what it used to be. Most footballers are coddled, overpaid mercenaries who will play anywhere. I still remember a bunch of part-timers taking down mighty England in Oslo in 1981.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on September 09, 2015, 02:18:30 AM
Sweden :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 10, 2015, 03:10:11 AM
This is really interesting, a map of the most popular premier league teams globally:

https://interactive.twitter.com/premierleague/#?mode=team&teamId=all


Kind of similar to what I want to do though with different methodology. Dodgy of course, lots of people don't use twitter (e.g. me) and I'm not sure its safe to assume a follow=a fan, but interesting nonetheless.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 11, 2015, 09:15:53 AM
Wolfsburg is planning for Bendtner to take over for de Bruyne. :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 15, 2015, 01:31:02 PM
I broke down and brought Viaplay to watch Champions League and NFL.  $35/month :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on September 15, 2015, 01:34:30 PM
Quote from: Liep on September 15, 2015, 01:31:02 PM
I broke down and brought Viaplay to watch Champions League and NFL.  $35/month :cry:

Is that a big deal in the land of $16 minimum wage? :unsure:

Or are you just cheap?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 15, 2015, 01:37:06 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on September 15, 2015, 01:34:30 PM
Quote from: Liep on September 15, 2015, 01:31:02 PM
I broke down and brought Viaplay to watch Champions League and NFL.  $35/month :cry:

Is that a big deal in the land of $16 minimum wage? :unsure:

Or are you just cheap?

I'm probably just cheap.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 15, 2015, 02:01:28 PM
Shaw's shinbone. :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 15, 2015, 02:47:01 PM
Quote from: Liep on September 15, 2015, 02:01:28 PM
Shaw's shinbone. :weep:

Looked nasty in replay. I'm watching the City-Juve game. Hard to stay motivated though watching two teams I hate
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 15, 2015, 03:05:24 PM
Only 1-0 (Di Maria) in the PSG-Malmö game. Zlatan does not zlatan Malmö it seems. :(
Hidden motives? :tinfoil:

2-0 now, goal by Cavani. :(

PS: actually there was an assist by Zlatan.  :Embarrass: Not enough for "to zlatan".
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 15, 2015, 03:23:43 PM
Quote from: Liep on September 15, 2015, 01:37:06 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on September 15, 2015, 01:34:30 PM
Quote from: Liep on September 15, 2015, 01:31:02 PM
I broke down and brought Viaplay to watch Champions League and NFL.  $35/month :cry:

Is that a big deal in the land of $16 minimum wage? :unsure:

Or are you just cheap?

I'm probably just cheap.

And btw, we don't have a minimum wage.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 15, 2015, 03:32:16 PM
PSV-ManU is highly entertaining.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on September 15, 2015, 08:09:16 PM
Forest won at Brum. And it wasn't even lucky.  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on September 15, 2015, 08:45:26 PM
I don't know which is more hilarious:

LOLerpool being utterly mediocre. Nice spending there Rodgers.

Or

Chelsea sucking.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on September 15, 2015, 09:06:48 PM
I watched the Mancunian Scourge against the Hubcap robbers in the weekend. First half: nothing. Second half: Two world-class goals and two lesser goals. I honestly don't care who wins these matches. They're both teams I love to hate.

I wish all the misery on Chelski that they can get. And hopefully, Forest will thrash them 7-0 when they hit the Championship.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on September 15, 2015, 10:30:25 PM
I've noticed Tamas has sure been quiet...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 16, 2015, 07:10:21 AM
Quote from: Liep on September 15, 2015, 01:31:02 PM
I broke down and brought Viaplay to watch Champions League and NFL.  $35/month :cry:

Turns out to be a good deal as I'll also get the Rugby World Cup.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 16, 2015, 09:42:48 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on September 15, 2015, 08:45:26 PM
I don't know which is more hilarious:

LOLerpool being utterly mediocre. Nice spending there Rodgers.

Or

Chelsea sucking.

Rodgers is a fraud, Mourinho is losing it, and I'm loving all of it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 16, 2015, 02:03:07 PM
Roma is playing very Italian. :zzz
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on September 16, 2015, 02:17:17 PM
Rodgers haven't got the players to play the way he wants. Well, he does, but not of the class he should have. Benteke is a mystery signing for a team that prefers to play it on the floor and keep possession, if you ask me.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on September 16, 2015, 02:33:16 PM
It seems Greek police have been beating up Bayern fans ... which is a bit weird, Bayern Munich fans don't generally have a reputation of being problematic in any way. Several fans needed medical attention afterwards.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on September 16, 2015, 03:11:52 PM
Just noticed your avatar Norgy.  :lol:

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 16, 2015, 04:29:44 PM
Meh, Porto suffered a late equaliser in Kyiv vs the Dynamo. :( 2-2
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on September 17, 2015, 11:35:16 AM
Minor scandal in the Bundesliga.

German tabloid BILD - they're not the best journalists, but they're among the bests when it comes to running campaigns. In the past they've been known to make and break careers in sports, showbiz or politics. For months they were riling against refugees and immigration until recently, when the broad German opinion changed. Now they're on the altruism bandwagon.

For next Bundesliga match day they made a deal with the league where clubs could opt to wear a charitable "We help" badge instead of the usual league sponsor's badge on their jerseys.

All clubs joined, except ... FC St. Pauli. The editor in chief of BILD, Kai Diekmann (a person I find rather repugnant) took to Twitter calling the club out with #refugeesnotwelcome and that obviously making right wing parties happy.

He was widely ridiculed for it. If any pro club in Germany has a reputation for inclusion and tolerance it would be FC St. Pauli who support various charities, only recently invited 1000 refugees to watch a friendly match against Dortmund, fosters an alternative/left wing fan scene (it was the first club with an openly gay president), supports development projects in Third World countries, and was even mentioned in the New York Times for it.

FC St. Pauli reacted with a diplomatic message that basically said, "While you and the other clubs care about the PR, we're actually doing something." That the paper and the club are not on friendly terms and often find themselves on opposite side on, well, almost everything, goes without saying.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on September 17, 2015, 02:55:09 PM
4 more clubs now have also withdrawn from the initiative. :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 19, 2015, 08:52:52 AM
Quote from: Liep on September 16, 2015, 07:10:21 AM
Quote from: Liep on September 15, 2015, 01:31:02 PM
I broke down and brought Viaplay to watch Champions League and NFL.  $35/month :cry:

Turns out to be a good deal as I'll also get the Rugby World Cup.

I think I'm experiencing a sports overload. Premier league is also part of the deal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 20, 2015, 10:29:45 AM
The Scottish league is actually looking interesting this year. Aberdeen are pulling ahead at the top of the table. Would make a change from Celtic.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on September 22, 2015, 02:44:18 PM
Bayern's Lewandowski has just scored 5 goals in a league match against Wolfsburg (who are also in Champions League this season) .... in 9 minutes. :lmfao:

I suppose it's fitting with the kind of week VW is having (they're the main sponsor for Wolfsburg - the city was built for VW in the 30s).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 22, 2015, 03:11:24 PM
The Spanish FA has refused to register 11 year old Boris Tchako, from Hercules, in a youth league. They suspect him and the club are lying about his age.

[spoiler]
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffotos02.diarioinformacion.com%2F2013%2F10%2F30%2F646x260%2Ffederacion-cree-1.jpg&hash=75843499fe86e5a27d6f3e439ce0b8cadd5b948d)
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcde.3.depor.pe%2Fima%2F0%2F0%2F1%2F1%2F9%2F119226.jpg&hash=7bc6ffeba6bd15c36852804b9207f43f68cac130)
[/spoiler]

I wonder why.

(stolen from Larchie in the Spanish EUOT)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 22, 2015, 03:31:28 PM
It really reinforces all the stereotypes against players of African origin that play in youth categories.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 22, 2015, 04:13:07 PM
 :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 22, 2015, 04:15:16 PM
Apparently Eva Carneiro is leaving Chelsea and plans on taking them to court over the treatment received.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 22, 2015, 06:10:56 PM
And Costa got a three match ban. Even in victory Chelsea get shit on.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 23, 2015, 02:49:06 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on September 22, 2015, 06:10:56 PM
And Costa got a three match ban. Even in victory Chelsea get shit on.  :D

A little justice. He was really a grade A douchebag in that match.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 23, 2015, 03:14:53 AM
I gonna go out and say that I miss seeing Costa's douchebaggery in the Spanish league. When you're not the target of it, it's immensely entertaining.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 23, 2015, 04:00:12 AM
Much like Mourinho.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 23, 2015, 09:52:26 AM
Quote from: The Larch on September 22, 2015, 04:15:16 PM
Apparently Eva Carneiro is leaving Chelsea and plans on taking them to court over the treatment received.

she was the only reason to watch Chelsea
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 25, 2015, 08:47:18 AM
El Mundial de fútbol de Qatar de 2022 se disputará del 21 de noviembre al 18 de diciembre, según ha decidido hoy el Comité Ejecutivo de la FIFA reunido en su sede de Zúrich.

:(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 25, 2015, 09:48:09 AM
THEY'RE GETTING BLATTER! :w00t:

• Blatter suspected of a 'disloyal payment of 2m Swiss francs to Platini'
• Office of the Fifa president has been searched and data seized

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/sep/25/sepp-blatter-criminal-investigation-swiss-attorney-general
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 26, 2015, 08:30:36 AM
Quote from: Josephus on August 16, 2015, 12:09:14 PM
So the BPL is over, hand cup to Man City  :D

Tottenham :w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 26, 2015, 12:44:30 PM
Why the fuck are no one running out any more when being substituted? Bunch of lazy fucks just strolling.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 26, 2015, 01:07:08 PM
So there was a disqualified goal in the 90th minute in the Real Madrid - Malaga game, the speaker said it should've stood but:

Modric received while being onside, there were 3 other RM players all offside.
They were still all offside when Modric passed the ball across goal (backwards pass).
Surely they would then go under the "influencing the game" and the goal is rightly disqualified as offside from the original pass to Modric.

No?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 29, 2015, 03:11:11 PM
Barcelona without Messi and Iniesta. :zzz

Edit: a lucky goal and a wonder strike from Suarez and they still win.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 29, 2015, 03:40:05 PM
Suárez you beautiful  :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 30, 2015, 10:32:58 AM
English teams are garbage in Europe,  UEFA should just ban them again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 30, 2015, 10:41:12 AM
 :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 03, 2015, 09:24:45 AM
Whilst Glasgow and Celtic in the premier is again in the news here is a interesting article on the growing Londonisation of British football:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/11891430/The-north-is-being-cut-adrift-in-English-football-and-I-fear-the-damage-may-be-permanent.html

This was predicted a decade ago in Soccernomics and...yes. I can clearly see it happening these past few years.
Football seems to be lagging behind the rest of the country in this a little and it is something that needs to be fixed politically/economically but the football knock on effects are rather depressing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 03, 2015, 01:05:17 PM
Chelsea is playing so bad right now it's amazing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 03, 2015, 01:56:18 PM
Quote from: Liep on October 03, 2015, 01:05:17 PM
Chelsea is playing so bad right now it's amazing.

It's hilarious and I love it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 03, 2015, 06:02:13 PM
https://youtu.be/9baePPZfRYA

"the referee"  :lol: :lol: :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 03, 2015, 06:25:45 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 03, 2015, 06:02:13 PM
https://youtu.be/9baePPZfRYA

"the referee"  :lol: :lol: :lol:

He's ridiculous. And so was that film by Falcao, he might actually have been fouled if he hadn't fallen down on his own way before the goalie reached him.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 04, 2015, 01:31:08 PM
liverpool fire Rodgers
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 04, 2015, 04:26:49 PM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FdHQ5btu.jpg&hash=08092a0d0021719b5b1737af93bc5f1289c3d0e7)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on October 04, 2015, 05:38:53 PM
Quote from: Josephus on October 04, 2015, 01:31:08 PM
liverpool fire Rodgers

About time they got rid of "One Plan Wonder".

Although I'm also disappointed that I've never had to make a mental apology to Rogers for labelling him that in my mind; I told myself I'd do that if they won the title.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 05, 2015, 07:28:02 AM
He's an average manager who lucked out with Suarez for a season. He'll find his feet at a smaller club I imagine.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 05, 2015, 07:55:34 AM
Yeah, you can't overlook Suarez's role in Liverpool's run for the title that year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on October 06, 2015, 03:12:50 AM
What's the significance of Borussia Dortmund?  Any relation to Russia?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on October 06, 2015, 03:24:37 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on October 06, 2015, 03:12:50 AM
What's the significance of Borussia Dortmund?  Any relation to Russia?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borussia

QuoteBorussia may refer to:

- the Latin name for Prussia
- a female national personification of Prussia
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on October 06, 2015, 03:36:36 AM
Who the hell cares about Liverpool
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 06, 2015, 08:32:53 AM
Quote from: Tamas on October 06, 2015, 03:36:36 AM
Who the hell cares about Liverpool

I do.  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 06, 2015, 08:38:42 AM
Quote from: Tamas on October 06, 2015, 03:36:36 AM
Who the hell cares about Liverpool

Yeah, we definitely care about Chelsea though. How's that going?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 06, 2015, 12:05:09 PM
Quote from: Tamas on October 06, 2015, 03:36:36 AM
Who the hell cares about Chelsea
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 07, 2015, 01:37:41 PM
FIFAs ethical committee has suspended Blatter for 90 days!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 07, 2015, 01:41:10 PM
More time for Blatter to bring down Platini with him?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 08, 2015, 07:26:27 AM
:lol:

Platini also suspended. Chung Mong-joon banned from football for 6 years.

FIFA. :lol: :weep: :huh: :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 08, 2015, 04:00:04 PM
Well Liep, since you were complaining about being alone in this thread the other day here's one post for you  :P

Portugal 1 Denmark 0
in Braga. Not a great match by any means, but Portugal was more efficient, that's Fernando Santos as a coach for you but then there's no golden generation anymore.
Portugal qualified for the Euro 2016 in France, i.e home advantage as far as stadium crowds go. Fortunately for Denmark, Albania lost 2-0 to Serbia, that's quite a mistep, since Albania only has to win against Armenia to qualify directly. Better goal average for Denmark though so tie not enough I believe.

Germany lost versus Ireland 1-0 as well. Upset of the night! Poland vs Eire on Sunday will be decisive, Germany only has to tie Georgia to go to France, though things are a bit more complicated with Poland's very good goal average.

PS: first time since 2006 that Portugal does not go through play-offs. :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 08, 2015, 06:19:23 PM
Sure, now you find time. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 08, 2015, 06:38:40 PM
Wrong, I always find time for the Football Thread, so that you do not feel totally alone in this thread, in this order.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 09, 2015, 05:24:14 PM
Zlatan still in danger of not going to the Euro next year despite scoring against Liechtenstein, and Sweden winning 2-0. Why? Austria won 3-2 vs Montenegro and Russia won as well against Moldavia but 2-1.

In other news, Switzerland qualified  :boring: after winning against San Marino 7-0 and  Slovenia got a tie from Lithuania. Play-off it is for Slovenia.
Spain easily qualified but the second ticket is still disputed between Ukraine who won vs Macedonia and Slovakia who lost to Belarus. Ukraine and Slovakia have 19 points.

UEFA will meet on October 22 to discuss sanctions after the incidents during Scotland-Poland.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 10, 2015, 05:19:25 PM
Wow, Holland won a game. They still need Turkey to lose against Iceland though, while they need a win against the Czechs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 10, 2015, 08:33:07 PM
USA vs Mexico starting shortly.

2 bad teams.  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 11, 2015, 11:54:54 AM
Armenia is letting us down by not losing to Albania. We have to settle for a playoff spot. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 11, 2015, 12:04:19 PM
You mean Armenia letting Denmark down by not winning or tieing against Albania, since right now Albania 2 Armenia 0.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 11, 2015, 12:10:33 PM
I've got a negation for you right here.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 11, 2015, 12:13:32 PM
Quote from: Liep on October 11, 2015, 12:10:33 PM
I've got a negation for you right here.

Double negations are a bit tricky, Liep.  :secret:
Unless you actually wanted Armenia to lose so that Denmark could triumph in a play-off.  ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 11, 2015, 12:14:43 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on October 11, 2015, 12:13:32 PM
Quote from: Liep on October 11, 2015, 12:10:33 PM
I've got a negation for you right here.

Double negations are a bit tricky, Liep.  :secret:

Yes. :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 11, 2015, 12:18:58 PM
Quote from: Liep on October 11, 2015, 12:14:43 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on October 11, 2015, 12:13:32 PM
Quote from: Liep on October 11, 2015, 12:10:33 PM
I've got a negation for you right here.

Double negations are a bit tricky, Liep.  :secret:

Yes. :cry:

:hug: Don't worry Liep, the hotbed of Danophobia that is Languish is not relevant. Most people would rather have Denmark in the Euro 2016 but Balkantards did not cancel each other perfectly this time, despite a very good attempt in the beginning.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 11, 2015, 12:24:01 PM
Damn, Serbia equalised vs Portugal, in a meaningless game for both teams, though less so for Serbia it seems.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 11, 2015, 12:42:48 PM
3-0 for Albania now, while Portugal scored another goal by Moutinho a few minutes after he substituted Veloso.
Hungary tied 3-3 with Greece. Hurray for high scoring.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 11, 2015, 12:57:50 PM
All right it's over now, seventh victory on a row for Portugal with a one-goal lead.
Greece finishes off with a victory over Hungary 4-3.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 11, 2015, 02:09:37 PM
Well, we're not behind by 3 yet. That's something.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 11, 2015, 06:52:01 PM
Schmeichel Jr. certainly seemed to have saved his best moves against Portugal and the worst ones vs France.  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 12, 2015, 03:16:00 PM
We might not need a civil war to qualify to the EC, simple corruption might suffice! :w00t:

Albania supposedly paid €200000 to four Armenian players in a match fixing scheme. Now this story just needs to be investigated by someone other than the Serbian and Danish tabloids.

:P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 12, 2015, 06:23:09 PM
The Serbo-Danish conspiracy against Albania!  :o :tinfoil:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on October 13, 2015, 02:42:45 PM
0-2 down against 10 Czechs at half time. The young 'talents' on defence are comically bad.
I'm just glad it will be over in 45 minutes and we won't have to endure this crap for the next three years or so.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 13, 2015, 03:11:03 PM
Quote from: Maladict on October 13, 2015, 02:42:45 PM
0-2 down against 10 Czechs at half time. The young 'talents' on defence are comically bad.
I'm just glad it will be over in 45 minutes and we won't have to endure this crap for the next three years or so.

Not watching the game but following live scores.

Holland. :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 13, 2015, 03:26:39 PM
Holland. :o

EDIT: Nope.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 13, 2015, 06:08:18 PM
Holland  :nelson:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 13, 2015, 06:52:16 PM
Holland :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 14, 2015, 03:43:04 AM
I guess the Dutch don't like Euro championships in France since the last one they missed was in 1984, already in France.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on October 14, 2015, 04:02:40 AM

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.geenstijl.nl%2Farchives%2Fimages%2Fzomerrrrroranjeeee.jpg&hash=38856e10b65180dc17c88b0ecb61c3fc7c4e51ad)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on October 14, 2015, 04:06:23 AM
^_^
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: miozozny on October 14, 2015, 04:07:14 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on October 14, 2015, 03:43:04 AM
I guess the Dutch don't like Euro championships in France since the last one they missed was in 1984, already in France.

Missing the one in 1984 was at least close. And if they had just offered the maltese players more than Spain offered them, they would have qualified.
Now it's just terrible. Worst performance in more than 40 years.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on October 14, 2015, 04:12:16 AM
Old one: "Do it like the Dutch and watch the finals in front of the TV!"

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffelixbeilharz.de%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F06%2Fmediamarkt_em.jpg&hash=732e00b22d2891522bcd9abbef1a5510201d8fe9)

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg01.lachschon.de%2Fimages%2F133607_LOL_1.jpg&hash=0a943474c8654a97022760cfd5c9ed1cdf753cdc)

German football fans like their Dutch cousins. :hug:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Archy on October 14, 2015, 06:33:57 AM
We're nr.1 in the FIFA rankings eat that HOLLAND!!!!!! :yeah: :w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 16, 2015, 11:14:35 AM
Apparently Der Spiegel is publishing a report saying that the 2006 WC was awarded to Germany thanks to bribes paid by Adidas.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on October 16, 2015, 11:27:56 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 16, 2015, 11:14:35 AM
Apparently Der Spiegel is publishing a report saying that the 2006 WC was awarded to Germany thanks to bribes paid by Adidas.

I guess Western countries refused to pay big enough bribes after that and look where that has gotten us. Russia and Qatar. If the decision makers are crooks, you have to play ball or quit, because they do not care about the consequences for sure.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on October 16, 2015, 11:37:08 AM
Also, UEFA have come out in unanimous support of Platini.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on October 16, 2015, 11:40:04 AM
Quote from: Syt on October 16, 2015, 11:37:08 AM
Also, UEFA have come out in unanimous support of Platini.

:bleeding: Of course they have.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on October 16, 2015, 11:41:29 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 16, 2015, 11:14:35 AM
Apparently Der Spiegel is publishing a report saying that the 2006 WC was awarded to Germany thanks to bribes paid by Adidas.

Funnily, at that time a German satirical magazine sent fake DFB messages to FIFA delegates promising gift baskets with German ham, beer, a cuckoo clock etc. and later bragged that they helped bringing the World Cup to Germany. On their web page they have a small article: "Titanic readers know more - Titanic 2000: Titanic brings World Cup to Germany. Spiegel 2015: 2006 World Cup supposedly bought." They've done that on occasion when an article/story of theirs later turns out to be(come) true or close to it.

The August 2000 edition of Titanic can be read here: http://www.titanic-magazin.de/fileadmin/content/Heft/2000-08/Titanic_2000_August_Web.pdf

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia1.faz.net%2Fppmedia%2Faktuell%2Ffeuilleton%2F3179325075%2F1.866595%2Fdefault%2Fimmer-wieder-griff-das-blatt.jpg&hash=0f0806e9343091f062a23a83b59efc3ea346097e)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 16, 2015, 11:54:56 AM
Quote from: Syt on October 16, 2015, 11:37:08 AM
Also, UEFA have come out in unanimous support of Platini.

:yeahright:

I've read that both the Danish union and the FA has withdrawn support for Platini.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on October 16, 2015, 11:57:02 AM
Well, two days ago it was still unanimous. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 17, 2015, 01:41:52 PM
It increasingly seems the UK FAs back in the day had the right idea in not getting involved with this fifa stuff
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 17, 2015, 01:57:33 PM
Barcelona doesn't have a better backup attacker than Sandro? :huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 17, 2015, 02:15:33 PM
Quote from: Liep on October 17, 2015, 01:57:33 PM
Barcelona doesn't have a better backup attacker than Sandro? :huh:

It's good fortune then that Neymar plays for two.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 18, 2015, 04:55:50 AM
It's Denmark -Sweden in the playoff. :w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 18, 2015, 05:29:26 AM
Quote from: Liep on October 17, 2015, 01:57:33 PM
Barcelona doesn't have a better backup attacker than Sandro? :huh:

Nope, their squad depth is crap this year because of the transfer ban. Pedro used to be the main backup attacker but he bolted to Chelsea because he wanted to be a starter.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 18, 2015, 06:25:00 AM
 :showoff:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fekstrabladet.dk%2Fincoming%2Farticle5784171.ece%2FIMAGE_ALTERNATES%2Fp900%2FzlatanDONE.jpg&hash=714b182fc1b2ea40e9bca2aa8a0da87c1ad83d5e)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 18, 2015, 06:37:19 AM
Quote from: Liep on October 18, 2015, 04:55:50 AM
It's Denmark -Sweden in the playoff. :w00t:

Not exactly the best possible draw for both teams...

Since Liep only cares about Denmark, someone has to mention the other playoffs:

Ukraine-Slovenia

There's no Sheva anymore but Ukraine should be favorite.

Bosnia-Ireland

No Portugal to prevent Bosnia from qualifying but then no France to cheat with a handball.  :P

Norway-Hungary

Most boring playoff?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 18, 2015, 07:11:23 AM
Why is the Dane wearing underwear that says Paddy Power?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 18, 2015, 07:21:21 AM
Quote from: Josephus on October 18, 2015, 07:11:23 AM
Why is the Dane wearing underwear that says Paddy Power?

You don't remember the scandal? He scored a goal last EC and showed off that little commercial much to the dismay of UEFA who fined him heavily for it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on October 18, 2015, 08:03:08 AM
I read that a season ticket to see Arsenal now cost about 20 times one to see Bayern München, £2,016 vs £105; value for money?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 18, 2015, 05:43:15 PM
German football is amazingly well priced.

I wonder what Spanish prices are like. I've been talking with some friends about a Madrid trip someday to see an Athletico game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on October 18, 2015, 06:05:18 PM
Quote from: Tyr on October 18, 2015, 05:43:15 PM
German football is amazingly well priced.

I wonder what Spanish prices are like. I've been talking with some friends about a Madrid trip someday to see an Athletico game.

I read it in a Daily Wail article.  :blush:

Found at link here, not sure how kosher the research is:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-3272922/Premier-League-hit-BBC-s-Price-Football-study-research-suggests-cheapest-adult-ticket-passed-30.html (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-3272922/Premier-League-hit-BBC-s-Price-Football-study-research-suggests-cheapest-adult-ticket-passed-30.html)

BBC research, though not the original item:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34517474 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34517474)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 19, 2015, 03:56:19 AM
Quote from: Tyr on October 18, 2015, 05:43:15 PM
German football is amazingly well priced.

I wonder what Spanish prices are like. I've been talking with some friends about a Madrid trip someday to see an Athletico game.

Pretty expensive, but of course not British expensive.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on October 19, 2015, 04:08:59 AM
Can anyone waltz up to a ticket window and buy a season ticket to the Munchkins for 105 Yuros, or is it one of those waiting list-your dad has to be a member-the books are closed right now membership deals?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on October 19, 2015, 04:14:30 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on October 19, 2015, 04:08:59 AM
Can anyone waltz up to a ticket window and buy a season ticket to the Munchkins for 105 Yuros, or is it one of those waiting list-your dad has to be a member-the books are closed right now membership deals?

For Bayern Munich, there's a contingent of 38,000 season tickets. Existing owners get preference.  After that I would presume there's a waiting list. I'm guessing being a member of the club also helps. Prices are between 140 (standing room behind the goals) and 750 Euros (grandstand).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 19, 2015, 04:18:21 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on October 19, 2015, 04:08:59 AM
Can anyone waltz up to a ticket window and buy a season ticket to the Munchkins for 105 Yuros, or is it one of those waiting list-your dad has to be a member-the books are closed right now membership deals?

Normally the bigger the club is the more difficult to get season tickets. AFAIK Real Madrid and Barcelona have crazy long waiting lists.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on October 19, 2015, 04:20:48 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 19, 2015, 04:18:21 AM
Normally the bigger the club is the more difficult to get season tickets. AFAIK Real Madrid and Barcelona have crazy long waiting lists.

At those prices I would be surprised if they weren't.

Is it easy to scalp tickets in Spain--i.e. sell your ticket to a stranger at the gate?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 19, 2015, 04:21:49 AM
I'm friends with a German guy who has a season ticket for some team back home (Dortmund I think? Not sure...it has a big terrace called the wall or something like that, though his most favoured team is Nuremberg....), despite the fact that he only ever gets to maybe 5 games a year max.
The ticket is cheap enough (150 euros or so iirc?) and has a long waiting list so he keeps renewing it despite not living there anymore.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on October 19, 2015, 10:55:14 AM
Quote from: Syt on October 19, 2015, 04:14:30 AM
Prices are between 140 (standing room behind the goals) and 750 Euros (grandstand).

Woah.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on October 19, 2015, 11:09:03 AM
Quote from: Tyr on October 19, 2015, 04:21:49 AM
I'm friends with a German guy who has a season ticket for some team back home (Dortmund I think? Not sure...it has a big terrace called the wall or something like that, though his most favoured team is Nuremberg....), despite the fact that he only ever gets to maybe 5 games a year max.
The ticket is cheap enough (150 euros or so iirc?) and has a long waiting list so he keeps renewing it despite not living there anymore.
The Dortmund "yellow wall" must be among the very best in any football stadium in the world. It's 25.000 places for standing visitors.

(https://daandejong93owijk.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/gelbe-wand.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on October 19, 2015, 11:11:26 AM
Bayern will cancel your season ticket if you visit less than eight home games per season. They'll assign available season tickets to those people that bought and used the most regular tickets in the last season, i.e. those that demonstrated that they'll actually go to the games.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on October 19, 2015, 11:13:50 AM
Quote from: Zanza on October 19, 2015, 11:11:26 AM
Bayern will cancel your season ticket if you visit less than eight home games per season. They'll assign available season tickets to those people that bought and used the most regular tickets in the last season, i.e. those that demonstrated that they'll actually go to the games.

That makes sense. Otherwise you end up with lots of rich people who buy a ticket to have their seat in case they're in Munich that year.

Kinda like in some real estate markets. :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 19, 2015, 12:01:45 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on October 19, 2015, 04:20:48 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 19, 2015, 04:18:21 AM
Normally the bigger the club is the more difficult to get season tickets. AFAIK Real Madrid and Barcelona have crazy long waiting lists.

At those prices I would be surprised if they weren't.

Is it easy to scalp tickets in Spain--i.e. sell your ticket to a stranger at the gate?

That's very common for big matches.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 20, 2015, 02:02:32 PM
Bayern fans staged a surprisingly well covered complaint about the high ticket prices at emerites. Stayed outside for the first five minutes and then walked to their seat to applause from the British fans.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 20, 2015, 02:12:42 PM
I could get behind this Bayern team. No Robben or Ribery, but a fun Costa and strong Lewandowski.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 20, 2015, 02:29:54 PM
Quote from: The Larch on October 19, 2015, 12:01:45 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on October 19, 2015, 04:20:48 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 19, 2015, 04:18:21 AM
Normally the bigger the club is the more difficult to get season tickets. AFAIK Real Madrid and Barcelona have crazy long waiting lists.

At those prices I would be surprised if they weren't.

Is it easy to scalp tickets in Spain--i.e. sell your ticket to a stranger at the gate?

That's very common for big matches.

Barça have often tried to crack down on it, but it remains pretty common.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 20, 2015, 03:19:55 PM
The French hand of God is more clumsy than the Argentinian version.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 21, 2015, 03:41:43 PM
Madrid and Paris somehow didn't score with all that offensive firepower. Most successful tonight was the streaker who got a hug from Ronaldo.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 22, 2015, 03:04:19 AM
Johan Cruyff diagnosed with lung cancer :(

He used to be a chain-smoker, until he quit in the 90s after a stroke. I guess it finally caught up with him.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 22, 2015, 03:07:37 AM
Quote from: celedhring on October 22, 2015, 03:04:19 AM
Johan Cruyff diagnosed with lung cancer :(

He used to be a chain-smoker, until he quit in the 90s after a stroke. I guess it finally caught up with him.

Sad, but Johan Cruyff is a disliked man in Denmark so I'm not really sad.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 22, 2015, 03:08:37 AM
Quote from: Liep on October 22, 2015, 03:07:37 AM
Quote from: celedhring on October 22, 2015, 03:04:19 AM
Johan Cruyff diagnosed with lung cancer :(

He used to be a chain-smoker, until he quit in the 90s after a stroke. I guess it finally caught up with him.

Sad, but Johan Cruyff is a disliked man in Denmark so I'm not really sad.

How so? His issues with Laudrup?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 22, 2015, 03:11:09 AM
Quote from: celedhring on October 22, 2015, 03:08:37 AM
Quote from: Liep on October 22, 2015, 03:07:37 AM
Quote from: celedhring on October 22, 2015, 03:04:19 AM
Johan Cruyff diagnosed with lung cancer :(

He used to be a chain-smoker, until he quit in the 90s after a stroke. I guess it finally caught up with him.

Sad, but Johan Cruyff is a disliked man in Denmark so I'm not really sad.

How so? His issues with Laudrup?

Yes, Laudrup is God here.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 22, 2015, 03:14:49 AM
So, he sells your best player 20 years ago and the country hates him? That's small time  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 22, 2015, 03:21:10 AM
Quote from: celedhring on October 22, 2015, 03:14:49 AM
So, he sells your best player 20 years ago and the country hates him? That's small time  :P

Richard Møller Nielsen who won us the '92 EC was unpopular even after the win because Michael Laudrup didn't like him (and therefore didn't play in the '92 tournament).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 22, 2015, 03:25:25 AM
Also, you have to consider who he sold him to (no matter whose decision that was). Cruyff singlehandedly forced us as a nation to root for Real Madrid. That's war crime level monstrosity.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 22, 2015, 03:39:27 AM
Quote from: Liep on October 22, 2015, 03:25:25 AM
Also, you have to consider who he sold him to (no matter whose decision that was). Cruyff singlehandedly forced us as a nation to root for Real Madrid. That's war crime level monstrosity.

Yeah, that's nasty.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on October 23, 2015, 03:04:07 AM
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/oct/22/bastian-schweinsteiger-nazi-doll-sue

QuoteBastian Schweinsteiger's lawyers seek downfall of Nazi doll doppelgänger

The Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is reported to be taking legal action to force a Hong Kong doll manufacturer to pull from its product range a Nazi doll that bears a striking resemblance to him.

The German tabloid Bild said that the star footballer's lawyers had begun proceedings in order to prevent sales of the 30cm figure that is due to retail for around £78 (HK$958).

Bild quoted the manufacturing company, Dragon in Dream (DiD) as saying that it was "pure coincidence" that the figure resembled the 31-year-old who joined Manchester United from Bayern Munich in July on a three-year contract worth a reported £14.4m.

It said the name was also a coincidence, as "many people in Germany are called Bastian".

The figure comes with a steel helmet, a woollen cap bearing a swastika, and a dagger. Experts were quick to point out that its attire is historically inaccurate. It weighs around 2kg.

It also comes equipped with outfit changes, including a white winter jacket and gloves, and other accessories such as two loaves of bread and a set of mess tins.

"Bastian" will reportedly soon be available to buy in Europe via a Dutch partner of DiD. The company describes the doll as "a member of a Wehrmacht supply unit, a so-called cookhouse wallah".

The Chinese companies register lists Japanese businessman Takuya Umezawa as the director of the DiD Corporation, whose capital shares are worth around £173,000. As well as a range of Nazi soldiers, the company also sells figures of first world war soldiers, as well as a Stalin and a James Bond doll.

Patrick Chan of DiD told Bild that any resemblance to Schweinsteiger was a coincidence. He added: "The figure is based on a typical German. We believe that all Germans look like that."

Media lawyer Ulrich Amelung told the paper that he believed Schweinsteiger would have strong legal grounds on which to stop the doll from being sold.

"This is a clear violation of Schweinsteiger's personal rights. Every person has the right to their own image. Furthermore the depiction of a swastika-wearing Wehrmacht soldier constitutes gross defamation and offence," he said.

Bild called the doll a "dirty Chinese slur" against the captain of the German football team who is a hero to many of his countrymen and women, not least Chancellor Angela Merkel.

By Thursday evening the company's website had been taken down. A few hours earlier the site had depicted the smiling doll, a supposed "collector's item", in 63 different pictures, showing the figure in various guises, including dishing out soup and carrying bread.

The newspaper Die Welt, said it was outrageous enough that the company had turned one of Germany's most popular figureheads into a Nazi, but the company's claim that the Nazi doll resembled all Germans only added insult to injury.

Many Germans were devastated when Schweinsteiger made the move to Manchester this summer. But his attempts to integrate into the UK way of life, not least tuning into British humour, have been followed closely by the German media and the Germans' love affair with him is far from over.

Much publicity was given to some of his earlier, off-the-pitch mishaps – including a jacuzzi tryst at Bayern's training grounds – but not as much as has been written about the mutual admiration between him and Merkel. One of their more famous encounters, came at the European Championships in 2008 when Schweinsteiger was suspended from a match and sat with the chancellor in the stands to watch it. "She told me I shouldn't do the same stupid things again," he said, following a red card. "When Frau Chancellor says you have to do something you have to do it."


(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.imagefully.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2015%2F07%2FSmiling-Face-Impression-Bastian-Schweinsteiger-Picture.jpg&hash=8042aace0d9efe345936a22445d78a9ec592014c)

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rosenheim24.de%2Fbilder%2F2015%2F10%2F22%2F5673519%2F1373495176-schweini-mSvAHA1JwjvO4SG.jpg&hash=c333fdc23a5ba19708fc12bcb4aee8ddf9f2fa4f)

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fassets.sport1.de%2Fimagix%2Ffilter2%2Fjpeg%2F_set%3Darticle_main%2Cfocus%3D51x24%2Fimagix%2F31f0f26a-78ad-11e5-acef-f80f41fc6a62&hash=66dc138c8805b19ac94e5cce3daf56181d24b2b2)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 23, 2015, 04:13:55 AM
Yeah, coincidence, right.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on October 23, 2015, 04:18:43 AM
QuoteWe believe that all Germans look like that.

"They all look the same to me?" Racist!  :mad:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 23, 2015, 07:17:46 AM
Typical Aryan look
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 24, 2015, 09:52:56 AM
Chelsea is disintegrating against West Ham. Down with one goal, red carded followed by a couple of yellows for complaining and an expulsion of an assistant. Mourinho is putting on his best smirk and air of indifference. It's beautiful.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 24, 2015, 10:54:54 AM
Mourinho also expelled and West Ham wins 2 - 1 so my bet on just that is safe. Odds 4.0

:showoff:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on October 24, 2015, 10:56:15 AM
Oh shut up
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 24, 2015, 11:03:17 AM
Chelsea:  :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 24, 2015, 01:33:10 PM
Tomorrow cometh the big one :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on October 24, 2015, 05:06:01 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 24, 2015, 11:03:17 AM
Chelsea:  :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson:

Even better, Andy Carroll stuck the knife in. They let the Centaur beat them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 25, 2015, 06:00:12 AM
Quote from: Tyr on October 24, 2015, 01:33:10 PM
Tomorrow cometh the big one :ph34r:

Yeah, the epic battle between the last and the 3rd last team in the PL. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 25, 2015, 07:18:20 AM
A thought just hit me- Newcastle are pretty much the argentina of the premier league. Dirty bastards
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 25, 2015, 07:48:24 AM
Wow, Sunderland must've paid some serious money to the ref. What an insane call.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 25, 2015, 07:51:10 AM
After last week and the winning goal involving several clear fouls I think we are due this bit of karma.
Things were looking  bad before with two of our players having to be subbed, including our main defender
I've no commentary where I'm wathing so took me totally by surprise. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 26, 2015, 04:21:09 AM
So Tokyo Sexwale is an actual name? And he's Blatter's man? FIFA can officially no longer surprise me.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 30, 2015, 01:54:22 PM
There's a pretty interesting looking documentary just started on BBC. It's about Salford Utd- the non-league team bought by  a bunch of the Man Utd class of 92.

There seems to be quite a lot of non-league teams with big ideas these days. It'll be interesting to see in the future which ones make something of themselves. FC United are doing pretty well, seems to be only a matter of time before they break into the League.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Brain on October 30, 2015, 02:05:54 PM
Quote from: Liep on October 26, 2015, 04:21:09 AM
So Tokyo Sexwale is an actual name? And he's Blatter's man? FIFA can officially no longer surprise me.

Guy has been mentioned on Languish several times over the years.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 31, 2015, 08:25:12 AM
How Terry is still in the starting eleven for Chelsea is beyond me. It's like Mourinho wants to make sure the opposition at least gets a goal or two.

So far he's lucky Liverpool can't actually make a qualified finish and that the ref thinks Terry's arm flailing about in a 90 degree angle is a natural position.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 31, 2015, 08:35:29 AM
Coutinho! :w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 31, 2015, 09:19:24 AM
Quote from: Liep on October 31, 2015, 08:35:29 AM
Coutinho! :w00t:

:w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 31, 2015, 09:24:07 AM
It's funny, thinking back to pre-season where the pundits were making their predictions...
Chelsea was OVERWHELMINGLY the favourite for the title. Only one or two dissenting voices when the BBC asked a variety of people.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 31, 2015, 10:20:55 AM
Liverpool :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 31, 2015, 10:21:07 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 24, 2015, 11:03:17 AM
Chelsea:  :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson:

Mourinho: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 31, 2015, 10:21:15 AM
Quote from: Tyr on October 31, 2015, 09:24:07 AM
It's funny, thinking back to pre-season where the pundits were making their predictions...
Chelsea was OVERWHELMINGLY the favourite for the title. Only one or two dissenting voices when the BBC asked a variety of people.

Yeah, but to be fair, no one could see this coming.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 31, 2015, 10:23:00 AM
Yeah. Chelsea doing so badly is really crazily unexpected. But they didn't even see them doing mediocre :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 31, 2015, 02:11:30 PM
QuoteDes Kelly: José, a 3-1 defeat after a fabulous start to the game, the game just got away from you then?

José Mourinho: I have nothing, nothing to say.

Kelly: Nothing to say about the game at all?

Mourinho: Nothing, nothing to say.

Kelly: Nothing to say about the Lucas [Leiva] decision that left him on the pitch?

Mourinho: Nothing to say, I have nothing to say.

Kelly: The [Diego] Costa clash?

Mourinho: Nothing to say, I am so sorry, I have nothing to say.

Kelly: Do you not think it's time to have a chat to the fans to give them some message, an indication of your thinking?

Mourinho: They are not stupid.

Kelly: We heard them chanting your name.

Mourinho: The fans are not stupid.

Kelly: You did say before this game that you were not worried, are you a little bit more worried now?

Mourinho: Worried about what?

Kelly: Your future, your own position at the club, the backing of the board?

Mourinho: No.

Kelly: Nothing about the game at all?

Mourinho: No.

Kelly: No individual performance you would like to pick out?

Mourinho: No.

Kelly: Nothing about the performance going ahead?

Mourinho: Nothing.

Kelly: Nothing about the way we could fix it?

Mourinho: I cannot say.

Kelly: Thank you for your time, José.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/oct/31/jose-mourinho-interview-chelsea-liverpool-btsport-transcript (http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/oct/31/jose-mourinho-interview-chelsea-liverpool-btsport-transcript)
:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 03, 2015, 02:33:52 PM
They're making fun of Ronaldo's free kicks in the studio before the game. He has the lowest ratio of goals/kicks of any "star shooter". Their compilation of his kicks includes some amazingly bad ones.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 03, 2015, 03:01:04 PM
Quote from: Liep on November 03, 2015, 02:33:52 PM
They're making fun of Ronaldo's free kicks in the studio before the game. He has the lowest ratio of goals/kicks of any "star shooter". Their compilation of his kicks includes some amazingly bad ones.

There was some small controversy at Real Madrid about his free kick shooting when the league began because he was hogging the ball so much that he prevented other talented kickers to take some chances.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 03, 2015, 03:40:22 PM
Great game, PSG is playing very well and should've scored a couple but is behind because of a goalie mistake. That pass from Di Maria. :o

Ronaldo missed another free kick.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 03, 2015, 04:41:32 PM
Real Madrid has never looked worse.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on November 04, 2015, 03:21:43 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 16, 2015, 11:14:35 AM
Apparently Der Spiegel is publishing a report saying that the 2006 WC was awarded to Germany thanks to bribes paid by Adidas.

German prosecutors have raided the offices of the DFB, plus the homes of president Niersbach, former president Zwanziger, and a third former executive. The charges are for large scale tax evasion in connection to the 6+ million that were shuffled around between DFB and FIFA in connection with the 2006 World Cup.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 05, 2015, 01:46:03 PM
Not wanting to let the NFL players hawk all the prison time French national Benzema has been arrested after allegedly black mailing his fellow national Valbuena with a recording of him having sex with his wife. The same Benzema that was arrested after pulling a Berlusconi (having sex with an under aged prostitute).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 07, 2015, 02:25:29 PM
Chelsea loses again. At least Mourinho now knows his physical presence is not the reason for their failure.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 12, 2015, 06:37:06 PM
First European play-off tonight:

Norway 0 Hungary 1

Next ones over tomorrow and the day after. Weird calendar or is it another brilliant Platini reform?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 13, 2015, 01:35:12 PM
How is it weird?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 14, 2015, 01:49:11 PM
Sweden - Denmark tonight. The biggest rivalry for our national team and I really hope we can get through this without screwing up too badly. KOM SÅ DANMARK!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 14, 2015, 02:25:58 PM
Quote from: Tyr on November 13, 2015, 01:35:12 PM
How is it weird?

Play-offs used to be on the same day with a game at least on a Saturday to facilitate WE travel to support your team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 14, 2015, 03:16:23 PM
The Swedes appear to be made of glass.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 14, 2015, 03:19:31 PM
Does this include Zlatan? He seems on the way out in Paris.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 14, 2015, 03:21:19 PM
Well, he did just fall down but his leg was removed, so can't blame him.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 14, 2015, 03:33:48 PM
And Bendtner seems to not know how his foot works.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 14, 2015, 03:34:13 PM
And that was a pretty nice goal... for Sweden. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 14, 2015, 03:35:22 PM
Hop Sverige!

(yes, I know)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 14, 2015, 03:37:18 PM
SCHMEICHEL! What a save!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 14, 2015, 03:39:18 PM
Zlatan blasted it towards the far corner from a free kick just outside the box and Schmeichel just reached it guiding it past the goal. Best save I've seen all year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 14, 2015, 03:51:07 PM
In the other game, Ukraine won 2-0 in Leopolis/Lemberg/Lviv/Lwów vs Slovenia. The Ukrainians seem more likely to make it this time since they had a bad history with playoffs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 14, 2015, 03:57:05 PM
This is ridiculous.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 14, 2015, 04:15:10 PM
Please explain, can't watch your game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 14, 2015, 04:18:59 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 14, 2015, 04:15:10 PM
Please explain, can't watch your game.

Kahlenberg clumsily fouled a Swede that wasn't really dangerous. Penalty and Zlatan scored of course.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 14, 2015, 04:22:47 PM
 :tinfoil:

Of course, biscotto can't happen this time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 14, 2015, 04:27:25 PM
MÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅL!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 14, 2015, 04:43:25 PM
2-1 is not a horrible result. I guess it's all we could ask for from an away game given our current team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 15, 2015, 04:42:08 PM
:w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 15, 2015, 04:50:29 PM
Expect Tamas to be in France next summer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 16, 2015, 03:36:12 AM
:yes: I want to take my parents to a match :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 17, 2015, 09:14:48 AM
Tonight is the night where you will all bow down to the mighty Lord as he secures our spot in the EC '16.

That is all.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 17, 2015, 09:21:58 AM
Zlatan says an EC without him is not worth watching.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on November 17, 2015, 09:24:46 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 17, 2015, 09:21:58 AM
Zlatan says an EC without him is not worth watching.  :lol:

Didn't he say that about the World Cup, too?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 17, 2015, 09:25:13 AM
I like the Swedish trailer for the game with Mikael Persbrandt doing the 'Danskjävler' monologue from von Trier's 'Riget'. :lol:

GAME ON.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 17, 2015, 09:26:13 AM
Quote from: Syt on November 17, 2015, 09:24:46 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 17, 2015, 09:21:58 AM
Zlatan says an EC without him is not worth watching.  :lol:

Didn't he say that about the World Cup, too?

He said it was too boring for him to watch I think, this is upping the ante a bit. :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 17, 2015, 09:54:11 AM
Quote from: Syt on November 17, 2015, 09:24:46 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 17, 2015, 09:21:58 AM
Zlatan says an EC without him is not worth watching.  :lol:

Didn't he say that about the World Cup, too?

Yep, actually I made this up, just by paraphrasing his statement about the World Cup.  :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 17, 2015, 09:55:37 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 17, 2015, 09:54:11 AM
Quote from: Syt on November 17, 2015, 09:24:46 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 17, 2015, 09:21:58 AM
Zlatan says an EC without him is not worth watching.  :lol:

Didn't he say that about the World Cup, too?

Yep, actually I made this up, just by paraphrasing his statement about the World Cup.  :ph34r:


Don't mess with the Zlatan. :angry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 17, 2015, 09:56:30 AM
Quote from: Liep on November 17, 2015, 09:55:37 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 17, 2015, 09:54:11 AM
Quote from: Syt on November 17, 2015, 09:24:46 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 17, 2015, 09:21:58 AM
Zlatan says an EC without him is not worth watching.  :lol:

Didn't he say that about the World Cup, too?

Yep, actually I made this up, just by paraphrasing his statement about the World Cup.  :ph34r:


Don't mess with the Zlatan. :angry:

Tell that to the Danish squad.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 17, 2015, 02:13:52 PM
Germany - Holland cancelled due to terror threats.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on November 17, 2015, 02:17:04 PM
Quote from: Liep on November 17, 2015, 02:13:52 PM
Germany - Holland cancelled due to terror threats.

Considering that the match was supposed to go ahead as a sign against fear ...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on November 17, 2015, 02:22:06 PM
Quote from: Syt on November 17, 2015, 02:17:04 PM
Quote from: Liep on November 17, 2015, 02:13:52 PM
Germany - Holland cancelled due to terror threats.

Considering that the match was supposed to go ahead as a sign against fear ...
Bit of an own-goal that, so to speak.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 17, 2015, 02:37:15 PM
Quote from: Syt on November 17, 2015, 02:17:04 PM
Quote from: Liep on November 17, 2015, 02:13:52 PM
Germany - Holland cancelled due to terror threats.

Considering that the match was supposed to go ahead as a sign against fear ...

To be fair, they probably averted a massacre.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 17, 2015, 02:46:54 PM
Quote from: Maladict on November 17, 2015, 02:37:15 PM
To be fair, they probably averted a massacre.

Now now I think Holland could have put up a bit of a fight.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 17, 2015, 02:48:56 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 17, 2015, 02:46:54 PM
Quote from: Maladict on November 17, 2015, 02:37:15 PM
To be fair, they probably averted a massacre.

Now now I think Holland could have put up a bit of a fight.

You haven't seen them play recently, have you?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 17, 2015, 02:53:44 PM
Quote from: Maladict on November 17, 2015, 02:48:56 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 17, 2015, 02:46:54 PM
Quote from: Maladict on November 17, 2015, 02:37:15 PM
To be fair, they probably averted a massacre.

Now now I think Holland could have put up a bit of a fight.

You haven't seen them play recently, have you?

Not since they beat Brazil in the third place game last year. Has anything changed?



:P

Ok not really but I am aware of how much they have sucked it up so far this year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 17, 2015, 03:20:43 PM
Ok it looks like it might actually been something serious.
There's unconfirmed news of a bomb in an ambulance.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 17, 2015, 07:31:35 PM
We got Zlataned. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 18, 2015, 04:29:29 AM
The coach quit after 15 years on the post, he's been good but this is 5 years too late. Supposedly we're getting Åge Hareide from Norway instead.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 18, 2015, 06:36:17 AM
Quote from: Liep on November 17, 2015, 02:13:52 PM
Germany - Holland cancelled due to terror threats.

Belgium - Spain was cancelled as well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 18, 2015, 09:44:13 AM
Quote from: Liep on November 17, 2015, 07:31:35 PM
We got Zlataned. :(

Quote"They said they were going to send me to retirement," he said. "I sent their whole nation into retirement."

Zlatan

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 18, 2015, 12:37:21 PM
 :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 18, 2015, 12:53:53 PM
:(

It hurts because its true. Our coach retired, our right back retired, probably Agger, Kjær, Kvist, Kahlenberg will retire too.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 18, 2015, 12:57:31 PM
Would be fun to see Zlatan go against our guy:
http://coub.com/view/97vgp


Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 21, 2015, 02:11:02 PM
Not the kind of terror Madrid fans were afraid of.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 21, 2015, 06:57:04 PM
Madrid got clowned on  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 21, 2015, 08:53:12 PM
Leicester are top :blink:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 22, 2015, 09:37:28 AM
Anyone read about Qatar's Aspire Academy? Sounds crazy. So far they've supposedly scouted over 4 millions players from Africa, South America and Asia all in a plot to buy talents for their '22 national squad.

FIFA rules are a little tougher than IHF's but it's still very much possible to buy a national team if you plan 5 years ahead.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 22, 2015, 09:52:54 AM
Predicting which youth players will be amazing is a tough game. Even predicting which will be decent is iffy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 22, 2015, 11:13:08 AM
Quote from: Liep on November 22, 2015, 09:37:28 AM
Anyone read about Qatar's Aspire Academy? Sounds crazy. So far they've supposedly scouted over 4 millions players from Africa, South America and Asia all in a plot to buy talents for their '22 national squad.

FIFA rules are a little tougher than IHF's but it's still very much possible to buy a national team if you plan 5 years ahead.

They scooped up a bunch of Barça's youth team coaches and academy staff for that project, and are paying them a small fortune.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 22, 2015, 09:50:28 PM
Qatar is ridiculous  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 23, 2015, 05:50:36 AM
The FIFA candidates are for some reason in Copenhagen, I like the little info box they did on them: "Tokyo Sexwale, known for his last name, though it's sadly pronounces se-kwa-lee", "Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, known for being accused of torture", "Gianni Infantino, known for withdrawing his candidacy if Platini is not found quilty of corruption."

They really all seem like stand up guys.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 23, 2015, 06:23:46 AM
So Figo had a chance after all. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 23, 2015, 07:46:56 AM
This just in from Blatter:

QuoteThe 79-year-old is backing the Frenchman to replace him and also reveals the severity of his recent health scare

Sepp Blatter has stated Michel Platini still has a strong chance of being elected as his successor at Fifa, with the outgoing president also suggesting he came close to death during a recent health scare.

The pair saw respective appeals against their 90-day suspensions rejected by Fifa's Ethics Commission last week in relation to an alleged disloyal payment made by Fifa to Platini in 2011.

Both men deny any wrongdoing although any extension to Blatter's ban would all but end his time as president ahead of elections at the Extraordinary Congress in February next year.

Suspended Uefa president Platini will not have his candidacy for the Fifa role acknowledged while his ban remains in place but Blatter insists the former France international can take world football's top job.

"Platini is an honest man," Blatter told RTS in an interview to be aired on Wednesday.

"If he comes back, he will be elected. And then [if] he comes back, I will return too."

:lmfao:


http://www.goal.com/en/news/468/international-football/2015/11/23/17607612/honest-platini-can-still-be-fifa-president-blatter (http://www.goal.com/en/news/468/international-football/2015/11/23/17607612/honest-platini-can-still-be-fifa-president-blatter)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 24, 2015, 01:58:06 PM
So apparently Neymar leads La Liga in most goals, most assists, most dribbles, most goal creating moves and now Barcelona gets back the best player in the world.

La Liga seems like a foregone thing, but what about the Champions League?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 24, 2015, 02:57:18 PM
Well they're dominating Roma.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 24, 2015, 03:05:29 PM
Messi. :wub:

Barca is playing absolutely fantastic.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 24, 2015, 03:31:43 PM
Suarez. What a strike.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 24, 2015, 04:04:46 PM
that take down from Neymar where he stops the ball dead from behind his leg. I don't even. :worthy:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 24, 2015, 04:05:57 PM
We're ridiculous.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 24, 2015, 04:20:19 PM
Neymar got a little too cocky there. A blast by Adriano though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 25, 2015, 08:08:56 AM
Alexis Sanchez also wants to be in on the ridiculously good:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgiant.gfycat.com%2FBogusScratchyIcterinewarbler.gif&hash=f00bfef9e04a2495abe5a2eb3ea9cc6ed38e765c)

Yes, that's moving ball control with the back of his head. And it fucking looks like he intended it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 25, 2015, 08:18:08 AM
Remember seeing Riquelme do that to set up a pass in the (brief) time he spent with us.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 26, 2015, 04:38:16 AM
We're getting Åge Hareide as national coach. A Norwegian. :yeahright: :uffda: :mellow:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 26, 2015, 04:45:26 AM
Channel surfed a bit of Madrid-Barca.  Didn't recognize Neymar without his World Cup retard haircut.  That was a super cheap shot on Neymar that the dude got a red for.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 26, 2015, 04:52:02 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on November 26, 2015, 04:45:26 AM
Channel surfed a bit of Madrid-Barca.  Didn't recognize Neymar without his World Cup retard haircut.  That was a super cheap shot on Neymar that the dude got a red for.

It was indeed, the Powers That Be though didn't think it was that bad and he only got two day suspension. I think that's pretty low considering it was so clearly meant to cut Neymar in half.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 26, 2015, 04:57:23 AM
La Liga is famously lenient on that kind of thing. Remember that Mou only got 2 games for poking the eye of a rival coach, and he even got that pardoned.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 26, 2015, 05:31:51 AM
HOPE!

The chairman for the Armenian football union accuses his players of not wanting to play against Albania and saying it was because of match fixing. If it turns out Albania is somehow involved they will surely be deducted the 3 points they got from that match and BOOM we're on to the EC '16.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 26, 2015, 07:14:45 AM
Danish FA has recently made a donation to the Armenian FA?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 30, 2015, 08:19:33 AM
Ballon d'Or nominees: Messi, Neymar and somehow also that old guy from Real Madrid.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 02, 2015, 05:10:40 PM
Is Klopp for real? Southampton 1 - 6 Liverpool

:showoff:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 02, 2015, 05:13:17 PM
Real Madrid winning their Copa del Rey leg... except for the fact they are playing with a banned player and it's likely that they will be expelled from the competition  :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 02, 2015, 05:15:05 PM
Quote from: celedhring on December 02, 2015, 05:13:17 PM
Real Madrid winning their Copa del Rey leg... except for the fact they are playing with a banned player and it's likely that they will be expelled from the competition  :lmfao:

Isco?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 02, 2015, 05:19:46 PM
Quote from: Liep on December 02, 2015, 05:15:05 PM
Quote from: celedhring on December 02, 2015, 05:13:17 PM
Real Madrid winning their Copa del Rey leg... except for the fact they are playing with a banned player and it's likely that they will be expelled from the competition  :lmfao:

Isco?

Cherysev. Got a cup ban carried over from last season, and nobody at Real Madrid was apparently aware  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 02, 2015, 05:23:55 PM
Ouch.

Just read twitter and it explodes in schadenfreude, also a youth player on the bench was red carded in the youth cup and also isn't allowed to play. :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 02, 2015, 05:41:07 PM
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CVQLVYcWIAAy4yk.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 02, 2015, 05:44:26 PM
Quote from: Liep on December 02, 2015, 05:41:07 PM
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CVQLVYcWIAAy4yk.jpg)

It's been confirmed that he was in the FA's banned list. That rule doesn't apply.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 02, 2015, 05:48:54 PM
Goodbye Rafa, then. Might not be his fault but he looks permanently guilty. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 02, 2015, 05:50:13 PM
Quote from: Liep on December 02, 2015, 05:48:54 PM
Goodbye Rafa, then. Might not be his fault but he looks permanently guilty. :P

It's not his fault, really. The club staff should keep track of these things.

I fully expect them to somehow weasel they way out of this, mind.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 02, 2015, 08:24:16 PM
That could never happen in Football Manager :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on December 02, 2015, 08:35:49 PM
Quote from: Liep on December 02, 2015, 05:10:40 PM
Is Klopp for real? Southampton 1 - 6 Liverpool

:showoff:

Klopp uber alles
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 03, 2015, 08:29:47 AM
The presidents of CONMEBOL and CONCACAF have been arrested in Switzerland for corruption. Are there anybody left in leading positions who hasn't been arrested yet? How is FIFA still functioning at this point?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 03, 2015, 09:24:25 AM
CONCACAF is corrupt? LOL. I guess things get most vicious when the stakes are lowest.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 03, 2015, 12:01:11 PM
Quote from: Liep on December 03, 2015, 08:29:47 AM
The presidents of CONMEBOL and CONCACAF have been arrested in Switzerland for corruption. Are there anybody left in leading positions who hasn't been arrested yet? How is FIFA still functioning at this point?

What about the Asian and African Football Confederations?  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 03, 2015, 06:23:00 PM
Florentino denies it all. "Nobody told us anything so we can't accept any punishment for playing Cheryshev."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 03, 2015, 06:25:05 PM
And the FIFA scandal in the Americas is so big the reporters here has given up trying to figure out what is what. Apparently everyone with just a little influence in American soccer has been arrested on corruption charges.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 05, 2015, 09:00:10 AM
The wind game in Stoke is very entertaining. :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 05, 2015, 09:17:38 AM
For a serious title contender City's defense is extremely poor. Stoke should've been on 6-0 if they had scored on all their 100% chances.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on December 05, 2015, 02:18:05 PM
Chelsea :nelson:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on December 05, 2015, 02:28:11 PM
Shut the hell up
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 05, 2015, 02:33:36 PM
I find maybe too much pleasure in Chelsea's déroute. The experts were talking about how Chelsea is aiming for top 4 because the other teams played like shit as well, but! :w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 05, 2015, 02:43:10 PM
Leicester's league to win. :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 05, 2015, 02:54:38 PM
Mou  :nelson:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 06, 2015, 06:22:45 AM
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/dec/06/nicklas-bendtner-tired-portrayed-idiot?CMP=twt_gu
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on December 06, 2015, 08:20:14 PM
LOLERPOOL.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 08, 2015, 11:29:04 AM
Only interesting games tonight are in Group B. If PSV wins United needs to beat Wolfsburg who might have Bendtner on the bench.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 08, 2015, 03:17:02 PM
What a goal! Germans playing Catalanians.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 08, 2015, 05:12:23 PM
LOL Man U
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 08, 2015, 05:29:20 PM
Malmö got zlataned without Zlatan: 0-8 vs Real Madrid. :o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 09, 2015, 03:00:26 PM
one of the weirder goals I've seen this year, but I can still find joy in that Costa missed a free run at goal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 09, 2015, 04:25:21 PM
Commentator said about Neville that he was only the fifth Englishman to ever coach a champions league team. Can that be true?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 09, 2015, 05:14:16 PM
Quote from: Liep on December 09, 2015, 04:25:21 PM
Commentator said about Neville that he was only the fifth Englishman to ever coach a champions league team. Can that be true?

Might be, English coaches don't really travel well, and most English CL teams were coached by foreigners.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 10, 2015, 12:13:28 AM
Champions league. ... possibly. It was the champions cup until fairly recently right? This century foreign managers are the thing in England. 

Edit - I was curious so just checked. European cup became champions league further back than I thought. 92. Surprised there wouldn't be more English managers then.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 10, 2015, 05:55:49 AM
Quote from: Tyr on December 10, 2015, 12:13:28 AM
Champions league. ... possibly. It was the champions cup until fairly recently right? This century foreign managers are the thing in England. 

Edit - I was curious so just checked. European cup became champions league further back than I thought. 92. Surprised there wouldn't be more English managers then.

If they were talking about British managers I guess the situation would be a bit better just by including Ferguson and others like Rodgers, but for most of the CL era the big English clubs that have dominated the Premier League have been coached by non English managers. Ferguson at United, Wenger at Arsenal, Houlier and Benítez at Liverpool, Mourinho and a retinue of other non English coaches at Chelsea... You have to search for "oddities" like Tottenham or Newcastle, as those are the teams more likely to be coached by Englishmen.

Now that we're on it, when was the last time that the Premier League was won by a team with an English coach?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 10, 2015, 06:04:51 AM
Quote from: The Larch on December 10, 2015, 05:55:49 AM

Now that we're on it, when was the last time that the Premier League was won by a team with an English coach?

After some googling, never. Leeds won the First Division with Wilkinson in '91/92

Before that, Everton in '86/87 with Kendall.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 10, 2015, 06:36:08 AM
Quote from: Liep on December 10, 2015, 06:04:51 AM
Quote from: The Larch on December 10, 2015, 05:55:49 AM

Now that we're on it, when was the last time that the Premier League was won by a team with an English coach?

After some googling, never. Leeds won the First Division with Wilkinson in '91/92

Before that, Everton in '86/87 with Kendall.

So it wasn't even called the Premier League back then.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2015, 12:29:49 PM
Benzema can no longer be chosen for the French national squad says Noël Le Graët, French football federation chairman, due to the sextape scandal.  :lol:

Guess the image of Benzema spitting during the Marseillaise did not help though Benzema claims no malicious intent. A bit like when he called Valbuena a tarlouze (faggot) over the phone during a chat with a blackmailer and claimed it was friendly.  :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on December 12, 2015, 06:19:46 AM
Euro 2016 tickets.

The contingent for German matches will only be available for members of the national team's fan club. You have to apply in December. The tickets will (randomly) be awarded in January.

So if you're interested in tickets, you have to sign up with the fan club this year (entry fee EUR 10.-, 2015 membership fee EUR 30.-), and also pay the 2016 fee in January (another EUR 30.-). And then you won't even have the guarantee of getting one of the (probably way overpriced) tickets.

The German federation say that this in no way nefarious, and is actually the process they apply to all team's away matches.

:bleeding: / :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 12, 2015, 07:23:58 AM
Danish union did the same for playoff tickets, our players protested this nefarious money grabbing scheme by playing like a sack of potatoes and ruining the night for all who fell for the ploy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 12, 2015, 08:23:35 AM
Quote from: Liep on December 12, 2015, 07:23:58 AM
Danish union did the same for playoff tickets, our players protested this nefarious money grabbing scheme by playing like a sack of potatoes and ruining the night for all who fell for the ploy.

The Dutch team never even let the federation consider it, it's heart warming how considerate they are to their fans.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 12, 2015, 08:41:22 AM
I have not checked with the Portuguese federation yet but I don't remember such a policy for 2006 or, of course, for qualifiying rounds.
Most Portuguese fans will probably get tickets in France anyways.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 12, 2015, 12:03:23 PM
Draw for the EC16 is on, France starts the show with a can-can show. :frog:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 12, 2015, 12:12:07 PM
Man they draw these things out. GET ON WITH IT
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 12, 2015, 12:16:57 PM
Draw is in the neighborhood (walking distance) so some public transport and traffic problems. The sooner it is over, the better!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 12, 2015, 12:22:17 PM
England is simular I'm sure.
National team fanclub....just insane
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on December 12, 2015, 12:37:06 PM
England v wales
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on December 12, 2015, 12:55:52 PM
Tough group E
France gets puff group.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 12, 2015, 12:56:58 PM
Not so fast katmai, Albania beat France in the last game between them, during the qualifying rounds.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 12, 2015, 01:00:41 PM
Group A

France
Romania
Albania
Switzerland

Group B

England
Russia
Wales
Slovakia

Group C
Germany
Ukraine
Poland
Northern Ireland

Group D

Spain
Czech Republic
Turkey
Croatia

Group E

Belgium
Italy
Ireland
Sweden

Group F

Portugal
Iceland
Austria
Hungary
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 12, 2015, 01:25:36 PM
Quote from: katmai on December 12, 2015, 12:55:52 PM
Tough group E
France gets puff group.

Tough to call the winners, yeah, but Italy dodged a bullet by not ending up against France, Germany or Spain
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 12, 2015, 01:32:11 PM
Only one Portugal game in Île-de-France grr: Portugal-Austria in Paris and Hungary-Portugal in the new Lyon stadium (Décines-Charpieu). The other, vs Iceland in Saint-Étienne. Probably all sold out.

Josephus

Italy dodged a bullet? 4(!) best 3rd teams qualify to the next round. Not getting out of the group phase will be a real shame for the big teams.

edit: misread the French site, sorry Tamas ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on December 12, 2015, 01:50:44 PM
Quote from: Josephus on December 12, 2015, 01:25:36 PM
Quote from: katmai on December 12, 2015, 12:55:52 PM
Tough group E
France gets puff group.

Tough to call the winners, yeah, but  France, Germany and Spain dodged a bullet by not ending up against Italy.
FYP  :P

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on December 12, 2015, 02:00:15 PM
Bournemouth, beaters of the EPL giants? :lol: :o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 12, 2015, 02:08:17 PM
Tough draw for Belgium  :(
I'll support them as the underdogs, if they fail France or Italy can have the title.

The following should not win: Germany and Spain (because they've won enough), England (because they will be insufferable) and Portugal (because).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on December 12, 2015, 02:53:43 PM
Quote from: katmai on December 12, 2015, 02:00:15 PM
Bournemouth, beaters of the EPL giants? :lol: :o
Only 2nd team to ever beat Chelsea and Man U in back to back weeks in EPL timeframe.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 12, 2015, 05:28:57 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 12, 2015, 01:32:11 PM
Two Portugal games in Île-de-France: Portugal-Austria in Paris and Hungary-Portugal in Saint-Denis. The other, vs Iceland in Saint-Étienne. Probably all sold out, even in Saint-Denis with its 80,000 seats in a not so great stadium.

Josephus

Italy dodged a bullet? 4(!) best 3rd teams qualify to the next round. Not getting out of the group phase will be a real shame for the big teams.

I didn't realize that many did. That's the trouble with having so many teams, makes both the first round not so exciting. Still for Italy playing Belgium is better than Germany or France or Spain I think
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 12, 2015, 06:51:32 PM
I certainly agree with the last part, but the groups sure look like some qualifying round groups.
Portugal is notorious for choking on weaker teams according to some people... ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 12, 2015, 10:33:44 PM
Quote from: katmai on December 12, 2015, 12:55:52 PM
Tough group E
France gets puff group.
France are in a puff tournament.
If they win their group then they play a second place team and if they win that game they will again play a team that didn't win their group
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 13, 2015, 06:22:46 AM
Not that I disagree with Tyr on the basics, but France, if first, will play against one of the best third classified teams.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 13, 2015, 11:50:09 AM
WBA's 2nd goal was cancelled after a long consultation with the linesman. Second time I've seen this in the Premier League this year and I must say I like it much unlike WBA's manager. :P

Both calls were correct according to the new offside rules as far as I could see.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 13, 2015, 11:04:06 PM
After 15 games Chelsea are 1 point off the drop lmao
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 14, 2015, 02:59:32 AM
Sunderland have Chelsea next :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 14, 2015, 04:18:42 AM
A retired ref is putting up videos of various fouls and their rulings on the field with the ref-audio on at the same time. The linesman's comments/information is very interesting and I wish they'd do this more often. This one is in Danish:

www.lortedommer.dk (.shit-referee. :P)

Anyone know of similar English videos?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on December 14, 2015, 04:09:56 PM
@Tamas :nelson:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 14, 2015, 05:09:02 PM
Quote from: katmai on December 14, 2015, 04:09:56 PM
@Tamas :nelson:

I don't think I'll ever tire of seeing Mourinho lose.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 14, 2015, 05:10:24 PM
Never funny to see a top side like Leicester clown on a team in a genuine relegation battle (Chelsea) .  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 15, 2015, 04:27:45 AM
After reading that Mourinho feels betrayed by his players because he really felt he coached them against the goals that Leicester scored I'm starting to feel sympathy for him. Then in the same article he calls the ballboys a disgrace to football for wasting time, so.. yeah. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on December 15, 2015, 05:08:39 AM
Quote from: Liep on December 15, 2015, 04:27:45 AM
After reading that Mourinho feels betrayed by his players because he really felt he coached them against the goals that Leicester scored I'm starting to feel sympathy for him. Then in the same article he calls the ballboys a disgrace to football for wasting time, so.. yeah. :P

I am starting to think the players want to coup him.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 15, 2015, 06:26:59 AM
This should be of interested to Tamas and others interested in getting tickets for the Euro 2016. Cheap tickets for the group phase are gone, unsurprisingly, and the remaining ones are expensive: 145 € for Portugal-Hungary in Lyon?!
Not to mention, they will probably draw the lucky ones randomly since demand will be higher than offer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on December 15, 2015, 08:30:50 AM
Waddayamean "gone"? Application for the draw hasn't closed yet
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on December 15, 2015, 12:49:21 PM
One of commentators on broadcast said Jose has never had a team fighting against relegation before and wondered if that being new thing was part of his inability.  It really seems the teams just isn't listening to him anymore and wouldn't be surprised if he gets sacked.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 15, 2015, 02:49:37 PM
Yup, Mourinho has clearly lost the squad. He needs to go. It's cheaper to replace him than replacing the whole team. Not sure what Roman is thinking of doing though. Maybe waiting till the January transfer window?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on December 15, 2015, 02:54:06 PM
I think Abramovich wanted him back to build a dynasty akin to Wenger and Ferguson. That's not easy to give up and I am not convinced it has to be given up. Yet.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 15, 2015, 02:58:56 PM
Mou has shown time and again that he can't stay at the same club for long. He always ends up burning bridges with either the board, players, the media, or all of them. His main - and increasingly sole - trick is to amp-up the siege mentality, and this ends up exhausting the clubs he manages.

All in all, it's pretty blatant that Chelsea players don't want to play for him. Hazard was hilarious yesterday.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 15, 2015, 03:00:34 PM
Yeah, that was the idea I believe. It's crashing and burning now, unless Mou can pull something out of his ass and Chelsea miraculously finish like 6th or something.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on December 15, 2015, 03:00:52 PM
I've been badgering my local cinema to show "I Believe In Miracles".

They liked the idea, could not get hold of the movie.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 15, 2015, 03:03:39 PM
Quote from: celedhring on December 15, 2015, 02:58:56 PM
Mou has shown time and again that he can't stay at the same club for long. He always ends up burning bridges with either the board, players, the media, or all of them. His main - and increasingly sole - trick is to amp-up the siege mentality, and this ends up exhausting the clubs he manages.

All in all, it's pretty blatant that Chelsea players don't want to play for him. Hazard was hilarious yesterday.

Yup I agree. This time it only worked for one season. I really can't see him being the type of manager who can stay at a club for 10 or 15 or 20 years. He's not capable of that  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 15, 2015, 03:31:21 PM
Quote from: Tamas on December 15, 2015, 08:30:50 AM
Waddayamean "gone"? Application for the draw hasn't closed yet

The draw for the second phase is not closet yet indeed, but there was a first phase with a draw as well which had those famous tickets I mentioned. I applied back then and got nothing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on December 15, 2015, 04:13:21 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 15, 2015, 03:03:39 PM
Quote from: celedhring on December 15, 2015, 02:58:56 PM
Mou has shown time and again that he can't stay at the same club for long. He always ends up burning bridges with either the board, players, the media, or all of them. His main - and increasingly sole - trick is to amp-up the siege mentality, and this ends up exhausting the clubs he manages.

All in all, it's pretty blatant that Chelsea players don't want to play for him. Hazard was hilarious yesterday.

Yup I agree. This time it only worked for one season. I really can't see him being the type of manager who can stay at a club for 10 or 15 or 20 years. He's not capable of that  :lol:

Mourinho, because of his rather direct handling of media, is often compared to the late Brian Clough.
And he seems to enjoy the comparision.
The difference, though, is that Clough won the league twice with two fairly unfancied clubs and the European Cup twice with a small side from the Midlands that had little money and almost broke the bank when Trevor Francis became the first million pound player (with taxes, the actual fee was £ 999.999). Mourinho has won the league with a club that's been fueled by Russian money for a decade. He's not special. He's basically nothing compared to the Cloughs, Shanklys, Paisleys and Fergusons.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 16, 2015, 06:41:35 AM
I wonder how some pretty unspectacular managers would do if given a chance at Chelsea. The sort that does their trade in the bottom of the premier and the championship
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on December 16, 2015, 06:45:46 AM
I want Ranieri back. :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on December 16, 2015, 06:53:15 AM
The Steve Bruces of this world? An interesting premise for a discussion.

I was utterly underwhelmed when Dougie Freedman was appointed Forest manager after Pearce's terrible stint, but he's actually done a decent job at steadying a sinking ship.
Under a transfer embargo, no less.

Who'd have thought Leicester City would be in top three this season?

Schteve McClaren was utter shite at Forest, but took Derby County close to promotion. Now I guess he is shite at Newcastle.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on December 16, 2015, 07:16:17 AM
I think/hope that Mourinho will have one last chance: go on a shopping spree come January and rebuild the squad. If somebody, he can make it. Then again of course the Holidays period is traditionally the worst for Chelsea, there is a decent chance they will emerge out of it deep within relegation zone.

If he is kicked out, they need somebody who the players can rally around, AND who can change up the tactics. I think part of the problem is that Mourinho must be very predictable by now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on December 16, 2015, 07:38:47 AM
Is Roberto di Matteo still unemployed?
He's be a good shout.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 16, 2015, 07:45:02 AM
(https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/d3aaf56382aa9d97ac989bc0e5284ba5d52df10d/58_35_2089_3410/master/2089.jpg?w=940&q=85&auto=format&sharp=10&s=9873028908be0e838921b2e2f2599b63)

Courtesy of the always excellent David Squires at the Guardian
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 17, 2015, 06:06:33 AM
Ugh. Barcelona - Guangzhou in the Club World Cup. A chinese player fell with his weight down on his foot and it was just dangling there in the wrong direction. Poor guy. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 17, 2015, 06:08:51 AM
Quote from: Liep on December 17, 2015, 06:06:33 AM
Ugh. Barcelona - Guangzhou in the Club World Cup. A chinese player fell with his weight down on his foot and it was just dangling there in the wrong direction. Poor guy. :(

Yeah, I was watching the game and I had to turn it off for a moment. Sick.  :wacko:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 17, 2015, 09:45:37 AM
Looks like Mourinho is gone, British media reporting.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on December 17, 2015, 09:58:49 AM
:(

I am sad I was hoping he would stay for many years, but at this stage he did seem incapable of preventing a total meltdown.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 17, 2015, 10:20:48 AM
Too early for Mourinho to be coach for Portugal. :(
Fernando Santos might even do a good enough job to get a longer contract.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 17, 2015, 10:33:31 AM
Quote from: Tamas on December 17, 2015, 09:58:49 AM
:(

I am sad I was hoping he would stay for many years, but at this stage he did seem incapable of preventing a total meltdown.

Wut? He hasn't stayed for many years anywhere (unless you call three seasons "many years"), he's just not a "legacy" kind of coach, he is for the short term only and becomes toxic after a while.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 17, 2015, 12:36:58 PM
Mou  :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson:

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BsCI6BPIAAAw_gB.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 17, 2015, 12:44:55 PM
The new coach will get an easy start with Sunderland at home. Unless Chelsea somehow loses that but that seriously in no way could ever happen.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on December 17, 2015, 01:33:21 PM
Chelsea's first act should be to reinstate that nice doctor.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on December 19, 2015, 02:48:47 PM
Leicester!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on December 19, 2015, 06:25:42 PM
Fixing something that isn't broken will be the new Chelsea boss' job. And best of luck with that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on December 19, 2015, 07:18:31 PM
RIP Jimmy Hill, a football innovator and father of three points for a win:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22268587 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22268587)

:(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on December 19, 2015, 07:49:54 PM
Quote from: katmai on December 19, 2015, 02:48:47 PM
Leicester!

If one says three or more wins out of the last four games makes a team in form, then those currently so in the premiership are Leicester, Crystal Palace, Watford and Bournemouth.  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 20, 2015, 06:31:52 AM
So is Pep heading for ManU or Chelsea?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on December 20, 2015, 06:37:02 AM
Quote from: Liep on December 20, 2015, 06:31:52 AM
So is Pep heading for ManU or Chelsea?

German paper says Manchester City. Ancelotti will go to Munich.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 20, 2015, 07:03:29 AM
Quote from: Syt on December 20, 2015, 06:37:02 AM
Quote from: Liep on December 20, 2015, 06:31:52 AM
So is Pep heading for ManU or Chelsea?

German paper says Manchester City. Ancelotti will go to Munich.

Ah, well, Gaal is surely done in United so they need someone, Mourinho? :D

Also, Barcelona is just fucking magic in the CWC final. :worthy:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 20, 2015, 08:53:40 AM
Quote from: mongers on December 17, 2015, 01:33:21 PM
Chelsea's first act should be to reinstate that nice doctor.  :)

this
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 20, 2015, 08:56:57 AM
Quote from: Liep on December 20, 2015, 07:03:29 AM
Also, Barcelona is just fucking magic in the CWC final. :worthy:

:wub:

River had a some good 15-20 minutes where they were able to get under our skin, argie-style, but once we got going it was a fine game.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 20, 2015, 12:31:22 PM
Knew it was a bad time to play Chelsea.
If only Jose had hung on another week :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 21, 2015, 04:57:41 PM
Arsenal  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 22, 2015, 09:06:20 AM
http://i.imgur.com/VkKJX9V.gifv  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on December 26, 2015, 08:40:39 AM
ManU 2-nil down to Stoke City. :nelson:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 26, 2015, 09:46:28 AM
Louis van Gaal is a garbage man and his Manchester United are a team full of garbage  :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson:

I'm loving this season. Chelsea are shit, Mourinho found out again, United are garbage, Leicester top of the table. Play this season on repeat forever please.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on December 26, 2015, 10:13:42 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 26, 2015, 09:46:28 AM
Louis van Gaal is a garbage man and his Manchester United are a team full of garbage  :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson:

I'm loving this season. Chelsea are shit, Mourinho found out again, United are garbage, Leicester top of the table. Play this season on repeat forever please.

End of season top three:

1. Leicester
2. Crystal Palace
3. Watford

:D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 26, 2015, 10:27:04 AM
All I have to say about today so far - :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 26, 2015, 10:34:10 AM
Pity Newcastle are being shit (as usual), otherwise this would be a really enjoyable PL season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Alcibiades on December 26, 2015, 12:54:31 PM
Everton to the top!  I like them because of football manager, does the club generally have a decent reputation, if not necessarily a winning one?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 26, 2015, 01:03:54 PM
Quote from: Alcibiades on December 26, 2015, 12:54:31 PM
Everton to the top!  I like them because of football manager, does the club generally have a decent reputation, if not necessarily a winning one?

They are the team in Liverpool that are not Liverpool. That's a decent reputation.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on December 26, 2015, 01:05:44 PM
Quote from: Alcibiades on December 26, 2015, 12:54:31 PM
Everton to the top!  I like them because of football manager, does the club generally have a decent reputation, if not necessarily a winning one?

Early to mid-80s, yes; not sure since.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 26, 2015, 01:13:51 PM
They had Gravesen in the early 00's and are thus a dirty playing team and should forever be scorned.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on January 02, 2016, 07:57:57 PM

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fc.files.bbci.co.uk%2FD011%2Fproduction%2F_87456235_7ba69327-db9b-478a-90a4-0d44224248e6.jpg&hash=1ed70519b808bcf7411c3a08bd36947922b220e0)

:wacko:


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35214931 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35214931)

Quote
Brentford go for a unique 'double wall' as they prepare to take a free-kick against Birmingham City, who built their own conventional five-man construction behind the Bees' four-man and three-man versions. Bizarre.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 06, 2016, 09:00:13 PM
Do you think this will be getting coverage on sports news if the Chelsea doctor wasn't a woman...and hot?

http://www.espnfc.us/chelsea/story/2781310/eva-carneiro-dismissal-case-vs-chelsea-goes-to-full-tribunal
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 07, 2016, 03:23:21 AM
No. Weren't they crying sexism from the moment she was sacked?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on January 07, 2016, 05:23:22 AM
Quote from: Josephus on January 06, 2016, 09:00:13 PM
Do you think this will be getting coverage on sports news if the Chelsea doctor wasn't a woman...and hot?

http://www.espnfc.us/chelsea/story/2781310/eva-carneiro-dismissal-case-vs-chelsea-goes-to-full-tribunal

So that this discrimination case is getting attention is discrimination? Primarily I think this gets attention because of the well known douchebaggery that is Mourinho.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on January 07, 2016, 05:24:29 AM
Quote from: Tyr on January 07, 2016, 03:23:21 AM
No. Weren't they crying sexism from the moment she was sacked?

Who are 'they'?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 07, 2016, 08:42:38 AM
Quote from: Liep on January 07, 2016, 05:23:22 AM
Quote from: Josephus on January 06, 2016, 09:00:13 PM
Do you think this will be getting coverage on sports news if the Chelsea doctor wasn't a woman...and hot?

http://www.espnfc.us/chelsea/story/2781310/eva-carneiro-dismissal-case-vs-chelsea-goes-to-full-tribunal

So that this discrimination case is getting attention is discrimination? Primarily I think this gets attention because of the well known douchebaggery that is Mourinho.

I think Mourinhio plays a key part. I'm just arguing though that if the team doctor was a 40-year-old bloke it wouldn't get half the attention.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on January 07, 2016, 08:48:14 AM
Quote from: Josephus on January 07, 2016, 08:42:38 AM
Quote from: Liep on January 07, 2016, 05:23:22 AM
Quote from: Josephus on January 06, 2016, 09:00:13 PM
Do you think this will be getting coverage on sports news if the Chelsea doctor wasn't a woman...and hot?

http://www.espnfc.us/chelsea/story/2781310/eva-carneiro-dismissal-case-vs-chelsea-goes-to-full-tribunal

So that this discrimination case is getting attention is discrimination? Primarily I think this gets attention because of the well known douchebaggery that is Mourinho.

I think Mourinhio plays a key part. I'm just arguing though that if the team doctor was a 40-year-old bloke it wouldn't get half the attention.

The whole point is to find out if she has been treated the same way as a 40 year old bloke would've or not. It's news because she's a woman and there's not many of them in the Premier League, so you're right in that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on January 13, 2016, 05:12:37 PM
Who will throw away their title chance first: Arsenal or Leicester?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on January 14, 2016, 09:12:01 AM
Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid will be barred to do any buying for the next two market sessions: they made some illegal signings of underage players.

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 14, 2016, 09:25:33 AM
Quote from: Pedrito on January 14, 2016, 09:12:01 AM
Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid will be barred to do any buying for the next two market sessions: they made some illegal signings of underage players.

L.

REal Madrid are having all sorts of back office issues this year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 14, 2016, 10:21:08 AM

Sunderland have gone two games without being a total embarrassment :w00t:

Yesterday's referee though. .... it was some amateur brought in at the last moment when mariner (also crap) fell ill.
Jesus that guy. Gave Swansea a penalty when their player kicked the ground and fell over and then to make up for it sent one of their players off for no reason.

Quote from: Liep on January 07, 2016, 05:24:29 AM
Quote from: Tyr on January 07, 2016, 03:23:21 AM
No. Weren't they crying sexism from the moment she was sacked?

Who are 'they'?
The press.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on January 16, 2016, 11:13:01 AM
Everton!
Chelsea :nelson:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on January 16, 2016, 11:24:15 AM
Quote from: katmai on January 16, 2016, 11:13:01 AM
Everton!
Chelsea :nelson:

Too soon. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on January 16, 2016, 11:25:36 AM
Yes indeed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on January 16, 2016, 11:58:12 AM
Everton was rubbed!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Alcibiades on January 16, 2016, 12:37:22 PM
:weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on January 16, 2016, 12:55:48 PM
Eriksen scores twice by deflected shots and Danish press goes apeshit. We really need better players so the papers don't have to focus so much on our only star. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 16, 2016, 03:31:28 PM
Today results were :bleeding: all round
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on January 18, 2016, 12:11:44 PM
Uli Hoeness will be released from prison (for tax fraud) end of February. He had made Bayern into the club they are today between 1979 and 2014 (when he was arrested). Will be interesting to see if he will come back into a more public role. As part of his rehabilitation he had already been allowed to work with Bayern's youth team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on January 18, 2016, 12:35:50 PM
I've always liked Uli Hoeneß. He's a dickwad for committing tax fraud, but as you say - he turned Bayern into what the club is today and laid a foundation where they're one of the financially strongest and most solid clubs in Europe's top tier.

And his interviews were always funny, often in an arrogant way, but he would rarely bullshit. I particularly recall when Christoph Daum was tagged as future German team coach, and Hoeneß stepped forward saying that with Daum's history of drug abuse this would be an inappropriate decision. Daum rejected the claims, and the general public immediately sided with him. Eventually Daum did a drug test which indeed came back positive.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on January 23, 2016, 09:21:38 AM
Liverpool has gone from 1-3 to 4-3 in about 20 minutes. Games like this makes me want to spend €40 a month for Premier League streaming.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on January 23, 2016, 09:48:17 AM
5-4 to King Klopp. :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 23, 2016, 09:57:05 AM
As a Liverpool fan, I have to say...that was crazy
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 23, 2016, 10:00:46 AM
I was thinking of watching it but decided to play a game instead.
Seems I made a mistake.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on January 23, 2016, 01:05:20 PM
:lol:

http://www.sport.es/es/noticias/real-madrid/florentino-perez-prohibe-cristiano-ronaldo-los-viajes-marruecos-4836673

Perez bans Ronaldo from flying down to Morocco to visit his friend there.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on January 23, 2016, 01:15:39 PM
Quote from: Liep on January 23, 2016, 01:05:20 PM
:lol:

http://www.sport.es/es/noticias/real-madrid/florentino-perez-prohibe-cristiano-ronaldo-los-viajes-marruecos-4836673

Perez bans Ronaldo from flying down to Morocco to visit his friend there.

That's a pretty unreliable source, to be frank.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on January 23, 2016, 01:25:02 PM
Quote from: celedhring on January 23, 2016, 01:15:39 PM
That's a pretty unreliable source, to be frank.

I figured as I got the link from a pretty unreliable tabloid here, but the story was too funny to pass. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 01, 2016, 07:43:05 AM
Newcastle has outspend the entire La Liga in January. :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 01, 2016, 08:09:56 AM
Read an interesting stat this morning.
Next year the team that finishes in last place in the premiership will earn more money for it than the team that finishes top of the bundesliga.
Money in football is evil however....having so much in the premier league does quite nicely reduce the value of European money
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on February 02, 2016, 04:13:08 PM
Foxes!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 02, 2016, 04:44:45 PM
Quote from: katmai on February 02, 2016, 04:13:08 PM
Foxes!

14 games left, plenty of time for City to crush the hopes and dreams of people who like football.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 02, 2016, 05:25:35 PM
City should have lost today.
Didn't.
:(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 02, 2016, 07:58:10 PM
Damn Liverpool.

I'm actually gonna start hoping for Leicester to win the league. I think the league needs it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 03, 2016, 04:44:40 PM
Barca. :o

I'm going to pay whatever it takes to see that Getafe game in March. 2 hattricks, one by Messi and one by Suarez.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on February 05, 2016, 10:37:38 PM
Bring it on ya dirty Canucks!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 06, 2016, 05:38:54 AM
Quote from: Liep on February 03, 2016, 04:44:40 PM
Barca. :o

I'm going to pay whatever it takes to see that Getafe game in March. 2 hattricks, one by Messi and one by Suarez.

Valencia are in a pretty sorry state right now. Gary Neville has been a joke, but their transfer activity this summer and lining up Jorge Mendes' pockets haven't helped.

But Suárez, oh man...  :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 06, 2016, 07:33:12 AM
Quote from: katmai on February 05, 2016, 10:37:38 PM
Bring it on ya dirty Canucks!

Damn Altidore!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 06, 2016, 09:03:54 AM
I should've taken that odds 5.70 on Leicester to win. :o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 06, 2016, 09:16:36 AM
We are all living in a Leicester's fan FM save.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 06, 2016, 09:28:48 AM
Quote from: celedhring on February 06, 2016, 09:16:36 AM
We are all living in a Leicester's fan FM save.

:(

Does that mean Vardy's moral will plummet when you tell him you won't accept a bid from Real Madrid?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 06, 2016, 10:04:34 AM
Quote from: celedhring on February 06, 2016, 09:16:36 AM
We are all living in a Leicester's fan FM save.
Even beyond Leicester the league this year does look like a few years into a FM game, except its not usually Chelsea which is the top team that drops.

I wonder what the biggest amount of money someone put on Leicester winning the league this year was.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 06, 2016, 11:00:09 AM
Quote from: Liep on February 06, 2016, 09:28:48 AM
Quote from: celedhring on February 06, 2016, 09:16:36 AM
We are all living in a Leicester's fan FM save.

:(

Does that mean Vardy's moral will plummet when you tell him you won't accept a bid from Real Madrid?

My default for that is always the "let's wait until an offer comes first"...that soothes them for a while.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 06, 2016, 11:55:30 AM
Could have done with 3 points, but we weren't playing as well as last time.
As things stand though, thanks for the walkout Liverpool fans.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 14, 2016, 11:02:36 AM
Leicester lost :(

Liverpool finally found someone they were better than and they piled on.

City - Spurs on next. COME ON ERIKSEN!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 14, 2016, 11:57:02 AM
Yeah was hoping Leicester would hang on. Stupid foul.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 14, 2016, 01:08:57 PM
ERIKSEN! :w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 14, 2016, 01:20:26 PM
1.      Leicester   26   15   8   3   48 - 29   53
2.      Tottenham   26   14   9   3   47 - 20   51
3.      Arsenal   26   15   6   5   41 - 23   51

Not what I would've predicted. :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 14, 2016, 02:24:13 PM
Hope Leicester haven't  bottled it. 
Sure. Spurs winning the league would be a bit of a change too...but not to the same extent.

This weekend's results were rather nice otherwise
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on February 17, 2016, 10:07:21 AM
Eros Ramazotti challenges Messi to score an impossible goal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDjEfAb7ktI
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 17, 2016, 10:11:35 AM
Quote from: Maladict on February 17, 2016, 10:07:21 AM
Eros Ramazotti challenges Messi to score an impossible goal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDjEfAb7ktI


This makes me even more sad that I looked wrong at Barca's schedule and am travelling to Barcelona between two games. No Messi for me. :weep:

I'll still have Gaudi and jamon iberico though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 17, 2016, 10:24:30 AM
Quote from: Liep on February 17, 2016, 10:11:35 AM
Quote from: Maladict on February 17, 2016, 10:07:21 AM
Eros Ramazotti challenges Messi to score an impossible goal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDjEfAb7ktI


This makes me even more sad that I looked wrong at Barca's schedule and am travelling to Barcelona between two games. No Messi for me. :weep:

I'll still have Gaudi and jamon iberico though.

When are you coming over? Let's have a few beers.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 17, 2016, 10:28:42 AM
March 12-16 and I'll be up for that!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 17, 2016, 11:07:18 AM
Quote from: Liep on February 17, 2016, 10:28:42 AM
March 12-16 and I'll be up for that!

Great. Let's talk in a few weeks. :cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 17, 2016, 11:35:19 AM
Quote from: Maladict on February 17, 2016, 10:07:21 AM
Eros Ramazotti challenges Messi to score an impossible goal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDjEfAb7ktI

Why is Messi wearing a sports bra?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 17, 2016, 11:41:47 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 17, 2016, 11:35:19 AM
Quote from: Maladict on February 17, 2016, 10:07:21 AM
Eros Ramazotti challenges Messi to score an impossible goal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDjEfAb7ktI

Why is Messi wearing a sports bra?

It's got performance-monitoring tech in it. Torso is the best place to wear it, in order to get more accurate measurements.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 17, 2016, 01:04:41 PM
Watching Barca play Gijon and wow that second goal. How Suarez and Messi just instinctively know where each other are is insane.

And seconds after a double chance that ends with Neymar just lobbing it on the far post.

So beautiful. :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 17, 2016, 01:09:23 PM
Football without Messi will be weird.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 17, 2016, 01:55:22 PM
Suarez. :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 17, 2016, 02:15:55 PM
The commentator likes saying "Heeeeere's Jony" too much though. <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 18, 2016, 02:55:38 PM
FC Midtjylland wins 2-1 against Manchester United in the Europe League. :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on February 18, 2016, 02:58:56 PM
Quote from: Liep on February 18, 2016, 02:55:38 PM
FC Midtjylland wins 2-1 against Manchester United in the Europe League. :lol:

And they deserved it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 19, 2016, 06:52:32 AM
Wow.
The other day I read an article about midtjylland. Intruiging team

https://decorrespondent.nl/2607/How-data-not-humans-run-this-Danish-football-club/230219386155-d2948861
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on February 19, 2016, 07:59:22 AM
I finally managed to grab "I believe in miracles".
What a managerial duo Clough and Taylor were.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 19, 2016, 08:12:19 AM
Lord Bendtner received a fine from Wolfsburg for posing with a Mercedes on his Instagram profile. :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 23, 2016, 04:48:25 PM
Weird game in London, so many chances for Arsenal so many missed final touches from Barcalona and yet Barca wins 2-0 and could've easily made it 4-0 in the last 10 minutes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 25, 2016, 03:35:39 PM
SISTO. :w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 25, 2016, 05:05:58 PM
Quote from: Liep on February 25, 2016, 03:35:39 PM
SISTO. :w00t:

It was fun while it lasted. :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on February 26, 2016, 02:07:31 PM
After losing 0-6 in Valencia, Rapid Vienna lost 0-4 at home. :lol:

Additionally, there may be a fine for the Rapid fans' banner:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Foekastatic.orf.at%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Fsite%2Foeka%2F2016028%2Ftrans9.5447943.jpg&hash=ec0a64dee642c7b640c0e6ab6bab381912915c58)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 26, 2016, 02:46:38 PM
Subtle.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on February 26, 2016, 02:47:47 PM
Where do you put a valencia?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on February 26, 2016, 03:16:58 PM
Quote from: celedhring on February 26, 2016, 02:46:38 PM
Subtle.

It's Rapid. Their fans are not known for subtlety. Or intelligence.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: MadBurgerMaker on February 26, 2016, 10:18:44 PM
There's apparently a new USL soccer team here:

(https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/695433775245709313/EZXz_Yua_400x400.jpg)

Gee.  I wonder which local organization owns them.  Anyway, they're taking over the stadium for the NASL team they effectively killed and have people sticking magnets (of this logo) on stuff all over the city.  I never did go to a Scorpions game, although I guess they were pretty good for a couple of years of their short existence.  The stadium is in kind of an annoying location (20 miles of driving in the city ugh).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 26, 2016, 10:57:58 PM
Scorpions games were fun and the stadium was really nice. Sad that they're gone but it's not like they became a super popular establishment in the city.

Hoping the new team is decent and that they get into MLS pretty soon.  I'd like to see DC United play SAFC soon.  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: MadBurgerMaker on February 27, 2016, 12:48:37 AM
How likely is it that they will move up to MLS?  Any idea?  All I've seen is the propaganda info put out by the Express News saying this particular league is "more affiliated" with MLS than the NASL. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 27, 2016, 08:33:49 AM
 USL is supposed to magically confer a better chance of getting in, which I don't buy.

Possibly the financial and political backing by the Spurs organization is what might entice MLS into picking them up eventually. Other than that, I really have no idea.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on February 27, 2016, 10:23:08 AM
Quote from: MadBurgerMaker on February 27, 2016, 12:48:37 AM
How likely is it that they will move up to MLS?  Any idea?  All I've seen is the propaganda info put out by the Express News saying this particular league is "more affiliated" with MLS than the NASL. 

Basically, from what I gather, some USL teams have affiliations with MLS teams for player loans and the like, mostly to improve player development, but apparently the San Antonio club is one that doesn't have such an affiliation.  At any rate, I don't see how that would help a club move up to MLS, and NASL is considered a higher level league than USL anyway.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 28, 2016, 09:38:36 AM
Rashford is having the best week of his life.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 29, 2016, 05:23:57 AM
Back when Madrid was a legit team to root for:

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CcX-7k5WEAAzdEl.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 29, 2016, 07:02:07 AM
Quote from: Liep on February 29, 2016, 05:23:57 AM
Back when Madrid was a legit team to root for:

[img]https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CcX-7k5WEAAzdEl.jpg

Your Danishness is clouding your judgment here.  :glare:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 29, 2016, 07:07:20 AM
Quote from: celedhring on February 29, 2016, 07:02:07 AM
Quote from: Liep on February 29, 2016, 05:23:57 AM
Back when Madrid was a legit team to root for:

[img]https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CcX-7k5WEAAzdEl.jpg

Your Danishness is clouding your judgment here.  :glare:

So I shouldn't wear my Laudrup Real Madrid jersey when visiting Barcelona in March? :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 29, 2016, 09:09:10 AM
Quote from: Liep on February 29, 2016, 07:07:20 AM
Quote from: celedhring on February 29, 2016, 07:02:07 AM
Quote from: Liep on February 29, 2016, 05:23:57 AM
Back when Madrid was a legit team to root for:

[img]https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CcX-7k5WEAAzdEl.jpg

Your Danishness is clouding your judgment here.  :glare:

So I shouldn't wear my Laudrup Real Madrid jersey when visiting Barcelona in March? :P

Not in my presence  :yuk:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 29, 2016, 09:23:10 AM
I don't think I can fit into my Stoichkov jersey anymore. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on February 29, 2016, 11:37:22 AM
If I am not completely mistaken, Real Madrid was pretty much a socialist club until the end of the Spanish Civil War. Franco, like Mussolini, saw the power of footie as a way to engage with the public.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 29, 2016, 11:47:46 AM
Quote from: Norgy on February 29, 2016, 11:37:22 AM
If I am not completely mistaken, Real Madrid was pretty much a socialist club until the end of the Spanish Civil War. Franco, like Mussolini, saw the power of footie as a way to engage with the public.

You're slightly mistaken. Atlético was the establishment club of the regime at the beginning, once Real became more successful, they latched onto it and propped it up. Indeed, football was used to engage the population, in particular the working class that had aligned itself with the Republic, and used to create nationalist fervor - that's why it was so important to have a Spanish club making it big abroad (Real Madrid). It all culminated when Spain hosted and won the 1964 Euros, defeating the USSR in the final. That was pure Francogasm.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on February 29, 2016, 01:14:30 PM
Thanks. :)

I was so not informed.  :(

:rolleyes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 29, 2016, 01:20:14 PM
Quote from: Norgy on February 29, 2016, 01:14:30 PM
Thanks. :)

I was so not informed.  :(

:rolleyes:

You were right for the most part, it's just that Atlético were the "chosen club" at first. Atlético had been merged with the Air Force football team, so it had considerable backing from the army.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 29, 2016, 01:22:14 PM
Quote from: celedhring on February 29, 2016, 01:20:14 PMAtlético had been merged with the Air Force football team, so it had considerable backing from the army.

Creating the awesomely named "Atlético Aviación".  :lol:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-txcKsPCw6_c%2FURTdm2zGxWI%2FAAAAAAAAAfk%2FvSx1hLAwbps%2Fs1600%2Fatletico%2Baviaci%25C3%25B3n.gif&hash=53ff8614f62248f3ce5d06082f6930dc5f19ec73)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on March 01, 2016, 01:30:14 AM
Politics and football don't always mix well.

During the 30s, Norwegian clubs split into socialist clubs and bourgeousie ones. Whiile the league came together again in 1945, those splits are still there in some places. This small town at some point had 4 different clubs.  :hmm:

The oldest, Gjøvik/Lyn still exists.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 02, 2016, 03:44:06 AM
Its worse when sports interfere with politics.
A key reason for the rise of modern scottish nationalism is football
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on March 02, 2016, 04:48:12 AM
Quote from: Tyr on March 02, 2016, 03:44:06 AM
Its worse when sports interfere with politics.
A key reason for the rise of modern scottish nationalism is football

Celtic and the nationalist party go hand in hand, you mean? Not sure I buy that, to be honest.
Celtic fans were bastards way before the SNP existed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 02, 2016, 11:37:16 AM
More to do with the Scottish national team and Scotland as so definitely different to monolithic England.
This feeling was on the wane in the first half of the 20th century. As international sport became more of a big deal and a sporting rivalry developed though. ....
It's chickens and eggs to a large extent. But the two feed into each other.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on March 02, 2016, 12:44:58 PM
Scotland has Frankie Boyle. England has Lineker and Cameron.
Scotland wins.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 02, 2016, 04:39:40 PM
The Premier League makes no sense this year and I'm loving it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 02, 2016, 05:54:48 PM
Quote from: Liep on March 02, 2016, 04:39:40 PM
The Premier League makes no sense this year and I'm loving it.

:yes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 02, 2016, 05:58:01 PM
I thought Leicester's draw yesterday was the beginning of the end, but somehow they ended up gaining one point over the opposition.

Also, Arsenal.  :nelson:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 02, 2016, 06:05:42 PM
Arsenal :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 02, 2016, 06:09:31 PM
To be honest, I actually kinda like them, but the way they just lie down and die every March-April is pretty comical.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 02, 2016, 06:53:39 PM
The one constant in the Premier League still in effect this year is the traditional Arsenal collapse.

Goddammit.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 03, 2016, 03:47:40 PM
Rayo 0 - 0 Barca

Goes away two minutes to make coffee

Rayo 0 - 2 Barca

<_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 03, 2016, 04:48:52 PM
Well I did get 4 goals and 2 red cards. Boring game though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 04, 2016, 06:49:56 AM
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/mar/04/champions-league-leicester-relevent-sports-charlie-stillitano (http://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/mar/04/champions-league-leicester-relevent-sports-charlie-stillitano)

Champions League does not need likes of Leicester, says US sports executive
• Charlie Stillitano discussed league restructuring with five English clubs
• 'What would Manchester United argue: did we create soccer or did Leicester?'

What a shit idea
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on March 04, 2016, 07:11:08 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 04, 2016, 06:49:56 AM
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/mar/04/champions-league-leicester-relevent-sports-charlie-stillitano (http://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/mar/04/champions-league-leicester-relevent-sports-charlie-stillitano)

Champions League does not need likes of Leicester, says US sports executive
• Charlie Stillitano discussed league restructuring with five English clubs
• 'What would Manchester United argue: did we create soccer or did Leicester?'

What a shit idea


Quote"This is going to sound arrogant "

Yes. Yes, it does.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 04, 2016, 07:12:19 AM
Keep Americans out of football reason #12314  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 04, 2016, 07:56:04 AM
Quote from: celedhring on March 04, 2016, 07:12:19 AM
Keep Americans out of football reason #12314  :P

Sadly it's a mentality that is spreading. Last year Lazio's president and one of the head honchos of Serie A was caught on record badmouthing the possibility that too many small teams were getting promoted to Serie A while historical big teams languished in lower divisions, which made their TV rights lose value. Then again I guess that he doesn't enjoy seeing Sassuolo (from a small city in the Emilia Romagna, who have to play in a different city to have a big enough stadium to play their home games at) currently ahead of teams like Torino, Sampdoria, Genoa, Udinese or his own Lazio in the standings.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on March 04, 2016, 07:58:45 AM
I'm glad FIFA at least is a transparent organisation determined to fight corruption in the beautiful game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on March 04, 2016, 08:00:22 AM
I do think it would be a good idea to let previous winners automatically qualify for events like, say, the European Championships.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on March 04, 2016, 08:01:33 AM
Quote from: Maladict on March 04, 2016, 08:00:22 AM
I do think it would be a good idea to let previous winners automatically qualify for events like, say, the European Championships.

Previous winners in general, or the last championship winner?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on March 04, 2016, 08:16:51 AM
Quote from: Norgy on March 04, 2016, 08:01:33 AM
Quote from: Maladict on March 04, 2016, 08:00:22 AM
I do think it would be a good idea to let previous winners automatically qualify for events like, say, the European Championships.

Previous winners in general, or the last championship winner?

General. Very important distinction.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on March 04, 2016, 08:20:00 AM
I think we might have a problem with getting the USSR on board.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 04, 2016, 08:21:50 AM
Who does get to fill in for Czechoslovakia's slot?  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on March 04, 2016, 08:27:31 AM
Those countries will have to be recreated. It is imperative that previous winners not have to go through qualification.
Liep, help me out here.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 04, 2016, 08:30:45 AM
Quote from: Maladict on March 04, 2016, 08:27:31 AM
Those countries will have to be recreated. It is imperative that previous winners not have to go through qualification.
Liep, help me out here.



Usually I'd be for an idea involving free EC tickets for Denmark, but we're so shite at the moment I don't think I can back you. Maybe mono will help you.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on March 04, 2016, 08:34:56 AM
Quote from: Liep on March 04, 2016, 08:30:45 AM

Usually I'd be for an idea involving free EC tickets for Denmark, but we're so shite at the moment I don't think I can back you. Maybe mono will help you.

Oh god, I've turned into mono  :Embarrass:

Allez Rode Duivels!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on March 04, 2016, 08:41:52 AM
I think we should go all the way back to Mitropa competition, and recreate Austria-Hungary for that single purpose.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on March 04, 2016, 09:12:35 AM
Quote from: The Larch on March 04, 2016, 07:56:04 AM
Quote from: celedhring on March 04, 2016, 07:12:19 AM
Keep Americans out of football reason #12314  :P

Sadly it's a mentality that is spreading. Last year Lazio's president and one of the head honchos of Serie A was caught on record badmouthing the possibility that too many small teams were getting promoted to Serie A while historical big teams languished in lower divisions, which made their TV rights lose value. Then again I guess that he doesn't enjoy seeing Sassuolo (from a small city in the Emilia Romagna, who have to play in a different city to have a big enough stadium to play their home games at) currently ahead of teams like Torino, Sampdoria, Genoa, Udinese or his own Lazio in the standings.  :P

American sports people would be horrified by this idea. Clubs reaching the top of the sport because they are good? But what about BRAND RECOGNITION and MARKET SHARE and FOOTPRINT and stuff that sports is really about?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on March 04, 2016, 09:19:28 AM
Clearly Man United should win EVERYTHING.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 04, 2016, 09:42:02 AM
Quote from: The Larch on March 04, 2016, 07:56:04 AM
Quote from: celedhring on March 04, 2016, 07:12:19 AM
Keep Americans out of football reason #12314  :P

Sadly it's a mentality that is spreading. Last year Lazio's president and one of the head honchos of Serie A was caught on record badmouthing the possibility that too many small teams were getting promoted to Serie A while historical big teams languished in lower divisions, which made their TV rights lose value. Then again I guess that he doesn't enjoy seeing Sassuolo (from a small city in the Emilia Romagna, who have to play in a different city to have a big enough stadium to play their home games at) currently ahead of teams like Torino, Sampdoria, Genoa, Udinese or his own Lazio in the standings.  :P

The relegation/promotion and the fight for European spots is what makes European football exciting. Saying Leicester can't play in the Champions League or Sassuolo can't play in the Serie A is nonsense. I know that's how they do things here, where no matter how much a team like Toronto sucks in ice hockey or soccer (MLS) they still play in the top tier. But it's dumb.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on March 04, 2016, 09:54:01 AM
Quote from: Josephus on March 04, 2016, 09:42:02 AM
Quote from: The Larch on March 04, 2016, 07:56:04 AM
Quote from: celedhring on March 04, 2016, 07:12:19 AM
Keep Americans out of football reason #12314  :P

Sadly it's a mentality that is spreading. Last year Lazio's president and one of the head honchos of Serie A was caught on record badmouthing the possibility that too many small teams were getting promoted to Serie A while historical big teams languished in lower divisions, which made their TV rights lose value. Then again I guess that he doesn't enjoy seeing Sassuolo (from a small city in the Emilia Romagna, who have to play in a different city to have a big enough stadium to play their home games at) currently ahead of teams like Torino, Sampdoria, Genoa, Udinese or his own Lazio in the standings.  :P

The relegation/promotion and the fight for European spots is what makes European football exciting. Saying Leicester can't play in the Champions League or Sassuolo can't play in the Serie A is nonsense. I know that's how they do things here, where no matter how much a team like Toronto sucks in ice hockey or soccer (MLS) they still play in the top tier. But it's dumb.

No doubt. When your team is terrible over here there is no reason to watch them or care so you sort of tune out. In Euroland when your team sucks you are freaking the fuck out they might be relegated.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on March 04, 2016, 09:56:52 AM
Relegation and promotion are mostly fun when your team is being promoted and not relegated.

I remember my local team getting back to back relegations, and it was a torrid time to be a fan.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 04, 2016, 01:59:15 PM
True. But the fight to avoid relegation is certainly engaging.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on March 04, 2016, 02:11:26 PM
Think Sunderland can make it another year?

I think Aston Villa is mostly doomed and ready for the drop.
Can't see them picking up a lot of points for the rest of the season.

Forest seem to be destined for yet another year of second tier mediocrity.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on March 04, 2016, 02:15:45 PM
The crazy celebration when the Dallas Cowboys are going down to the World League would be epic.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 04, 2016, 02:16:20 PM
Before the 60th minute of Crystal Palace I would have said definitely, we're shooting for lower mid-table.
With Swansea winning and us throwing away that win though.... Its firmly a 3 horse race for 2 slots.
Norwich I think are down. But Newcastle have some good players. It'll be tough. The derby will decide it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on March 04, 2016, 02:19:44 PM
The wally with the brolly have made some good signings, but once again can't get his on-the-paper good squad playing decent football. I think his best work was done as sir Alex' assistant.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on March 04, 2016, 07:24:42 PM
Chinese teams spent $300 million on transfer fees, more than the top five Euro leagues combined.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 04, 2016, 08:39:14 PM
Quote from: Valmy on March 04, 2016, 02:15:45 PM
The crazy celebration when the Dallas Cowboys are going down to the World League would be epic.

Yeah, when rival teams go down the celebrations are sometimes even embarrassing. But fun.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 04, 2016, 10:18:01 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on March 04, 2016, 07:24:42 PM
Chinese teams spent $300 million on transfer fees, more than the top five Euro leagues combined.

In the January window?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on March 05, 2016, 02:18:30 AM
Quote from: Liep on March 04, 2016, 10:18:01 PM
In the January window?

Dude, I don't follow the sport.  I just read an article.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 05, 2016, 06:27:16 AM
Quote from: Liep on March 04, 2016, 10:18:01 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on March 04, 2016, 07:24:42 PM
Chinese teams spent $300 million on transfer fees, more than the top five Euro leagues combined.

In the January window?

Must be, in the summer window European leagues spend way more than that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 05, 2016, 06:42:50 AM
Spain alone spent €600m during this past summer window. The Chinese league starts in February so winter is going to be their big purchasing season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 05, 2016, 06:47:53 AM
Premier League has spent more than £1 billion total this season and about £130 million ($185m) in January according to Deloitte.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 05, 2016, 06:50:44 AM
Also, is that net spending or total spending Yi?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 05, 2016, 06:53:58 AM
Quote from: Liep on March 05, 2016, 06:50:44 AM
Also, is that net spending or total spending Yi?

Total spending, most surely. That's how it's usually accounted. Net spending is probably close to that, since I can't see Chinese league players being a hot commodity in the football market...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on March 05, 2016, 08:47:55 AM
Kan Skore would probably command a high fee.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 05, 2016, 09:01:15 AM
Two stupid yellow cards by that Arsenal player whose name I cannot spell. 2mm from a goal to Tottenham. Arsenal extremely close to failing again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 05, 2016, 09:02:08 AM
And there it is.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 05, 2016, 09:16:32 AM
Arsenal  :nelson:

I actually like them, but the way they lie down and die every February-March is too farcical.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 05, 2016, 09:56:18 AM
Leicester won that match, at the end. If they win their actual match later today, they'll start to get very very close to winning the league. What an achievement that would be.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 05, 2016, 10:19:46 AM
Quote from: Liep on March 05, 2016, 06:50:44 AM
Also, is that net spending or total spending Yi?

It's actually Yuan not Yi.


:P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 05, 2016, 12:20:45 PM
Typical sunderland. Last kick of the game throw away a win.  <_<
At least the other strugglers lost but.... I worry
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on March 05, 2016, 02:00:46 PM
Looked at the article again.  Net spending, winter period.

They said Premier League was 2nd with $220 mllion, and a Chinese minor league 3rd with 55.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 05, 2016, 02:23:07 PM
Leicester. :w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 06, 2016, 10:24:22 AM
Crystal Palace could not have lost that match in a worse way.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 06, 2016, 10:40:27 AM
Quote from: Liep on March 06, 2016, 10:24:22 AM
Crystal Palace could not have lost that match in a worse way.

Okay, the replay suggests it might actually have been a penalty. It's still a horrible way to lose, but at least a wrongly called penalty is worse.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 09, 2016, 07:15:29 AM
Our new national team coach looks like he should be playing an alcoholic detective in an early 2000 Swedish crime series.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 09, 2016, 07:15:57 AM
And he dropped Bendtner. :o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 11, 2016, 05:20:04 PM
Newcastle have hired Benítez as manager. How the hell has that happened? Did they slip him a roofie?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 11, 2016, 05:43:01 PM
Quote from: celedhring on March 11, 2016, 05:20:04 PM
Newcastle have hired Benítez as manager. How the hell has that happened? Did they slip him a roofie?
" next year championship league football" to a non native speaker, sounds a lot like "next year champions league football"
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 11, 2016, 05:46:39 PM
Benitez' English is surprisingly good for a Spaniard.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 11, 2016, 05:47:03 PM
Quote from: Liep on March 11, 2016, 05:46:39 PM
Benitez' English is surprisingly good for a Spaniard.

He did work there before. ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 11, 2016, 05:57:26 PM
He's even set his residence in Liverpool, his kids go to school there, etc... Even before signing for them he spent time in England learning coaching. He's always been an anglophile. [spoiler]The traitor.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on March 13, 2016, 10:38:46 AM
Quote from: Valmy on March 04, 2016, 02:15:45 PM
The crazy celebration when the Dallas Cowboys are going down to the World League would be epic.

The Cleveland Browns would probably get relegated to a Pop Warner league somewhere.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 13, 2016, 10:49:13 AM
Arsenal out-Arsenaling themselves. If we finish them off this Wednesday they will have done the grand slam and lost all 3 titles in the space of 2 weeks.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on March 14, 2016, 03:33:05 AM
Fucking Fawaz and Forest. Sacking another manager. Yeah, it was a shit result against Sheffield Weds, but how are you going to have consistency when you keep sacking people. Shambles. It's a shambles, I tells ya.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 14, 2016, 06:50:45 AM
So what are people's predictions for the season?

I think Leicester will win the league.
They're doing their best to throw it away but luckily the team's behind them are going into bad form too.
If Leicester don't win then Tottenham will. Which though not as good is also quite nice.

Relegation, more important to me....
Villa are obvious. How long before they mathematically can't survive?
Norwich, though they played well against Man City....I can't help but see going down.
The third one is a worry.
Sunderland are unreliable. Though I am cautiously optimistic they will pull through.
Newcastle with the Benitez bounce....The Sunderland-Newcastle derby will decide a lot there.
Though, despite them being a few points clear, I really do think Palace will be the one going down.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on March 14, 2016, 07:04:56 AM
Quote from: Tyr on March 14, 2016, 06:50:45 AM

Though, despite them being a few points clear, I really do think Palace will be the one going down.

Please let this happen. It would almost make up for Charlton's abysmal season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on March 14, 2016, 09:23:04 AM
If Leicester win, heads will explode around City Ground and there'll be constant bickering over whether Clough and Taylor's two European cups were bigger than Leicester's PL victory.

Aston Villa look weak.

'Boro and Derby might go up.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 14, 2016, 04:52:30 PM
Leicester. :w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 14, 2016, 04:58:02 PM
Newcastle :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 14, 2016, 05:02:15 PM
Quote from: celedhring on March 14, 2016, 04:58:02 PM
Newcastle :(

Newcastle really should have won that game, Leicester was terrible. But hey, that's why one is winning and one is going down.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 14, 2016, 05:04:44 PM
They just can't score for crap. They could play against a set of cones for hours and still draw 0-0.

But well, them being my favorite English team balances my karma.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 14, 2016, 06:33:23 PM
I bloody well hope so. This weekend is the Tyne wear derby. The biggest one in years.
Sunderland have won the last 6 in a row in the league and several months ago there was a behind closed doors friendly that sunderland won 6-0.
Still. .......
I worry.
Oh how I worry.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 16, 2016, 02:45:21 PM
Are Barcelonians really so afraid of rain that they'd stay home from a Champions League game? Camp Nou looks half empty!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 16, 2016, 03:17:57 PM
They're playing an Arsenal in absolutely horrid form. Why show up to a rubber stamp match???
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 16, 2016, 04:08:37 PM
Suarez. I don't even.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 16, 2016, 04:40:21 PM
Well, we won. Yay!

Juver - Bayern has been a class tie. Pity one of those two has to go out.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 16, 2016, 06:21:17 PM
England will only have 3 champions league places now right?

It is quite clear there's no longer a world class team in England
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 16, 2016, 06:22:21 PM
Quote from: Tyr on March 16, 2016, 06:21:17 PM
England will only have 3 champions league places now right?

It is quite clear there's no longer a world class team in England

Juve lost, so England is safe.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 19, 2016, 11:51:43 AM
Quote from: Liep on March 14, 2016, 04:52:30 PM
Leicester. :w00t:

:w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 19, 2016, 12:14:50 PM
Norwich are fighting back :blink:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 19, 2016, 01:35:45 PM
Decent chance there will still be a Tyne-Wear derby next season. Norwich are picking up form at a critical time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 20, 2016, 10:15:08 AM
Lolerpool :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 20, 2016, 11:08:07 AM
Quote from: Liep on March 20, 2016, 10:15:08 AM
Lolerpool :(

Ok...we were up 2-0...but I had to stop watching. Dare I check the final score?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 20, 2016, 11:09:22 AM
Oh god, I just did. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 20, 2016, 11:22:39 AM
It should've been a 5-0 game for Liverpool, I've rarely seen so many wasted chances.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 20, 2016, 12:56:02 PM
Sunderland :ultra:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 24, 2016, 07:47:34 AM
Johan Cruyff has just passed away.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 24, 2016, 07:52:25 AM
:(

There's not enough words to describe what he gave to football, and to my club in particular. RIP.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 24, 2016, 08:07:44 AM
 :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 24, 2016, 08:55:13 AM
Quote from: The Larch on March 24, 2016, 07:47:34 AM
Johan Cruyff has just passed away.

:-(

I was 8 when the 1974 World Cup was on, the first World Cup I watched. He's the only thing I remember about it.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on March 24, 2016, 12:42:28 PM
I just read the news  :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 24, 2016, 02:00:12 PM
Battle of the North tonight: Denmark - Iceland, we have a Norwegian coach and Legbiter's extended family has a Swedish coach.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 24, 2016, 05:42:12 PM
Quote from: Liep on March 24, 2016, 02:00:12 PM
Battle of the North tonight: Denmark - Iceland, we have a Norwegian coach and Legbiter's extended family has a Swedish coach.

2-1, according to the Danish press the real winner was Norway though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 24, 2016, 06:20:13 PM
Quote from: The Larch on March 24, 2016, 07:47:34 AM
Johan Cruyff has just passed away.

A great loss. RIP :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 29, 2016, 09:34:03 AM
(https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/46c53f5ac11e184ab707ca40493216a8a04a39fb/0_0_669_1126/master/669.jpg?w=940&q=55&auto=format&usm=12&fit=max&s=2acaea2f6203bbae3a463d3c0b836e3a)

:worthy: :worthy: :worthy: :worthy: :worthy: :worthy: :worthy: :worthy:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 29, 2016, 06:45:38 PM
That's a cool picture  :)

Also, USA is actually winning a world Cup qualifier!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 30, 2016, 07:08:34 AM
Quote from: Liep on March 24, 2016, 02:00:12 PM
Battle of the North tonight: Denmark - Iceland, we have a Norwegian coach and Legbiter's extended family has a Swedish coach.
Not controversial ?
Couldn't imagine a Scottish boss for England
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 03, 2016, 09:25:02 AM
Quote from: Liep on March 19, 2016, 11:51:43 AM
Quote from: Liep on March 14, 2016, 04:52:30 PM
Leicester. :w00t:

:w00t:

:w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 05, 2016, 02:24:29 PM
Torres being Torres. :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 06, 2016, 06:03:11 AM
Someone named PSG-City 'El Cashico'. :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 06, 2016, 06:38:46 AM
If only there were enough oil sheikhs in the world, then everyone would be equal.  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 06, 2016, 06:39:12 AM
Sunderland are fucked.
4 games we really should have won are instead drawn. :frusty:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 06, 2016, 06:40:29 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 06, 2016, 06:39:12 AM
Sunderland are fucked.
4 games we really should have won are instead drawn. :frusty:

Last year Leicester was in a similar position, no? Think positive!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on April 06, 2016, 03:47:02 PM
LOL @ Real
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 07, 2016, 07:05:52 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 06, 2016, 06:39:12 AM
Sunderland are fucked.
4 games we really should have won are instead drawn. :frusty:

You will be able to keep beating Newcastle next season!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 07, 2016, 07:38:35 AM
Maybe.
And if it was the same team we had beginning of the season I wouldn't be so fussed. But lately the team is looking very good. 3 of the January signings are amazing and one or two other players are really coming on well.
If we go down well lose a bunch of players and have to rebuild again ( which with the beginning of the year team may have been a good thing)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 09, 2016, 07:39:13 AM
Andy freaking Carroll single-handedly tearing Arsenal apart.
:yucky:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 14, 2016, 03:59:33 PM
Liverpool   :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 17, 2016, 04:56:29 AM
Sunderland finally win. Thank fuck for that.
Newcastle won too though....hmm......

Coming back around to thinking palace may not be so safe afterall.  They say 38 is the usual relegation cut off but this year....?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 17, 2016, 09:14:51 AM
Will Leicester falter at the end?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on April 17, 2016, 09:24:53 AM
Quote from: Josephus on April 17, 2016, 09:14:51 AM
Will Leicester falter at the end?

If Liverpool were in their position now, it would be guaranteed.   :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 17, 2016, 09:38:25 AM
They're too far ahead. Even if they screw up massively I doubt Spurs would catch them
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 17, 2016, 09:38:42 AM
What a bummer if Leicester choke at the end. They've got some really tough games coming up.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 17, 2016, 06:56:56 PM
Speaking of choking at the end.


Barca.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 17, 2016, 09:34:06 PM
Arsenal :bleeding:

Leicester need to win the league
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 18, 2016, 03:21:11 AM
Quote from: Josephus on April 17, 2016, 06:56:56 PM
Speaking of choking at the end.


Barca.  :P

When we do something, we always do it BIG.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on April 18, 2016, 12:54:01 PM
I wonder if Forest will stay up.
This has been one of the poorest seasons since I started following them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on April 19, 2016, 01:50:17 AM
Quote from: Norgy on April 18, 2016, 12:54:01 PM
I wonder if Forest will stay up.
This has been one of the poorest seasons since I started following them.

Of course Forest will stay up. Bolton are already down and MK Dons and Charlton will fill up the remaining places.

This has easily been my most miserable season as a Charlton fan.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 19, 2016, 12:14:56 PM
MK Dons and Wimbledon in the same league soon.
Good times.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 26, 2016, 06:18:25 AM
Last tickets for the Euro since 12.00 CET. Tickets still available for Hungary-Portugal in Lyon Tamas, among others.
For Tamas and people interested in general, expect at the very least 15 min of wait in the ticket queue. Likely to be 30 minutes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 02, 2016, 04:06:12 PM
Lmao at Spurs meltdown. Saw it a mile away.

Congratulations Leicester  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 02, 2016, 04:08:43 PM
Disgraceful Spurs, I am glad Chelsea fought. I am very happy for Ranieri I really liked him as Chelsea coach
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 02, 2016, 04:18:35 PM
Happy Leicester won the league (wtf) though would have preferred it to go down to the last game of the season
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 02, 2016, 04:43:03 PM
Should have played those 5000-1 odds. Damn.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 02, 2016, 05:16:43 PM
Quote from: Josephus on May 02, 2016, 04:43:03 PM
Should have played those 5000-1 odds. Damn.

That guy who cashed in after the first game is going to beat himself up over this for the rest of his life.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on May 02, 2016, 06:13:54 PM
Quote from: The Larch on May 02, 2016, 05:16:43 PM
Quote from: Josephus on May 02, 2016, 04:43:03 PM
Should have played those 5000-1 odds. Damn.

That guy who cashed in after the first game is going to beat himself up over this for the rest of his life.

:yes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on May 03, 2016, 03:35:37 PM
Tight game between Atletico and Bayern. Atletico is a nasty team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 03, 2016, 04:59:30 PM
Atleti....wow.

Bayern and Barca beyond doubt best clubs in Europe. Both out.

I pick Atleti over Real in the final. Huge upset. Not Leicester upset. But pretty huge.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 05, 2016, 03:56:23 PM
Finally Liverpool fans have something to cheer about
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on May 05, 2016, 04:01:57 PM
Kloppo for the win! :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 09, 2016, 06:00:39 AM
Poor Platini  :frog:

QuoteMichel Platini: Uefa president to resign after ban appeal fails

Michel Platini played 72 times for France, scoring 41 goals, and was regarded as one of the best players in the world at the time
Uefa president Michel Platini will resign from European football's governing body after failing to have a six-year ban from football overturned.

A Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) panel reduced the ban to four years on Monday.

Following the judgement, the 60-year-old said he would be stepping down.

Platini and former Fifa counterpart Sepp Blatter, were last year found guilty of ethics breaches over a 2m Swiss Franc (£1.3m) "disloyal payment".

The pair, who deny wrongdoing, had their original bans reduced from eight to six years by the Fifa appeals committee.

Platini had taken his case to Cas seeking to get the ban overturned, but a three-man panel said it "was not convinced by the legitimacy of the payment".

The two said the payment in 2011 was made for consultancy work Platini had carried out for Blatter between 1998 and 2002, and that they had a "gentleman's agreement" on when the balance was settled.

The matter is also being looked into by Swiss prosecutors.

After Cas returned its judgement, Platini said in a statement: "I am resigning from my duties as Uefa president to pursue my battle in front of the Swiss courts to prove my innocence in this case."

He added that he considered the judgement "a profound injustice".

However, the Cas panel was damning of Platini, saying his "behaviour was not ethical or loyal".

It found his dealings with Blatter had breached the ethics code of world governing body Fifa, and while his six-year ban was "too severe", it decided a four-year punishment should be handed down - the equivalent to a presidential term in office.

It also said an 80,000 Swiss Franc (£57,200) fine should be lowered to 60,000 (£42,900), but stressed: "The Cas panel was of the opinion that a severe sanction could be justified in view of the superior functions carried out by Mr Platini (Fifa vice-president and Uefa president), the absence of any repentance and the impact that this matter has had on Fifa's reputation."

Uefa said it would meet on 18 May "to discuss next steps".

"In the meantime, there will be no Uefa president appointed ad interim," it added.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36245660 (http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36245660)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 09, 2016, 07:50:53 AM
Those aren't good news since that puts the Spanish FA president first in line to be elected UEFA president. He wrote the book on being a corrupt kleptocrat, plus several sequels and a movie adaptation.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 09, 2016, 08:35:23 AM
So he's a worthy substitute for Platini, UEFA is saved!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 11, 2016, 04:35:03 PM
 :punk:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 12, 2016, 10:46:32 AM
Bye bye Bobby Martinez
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 13, 2016, 10:59:33 AM
(https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13227515_10154962764218298_7314847893060169378_o.jpg)

Translation:

Tack Zlatan
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 13, 2016, 04:05:03 PM
MLS about to change its rules so Zlatan can join L.A.?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 14, 2016, 11:50:22 AM
 :punk: :punk::punk:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 14, 2016, 07:43:46 PM
Was it ever in doubt?  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 15, 2016, 04:05:43 AM
Quote from: Josephus on May 14, 2016, 07:43:46 PM
Was it ever in doubt?  :D

When we went 4 winless in a row and fucked up an 11 point advantage, yeah.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 15, 2016, 11:49:58 AM
Lads, it's Tottenham   :nelson: :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on May 18, 2016, 08:22:26 PM
LOLERPOOL.  :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 18, 2016, 09:23:34 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 18, 2016, 08:22:26 PM
LOLERPOOL.  :lmfao:

:D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: derspiess on May 19, 2016, 03:27:08 PM
So we got a USL franchise this year, and they are breaking records for attendance.  There is already talk of them moving up to MLS, which I guess would be cool.  They just announced today that they'll host a friendly vs. Crystal Palace in mid-July.

I really underestimated the draw of soccer in this town.  They did it right by having the games at Nippert Stadium (the U of Cincinnati football field) so it's conveniently located for the college students, and they smartly marketed it towards millennials, whom I guess are really into soccer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 20, 2016, 11:03:26 AM
It's called football.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on May 20, 2016, 11:21:30 AM
Quote from: Tamas on May 20, 2016, 11:03:26 AM
It's called football.

Seriously Tamas?  You're going to try and start THAT ONE up again?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 20, 2016, 11:47:00 AM
Was worth a shot.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 20, 2016, 11:53:18 AM
Quote from: Tamas on May 20, 2016, 11:47:00 AM
Was worth a shot.

The goaltender saved it. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 21, 2016, 01:28:45 PM
Quote from: derspiess on May 19, 2016, 03:27:08 PM
So we got a USL franchise this year, and they are breaking records for attendance.  There is already talk of them moving up to MLS, which I guess would be cool.  They just announced today that they'll host a friendly vs. Crystal Palace in mid-July.

I really underestimated the draw of soccer in this town.  They did it right by having the games at Nippert Stadium (the U of Cincinnati football field) so it's conveniently located for the college students, and they smartly marketed it towards millennials, whom I guess are really into soccer.
Another team in MLS?

Given their allergy to promotion and relegation I wonder what the future is for MLS. A central conference?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 22, 2016, 05:18:41 PM
Quote from: celedhring on May 14, 2016, 11:50:22 AM
:punk: :punk::punk:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 23, 2016, 04:15:03 PM
Wtf is wrong with man utd?
They have their best season in years...and sack the manager.

I wonder whether it's van Gaals lack of charisma they're objecting to. Hiring Moriniho purely for his crazy media personality.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 23, 2016, 05:53:16 PM
Quote from: Tyr on May 23, 2016, 04:15:03 PM
Wtf is wrong with man utd?
They have their best season in years...and sack the manager.

I wonder whether it's van Gaals lack of charisma they're objecting to. Hiring Moriniho purely for his crazy media personality.

Apparently the players hated Van Gaal's guts. And it's not been their best season, they were 4th and qualified for the Champions League last year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 24, 2016, 02:47:29 AM
Quote from: The Larch on May 23, 2016, 05:53:16 PM

Apparently the players hated Van Gaal's guts. And it's not been their best season, they were 4th and qualified for the Champions League last year.

Lies and slander, that's impossible.  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 24, 2016, 03:04:18 AM
Quote from: celedhring on May 24, 2016, 02:47:29 AM
Quote from: The Larch on May 23, 2016, 05:53:16 PM

Apparently the players hated Van Gaal's guts. And it's not been their best season, they were 4th and qualified for the Champions League last year.

Lies and slander, that's impossible.  :hmm:

I know, he has such a charming personality.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 27, 2016, 03:50:13 AM
Mourinho confirmed for United. I've liked that team ever since I saw Schmeichel play for them in the 90's so it'll be interesting/heart wrenching to see if he can turn the team into an object of disdain as he did with Chelsea who I also liked until 2004. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 27, 2016, 03:51:35 AM
It really won't be that hard to turn ManU into an object of disdain, really.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 27, 2016, 03:54:58 AM
Quote from: celedhring on May 27, 2016, 03:51:35 AM
It really won't be that hard to turn ManU into an object of disdain, really.  :P

Sure, they've given him a head start in the recent years, but still, ridicule to disdain is still quite a way to go.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 27, 2016, 07:48:30 AM
Everybody hates Man U. Except for Man U. fans, none of whom live in Manchester.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 28, 2016, 06:47:41 PM
We all lost tonight. To quote Lineker: "Pepe is an enormous dick."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 30, 2016, 09:06:37 AM
Birthplaces of all Euro 2016 players:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1l79awIRRPrzgdyWsLrNj8_hJJTg (https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1l79awIRRPrzgdyWsLrNj8_hJJTg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 30, 2016, 09:16:54 AM
Quote from: The Larch on May 30, 2016, 09:06:37 AM
Birthplaces of all Euro 2016 players:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1l79awIRRPrzgdyWsLrNj8_hJJTg (https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1l79awIRRPrzgdyWsLrNj8_hJJTg)

Interesting, quick look shows the country with most foreign born players is Turkey.

They also have the only Danish born player at the tournament. :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 30, 2016, 09:33:44 AM
Quote from: Liep on May 30, 2016, 09:16:54 AM
Quote from: The Larch on May 30, 2016, 09:06:37 AM
Birthplaces of all Euro 2016 players:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1l79awIRRPrzgdyWsLrNj8_hJJTg (https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1l79awIRRPrzgdyWsLrNj8_hJJTg)

Interesting, quick look shows the country with most foreign born players is Turkey.

They also have the only Danish born player at the tournament. :weep:

Switzerland and Albania don't lag behind Turkey. Portugal also has quite a few.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on May 30, 2016, 09:34:54 AM
Quote from: Tyr on May 21, 2016, 01:28:45 PM
Quote from: derspiess on May 19, 2016, 03:27:08 PM
So we got a USL franchise this year, and they are breaking records for attendance.  There is already talk of them moving up to MLS, which I guess would be cool.  They just announced today that they'll host a friendly vs. Crystal Palace in mid-July.

I really underestimated the draw of soccer in this town.  They did it right by having the games at Nippert Stadium (the U of Cincinnati football field) so it's conveniently located for the college students, and they smartly marketed it towards millennials, whom I guess are really into soccer.
Another team in MLS?

Given their allergy to promotion and relegation I wonder what the future is for MLS. A central conference?

What do you mean?!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 30, 2016, 12:13:42 PM
Quote from: Liep on May 28, 2016, 06:47:41 PM
We all lost tonight. To quote Lineker: "Pepe is an enormous dick."

He took lessons from Müller it seems. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 30, 2016, 12:24:24 PM
Quote from: The Larch on May 30, 2016, 09:33:44 AM
Quote from: Liep on May 30, 2016, 09:16:54 AM
Quote from: The Larch on May 30, 2016, 09:06:37 AM
Birthplaces of all Euro 2016 players:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1l79awIRRPrzgdyWsLrNj8_hJJTg (https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1l79awIRRPrzgdyWsLrNj8_hJJTg)

Interesting, quick look shows the country with most foreign born players is Turkey.

They also have the only Danish born player at the tournament. :weep:

Switzerland and Albania don't lag behind Turkey. Portugal also has quite a few.

Bit misleading for Portugal though, the current trend is second-generation Portuguese players born in France playing in the Portuguese squad, courtesy of the French detection and traning system (cue French polemic)?  Three, the highest in years, possibly the highest ever. Only missing Gameiro, not chosen for the French squad besides. I mean, now Italy has more Brazilian-born players than Portugal,  Poland has one (Polish immigration to Brazil while not as massive as Italian is notable) and even Russia has one (naturalised).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 02, 2016, 03:19:38 AM
In the streets of Rio Los Angeles, only the elite survives

Or are they trying to outgun the EURO 2016?  :hmm:

Quote

Brazil changes Copa training venue after UCLA shooting

The university campus was rocked by a suspected murder-suicide, which obliged the Selecao to move back to the StubHub Center, as they prepare for Saturday's opener.

A deadly shooting in Los Angeles forced Brazil to change its training venue on Wednesday, just days before the start of the Copa America Centenario.

The Selecao (sic) will kick off their campaign in Pasadena with a clash against Ecuador at the Rose Bowl on Saturday.

But the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), which Dunga's team had planned to use for training purposes, was rocked by a shooting that claimed the lives of two people.


With the campus closed off by police, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed that the team's evening training session would take place at the StubHub Center, which had also hosted the nation on Tuesday.

CBF spokesman Douglas Lunardi added Brazil's players were in their hotel at the time of the shootin. Police sources reported that the shooter killed one person on the campus before taking his own life near the scene of the crime.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 04, 2016, 04:06:13 AM
More Copa America news, of the sporting king at last. Nobody following it, at least till the Euro?

Colombia 2 USA 0

Bad opener for the US, they should have got a tailored draw à la Platini for France  :smarty:
No own goal and mafia hit for Colombia this time. I suppose the Yanks could blame Obama or Trump though.  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on June 04, 2016, 04:22:54 AM
I adopted the US as my second footballing nation when I lived there and it was a terrible mistake. I guess it balances my karma, being Spanish.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 06, 2016, 12:01:07 PM
I was thinking today. Why doesn't the English league seed when deciding fixtures?
It would be so much more fair (albeit still random due to form, injuries, etc...) if e.g. teams were split into 3 groups and then fixtures arranged so you wouldn't have 4 good teams or 4 easy teams in a row.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 06, 2016, 12:11:03 PM
More Copa América fun

Copa America 2016: Wrong anthem played at Uruguay-Mexico match

QuoteUruguay's players were left looking at each other in bemusement prior to their Copa America clash with Mexico when the wrong national anthem was played.

Instead of "Orientales, la Patria o la Tumba", organisers played the national anthem of Chile.

Tournament officials apologised to the "people of Uruguay" and blamed human error for the mistake.

To compound matters, Uruguay, missing the injured Luis Suarez, conceded two late goals to lose the match 3-1.

The Copa America is being held in United States for the first time.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36457918 (http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36457918)

Earlier on, Venezuela won 1-0 vs Jamaica Same score por Peru vs Haiti.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 06, 2016, 12:18:41 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on June 04, 2016, 04:06:13 AM
Bad opener for the US, they should have got a tailored draw à la Platini for France  :smarty:

These are not glorious times for our MNT.

QuoteNo own goal and mafia hit for Colombia this time. I suppose the Yanks could blame Obama or Trump though.  :hmm:

Oh come on! We have played them many times since then.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 07, 2016, 10:39:09 PM
Quote from: Valmy on June 06, 2016, 12:18:41 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on June 04, 2016, 04:06:13 AM
Bad opener for the US, they should have got a tailored draw à la Platini for France  :smarty:

These are not glorious times for our MNT.

They heard you! Victory 4-0 vs Costa Rica.

Colombia is presently leading 2-0 vs Paraguay in the other night game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 09, 2016, 12:20:47 AM
More Copa América

Another 7-1 with Brazil involved. This time vs Haiti.  :P

Peru 2 Ecuador 2

Ecuador plays last againt Haiti so Peru is in trouble I'd say.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on June 09, 2016, 03:05:19 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on June 09, 2016, 12:20:47 AM

Another 7-1 with Brazil involved. This time vs Haiti.  :P


I thought you meant a Haiti win.  :mad:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 09, 2016, 04:32:01 AM
The biggest Danish defensive talent in recent decades is announcing his retirement at only 31. Agger had a promising career ahead of him and did have some amazing games in his years, but unfortunately it turned out that his body was made of glass.

:(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 09, 2016, 05:03:51 AM
Quote from: Maladict on June 09, 2016, 03:05:19 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on June 09, 2016, 12:20:47 AM

Another 7-1 with Brazil involved. This time vs Haiti.  :P


I thought you meant a Haiti win.  :mad:

Mission accomplished with a misleading formulation!  :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 10, 2016, 02:35:06 AM
Copa América

Uruguay out! First upset of the tournament. No vampire in their squad sucked of lifeforce for Cavani (PSG player) was uninspired. Lost to Venezuela 0-1

In the other game, Mexico 2 Jamaica 0. So more noisy Mexican football fans for Valmy.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: MadImmortalMan on June 10, 2016, 03:24:50 AM
My cousin is a ref in the Copa. I thought about trucking in a bunch of Texas flags to see if the Chilean fans would buy them but decided against it.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 10, 2016, 07:56:35 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on June 10, 2016, 02:35:06 AM
In the other game, Mexico 2 Jamaica 0. So more noisy Mexican football fans for Valmy.  :P

So bummed we bailed them out in 2014. Anyway USA is going for its traditional 1-1-1 group stage result. It will be enough provided Colombia can handle Costa Rica.

So nice how we can host a major FIFA event and hardly blink while Brazil is still reeling from the trauma of hosting the WC. Or hell look what poor France is enduring right now.

BTW wow does Canada suck. Not getting in this event where we took the top six CONCACAF is a new low.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on June 10, 2016, 09:17:34 AM
Spanish international players De Gea, Isco and Muniain allegedly being investigated for sexual abuse in 2012, according to a police leak in the Spanish press.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 11, 2016, 05:47:22 AM
Copa América

Chile 2 Bolivia 1

Bolivia out. Victory goal on a not-so clear penalty in the extra time 90 + 8 ! Bolivia had a chance to equalise before the end though (90 + 10)

Argentina 5 Panama 0

Messi wakes up and Argentina is qualified for quarters. 3 goals for Messi against weak opposition. Di Maria out due to injury though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 11, 2016, 08:18:58 PM
On to the knock out round!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on June 11, 2016, 08:25:53 PM
Quote from: Valmy on June 11, 2016, 08:18:58 PM
On to the knock out round!

:)

:(  Likely against Brazil...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on June 11, 2016, 11:30:44 PM
Quote from: PDH on June 11, 2016, 08:25:53 PM
Quote from: Valmy on June 11, 2016, 08:18:58 PM
On to the knock out round!

:)

:(  Likely against Brazil...

Not so fast PeeDee, Costa Rica upset Colombia so USA finished first and likely will get Ecuador.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on June 12, 2016, 09:13:11 AM
See, my pessimism paid off.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on June 12, 2016, 10:44:32 AM
Quote from: PDH on June 12, 2016, 09:13:11 AM
See, my pessimism paid off.

Your tears appeased the football gods. They can be cruel and fickle, but they are not without compassion  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on June 12, 2016, 09:58:24 PM
Brazil didn't even advance to quarterfinals.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 12, 2016, 09:58:57 PM
Brazil  :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on June 12, 2016, 10:02:08 PM
Wow - Peru deserved a penalty in the 1st they didn't get, but they got a handball in the 2nd.

Brazil has to sacrifice Neymar to appease the gods...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 13, 2016, 06:08:24 AM
Quote from: PDH on June 12, 2016, 10:02:08 PM
Wow - Peru deserved a penalty in the 1st they didn't get, but they got a handball in the 2nd.

Brazil has to sacrifice Neymar to appease the gods...

Brazil out of the Copa América! Blame Dilma or Obama ?  :hmm: Only Argentina stands in the way of the US to win on its home soil. Valmy will have to endure Mexicans for some more time though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on June 13, 2016, 07:32:01 AM
Uruguay is there, Duque. It is always there.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 13, 2016, 09:11:57 AM
Not this time Grey Fox, they were the first team to be knocked out.

http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/how-uruguay-went-from-copa-america-centenario-contender-to-embarrassing-early-elimination-060916 (http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/how-uruguay-went-from-copa-america-centenario-contender-to-embarrassing-early-elimination-060916)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 13, 2016, 09:15:57 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on June 13, 2016, 06:08:24 AM
Valmy will have to endure Mexicans for some more time though.

Justice demands we be the ones to take them out.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 13, 2016, 09:28:37 AM
To be fair, Mexico is also playing on home soil (practically)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 13, 2016, 09:30:56 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on June 13, 2016, 09:28:37 AM
To be fair, Mexico is also playing on home soil (practically)

Yeah. Bunch of traitors. Which somehow makes it more satisfying to beat them in the US than in Mexico City.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 13, 2016, 10:07:44 AM
There will be many heads doused in urine and feces at the inevitable US / Mexico match-up.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on June 13, 2016, 10:08:34 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on June 13, 2016, 09:11:57 AM
Not this time Grey Fox, they were the first team to be knocked out.

http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/how-uruguay-went-from-copa-america-centenario-contender-to-embarrassing-early-elimination-060916 (http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/how-uruguay-went-from-copa-america-centenario-contender-to-embarrassing-early-elimination-060916)

Well, shit.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on June 15, 2016, 07:31:01 AM
St. Pauli unveiled today a new striker for their team. However, the manager was unavailable for the customary "pitch and shirt" picture, so well, they improvised:

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ck_NLOVUgAEzsvC.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 15, 2016, 07:32:23 AM
They might not be rich but they're resourceful. And clearly don't have Photoshop.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on June 15, 2016, 07:35:42 AM
I like two things:

1) That they put the mask on a bloke that obviously doesn't look that he's in his 60s.
2) The face of the new player, who's obviously afraid they are going to ritually murder him after the photo is done.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 15, 2016, 07:42:43 AM
:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 15, 2016, 10:11:01 AM
St.  Pauli reaffirming they are the best German club.  :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on June 15, 2016, 10:48:59 AM
 :lol: :lol: :lol:

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on June 16, 2016, 10:34:27 PM
The US may go no deeper, especially given who they might play, but that was a damn good showing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 16, 2016, 10:49:41 PM
 :showoff:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on June 17, 2016, 12:16:13 AM
Next game is gonna be rough, no Jones, Bedoya, or Wood.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: lustindarkness on June 17, 2016, 06:44:15 AM
Finally watched a match, was pretty good. But as the frozen beaner mentioned,  3 good players out of the next one because of penalties.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 17, 2016, 07:05:33 AM
Copa América

The US made it to the semi-finals on its home soil. Will Mexico make it too for Valmy ? On its home soil or almost, whatever.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 17, 2016, 07:29:08 AM
So long as we get to play them.

This has been pretty entertaining. We should just do away with the Gold Cup and do a joint championship with South America from now on. That makes too much sense for FIFA though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on June 17, 2016, 07:47:25 AM
Quote from: Valmy on June 17, 2016, 07:29:08 AM

This has been pretty entertaining. We should just do away with the Gold Cup and do a joint championship with South America from now on. That makes too much sense for FIFA though.

Yeah, any football tournament that Canada can win is not worth the name.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 17, 2016, 08:04:21 AM
Quote from: Maladict on June 17, 2016, 07:47:25 AM
Yeah, any football tournament that Canada can win is not worth the name.

:thumbsup:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on June 17, 2016, 08:19:03 AM
Canada, World Cup champion before the USA and Holland.

:angry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 17, 2016, 08:31:16 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 17, 2016, 08:19:03 AM
Canada, World Cup champion before the USA and Holland.

:angry:

Need to qualify for the World Cup before you can win it :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on June 17, 2016, 09:07:56 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 17, 2016, 08:19:03 AM
Canada, World Cup champion before the USA and Holland.

:angry:

In curling, maybe.

(I don't know that there even is a World Cup in curling.)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on June 17, 2016, 09:20:28 AM
Don't think so. Yearly world championship & the Olympics.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 18, 2016, 10:26:12 PM
Mexico  :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on June 18, 2016, 10:35:52 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on June 18, 2016, 10:26:12 PM
Mexico  :lmfao:
I'm glad i changed channel at the half :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on June 18, 2016, 10:44:52 PM
Jesus, Mexico is sucking so badly this game.  Even Canada would score against them...they would lose, but they would score.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 18, 2016, 10:45:10 PM
It's pretty bad :( :lol:

I always try to support Mexico, despite some of their horrible fans, but I can't help laughing at this debacle.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: lustindarkness on June 18, 2016, 10:55:14 PM
Venezuela ay least tried to play Argentina earlier,  but Mexico is not even giving Chile a good practice.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 18, 2016, 11:02:41 PM
Told you Mexico sucks Duque.

'Murica didn't even get the chance to beat them down in the Third Place game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on June 18, 2016, 11:12:27 PM
That last 20 or so minutes was awful. A team just giving up in a big tournament? Horrible.

Hell, to be fair Mexico gave up at the first whistle.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 19, 2016, 01:29:53 AM
Quote from: Valmy on June 18, 2016, 11:02:41 PM
Told you Mexico sucks Duque.

'Murica didn't even get the chance to beat them down in the Third Place game.

So you're sad because you do not get the opportunity to humiliate them in their "own turf"?  :hmm:   :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: lustindarkness on June 21, 2016, 08:04:01 PM
CF will cheer for Argentina, so I will have to cheer the USA team to make this fun.


USA!
USA!
USA!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: lustindarkness on June 21, 2016, 08:09:52 PM
This is harder than I thought. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 21, 2016, 09:18:00 PM
Lmao at the majority of the Fox TV pundits who picked USA to win this game
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: lustindarkness on June 21, 2016, 09:23:39 PM
I'm glad I'm watching it in spanish, I can only imagine the sad commentary.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 21, 2016, 09:26:05 PM
Is USA USA USA suckier this year than it was last two World Cups?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 21, 2016, 10:07:23 PM
USA hasn't really progressed much. A semifinal appearance in this year's Copa America is an achievement, to be honest. Getting owned by Argentina is no dishonor.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: lustindarkness on June 21, 2016, 10:08:31 PM
Yeap.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on June 21, 2016, 11:03:26 PM
Quote from: lustindarkness on June 21, 2016, 09:23:39 PM
I'm glad I'm watching it in spanish, I can only imagine the sad commentary.

I watched one of the earlier matches, and it may have been the worst commentary I'd ever heard on a sporting event.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 22, 2016, 08:49:47 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on June 21, 2016, 09:26:05 PM
Is USA USA USA suckier this year than it was last two World Cups?

Yeah we are not good right now.

Better than Mexico though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 22, 2016, 08:50:48 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on June 19, 2016, 01:29:53 AM
Quote from: Valmy on June 18, 2016, 11:02:41 PM
Told you Mexico sucks Duque.

'Murica didn't even get the chance to beat them down in the Third Place game.

So you're sad because you do not get the opportunity to humiliate them in their "own turf"?  :hmm:   :P

The nice thing about playing Mexico is we always humiliate them on their "own turf" :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on June 22, 2016, 10:04:46 AM
So all of CONCACAF that made it out of the group phase got thrashed 11-0. Why is it a separate entity again?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 22, 2016, 10:07:49 AM
Quote from: Maladict on June 22, 2016, 10:04:46 AM
So all of CONCACAF that made it out of the group phase got thrashed 11-0. Why is it a separate entity again?


Ask FIFA.

But I do appreciate the easy road to the World Cup every four years.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: lustindarkness on June 22, 2016, 11:05:02 AM
In the topic of Futbol. I will go support the local "pro" team this evening, The Birmingham Hammers VS The Knoxville Force. I hope they at least have hot dogs and beer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on June 22, 2016, 07:25:55 PM
Chile is suddenly amazing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on June 22, 2016, 07:44:27 PM
Well they are defending Copa Champs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on June 22, 2016, 07:52:58 PM
Yeah, but the first two games they played poorly.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: lustindarkness on June 25, 2016, 09:09:04 PM
Colombia took the 3rd place. 1-0. Oh well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on June 26, 2016, 09:54:36 PM
:nelson: Argies
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: lustindarkness on June 26, 2016, 09:55:46 PM
Over two hours of futbol to end up in penalty kicks, and Chile wins it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 26, 2016, 10:01:35 PM
Argentina will win a major trophy the day after Messi retires lololo
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on June 27, 2016, 12:51:12 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on June 26, 2016, 10:01:35 PM
Argentina will win a major trophy the day after Messi retires lololo
So the  next tourney?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Alcibiades on June 27, 2016, 01:59:18 AM
Just announced he's retiring from international soccer :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on June 27, 2016, 02:05:02 AM
Good!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 27, 2016, 05:58:52 AM
Quote from: katmai on June 27, 2016, 12:51:12 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on June 26, 2016, 10:01:35 PM
Argentina will win a major trophy the day after Messi retires lololo
So the  next tourney?
:lol: :lol: yes, what timing i have  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 27, 2016, 06:50:49 AM
Quote from: celedhring on June 27, 2016, 02:05:02 AM
Good!

For Argentina?


[spoiler] rhetorical or not?[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on June 27, 2016, 07:20:37 AM
For Barça. He always returns very tired from these international breaks. Plus with any luck it will have the same effect as the WC final defeat and fire us towards another treble season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 27, 2016, 07:21:39 AM
I was just being facetious.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on June 27, 2016, 03:04:04 PM
Incidentally, I fully expect Messi to backtrack once he cools off. For all the shit he gets from the Argie media, he is Argentina through and through.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 05, 2016, 12:21:44 PM
It seems Sunderland are to play some of their pre-season fixtures just over the lake from me :w00t:
Checking their official site for info shows the best 4-0-4 ever :lol:

http://www.safc.com/news/team-news/2016/june/sunderland-afc-confirm-initial-pre-season-plans
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on July 05, 2016, 01:38:25 PM
Quote from: Tyr on July 05, 2016, 12:21:44 PM
It seems Sunderland are to play some of their pre-season fixtures just over the lake from me :w00t:
Checking their official site for info shows the best 4-0-4 ever :lol:

http://www.safc.com/news/team-news/2016/june/sunderland-afc-confirm-initial-pre-season-plans

Well done. :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on July 05, 2016, 04:15:09 PM
Quote from: Tyr on July 05, 2016, 12:21:44 PM
It seems Sunderland are to play some of their pre-season fixtures just over the lake from me :w00t:
Checking their official site for info shows the best 4-0-4 ever :lol:

http://www.safc.com/news/team-news/2016/june/sunderland-afc-confirm-initial-pre-season-plans

Did Sunderland get bought by a Chinese person?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on July 05, 2016, 04:20:27 PM
Quote from: Jacob on July 05, 2016, 04:15:09 PM
Did Sunderland get bought by a Chinese person?

I assume, like most fodbol clubs, they're trying to sell gear to Asians.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 06, 2016, 04:01:58 AM
Quote from: Jacob on July 05, 2016, 04:15:09 PM
Quote from: Tyr on July 05, 2016, 12:21:44 PM
It seems Sunderland are to play some of their pre-season fixtures just over the lake from me :w00t:
Checking their official site for info shows the best 4-0-4 ever :lol:

http://www.safc.com/news/team-news/2016/june/sunderland-afc-confirm-initial-pre-season-plans

Did Sunderland get bought by a Chinese person?
Why do you say so? I see nought chinesey  :unsure:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on July 06, 2016, 06:03:34 AM
Messi is sentenced to 21 months in jail for tax fraud, won't serve because rich, duh.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 06, 2016, 06:13:51 AM
Quote from: Liep on July 06, 2016, 06:03:34 AM
Messi is sentenced to 21 months in jail for tax fraud, won't serve because rich, duh.

Not because of being rich but because of the sentence being under two years and for a white collar crime, with no priors. That's the general guideline for that stuff over here.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 06, 2016, 07:01:09 AM
Yeah, you don't do time for a first offence over here, if it's under two years and no violence/injury was involved.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on July 06, 2016, 12:34:00 PM
Quote from: Tyr on July 06, 2016, 04:01:58 AM
Why do you say so? I see nought chinesey  :unsure:

Upper right corner, next to the "Merchandise" has a "中文" which takes you to a Chinese language version of the website.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 06, 2016, 01:35:58 PM
Ah, it does indeed, never noticed that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on July 08, 2016, 08:10:43 AM
Bielsa did it again!  :lol:

http://www.marca.com/en/football/international-football/2016/07/08/577f8a86ca4741014d8b4696.html (http://www.marca.com/en/football/international-football/2016/07/08/577f8a86ca4741014d8b4696.html)

QuoteSerie A'El Loco' could be tempted by vacate Argentina post
Bielsa abandons Lazio before starting
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 08, 2016, 09:01:14 AM
Completely unsurprised at the news, but it still made me laugh out loud  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 08, 2016, 09:18:59 AM
At the Football Manager Facebook page they put the news with the "When you start a new game but then instantly regret it" headline.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 08, 2016, 09:54:17 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 08, 2016, 09:18:59 AM
At the Football Manager Facebook page they put the news with the "When you start a new game but then instantly regret it" headline.  :lol:

:lol:

Bielsa man, what a legend.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on July 10, 2016, 05:48:41 AM
I usually root for Barcelona in international tournaments, but their latest campaign "WeAreAllLeoMessi" is perhaps the most ridiculous SoMe campaign I've ever seen. And I've seen some pretty stupid things in the past years.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 10, 2016, 06:37:25 AM
Yeah  :bleeding:

Our board is a disgrace.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 10, 2016, 06:56:38 AM
Still it must make Suarez feel at home.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 13, 2016, 06:32:35 AM
Glasgow Celtic has lost a CL qualification game against a team from Gibraltar.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 18, 2016, 10:28:19 AM
Fucking England.
In light of Hodgeson quitting they're sniffing around Allardyce.
This bloody sucks. For the first time in years Sunderland looked steady and set for a comfortable season. He is done great for us.
If they do knab him...screw England.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 18, 2016, 10:53:47 AM
I see England are betting on exciting, front-foot football to take them to international glory.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 18, 2016, 12:32:31 PM
England is a second tier team at best.  England fans, myself included, need to understand that first of all.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on July 18, 2016, 12:44:32 PM
After 1966, England reached three semifinals (1968, 1990, and 1996).

In the same time Germany reached 18 semifinals and won six tournaments, Italy reached 11 semifinals and won three tournaments, France reached 8 semifinals and won three tournaments, Spain reached four semifinals and won three tournaments, Holland reached ten semifinals and won one tournament and Portugal reached six semifinals and won one tournament.

The Czech Republic has a better record with four semifinals and a win...

So yeah, England's competitive record is not particularly impressive.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on July 18, 2016, 12:47:58 PM
I think England just thinks they should be good because they have the world's most popular and prestigious league.

And actually that is a damn good reason. But it just has not worked out that way.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 20, 2016, 01:22:12 PM
Looks like Allerdyce to be made official soon.  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on July 21, 2016, 01:34:29 AM
Quote from: Josephus on July 20, 2016, 01:22:12 PM
Looks like Allerdyce to be made official soon.  :bowler:

Wenger would not touch the English squad with a three metre pole it seems. ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 21, 2016, 01:41:24 AM
"England" is really doing its best to top my shit list this year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on July 21, 2016, 06:06:24 AM
Quote from: Josephus on July 20, 2016, 01:22:12 PM
Looks like Allerdyce to be made official soon.  :bowler:

Donkeys lead by a donkey.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on July 21, 2016, 06:34:22 AM
That price tag on Pogba is insane. But kudos to his agent on making 18 million pounds for selling a black man to the British.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 21, 2016, 08:04:05 AM
I want to get into that agency business. Will make even more than Malthus :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on July 21, 2016, 01:19:36 PM
Quote from: Liep on July 21, 2016, 06:34:22 AM
That price tag on Pogba is insane. But kudos to his agent on making 18 million pounds for selling a black man to the British.
Seriously insane.

As a Juve fan, I say for 120 million euros I'll bring him to Manchester on a silver plate, with an apple stuffed in his ass.

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 21, 2016, 06:02:20 PM
We've bought André Gomes for 35 rising to 55. It's a lot of money, but football is stupid like that nowadays. I do like him quite a bit though, think he'll be a great signing going in the future.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on July 26, 2016, 02:24:01 PM
Speaking of crazy transfer fees, Juventus is going to pay the € 90 million (groan) release clause of Gonzalo Higuain to Napoli.

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 26, 2016, 04:18:04 PM
€1 billion players are on the horizon, aren't they?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 26, 2016, 04:23:35 PM
It does look like the increased money in the premier league has had the expected effect. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 26, 2016, 04:45:43 PM
Quote from: Zanza on July 18, 2016, 12:44:32 PM
After 1966, England reached three semifinals (1968, 1990, and 1996).

In the same time Germany reached 18 semifinals and won six tournaments, Italy reached 11 semifinals and won three tournaments, France reached 8 semifinals and won three tournaments, Spain reached four semifinals and won three tournaments, Holland reached ten semifinals and won one tournament and Portugal reached six semifinals and won one tournament.

The Czech Republic has a better record with four semifinals and a win...

So yeah, England's competitive record is not particularly impressive.
And as has been pointed out, with that record we're getting sniffy about Sam Allardyce? :lol:

On the other hand Tyr can be calm. I'm fairly sure Sunderland will be fine with Moyes. Though it looks like he might just be rebuilding the Everton team of 2009, you might make a move for Fellaini soon :mellow:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 26, 2016, 06:28:35 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on July 26, 2016, 04:45:43 PM
Quote from: Zanza on July 18, 2016, 12:44:32 PM
After 1966, England reached three semifinals (1968, 1990, and 1996).

In the same time Germany reached 18 semifinals and won six tournaments, Italy reached 11 semifinals and won three tournaments, France reached 8 semifinals and won three tournaments, Spain reached four semifinals and won three tournaments, Holland reached ten semifinals and won one tournament and Portugal reached six semifinals and won one tournament.

The Czech Republic has a better record with four semifinals and a win...

So yeah, England's competitive record is not particularly impressive.
And as has been pointed out, with that record we're getting sniffy about Sam Allardyce? :lol:

On the other hand Tyr can be calm. I'm fairly sure Sunderland will be fine with Moyes. Though it looks like he might just be rebuilding the Everton team of 2009, you might make a move for Fellaini soon :mellow:

Don't worry, Big Sam will have Andy Carroll knocking in bullet headers from Mark Noble crosses in the 2018 World Cup Final like nobody's business. I can't wait.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on July 26, 2016, 06:35:10 PM
Andy Carroll.  :glare:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 26, 2016, 06:35:27 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on July 26, 2016, 06:35:10 PM
Andy Carroll.  :glare:

:mad: :mad: :mad:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on July 26, 2016, 06:40:54 PM
He is a retarded  centaur
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 26, 2016, 07:13:12 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on July 26, 2016, 06:35:10 PM
Andy Carroll.  :glare:

he only scores against Liverpool
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 27, 2016, 07:36:35 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on July 26, 2016, 04:45:43 PM
Quote from: Zanza on July 18, 2016, 12:44:32 PM
After 1966, England reached three semifinals (1968, 1990, and 1996).

In the same time Germany reached 18 semifinals and won six tournaments, Italy reached 11 semifinals and won three tournaments, France reached 8 semifinals and won three tournaments, Spain reached four semifinals and won three tournaments, Holland reached ten semifinals and won one tournament and Portugal reached six semifinals and won one tournament.

The Czech Republic has a better record with four semifinals and a win...

So yeah, England's competitive record is not particularly impressive.
And as has been pointed out, with that record we're getting sniffy about Sam Allardyce? :lol:

On the other hand Tyr can be calm. I'm fairly sure Sunderland will be fine with Moyes. Though it looks like he might just be rebuilding the Everton team of 2009, you might make a move for Fellaini soon :mellow:
I hope I get to touch his hair.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 27, 2016, 03:33:29 PM
Someone just pointed me in the direction of this decade old review of Maradona's autobiography by Martin Amis, it is superb:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/oct/01/sport.sportandleisurebooks
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on July 28, 2016, 02:00:36 AM
All our u-23 talent that has already established themselves in international football is now out of the Olympic team. I know no one really cares about that tournament, but it could've been a little fun at least. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 28, 2016, 03:50:45 AM
Hey Liep, my team is rumoured to be chasing Pione Sisto from Midtjylland, is he any good? I see that he's already a full Denmark international.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on July 28, 2016, 05:53:43 AM
When he's good he's really good and can change a game (in the Danish league), but he seems to have a lot of off days. It could help him I think to play in a better league, or he could fade out completely :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 28, 2016, 06:03:22 AM
Quote from: Liep on July 28, 2016, 05:53:43 AM
When he's good he's really good and can change a game (in the Danish league), but he seems to have a lot of off days. It could help him I think to play in a better league, or he could fade out completely :P

Mmm, could be interesting then but the off days issue might be a red flag. We already have another Dane, Daniel wass, so that could be helpful for Sisto if he ends up coming. Let's see how it goes!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 02, 2016, 03:16:20 PM
Speaking of Thomas Christensen, he's apparently now a coach for Apoel and have just beaten Rosenborg in the CL qualifier.

And I think Sisto will do fine, at least all the sports papers here said good words about that choice of club and league.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 02, 2016, 03:55:57 PM
Quote from: Liep on August 02, 2016, 03:16:20 PM
Speaking of Thomas Christensen, he's apparently now a coach for Apoel and have just beaten Rosenborg in the CL qualifier.

And I think Sisto will do fine, at least all the sports papers here said good words about that choice of club and league.

Really? What did they say about my team? We already have another Dane, Wass, as well as Sweden's Guidetti, so we might end up with a few Scandi fans.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 04, 2016, 03:12:32 PM
All four Danish teams advanced to the next round in the European qualifiers. :mellow:

I think this might be one of the signs of the apocalypse.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 04, 2016, 03:14:52 PM
But our Olympic team failed to score against Iraq. So there's balance still I guess. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 05, 2016, 03:09:20 AM
What a brutal way to exit the EL for Aberdeen. :lol:

(https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--ps3-A0I2--/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_636/eu43issuepuane0flv7t.gif)
(https://i.sohn.dk/aberdeen.gif)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 05, 2016, 03:55:00 AM
Quote from: Liep on August 04, 2016, 03:14:52 PM
But our Olympic team failed to score against Iraq. So there's balance still I guess. :P

Quote from: Liep on July 28, 2016, 02:00:36 AM
All our u-23 talent that has already established themselves in international football is now out of the Olympic team. I know no one really cares about that tournament, but it could've been a little fun at least. :(


In other news, just to show Liep that some people care about the Olympic football tournament, goalkeepers are not impressive, at least for yesterday's games involving Algeria and Argentina.

As for balance, Portugal won 2-0 against Argentina (one fluke for the otherwise good Argentine goalkeeper), with a B U-23 squad, yet well playing team, since most Portuguese clubs would not free their U-23 players for the Olympic tournament. Stadium was full and Brazilians cheered for Portugal, unsurprisingly. :) Game was broadcasted on a free French channel, somewhat of a surprise or not too well announced. Only caught the last third of it, after midnight.

Honduras won 3-2 vs Algeria, again a fluke, by the Algerian goalkeeper. Argentina-Algeria death match already ?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on August 05, 2016, 04:13:59 PM
Quote from: Liep on August 05, 2016, 03:09:20 AM
What a brutal way to exit the EL for Aberdeen. :lol:

One of the most entertaining things about watching sports is seeing a player fuck up horribly.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 13, 2016, 06:53:31 AM
Hope Solo's such a twat
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on August 13, 2016, 03:00:34 PM
Quote from: Josephus on August 13, 2016, 06:53:31 AM
Hope Solo's such a twat
whatever, she was pissed. Of all the things she's done to be known as a horrible person her tweet was the least of it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 13, 2016, 05:06:56 PM
The season began. :w00t:
With an expected loss. Albeit not as embarrassing as it could have been given we only have half  a team and we're playing man city.

Leicester losing is truly a surprise. Shall really have to watch MOTD for that one.

And let's all laugh at Newcastle. Played 2, lost 2. Given their "we will walk this league" attitude this pleases me.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 16, 2016, 12:35:44 PM
http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/37097423 (http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/37097423)

I was about to say good riddance but there are others in his place.

QuoteJoao Havelange: Former Fifa president and IOC member dies aged 100

Joao Havelange
Havelange was born in Rio de Janeiro in May 1916
Former Fifa president Joao Havelange has died at the age of 100.

The Brazilian was predecessor to Sepp Blatter at world football's governing body, serving from 1974 to 1998.

He resigned as Fifa's honorary president in April 2013 following an investigation into bribery allegations and was admitted to hospital the following year with a lung infection.

He was an International Olympic Committee (IOC) member from 1963 until 2011, resigning because of ill health.

"He had one idea in his head, to make football a global game with his slogan 'football is the universal language', and he succeeded," said former Fifa president Sepp Blatter.

Havelange represented Brazil in swimming at the 1936 Olympics - the year he qualified as a lawyer - before his election to the IOC.

As Fifa president he led the World Cup's expansion from 16 to 32 teams, with six competitions held under his tenure.

However, his career was also mired in controversy over bribery allegations.

In 2010, a BBC Panorama programme accused Havelange and son-in-law Ricardo Teixeira of taking millions of dollars in bribes from Swiss marketing agency International Sport and Leisure (ISL) to retain the company as Fifa's sole official marketer.


Joao Havelange hands the World Cup trophy to Mexico president Miguel de la Madrid to present to Argentina captain Diego Maradona at the 1986 final
His resignation from the IOC five years ago avoided an investigation into the ISL allegations, which Havelange had denied.

In 2012, Teixeira stepped down as head of Brazil's football federation, a position he filled for 23 years, and resigned from the 2014 World Cup organising committee after coming under pressure over corruption allegations, which he also denied.

As well as swimming at the 1936 Olympics, Havelange was part of the Brazilian water polo team at the 1952 Helsinki Games and was chef de mission for the Brazilian delegation at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne.

And it was as a sports administrator, particularly in football, that Havelange made his mark.

He embarked on a career which began as president of the Metropolitan Swimming Federation in Brazil. He also became a member of the Brazilian Olympic Committee and joined the International Cycling Union in 1958.

After becoming vice-president of the Brazilian Sports Confederation, he served as president from 1958 to 1973, before he became the most powerful man in world football.

In 1974 he succeeded Britain's Sir Stanley Rous to be elected Fifa president, marshalling support among those unhappy at the perceived European domination of the world governing body.

An imposing figure, with piercing blue eyes, his astuteness as a politician and his adeptness at retaining power enabled him to hold the Fifa presidency for 24 years until being succeeded by Blatter in 1998.

When Havelange was elected president, Fifa's Zurich headquarters housed just 12 staff members. But that figure increased almost tenfold over the next two decades as Fifa's organisational responsibilities and commercial interests grew.

Increasing the size of the World Cup to 32 teams gave countries from Asia, Oceania and Africa the chance to shine on the world stage, Cameroon becoming the first African country to reach the quarter-finals in 1990.

It was Havelange who launched a wave of new tournaments, notably the world championships at Under-17 and Under-20 level in the late 1980s and the Fifa Confederations Cup and Fifa Women's World Cup at the start of the 1990s.

Gary Lineker
Former England captain Gary Lineker gives his reaction to the former Fifa president's death

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fichef.bbci.co.uk%2Fonesport%2Fcps%2F624%2Fcpsprodpb%2F111B6%2Fproduction%2F_90807007_garylineker.jpg&hash=1817f3b40532783b3857f2ec524f4490a64248a2)


:lol: Lineker
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on August 24, 2016, 08:46:07 PM
US soccer suspended Solo for 6 months and terminated her contract.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 25, 2016, 05:00:16 AM
Contract? Wasn't aware US players had contracts with the NT.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on August 25, 2016, 07:01:31 AM
Quote from: celedhring on August 25, 2016, 05:00:16 AM
Contract? Wasn't aware US players had contracts with the NT.

Of course. They get paid a salary. Being on the NT is a pretty sweet gig.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on August 25, 2016, 07:06:03 AM
Eh, the male football millionaires here play for free on the national team. It's still a question of honor. Although there are bonuses paid when they win something.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on August 25, 2016, 07:13:43 AM
Quote from: Zanza on August 25, 2016, 07:06:03 AM
Eh, the male football millionaires here play for free on the national team. It's still a question of honor. Although there are bonuses paid when they win something.

The economic conditions are different here. Especially for the WNT.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 25, 2016, 08:30:00 AM
I believe the WNT threatened legal action at one time because they weren't being compensated the same as the men.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on August 25, 2016, 08:36:53 AM
Quote from: Josephus on August 25, 2016, 08:30:00 AM
I believe the WNT threatened legal action at one time because they weren't being compensated the same as the men.

Yes. Which is kind of funny considering how much more successful they have been. Maybe funny is not the right word.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on August 25, 2016, 08:41:40 AM
Quote from: Valmy on August 25, 2016, 08:36:53 AM
Quote from: Josephus on August 25, 2016, 08:30:00 AM
I believe the WNT threatened legal action at one time because they weren't being compensated the same as the men.

Yes. Which is kind of funny considering how much more successful they have been. Maybe funny is not the right word.
what's funnier is that they originally bargained to be paid a salary instead of bonuses like the men, and then cried foul later that they weren't paid like the men.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on August 25, 2016, 08:42:52 AM
Quote from: HVC on August 25, 2016, 08:41:40 AM
what's funnier is that they originally bargained to be paid a salary instead of bonuses like the men, and then cried foul later that they weren't paid like the men.

Ok that is sort of funny.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 26, 2016, 05:12:29 AM
No comments about the Champions League group stage draw?

Group A

- Arsenal
- PSG
- Basel
- Ludogorets

Group B

- Benfica
- Napoli
- Dynamo Kiev
- Besiktas

Group C

- Barcelona
- Manchester City
- Celtic
- Borussia MG

Group D

- Bayern Munich
- Atlético
- PSV
- Rostov

Group E

- Bayern Leverkussen
- Tottenham
- Monaco
- CSKA Moscow

Group F

- Real Madrid
- Borussia Dortmundt
- Sporting
- Legia Warsaw

Group G

- Leicester
- Oporto
- Brugge
- FC Copenhagen

Group H

- Juventus
- Olympique Lyon
- Sevilla
- Dynamo Zagreb
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on August 26, 2016, 05:54:17 AM
Ludogorets?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 26, 2016, 06:20:05 AM
Yes, Ludogorets beat Pilzen.

Good draw for Porto after a bad draw for the play-off: AS Roma. But then Roma got 3 reds in two games for rough play. So 3-0 for Porto in Stadio Olimpico in the second leg after a tie in the Dragão. Porto is still recovering and rebuilding though.
Italy might be headed for a French league situation with Juventus far ahead. Naples is in though.

Tough luck for Sporting, Benfica has a better one.

I expect Paris to go to quarter finals at least, the other French clubs might not make it out of the group phase but should reach Europa League. Maybe not for Lyon ,)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on August 26, 2016, 06:32:42 AM
Bayern can win against PSV and Rostov, Atletico is tough.

Borussia Mönchengladbach has no chance in that group.

Dortmund can come second, Leverkusen's group is hard to predict.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 26, 2016, 06:48:11 AM
Quote from: Zanza on August 26, 2016, 05:54:17 AM
Ludogorets?

A Bulgarian team that has recently broken into the top flight there and has been dominating the Bulgarian League since then (they have won the last 5 leagues in a row). Half the team is Brazilian, think of them as a knock off version of Shaktar Donetsk.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 26, 2016, 06:56:21 AM
And the Europa League group draw:

Group A

- Man United
- Fenerbahce
- Feyenoord
- Luhansk

Group B

- Olympiacos
- APOEL
- Young Boys
- Astana

Group C

- Anderletch
- Saint Etienne
- Mainz
- Gabala

Group D

- zenit
- Az
- Maccabi Tel Aviv
- Dundalk (an Irish team? In the EL group stages? really?  :wacko: )

Group E

- Viktoria Plzen
- Roma
- Austria Wien
- Astra Giurgiu

Group F

- Athletic
- Genk
- Rapid Wien
- Sassuolo

Group G

- Ajax
- Standard Liege
- Celta ( :w00t: )
- Panathinaikos

Group H

- Shaktar Donetsk
- Braga
- Ghent
- Konyaspor

Group I

- Schalke
- Red Bull Salzburg
- Krasnodar
- Nice

Group J

- Fiorentina
- PAOK
- Slovan Liberec
- Qarabag

Group K

- Inter
- Sparta Prague
- Southampton
- Hapoel Be'er Sheva

Group L

- Villarreal
- Steaua Bucarest
- zürich
- Osmanlispor
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 26, 2016, 03:00:04 PM
Yay, even more tilted towards the big 4 and their big clubs. Is it still a Platini idea or was the master beaten?

QuoteEvolution of UEFA club competitions from 2018
Published: Friday 26 August 2016, 10.30CET
The top four teams from the four highest-ranked associations will enter the UEFA Champions League group stage from 2018 after new formats were confirmed for both major club competitions.

Evolution of UEFA club competitions from 2018

The format for the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League for 2018/19, 2019/20 and 2020/21 have been confirmed, with no changes to the competions system but a new procedure for entries.


Following an extensive consultative process involving all European football stakeholders, UEFA proposed amendments which have been approved by the UEFA Executive Committee, upon recommendations of the UEFA Club Competitions Committee and the European Club Association Board.

Q&A: All you need to know about the changes
Changes

The UEFA Europa League winners will automatically qualify for the UEFA Champions League group stage (currently they can potentially take part in a play-off round).
The top four clubs from the four top-ranked national associations will now qualify automatically for the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.
The full details of the access list for both competitions will be finalised by the end of the year.
A new system for the club coefficients: clubs will be judged on their own records (deletion of the country share for individual club coefficient unless that coefficient is lower than 20% of the association's coefficient).
Historical success in the competition will also be acknowledged in coefficient calculation (points for previous European titles with a weighted system for UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League titles)
Financial distribution to clubs will be increased significantly for both competitions.
A new four-pillar financial distribution system (starting fee, performance in the competition, individual club coefficient and market pool) will see sporting performances better rewarded, while market pool share will decrease.
What doesn't change

Retention of Champions and League route of qualifying in the UEFA Champions League, ensuring that clubs from all associations can enter through their domestic leagues and qualify for both competitions.
The UEFA Champions League will continue to have a 32-team group stage leading to a 16-club knockout phase. Similarly the UEFA Europa League remains at 48 teams.
A subsidiary company will be created that will play a strategic role in determining the future and the management of club competitions: UEFA Club Competitions SA, where half of the managing directors will be appointed by UEFA and the other half by the ECA.

Speaking about the amendments agreed for the new cycle, UEFA General Secretary ad interim Theodore Theodoridis said: "The evolution of UEFA's club competitions is the result of a wide-ranging consultative process involving all stakeholders and taking into account a wide range of expertise and perspectives.

"The amendments made will continue to ensure qualification based on sporting merit, and the right of all associations and their clubs to compete in Europe's elite club competitions.

"We are happy that European football remains united behind the concepts of solidarity, fair competition, fair distribution and good governance."
:lmfao: @ last sentence

Even less of a champions' league (four of the big four always in the champions's league no matter what). They could just give it to some short-listed clubs as well but maybe in the future.

Though the end of the national bonus for clubs of the same country would please Italian tifosi. :) Kind of perverse though ;)

Any thoughts?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 27, 2016, 09:44:39 AM
Anyone else find it amazing to see the stats of people like this guy:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuart_Taylor_(footballer,_born_1980)

Such a long career with some pretty big teams...but never actually played all that much. Got paid brilliant money  for training and watching games
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 27, 2016, 12:49:04 PM
Quote from: Tyr on August 27, 2016, 09:44:39 AM
Anyone else find it amazing to see the stats of people like this guy:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuart_Taylor_(footballer,_born_1980)

Such a long career with some pretty big teams...but never actually played all that much. Got paid brilliant money  for training and watching games

I guess he is a professional back up. I must assume that he played in the reserves in each of those teams, besides warming the bench for the first team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 28, 2016, 12:20:18 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on August 26, 2016, 03:00:04 PM
Yay, even more tilted towards the big 4 and their big clubs. Is it still a Platini idea or was the master beaten?

QuoteEvolution of UEFA club competitions from 2018
Published: Friday 26 August 2016, 10.30CET
The top four teams from the four highest-ranked associations will enter the UEFA Champions League group stage from 2018 after new formats were confirmed for both major club competitions.

Evolution of UEFA club competitions from 2018

The format for the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League for 2018/19, 2019/20 and 2020/21 have been confirmed, with no changes to the competions system but a new procedure for entries.


Following an extensive consultative process involving all European football stakeholders, UEFA proposed amendments which have been approved by the UEFA Executive Committee, upon recommendations of the UEFA Club Competitions Committee and the European Club Association Board.

Q&A: All you need to know about the changes
Changes

The UEFA Europa League winners will automatically qualify for the UEFA Champions League group stage (currently they can potentially take part in a play-off round).
The top four clubs from the four top-ranked national associations will now qualify automatically for the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.
The full details of the access list for both competitions will be finalised by the end of the year.
A new system for the club coefficients: clubs will be judged on their own records (deletion of the country share for individual club coefficient unless that coefficient is lower than 20% of the association's coefficient).
Historical success in the competition will also be acknowledged in coefficient calculation (points for previous European titles with a weighted system for UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League titles)
Financial distribution to clubs will be increased significantly for both competitions.
A new four-pillar financial distribution system (starting fee, performance in the competition, individual club coefficient and market pool) will see sporting performances better rewarded, while market pool share will decrease.
What doesn't change

Retention of Champions and League route of qualifying in the UEFA Champions League, ensuring that clubs from all associations can enter through their domestic leagues and qualify for both competitions.
The UEFA Champions League will continue to have a 32-team group stage leading to a 16-club knockout phase. Similarly the UEFA Europa League remains at 48 teams.
A subsidiary company will be created that will play a strategic role in determining the future and the management of club competitions: UEFA Club Competitions SA, where half of the managing directors will be appointed by UEFA and the other half by the ECA.

Speaking about the amendments agreed for the new cycle, UEFA General Secretary ad interim Theodore Theodoridis said: "The evolution of UEFA's club competitions is the result of a wide-ranging consultative process involving all stakeholders and taking into account a wide range of expertise and perspectives.

"The amendments made will continue to ensure qualification based on sporting merit, and the right of all associations and their clubs to compete in Europe's elite club competitions.

"We are happy that European football remains united behind the concepts of solidarity, fair competition, fair distribution and good governance."
:lmfao: @ last sentence

Even less of a champions' league (four of the big four always in the champions's league no matter what). They could just give it to some short-listed clubs as well but maybe in the future.

Though the end of the national bonus for clubs of the same country would please Italian tifosi. :) Kind of perverse though ;)

Any thoughts?

I don't think it was Platini's doing so much as he was cajoled by all the big players and TV. It's part of the Super League idea talked about for the last 10 years or so. So now we'l have the same 16 teams each year plus 16 "others".
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 28, 2016, 08:13:14 PM
After what's happened at Manchester United since Ferguson left, it's no wonder, really.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 31, 2016, 06:38:28 AM
Transfer deadline approaches.
Its really clear to me this year how ridiculous the whole thing is.
It's like a house buying chain, the new buyers relying on someone elses deal which is relying on someone elses deal right up to some rich guy at the top (probably a buy to let'er).

Made me ponder; could a system that loosely borrows from the American draft system work?
i.e. the higher finishing teams have a smaller transfer window than the less high finishing teams. Means they have to sort their business first and then it trickles down without everyone relying on literal last minute paperwork rushes.

Would never fly of course, helping lower teams over higher teams.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 31, 2016, 07:02:50 AM
I read something interesting the other day about the relatively new phenomenom of the "Premier League gilded cage", players at the PL, not just from top teams but also from other ones, with salaries so high that, when teams want to get rid of them, they just can't find anyone to take them. It basically said that when a player gets to a Premier League team it will be really difficult for him to leave the league, because nowhere else will salaries be that high so not many clubs will be able to be potential suitors. It pointed at only two potential exits, China, which is paying head scratching amounts of money for so-so players, and the selling club being a regular contributor to the player's salary at the buying club, which is apparently very unpopular amongst management.

In a way it's true, nowadays even mid or low tier PL clubs have a much bigger financial muscle than most teams anywhere in the world. Even 2nd tier Spanish clubs can't compete with PL clubs for signings anymore.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 31, 2016, 07:16:37 AM
That's been a problem with Sunderland in recent years. Flops that won't leave because they're on a good salary.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 31, 2016, 09:08:27 AM
An article from the Guardian's correspondant for La Liga on the recent transfers:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/aug/31/premier-league-spain-la-liga-transfer-window-signings (https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/aug/31/premier-league-spain-la-liga-transfer-window-signings)

QuotePremier League is draining talent from Spain but not catching the very best
Shkodran Mustafi became the 17th player to move from La Liga to the Premier League this summer when he joined Arsenal but English clubs, for all their financial muscle, are landing mainly second-tier talent

There was a moment during the first half of last season when Lucas Pérez was asked what his parents made of the form that saw him closing in on a goalscoring record at Deportivo, held by the Brazilian striker Bebeto. "They're just happy to have me around," he replied. He had been away since he was a teenager and spent the previous four years in Greece and Ukraine, the final months there the "worst of my life", but at last he was home. Now less than a year later, he has gone again.

Arsenal made an offer too good to refuse, however much Pérez had missed Galicia: a big club, Champions League football, the chance to compete for titles, treble the salary, and a transfer fee that Deportivo not only needed but welcomed and that met his buy-out clause: €20m, £17m. London is not Lviv, either. As for Arsenal, they got a quick, skilful, mobile forward who might not be a starter, nor have been their initial target, but who scored 17 times in La Liga and has been directly involved in more goals than any Spaniard since the start of last season.

Just ahead of Pérez in the goalscoring charts last season was Eibar's Borja Bastón, on 18. He signed for Swansea City for £15m, where he joins Fernando Llorente, signed from Sevilla. They are part of a significant exodus from Spain to the Premier League this summer: Manquillo, Nolito, Bravo, Feghouli, Bailly, Negredo ... the list goes on. When Shkodran Mustafi left Valencia on Tuesday night to join Pérez at Arsenal, it brought the number of players who have made the move to 17, and Vicente Iborra, Ignacio Camacho and Aymen Abdennour may yet join them. West Bromwich Albion have offered €18m for the Málaga midfielder, Sunderland's €9m bid for Iborra was rejected by Sevilla and Chelsea are in talks over taking the defender Abdennour on loan from Valencia.

Spaniards moving to England is nothing new but this is a little different, a pattern that was already present yet has become more apparent and is illustrated by Pérez's move.

For the best players at Spain's "other" clubs keen to compete and to secure a contract more in keeping with their talent, a clear choice emerged some time ago: join Real Madrid or Barcelona (or, later, Atlético Madrid) or go abroad, where the financial and footballing muscle was greater. England offered opportunities that would otherwise have been denied to players such as David Silva or Juan Mata.

But of this summer's signings, perhaps only Nolito fits that pattern; while each case is different, the rest come largely from a second tier of footballers. This time, the very best of La Liga have remained in Spain: Real Madrid and Barcelona still have Messi, Ronaldo, Bale and Suárez, while Atlético kept hold of Antoine Griezmann and Kevin Gameiro left Sevilla to join him at the Vicente Calderón. It is the "others" who have departed. This is not just a different generation; it is a different level. Attractive, but for other reasons.

English clubs, even beyond the Premier League, see in Spain a market that offers a reasonable price-quality relationship, a place for the risk-averse to sign a ready-made solution. It is a market in which they have confidence, one that has produced talented players, where development is good, and whose clubs have performed well in Europe, and is still cheaper than the Premier League.

Yet that risk-averse element may be innately risky; it may mean they are missing out on the best buys for players who will not raise the level dramatically. There is a habit of overlooking younger, "unproven" talent: everyone wants Griezmann now, no one wanted him enough to pay €30m two years ago; Sandro went to Málaga for free, not England; and the queue at Álvaro Morata's door was not there two years ago. Instead, they favour players who offer a "guaranteed" return. How much of a return is another issue; a "return" no longer means signing a potential star, necessarily. It is not about Paul Pogba, it is about the men who cost a quarter of his fee.

Spain becomes a trusted testing ground for clubs who know that even if a player's value rises, they can still meet it. There is the story of a manager telling his club to sign a young midfielder, insisting that he will be worth €100m in two years. To which he is told: "Let's sign him in two years, then." The example comes from the very highest level and from Spain, from clubs who know they can get their man, but there is an element of that when it comes to all clubs with money and right now English clubs have money – especially compared to Spanish ones.

"I know English clubs that work very hard when it comes to scouting but all the information that they gather they then don't use it when it finally comes to making signings," admits the Sevilla sporting director, Monchi. "Why? Because they have money. The attitude is: I'm not going to discover [Seydou] Keita at Lens I'm going to let Sevilla do that and then buy Keita from Sevilla. The money allows English clubs to not take the risk."

This summer that process has continued; more importantly, it has continued down the market and down the league; it does not just apply to obvious targets signed as a team's stand-out star, whose numbers on the market get fewer.

The existence of buy-out clauses at Spanish clubs also helps to facilitate the move: a fee is set at which clubs know they can get their player fight-free and at which the seller can present it to fans as a victory of sorts, or at least a move about which they could do nothing. The clause is usually set a little high, but no longer so high as to be prohibitive. For players and their agents, it removes some of the potential battle to find a way out, making life easier for everyone. Put in very simplistic terms: these are players who are available.

Advertisement

"Why are English teams turning to Spain?" asks one representative involved in deals between the two countries. "Money, basically. They think they're getting a top striker for half price and the salary will be half."

Which is still a lot for Spain, and that is important too. Spanish clubs see in England a cash-rich market they need to sell to, one where they can get big fees for their players. Fuera de mercado, as they say: beyond the market value. A place where every club is rich and even the second division can pay fees that clubs in Spain's primera division cannot. The Premier League is a threat to La Liga but it has also proven vital to its financial health.

"It is a very good market for us; we sell a lot of players there," admits Monchi, despite the fact that, this summer, his club has not followed the trend, with Gameiro (Spain), Krychowiak (France), Banega (Italy) and Coke (Germany) all departing for different destinations. One agent is rather more blunt: "Frankly, when they see an English club coming, Spanish sporting directors rub their hands together in glee," he says. "When the call comes they think of a fee that's ridiculous and quote that."

The Premier League has certainly been lucrative for Spanish clubs. £17m for Pérez and £15m for Bastón appears to be a lot of money. But it may be time to recalibrate what counts as "too much" as the income from the new £7bn TV deal reaches Premier League clubs. They pay that because they can. This looks like a sellers' market to the Spanish and like a buyers' market to the English. Spanish players may have seemed overpriced this summer, but the context is a window in which Christian Benteke set Crystal Palace back £27m and Yannick Bolaise cost £20m.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 31, 2016, 12:04:05 PM
hart to Torino is a baffling one.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 07, 2016, 06:49:18 AM
Lord Bendtner to Nottingham Forest. :yeah:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 07, 2016, 06:52:05 AM
Quote from: Liep on September 07, 2016, 06:49:18 AM
Lord Bendtner to Nottingham Forest. :yeah:

That's quite a drop from playing for Wolfsburg... although there's so much money in English football nowadays that he might be making more cash now.  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 07, 2016, 06:54:05 AM
Quote from: celedhring on September 07, 2016, 06:52:05 AM
Quote from: Liep on September 07, 2016, 06:49:18 AM
Lord Bendtner to Nottingham Forest. :yeah:

That's quite a drop from playing for Wolfsburg... although there's so much money in English football nowadays that he might be making more cash now.  :hmm:

He hasn't had a club since July so it's up from that at least.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 07, 2016, 09:43:39 AM
It'll be interesting to read bendtners autobiography when he gets to it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on September 07, 2016, 10:47:35 AM
Quote from: celedhring on September 07, 2016, 06:52:05 AM
Quote from: Liep on September 07, 2016, 06:49:18 AM
Lord Bendtner to Nottingham Forest. :yeah:

That's quite a drop from playing for Wolfsburg... although there's so much money in English football nowadays that he might be making more cash now.  :hmm:

Only in the PL. Championship clubs aren't doing nearly as well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 08, 2016, 11:31:37 AM
Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid have both had their signing bans upholded by FIFA and won't be able to sign new players until January 2018. It can still be appealed but it's unlikely to be overturned.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 11, 2016, 03:30:14 AM
Man utd vs man city yesterday was interesting. City totally outplayed united. Though their new keeper sucks
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on September 12, 2016, 06:23:13 AM
http://edition.cnn.com/2016/09/07/football/chad-fc-metz-ligue-1/

So, one of the poorest countries is now being advertised on on the jerseys of a team in France's top league. Not sure the comparisons with Azerbaijan and Qatar are valid - those countries, at least, have a lot of oil money to launder waste invest.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.howwemadeitinafrica.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F09%2FChad-sponsors-FC-Metz-600x318.jpg&hash=0a3a4e4d215c21f6d1d8ea59b5987bd45cad8ebb)

QuoteChad seeks salvation through soccer

(CNN)The Central African state of Chad is suffering through a steep economic decline and a grueling fight against terrorism.

But the government believes that soccer can help to revive the nation's fortunes.

A new sponsorship deal between state officials, Pan-African media group LC2, and FC Metz will see the French team play with the message "Chad: Oasis of the Sahel" on their shirts, and participate in joint initiatives to develop soccer in Chad.

It is hoped that the partnership will improve the nation's reputation abroad and encourage tourism.

"This is part of a strategic partnership," says Betel Miarom, minister of culture, youth, and sport. "The Chadian tourist office, LC2 Group, and FC Metz have forged an agreement for the promotion of Chad's international image through sports."

FC Metz was promoted this year to Ligue 1, the top division in French football, and required a new sponsor after a previous deal expired.

The first contact came from LC2 Group, which recently launched a new channel in Chad, and proposed to broker a deal on behalf of the Chadian government. FC Metz President Bernard Serin required further assurance.

"I wanted to be sure that the government was fully part of the agreement," says Serin. "For that reason we postponed until government representatives came to Metz and showed the commitment and engagement of the country."

Miarom, along with several more government officials, made the trip to northern France in late August, and the deal was swiftly struck.

Serin was surprised at the identity of the new sponsors, but notes that the club has strong connections with Africa, having established the "Generation Foot" academy in Senegal in 2000, which produced stars such as Liverpool's Sadio Mane. His new partners will now have access to the facility.

"This agreement will help young players of Chad come to our academy, which is one of the best in Africa," says Serin.

The president adds that FC Metz will send a delegation to meet soccer officials in Chad to provide guidance in developing the game, which is the nation's most popular sport.

The agreement has proved controversial, drawing fierce criticism from Chadian analysts.

Blogger Senior Mbary described the deal as "fraud" and an "opportunity to pillage the meager resources of Chad."

France-based journalist Ahmat Zeidane Bichara also attacked the agreement, questioning the value of promoting tourism at a time when many Western governments have issued warnings against travel to Chad due to terror fears.

"Is it not money thrown out the window?" wrote Bichara, contrasting the deal with neglect of emergencies such as widespread water shortages.

Bichara estimated the sponsorship would cost Chad 2-4 million euros ($2.25-$4.5m) a year, a figure widely circulated following the deal.

But Miarom denies this, insisting that LC2 Group is covering all expenses.

"The partnership was finalized by LC2 and Chad has not spent a single penny," he says.

The minister further claims that the deal supports rather than detracts from core commitments.

"The Government has been engaged in a vast battle against poverty," says Miarom. "The President of the Republic has initiated a plan for the emergence of Chad in 2030. And in this Chad we want in 2030, sport occupies a prominent place."

Sponsorship deals between countries and soccer clubs are increasingly common, such as Azerbaijan's sponsorship of Atletico Madrid and Qatar's deal with Barcelona.

Matthew Glendinning, editor of Sports Sponsorship Insider, believes that clubs such as FC Metz are being forced to consider unusual partnerships.

"The switch to Chad as a country sponsor is surprising, but it is not unusual for lower-tier Ligue 1 clubs to struggle to find commercially-based sponsors," he says.

Glendinning can also see the appeal for sponsors, as soccer offers excellent exposure.

"Chad has a pressing need to promote its tourism industry," he says. "Football, as the most popular sport in the country, would be considered an attractive medium."

With Ligue 1 being broadcast in over 100 countries, the message of Chad will certainly reach a global audience.

But whether the deal is remembered as an inspired decision or a regrettable folly remains to be seen.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 13, 2016, 02:14:28 PM
Barcelona. :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 13, 2016, 03:20:39 PM
That last Suarez goal rivals the 2nd goal for tonight's best.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 13, 2016, 03:47:27 PM
That was better. The SPL is a pub league nowadays, though, Celtic were a bit of a joke.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 13, 2016, 03:51:23 PM
Quote from: celedhring on September 13, 2016, 03:47:27 PM
That was better. The SPL is a pub league nowadays, though, Celtic were a bit of a joke.

Never forget https://youtu.be/qFvHYqrU40Y?t=30s
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 14, 2016, 03:36:51 PM
Porto 1 - 1 FCK :yeah:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 14, 2016, 03:42:38 PM
So, a Slovenian totally unknown guy has been elected new head of UEFA replacing Platini. Who knows how he will turn out to be? Mildly corrupt? Plenty corrupt? Somewhere in between?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 14, 2016, 03:55:05 PM
There was an article in the Norwegian press saying he was basically Gianni Infantino's yes man. So corrupt enough I'd say.  If Gianni Infantino maneuvered in the back scene to get Ceferin elected there has to be a reason. But then, even the scandi federations went along with it :P

As for Porto, stopping to play when leading 1-0, and not scoring again when playing 11 vs 10 :frusty:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 14, 2016, 03:59:50 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on September 14, 2016, 03:55:05 PM
There was an article in the Norwegian press saying he was basically Gianni Infantino's yes man. So corrupt enough I'd say.  If Gianni Infantino maneuvered in the back scene to get Ceferin elected there has to be a reason. But then, even the scandi federations went along with it :P

As for Porto, stopping to play when leading 1-0, and not scoring again when playing 11 vs 10 :frusty:

Scandi anti-corruption cannot handle sports federations so I wouldnt see that as an approval of the slovenian.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 19, 2016, 06:17:19 AM
Apparently for the first time ever a Spanish first division team has played with 11 foreign starters. The honour goes to Sevilla yesterday, as it started with 4 Argentinians, 3 French and 1 Italian, Japanese, Brazilian and Portuguese. The 3 players he brought from the bench during the game were all Spanish.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 20, 2016, 01:30:43 AM
What do the people say of this?
The end times?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 20, 2016, 04:03:46 AM
Quote from: Tyr on September 20, 2016, 01:30:43 AM
What do the people say of this?
The end times?

Nah, not much debate, it's a random trivia thing I guess. I was actually surprised that it hadn't happened earlier.

IIRC in Italy they had a match (Inter vs. somebody else) last season where all the 22 starters were non-Italian.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 24, 2016, 10:58:35 AM
Tyr might need a :console:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 24, 2016, 12:34:41 PM
Fuck football.
I just turned the game on shortly after sunderland second goal too <_<
Bloody London.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 27, 2016, 07:10:04 AM
So I guess England is already on the lookout for a new manager?

Sunderland was fucked for nothing it seems. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 27, 2016, 09:31:55 AM
I've been thinking on that one. What if he hadn't left.
On the one hand we would have had a decent pre season. On the other to lose a manager like this wouldnt be great.

Shame this couldn't have happened just before an international. Would be good to see England suffer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 27, 2016, 10:12:50 AM
Quote from: Tyr on September 27, 2016, 09:31:55 AM
I've been thinking on that one. What if he hadn't left.
On the one hand we would have had a decent pre season. On the other to lose a manager like this wouldnt be great.

Shame this couldn't have happened just before an international. Would be good to see England suffer.

Moyes is yesterday's man. Granted Big Sam is the day before yesterday's man, but his neanderthal football seemed enough to milk out results for a team battling relegation. I guess hoof and run will always work at a certain level.

Granted it was a different league, but Moyes looked clueless managing Real Sociedad, and you aren't looking too good so far.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 27, 2016, 10:53:51 AM
I never got the criticism of allardyce as an old fashioned manager. He is pretty modern actually,  very stats based. One of the first to try the moneyball type approach in football.
Moyes.... God knows. Up to the last game I was forgiving. We mostly played top teams and did quite well in the games. If chance had gone our way wed have a lot more points.
Middlesbrough is an exception but we had a reserve team out.
Palace though. .... God that was awful
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 27, 2016, 02:06:29 PM
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/sep/27/sam-allardyce-leaves-england-manager-role-fa
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 27, 2016, 03:08:00 PM
LORD!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 27, 2016, 03:10:27 PM
Lmao
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on September 27, 2016, 04:28:00 PM
Donkeys lead by a jackass?  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 27, 2016, 05:20:35 PM
And he's gone. He takes with him the record as England's best ever manager- 100% win record.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 27, 2016, 05:48:05 PM
What an idiot. Gets the job of his dreams, can't stay out of dodgy deals for even a few weeks.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on September 27, 2016, 05:49:37 PM
Quote from: celedhring on September 27, 2016, 05:48:05 PM
What an idiot. Gets the job of his dreams, can't stay out of dodgy deals for even a few weeks.

I dunno.  400,000 quid vs. managing a shyte team?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 27, 2016, 05:52:55 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on September 27, 2016, 05:49:37 PM
Quote from: celedhring on September 27, 2016, 05:48:05 PM
What an idiot. Gets the job of his dreams, can't stay out of dodgy deals for even a few weeks.

I dunno.  400,000 quid vs. managing a shyte team?

He'd been chasing the England job for years, and he was already on 3 million quid/year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on September 27, 2016, 05:55:12 PM
Quote from: celedhring on September 27, 2016, 05:52:55 PM
He'd been chasing the England job for years, and he was already on 3 million quid/year.

OK.  That's more quid.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 27, 2016, 05:58:45 PM
IIRC the England manager is the best paid manager in world football. Obviously not a results-driven position.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 28, 2016, 04:06:26 AM
Take a look at this first timer from Copenhagen - Brugge.  :showoff:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUnGsZHjHP8
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 28, 2016, 05:02:19 AM
Quote from: celedhring on September 27, 2016, 05:58:45 PM
IIRC the England manager is the best paid manager in world football. Obviously not a results-driven position.
Probably also the most media spotlighted position though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on September 28, 2016, 11:28:43 AM
Well, I for one am glad that he's gone; he should not have been given the job in the first place.

Given the record of current English-born Football Managers at the moment they should have swallowed their pride, accepted the criticism and recruited from abroad again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on September 28, 2016, 11:43:05 AM
Quote from: Agelastus on September 28, 2016, 11:28:43 AM
Well, I for one am glad that he's gone; he should not have been given the job in the first place.

Given the record of current English-born Football Managers at the moment they should have swallowed their pride, accepted the criticism and recruited from abroad again.

But our foreign recruits have been awful too. Nobody genuinely good would want the job.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 28, 2016, 12:05:24 PM
Quote from: Tyr on September 27, 2016, 05:20:35 PM
And he's gone. He takes with him the record as England's best ever manager- 100% win record.

:D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 28, 2016, 02:08:35 PM
That Neymar pass to Suarez. :mmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on October 02, 2016, 07:14:53 AM
Vannes goalkeeper Jean-François Bédénik stops penalty kick with his back, as well as two rebound attempts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdFBxgAJG3w
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 02, 2016, 08:01:19 AM
Quote from: Maladict on October 02, 2016, 07:14:53 AM
Vannes goalkeeper Jean-François Bédénik stops penalty kick with his back, as well as two rebound attempts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdFBxgAJG3w
I'm struggling to comprehend quite what happened with that penalty. :blink:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 02, 2016, 10:25:08 AM
Quote from: Tyr on October 02, 2016, 08:01:19 AM
Quote from: Maladict on October 02, 2016, 07:14:53 AM
Vannes goalkeeper Jean-François Bédénik stops penalty kick with his back, as well as two rebound attempts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdFBxgAJG3w
I'm struggling to comprehend quite what happened with that penalty. :blink:

CFA 2 power!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 04, 2016, 08:01:20 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 28, 2016, 06:03:22 AM
Quote from: Liep on July 28, 2016, 05:53:43 AM
When he's good he's really good and can change a game (in the Danish league), but he seems to have a lot of off days. It could help him I think to play in a better league, or he could fade out completely :P

Mmm, could be interesting then but the off days issue might be a red flag. We already have another Dane, Daniel wass, so that could be helpful for Sisto if he ends up coming. Let's see how it goes!

So it's going okay I suppose?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 04, 2016, 01:47:58 PM
Quote from: Liep on October 04, 2016, 08:01:20 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 28, 2016, 06:03:22 AM
Quote from: Liep on July 28, 2016, 05:53:43 AM
When he's good he's really good and can change a game (in the Danish league), but he seems to have a lot of off days. It could help him I think to play in a better league, or he could fade out completely :P

Mmm, could be interesting then but the off days issue might be a red flag. We already have another Dane, Daniel wass, so that could be helpful for Sisto if he ends up coming. Let's see how it goes!

So it's going okay I suppose?

So far so good!  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on October 08, 2016, 11:30:22 AM
Aww poor Malta. I'm cheering for them because it'd be funny for England to lose.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 08, 2016, 11:51:26 AM
Quote from: HVC on October 08, 2016, 11:30:22 AM
Aww poor Malta. I'm cheering for them because it'd be funny for England to lose.

We had a good half hour.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 08, 2016, 12:55:36 PM
all in all a good result for my homeboys. Well done.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 11, 2016, 12:04:30 AM
Dammit, the Netherlands haven't recovered yet. Lost at home 0-1 to France.

PS: Maladict, penalty or not by Koscielny (the one who discreetly held Eder in July 10th at the SdF)?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on October 11, 2016, 01:46:15 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on October 11, 2016, 12:04:30 AM
Dammit, the Netherlands haven't recovered yet. Lost at home 0-1 to France.

PS: Maladict, penalty or not by Koscielny (the one who discreetly held Eder in July 10th at the SdF)?

It wasn't great, but it wasn't bad either. I don't think anyone expects Holland to place first in this group.

And yes, definitely a penalty. Apparently the video ref told the coach afterwards he looked at the images twice and it wasn't a penalty.  :wacko:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 11, 2016, 02:12:49 AM
Unsurprisingly, Koscielny says otherwise. He also deflected a shot with the hand again in the Premier League some days ago. ;)
French fans says there was a penalty not called for the French squad later on, Strootman's unlawful tackle on Gameiro or was it Sidibé?

As for the Netherlands, maybe not first but Sweden is proving resilient despite no God or Zlatan.

In other news, Gibraltar lost again at "home" (Al-Gharb stadium in Portugal) against Belgium. First goal took like 7 seconds to be scored.  :o 6-0 for Belgium
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 11, 2016, 02:18:03 AM
Sunderlands keeper has been called up for england.
True he will be 3rd choice and never play, would have been better off sticking with the u21s.
But still. A sunderland player being called up for england. 
This never happens.
No matter how good or how southern english a sunderland player is, being in the north east renders him invisible .
Strange times.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 11, 2016, 02:35:21 AM
England has a real hard time finding good goalies. If your lad does decently he could claim his spot there. There isn't that much competition.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on October 11, 2016, 02:40:10 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on October 11, 2016, 02:12:49 AM
Unsurprisingly, Koscielny says otherwise. He also deflected a shot with the hand again in the Premier League some days ago. ;)
French fans says there was a penalty not called for the French squad later on, Strootman's unlawful tackle on Gameiro or was it Sidibé?

As for the Netherlands, maybe not first but Sweden is proving resilient despite no God or Zlatan.


Yeah, the Dutch may well crash out again in qualifying.  :(

And I'm not saying they were robbed, France was the better team last night.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 11, 2016, 02:21:26 PM
The women and U-21 qualified, so we have that to cherish while we're losing to Montenegro.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CugedSJWgAAvcZM.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 11, 2016, 03:39:53 PM
The game was on a channel I refuse to pay money for so didn't see it, judging from Twitter that was the best possible move though. Denmark 0 - 1 Montenegro. :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on October 13, 2016, 01:30:10 PM
If Jesus was a goalie

http://i.imgur.com/5lu97Fd.gifs

Don't know how to make gifs work here, so go to the link

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 14, 2016, 04:21:15 AM
Quote from: HVC on October 13, 2016, 01:30:10 PM
If Jesus was a goalie

http://i.imgur.com/5lu97Fd.gifs

Don't know how to make gifs work here, so go to the link



:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on October 30, 2016, 02:44:37 AM
If there was any doubt that big sports associations are scum:

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/37720274

QuoteThe Champions League final could be played outside of Europe, says new Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin.

The Slovenian will revive an open bidding process to host the final, and is open to it being staged in New York.

"It might be an idea but we have to speak about it," said Ceferin, who was named head of European football's governing body last month.

The 61 finals have all been held in Europe but Ceferin said travel to the US would be "no problem" for fans.

He added: "To go from Portugal to Azerbaijan for example is almost the same or the same as if you go to New York.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on October 30, 2016, 03:20:35 AM
And what he actually means is that he wants to sell it to Qatar.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 01, 2016, 04:46:29 AM
The circle bridge has been chosen to feature on Copenhagen's logo for the Euro 2020 competition. I think we get to host 3 games! :w00t:

(https://i.sohn.dk/cirkelbroen.jpg)

Rome went with something less known

(https://i.sohn.dk/santangelo.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 01, 2016, 04:59:29 AM
QuoteRome went with something less known

:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 01, 2016, 06:39:32 AM
So what's the chosen logo for the Euro 2020 games taking place in Azerbaijan? Great decision by Platini and his ilk to have this nomad Euro in a continental scale. Making it impossible to follow a team for the whole tournament. :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 01, 2016, 07:24:45 AM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.uefa.com%2FMultimediaFiles%2FPhoto%2Fuefaorg%2FPresident%2F02%2F40%2F99%2F27%2F2409927_w4.jpg&hash=40265d24b8dcc502fe92ff06ae6b7b2e9d07bb5c)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 01, 2016, 08:27:19 AM
Tak!  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 10, 2016, 04:55:49 PM
This guy Cavani is quite some player :lol:

https://streamable.com/zkny
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 10, 2016, 05:16:49 PM
 :lol:

Well, Paris still won that game but yeah Cavani has been... irregular.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 11, 2016, 04:10:46 PM
Well, that was short. After a difficult beginning, Sweden scored a goal in the second half and then collapsed in the second half with a somewhat nervous Swedish goalie.

2-1 final score.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 12, 2016, 08:14:31 AM
Well, Valmy is probably pissed off since Mexico won in Columbus for the first time since 1972. Will Valmy support the new wall against Mexico?  :hmm: :P

Given the generous if not biased slots for the WC this is not a disaster for the US team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 12, 2016, 08:30:46 AM
Apparently we won against Kazakhstan in a move in the right direction after being beaten my Armenia. I'm still not quite sure why Kazakhstan is a member of UEFA though. :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on November 12, 2016, 09:08:30 AM
Quote from: Liep on November 12, 2016, 08:30:46 AM
Apparently we won against Kazakhstan in a move in the right direction after being beaten my Armenia. I'm still not quite sure why Kazakhstan is a member of UEFA though. :hmm:

Well it's probably no more dubious than Georgia, which iirc has about 2 sq.miles within Europe, so maybe they've a similar spot of land.

Of course it could be that the bureaucrats just gave all constituent parts of the Soviet Union, membership when it broke up??
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 12, 2016, 10:16:39 AM
Quote from: mongers on November 12, 2016, 09:08:30 AM
Quote from: Liep on November 12, 2016, 08:30:46 AM
Apparently we won against Kazakhstan in a move in the right direction after being beaten my Armenia. I'm still not quite sure why Kazakhstan is a member of UEFA though. :hmm:

Well it's probably no more dubious than Georgia, which iirc has about 2 sq.miles within Europe, so maybe they've a similar spot of land.

Of course it could be that the bureaucrats just gave all constituent parts of the Soviet Union, membership when it broke up??

Not all parts, the other 'stans play in Asia, though Kazakhstan switched to UEFA since it is more "competitive" and easier to qualify with more spots, or so they thought.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on November 12, 2016, 11:05:13 AM
Quote from: mongers on November 12, 2016, 09:08:30 AM
Quote from: Liep on November 12, 2016, 08:30:46 AM
Apparently we won against Kazakhstan in a move in the right direction after being beaten my Armenia. I'm still not quite sure why Kazakhstan is a member of UEFA though. :hmm:

Well it's probably no more dubious than Georgia, which iirc has about 2 sq.miles within Europe, so maybe they've a similar spot of land.


I think part of it's west of the Volga, which is the traditional demarcation line.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 12, 2016, 11:32:08 AM
Ural, not Volga. Kazakhstan does not reach the Volga.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1e/Carte_Kazakhstan.png)

The "European" part is mostly desert though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on November 12, 2016, 05:35:11 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 12, 2016, 11:32:08 AM
Ural, not Volga. Kazakhstan does not reach the Volga.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1e/Carte_Kazakhstan.png)

The "European" part is mostly desert though.

D'oh.  I meant Ural;  don't know why I said Volga.

And yeah, it's Europe's only desert.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 12, 2016, 06:01:44 PM
Since the Europe-Asia split is pretty arbitrary anyway we should really redefine it to be at Russia's western border (Kalingrad excluded).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on November 12, 2016, 06:13:39 PM
Quote from: Tyr on November 12, 2016, 06:01:44 PM
Since the Europe-Asia split is pretty arbitrary anyway we should really redefine it to be at Russia's western border (Kalingrad excluded).

I thought the Urals were chosen as they're quite a significant watershed and also the gateway to the uncolonised lands of Siberia, I think at the time the Urals were quite a barrier, think Appalachian mountains?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 13, 2016, 04:48:08 PM
Quote from: Tyr on November 12, 2016, 06:01:44 PM
Since the Europe-Asia split is pretty arbitrary anyway we should really redefine it to be at Russia's western border (Kalingrad excluded).

That'll show 'em!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 13, 2016, 04:57:10 PM
Quote from: mongers on November 12, 2016, 06:13:39 PM
Quote from: Tyr on November 12, 2016, 06:01:44 PM
Since the Europe-Asia split is pretty arbitrary anyway we should really redefine it to be at Russia's western border (Kalingrad excluded).

I thought the Urals were chosen as they're quite a significant watershed and also the gateway to the uncolonised lands of Siberia, I think at the time the Urals were quite a barrier, think Appalachian mountains?

I believe it's just a geographer firmly asked by Peter the Great to come up with an idea.  :P

Tyr

What about the Caucasus or rather South Caucasus? Azerbaijan inside does not make much sense too.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on November 15, 2016, 02:07:32 PM
QuoteSan Marino officials have demanded an apology from Germany forward Thomas Muller, who made comments about the team following an 8-0 win on Friday.

Muller said that playing a "team of amateurs" in the World Cup qualifier put German players at risk of injury, and Bayern Munich chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said "San Marino has nothing to do with professional football".

Müller and Rummenigge have a point there. What's the point of a "competitive" game against San Marino?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 15, 2016, 02:23:11 PM
Quote from: Zanza on November 15, 2016, 02:07:32 PM
QuoteSan Marino officials have demanded an apology from Germany forward Thomas Muller, who made comments about the team following an 8-0 win on Friday.

Muller said that playing a "team of amateurs" in the World Cup qualifier put German players at risk of injury, and Bayern Munich chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said "San Marino has nothing to do with professional football".

Müller and Rummenigge have a point there. What's the point of a "competitive" game against San Marino?

Letting new players (B-squad) get a taste of "competitive" play.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 15, 2016, 02:33:05 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 15, 2016, 02:23:11 PM
Quote from: Zanza on November 15, 2016, 02:07:32 PM
QuoteSan Marino officials have demanded an apology from Germany forward Thomas Muller, who made comments about the team following an 8-0 win on Friday.

Muller said that playing a "team of amateurs" in the World Cup qualifier put German players at risk of injury, and Bayern Munich chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said "San Marino has nothing to do with professional football".

Müller and Rummenigge have a point there. What's the point of a "competitive" game against San Marino?

Letting new players (B-squad) get a taste of "competitive" play.  :P

We're forced to play with the B-squad against Czechia because the regulars couldn't be bother to play a friendly match. The unity on our national team is none existent.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on November 15, 2016, 02:34:28 PM
Fuck this International Fifa week. It's interrupting the MLS playoffs for no good reason.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 15, 2016, 02:44:34 PM
And we're behind, only 83 minutes to go.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 15, 2016, 02:51:39 PM
Quote from: Liep on November 15, 2016, 02:33:05 PM

We're forced to play with the B-squad against Czechia because the regulars couldn't be bother to play a friendly match. The unity on our national team is none existent.

Can't the superstars of the Danish team play at least a half-time? I mean, Cristiano Ronaldo does at least that, if not more.  ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 15, 2016, 03:00:02 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 15, 2016, 02:34:28 PM
Fuck this International Fifa week. It's interrupting the MLS playoffs for no good reason.

I hear you man. And TFC is gonna kick some Impact ass.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 15, 2016, 03:02:16 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 15, 2016, 02:51:39 PM
Quote from: Liep on November 15, 2016, 02:33:05 PM

We're forced to play with the B-squad against Czechia because the regulars couldn't be bother to play a friendly match. The unity on our national team is none existent.

Can't the superstars of the Danish team play at least a half-time? I mean, Cristiano Ronaldo does at least that, if not more.  ;)

Problem is the talent is taught that if you want to be a footballer you should leave Denmark as soon as humanly possible so the sense of national duty is lost it seems. Some even take it to the extreme, eg. Emre Mor. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 15, 2016, 04:19:32 PM
Quote from: Liep on November 15, 2016, 03:02:16 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 15, 2016, 02:51:39 PM
Quote from: Liep on November 15, 2016, 02:33:05 PM

We're forced to play with the B-squad against Czechia because the regulars couldn't be bother to play a friendly match. The unity on our national team is none existent.

Can't the superstars of the Danish team play at least a half-time? I mean, Cristiano Ronaldo does at least that, if not more.  ;)

Problem is the talent is taught that if you want to be a footballer you should leave Denmark as soon as humanly possible so the sense of national duty is lost it seems. Some even take it to the extreme, eg. Emre Mor. :P

It is very nice indeed to see an immigrant's son fulfulling his father's dream, going back to the old country. :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 15, 2016, 04:24:55 PM
I am watching, Yi-style, the friendly game between France and Ivory Coast.  :zzz
Wake up a bit when Payet got himself some deserved rough play.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 16, 2016, 05:30:17 AM
Our homeboy Iago Aspas debuted yesterday in Wembley with the Spanish national team for the game against England, scoring one goal on his first game.  :) Liverpool fans must still be scratching their heads.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 16, 2016, 06:09:42 AM
Just saw that the US lost again, this time vs Costa-Rica 4-0. Trump effect?  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 16, 2016, 06:12:57 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 16, 2016, 06:09:42 AM
Just saw that the US lost again, this time vs Costa-Rica 4-0. Trump effect?  :lol:

If Trump had spent a little more time on football during the campaign they would've won bigly.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 16, 2016, 06:33:14 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 16, 2016, 06:09:42 AM
Just saw that the US lost again, this time vs Costa-Rica 4-0. Trump effect?  :lol:

We just don't win anymore
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 16, 2016, 06:37:43 AM
I think dictatorships work well for national football team performance. Hungary got off the ground as the politics have become darker (and they were on top of the world while the nightmare of the 50s were happening back home), and Poland is flying since they have the potatohead back in charge
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 16, 2016, 06:53:38 AM
Dunno, we won a bucketload of trophies with possibly the meekest soc-dem government Spain has ever had.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 16, 2016, 06:54:56 AM
Quote from: Tamas on November 16, 2016, 06:37:43 AM
I think dictatorships work well for national football team performance. Hungary got off the ground as the politics have become darker (and they were on top of the world while the nightmare of the 50s were happening back home), and Poland is flying since they have the potatohead back in charge

I don't like the incompetent Costa government yet this dictatorship bonus sounds too hard for Portugal.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 16, 2016, 09:48:10 AM
Not sure there.  Hungarys history as a top footballing nation go back to the Austro-Hungarian days from what I've read.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 16, 2016, 05:58:35 PM
Czechia - Denmark sets new record for fewest spectators ever for a Danish national team football game. Only 1763 came out to the game in Mlada Boleslaw.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 16, 2016, 06:04:28 PM
Quote from: Liep on November 16, 2016, 05:58:35 PM
Czechia - Denmark sets new record for fewest spectators ever for a Danish national team football game. Only 1763 came out to the game in Mlada Boleslaw.

So is Czechia actually taking off in the English-speaking world?

Czech Republic was always kind of awkward, but it has 25 years of history behind it at this point.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 16, 2016, 06:06:27 PM
Quote from: Barrister on November 16, 2016, 06:04:28 PM
Quote from: Liep on November 16, 2016, 05:58:35 PM
Czechia - Denmark sets new record for fewest spectators ever for a Danish national team football game. Only 1763 came out to the game in Mlada Boleslaw.

So is Czechia actually taking off in the English-speaking world?

Czech Republic was always kind of awkward, but it has 25 years of history behind it at this point.

I'm not from the English-speaking world though, I like it because it's more similar to the Danish name for it "Tjekkiet" and as you say Czech Republic is a little awkward.

EDIT: I haven't seen it in use anywhere but in the article that said it hadn't been a successful rebranding. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 17, 2016, 03:37:51 AM
Czechland or GTFO
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 17, 2016, 07:30:04 AM
Quote from: Tyr on November 16, 2016, 09:48:10 AM
Not sure there.  Hungarys history as a top footballing nation go back to the Austro-Hungarian days from what I've read.

I am not sure, but I am sure it could not had compared to the run we had in the first half of the 50s. The lost WC final in '54 is a national trauma ever since.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 18, 2016, 12:24:09 PM
Quote from: Tamas on November 17, 2016, 07:30:04 AM
Quote from: Tyr on November 16, 2016, 09:48:10 AM
Not sure there.  Hungarys history as a top footballing nation go back to the Austro-Hungarian days from what I've read.

I am not sure, but I am sure it could not had compared to the run we had in the first half of the 50s. The lost WC final in '54 is a national trauma ever since.
I read a book about the history of football tactics. ( :boring: ) and a lot of the early innovation before and after ww1 seems to go back to Scottish coaches in Vienna and Budapest.

But then I guess go back that far and everyone outside the UK was shit, it was just in degrees. But that's the roots.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 18, 2016, 12:31:24 PM
Was that Inverting the Pyramid?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 18, 2016, 12:35:06 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 18, 2016, 12:31:24 PM
Was that Inverting the Pyramid?
Yes.
I say I read it... I actually lost interest around 1960.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 18, 2016, 01:33:51 PM
It's a good book. Very interesting read.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 18, 2016, 02:38:47 PM
Quote from: Tamas on November 16, 2016, 06:37:43 AM
I think dictatorships work well for national football team performance. Hungary got off the ground as the politics have become darker (and they were on top of the world while the nightmare of the 50s were happening back home), and Poland is flying since they have the potatohead back in charge

The Italians did great during the Mussolini years
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on November 21, 2016, 04:29:06 PM
Klinsmann fired by US Soccer. Thoughts?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on November 21, 2016, 05:04:27 PM
Quote from: Zanza on November 21, 2016, 04:29:06 PM
Klinsmann fired by US Soccer. Thoughts?

Well, losing to Costa Rica isn't going to help anyone's job security.  But no one else has ever really done any better with the team overall, and I don't know who they can get that will do as well.  According to ESPN, the rumor is that they'll bring back Bruce Arena.  I don't see why you'd do that.  Not that Arena is necessarily a bad coach, but he had his shot with the national team already.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 21, 2016, 05:32:43 PM
Quote from: dps on November 21, 2016, 05:04:27 PM
Quote from: Zanza on November 21, 2016, 04:29:06 PM
Klinsmann fired by US Soccer. Thoughts?

Well, losing to Costa Rica isn't going to help anyone's job security.  But no one else has ever really done any better with the team overall, and I don't know who they can get that will do as well.  According to ESPN, the rumor is that they'll bring back Bruce Arena.  I don't see why you'd do that.  Not that Arena is necessarily a bad coach, but he had his shot with the national team already.

Ticos are a pretty good team, that was always going to be a tough fixture...for anybody really.

I think the issue more is that the team has not gotten any better under Klinsmann overall.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on November 21, 2016, 05:45:09 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 21, 2016, 05:32:43 PM
Quote from: dps on November 21, 2016, 05:04:27 PM
Quote from: Zanza on November 21, 2016, 04:29:06 PM
Klinsmann fired by US Soccer. Thoughts?

Well, losing to Costa Rica isn't going to help anyone's job security.  But no one else has ever really done any better with the team overall, and I don't know who they can get that will do as well.  According to ESPN, the rumor is that they'll bring back Bruce Arena.  I don't see why you'd do that.  Not that Arena is necessarily a bad coach, but he had his shot with the national team already.

Ticos are a pretty good team, that was always going to be a tough fixture...for anybody really.

I think the issue more is that the team has not gotten any better under Klinsmann overall.

Fair enough.  I'd agree that the team hasn't gotten any better overall, and he wasn't hired to deliver more of the same.  But if the team had won the Costa Rica match, he wouldn't have been let go.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 21, 2016, 05:52:33 PM
I'm not really qualified to judge if the managing or the material were poor.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on November 21, 2016, 06:18:24 PM
Quote from: Zanza on November 21, 2016, 04:29:06 PM
Klinsmann fired by US Soccer. Thoughts?
Trump effect taking hold!


:P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on November 21, 2016, 06:19:57 PM
As technical director he hasn't helped improve the team from youth on down. I have no issues with him being let go.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 22, 2016, 09:42:05 AM
Quote from: dps on November 21, 2016, 05:45:09 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 21, 2016, 05:32:43 PM
Quote from: dps on November 21, 2016, 05:04:27 PM
Quote from: Zanza on November 21, 2016, 04:29:06 PM
Klinsmann fired by US Soccer. Thoughts?

Well, losing to Costa Rica isn't going to help anyone's job security.  But no one else has ever really done any better with the team overall, and I don't know who they can get that will do as well.  According to ESPN, the rumor is that they'll bring back Bruce Arena.  I don't see why you'd do that.  Not that Arena is necessarily a bad coach, but he had his shot with the national team already.

Ticos are a pretty good team, that was always going to be a tough fixture...for anybody really.

I think the issue more is that the team has not gotten any better under Klinsmann overall.

Fair enough.  I'd agree that the team hasn't gotten any better overall, and he wasn't hired to deliver more of the same.  But if the team had won the Costa Rica match, he wouldn't have been let go.

No manager gets fired after WINNING a game, no.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on November 22, 2016, 03:39:07 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 22, 2016, 09:42:05 AM
No manager gets fired after WINNING a game, no.
Jupp Heynckes was once fired by Real Madrid right after winning the fucking Champions League final.  :wacko:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 22, 2016, 03:47:04 PM
Quote from: Zanza on November 22, 2016, 03:39:07 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 22, 2016, 09:42:05 AM
No manager gets fired after WINNING a game, no.
Jupp Heynckes was once fired by Real Madrid right after winning the fucking Champions League final.  :wacko:

And Bayern!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on November 22, 2016, 03:49:38 PM
Kinda. He had already been "fired" in January when they announced Pep as his successor. But yeah, I guess he's the only manager who lost a job twice after winning the Champions League.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 22, 2016, 03:51:24 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 21, 2016, 05:32:43 PM
Quote from: dps on November 21, 2016, 05:04:27 PM
Quote from: Zanza on November 21, 2016, 04:29:06 PM
Klinsmann fired by US Soccer. Thoughts?

Well, losing to Costa Rica isn't going to help anyone's job security.  But no one else has ever really done any better with the team overall, and I don't know who they can get that will do as well.  According to ESPN, the rumor is that they'll bring back Bruce Arena.  I don't see why you'd do that.  Not that Arena is necessarily a bad coach, but he had his shot with the national team already.

Ticos are a pretty good team, that was always going to be a tough fixture...for anybody really.


Yeah, losing against the best team in the group shouldn't be grounds for dismissal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 22, 2016, 06:12:09 PM
Quote from: Zanza on November 22, 2016, 03:39:07 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 22, 2016, 09:42:05 AM
No manager gets fired after WINNING a game, no.
Jupp Heynckes was once fired by Real Madrid right after winning the fucking Champions League final.  :wacko:

..mmm not quite the same thing. And that was the end of a season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 23, 2016, 05:45:29 AM
FC Copenhagen's fans had a message to UEFA at last night's game against Porto. :lol:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fasset.dr.dk%2Fimagescaler%2F%3Ffile%3D%2Fimages%2Farticle%2F2016%2F11%2F23%2Fgettyimages-625100372.jpg&hash=482878b90359634abe25819e1d830e9db1127ffe)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on November 30, 2016, 09:29:12 PM
Fuck You TFC, fuck y'all.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 30, 2016, 11:03:49 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 30, 2016, 09:29:12 PM
Fuck You TFC, fuck y'all.

:yeah:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 01, 2016, 10:49:20 AM
Lmao Toronto lol
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 01, 2016, 01:55:49 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 01, 2016, 10:49:20 AM
Lmao Toronto lol

The leafs are now officially the worst team in the city :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on December 01, 2016, 02:01:43 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 01, 2016, 01:55:49 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 01, 2016, 10:49:20 AM
Lmao Toronto lol

The leafs are now officially the worst team in the city :lol:

Worse than the Argos? :yeahright:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 01, 2016, 02:09:24 PM
CFl is not a sport :rolleyes:

They Argos have won the grey cup twice in 12 years. The leafs have only made the playoffs once in that time frame.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 01, 2016, 07:44:39 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 30, 2016, 09:29:12 PM
Fuck You TFC, fuck y'all.

ha you guys suck. :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 01, 2016, 08:30:09 PM
Quote from: Barrister on December 01, 2016, 02:01:43 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 01, 2016, 01:55:49 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 01, 2016, 10:49:20 AM
Lmao Toronto lol

The leafs are now officially the worst team in the city :lol:

Worse than the Argos? :yeahright:

How can the Argos be bad? The great Ricky Williams played for them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 03, 2016, 04:34:01 PM
Well. Looks like my earlier hope that Sunderland are ahead of schedule this year is proving to be true- usually we start crap, get a new manager in in Autumn, then we start playing well but making a lot of stupid mistakes and still not getting results, then start winning in the last 10 games.
This time we got the new manager at the very beginning of the season and seem to have already passed through the playing decent but failing stage.

But Leicester.
Whats up with them this year?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 03, 2016, 04:39:54 PM
Quote from: Tyr on December 03, 2016, 04:34:01 PM
But Leicester.
Whats up with them this year?

They lost Kante, and also it's not unheard of that a surprise winner can't surprise two years in a row. In 99/00 Herfølge won the Danish league only to relegate the following year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 03, 2016, 04:53:13 PM
Quote from: Liep on December 03, 2016, 04:39:54 PM
Quote from: Tyr on December 03, 2016, 04:34:01 PM
But Leicester.
Whats up with them this year?

They lost Kante, and also it's not unheard of that a surprise winner can't surprise two years in a row. In 99/00 Herfølge won the Danish league only to relegate the following year.

Completely didn't expect Leicester to win the league this year. At the least having to deal with Europe would hurt them.
But for them to be towards the relegation zone....
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 04, 2016, 07:18:34 AM
The end of City - Chelsea was ridiculous. I hope both Aguero and Fernandinho gets 3+ games suspensions.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 04, 2016, 07:56:15 AM
The guy who commited the foul for sure.
The other one sent off.... not so much. The Chelsea player who provoked him on the other hand should.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 04, 2016, 12:03:13 PM
LOLverpool
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on December 04, 2016, 01:58:15 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 04, 2016, 12:03:13 PM
LOLverpool

Yeah...can't disagree here.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 04, 2016, 05:52:18 PM
Argh....Being a Liverpool fan is frustrating.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on December 04, 2016, 05:53:34 PM
Quote from: Josephus on December 04, 2016, 05:52:18 PM
Argh....Being a Liverpool fan is frustrating.

:(

And you lost to my local team (that I don't support).  :D

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 04, 2016, 05:55:50 PM
Quote from: mongers on December 04, 2016, 05:53:34 PM
Quote from: Josephus on December 04, 2016, 05:52:18 PM
Argh....Being a Liverpool fan is frustrating.

:(

And you lost to my local team (that I don't support).  :D

You're from Bournemouth? That explains it.  ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on December 04, 2016, 06:01:16 PM
Quote from: Josephus on December 04, 2016, 05:55:50 PM
Quote from: mongers on December 04, 2016, 05:53:34 PM
Quote from: Josephus on December 04, 2016, 05:52:18 PM
Argh....Being a Liverpool fan is frustrating.

:(

And you lost to my local team (that I don't support).  :D

You're from Bournemouth? That explains it.  ;)

No next county over, Hampshire, though I'm only about 10-12 miles from Bm'th, but avoid the place like the plague.

If I was going to seriously support a football team it would be Southampton, given family history and that my old man was going to play for them, but he would give up the smoking and boozing.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on December 04, 2016, 08:12:19 PM
It was those Lime Green uniforms LOLerpool had.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 07, 2016, 04:36:36 PM
Clandestino must be in despair now. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 10, 2016, 11:17:05 AM
So. Who's gonna watch the MLS Cup final? :unsure:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 10, 2016, 11:17:51 AM
Quote from: Josephus on December 10, 2016, 11:17:05 AM
So. Who's gonna watch the MLS Cup final? :unsure:

I'm gonna watch.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 10, 2016, 05:30:03 PM
 :cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 10, 2016, 05:42:47 PM
Ever been to a live game? It's a fun atmosphere. Though it's been a few years since I've gone.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on December 10, 2016, 07:19:54 PM
I plan to watch.

Rumor has it that North Carolina might be getting a MLS club.

Watched Leicester City vs Manchester City earlier.  Wouldn't have known that Leicester City was having a bad year, and Manchester City a good year, from that match.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 10, 2016, 10:39:12 PM
I don't know that playing fodbol north of the Arctic Circle in December is such a swift move.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 10, 2016, 11:20:42 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 10, 2016, 05:42:47 PM
Ever been to a live game? It's a fun atmosphere. Though it's been a few years since I've gone.

Yeah, I go to about 8 a season. Wanted to go tonight but couldn't get tickets
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 10, 2016, 11:24:47 PM
Quote from: Josephus on December 10, 2016, 11:20:42 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 10, 2016, 05:42:47 PM
Ever been to a live game? It's a fun atmosphere. Though it's been a few years since I've gone.

Yeah, I go to about 8 a season. Wanted to go tonight but couldn't get tickets

Nice.

I guess it 'twas not to be. One of this thins I dislike about soccer is finals going to shoot outs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on December 11, 2016, 01:44:19 AM
So besides reserving half the spots in Champions League for the top 4 leagues (i.e. 4 teams per top league), UEFA has also decided to move kick off from 8:45pm CET to 9pm CET starting 2018. Which is great if you have work the next day (presuming you watch a match of choice, and then the sometimes lengthy match day summary).  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on December 11, 2016, 02:28:51 AM
Sounders :w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 11, 2016, 03:48:57 AM
Quote from: katmai on December 11, 2016, 02:28:51 AM
Sounders :w00t:

The MLS actually got in the news here with a short article about the penalty shootout. First time that has happened without it being because a Dane has played in the match. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on December 11, 2016, 08:36:44 AM
Quote from: katmai on December 11, 2016, 02:28:51 AM
Sounders :w00t:

I was pulling for Seattle because Toronto is, you know, like, in Canada, but, dang, did the Sounders make it hard to root for them.   They were basically outplayed all night.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on December 11, 2016, 10:30:33 AM
I like Seattle, but that was an ugly win.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on December 11, 2016, 09:47:03 PM
LOLerpool strikes again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on January 10, 2017, 07:18:13 AM
From 2026 on, FIFA World Cup will have 48 participating teams. Yay, more irrelevant group matches. :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on January 10, 2017, 07:31:52 AM
Even more importantly: no more draw result on group matches. Going to go straight to penalties.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on January 10, 2017, 07:34:30 AM
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jan/10/fifa-vote-expand-world-cup-48-teams-from-2026

QuoteFifa approves Infantino's plan to expand World Cup to 48 teams from 2026

The Fifa council has rubber-stamped plans to expand the World Cup to 48 teams from 2026, with the revamp proposed by the governing body's president, Gianni Infantino, receiving unanimous backing.

Delegates in Zurich were asked to vote on four suggestions to change the existing format or stick with the current setup of 32 teams.

This is the first time since the 1998 World Cup that changes have been made to the makeup of the tournament, with the 2026 competition set to feature 16 groups of three.

Infantino's preferred option for change was for a 2026 competition featuring the 16 groups followed by a 32-team knockout round, increasing the number of games from 64 to 80 but remaining inside a 32-day schedule. There were also options to have a 40-team tournament, with 10 groups of four or eight groups of five, but the only other 48-team makeup would mean a 32-team one-game knockout round, with the winners joining 16 already qualified teams. Infantino has also suggested that penalty shootouts be brought in to settle the results of all drawn games, thereby minimising the risk of teams colluding in their final group games to eliminate others from the tournament.

The Swiss has repeatedly said his main motivation for expansion is to give more nations a chance of experiencing the joy of a World Cup, which will bolster international football in developed markets and help its growth in new ones.

More details will be announced at the conclusion of Tuesday's meeting – although the allocation of the extra 16 qualification slots under the new format was not expected to be resolved at this point. African and Asian nations are expecting significant increases on their current allocation of four spots apiece.

The other major decision regarding 2026 – who will host the event – is not scheduled for consideration until 2020, with a bid featuring the US, either on its own or in conjunction with one or both of Canada and Mexico, the overwhelming favourite.

So ok, number of group matches stays the same (16x 3 vs 6x 8), but with the top 2 teams qualifying from the group stage? Might as well expand to 64 and start with the knock out rounds, tennis tournament style.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on January 10, 2017, 07:46:33 AM
So, the coming highlights:

- World Cup 2018 in Russia
- UEFA European Championship 2020 in 13 different countries
- Christmas World Cup 2022 in Qatar
- 48 team World Cup in 2026

Meanwhile UEFA will lock in half the Champions' League starting spots for the 4 largest leagues in Europe, cementing a disparity between the haves and have nots in the European league system while meekly trying to talk up their losers' cup tournament.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 10, 2017, 07:47:57 AM
to me it's less an issue of a boring first round, 48 teams makes the qualifications pointless. You look at every group and go....yup those teams will all qualify.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on January 10, 2017, 07:54:27 AM
It's good to see that the vision of the likes of Havelange, Blatter, Platini and the like is still there with Infantino.    :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on January 10, 2017, 07:56:09 AM
Quote from: Syt on January 10, 2017, 07:46:33 AM
So, the coming highlights:

- World Cup 2018 in Russia


Not the first time it's in a dictatorship and that it was bought. Hell, bribing to get the competition has been the norm for a while now.
The others are awful, though the date for Qatar is not the worst problem actually.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on January 10, 2017, 08:01:14 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on January 10, 2017, 07:56:09 AM
Not the first time it's in a dictatorship and that it was bought.

As far as I know that only time the World Cup ever previously took place in a dictatorship was Argentina in the 1970s and even then that was one of those short lived military South American things.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on January 10, 2017, 08:09:19 AM
Quote from: Valmy on January 10, 2017, 08:01:14 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on January 10, 2017, 07:56:09 AM
Not the first time it's in a dictatorship and that it was bought.

As far as I know that only time the World Cup ever previously took place in a dictatorship was Argentina in the 1970s and even then that was one of those short lived military South American things.

Check again, before WWII. Hint: Ed's teacher but Ed surpassed him.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on January 10, 2017, 08:15:26 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on January 10, 2017, 08:09:19 AM
Check again, before WWII. Hint: Ed's teacher but Ed surpassed him.

Oh right. That one probably better fits the mold as Argentina's government had only been in power a short time in 1978.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on January 10, 2017, 08:27:37 AM
Quote from: Valmy on January 10, 2017, 08:15:26 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on January 10, 2017, 08:09:19 AM
Check again, before WWII. Hint: Ed's teacher but Ed surpassed him.

Oh right. That one probably better fits the mold as Argentina's government had only been in power a short time in 1978.

Plus Mexico in 1970 and 1986 was not exactly a democracy though nowhere near as bad as those two.
1970 was possibly the greatest world cup ever, and 1986, despite organisation problems linked to corruption, was not that bad.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on January 10, 2017, 06:38:24 PM
Quote from: Syt on January 10, 2017, 07:46:33 AM
So, the coming highlights:

- World Cup 2018 in Russia
- UEFA European Championship 2020 in 13 different countries
- Christmas World Cup 2022 in Qatar
- 48 team World Cup in 2026

Meanwhile UEFA will lock in half the Champions' League starting spots for the 4 largest leagues in Europe, cementing a disparity between the haves and have nots in the European league system while meekly trying to talk up their losers' cup tournament.

:)
:)
:ultra:
:ultra:
:angry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 01, 2017, 08:44:35 AM
Hey Liep, my team has bought (yet another) Danish player, this one called Andrew Hjulsager, from Brondby and the Danish U21 team. What can you tell me about him?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 01, 2017, 10:16:21 AM
Quote from: The Larch on February 01, 2017, 08:44:35 AM
Hey Liep, my team has bought (yet another) Danish player, this one called Andrew Hjulsager, from Brondby and the Danish U21 team. What can you tell me about him?

Nothing, never seen him play. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 01, 2017, 10:29:15 AM
Commentators will say his name funny
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 01, 2017, 10:32:45 AM
Yules-a-yer!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 01, 2017, 10:38:23 AM
Quote from: Liep on February 01, 2017, 10:16:21 AM
Quote from: The Larch on February 01, 2017, 08:44:35 AM
Hey Liep, my team has bought (yet another) Danish player, this one called Andrew Hjulsager, from Brondby and the Danish U21 team. What can you tell me about him?

Nothing, never seen him play. :P

You're failing me as a source of intel on the strategic Danish market, Liep.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on February 01, 2017, 12:24:11 PM
Well, North Carolina FC formally applied to become an expansion team in MLS yesterday.  The league is likely to add 4 clubs, and there are apparently about a dozen cities competing for the slots.

NCFC is based in the Triangle (they've been in NASL as the Carolina Railhawks).  There was a group in Charlotte trying to bring MLS there, but it seems they have dropped out.  That's good;  I can't see MLS awarding 2 of the 4 expansion bids to cities in NC, and having Raleigh and Charlotte both in the running would have likely meant that neither were selected.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 14, 2017, 04:17:19 PM
Celed. :console:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 14, 2017, 04:55:22 PM
 :bash: :bleeding: :frusty: :x
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 14, 2017, 05:14:43 PM
Barca bad  :nelson:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 14, 2017, 05:46:36 PM
what the hell just happened in Paris? :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on February 14, 2017, 06:14:09 PM
Quote from: Josephus on February 14, 2017, 05:46:36 PM
what the hell just happened in Paris? :lol:

Glory. Glory happened.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on February 15, 2017, 04:13:14 AM
Quote from: Valmy on February 14, 2017, 06:14:09 PM
Quote from: Josephus on February 14, 2017, 05:46:36 PM
what the hell just happened in Paris? :lol:

Glory. Glory happened.

St Valentin's Massacre for the Barça in the ™City of Love.™
Hell, even Benfica managed to win, if tenuously, against Dortmund.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on February 16, 2017, 05:52:03 AM
Commentary on a German website this morning: "At last, Arsenal plays as well as Barcelona." :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 16, 2017, 06:02:02 AM
Quote from: Syt on February 16, 2017, 05:52:03 AM
Commentary on a German website this morning: "At last, Arsenal plays as well as Barcelona." :D

:D

Well done.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 21, 2017, 01:15:25 PM
 :D


http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/world-game/89667701/reserve-sutton-united-goalkeeper-eats-meat-pie-on-sidelines-in-betting-stunt
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 21, 2017, 04:49:12 PM
Quote from: Josephus on February 21, 2017, 01:15:25 PM
:D


http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/world-game/89667701/reserve-sutton-united-goalkeeper-eats-meat-pie-on-sidelines-in-betting-stunt

Apparently he's being investigated for illegal betting, as some betting house had an 8-1 one about him eating while at the bench.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 27, 2017, 06:26:19 PM
I swear to God being a Liverpool fan is a draining experience.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 08, 2017, 04:54:30 PM
Man, what a screw up by Paris in Barcelona...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 08, 2017, 04:59:05 PM
 :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on March 08, 2017, 05:09:38 PM
 :lol:


What an incredible comeback.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on March 08, 2017, 05:10:35 PM
just looked up the score, ouch.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 08, 2017, 05:16:01 PM
Great show by Barcelona and all, but a defence that concedes 3 goals in less than 10 minutes (even if the penalty was probably unfair) has some explaining to do.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 08, 2017, 05:40:28 PM
WTF
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 08, 2017, 11:49:52 PM
Fuck. I'm two hours ahead so I went to sleep at 3-1 thinking the impossible was once again impossible. Amazing stuff.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on March 25, 2017, 03:34:19 PM
Down 0-2 against Bulgaria in the first half. Another no-show for the next WC.  <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 25, 2017, 05:12:34 PM
4th (!) of their group with 7 points behind France, Sweden and Bulgaria. Only 3 points from Sweden the second though. France will qualify. Luxembourg did what it could but lost 3-1.

As for Portugal, against Hungary, 3 goals scored, great goals again, but no goals by Hungary. Portugal still second, 3 points from Switzerland.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 25, 2017, 05:55:07 PM
for some reason they went with a 17 year old CB?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on March 26, 2017, 02:33:06 AM
Quote from: Josephus on March 25, 2017, 05:55:07 PM
for some reason they went with a 17 year old CB?

Coach took a chance when a number of regulars had to drop out due to injuries.
It will probably cost him his job. Hopefully the kid won't have his international carreer ruined because of this.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 26, 2017, 04:27:14 PM
That's it, Danny Blind, the (former now) Dutch coach, has been fired, as predicted earlier.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 29, 2017, 01:00:33 PM
http://www.businessinsider.com/madeira-airport-statue-cristiano-ronaldo-looks-like-mad-magazine-2017-3

:lol: :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 30, 2017, 04:54:47 PM
This statue is the current laughing stock in Portugal.  :D

As for the airport, they already gave the name of a politician who died in a plane crash/sabotage to a major airport (hint: Pedras Rubras) so it's nothing.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 03, 2017, 01:19:17 AM
Lord is too good for Norway.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 05, 2017, 06:29:49 AM
I'd be really curious to know if there is a particular reason why the Ronaldo statue is so terrible.

In other news. Yup. Football Sucks.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 05, 2017, 07:07:00 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 05, 2017, 06:29:49 AM
I'd be really curious to know if there is a particular reason why the Ronaldo statue is so terrible.

IIRC the sculptor said that the statue was fine and that CR had seen the design and OKed it with only some minor remarks, until the last part of the process when it was covered in bronze, which was done externally by a different company. Also apparently CR never "posed" for the sculpture so they had to rely on online pictures for the design.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on April 05, 2017, 08:55:51 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 05, 2017, 06:29:49 AM
In other news. Yup. Football Sucks.

Its just another sport your nation helped popularize that you now suck at. Tradition!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 17, 2017, 02:30:02 PM
Liep will be happy to know that the Danish league is now famous in France. :)

http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Le-public-de-brondby-jette-des-rats-morts-sur-les-joueurs-de-copenhague/794038 (http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Le-public-de-brondby-jette-des-rats-morts-sur-les-joueurs-de-copenhague/794038)

More like infamous though, for throwing dead rats onto the pitch.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 17, 2017, 03:03:24 PM
We made it!! :yeah:

Brøndby has always had the most annoying fans, usually they get into fights with the Copenhagen fans but lately the police have successfully avoided those clashes so they had to find something new I guess. Asshats.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on April 19, 2017, 07:18:31 AM
https://www.ft.com/content/284ff882-236f-11e7-a34a-538b4cb30025

QuoteFifa struggles to win backers for Russia World Cup

International and local companies balk at cost and reputational risk

Fifa is struggling to secure new commercial partners in time for next year's World Cup in Russia, with international and local groups balking at the financial cost and reputational risk of being associated with one of the world's most-watched sporting events.

World football's governing body lost several major sponsors, including Sony and Emirates, when their deals ended at the end of the last tournament in 2014. For the 2018 tournament in Russia, Fifa has 10 companies signed up as sponsors, but before the last tournament in Brazil, the organisation had 20 corporate partners on board.

The difficulties come as both Fifa, which is trying to emerge from a corruption scandal, and Russia, a pariah for many in the west since it annexed Crimea in 2014, battle with image problems.

Sponsorship and broadcasting deals help cover the $2bn operational costs of running the event, while the host nation picks up the tab for infrastructure such as building stadiums.

Local companies have been the slowest to come on board. So far, only one Russian sponsor, Alfa-Bank, has signed up as a "National Supporter," paying for the lowest tier of backing.

Andrei Malgin, a professor at the Russian Olympic university, said two years of recession had made Russian companies wary of the costs of sponsorship: "They're essentially worried that they'll pay the money and won't see any marketing benefits."

Russian state-run firms are also conspicuous by their absence after spending often exorbitant sums on the 2014 Sochi Olympics, a pet project for President Vladimir Putin. While Gazprom, Russia's state-run gas company, became a Fifa partner in 2013, other state-run firms prominent among sponsors of sports such as ice hockey have so far stayed away.

A consortium of Russia's main state-run TV channels has been unable to agree a price for the rights. "In Sochi, it went like it always does: 'orders received, off we go.' They haven't been given the order," Mr Malgin said.

Fifa said it expects to announce new commercial deals "in the next weeks and months, and before the World Cup."

The organisation's reputation has suffered over the past two years after becoming the subject of investigations by US and Swiss authorities into alleged criminal misconduct and bribery. This is partly alleged to have occured under the tenure of its previous president, Sepp Blatter.

The scandal-hit organisation handed Swiss public prosecutors a mass of files from its own internal investigation this month, as part of its efforts to reform and clean up its past.

"No question that in the latter era of the Blatter period, the Fifa brand became toxic," said Michael Payne, a former marketing head at the International Olympic Committee. He recently helped to broker a deal worth at least $600m with Alibaba to sponsor the next six Olympic Games.

"It would take a very brave chief marketing officer to say let's take Fifa and the World Cup. But ... the actual product and sport of football ... remains one of the most — if not the most — entertaining sports entertainment platforms in the world."

China's Hisense announced this month it had become a "top tier" sponsor for Fifa's Confederations Cup competition this year and the 2018 World Cup, in a deal worth close to $100m.

But the deal runs for far less time than previous deals that Fifa has struck.

In financial results published last week, Fifa reported a loss of $391m in 2016 before taxes and the result on investments and other financial income, up from a restated $117m loss the previous financial year.

The majority of Fifa's revenues come from the sale of television broadcasting rights, particularly related to the World Cup. The body has forecast revenues of $5.65bn in the four years up to the Russia tournament that — if realised — would represent a 5 per cent increase on the previous World Cup cycle.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 19, 2017, 07:20:06 AM
:nelson:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on April 19, 2017, 04:32:40 PM
Juve! :yeah:

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on April 19, 2017, 04:45:47 PM
Brighton and Hove Albion return to the top flight of English football, 30 odd years after the last time.

So assuming Southampton and Bournemouth survive the drop, fairly likely, that means next season could see three South Coast* teams in top tier of football, I think that would be the first time.  :bowler:



* used as in being on the English south coast, rather than in Southern England as a whole, because by that measure the premiership has already had both Swindon and Reading in it. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 20, 2017, 01:36:25 AM
A disturbing trend indeed.
If Hull and Boro go down then we've potentially got not Yorkshire teams. Again.
With a bit of luck Newcastle will fail to go up so no north east teams either.
All the money floods south. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on April 20, 2017, 05:26:43 AM
Quote from: Pedrito on April 19, 2017, 04:32:40 PM
Juve! :yeah:

L.

:thumbsup:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 21, 2017, 02:45:22 AM
We're at the Europa League semis! :w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 21, 2017, 05:48:02 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 21, 2017, 02:45:22 AM
We're at the Europa League semis! :w00t:

More glorious than the 7-1 inflicted on Benfica?
Hoping to get Lyon?  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 21, 2017, 05:55:21 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on April 21, 2017, 05:48:02 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 21, 2017, 02:45:22 AM
We're at the Europa League semis! :w00t:

More glorious than the 7-1 inflicted on Benfica?
Hoping to get Lyon?  :P

That one was glorious.  :lol:

Lyon or Ajax, just not ManUre plz.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 21, 2017, 06:19:06 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 21, 2017, 05:55:21 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on April 21, 2017, 05:48:02 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 21, 2017, 02:45:22 AM
We're at the Europa League semis! :w00t:

More glorious than the 7-1 inflicted on Benfica?
Hoping to get Lyon?  :P

That one was glorious.  :lol:

Lyon or Ajax, just not ManUre plz.

I remember all the LULZ in North Portugal, with people offering 7-up drinks to Benfica fans, the glorioso, or so they called themselves.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 21, 2017, 06:21:48 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 21, 2017, 02:45:22 AM
We're at the Europa League semis! :w00t:

How do you like Sisto now? :w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 21, 2017, 08:16:53 AM
Quote from: Liep on April 21, 2017, 06:21:48 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 21, 2017, 02:45:22 AM
We're at the Europa League semis! :w00t:

How do you like Sisto now? :w00t:

Quite a lot, thanks for asking.  :P

And, of course, we got ManU. Well, let's hope they'll regret it!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 21, 2017, 09:22:12 AM
Go for it Larchie, I'll live vicariously through you this season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 21, 2017, 09:46:27 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 21, 2017, 09:22:12 AM
Go for it Larchie, I'll live vicariously through you this season.

Come on, you still have the Cup final to look forward to. And if you win the Clásico don't count the league out either.  ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 21, 2017, 10:02:07 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 21, 2017, 09:46:27 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 21, 2017, 09:22:12 AM
Go for it Larchie, I'll live vicariously through you this season.

Come on, you still have the Cup final to look forward to. And if you win the Clásico don't count the league out either.  ;)

We're a zombie team, there's no way we'll win this Sunday. Fortunately my brother is getting married that day so I will be able to avoid the game and be already drunk when I learn of the result.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on April 21, 2017, 11:35:33 AM
The bomb attack on Borussia Dortmund's teambus ten days ago was perpetrated by a German with Russian roots who had bet on falling stock prices of the Dortmund stock to profit from the attack.  :wacko:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on April 21, 2017, 07:14:03 PM
Quote from: The Larch on April 21, 2017, 02:45:22 AM
We're at the Europa League semis! :w00t:

I did not know you played, Spanish Tim.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on April 25, 2017, 09:08:50 AM
http://www.espnfc.com/fifa-confederations-cup/story/3111918/dfb-backs-bild-over-claims-of-russian-censorship-for-confederations-cup

QuoteDFB backs Bild over claims of Russian censorship for Confederations Cup

German Football Association (DFB) president Reinhard Grindel has backed the Bild newspaper over claims of Russian censorship ahead of this summer's Confederations Cup.

Bild, Germany's most popular paper, has said it will boycott this summer's Confederations Cup in Russia if journalists are not given freedom to report as they please.

Print journalists attending the event -- which serves as a warm-up for the 2018 World Cup in Russia -- have been informed that they will be restricted in their travelling and reporting.

The guidelines issued to journalists working in print media with approved accreditation for the tournament stipulate that they "will solely cover the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 and related events," with their reporting limited to the "territory of the host cities and cultural sites located nearby."

If media want to report from other territories, or cover events unrelated to the Confederations Cup, a separate visa issued by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is required. That stipulation is not included in the guidelines for broadcasters with approved accreditation.

On Tuesday, Bild made those stipulations public and announced a boycott of the Confederations Cup as long as "censorship" remained in place.

The paper claimed that FIFA is aware of the restrictions and views them as "a relief."

Bild was backed by DFB president Grindel, who promised to address the issue at the next FIFA Council meeting in May.

Grindel told the paper: "At the next FIFA Council meeting on May 9, I will advocate for free coverage for accredited journalists at the Confederations Cup. It would be an important signal for the 2018 World Cup if the Russian Organising Committee, right from the dress rehearsal, made it clear there are no restrictions of the freedom of press."

Ralf Stegner -- a vice president of the Social Democratic Party of Germany, the smaller partner in Germany's grand coalition -- told Bild: "Just as we don't think it's right that U.S. President [Donald] Trump attacks the 'fake media,' we can't accept it when [Russian President Vladimir] Putin or FIFA restrict freedom of press."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 25, 2017, 09:12:39 AM
Russia is so happy and successful, nobody in the outside world can learn about it!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on April 25, 2017, 09:19:16 AM
Tyr must be gutted; Newcastle returns to the premiership.  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 25, 2017, 11:58:34 AM
Quote from: mongers on April 25, 2017, 09:19:16 AM
Tyr must be gutted; Newcastle returns to the premiership.  :bowler:
Quote from: mongers on April 25, 2017, 09:19:16 AM
Tyr must be gutted; Newcastle returns to the premiership.  :bowler:

It was pretty inevitable. Hoping they fail to win the league still. That'll be something considering their boasts of how it was going to be a walk over.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on April 30, 2017, 11:12:08 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 25, 2017, 11:58:34 AM
Quote from: mongers on April 25, 2017, 09:19:16 AM
Tyr must be gutted; Newcastle returns to the premiership.  :bowler:
Quote from: mongers on April 25, 2017, 09:19:16 AM
Tyr must be gutted; Newcastle returns to the premiership.  :bowler:

It was pretty inevitable. Hoping they fail to win the league still. That'll be something considering their boasts of how it was going to be a walk over.

Quote
Sunderland's 10-year stay in the Premier League ended as Bournemouth scored a late winner at the Stadium of Light.

The result coupled with Hull City's draw at Southampton means David Moyes' side are 13 points behind the Tigers with four games left.
....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39676422 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39676422)

Commiserations. :whistle:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 01, 2017, 10:50:21 AM
Meh.
Nobody is all that upset at this result. We've seen it as inevitable for several months now.
There was a spell... a few months ago...where it looked like we might have a chance. Things were finally working. We got a few wins. Then we got hit by injuries and it all fell apart.
In the Sunderland fan community there have been some been saying for months the championship could even be good for us. Get rid of some of the dead wood and setup a team that can win again.
Some even whisper this is what the board wanted. That they have intentionally planned to be relegated due to the wage reduction clauses in many player's contracts.

I'm... kind of worried.
I'm pretty certain we won't bounce right back. That would need money; Newcastle threw lots of money at the problem as is their way and it still hasn't been a walkover for them. And Sunderland just don't have money. Our finances are a mess. We've been treading water and playing the short term game for too long. Our chairman wants out, though since we are a business in decline which has yet to bottom out, there are of course no buyers.
I'm just hoping we avoid going the way of Leeds, or worse, Portsmouth.

Our current squad as it stands, even taking into account the inevitable loss of some top players... should be enough to get a mid table finish in the championship quite easily.
Though the off the pitch money issues.....
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 07, 2017, 02:22:57 PM
Quote from: Tyr on April 25, 2017, 11:58:34 AM
Quote from: mongers on April 25, 2017, 09:19:16 AM
Tyr must be gutted; Newcastle returns to the premiership.  :bowler:
Quote from: mongers on April 25, 2017, 09:19:16 AM
Tyr must be gutted; Newcastle returns to the premiership.  :bowler:

It was pretty inevitable. Hoping they fail to win the league still. That'll be something considering their boasts of how it was going to be a walk over.

No comfort for Sunderland fans this year.

I hear Moyes is staying? He seems a broken man to me.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 07, 2017, 04:46:47 PM
Benfica just needs to win the next game to be Salazar Liga champion. Too many ties by Porto lately. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 08, 2017, 03:45:32 AM
Quote from: celedhring on May 07, 2017, 02:22:57 PM
Quote from: Tyr on April 25, 2017, 11:58:34 AM
Quote from: mongers on April 25, 2017, 09:19:16 AM
Tyr must be gutted; Newcastle returns to the premiership.  :bowler:
Quote from: mongers on April 25, 2017, 09:19:16 AM
Tyr must be gutted; Newcastle returns to the premiership.  :bowler:

It was pretty inevitable. Hoping they fail to win the league still. That'll be something considering their boasts of how it was going to be a walk over.

No comfort for Sunderland fans this year.

I hear Moyes is staying? He seems a broken man to me.

Apparently.

Maybe with  an actual pre season he can do something? I still place the bulk of the blame with England and allardyce.
But I'm not enthusiastic.

Hoping the championship level players don't see us as just a way to easy money too.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 13, 2017, 02:50:47 PM
(https://medias.lequipe.fr/img-photo-jpg/britain-football-soccer-stoke-city-v-arsenal-premier-league-bet365-stadium-13-5-17-general-v/1500000000814779/196:161,1957:1336-624-416-75/83012.jpg)

Harsh.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 29, 2017, 02:45:09 AM
I don't even like Totti or Roma but this is still amazing.

https://twitter.com/OfficialASRoma/status/868935953502674945
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 29, 2017, 03:42:10 AM
Quote from: Liep on May 29, 2017, 02:45:09 AM
I don't even like Totti or Roma but this is still amazing.

https://twitter.com/OfficialASRoma/status/868935953502674945

Apparently the guy didn't even want to retire even if he's about to turn 41. He's had to be gently nudged out of the way by the club's new sporting director.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on May 29, 2017, 04:00:53 AM
Quote from: Liep on May 29, 2017, 02:45:09 AM
I don't even like Totti or Roma but this is still amazing.

https://twitter.com/OfficialASRoma/status/868935953502674945

Yeah, good stuff.  :cool:

Saw him play in 2003, didn't particularly like him before but you can't help being impressed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 29, 2017, 06:27:37 AM
Quote from: Liep on May 29, 2017, 02:45:09 AM
I don't even like Totti or Roma but this is still amazing.

https://twitter.com/OfficialASRoma/status/868935953502674945

Powerful stuff.

Football is fuckin' magical.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on June 03, 2017, 01:34:48 PM
Go Juve!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on June 03, 2017, 03:13:51 PM
Quote from: Zanza on June 03, 2017, 01:34:48 PM
Go Juve!

:yes:
And not just because they're up against Real.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on June 03, 2017, 03:38:30 PM
I was watching a delayed broadcast  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 03, 2017, 05:12:24 PM
I really hate real
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on June 03, 2017, 05:40:22 PM
Quote from: Zanza on June 03, 2017, 01:34:48 PM
Go Juve!

Fuck Juve.

You can always trust them to lose a CL final.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 03, 2017, 05:41:37 PM
Two teams I hate. At least it was a good game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on June 04, 2017, 12:13:49 PM
Quote from: celedhring on June 03, 2017, 05:40:22 PM
Quote from: Zanza on June 03, 2017, 01:34:48 PM
Go Juve!

Fuck Juve.

You can always trust them to lose a CL final.
:cry:

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 04, 2017, 01:57:15 PM
Quote from: celedhring on June 03, 2017, 05:40:22 PM
Quote from: Zanza on June 03, 2017, 01:34:48 PM
Go Juve!

Fuck Juve.

You can always trust them to lose a CL final.

How cruel of you to assimilate them to Benfica.  :thumbsdown:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on June 05, 2017, 01:14:20 AM
Qatar, host of the 2022 WC (Thanks Sepp), has now been accused of being a state sponsor of terror by Saudi Arabia (takes one to know one?) and some other Arab countries. These countries have stopped diplomatic relations and closed borders...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on June 05, 2017, 01:28:07 AM
Not sure whether I should laugh or cry ...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 05, 2017, 02:02:10 AM
Quote from: Zanza on June 05, 2017, 01:14:20 AM
Qatar, host of the 2022 WC (Thanks Sepp), has now been accused of being a state sponsor of terror by Saudi Arabia (takes one to know one?) and some other Arab countries. These countries have stopped diplomatic relations and closed borders...

:lol:

There can be only one! [spoiler]State sponsor of Wahhabism.  :P[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 05, 2017, 09:45:55 AM
I would say the USA has a small chance at hosting it now but I am not confident our country will be around much longer.  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on June 05, 2017, 10:29:48 AM
Can Qatar get a refund on their bribes?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 05, 2017, 11:55:14 AM
Qatar WC is not for five years. Trump will fix all terrorism problems by then

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on June 05, 2017, 12:15:19 PM
Quote from: Syt on June 05, 2017, 01:28:07 AM
Not sure whether I should laugh or cry ...

It's only a game.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 09, 2017, 03:42:11 PM
Well, I did not see this one coming.  :blink:
Sweden 2 France 1
Victory goal 94th thanks to a fluke by Lloris, very well exploited by Toivonen from the midfield.

Play-offs could be hellish with France, Spain or Italy. Not to mention Portugal.

PS: and Hungary managed to lose against Andorra 1-0.  :hmm:
First victory in 66 games for Andorra.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 24, 2017, 06:46:05 AM
Seems to be quite some talk about changing some rules

http://m.bbc.com/sport/football/40311889
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 24, 2017, 07:21:44 AM
Quote from: Tyr on June 24, 2017, 06:46:05 AM
Seems to be quite some talk about changing some rules

http://m.bbc.com/sport/football/40311889

The anti-time-wasting measures sounds promising, I would add a shot to the back of the head for filming.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 24, 2017, 08:37:04 AM
the anti-time wasting measures will also be the first step for allowing in-game commercials. "Corner? Wait 30 seconds before you take it."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 24, 2017, 10:08:04 AM
Quote from: Josephus on June 24, 2017, 08:37:04 AM
the anti-time wasting measures will also be the first step for allowing in-game commercials. "Corner? Wait 30 seconds before you take it."

Yeah, some places in Europe they already do the picture-in-picture commercial and throw in a quick commercial while you try and watch the replay on the small screen. :angry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on June 24, 2017, 05:54:45 PM
I have doubts about shortening the matches to 60 minutes will cut down much on time-wasting.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 24, 2017, 06:28:37 PM
It makes sense, but it does sound a bit overly Americanised, and would of course need some rule on a maximum length of 100 minutes or so including ball out of play time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on June 25, 2017, 08:19:51 AM
Quote from: dps on June 24, 2017, 05:54:45 PM
I have doubts about shortening the matches to 60 minutes will cut down much on time-wasting.

It's the part about stopping the clock when the ball is not in play what would achieve that. Cutting down halves to 60 min is necessary because games would be much longer otherwise.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 26, 2017, 01:20:18 AM
It's been 5 years since the last celebration of our Euro Cup win and 25 is a much bigger event than 20 years, so the state tv commissioned new documentaries, of course. No new movie though, bit disappointing really.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on June 27, 2017, 02:02:54 PM
The German U21 won in the semi-finals of the Euro against the English U21. In a penalty shootout. :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 27, 2017, 03:52:35 PM
Quote from: Zanza on June 27, 2017, 02:02:54 PM
The German U21 won in the semi-finals of the Euro against the English U21. In a penalty shootout. :)

Shocker  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 20, 2017, 10:21:10 AM
Hey Liep, my team has bought another player from the Danish league, a certain Lobotka, Slovakian midfielder that used to play for Nordsjaelland. Is he any good?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on July 20, 2017, 10:46:27 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 20, 2017, 10:21:10 AM
Hey Liep, my team has bought another player from the Danish league, a certain Lobotka, Slovakian midfielder that used to play for Nordsjaelland. Is he any good?

You're asking too much of me, I haven't really watched a Danish league game in a many years.

Never heard of that guy, but Nordsjælland is well known here for their talent development. Last year they sold Emre Mor to Dortmund
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 20, 2017, 10:57:23 AM
Quote from: Liep on July 20, 2017, 10:46:27 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 20, 2017, 10:21:10 AM
Hey Liep, my team has bought another player from the Danish league, a certain Lobotka, Slovakian midfielder that used to play for Nordsjaelland. Is he any good?

You're asking too much of me, I haven't really watched a Danish league game in a many years.

Never heard of that guy, but Nordsjælland is well known here for their talent development. Last year they sold Emre Mor to Dortmund

It's not as if I have many other sources about Danish footie.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 20, 2017, 11:29:57 AM
Adnan Januzaj. Fresh off his super shitty loan season at Sunderland. Has been sold for 10 million to Porto.
What is wrong with the world?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on July 20, 2017, 11:36:50 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 20, 2017, 10:57:23 AM

It's not as if I have many other sources about Danish footie.  :P

I did a little research, and apparently he's very good. Player of the Year in FCN and they knew they wouldn't be able to keep him due to his talents.

Also: An international scout from Sweden noted that he's way too good for the Danish league.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 20, 2017, 11:52:42 AM
Quote from: Tyr on July 20, 2017, 11:29:57 AM
Adnan Januzaj. Fresh off his super shitty loan season at Sunderland. Has been sold for 10 million to Porto.
What is wrong with the world?

Real Sociedad, you must surely mean.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 20, 2017, 11:53:16 AM
Quote from: Liep on July 20, 2017, 11:36:50 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 20, 2017, 10:57:23 AM

It's not as if I have many other sources about Danish footie.  :P

I did a little research, and apparently he's very good. Player of the Year in FCN and they knew they wouldn't be able to keep him due to his talents.

Also: An international scout from Sweden noted that he's way too good for the Danish league.

Ok, sounds promising enough. Thanks! :cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on July 20, 2017, 12:09:14 PM
One of my colleagues returned from a wedding in Europe where his cousin married a Portuguese football player. Apparently he's the guy who scored the winning goal in the Euro 2016 final.

What can you tell me about him?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 20, 2017, 12:16:16 PM
Quote from: Jacob on July 20, 2017, 12:09:14 PM
One of my colleagues returned from a wedding in Europe where his cousin married a Portuguese football player. Apparently he's the guy who scored the winning goal in the Euro 2016 final.

What can you tell me about him?

Éder?

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.deportesrcn.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Feder_8.jpg&hash=ef97feb04efccb74c34d18cb2918d009801d7cc8)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 20, 2017, 12:37:55 PM
For what I read in a profile on him in Portuguese media after the 2016 Euro (http://expresso.sapo.pt/desporto/2016-07-26-Ola-eu-sou-o-Eder--nao-ponham-acento-que-nao-e-fixe--e-esta-e-a-minha-historia (http://expresso.sapo.pt/desporto/2016-07-26-Ola-eu-sou-o-Eder--nao-ponham-acento-que-nao-e-fixe--e-esta-e-a-minha-historia)), he has a bit of a sad story. He was born in Guinea Bissau but his family moved to Portugal when he was 3. He grew up first in Braga and then Coimbra, and at some point there his parents gave him up for economic reasons and he was raised in a center for orphan kids. He says that, despite being without many other black kids around him those days, he never experienced any racism but says that it was probably because he was very popular and a good football player for the local teams.

He speaks afterwards of starting to support his mother (doesn't say if biological or adoptive) when he signed his first professional contract, and that the hardship in which he lived growing up has made him save a lot of his money and plan a lot what he buys (he says that, differently than other players that change to a different car every year, even nowadays [summer 2016] he still drives the same car he bought back in 2010), so that his future kids can live an easier life than him.

Apparently he has a bit of a rut some years ago because of injury issues and bad spells of play, but credits very highly his psychologist to help him get out of that dark period in which he considered retirement. He's also apparently very religious.

He says that after scoring in the Euro final he started receiving way much more attention that he was used to, and that nowadays he's more reserved than what he used to be when he was younger.

Pic from the wedding from one of the guests' Instagram account:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iol.pt%2Fmultimedia%2Foratvi%2Fmultimedia%2Fimagem%2Fid%2F596382b60cf2202a6541e452%2F800&hash=a882463a64fc402d32c943c0619a669c654700f2)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on July 20, 2017, 01:25:22 PM
Quote from: The Larch on July 20, 2017, 12:16:16 PM
Quote from: Jacob on July 20, 2017, 12:09:14 PM
One of my colleagues returned from a wedding in Europe where his cousin married a Portuguese football player. Apparently he's the guy who scored the winning goal in the Euro 2016 final.

What can you tell me about him?

Éder?


Yeah that's him. And I'm guessing that that's my colleague's cousin.

He said the wedding was a bit crazy, as I guess is to be expected...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on July 20, 2017, 01:27:14 PM
Jacob's colleague's cousin ain't bad looking.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 20, 2017, 01:28:10 PM
Quote from: dps on July 20, 2017, 01:27:14 PM
Jacob's colleague's cousin ain't bad looking.

She's described as "Belgian model" in the newspapers, so that's a bit of a given, I guess.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on July 20, 2017, 01:32:52 PM
Quote from: The Larch on July 20, 2017, 01:28:10 PM
She's described as "Belgian model" in the newspapers, so that's a bit of a given, I guess.  :lol:

My colleague is Belgian! So that seems to corroborate his story.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on July 20, 2017, 03:54:59 PM
Éder's story has been described as the ugly duckling story since the Euro 2016. Not a great n° 9, more of a centre-forward rather than a pure striker, mocked or criticized by the sport press and Portuguese football fans before that. Subsequently, a webpage and/or a Facebook page was created so people could apologize to Éder.
A bad season in France (!) followed afterwards, being the Euro final scorer he was consistently booed by the French butt hurt brigade. They could have taken some solace or pride to see the Final Euro 2016 goal was scored by a Ligue 1 but no. :( 
Last time I heard, Bielsa, the new Lille coach does not want to keep him.
This bad season, along with the appearance at last of a real 9, André Silva, prevented him from being called by Santos for the Selecção.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on July 20, 2017, 03:56:26 PM
Is looking mildly annoyed how Euros do wedding pictures?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on July 20, 2017, 07:51:18 PM
Quote from: Valmy on July 20, 2017, 03:56:26 PM
Is looking mildly annoyed how Euros do wedding pictures?

It's an instagram shot by a guest, so... no?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on July 20, 2017, 07:52:35 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on July 20, 2017, 03:54:59 PM
Éder's story has been described as the ugly duckling story since the Euro 2016. Not a great n° 9, more of a centre-forward rather than a pure striker, mocked or criticized by the sport press and Portuguese football fans before that. Subsequently, a webpage and/or a Facebook page was created so people could apologize to Éder.
A bad season in France (!) followed afterwards, being the Euro final scorer he was consistently booed by the French butt hurt brigade. They could have taken some solace or pride to see the Final Euro 2016 goal was scored by a Ligue 1 but no. :( 
Last time I heard, Bielsa, the new Lille coach does not want to keep him.
This bad season, along with the appearance at last of a real 9, André Silva, prevented him from being called by Santos for the Selecção.

Interesting. Thanks for th details :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on July 27, 2017, 11:36:16 AM
The US won the CONCACAF championship yesterday by beating Jamaica. So in your face Canada and Mexico!

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ussoccer.com%2F%7E%2Fmedia%2Fimages%2Fmnt%2Fgallery-images%2F2017%2F07%2F20170726-mnt-v-jam%2F2017-gold-cup-champs-mnt.jpg&hash=dabc455859fc5eb69f787b1b4c25330477eeca9c)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on July 27, 2017, 12:01:37 PM
Women's Euro Cup is on, who cares about CONCACAF??!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on July 27, 2017, 01:46:38 PM
Quote from: Liep on July 27, 2017, 12:01:37 PM
Women's Euro Cup is on, who cares about CONCACAF??!

CONCACAF based fans?

Fuck you, Bruce Arena.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on July 27, 2017, 04:35:04 PM
We really need new uniforms.  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on July 27, 2017, 08:32:27 PM
Those are new.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 27, 2017, 08:42:56 PM
With two Toronto FC players in the starting XI
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on July 27, 2017, 09:23:35 PM
Quote from: Josephus on July 27, 2017, 08:42:56 PM
With two Toronto FC players in the starting XI
But it was a Seattle Sounder who won it all.  ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on July 30, 2017, 06:52:53 AM
:w00t::w00t::w00t::w00t::yeah: :showoff:

Denmark 2 - 1 Germany

We're going to the semifinals in the Euros!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on July 30, 2017, 07:39:00 AM
Quote from: Liep on July 30, 2017, 06:52:53 AM
:w00t::w00t::w00t::w00t::yeah: :showoff:

Denmark 2 - 1 Germany

We're going to the semifinals in the Euros!

:cool:

I predict the England women will progress, where the mens team failed.  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on July 30, 2017, 10:20:25 AM
Germany won the last twenty years, so I guess it shows the other teams are catching up.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on July 30, 2017, 01:53:07 PM
Good job Denmark. Some interesting semifinals to look forward to.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 30, 2017, 05:00:00 PM
Is it just me or is womens football very different. The pitch feels so much bigger.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 02, 2017, 07:32:37 AM
So, it seems that PSG will pay Barcelona 200+ million € for Neymar. World going mad, and so on and so forth.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 03, 2017, 12:25:02 PM
Quote from: The Larch on August 02, 2017, 07:32:37 AM
So, it seems that PSG will pay Barcelona 200+ million € for Neymar. World going mad, and so on and so forth.

World confirmed to be mad, price for Neymar landed on €222 million.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on August 03, 2017, 01:39:31 PM
In other world shattering news, the most famous French Canadian player is joining his hometown team Montreal Impact after a 5 year pro career in Europe.

:yeah:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 03, 2017, 02:00:34 PM
Quote from: Liep on August 03, 2017, 12:25:02 PM
Quote from: The Larch on August 02, 2017, 07:32:37 AM
So, it seems that PSG will pay Barcelona 200+ million € for Neymar. World going mad, and so on and so forth.

Qatar confirmed to be mad, price for Neymar landed on €222 million.

Fixed! I'd rather Qatar spend money for Neymar than for their islamist/PR agenda. :whistle:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 03, 2017, 02:25:57 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on August 03, 2017, 01:39:31 PM
In other world shattering news, the most famous French Canadian player is joining his hometown team Montreal Impact after a 5 year pro career in Europe.

:yeah:

Who?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on August 03, 2017, 02:40:47 PM
La Liga say they won't accept Neymar transfer under Financial Fair Play rules. Good on them. Hope this holds.

Edit: Read another article and they seem to have circumvented it by giving the money to Neymar who then paid his own transfer fee...
I hope he paid income tax on that...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 03, 2017, 02:47:36 PM
Final! :w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on August 03, 2017, 03:19:42 PM
I didn't realize the French league was that lucrative.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on August 03, 2017, 05:15:17 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 03, 2017, 03:19:42 PM
I didn't realize the French league was that lucrative.
It is really PSG only, rich from Oil money owners.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on August 03, 2017, 06:11:39 PM
Quote from: Liep on August 03, 2017, 02:47:36 PM
Final! :w00t:

:cool:

Well done, though England went down rather hard.  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on August 03, 2017, 06:50:40 PM
Quote from: mongers on August 03, 2017, 06:11:39 PM
Quote from: Liep on August 03, 2017, 02:47:36 PM
Final! :w00t:

:cool:

Well done, though England went down rather hard.  :(

Isn't that what England does in tourneys?  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 03, 2017, 06:56:16 PM
Supposedly Qatar paid Neymar hundreds of millions of euros (tax free) to be their "ambassador" for WC 2020, which he promptly used to pay his own buyout clause.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on August 03, 2017, 08:43:48 PM
Quote from: katmai on August 03, 2017, 06:50:40 PM
Quote from: mongers on August 03, 2017, 06:11:39 PM
Quote from: Liep on August 03, 2017, 02:47:36 PM
Final! :w00t:

:cool:

Well done, though England went down rather hard.  :(

Isn't that what England does in tourneys?  :bowler:

Indeed, as was for told by the great prophet Taylor.  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on August 03, 2017, 09:06:00 PM
Quote from: Josephus on August 03, 2017, 02:25:57 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on August 03, 2017, 01:39:31 PM
In other world shattering news, the most famous French Canadian player is joining his hometown team Montreal Impact after a 5 year pro career in Europe.

:yeah:

Who?

Samuel Piette (there are not a lot of successful french canadian soccer players).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 03, 2017, 11:08:13 PM
Fresh from the German and Spanish second divisions :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 04, 2017, 05:52:06 AM
Quote from: Tyr on August 03, 2017, 11:08:13 PM
Fresh from the German and Spanish second divisions :lol:

In Spain it was actually 4th and 3rd divisions, actually.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on August 04, 2017, 06:13:53 AM
I am not aware of any other French Canadian player playing in the spanish league.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 04, 2017, 06:23:02 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on August 04, 2017, 06:13:53 AM
I am not aware of any other French Canadian player.

FYP
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 04, 2017, 06:28:41 AM
From the Spanish third division to the MLS. A step-down in his career, but hopefully he can bounce back from it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 04, 2017, 06:39:41 AM
Quote from: katmai on August 03, 2017, 05:15:17 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 03, 2017, 03:19:42 PM
I didn't realize the French league was that lucrative.
It is really PSG only, rich from Oil money owners.

Monaco is doing good, but there is a Russian oligarch there as well.
To give you an idea of the real value of the league, Bordeaux managed to get eliminated from the Europa League (second grade C2 vs C1 for PSG and the like) play-offs by Videoton, a Hungarian Club.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on August 04, 2017, 06:57:04 AM
Quote from: celedhring on August 04, 2017, 06:28:41 AM
From the Spanish third division to the MLS. A step-down in his career, but hopefully he can bounce back from it.

Not really no, while the level of play is similar, he'll get a raise in sponsorship opportunity & the MLS has more money than Spanish 3rd Division.

Dismissing North American soccer only serves to make FIFA pick shitty destination has host of World Cups.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 04, 2017, 07:38:27 AM
Say what you will, the MLS is a retirement league, a dead end, and he's 22. He probably will never play at a higher level than this.

If North American football wants more WCs on their soil, they should invest in bribes rather than trying to make me stop dissing it.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on August 04, 2017, 07:56:06 AM
Quote from: celedhring on August 04, 2017, 07:38:27 AM
Say what you will, the MLS is a retirement league, a dead end, and he's 22.
:lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on August 04, 2017, 08:07:52 AM
Quote from: celedhring on August 04, 2017, 07:38:27 AM
If North American football wants more WCs on their soil, they should invest in bribes rather than trying to make me stop dissing it.  :P

Hey! Qatar and Russia have amazed the world with their quality soccer for decades.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 04, 2017, 08:14:23 AM
Quote from: Valmy on August 04, 2017, 08:07:52 AM
Quote from: celedhring on August 04, 2017, 07:38:27 AM
If North American football wants more WCs on their soil, they should invest in bribes rather than trying to make me stop dissing it.  :P

Hey! Qatar and Russia have amazed the world with their quality soccer for decades.

Russia is the heir of the Soviet Union, at least in football  :P, plus one of their clubs managed to win an European cup, something not even done during Soviet times. National squad can only improve!
At least, Russian summers allow football to be played.

Plus, even Germany had to bribe the FIFA to get their World Cup in 2006.

Qatar is in another league (pun intended).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 04, 2017, 08:21:59 AM
Quote from: Valmy on August 04, 2017, 08:07:52 AM
Quote from: celedhring on August 04, 2017, 07:38:27 AM
If North American football wants more WCs on their soil, they should invest in bribes rather than trying to make me stop dissing it.  :P

Hey! Qatar and Russia have amazed the world with their quality soccer for decades.

They only needed to amaze FIFA with their bribes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 04, 2017, 08:36:27 AM
Quote from: mongers on August 03, 2017, 06:11:39 PM
Quote from: Liep on August 03, 2017, 02:47:36 PM
Final! :w00t:

:cool:

Well done, though England went down rather hard.  :(

It has its downsides. All politicians are using it to either show that they're feminist enough to like women's football or anti-racist/racist enough to like/not like that our star player is an afghan refugee.

It's tiring.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on August 04, 2017, 08:41:10 AM
Quote from: katmai on August 04, 2017, 07:56:06 AM
Quote from: celedhring on August 04, 2017, 07:38:27 AM
Say what you will, the MLS is a retirement league, a dead end, and he's 22.
:lmfao:

The MLS should really get working on that image.

but no matter, MLS is more fun to watch than the Premier League.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 04, 2017, 10:48:06 AM
The notion that MLS is a retirement league is getting rather old. MLS has improved a lot in 10 years. It's not Premier League or Serie A and does not pretend to be but it has become competitive with second tier Euro leagues. And Sebastian Giovinco, for instance, is nowhere near ready to retire.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 04, 2017, 10:59:19 AM
Quote from: Josephus on August 04, 2017, 10:48:06 AM
The notion that MLS is a retirement league is getting rather old. MLS has improved a lot in 10 years. It's not Premier League or Serie A and does not pretend to be but it has become competitive with second tier Euro leagues. And Sebastian Giovinco, for instance, is nowhere near ready to retire.

And Giovinco lost his spot in the Italian national team for the Euro 2016 because of his move to the MLS.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on August 04, 2017, 11:02:24 AM
That's Euroweenie bullshit being butthurt because the American league is now competition. Same thing happened with Drogba & the coaching debacle in Chelsea but MLS has weight & FIFA stood behind it's #1 money source.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 04, 2017, 11:21:22 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on August 04, 2017, 11:02:24 AMDrogba & the coaching debacle in Chelsea

I don't even know what you're talking about.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on August 04, 2017, 11:43:45 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 04, 2017, 11:21:22 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on August 04, 2017, 11:02:24 AMDrogba & the coaching debacle in Chelsea

I don't even know what you're talking about.

Chelsea wanted to make him a Coach but he still had a contract as a player for 1 more year. Drogba wasn't willing to retire to get out of it. So the FA & Chelsea tried to brow beat the MLS into releasing him. MLS went to FIFA, FIFA told Chelsea to fuck off. Drogba finished his contract, now plays in Arizona.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 04, 2017, 12:46:21 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on August 04, 2017, 11:02:24 AM
That's Euroweenie bullshit being butthurt because the American league is now competition. Same thing happened with Drogba & the coaching debacle in Chelsea but MLS has weight & FIFA stood behind it's #1 money source.

Now you're really being delusional. No, the MLS isn't competition for any serious European league. Sure, you can throw around enough money so a Juventus reject can sign for one of your top teams instead of lingering in the mid table of Serie A, but that doesn't make a strong league. Even Turkish teams can do that and nobody considers the Turkish league competition for anything.

Show me a regular influx of players that go from the continent to the MLS when their careers are on the up instead of going down, and then we can talk.

I'm also of the opinion that the MLS should throw more money at the local talent instead of buying European hasbeens, too, but that's besides the point. The MLS will never compete for the great athletic talent in North America if you throw millions at Pirlo or Drogba while the wage for youth prospects in MLS teams is barely a living wage.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on August 04, 2017, 12:48:32 PM
It's not close to being able to compete with any European 1st division but lots of 2nd & 3rd division players play in the MLS.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 05, 2017, 05:41:39 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on August 04, 2017, 11:43:45 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 04, 2017, 11:21:22 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on August 04, 2017, 11:02:24 AMDrogba & the coaching debacle in Chelsea

I don't even know what you're talking about.

Chelsea wanted to make him a Coach but he still had a contract as a player for 1 more year. Drogba wasn't willing to retire to get out of it. So the FA & Chelsea tried to brow beat the MLS into releasing him. MLS went to FIFA, FIFA told Chelsea to fuck off. Drogba finished his contract, now plays in Arizona.

Never even heard of that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 05, 2017, 10:04:16 AM
Our national team got the nickname Danish Dynamite when we had a great team in the 80's with Elkjær, Laudrup, Arnesen, etc. So naturally our female national team needs a name too now that they're playing terrific.

Suggestions so far: Powerladies, Powerpigerne, Powerkvinderne, Powergirls. Ughh.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on August 05, 2017, 01:29:21 PM
Quote from: celedhring on August 04, 2017, 07:38:27 AM

If North American football wants more WCs on their soil, they should invest in bribes rather than trying to make me stop dissing it.  :P

I doubt that MLS is investing anything in trying to make you personally stop dissing them.

If they are, they need to stop that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on August 05, 2017, 02:37:51 PM
Quote from: Liep on August 05, 2017, 10:04:16 AM
Our national team got the nickname Danish Dynamite when we had a great team in the 80's with Elkjær, Laudrup, Arnesen, etc. So naturally our female national team needs a name too now that they're playing terrific.

Suggestions so far: Powerladies, Powerpigerne, Powerkvinderne, Powergirls. Ughh.

So it's probably better if you lose tomorrow against the Lionesses.  :menace:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 05, 2017, 02:45:25 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 03, 2017, 03:19:42 PM
I didn't realize the French league was that lucrative.
It is really PSG only, rich from Oil money owners.
[/quote]

Monaco is doing good, but there is a Russian oligarch there as well.
To give you an idea of the real value of the league, Bordeaux managed to get eliminated from the Europa League (second grade C2 vs C1 for PSG and the like) play-offs by Videoton, a Hungarian Club.
[/quote]

More than a rich owner isn't Monaco's advantage that they can afford to pay lower/higher wages due to lower tax in Monaco?

I went to the stadium of (now out of business) Evian who were apparently in Ligue 1 for a little while not too long ago.
It was....worse than you'd find with any League 2 team in the UK. Worse than any Conference team maybe even.


Quote from: Maladict on August 05, 2017, 02:37:51 PM
Quote from: Liep on August 05, 2017, 10:04:16 AM
Our national team got the nickname Danish Dynamite when we had a great team in the 80's with Elkjær, Laudrup, Arnesen, etc. So naturally our female national team needs a name too now that they're playing terrific.

Suggestions so far: Powerladies, Powerpigerne, Powerkvinderne, Powergirls. Ughh.

So it's probably better if you lose tomorrow against the Lionesses.  :menace:

Holland beat England no?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 05, 2017, 06:34:02 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on August 04, 2017, 06:39:41 AM

Monaco is doing good, but there is a Russian oligarch there as well.
To give you an idea of the real value of the league, Bordeaux managed to get eliminated from the Europa League (second grade C2 vs C1 for PSG and the like) play-offs by Videoton, a Hungarian Club.

Quote from: Tyr on August 05, 2017, 02:45:25 PM
More than a rich owner isn't Monaco's advantage that they can afford to pay lower/higher wages due to lower tax in Monaco?

Helps too, and it used to give them quite an edge back in the day, but that was not enough, until the the new Russian oligarch arrived. Monaco still sells its best players regularly so they are not on the same level in theory as PSG, except they were champion last year.

Quote
I went to the stadium of (now out of business) Evian who were apparently in Ligue 1 for a little while not too long ago.
It was....worse than you'd find with any League 2 team in the UK. Worse than any Conference team maybe even.

To be fair, Évian is famous for its water, not for its football club. Their stay in Ligue 1 was short-lived and probably the first time. More like a seeder club.
Then again, Bordeaux managed to reach a UEFA cup final once, was champion several times and still managed to get the boot by Videoton.

PS: Évian was victim of a battle between the owner and shareholders of the club.
For Yi, triggered by bad quoting.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on August 05, 2017, 07:01:04 PM
That's some world class quoting there lads.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 06, 2017, 06:02:31 AM
Quote from: Tyr on August 05, 2017, 02:45:25 PMMore than a rich owner isn't Monaco's advantage that they can afford to pay lower/higher wages due to lower tax in Monaco?

IIRC that was their advantage for many years, but recently it was changed so they'd pay payroll taxes in France rather than Monaco after protests from other French clubs that the previous arrangement gave them an unfair advantage.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 06, 2017, 09:50:17 AM
Quote from: Maladict on August 05, 2017, 02:37:51 PM
Quote from: Liep on August 05, 2017, 10:04:16 AM
Our national team got the nickname Danish Dynamite when we had a great team in the 80's with Elkjær, Laudrup, Arnesen, etc. So naturally our female national team needs a name too now that they're playing terrific.

Suggestions so far: Powerladies, Powerpigerne, Powerkvinderne, Powergirls. Ughh.

So it's probably better if you lose tomorrow against the Lionesses.  :menace:

They settled on.. wait for it.. "The Women's National Team" as the nickname. :mellow:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on August 06, 2017, 10:13:55 AM
1-1 after 10 minutes, good game so far  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 06, 2017, 10:14:10 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on August 05, 2017, 06:34:02 PM
To be fair, Evian is famous for its water, not for its football club. Their stay in Ligue 1 was short-lived and probably the first time. More like a seeder club.

I remember that. I thought that Evian were the opposite of naive, but at the end they certainly lacked the experience to be in Ligue 1.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on August 06, 2017, 10:46:29 AM
Quote from: Maladict on August 06, 2017, 10:13:55 AM
1-1 after 10 minutes, good game so far  :)

Ok it's not a very good game actually. It's all over the place but still interesting at 2-2.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on August 06, 2017, 11:56:55 AM
 :yeah:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 06, 2017, 11:58:40 AM
:(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on August 07, 2017, 12:24:33 PM
About 50% of the population watched the final, incredible numbers for women's football.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on August 08, 2017, 05:15:44 AM
Quote from: Maladict on August 07, 2017, 12:24:33 PM
About 50% of the population watched the final, incredible numbers for women's football.

Nice. Thanks to their good form until crashing out, the English ladies also got quite the coverage over here.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on August 10, 2017, 11:58:30 AM
PSG wants to buy another player for 160 million. BVB rejected a fee of 90 million for Dembele as too low...
It was already ridiculous, but this is getting worse and worse.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 10, 2017, 01:22:59 PM
Fuck it, let the rich assholes spent their money on baubles. It's not like he was going to spent that money on something worthwhile or lasting any way.

Whatever happened to the financial fair play rules though?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 11, 2017, 01:22:37 AM
Quote from: Zanza on August 10, 2017, 11:58:30 AM
PSG wants to buy another player for 160 million. BVB rejected a fee of 90 million for Dembele as too low...
It was already ridiculous, but this is getting worse and worse.

I thought they were already under huge FFP pressure with Neymar?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on August 11, 2017, 01:51:55 AM
Quote from: Tyr on August 11, 2017, 01:22:37 AM
Quote from: Zanza on August 10, 2017, 11:58:30 AM
PSG wants to buy another player for 160 million. BVB rejected a fee of 90 million for Dembele as too low...
It was already ridiculous, but this is getting worse and worse.

I thought they were already under huge FFP pressure with Neymar?

Do they look like they care?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 11, 2017, 02:26:20 AM
Quote from: Syt on August 11, 2017, 01:51:55 AM
Quote from: Tyr on August 11, 2017, 01:22:37 AM
Quote from: Zanza on August 10, 2017, 11:58:30 AM
PSG wants to buy another player for 160 million. BVB rejected a fee of 90 million for Dembele as too low...
It was already ridiculous, but this is getting worse and worse.

I thought they were already under huge FFP pressure with Neymar?

Do they look like they care?

About having points deductions and a champions league place taken from them?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 11, 2017, 02:29:37 AM
FFP is a paper tiger and PSG is willing to call the bluff.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on August 11, 2017, 04:36:44 AM
Quote from: Josephus on August 04, 2017, 10:48:06 AM
The notion that MLS is a retirement league is getting rather old. MLS has improved a lot in 10 years. It's not Premier League or Serie A and does not pretend to be but it has become competitive with second tier Euro leagues. And Sebastian Giovinco, for instance, is nowhere near ready to retire.

Not according to Nate Silver and his mates.

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/whats-new-in-our-2017-18-club-soccer-predictions/


There aren't too many surprises at the top; out of the five biggest European leagues, four are in the top five, with La Liga in Spain and the Bundesliga in Germany pretty far ahead of the pack. The Premier League in England, despite being the most valuable league in the world, has struggled to compete in the Champions League recently, and their match-based rating lags far behind their market value rating. Another league whose recent performance according to our ratings has lagged behind their market value is Major League Soccer in the U.S., whose last CONCACAF Champions League title was in 2000. MLS shows up in 28th place, between the Danish and Croatian leagues and a long way behind their regional rivals Liga MX in Mexico.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 11, 2017, 04:40:37 AM
Early days yet but watching sunderlands first games in the championship I am cautiously optimistic.

It seems the thing that really sets the Premier league apart is not so much the quality but the lack of forgiveness for mistakes.
Sunderland as a team usually play pretty decent. Give much higher finishing teams a run for their money.... Only to have a few moments of silliness where they completely mess up and give the opposition a chance.
In the Premier league this means instantly 1-0 down.
In the championship not necessarily.
I'm quite excited for the season ahead. Fears of doing a Leeds are gone. It'll be nice to see Sunderland winning
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 11, 2017, 05:53:42 AM
Quote from: Gups on August 11, 2017, 04:36:44 AM
Quote from: Josephus on August 04, 2017, 10:48:06 AM
The notion that MLS is a retirement league is getting rather old. MLS has improved a lot in 10 years. It's not Premier League or Serie A and does not pretend to be but it has become competitive with second tier Euro leagues. And Sebastian Giovinco, for instance, is nowhere near ready to retire.

Not according to Nate Silver and his mates.

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/whats-new-in-our-2017-18-club-soccer-predictions/


There aren't too many surprises at the top; out of the five biggest European leagues, four are in the top five, with La Liga in Spain and the Bundesliga in Germany pretty far ahead of the pack. The Premier League in England, despite being the most valuable league in the world, has struggled to compete in the Champions League recently, and their match-based rating lags far behind their market value rating. Another league whose recent performance according to our ratings has lagged behind their market value is Major League Soccer in the U.S., whose last CONCACAF Champions League title was in 2000. MLS shows up in 28th place, between the Danish and Croatian leagues and a long way behind their regional rivals Liga MX in Mexico.

France as the 5th biggest league is a recent thing though, dating from the Qatari takeover of PSG, a unique opportunity: 11 million people around the Paris region  and just one club in the French top league. Plus the Russian oligarch owner of Monaco.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 11, 2017, 08:01:10 AM
America as the retirement league is in a funny place with China stealing it's position there.
Could be good for football in America overall.
Certainly  I've read good things about the developing derbies in NY and LA and in the north West becoming quite authentic.
Still really unsure about the franchise system and lack of promotion and relegation though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on August 11, 2017, 09:52:06 AM
Quote from: Tyr on August 11, 2017, 04:40:37 AM
Early days yet but watching sunderlands first games in the championship I am cautiously optimistic.

It seems the thing that really sets the Premier league apart is not so much the quality but the lack of forgiveness for mistakes.
Sunderland as a team usually play pretty decent. Give much higher finishing teams a run for their money.... Only to have a few moments of silliness where they completely mess up and give the opposition a chance.
In the Premier league this means instantly 1-0 down.
In the championship not necessarily.
I'm quite excited for the season ahead. Fears of doing a Leeds are gone. It'll be nice to see Sunderland winning

I like Sunderland (us Charlton fans have a soft spot for them) but you were awful last season and I don't think you'll set the C'ship alight this year without Pickford and Defoe. I have you pegged as mid-table, maybe squeezing into the play offs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 11, 2017, 10:43:48 AM
FTM!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 11, 2017, 11:50:46 AM
Quote from: Gups on August 11, 2017, 09:52:06 AM
Quote from: Tyr on August 11, 2017, 04:40:37 AM
Early days yet but watching sunderlands first games in the championship I am cautiously optimistic.

It seems the thing that really sets the Premier league apart is not so much the quality but the lack of forgiveness for mistakes.
Sunderland as a team usually play pretty decent. Give much higher finishing teams a run for their money.... Only to have a few moments of silliness where they completely mess up and give the opposition a chance.
In the Premier league this means instantly 1-0 down.
In the championship not necessarily.
I'm quite excited for the season ahead. Fears of doing a Leeds are gone. It'll be nice to see Sunderland winning

I like Sunderland (us Charlton fans have a soft spot for them) but you were awful last season and I don't think you'll set the C'ship alight this year without Pickford and Defoe. I have you pegged as mid-table, maybe squeezing into the play offs.

I was scared of being relegated even a few months back.
Based off the Derby game though we might have a chance afterall.
Assuming Derby are representative of a solid play off challenging team and haven't gone to pot.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on August 11, 2017, 04:36:21 PM
Quote from: Tyr on August 11, 2017, 08:01:10 AM
America as the retirement league is in a funny place with China stealing it's position there.
Could be good for football in America overall.
Suddenly I've read good things about the developing derbies in NY and LA and in the north West becoming quite authentic.
Still really unsure about the franchise system and lack of promotion and relegation though.

Supposedly, MLS is at least considering a promotion and relegation system, and apparently there's a law suit being filed about the issue.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 11, 2017, 10:08:25 PM
There will never be promotion/relegation in MLS.

When owners put millions into the franchise, they don't intend on investing in a team that can potentially disappear into a  second-tier league. It's MLS Tier One or nothing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on August 12, 2017, 01:09:51 AM
I don't see why you need promotion/relegation to make a league.  You get the exact same effect from teams moving up from cellar-dwellers to contenders.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 12, 2017, 02:13:05 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 12, 2017, 01:09:51 AM
I don't see why you need promotion/relegation to make a league.  You get the exact same effect from teams moving up from cellar-dwellers to contenders.

Adds drama to the bottom as well as the top - nobody cares about the fight for 10th place, the fight for 17th and safety however....

Builds support for the lower level leagues. Knowing if only your team does well enough it could be playing at the top.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 12, 2017, 08:24:24 AM
Meanwhile, us Liverpool fans are in for another frustrating season
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 12, 2017, 09:22:54 AM
Quote from: Josephus on August 12, 2017, 08:24:24 AM
Meanwhile, us Liverpool fans are in for another frustrating season

Sell us Coutinho and buy better defenders  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on August 12, 2017, 10:38:15 AM
Quote from: Josephus on August 11, 2017, 10:08:25 PM
There will never be promotion/relegation in MLS.

When owners put millions into the franchise, they don't intend on investing in a team that can potentially disappear into a  second-tier league. It's MLS Tier One or nothing.

I don't disagree, but MLS have said that they are considering it.

Another problem is that the lower-tier leagues in the US aren't stable in the first place;  you might end up relegating someone to a league that doesn't exist anymore.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on August 12, 2017, 12:42:15 PM
Quote from: celedhring on August 12, 2017, 09:22:54 AM
Quote from: Josephus on August 12, 2017, 08:24:24 AM
Meanwhile, us Liverpool fans are in for another frustrating season

Sell us Coutinho and buy better defenders  :P

I don't think that'll help - Liverpool's weakness against clubs in the lower reaches of the Premiership has been their major Achilles heel for the last 20 years. As far as I can recall they've had 2 decent chances at the title in the last 20 years, and failing to put away the minnows is what, more than anything, killed those chances off.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 12, 2017, 04:54:59 PM
It is not going to be Chelsea's year. Everything went against them with Burnley. No way was it a red for cahill.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on August 14, 2017, 10:07:46 AM
It was kind of borderline red, really.

The media of course jumped on the "meltdown", they'd love a story of two years ago repeating. Also they play up Matic to be the best midfielder ever just because we sold him. If they actually paid attention the last couple of years they'd know we had Peak Matic 2-3 years ago.

I just hope the players will forget the first half and remember the second, they showed great spirit, stupid acts of frustration aside.

Morata is off to a flying start, but of course strikers often have really awesome starts in new teams, just to peter out. Will never forget how awed I was by Mutu, then he snorted his career up his nose.

Also this Christensen did well considering he was sent in for his first match in such circumstances. And I admit I didn't even notice we signed this Rudiger fellow, but I liked him.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on August 20, 2017, 04:21:36 AM
So Hamburger SV, who in recent years have become a bit of a laughing stock in German Bundesliga, add another chapter.

During the first match of the season, Nicolai Müller scored a goal, cheered, and during his celebration tore a knee ligament and will be out for 7 months. :D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziQyWRfKEwM
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on August 25, 2017, 10:58:40 AM
Ousmane Dembélé leaves Dortmund for Barcelona - for a fee of 105 to 147 million Euro. The sheer absurdity of these sums is mindblowing. Second most expensive player ever despite having played less than 100 professional games and only seven national games...  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 26, 2017, 05:35:12 AM
So Liverpool managed to keep their man and avoid selling him for 135 mil....
Hope he's worth it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 27, 2017, 11:00:44 AM
That was one of the worst first half performances from Arsenal I've ever seen. They should be down 4-0. Or 8-2. :looking at United:

Sell Alexis, sell Ozil, sell Ox; they obviously don't want to be at Arsenal anymore. Fire Wenger. Burn it down and start over. The rot eating away at this organization is overwhelming and finally is catching up with the team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 27, 2017, 11:57:31 AM
Arsene really should have left after the cup win last season. Stan should have insisted but he and the board don't really seem to care. 

At least the 8-2 could be chalked up to Arsene refusing to sign players and sending the kids out to be slaughtered. What is wrong at the club now can't be fixed by transfers. No one seems to care. 4-0 today almost feels worse than the loss to United.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 31, 2017, 03:50:23 PM
World Cup Qualifiers Highlight

France 4 Netherlands 0

Most of the goals were scored after the Dutch were reduced to players after two yellows but the Dutch are really in a sad state but France seemed really superior, a far cry from the game vs Sweden in June.
Added to the Swedish loss 2-3 in Bulgaria, the French national squad is again first of the group.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on August 31, 2017, 03:57:59 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on August 31, 2017, 03:50:23 PM
World Cup Qualifiers Highlight

France 4 Netherlands 0

Most of the goals were scored after the Dutch were reduced to players after two yellows but the Dutch are really in a sad state but France seemed really superior, a far cry from the game vs Sweden in June.
Added to the Swedish loss 2-3 in Bulgaria, the French national squad is again first of the group.

It was a rout. Worst loss in something like 50 years, and deservedly so.

Oddly enough our chances for second place improved thanks to Bulgaria.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on September 01, 2017, 02:52:58 AM
...aaaand PSG bought Mbappé too.

:rolleyes:

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 01, 2017, 04:00:29 PM
Denmark 4 - 0 Poland

And suddenly everybody thinks our team is good again, I'll wait with praise until after the away game in Armenia and Montenegro. #2games1point
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 01, 2017, 08:23:27 PM
Quote from: Pedrito on September 01, 2017, 02:52:58 AM
...aaaand PSG bought Mbappé too.

:rolleyes:

L.

Basically laughing at FFP  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 01, 2017, 08:25:22 PM
USA got schooled by Costa Rica in New York.

I maintain that Bruce Arena is Not A Good Coach.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on September 02, 2017, 01:08:48 AM
Yeah that was a big blow. Getting dangerously close to being in the same spot Mexico was in four years ago.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on September 02, 2017, 01:25:54 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on September 01, 2017, 08:25:22 PM
USA got schooled by Costa Rica in New York.

I maintain that Bruce Arena is Not A Good Coach.

Banner said he's 16-2 since his return.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 03, 2017, 04:08:57 PM
Upset of the night

France 0 Luxemburg 0

Luxemburg have been improving lately but this is disappointing to say the least after a such a triumph against the Netherlands.
Since Sweden won against Belarus (this is not hockey), and the Netherlands won against Bulgaria, France has only a one-point lead over Sweden (17 vs 16), with the Netherlands at 13 and Bulgaria at 12. Everything is still possible, France has to go to Bulgaria, a team responsible for a traumatic elimination in '93.

In Budapest, elbowing festival ending with a red and a minimum 1-0 victory for Portugal. Hungary was so much better in the EURO 2016...
Switzerland wins its 8th game in a row so Portugal its 7th, so the Selecção has hit play-off status, not qualified yet.

Hungary 0 Portugal 1

Game of the Night (yesterday)

Spain 3 Italy 0

At worst, Italy will hit the play-off, a team to avoid in play-offs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 03, 2017, 08:30:39 PM
portugal v italy in the playoffs...that would be a good one to watch
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 04, 2017, 03:43:13 PM
4-1 against Armenia in Yerevan. Maybe that old Norwegian actually managed to put some spirit into the team. :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 14, 2017, 03:16:52 PM
After the successful EC the women's team decided to try and get a better deal with the football union. So far they've been getting 10 free tickets for practise games instead of actual money and for the tournament games they got €300 per game.

Union responds with a classic lock out cancelling the friendly against Holland and is now threatening on forfeiting the WC qualifications and consequently the Olympics.

Can't have those women getting uppity.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on September 14, 2017, 03:35:37 PM
Quote from: Josephus on September 03, 2017, 08:30:39 PM
portugal v italy in the playoffs...that would be a good one to watch

Toronto shall burn.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 15, 2017, 03:34:50 AM
Quote from: HVC on September 14, 2017, 03:35:37 PM
Quote from: Josephus on September 03, 2017, 08:30:39 PM
portugal v italy in the playoffs...that would be a good one to watch

Toronto shall burn.

Are you sure? Play-offs are in November.  :P Pretty cold up there. ;)

Plus, there are two pots, it's more than likely than Portugal, Italy or France/Sweden will be seeded, should they not be first of their respective groups.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 15, 2017, 04:23:21 AM
I've been reading several articles about US football on 4-4-2 lately.

Apparently quite a lot brewing beneath MLS.
The old NASL  is demoted to division 3: https://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/features/nasls-winding-contentious-road-approaches-a-dark-end-whats-next

And some efforts underway to form a 'proper' league beneath all this:
https://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/features/why-us-soccers-future-pro-rel-smaller-markets-and-muffins

Overall impression...MLS is teh ev0l.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 26, 2017, 04:05:46 PM
Well. So much for my early season optimism. Sunderland are doing a Leeds :(

I'm very worried that next season we might beat our worst ever league finish (in the 80s: relegated to the 3rd division, promoted right away as champions)

No idea whats up as on paper we still keep some good players. They just aren't playing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 06, 2017, 07:24:20 PM
Jozy did a Panenka lol
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on October 08, 2017, 01:38:45 PM
We now need a 7-0 win against Sweden to make it to the playoffs.
Even after the clusterfuck so far, some people are confident this can be done :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on October 08, 2017, 01:58:37 PM
I'm glad Christian Pulisic decided to be from America and not from Croatia.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 08, 2017, 04:47:33 PM
Quote from: Maladict on October 08, 2017, 01:38:45 PM
We now need a 7-0 win against Sweden to make it to the playoffs.
Even after the clusterfuck so far, some people are confident this can be done :D

What did you do to the Luxemburgers so they went down 8-0?  :tinfoil: :P
Luxemburg had put up quite a fight till then in general (tie with France in Toulouse!).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on October 08, 2017, 05:00:51 PM
Germany qualified with ten wins and the best goal difference ever in Europe. The team hasn't lost a WC qualifier away game in 83 years...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on October 08, 2017, 07:43:21 PM
Did the German coach pick at his butt and smell his hand again?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 08, 2017, 09:57:56 PM
Quote from: PDH on October 08, 2017, 01:58:37 PM
I'm glad Christian Pulisic decided to be from America and not from Croatia.

He's real good. Hopefully he doesn't break before he's 21.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 09, 2017, 12:44:25 AM
I always seem to buy him on football manager.

Amazing Altidore plays for the US. And scores. He was recently declared the worst forward in premier league history by a British newspaper
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 09, 2017, 05:14:25 AM
Quote from: Tyr on October 09, 2017, 12:44:25 AMAmazing Altidore plays for the US. And scores. He was recently declared the worst forward in premier league history by a British newspaper

He was really poor in Spain as well. I guess he needs a team that adapts his system to him and his strengths, and he has that in the US Team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 09, 2017, 05:28:50 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 09, 2017, 05:14:25 AM
Quote from: Tyr on October 09, 2017, 12:44:25 AMAmazing Altidore plays for the US. And scores. He was recently declared the worst forward in premier league history by a British newspaper

He was really poor in Spain as well. I guess he needs a team that adapts his system to him and his strengths, and he has that in the US Team.

Or he just needs to play against CONCACAF minnows.

Pulisic's the real deal though. Love him.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 09, 2017, 06:01:39 AM
Quote from: celedhring on October 09, 2017, 05:28:50 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 09, 2017, 05:14:25 AM
Quote from: Tyr on October 09, 2017, 12:44:25 AMAmazing Altidore plays for the US. And scores. He was recently declared the worst forward in premier league history by a British newspaper

He was really poor in Spain as well. I guess he needs a team that adapts his system to him and his strengths, and he has that in the US Team.

Or he just needs to play against CONCACAF minnows.

Pulisic's the real deal though. Love him.

That always helps, I guess.  :lol: I believe he was halfway decent in his time in the Netherlands, although that isn't a really challenging league either. I guess he was another victim of the hype machine, Freddy Adu Mk.2 style.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 09, 2017, 09:02:43 AM
Altidore is ok playing for the US team. I don't know how well he plays for his MLS squad though. MLS is more his level. His was really really poor when he played for Sunderland.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 09, 2017, 09:29:14 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 09, 2017, 09:02:43 AM
Altidore is ok playing for the US team. I don't know how well he plays for his MLS squad though. MLS is more his level. His was really really poor when he played for Sunderland.

He does pretty well. He normally plays as a target man alongside Sebastian Giovinco. he's better than Defoe was here.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on October 09, 2017, 09:51:43 AM
Tomorrow both France and the US might qualify for the World Cup. That would be a good day.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 09, 2017, 11:18:15 AM
Quote from: Josephus on October 09, 2017, 09:29:14 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 09, 2017, 09:02:43 AM
Altidore is ok playing for the US team. I don't know how well he plays for his MLS squad though. MLS is more his level. His was really really poor when he played for Sunderland.

He does pretty well. He normally plays as a target man alongside Sebastian Giovinco. he's better than Defoe was here.

Which is funny. The general view is that the defoe for Altidore swap was one of the best deals of recent years, an absolute steal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on October 09, 2017, 04:27:17 PM
Well at least we get to root for Iceland again  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on October 09, 2017, 05:37:49 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 09, 2017, 09:02:43 AM
Altidore is ok playing for the US team. I don't know how well he plays for his MLS squad though. MLS is more his level.

He's still viewed as not living up to his potential.  Though that's probably a bit unfair;  expectations for him at the start of his professional career were unrealistically high.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 09, 2017, 06:42:43 PM
Quote from: Tyr on October 09, 2017, 11:18:15 AM
Quote from: Josephus on October 09, 2017, 09:29:14 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 09, 2017, 09:02:43 AM
Altidore is ok playing for the US team. I don't know how well he plays for his MLS squad though. MLS is more his level. His was really really poor when he played for Sunderland.

He does pretty well. He normally plays as a target man alongside Sebastian Giovinco. he's better than Defoe was here.

Which is funny. The general view is that the defoe for Altidore swap was one of the best deals of recent years, an absolute steal.

it probably was for Sunderland. But Dafoe never really took to Toronto. He was injured, cried for his mommy a lot, and was seeking treatment in England often. He was excited at first but it became obvious he lost interest about half way through the season.
Altidore is probably, no certainly, a less talented player, but he's been in MLS before, knew what was required of him, and more importantly, was happy to be here.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 09, 2017, 06:45:58 PM
Quote from: dps on October 09, 2017, 05:37:49 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 09, 2017, 09:02:43 AM
Altidore is ok playing for the US team. I don't know how well he plays for his MLS squad though. MLS is more his level.

He's still viewed as not living up to his potential.  Though that's probably a bit unfair;  expectations for him at the start of his professional career were unrealistically high.
By who? this year, in 25 games, he's scored 13 times and has six assists. Not bad, considering he's not the team's #1 striker.
In last year's playoff run he scored 5 goals in six games.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 10, 2017, 03:46:49 PM
Quote from: Zanza on October 08, 2017, 05:00:51 PM
Germany qualified with ten wins and the best goal difference ever in Europe. The team hasn't lost a WC qualifier away game in 83 years...

Switzerland could have equaled the ten wins but lost in Lisbon. I expect them to go through the play-offs though, they're seeded besides.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on October 10, 2017, 03:54:35 PM
And we're out  :)

No more Robben  :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 10, 2017, 03:55:25 PM
Quote from: Maladict on October 10, 2017, 03:54:35 PM
And we're out  :)

Sad.

Quote
No more Robben  :cry:

Not (so) sad at all.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on October 10, 2017, 03:56:14 PM
La France qualifiée!!

Now their revolutionary brothers can join them in a few hours.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on October 10, 2017, 03:57:03 PM
Quote from: Maladict on October 10, 2017, 03:54:35 PM
And we're out  :)

No more Robben  :cry:

Good ya bastards :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 10, 2017, 03:57:30 PM
Quote from: Maladict on October 10, 2017, 03:54:35 PM
And we're out  :)

No more Robben  :cry:

:console:

We're probably going to lose on away goals to Sweden in the playoffs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 10, 2017, 04:12:57 PM
Quote from: Valmy on October 10, 2017, 03:56:14 PM
La France qualifiée!!


Against the mighty Belarus with a 2-1 victory!  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on October 10, 2017, 05:02:03 PM
Quote from: Josephus on October 09, 2017, 06:45:58 PM
Quote from: dps on October 09, 2017, 05:37:49 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 09, 2017, 09:02:43 AM
Altidore is ok playing for the US team. I don't know how well he plays for his MLS squad though. MLS is more his level.

He's still viewed as not living up to his potential.  Though that's probably a bit unfair;  expectations for him at the start of his professional career were unrealistically high.
By who? this year, in 25 games, he's scored 13 times and has six assists. Not bad, considering he's not the team's #1 striker.
In last year's playoff run he scored 5 goals in six games.

The hype for him was just over the top, though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 10, 2017, 08:22:35 PM
Looks like we'll have Argentina in the WC after all.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on October 10, 2017, 08:54:38 PM
Quote from: Josephus on October 10, 2017, 08:22:35 PM
Looks like we'll have Argentina in the WC after all.
But no USA  :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 10, 2017, 08:56:29 PM
Looks like Toronto will keep Jozy and Bradley next summer :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 10, 2017, 09:16:58 PM
Hahahahahahaha
Hahaha hahaha



Hahahahahhaha

Hahahha

Ha
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 10, 2017, 09:17:55 PM
At least one half of my allegiance will be playing in Putinland next year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 10, 2017, 09:29:30 PM
And fucking lol at the US Soccer Federation firing Klinsmann to bring in a washed up Bruce Arena to save its asses fucking lmao :lmfao:

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on October 10, 2017, 10:20:42 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on October 10, 2017, 04:12:57 PM
Quote from: Valmy on October 10, 2017, 03:56:14 PM
La France qualifiée!!


Against the mighty Belarus with a 2-1 victory!  :P

Better than losing to not-so-mighty Trinidad and Tobago 2-1.

Fucking America. First Trump now this. My country fails me yet again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on October 10, 2017, 10:24:32 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 10, 2017, 09:17:55 PM
At least one half of my allegiance will be playing in Putinland next year.

Yeah but will it even be televised here? Will it even be covered? Back in 1986 I had to watch the fucking thing on Univision.

This really fucking sucks.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on October 10, 2017, 10:26:02 PM
Quote from: Valmy on October 10, 2017, 10:24:32 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 10, 2017, 09:17:55 PM
At least one half of my allegiance will be playing in Putinland next year.

Yeah but will it even be televised here? Will it even be covered? Back in 1986 I had to watch the fucking thing on Univision.

This really fucking sucks.
Fox sports already bought the rights, now will it get as much coverage with no USA.....
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on October 10, 2017, 10:39:14 PM
Quote from: katmai on October 10, 2017, 10:26:02 PM
Quote from: Valmy on October 10, 2017, 10:24:32 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 10, 2017, 09:17:55 PM
At least one half of my allegiance will be playing in Putinland next year.

Yeah but will it even be televised here? Will it even be covered? Back in 1986 I had to watch the fucking thing on Univision.

This really fucking sucks.
Fox sports already bought the rights, now will it get as much coverage with no USA.....

Fuck you USA hater :angry:

But glad to hear it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Monoriu on October 10, 2017, 10:46:19 PM
It is best if the US doesn't qualify for the World Cup.  They are getting better in recent years, and we need to prevent teams that have not won the World Cup from winning it.  So great news that the Netherlands and the US don't qualify, and Argentina does.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on October 11, 2017, 12:08:02 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 10, 2017, 09:29:30 PM
And fucking lol at the US Soccer Federation firing Klinsmann to bring in a washed up Bruce Arena to save its asses fucking lmao :lmfao:



Yeah, maybe Klinsmann wasn't the answer, but Arena had proved over the years that he certainly wasn't.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 11, 2017, 01:14:54 AM
Quote from: Valmy on October 10, 2017, 10:20:42 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on October 10, 2017, 04:12:57 PM
Quote from: Valmy on October 10, 2017, 03:56:14 PM
La France qualifiée!!


Against the mighty Belarus with a 2-1 victory!  :P

Better than losing to not-so-mighty Trinidad and Tobago 2-1.


Apples and oranges and you know it. CONCACAF is the easiest confederation to qualify from, thanks to FIFA interest in getting the US to qualify, and who knows one day, Canada. Problem is, it's not very competitive.
Belarus may not be a powerhouse but in ice hockey, ask Sweden.
At least, the French squad improved by beating Belarus, compared to the tie in their first match, and beat Bulgaria away, first time since the '30s.
Thing is, I'd rather have Swedish or even Batavian supporters, than French ones in a World Cup. Not that the latter travel in numbers anyways.
Plus, it provides a diversion for Micron who, like Hollande before, really needs it.  :P

Quote
Fucking America. First Trump now this. My country fails me yet again.

So sad!
So Arena is out I suppose?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on October 11, 2017, 02:21:58 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on October 11, 2017, 01:14:54 AM

So sad!
So Arena is out I suppose?
I'd expect Arena and the federation president as well. time to blow up the whole model.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on October 11, 2017, 02:25:11 AM
Quote from: Valmy on October 10, 2017, 10:39:14 PM

Fuck you USA hater :angry:

But glad to hear it.

QuoteFox Sports: The news of the U.S. team being eliminated comes just 13 days after Fox announced that the 2018 World Cup would be the biggest production in the brand's 24-year history with 350 live hours of programming.

Fox paid about $200 million for this year's Cup and giving the advertisers the numbers they want might be difficult with the English language broadcaster's home team not playing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 11, 2017, 03:28:39 AM
Lol, it didn't occur to me that the USMNT could fuck this up and didn't even check the result this morning (I consider the US my second team, after living there for a few years). What the hell happened?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on October 11, 2017, 03:47:43 AM
Arena in all of his wisdom kept the same formation and lineup from Friday's match.
When all that was needed was a tie he basically had a 4-1-2-3.
The USMNT hasn't had a steady CB duo and Omar Gonzalez had bad OG.
And because of failings in development the team is very thin at Midfield. In the game Bradley wasn't very well supported.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on October 11, 2017, 07:36:49 AM
Don't worry, we all qualify for the 2026 WC.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 11, 2017, 07:43:26 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 11, 2017, 07:36:49 AM
Don't worry, we all qualify for the 2026 WC.

that's not a given yet, either.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 11, 2017, 07:44:45 AM
USA reminds me a bit of England. They're like the England of CONCACAF. They think they're a lot better than they are, and feel entitled to win everything and cry when they don't.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on October 11, 2017, 07:46:05 AM
Quote from: Josephus on October 11, 2017, 07:43:26 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 11, 2017, 07:36:49 AM
Don't worry, we all qualify for the 2026 WC.

that's not a given yet, either.

Nothing is ever given with FIFA or this post 2016 world but WC expands to 48 teams & the only other bid is Morroco.

Give 3 of the 6 CONCACAF places to USA, Mexico & Canada then let Central America fight it out for the remaining 3 is sensible.

Plus FIFA has to make it up to FOX for the 2022 WC fiasco.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on October 11, 2017, 08:23:22 AM
Quote from: Josephus on October 11, 2017, 07:44:45 AM
USA reminds me a bit of England. They're like the England of CONCACAF. They think they're a lot better than they are, and feel entitled to win everything and cry when they don't.

USA has won 6 of the 14 gold cups. Within CONCACAF, we are like the Argentina of South America. One of the two elite teams. Just being elite in CONCACAF doesn't translate to elite at the world cup, but I don't think anyone is under illusions otherwise.

USA should be able to manage a draw with Trinidad and Tobago.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on October 11, 2017, 09:03:54 AM
Quote from: Josephus on October 11, 2017, 07:44:45 AM
USA reminds me a bit of England. They're like the England of CONCACAF. They think they're a lot better than they are, and feel entitled to win everything and cry when they don't.

Well that is just not true. We are pretty shocked when they win anything outside of CONCACAF.

But CONCACAF is not Europe. Not qualifying is a huge embarrassment. I mean I know we are not some elite soccer country but surely team USA can beat countries 1/100th of our size on a consistent basis.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 11, 2017, 09:05:00 AM
Panamá has decreed a national holiday. That's what the World Cup is about.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on October 11, 2017, 09:06:52 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 11, 2017, 07:36:49 AM
Don't worry, we all qualify for the 2026 WC.

Well hopefully the USA can bounce back for 2022 and not have to wait that long.

Basically what happened to us is what almost happened to Mexico four years ago. Fuck.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on October 11, 2017, 09:12:25 AM
Quote from: Valmy on October 11, 2017, 09:03:54 AM
surely team USA can beat countries 1/100th of our size on a consistent basis.

:yeahright:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 11, 2017, 09:27:31 AM
Quote from: celedhring on October 11, 2017, 09:05:00 AM
Panamá has decreed a national holiday. That's what the World Cup is about.  :)

I'm glad Panama got in. That owns. They definitely deserve it more than this current US squad.

FIFA and Fox must be distraught that the US didn't qualify. The Hexagonal is basically contructed so that the Mexico and the US can always qualify. How the US failed spectacularly this time will be remembered for a long time.

Klinsmann was a bad coach who tried to transform the team into something it's not yet capable of but he at least had a vision and he's right that the current American youth and league system are shit and are holding American players back. Arena is still living on past glories and shouldn't have been appointed as a replacement. He's an unimaginative and condescending dick.

This current US team is bad, obviously. Its only good player is a 19-year old kid. Howard and Dempsey are way past it and Bradley has actively regressed so much since he left Italy for MLS. Our center backs are a joke. Playing a medicore Bradley alone in front of a defense that bad is moronic. He badly needs someone to pair up with in front of the defense, like how Jones used to.

I laughed when I saw the news last night. I didn't expect the US to lose to TnT but it also didn't surprise me that it did.



Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on October 11, 2017, 09:35:03 AM
Quote from: Valmy on October 11, 2017, 09:06:52 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 11, 2017, 07:36:49 AM
Don't worry, we all qualify for the 2026 WC.

Well hopefully the USA can bounce back for 2022 and not have to wait that long.

Basically what happened to us is what almost happened to Mexico four years ago. Fuck.

We should have lost that match to keep them out. I said at the time that they would have done us that way. And here we are.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on October 11, 2017, 09:41:55 AM
Quote from: Maladict on October 11, 2017, 09:12:25 AM
Quote from: Valmy on October 11, 2017, 09:03:54 AM
surely team USA can beat countries 1/100th of our size on a consistent basis.

:yeahright:

They did it for thirty years. I don't think that is an unrealistic expectation.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on October 11, 2017, 09:42:44 AM
Quote from: alfred russel on October 11, 2017, 09:35:03 AM
We should have lost that match to keep them out. I said at the time that they would have done us that way. And here we are.

Yeah I said that at the time. But this is not Mexico's fault. Team USA's wounds were self-inflicted.

However Mexico only qualified last time due to Team USA's charity. So I guess it happens even to the best of us. Still pretty pathetic.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on October 11, 2017, 10:08:15 AM
Quote from: Valmy on October 11, 2017, 09:41:55 AM
Quote from: Maladict on October 11, 2017, 09:12:25 AM
Quote from: Valmy on October 11, 2017, 09:03:54 AM
surely team USA can beat countries 1/100th of our size on a consistent basis.

:yeahright:

They did it for thirty years. I don't think that is an unrealistic expectation.

There are probably a dozen countries 1/100th the size of the US that could beat them on a regular basis.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 11, 2017, 10:12:32 AM
Depends if we're talking population or land mass.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on October 11, 2017, 10:20:15 AM
Quote from: celedhring on October 11, 2017, 10:12:32 AM
Depends if we're talking population or land mass.

True, but there are probably still a couple population-wise  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on October 11, 2017, 10:21:37 AM
The best American young athletes don't play soccer. Do they in Germany? France? They do in Brazil or Argentina.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on October 11, 2017, 10:31:36 AM
Quote from: celedhring on October 11, 2017, 09:05:00 AM
Panamá has decreed a national holiday. That's what the World Cup is about.  :)

Would have been better if it was Puerto Rico... do they have their own team?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 11, 2017, 10:36:24 AM
Quote from: HVC on October 11, 2017, 10:31:36 AM
Quote from: celedhring on October 11, 2017, 09:05:00 AM
Panamá has decreed a national holiday. That's what the World Cup is about.  :)

Would have been better if it was Puerto Rico... do they have their own team?

Yes, but they're crap. They failed to get anywhere near the Hexagonal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on October 11, 2017, 10:40:12 AM
Quote from: celedhring on October 11, 2017, 10:36:24 AM
Quote from: HVC on October 11, 2017, 10:31:36 AM
Quote from: celedhring on October 11, 2017, 09:05:00 AM
Panamá has decreed a national holiday. That's what the World Cup is about.  :)

Would have been better if it was Puerto Rico... do they have their own team?

Yes, but they're crap.
I'd guess it is third in popularity behind baseball and basketball  on the island.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 11, 2017, 11:38:41 AM
At least American soccer fans can finally develop an ever-present cynicism about their national team that most of the major soccer nations have.   :D

"I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL W-"

"oh........ "
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on October 11, 2017, 12:03:59 PM
Quote from: Maladict on October 11, 2017, 10:08:15 AM
There are probably a dozen countries 1/100th the size of the US that could beat them on a regular basis.

Oh great. Is this the obnoxious ignorant bullshit I have to put up with now?

Feel free to list these dozen countries with three million people or less along with their record against the US. Uruguay maybe but, you know, they have only ever beaten the US once.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: grumbler on October 11, 2017, 12:06:03 PM
Quote from: Josephus on October 11, 2017, 07:44:45 AM
USA reminds me a bit of England. They're like the England of CONCACAF. They think they're a lot better than they are, and feel entitled to win everything and cry when they don't.

The US yawns when the the US teams win at soccer, and yawns when they lose.  The Americans don't think that "they're a lot better than they are," they think that they are a lot ore boring than they (possibly) are.  It is possible that both US soccer fans feel entitled, but if they do, neither is admitting it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on October 11, 2017, 12:12:19 PM
Aren't most American soccer fans more fans of rooting for various european countries anyways, rather than their own national team?

Or is that just in Canada, where our national team doesn't ever win anything.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on October 11, 2017, 12:59:20 PM
Quote from: Barrister on October 11, 2017, 12:12:19 PM
Aren't most American soccer fans more fans of rooting for various european countries anyways, rather than their own national team?

Or is that just in Canada, where our men national team doesn't ever win anything.

Fixed it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 11, 2017, 01:13:45 PM
Quote from: grumbler on October 11, 2017, 12:06:03 PM
Quote from: Josephus on October 11, 2017, 07:44:45 AM
USA reminds me a bit of England. They're like the England of CONCACAF. They think they're a lot better than they are, and feel entitled to win everything and cry when they don't.

The US yawns when the the US teams win at soccer, and yawns when they lose.  The Americans don't think that "they're a lot better than they are," they think that they are a lot ore boring than they (possibly) are.  It is possible that both US soccer fans feel entitled, but if they do, neither is admitting it.

American fans are arrogant and entitled in general but generally that's because we're actually good at basically every other sport except soccer, so yes, American soccer fans are entitled.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on October 11, 2017, 01:23:04 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 11, 2017, 01:13:45 PM
American fans are arrogant and entitled in general but generally that's because we're actually good at basically every other sport except soccer, so yes, American soccer fans are entitled.

I think we should put a little bit of pressure on our national team to at least be respectable. That requires being entitled and bitching.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on October 11, 2017, 01:23:59 PM
Quote from: Barrister on October 11, 2017, 12:12:19 PM
Aren't most American soccer fans more fans of rooting for various european countries anyways, rather than their own national team?

I think most fans around the world have countries they root for besides their own. Even Brazilians and Germans...well maybe not them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on October 11, 2017, 01:28:26 PM
One of the most famous cheers of US soccer fans is repeating over and over: "I believe that we will win."

It is a chant that started because it was so unlikely that the US would actually win. Germany and Brazil don't chant that because it is a dumb chant and they probably have better ones, but also because everyone thinks they will win. An underdog taking on a powerhouse chanting about winning is bold and brazen, but the powerhouse with such a chant is just stupid.

My point being, US fans realize their team is less than top tier on the international stage.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 11, 2017, 01:44:41 PM
Quote from: Valmy on October 11, 2017, 01:23:04 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 11, 2017, 01:13:45 PM
American fans are arrogant and entitled in general but generally that's because we're actually good at basically every other sport except soccer, so yes, American soccer fans are entitled.

I think we should put a little bit of pressure on our national team to at least be respectable. That requires being entitled and bitching.

That is fair and something I agree with. With the amount of resources at the disposal of the USSF it really is inexcusable to have only 3 wins in the Hex. The players are bad, the coaches are bad, the youth setup is bad (our youth squads haven't made the past 2 Olympics) .

Remember Gulati saying something several years ago to the effect of winning the World Cup in 20 years? :lmfao:

Hopefully this disaster lights a fire and things turn around for 2022 or 2026.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on October 11, 2017, 02:05:50 PM
Quote from: Valmy on October 11, 2017, 12:03:59 PM
Quote from: Maladict on October 11, 2017, 10:08:15 AM
There are probably a dozen countries 1/100th the size of the US that could beat them on a regular basis.

Oh great. Is this the obnoxious ignorant bullshit I have to put up with now?

Feel free to list these dozen countries with three million people or less along with their record against the US. Uruguay maybe but, you know, they have only ever beaten the US once.

Relax  :)
My side crashed out too, and is possibly lost even deeper in the desert  :hug:








Iceland will kick the crap out of you though  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on October 11, 2017, 03:02:19 PM
Well ok after that last Euro I cannot dispute that  :P

But seriously losing to all those Caribbean and Central American states should not happen. I mean it is going to happen sometimes because it is soccer but it should be rare.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 11, 2017, 03:02:58 PM
Quote from: Maladict on October 11, 2017, 02:05:50 PM
Quote from: Valmy on October 11, 2017, 12:03:59 PM
Quote from: Maladict on October 11, 2017, 10:08:15 AM
There are probably a dozen countries 1/100th the size of the US that could beat them on a regular basis.

Oh great. Is this the obnoxious ignorant bullshit I have to put up with now?

Feel free to list these dozen countries with three million people or less along with their record against the US. Uruguay maybe but, you know, they have only ever beaten the US once.

Relax  :)
My side crashed out too, and is possibly lost even deeper in the desert  :hug:








Iceland will kick the crap out of you though  :P

We will join our brothers from the Netherlands and Chile in football Valhalla.  :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 11, 2017, 03:16:07 PM
Quote from: Valmy on October 11, 2017, 03:02:19 PM
Well ok after that last Euro I cannot dispute that  :P

But seriously losing to all those Caribbean and Central American states should not happen. I mean it is going to happen sometimes because it is soccer but it should be rare.

Yup. In past cycles the US pretty handily qualified. The Hex is basically constructed such that the US and Mexico have a strong chance to at least get to a playoff for a final World Cup berth. The US placed 1st in the Hex in the 2006, 2010, and 2014 qualification cycles.

3 wins in 10 games against teams like TnT, Honduras, and Panama is pretty pathetic. I can honestly forgive losses to Mexico and Costa Rica, historically decent sides.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 11, 2017, 05:07:24 PM
Quote from: Valmy on October 11, 2017, 01:23:59 PM
Quote from: Barrister on October 11, 2017, 12:12:19 PM
Aren't most American soccer fans more fans of rooting for various european countries anyways, rather than their own national team?

I think most fans around the world have countries they root for besides their own. Even Brazilians and Germans...well maybe not them.

Brazilians will root for anybody against Argentina.  :P
Germans? Anybody playing against Italy or the Netherlands, or back in the day, England.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 12, 2017, 12:47:29 AM
Quote from: Valmy on October 10, 2017, 10:20:42 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on October 10, 2017, 04:12:57 PM
Quote from: Valmy on October 10, 2017, 03:56:14 PM
La France qualifiée!!


Against the mighty Belarus with a 2-1 victory!  :P

Better than losing to not-so-mighty Trinidad and Tobago 2-1.

More, and back on topic. France gets seeded status for the WC draw, unlike Spain by a mere 8 FIFA points lead, or England and Italy. All of that, thanks to the infamous FIFA ranking and its quirks, this victory and a very unlikely chain of events: defeats of Wales vs Ireland, Switzerland vs Portugal, Chile vs Brazil and Peru tie with Colombia (the latter two are more surprising).
So there is something to rejoice for you. :)
Once again, FIFA ranking system is a mess, putting at a disavantage teams who play (more) friendlies.

This Le Monde article has all the details.

http://www.lemonde.fr/mondial-2018/article/2017/10/11/coupe-du-monde-2018-la-france-miraculeusement-tete-de-serie-malgre-la-fff_5199415_5193650.html (http://www.lemonde.fr/mondial-2018/article/2017/10/11/coupe-du-monde-2018-la-france-miraculeusement-tete-de-serie-malgre-la-fff_5199415_5193650.html)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on October 12, 2017, 07:25:14 AM
Why would you advantage teams who play more friendlies? Friendlies are training & cash grab games. Worth nothing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on October 12, 2017, 02:10:31 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 12, 2017, 07:25:14 AM
Why would you advantage teams who play more friendlies? Friendlies are training & cash grab games. Worth nothing.

I can think of 3 reasons off the top of my head:

1)  You want to encourage teams to play more friendlies.

2)  You're incompetent at designing a ranking system.

3)  Someone bribed you to do it that way.

Given FIFA, those are likely listed in their inverse order of likelihood/importance.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 17, 2017, 09:01:29 AM
WC Q Playoffs

Danmark - Irland
Nordirland – Schweiz
Kroatien – Grækenland
Sverige - Italien

I think we've got a good chance of winning the playoffs against Ireland, so maybe finally we'll get to a WC again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on October 17, 2017, 09:32:51 AM
Love the Greece name.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 17, 2017, 09:46:40 AM
Quote from: Liep on October 17, 2017, 09:01:29 AM
WC Q Playoffs

Danmark - Irland
Nordirland – Schweiz
Kroatien – Grækenland
Sverige - Italien

I think we've got a good chance of winning the playoffs against Ireland, so maybe finally we'll get to a WC again.

Most people would rather have Irish fans around.  :P Plus, Denmark-Sweden would be so much better and would guarantee a Scandinavian team.  :smarty:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on October 17, 2017, 10:17:50 AM
Quote from: Liep on October 17, 2017, 09:01:29 AM
WC Q Playoffs

Danmark - Irland
Nordirland – Schweiz
Kroatien – Grækenland
Sverige - Italien

I think we've got a good chance of winning the playoffs against Ireland, so maybe finally we'll get to a WC again.

Hopefully  :cool:

Northern Ireland / Switzerland on the other hand  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 17, 2017, 10:19:31 AM
Quote from: Maladict on October 17, 2017, 10:17:50 AM
Northern Ireland / Switzerland on the other hand  :rolleyes:

Switzerland should win this one.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 17, 2017, 10:57:09 AM
Our good national team is however not so fortunate. :( The union is forfeiting the qualification game against Sweden tomorrow because they won't sign an improved contract that would see the women employed on the same conditions as the men although at a much lower pay.

This results in a disqualification and there's no longer any way to qualify for the Olympics either. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on October 17, 2017, 12:12:17 PM
What does 'same conditions' mean?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 17, 2017, 12:18:22 PM
Quote from: Valmy on October 17, 2017, 12:12:17 PM
What does 'same conditions' mean?

Basically that the Union takes on the role of employer which gives the players certain legal rights as well as the state benefits that comes from having a job.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on October 17, 2017, 12:19:18 PM
Quote from: Liep on October 17, 2017, 12:18:22 PM
Quote from: Valmy on October 17, 2017, 12:12:17 PM
What does 'same conditions' mean?

Basically that the Union takes on the role of employer which gives the players certain legal rights as well as the state benefits that comes from having a job.

Ah. So what are they now? Basically temps or contract employees or something?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 17, 2017, 12:22:42 PM
Quote from: Valmy on October 17, 2017, 12:19:18 PM
Ah. So what are they now? Basically temps or contract employees or something?

Something like that, they're not earning a lot from the games and that won't change, but with the new status the good players will have an easier time focusing 100% on football instead of having to work part time elsewhere to make sure they can get benefits during maternity leave, loss of job (injury) or whatever.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 17, 2017, 12:23:51 PM
It makes a lot of sense for women's football in Denmark to give them the contract, but I guess the Union still sees women doing sports as a phase.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on October 17, 2017, 08:07:23 PM
Looks like Val will get the Columbus team in Austin in a few years. Columbus is balking at a taxpayer funded stadium downtown.

The old stadium is a whole 18 years old.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on October 17, 2017, 10:26:07 PM
Well we are certainly not building them one.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 19, 2017, 07:31:02 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on October 17, 2017, 08:07:23 PM
Looks like Val will get the Columbus team in Austin in a few years. Columbus is balking at a taxpayer funded stadium downtown.

The old stadium is a whole 18 years old.

MLS owners are almost as bad as NFL owners. Makes sense considering some of them own NFL teams too.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on October 19, 2017, 08:02:08 AM
Columbus stadium is too small tho. Pitch wise.


I applaud Columbus's stand. These owners can build their own stadium.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on October 19, 2017, 10:28:53 AM
Of course we have no pitch for them to play on. Our lower tier soccer club played at a High School football stadium and I don't mean some Friday Night Lights gold plated thing, a big city High School Stadium, built in the 60s that nobody gives a shit about. So I have to question their wisdom here. But they might be able to get Round Rock to pay for it, those people have more dollars than sense.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 19, 2017, 11:49:38 AM
Never ceases to amaze how American football and European football are opposites of the societies in which they reside.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on October 19, 2017, 12:15:07 PM
Quote from: Tyr on October 19, 2017, 11:49:38 AM
Never ceases to amaze how American football and European football are opposites of the societies in which they reside.

Please explain--i don't follow.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 19, 2017, 12:16:05 PM
Quote from: Valmy on October 19, 2017, 10:28:53 AM
Of course we have no pitch for them to play on. Our lower tier soccer club played at a High School football stadium and I don't mean some Friday Night Lights gold plated thing, a big city High School Stadium, built in the 60s that nobody gives a shit about. So I have to question their wisdom here. But they might be able to get Round Rock to pay for it, those people have more dollars than sense.

When I was a kid my team would often drive up to Round Rock for youth games. We always clowned on them lol
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 19, 2017, 12:19:07 PM
Quote from: Tyr on October 19, 2017, 11:49:38 AM
Never ceases to amaze how American football and European football are opposites of the societies in which they reside.

It is odd. Pay for play is king here so the "elite" youth teams are the reserve of rich suburban folk while poor black and brown kids dream of playing football or basketball instead of soccer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 19, 2017, 02:07:32 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on October 19, 2017, 12:15:07 PM
Quote from: Tyr on October 19, 2017, 11:49:38 AM
Never ceases to amaze how American football and European football are opposites of the societies in which they reside.

Please explain--i don't follow.

European football is very free market. Anyone can theoretically utterly collapse into oblivion or rise from nothing to the top.

American football is very controlled. A closed market where the best remain the best and there can never be change.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on October 20, 2017, 08:52:08 AM
That's true for all American sports

Regulation/Promotion systems are stupid.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on October 20, 2017, 11:03:08 AM
Quote from: Tyr on October 19, 2017, 02:07:32 PM

American football is very controlled. A closed market where the best remain the best and there can never be change.

Our (original) leagues were formed by alliances of clubs (or rather groups of men willing to invest in clubs). They wouldn't have come together if their financial futures were going to be determined by something like actual performance on the field.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on October 20, 2017, 12:21:40 PM
Quote from: Valmy on October 20, 2017, 11:03:08 AM
Our (original) leagues were formed by alliances of clubs (or rather groups of men willing to invest in clubs). They wouldn't have come together if their financial futures were going to be determined by something like actual performance on the field.

Pretty sure that's the same in Europe. I expect the difference is that there were significantly more clubs, and that most of them were associations of amateur enthusiasts (rather than businesses hiring professionals) at the time the leagues formed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on October 20, 2017, 12:40:34 PM
If they were associations of amateur enthusiasts then that is not the same.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on October 20, 2017, 12:49:19 PM
Quote from: Valmy on October 20, 2017, 11:03:08 AM
Quote from: Tyr on October 19, 2017, 02:07:32 PM

American football is very controlled. A closed market where the best remain the best and there can never be change.

Our (original) leagues were formed by alliances of clubs (or rather groups of men willing to invest in clubs). They wouldn't have come together if their financial futures were going to be determined by something like actual performance on the field.

Then why are businesses (including American ones) willing to invest in European football clubs where that risk exists?(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on October 20, 2017, 01:00:16 PM
Quote from: Gups on October 20, 2017, 12:49:19 PM
Then why are businesses (including American ones) willing to invest in European football clubs where that risk exists?(

Investing in an existing and proven to be profitable system is different from starting one from scratch, especially in the far more shaky sports business atmosphere of the 1870s, 1920s, and 1940s. Back then clubs were doing good to simply be financially solvent year to year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on October 20, 2017, 02:00:24 PM
Quote from: Valmy on October 20, 2017, 12:40:34 PM
If they were associations of amateur enthusiasts then that is not the same.

Right. The similarity is that the leagues were formed by the clubs. The difference is that the clubs in Europe were actual clubs, whereas the ones in the US were businesses from the get-go.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on October 20, 2017, 02:28:24 PM
Quote from: Jacob on October 20, 2017, 02:00:24 PM
Quote from: Valmy on October 20, 2017, 12:40:34 PM
If they were associations of amateur enthusiasts then that is not the same.

Right. The similarity is that the leagues were formed by the clubs. The difference is that the clubs in Europe were actual clubs, whereas the ones in the US were businesses from the get-go.

Mostly correct.  But there are some clubs, like the WhiteCaps, which draw upon a long history (well for these parts) so they are not being created from whole cloth.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on October 20, 2017, 03:05:08 PM
I am talking about how our league systems were formed in the 19th and early 20th centuries though. The fact that the Whitecaps might have formed a certain way has nothing to do with why the league structure exists. There were a few exceptions even then, the now Arizona Cardinals of the NFL were originally formed as an amateur team I think, they predate the NFL by several years. But generally what Jake said is right.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on October 20, 2017, 03:37:24 PM
Quote from: Valmy on October 20, 2017, 03:05:08 PM
But generally what Jake said is right.

That is why I said, "mostly correct"!


I am beginning to remember why I havent logged on for so long. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on October 20, 2017, 03:44:43 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on October 20, 2017, 03:37:24 PM
Quote from: Valmy on October 20, 2017, 03:05:08 PM
But generally what Jake said is right.

That is why I said, "mostly correct"!


I am beginning to remember why I havent logged on for so long. :P

I apologize I was just clarifying. Sometimes I feel like I have a hard time getting my point across.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on October 20, 2017, 03:58:25 PM
 :) No problem
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on October 20, 2017, 04:05:01 PM
Quote from: Tyr on October 19, 2017, 02:07:32 PM
European football is very free market. Anyone can theoretically utterly collapse into oblivion or rise from nothing to the top.

American football is very controlled. A closed market where the best remain the best and there can never be change.

I vigorously disagree that the American sports system is not free market. A true "free market" without government interference isn't a land of open competition in many aspects of the economy: it is an environment where businesses collude together to keep out competition, fix the price and conditions of labor, and obtain monopolistic pricing through collective action.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on October 20, 2017, 04:21:38 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on October 20, 2017, 04:05:01 PM
Quote from: Tyr on October 19, 2017, 02:07:32 PM
European football is very free market. Anyone can theoretically utterly collapse into oblivion or rise from nothing to the top.

American football is very controlled. A closed market where the best remain the best and there can never be change.

I vigorously disagree that the American sports system is not free market. A true "free market" without government interference isn't a land of open competition in many aspects of the economy: it is an environment where businesses collude together to keep out competition, fix the price and conditions of labor, and obtain monopolistic pricing through collective action.

I think you might be missing his point.  The NFL is a closed club.  The Premier League is not.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on October 20, 2017, 04:28:04 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on October 20, 2017, 04:21:38 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on October 20, 2017, 04:05:01 PM
Quote from: Tyr on October 19, 2017, 02:07:32 PM
European football is very free market. Anyone can theoretically utterly collapse into oblivion or rise from nothing to the top.

American football is very controlled. A closed market where the best remain the best and there can never be change.

I vigorously disagree that the American sports system is not free market. A true "free market" without government interference isn't a land of open competition in many aspects of the economy: it is an environment where businesses collude together to keep out competition, fix the price and conditions of labor, and obtain monopolistic pricing through collective action.

I think you might be missing his point.  The NFL is a closed club.  The Premier League is not.

I think you're missing Dorsey's point. ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on October 20, 2017, 04:30:43 PM
Quote from: Barrister on October 20, 2017, 04:28:04 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on October 20, 2017, 04:21:38 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on October 20, 2017, 04:05:01 PM
Quote from: Tyr on October 19, 2017, 02:07:32 PM
European football is very free market. Anyone can theoretically utterly collapse into oblivion or rise from nothing to the top.

American football is very controlled. A closed market where the best remain the best and there can never be change.

I vigorously disagree that the American sports system is not free market. A true "free market" without government interference isn't a land of open competition in many aspects of the economy: it is an environment where businesses collude together to keep out competition, fix the price and conditions of labor, and obtain monopolistic pricing through collective action.

I think you might be missing his point.  The NFL is a closed club.  The Premier League is not.

I think you're missing Dorsey's point. ;)

Since he was disagreeing with Tyr, I am missing the point you are making.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on October 20, 2017, 04:45:26 PM
Can someone explain to me what's going on here?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on October 20, 2017, 04:56:13 PM
Quote from: Jacob on October 20, 2017, 04:45:26 PM
Can someone explain to me what's going on here?

Not entirely sure what BB is on about.  But it seems Dorsey objects to the NFL being characterized as a closed market when compared to the other football.

Not sure how one explains the continued existence of the Browns in the NFL, other than the fact the owner owns the NFL franchise and so can go on sucking for as long as he wants without fear of not being in the NFL.  But perhaps Dorsey has an explanation.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on October 20, 2017, 05:58:08 PM
Quote from: Valmy on October 20, 2017, 03:05:08 PM
I am talking about how our league systems were formed in the 19th and early 20th centuries though. The fact that the Whitecaps might have formed a certain way has nothing to do with why the league structure exists. There were a few exceptions even then, the now Arizona Cardinals of the NFL were originally formed as an amateur team I think, they predate the NFL by several years. But generally what Jake said is right.

I think that you're overlooking differences in the early history of pro baseball and pro football, although the early history of both was a lot more chaotic with league membership more unstable than most people realize.  For example, in the early years of the NFL, there were teams that attended league meetings and paid their due every year, but never played any league games, because they knew they weren't good enough to compete with the stronger teams, but wanted to keep league membership in the hopes of improving and being able to compete in later years.  There were a lot of reforms and a major reorganization of the NFL during the league meetings between the 1932 and 1933 seasons, and after that you didn't see that sort of thing anymore.

As for the Cardinals, yeah, they started off as the Morgan AC in 1898, 22 years before the NFL was founded, but AFAIK by the time the league was organized, they were "normal" team with an owner and all.  Some of the other teams started off as athletic clubs, but also had owners by the time the league came along, while others were founded by businessmen as a business venture from the start   The Packers were a bit of an outlier;  they started off as the company team of a meat packing plant, just a couple of years before the league got started.

In baseball, though, early professional teams started as athletic clubs, and were still basically club teams when the National Association was organized in 1871,  The replacement of the National Association by the National League in 1876 marked the change-over from teams being clubs to being businesses.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on October 21, 2017, 11:15:00 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on October 20, 2017, 04:56:13 PM
Quote from: Jacob on October 20, 2017, 04:45:26 PM
Can someone explain to me what's going on here?

Not entirely sure what BB is on about.  But it seems Dorsey objects to the NFL being characterized as a closed market when compared to the other football.

Not sure how one explains the continued existence of the Browns in the NFL, other than the fact the owner owns the NFL franchise and so can go on sucking for as long as he wants without fear of not being in the NFL.  But perhaps Dorsey has an explanation.

Did you read his post?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on October 21, 2017, 11:16:14 PM
Quote from: dps on October 20, 2017, 05:58:08 PM
In baseball, though, early professional teams started as athletic clubs, and were still basically club teams when the National Association was organized in 1871,  The replacement of the National Association by the National League in 1876 marked the change-over from teams being clubs to being businesses.

Yeah it was a truly amateur league from the 1850s until the 1870s.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on October 22, 2017, 06:37:07 PM
Quote from: Jacob on October 20, 2017, 04:45:26 PM
Can someone explain to me what's going on here?

Nerdfight
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 03, 2017, 02:40:42 PM
Évra, of Knysna fame (remember the strike by the French squad in WC 2010?) kicks off a new career after the end of his football life.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/nov/02/patrice-evra-sent-off-kicking-fan-marseille (https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/nov/02/patrice-evra-sent-off-kicking-fan-marseille)

(https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t34.0-12/23201946_10213653076614363_413211592_n.jpg?oh=2c6dde83ff63e8d60d121a6533951d5a&oe=59FF470F)

QuotePatrice Evra sent off before game begins for kicking out at Marseille supporter
• Marseille player appeared to kick fan in head before Europa League tie
• Substitute Evra dismissed before match against Vitória had kicked off

The former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra brought back memories of Eric Cantona after being sent off for aiming a kick at a Marseille supporter before his side's Europa League game at Vitória de Guimarães.

Trouble flared during the warmup as supporters and players clashed and pictures appeared to show the 36-year-old kicking a fan in the head at the side of the pitch in Portugal. Video footage showed Evra lashing out at one of his own club's fans as supporters reached the advertising hoardings at the Estadio D Afonso Henriques in Guimarães.

The Frenchman was then was ushered away by a team-mate but not before creating history – he became the first player to be sent off from a Europa League match before kick-off. Marseille, who also had Boubacar Kamara dismissed during the match, went down 1-0.

The ugly incident was reminiscent of Cantona's infamous kung-fu kick at Selhurst Park in 1995 when the United player was sent off for attacking the Crystal Palace supporter Matthew Simmons. Evra is now likely to face a lengthy Uefa ban while his future at Marseille will come under fierce scrutiny in the coming days.

Rudi García, the Marseille coach said: "Pat has experience and he must not react. Patrice is a more than experienced player and we cannot respond to insults so low and so incredible because they come from one of our supporters."

Evra, who won five Premier League titles and the Champions League during an eight-year spell with United, joined Marseille from Juventus in January but has struggled to hold down a first-team place. The left-back has not been sent off during a match since 2005, when he was dismissed during Monaco's Ligue 1 game against Auxerre.

Plus Marseille lost by sending a B-team when they could have secured qualification by not underestimating their opponent. But then, Marseille never won in Portugal before.

PS: Benzéma on the left seems to fatter by 20 kg from the last time I saw him.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 13, 2017, 04:43:55 PM
Italy about to crash out  :o

edit: they're out!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 13, 2017, 05:00:54 PM
Quote from: Maladict on November 13, 2017, 04:43:55 PM
Italy about to crash out  :o

edit: they're out!

:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 13, 2017, 05:02:28 PM
Well, that's a sad way to end a career for Buffon. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on November 13, 2017, 05:04:27 PM
Meh. The should reconsider how they seed the groups for the qualifier. The FIFA ranking is a poor base. Italy not being in the first group makes little sense.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on November 13, 2017, 05:25:28 PM
Quote from: Zanza on November 13, 2017, 05:04:27 PM
Meh. The should reconsider how they seed the groups for the qualifier. The FIFA ranking is a poor base. Italy not being in the first group makes little sense.
It does make a lot of sense, considering the horrible results in the last two World Cups. And, this is the cherry on the cake.
The only hope is that this failure will be the drive for a serious change in all the italian football system.

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 13, 2017, 05:34:48 PM
Quote from: Pedrito on November 13, 2017, 05:25:28 PM
Quote from: Zanza on November 13, 2017, 05:04:27 PM
Meh. The should reconsider how they seed the groups for the qualifier. The FIFA ranking is a poor base. Italy not being in the first group makes little sense.
It does make a lot of sense, considering the horrible results in the last two World Cups. And, this is the cherry on the cake.
The only hope is that this failure will be the drive for a serious change in all the italian football system.

L.

Well, sometimes you need to hit rock bottom to be able to bounce back. What should change, in your opinion? Do you mean people at the national team, coach and players, or structural changes in Italian football?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 13, 2017, 05:35:45 PM
Quote from: Pedrito on November 13, 2017, 05:25:28 PM
Quote from: Zanza on November 13, 2017, 05:04:27 PM
Meh. The should reconsider how they seed the groups for the qualifier. The FIFA ranking is a poor base. Italy not being in the first group makes little sense.
It does make a lot of sense, considering the horrible results in the last two World Cups. And, this is the cherry on the cake.
The only hope is that this failure will be the drive for a serious change in all the italian football system.

L.

But...but... Italy belongs in the World Cup.  :(

Now some more annoying team will win it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on November 13, 2017, 06:06:02 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 13, 2017, 05:34:48 PM
Quote from: Pedrito on November 13, 2017, 05:25:28 PM
Quote from: Zanza on November 13, 2017, 05:04:27 PM
Meh. The should reconsider how they seed the groups for the qualifier. The FIFA ranking is a poor base. Italy not being in the first group makes little sense.
It does make a lot of sense, considering the horrible results in the last two World Cups. And, this is the cherry on the cake.
The only hope is that this failure will be the drive for a serious change in all the italian football system.

L.

Well, sometimes you need to hit rock bottom to be able to bounce back. What should change, in your opinion? Do you mean people at the national team, coach and players, or structural changes in Italian football?
The actual head of federation is a 74 year old racist guy who made some terrifying remarks about african players, women's football ("all lesbians") and Jews.
He's actually strictly linked to the chairman of SS Lazio, the italian team with the strongest connotations of racist and fascist fan base.
Off with their heads.

Then, a radical reform of the leagues: no more than 16-18 teams in the Serie A, no more than 20 teams in the serie B;
a strong support for B teams and juvenile academies.

The national team coach is at best an average one, at worst a mediocre tactician and an inept leader.

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 13, 2017, 06:12:12 PM
Quote from: Pedrito on November 13, 2017, 06:06:02 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 13, 2017, 05:34:48 PM
Quote from: Pedrito on November 13, 2017, 05:25:28 PM
Quote from: Zanza on November 13, 2017, 05:04:27 PM
Meh. The should reconsider how they seed the groups for the qualifier. The FIFA ranking is a poor base. Italy not being in the first group makes little sense.
It does make a lot of sense, considering the horrible results in the last two World Cups. And, this is the cherry on the cake.
The only hope is that this failure will be the drive for a serious change in all the italian football system.

L.

Well, sometimes you need to hit rock bottom to be able to bounce back. What should change, in your opinion? Do you mean people at the national team, coach and players, or structural changes in Italian football?
The actual head of federation is a 74 year old racist guy who made some terrifying remarks about african players, women's football ("all lesbians") and Jews.
He's actually strictly linked to the chairman of SS Lazio, the italian team with the strongest connotations of racist and fascist fan base.
Off with their heads.

Then, a radical reform of the leagues: no more than 16-18 teams in the Serie A, no more than 20 teams in the serie B;
a strong support for B teams and juvenile academies.

The national team coach is at best an average one, at worst a mediocre tactician and an inept leader.

L.

Was the head of the league the one that was recorded saying that he didn't want any more small teams getting promoted from Serie B because they'd cheapen the value of TV rights? And of course he's a racist and says awful things, he's over 70 and supports Lazio, duh.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 14, 2017, 02:26:13 AM
 A smaller serie A would make sense. Same too for La Liga.
The gulf between bottom and top in those leagues is just too huge.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on November 14, 2017, 05:32:21 AM
The head coach doesn't want to resign; call him idiot, just some months ago his contract was renewed until 2020, at 1,5 million/year  :lol:  :ultra:

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 14, 2017, 06:08:55 AM
Quote from: Tyr on November 14, 2017, 02:26:13 AM
A smaller serie B would make sense. Same too for La Liga.
The gulf between bottom and top in those leagues is just too huge.

You mean Serie B or Serie A? I don't know in Italy, I don't think La Liga needs to go below 20. Maybe Serie A doesn't need to, either, but I'm not that familiar with the current situation, I know there are lots of teams in economic difficulties and lately lots of teams from smaller places have been promoted while historical sides with lots of baggage flounder in the lower divisions. I would reduce the Segunda División from 22 to 20, though, and out Segunda B needs a serious rework too, but that doesn't really affect the top tier.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 14, 2017, 06:10:08 AM
Quote from: Pedrito on November 14, 2017, 05:32:21 AM
The head coach doesn't want to resign; call him idiot, just some months ago his contract was renewed until 2020, at 1,5 million/year  :lol:  :ultra:

L.

:wacko:

Whoever renewed him for so long before qualifying needs to be kicked out ASAP.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 14, 2017, 07:08:20 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 14, 2017, 06:08:55 AM
Quote from: Tyr on November 14, 2017, 02:26:13 AM
A smaller serie B would make sense. Same too for La Liga.
The gulf between bottom and top in those leagues is just too huge.

You mean Serie B or Serie A? I don't know in Italy, I don't think La Liga needs to go below 20. Maybe Serie A doesn't need to, either, but I'm not that familiar with the current situation, I know there are lots of teams in economic difficulties and lately lots of teams from smaller places have been promoted while historical sides with lots of baggage flounder in the lower divisions. I would reduce the Segunda División from 22 to 20, though, and out Segunda B needs a serious rework too, but that doesn't really affect the top tier.

Woops yes. Meant A.
La Liga just seems crazy. You've these gigantic best in Europe clubs, Barcelona and Real, then maybe.... I don't know.... 6? 8? Decent Premier league quality teams (perhaps valencia and athletico are an intermediate between the two?).
Below that though... There seems to be so many teams that are just training games for Barca.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 14, 2017, 07:20:24 AM
Quote from: Tyr on November 14, 2017, 07:08:20 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 14, 2017, 06:08:55 AM
Quote from: Tyr on November 14, 2017, 02:26:13 AM
A smaller serie B would make sense. Same too for La Liga.
The gulf between bottom and top in those leagues is just too huge.

You mean Serie B or Serie A? I don't know in Italy, I don't think La Liga needs to go below 20. Maybe Serie A doesn't need to, either, but I'm not that familiar with the current situation, I know there are lots of teams in economic difficulties and lately lots of teams from smaller places have been promoted while historical sides with lots of baggage flounder in the lower divisions. I would reduce the Segunda División from 22 to 20, though, and out Segunda B needs a serious rework too, but that doesn't really affect the top tier.

Woops yes. Meant A.
La Liga just seems crazy. You've these gigantic best in Europe clubs, Barcelona and Real, then maybe.... I don't know.... 6? 8? Decent Premier league quality teams (perhaps valencia and athletico are an intermediate between the two?).
Below that though... There seems to be so many teams that are just training games for Barca.

On paper the difference is really big between Real Madrid and Barcelona and the rest, yeah, but then in the field it's different. This season Real Madrid has already lost against Betis and Girona, two sides that are, on paper, much weaker than them, and drawn at home against Levante and Sevilla. 2nd or 3rd tier Spanish teams also perform pretty well in European competitions, and it's not unusual for a small or newly promoted teams to go in one or two seasons from promotion to competing for continental competitions. Going from 20 to 18 teams won't make the league harder for the big clubs, it'll just rob smaller clubs of the opportunity to play in the top division.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 14, 2017, 07:22:16 AM
Quote from: Tyr on November 14, 2017, 07:08:20 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 14, 2017, 06:08:55 AM
Quote from: Tyr on November 14, 2017, 02:26:13 AM
A smaller serie B would make sense. Same too for La Liga.
The gulf between bottom and top in those leagues is just too huge.

You mean Serie B or Serie A? I don't know in Italy, I don't think La Liga needs to go below 20. Maybe Serie A doesn't need to, either, but I'm not that familiar with the current situation, I know there are lots of teams in economic difficulties and lately lots of teams from smaller places have been promoted while historical sides with lots of baggage flounder in the lower divisions. I would reduce the Segunda División from 22 to 20, though, and out Segunda B needs a serious rework too, but that doesn't really affect the top tier.

Woops yes. Meant A.
La Liga just seems crazy. You've these gigantic best in Europe clubs, Barcelona and Real, then maybe.... I don't know.... 6? 8? Decent Premier league quality teams (perhaps valencia and athletico are an intermediate between the two?).
Below that though... There seems to be so many teams that are just training games for Barca.

Mixing up Athletic Bilbao and Atlético Madrid?  :P FC Sevilla exists on the European level at least with Europa Leagues, or is the post Unai Emery era too difficult?
Besides, I am sure The Larch would agree the Spanish Liga needs a strong Galician club, though the previous strong one, from A Corunha, would not get his vote.  :P

The so "many teams that are just training games" vibe is something unmistakable to see from the PSG in the French league, itself not in the top 4 Leagues in Europe.

PS: The Larch put it in another words with examples from this season cf. Girona-Real Madrid.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 14, 2017, 07:27:31 AM
In a different topic, the president of La Liga has been ranting today (once again) against "state clubs" PSG and City, accusing them of financial cheating and saying that they've been already denounced them for violating the FFP rules.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 14, 2017, 07:46:45 AM
I thought the rants were mostly against PSG? I blame the French press!  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 14, 2017, 07:52:37 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 14, 2017, 07:46:45 AM
I thought the rants were mostly against PSG? I blame the French press!  :rolleyes:

PSG is his main target, yeah, he himself said that City's case is not as blatant as PSG's.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 14, 2017, 09:23:36 AM
Since he is such an uninvolved part in the case, I will take his word for it. :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 14, 2017, 04:17:30 PM
Oh my god.

Christian Eriksen hat trick against Ireland. Russia here we come!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 14, 2017, 04:37:27 PM
And Bendtner to 5-1

Denmark is officially going nuts.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 14, 2017, 05:17:43 PM
QuotePaddy Power @paddypower 40m40 minutes ago

Helena Christensen, Brigitte Nielsen, Hans Christian Andersen, the drummer from Metallica, Caroline Wozniacki, Cnut the Great, those pricks from Hamlet, Viggo Mortensen, Scarlett Johansson's dad, Carslberg and that bald lad from Aqua. Your boys... played well. Congratulations.

:hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 14, 2017, 05:25:41 PM
No Jessica Biel!  :mad:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 14, 2017, 05:30:27 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on November 14, 2017, 05:25:41 PM
No Jessica Biel!  :mad:

:huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 14, 2017, 05:31:41 PM
Holy shit!  I've been thinking she was Danish for decades now.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 15, 2017, 12:51:03 PM
Loser Mundialito?

Adding even more insult to injury...

QuoteU.S. exploring games with Italy, others that will miss World Cup

LEIRIA, Portugal -- The U.S. Soccer Federation is looking into the possibility of hosting pre-World Cup international matches involving the United States, Italy, the Netherlands, Ghana and Chile.

U.S. Soccer told ESPN FC and other media outlets on Tuesday that it was exploring the idea with Major League Soccer's marketing arm, Soccer United Marketing.

The USSF indicated that talks are in the exploratory stage, so it is unclear if an actual tournament will be held involving the above-mentioned teams or just a series of friendlies.

Each of the teams referenced has failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Italy's failure to get past Sweden in a two-legged playoff saw the Azzurri miss out on the World Cup for the first time since 1958.

The U.S. failed to qualify for the first time since 1986, while one has to go back to 2002 to find the last time Ghana or the Netherlands were eliminated during qualification.

Chile, the reigning South American champions, missed out on the World Cup as recently as 2006.

North America also figures to be an appealing destination for friendlies for some of the countries that qualified for Russia, especially teams from Central and South America as they make their way to Europe.

http://www.espnfc.com/united-states/story/3269935/us-soccer-exploring-pre-world-cup-matches-with-netherlands-italy
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 15, 2017, 12:53:52 PM
Good job Danes, you have been appointed substitute Dutchies :cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Ed Anger on November 15, 2017, 09:08:18 PM
RT: A plot by the American government to overshadow the World Cup.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 21, 2017, 12:57:48 PM
Beautiful :cry:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/nov/21/michael-laudrup-portrait-of-an-icon-denmark-barcelona-real-madrid
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 21, 2017, 01:53:24 PM
Michael Laudrup, hell of a player. Classiest guy I've ever seen in a pitch.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 29, 2017, 10:30:52 AM
So. Everton. What on earth is going on there?
And will Allardyce ever stay away?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 01, 2017, 10:58:23 AM
World cup Draw is over!

Group A

RUS
KSA
EGY
URU

Group B

POR
ESP
MOR
IRN

Group C

FRA
AUS
PER
DEN

Group D

ARG
ISL
CRO
NGA

Group E

BRA
SUI
CRC
SRB

Group F

GER
MEX
SWE
KOR

Group G

BEL
PAN
TUN
ENG

Group H

POL
SEN
COL
JAP

Group D, D for death?

Portugal gets the pot 2 team nobody wanted too.
France or rather Deschamps is lucky again (la chatte à Dédé).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 01, 2017, 11:02:36 AM
Last World Cup (that we were in) we beat France, we can do it again! Although, they seem to be in a better shape today than in 2010 :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 01, 2017, 11:06:49 AM
Quote from: Liep on December 01, 2017, 11:02:36 AM
Last World Cup (that we were in) we beat France, we can do it again! Although, they seem to be in a better shape today than in 2010 :hmm:

Liep, master of understatement.  :P Of course, French supporters prefer to recall '98. ;)

Russia got a reasonable draw too, with Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Of course, there is Uruguay, but they can make it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 01, 2017, 11:58:44 AM
Group D looks like fun. And Portugal gets a tough draw which is always a good thing.

How did Poland end up in Pot 1?  :huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 01, 2017, 12:01:33 PM
Quote from: Maladict on December 01, 2017, 11:58:44 AM
How did Poland end up in Pot 1?  :huh:

FIFA.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on December 01, 2017, 12:06:39 PM
ICeland qualified for the world cup? :huh:

I know they had that monster Euro a few years ago, but I wouldn't have thought they'd continue with that kind of success.

In a year with no Italy and no US, the fact that Iceland made it really stands out.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 01, 2017, 12:10:10 PM
Quote from: Barrister on December 01, 2017, 12:06:39 PM
ICeland qualified for the world cup? :huh:

I know they had that monster Euro a few years ago, but I wouldn't have thought they'd continue with that kind of success.

In a year with no Italy and no US, the fact that Iceland made it really stands out.

They won their group iirc. And I like that you didn't mention Holland's absence. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on December 01, 2017, 12:11:35 PM
Quote from: Liep on December 01, 2017, 12:10:10 PM
Quote from: Barrister on December 01, 2017, 12:06:39 PM
ICeland qualified for the world cup? :huh:

I know they had that monster Euro a few years ago, but I wouldn't have thought they'd continue with that kind of success.

In a year with no Italy and no US, the fact that Iceland made it really stands out.

They won their group iirc. And I like that you didn't mention Holland's absence. :P

I was pretty sure there was another big soccuer country that didn't make it, but couldn't immediately pick out who it was from looking at the countries. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 01, 2017, 12:12:12 PM
Quote from: Barrister on December 01, 2017, 12:06:39 PM
ICeland qualified for the world cup? :huh:

I know they had that monster Euro a few years ago, but I wouldn't have thought they'd continue with that kind of success.

In a year with no Italy and no US, the fact that Iceland made it really stands out.

If anything they improved after Euro '16. I would expect them to beat the US or Holland any time the way they're playing now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 01, 2017, 02:19:27 PM
Quote from: Barrister on December 01, 2017, 12:11:35 PM
Quote from: Liep on December 01, 2017, 12:10:10 PM
Quote from: Barrister on December 01, 2017, 12:06:39 PM
ICeland qualified for the world cup? :huh:

I know they had that monster Euro a few years ago, but I wouldn't have thought they'd continue with that kind of success.

In a year with no Italy and no US, the fact that Iceland made it really stands out.

They won their group iirc. And I like that you didn't mention Holland's absence. :P

I was pretty sure there was another big soccuer country that didn't make it, but couldn't immediately pick out who it was from looking at the countries. :P

Yes, Chile.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 02, 2017, 01:38:12 AM
Rather than Iceland Panama making it is the bigger shock given North America has fewer places
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on December 02, 2017, 01:55:58 AM
Pretty solid Scandinavian representation with Denmark, Sweden, and Iceland all in.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 02, 2017, 09:11:55 AM
Quote from: Barrister on December 01, 2017, 12:11:35 PM
Quote from: Liep on December 01, 2017, 12:10:10 PM
Quote from: Barrister on December 01, 2017, 12:06:39 PM
ICeland qualified for the world cup? :huh:

I know they had that monster Euro a few years ago, but I wouldn't have thought they'd continue with that kind of success.

In a year with no Italy and no US, the fact that Iceland made it really stands out.

They won their group iirc. And I like that you didn't mention Holland's absence. :P

I was pretty sure there was another big soccuer country that didn't make it, but couldn't immediately pick out who it was from looking at the countries. :P

Canada.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 02, 2017, 09:16:36 AM
Quote from: Tyr on December 02, 2017, 01:38:12 AM
Rather than Iceland Panama making it is the bigger shock given North America has fewer places

Not really.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 05, 2017, 04:56:28 PM
 Benfica :nelson:

6 games, 6 defeats. If it did not impact Portugal's UEFA club ranking, this would be hilarious.  Worst performance ever for a Portuguese club.

No remontada for Paris Saint-Germain this time, 3-1 for Bayern so Paris ends first of the group.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 06, 2017, 08:29:13 AM
Quote from: Valmy on December 02, 2017, 09:16:36 AM
Quote from: Tyr on December 02, 2017, 01:38:12 AM
Rather than Iceland Panama making it is the bigger shock given North America has fewer places

Not really.

Yeah. They got a bye to the fourth round of qualifying with 3.5 places available from 12. And Concacaf really isn't the most competitive of the associations.

Iceland had to qualify from a group of 6 with 1.5 places available
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 06, 2017, 10:41:10 AM
See how tiny Panama is? Well, it still has 10x the population of Iceland. That puts it in perspective.

It's the equivalent of a team representing, say, Cleveland making it to the WC.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 06, 2017, 10:44:25 AM
Tiny Central American countries and Caribbean Islands making it into the WC is what CONCACAF is all about.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on December 06, 2017, 12:43:58 PM
Quote from: Valmy on December 06, 2017, 10:44:25 AM
Tiny Central American countries and Caribbean Islands making it into the WC is what CONCACAF is all about.

Yeah---basically it generally works out that Mexico and the US are in, and then the remaining 1.5 spots to whatever shit teams are the best. It isn't that unlikely that Panama would take a spot.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2017, 12:47:53 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on December 06, 2017, 12:43:58 PM
Quote from: Valmy on December 06, 2017, 10:44:25 AM
Tiny Central American countries and Caribbean Islands making it into the WC is what CONCACAF is all about.

Yeah---basically it generally works out that Mexico and the US are in, and then the remaining 1.5 spots to whatever shit teams are the best. It isn't that unlikely that Panama would take a spot.

Costa Rica is above shit team status though.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 06, 2017, 01:18:36 PM
My team is selling our starting striker to a Chinese team for 20+ million € this winter. The kid is a 21 yo Uruguayan who just arrived this summer. It's great business but it really saddens me from a sporting perspective, as he is doing great and we could have in our hands a talent for a generation (or at least a couple more years until some big bucks english team came to buy him).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on December 06, 2017, 05:52:37 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2017, 12:47:53 PM


Costa Rica is above shit team status though.  :P

Maybe at this precise moment they are mediocre, but in the long run they are a shit team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 06, 2017, 06:00:52 PM
One of my fondest videogame memories was winning the World Cup with Costa Rica in the Italia 90 videogame.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 07, 2017, 12:10:19 PM
Gruppe A: Rom og Baku
Gruppe B: København og Sankt Petersborg
Gruppe C: Amsterdam og Bukarest
Gruppe D: London og Glasgow
Gruppe E: Bilbao og Dublin
Gruppe F: München og Budapest

If both we and Russia qualify for EC2020 we get to be in a group we might advance from! Lots of uncertainties there. :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 07, 2017, 12:54:31 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on December 06, 2017, 05:52:37 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2017, 12:47:53 PM


Costa Rica is above shit team status though.  :P

Maybe at this precise moment they are mediocre, but in the long run they are a shit team.

They qualify regularly for the World Cup, thanks partly to the generous CONCACAF slot allocation.  :P
They made it to quarter finals last time. :contract:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on December 07, 2017, 01:06:15 PM
I for one am happy to see the smaller teams - like Iceland and Costa Rica - represented in the World Cup. Cinderella stories are much more interesting than the usual heavy-weights battling it out.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 07, 2017, 01:24:25 PM
Quote from: Jacob on December 07, 2017, 01:06:15 PM
I for one am happy to see the smaller teams - like Iceland and Costa Rica - represented in the World Cup. Cinderella stories are much more interesting than the usual heavy-weights battling it out.

I agree, anything to destroy mono's system.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 07, 2017, 04:22:17 PM
Quote from: Liep on December 07, 2017, 01:24:25 PM
Quote from: Jacob on December 07, 2017, 01:06:15 PM
I for one am happy to see the smaller teams - like Iceland and Costa Rica - represented in the World Cup. Cinderella stories are much more interesting than the usual heavy-weights battling it out.

I agree, anything to destroy mono's system.

Mono's ideal system would be the Champions' League then.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 09, 2017, 07:19:54 PM
Congrats to tfc. Another Toronto team that can outshine the leafs :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 09, 2017, 10:32:10 PM
I'm applying for tickets for Denmark's game against France in Moscow. I suspect we'll get a sound beating, but I don't have time off for the other two games.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 10, 2017, 07:53:23 AM
Quote from: HVC on December 09, 2017, 07:19:54 PM
Congrats to tfc. Another Toronto team that can outshine the leafs :D

We're having a parade  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 11, 2017, 07:53:19 AM
Some intriguing matchups in Champions League.

Real v PSG  :D
Chelsea v Barca
Juve v Spurs.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 11, 2017, 08:04:06 AM
PSG has had better luck vs Real than vs Barça, Josephus, if case you're wondering.  :P

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 15, 2017, 08:33:05 AM
FIFA threatens to ban Spain from the World Cup for "political meddling" after the head of the Spanish FA was arrested on corruption charges this summer, and the Spanish sports council is now attempting to remove the rest of his stooges by forcing an election :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 15, 2017, 08:49:45 AM
Aw FIFA, the Disney version of a villain organization.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 23, 2017, 10:19:23 AM
El Clásico  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 28, 2017, 02:34:11 PM
George Weah was just elected president of Liberia.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 28, 2017, 03:07:55 PM
Background
George Weah first and only African player to win France Football's Ballon d'Or , back in 1995. Former PSG and AC  Milan player.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 29, 2017, 04:09:21 AM
So he is Liberian.
That explains why you never saw him in internationals.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 29, 2017, 05:34:01 PM
Does Swansea have a Reifenstahlian tinge?  Caught a game t'other night and got kind of a Mosely vibe.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 30, 2017, 05:27:21 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 29, 2017, 05:34:01 PM
Does Swansea have a Reifenstahlian tinge?  Caught a game t'other night and got kind of a Mosely vibe.

Not that I've ever heard of.

Had a dads and lads footie trip to Italy a few weekends ago. We we're in the ultrasound end for Inter v Udinese. Some serious Mussolini shit going down there. Long time since I've heard monkey noises whenever an opppo black player touched the ball.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on January 06, 2018, 01:11:04 PM
Barca paid £142 million for Coutinho. I'm still at a point where numbers like that surprise me. :o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 06, 2018, 04:01:06 PM
Seems like an odd purchase for Barca.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on January 06, 2018, 06:59:34 PM
Nah, we need a player like him. The money paid is embarassing though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 06, 2018, 07:51:46 PM
Quote from: celedhring on January 06, 2018, 06:59:34 PM
Nah, we need a player like him. The money paid is embarassing though.

Why they need him? They seem to be doing alright, and remember he's cup tied for the Champions League.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on January 06, 2018, 08:42:50 PM
Quote from: Josephus on January 06, 2018, 07:51:46 PM
Quote from: celedhring on January 06, 2018, 06:59:34 PM
Nah, we need a player like him. The money paid is embarassing though.

Why they need him? They seem to be doing alright, and remember he's cup tied for the Champions League.

That's ok; we've signed him for 6 years, not 6 months. I assume our board is afraid that he'd be even more expensive after the World Cup, or that he might go to PSG. What I'm surprised about is Liverpool letting him go now - I guess Klopp believes he can secure a CL spot without him.

As for why he's needed, Coutinho is meant to replace Iniesta at the tip of Barça's midfield. Iniesta has been playing less and less due to his age, and we really miss that creativity in midfield when he's not there.

That said, the money is stupid.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 07, 2018, 04:42:55 PM
I have to suspect Klopp's superiors put heavy pressure on the sale.

I don't know why but I also have a feeling Liverpool are going to fail to get a replacement this month, with Leicester demanding outrageous money for Mahrez et al.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 08, 2018, 07:41:52 AM
Liverpool always end up over paying for mediocrity in the January transfer window.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on January 15, 2018, 10:53:38 AM
Let me present the best of French referees, equal to Bâtard Batta:
VAR can't do anything about it, nor can it be blamed.  :P

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjM827E4_k0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjM827E4_k0)

Quote
Ligue 1 referee Tony Chapron kicks Nantes player before sending him off
• Nantes defender Diego Carlos receives second yellow card after clash
• Incident overshadows PSG's 1-0 win, who go 11 points clear of Monaco
Guardian sport and Reuters


PSG's 1-0 win over Nantes on Sunday was overshadowed by an incident involving Ligue 1 referee Tony Chapron, who appeared to kick Nantes player Diego Carlos off the ball, before showing the defender a red card.

In the last minute of the game, PSG were advancing up the pitch on a counter attack when Carlos seemed to accidentally cross paths with Chapron. The referee stumbled and fell to the turf, before appearing to kick swing his right boot at the Nantes player.

After the coming together, referee Chapron gave Carlos a second yellow card, before blowing for full-time three minutes later.

Referee Tony Chapron kicks out at Diego Carlos and then sends him off in a moment of madness in Ligue 1... 😱 pic.twitter.com/F1Ou6wt8QN

January 14, 2018
Argentinian winger Angel Di Maria had scored before the break to lift PSG, who were without the injured Neymar and Thiago Motta, 11 points clear of second-placed Monaco, who could only manage a goalless draw at Montpellier on Saturday.

PSG enjoyed most of the possession and were quickly ahead as Di Maria scored from inside the box after collecting a low cross from Edinson Cavani in the 12th minute.

Di Maria went close to doubling the lead eight minutes before the interval but his shot from close range hit the bar.

Nantes had a good chance early in the second half but Alphone Areola made a fine save to deny Emiliano Sala.

Third-placed Lyon are behind on goal difference after a 1-1 home draw against Angers, with Nabil Fekir cancelling out Karl Toko Ekambi's opener from the spot. Angers finished with 10 men when Flavien Tait was sent off for a second bookable offence six minutes from time.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jan/14/referee-tony-chapron-ligue-1-kick-nantes-diego-carlos-sent-off-psg (https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jan/14/referee-tony-chapron-ligue-1-kick-nantes-diego-carlos-sent-off-psg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on January 24, 2018, 08:35:15 AM
Can't wait for Gibraltar v Liechtenstein ;)
First step for ending EURO qualifiers?  :hmm: 4 tickets included here.
Phoney competition to earn even more money?
Germany-France seems interesting, Italy-Portugal too since Italy will recover at one point. England-Spain-Croatia seems the most open.

League of Nation Draw

League A

Group 1 : Germany Netherlands France
Group 2 : Switzerland, Belgium Iceland
Group 3 : Italy Portugal Poland
Group 4 : Spain, England Croatia.
     

League B :
Group 1 : Slovakia, Ukraine, Czechia.
Group 2 : Russia, Sweden, Turkey
Group 3 : Austria, Bosnia, Northern Ireland
Group 4 : Wales, Ireland, Denmark

League C :
Group 1 : Scotland, Albania, Israel
Group 2 : Hungary, Greece, Finland, Estonia
Group 3 : Slovenia, Norway, Bulgarie, Cyprus
Group 4 : Rumania, Serbia, Montenegro, Lithuania

League D :
Groupe 1 : Georgia, Latvia, Kazakhstan, Andorra
Groupe 2 : Belarus, Luxembourg, Moldavia, St-Marin
Groupe 3 : Azerbaijan, Feroe Islands, Malta, Kosovo
Groupe 4 : Macedonia, Armenia, Liechtenstein, Gibraltar

PS: typos due to the excitement over the incoming Liechtenstein-Gibraltar top game.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on January 24, 2018, 08:43:53 AM
It'll be more interesting to follow these than regular friendly matches if the players step up at least a little.

I'm not sure how the 4 places are distributed though. And how do you even get into the final? Top 4 teams from league A in the semis?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on January 24, 2018, 09:57:33 AM
Can't say it's very clear to me but here is the wiki attempt at it through uefa.com:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.uefa.com%2FMultimediaFiles%2FPhoto%2Fuefaorg%2FCongress%2F02%2F40%2F65%2F58%2F2406558_w2.jpg&hash=d3d2d64acfaa3228bf9381814c5d8cf8cab445c7)

Regarding EURO qualifyers
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.uefa.com%2FMultimediaFiles%2FPhoto%2Fuefaorg%2FCongress%2F02%2F40%2F65%2F56%2F2406556_w2.jpg&hash=13bf5fb4a5c8c6d0ebf36ef1a4ef860b3e23045d)

Somewhat clearer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on January 24, 2018, 10:48:07 AM
So each league have a spot for themselves? I guess you have to give incentive to the bad teams as well, but Holland might feel cheated when they're not going to Euro 2020 but Azerbaijan is via a League D ticket. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on January 24, 2018, 11:02:42 AM
There are still 20 seats to qualify after the League of Nations but yes I can see why some teams would want to avoid the Top League A or B (for Denmark :P).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 24, 2018, 11:39:48 AM
Yeah, I'm not getting it, will have to read up, looks like being terrible and placed in group d raises your chances of qualifying for the Euros? :unsure:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on January 24, 2018, 12:14:02 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on January 24, 2018, 08:35:15 AM

Group 1 : Germany Netherlands France


Oh good. Excellent. Just wonderful.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 24, 2018, 06:10:46 PM
yeah...so it looks like at least one team from Leauge D gets a spot in the Euros.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 24, 2018, 06:12:53 PM
The other thing....so in between WQ qualifying, Euro qualifying and this...that's a lot of internationals.
So I guess top tier teams, especially, will be fielding U23s and such for this tournament?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on January 24, 2018, 06:31:37 PM
Quote from: Josephus on January 24, 2018, 06:12:53 PM
The other thing....so in between WQ qualifying, Euro qualifying and this...that's a lot of internationals.
So I guess top tier teams, especially, will be fielding U23s and such for this tournament?

This tournament is meant to replace the random international friendlies that teams play throughout the season, so the game load stays the same.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 24, 2018, 07:40:40 PM
Malta feels they are in "a tough group"

https://www.timesofmalta.com/mobile/articles/view/20180124/football/tough-draw-for-malta-in-euro-nations-league.668783
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 13, 2018, 05:16:21 PM
This needs a bump, the Champions League knockouts are on!

Mourinho. :nelson:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 14, 2018, 06:47:26 AM
You forgot the most important part, Mourinho's post-game analysis:

QuoteMourinho: "I don't want to make a drama of it. That's football, it is not the end of the world. I sit in this chair twice in the CL and knocked Man United out with Porto and Real Madrid so it is not something new for the club.

:lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on March 14, 2018, 07:14:21 AM
TFC is moving on in the CL.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 14, 2018, 12:28:22 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on March 14, 2018, 07:14:21 AM
TFC is moving on in the CL.

:) :) :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on March 14, 2018, 12:53:48 PM
Hopefully we get an all MLS final that way CONCACAF can't fuck us out of that championship once again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 26, 2018, 10:31:00 AM
Apparently only half the players in the MLS think they understand how the league's transfer and salary rules work.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on March 26, 2018, 10:35:55 AM
What's so complicated/different about it?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 26, 2018, 10:39:38 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on March 26, 2018, 10:35:55 AM
What's so complicated/different about it?

It's from an internal MLS poll, this is what the article I took the tidbit from said about it:

QuotePlayers were asked whether they truly understand how General Allocation Money (GAM) and Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) works. Only 50% answered that they do. That is likely reflective of the wider (lack of) understanding of the trade rules, too. In fact, so convoluted are the regulations they have become a source of comedy over the years, although some fans fail to see the funny side when their team is overlooked in the allocation order, sending a big name signing to a more illustrious, glamorous franchise. Look at how Clint Dempsey ended up at Seattle despite Portland apparently holding the rights to have the first shot at signing the US international. Fairly or not, the impression is that MLS sometimes makes up the rules as they go along.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/mar/26/tam-gam-and-trades-why-mls-is-the-worlds-most-overcomplicated-league (https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/mar/26/tam-gam-and-trades-why-mls-is-the-worlds-most-overcomplicated-league)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on March 26, 2018, 10:47:53 AM
You have assumed the wrong side Larch, I know about TAM & GAM.

I don't know how Europe runs it's salary schemes...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on March 26, 2018, 10:51:38 AM
QuoteSo what can MLS do to untangle the web? Well, for starters, it could fully observe Fifa-recognised breaks. Last week, world soccer took a break for a round of international friendly fixtures, while MLS took a half-break of sorts, with six games played over the weekend. Some teams were without some of their best players. There were six players missing through international duty for Saturday evening's game between the New York Red Bulls and Minnesota United. The LA Galaxy struggled for firepower against Vancouver 24 hours after Ola Kamara had netted a hat-trick for Norway. Playing league fixtures during Fifa-mandated international breaks compromises MLS's integrity. It warps results and, ultimately, positions in the table.

Fucking Bullshit eurocentric argument.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 26, 2018, 10:55:15 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on March 26, 2018, 10:47:53 AM
You have assumed the wrong side Larch, I know about TAM & GAM.

I don't know how Europe runs it's salary schemes...

We basically don't run it at all, it's mostly free market gone wild.  :P

Now, UEFA's financial fair play rules? Now that's a mistery.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 26, 2018, 10:56:11 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on March 26, 2018, 10:51:38 AM
QuoteSo what can MLS do to untangle the web? Well, for starters, it could fully observe Fifa-recognised breaks. Last week, world soccer took a break for a round of international friendly fixtures, while MLS took a half-break of sorts, with six games played over the weekend. Some teams were without some of their best players. There were six players missing through international duty for Saturday evening's game between the New York Red Bulls and Minnesota United. The LA Galaxy struggled for firepower against Vancouver 24 hours after Ola Kamara had netted a hat-trick for Norway. Playing league fixtures during Fifa-mandated international breaks compromises MLS's integrity. It warps results and, ultimately, positions in the table.

Fucking Bullshit eurocentric argument.

Eurocentric? If anything, it'd be ROTW-centric.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on March 26, 2018, 10:58:46 AM
You don't like the International breaks either?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 26, 2018, 10:59:57 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on March 26, 2018, 10:58:46 AM
You don't like the International breaks either?

Not a big fan of them, but what can you do about it. Insisting on playing league fixtures without international players is an intrinsic devaluation of the level of play.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on March 26, 2018, 11:35:59 AM
I rather, in the MLS case, that teams to simply not let the players go. All these meaningless international friendlies taking away time & health away from the Clubs is bad for the league. Laurent Ciman got called up almost everytime & usually doesn't play. It also extends the season way too much. 35 games + playoffs played over 9 months!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 26, 2018, 11:37:24 AM
The problem is, the league runs long enough as it is. From March to the final in December. Taking weeks off for international breaks only extends the season. They'll be playing in January.

But that siad, there are problems with MLS (and I'm a fan).

No international breaks

No relegation/promotion

Too many teams in one big division.

And...

the fucking playoffs. You could be the best team from March to October. And then one loss in october and buh-bye.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 26, 2018, 11:38:13 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on March 26, 2018, 11:35:59 AM
I rather, in the MLS case, that teams to simply not let the players go. All these meaningless international friendlies taking away time & health away from the Clubs is bad for the league. Laurent Ciman got called up almost everytime & usually doesn't play. It also extends the season way too much. 35 games + playoffs played over 9 months!

He's no long with the Impact...he's gone to a good team finally  :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on March 26, 2018, 12:50:59 PM
The MLS season needs to be way shorter. The playoff need to be done by the end of September.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on March 26, 2018, 12:51:50 PM
Sure, 2 years of success & all the sudden the TFC fans grow some balls. Took you long enough!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 02, 2018, 05:53:51 AM
International breaks are stupid it's true.
They need doing away with in England too. So it's unacceptable for international players to have 2 games in right proximity but totally fine to then have a Tuesday game between two Saturdays?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on April 02, 2018, 08:09:51 AM
It's trivially simple to look at a footballing calendar and find England matches with the exact same break between them as your Saturday/Tuesday example (see September and October 2017, for example) and your Tuesday/Saturday example (see March this year.) Could you elaborate on your point, please? Is it the period before the games you are concerned with?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 02, 2018, 09:38:06 AM
Why do England games need a weeks break either side of them when there's no issue putting 2 games in a week for club teams under normal circumstances.
Almost the entire champions and europa league for instance takes place alongside domestic competition.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on April 02, 2018, 10:53:11 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 02, 2018, 09:38:06 AM
Why do England games need a weeks break either side of them when there's no issue putting 2 games in a week for club teams under normal circumstances.
Almost the entire champions and europa league for instance takes place alongside domestic competition.

But they don't have a week's break either side of them - the last friendly was on Tuesday 27th March and there was a full premiership program on the next Saturday, the 31st March.

There were premiership matches on the 1st October 2017 before a qualifier on the 5th October; A qualifier on the 14th November followed by a full premiership program on the 18th.

The "week's break" either side of them is a myth; at most, they seem to get an extra day and even that's arguable.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 02, 2018, 11:53:35 AM
so in hiis first game with the L.A. Galaxy, Ibra comes on in the final 20 minutes and scores 2 goals, sealing a win by overcoming a 3-0 deficit against their cross town rivals.


Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 02, 2018, 11:55:14 AM
Quote from: Agelastus on April 02, 2018, 10:53:11 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 02, 2018, 09:38:06 AM
Why do England games need a weeks break either side of them when there's no issue putting 2 games in a week for club teams under normal circumstances.
Almost the entire champions and europa league for instance takes place alongside domestic competition.

But they don't have a week's break either side of them - the last friendly was on Tuesday 27th March and there was a full premiership program on the next Saturday, the 31st March.

There were premiership matches on the 1st October 2017 before a qualifier on the 5th October; A qualifier on the 14th November followed by a full premiership program on the 18th.

The "week's break" either side of them is a myth; at most, they seem to get an extra day and even that's arguable.
And last week?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on April 03, 2018, 04:21:45 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 02, 2018, 11:55:14 AM
Quote from: Agelastus on April 02, 2018, 10:53:11 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 02, 2018, 09:38:06 AM
Why do England games need a weeks break either side of them when there's no issue putting 2 games in a week for club teams under normal circumstances.
Almost the entire champions and europa league for instance takes place alongside domestic competition.

But they don't have a week's break either side of them - the last friendly was on Tuesday 27th March and there was a full premiership program on the next Saturday, the 31st March.

There were premiership matches on the 1st October 2017 before a qualifier on the 5th October; A qualifier on the 14th November followed by a full premiership program on the 18th.

The "week's break" either side of them is a myth; at most, they seem to get an extra day and even that's arguable.

And last week?

:huh:

Last week was in my post - that you quoted; played on Tuesday 27th March, full Premiership program on Saturday 31st March. Nowhere near a full week.

The week before - played Saturday in the premiership, then the first friendly was on Friday - so, nearly a week. However, last year during the world cup qualifiers there were premiership matches on Sunday with a qualifier on the following Thursday (see October.)

So no, England does not get a week off "before and after" - even any extra can be arguable if you consider the average to be 2 matches a week for the top sides in England.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 03, 2018, 04:37:35 AM
Pretty sure the 24th had no games due to internationals.
When England play you often  have just short of 2 weeks with no real football.
England games should be kept midweek with the usual schedule running around them.
If teams lose players due to international duty then so be it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 03, 2018, 07:17:25 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 03, 2018, 04:37:35 AM
Pretty sure the 24th had no games due to internationals.
When England play you often  have just short of 2 weeks with no real football.
England games should be kept midweek with the usual schedule running around them.
If teams lose players due to international duty then so be it.

Well no....because clubs would then refuse to send players out.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on April 03, 2018, 08:11:19 AM
The best outcome.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 03, 2018, 08:28:32 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 02, 2018, 09:38:06 AM
Why do England games need a weeks break either side of them when there's no issue putting 2 games in a week for club teams under normal circumstances.
Almost the entire champions and europa league for instance takes place alongside domestic competition.

Champions' League and Europa League are club competitions; players are employed by the clubs, not by the national teams for the friendlies or international competitions though they are paid for it as well.
As said before, clubs lose money when their players get injured.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: garbon on April 03, 2018, 10:05:11 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 29, 2017, 01:00:33 PM
http://www.businessinsider.com/madeira-airport-statue-cristiano-ronaldo-looks-like-mad-magazine-2017-3

:lol: :lol:

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2018/apr/03/cristiano-ronaldo-emanuel-santos-new-sculpture

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DZehVS0X0AE4Kj5.jpg)

QuoteNow even worse: ridiculed bust of Cristiano Ronaldo gets a dreadful do-over

The sculpture of the football legend was lambasted when it was unveiled at Madeira airport. One year on, Emanuel Santos has had a second shot – with disastrous results

The eyes of great paintings follow you around a room, but his can't seem to focus. Emanuel Santos's bust of Cristiano Ronaldo is an exaggerated, silly depiction of the Portuguese footballing legend. When it was unveiled in 2017 at Madeira airport, it was met with universal derision. People mocked Santos's work, social media exploded in ridicule, headlines around the world decried the sculpture's awfulness. Suddenly, this sculptor was the most famous artist in the world.

Santos was eventually left to lick his wounds in anonymity. Until last week, when the sports website Bleacher Report decided to peel open the scab. Like a modern-day House of Medici with added banter, they commissioned Santos to remake the sculpture to atone for his supposed sins.

The 10-minute video of his artistic redemption is brutal. Santos and his wife repeatedly break down in tears recalling the days that followed the unveiling. The producers plonk him next to his original sculpture at Madeira airport – or, to give it its full title, Cristiano Ronaldo international airport – and ask a tide of vitamin D-deficient tourists their opinion, who are unaware that the artist is stood right next to them. "Doesn't look anything like him", "it's not very good", "try again" they spout while Santos grimaces. It's the public flaying of Santos for clicks.

Then they film him sculpting – pounding, scraping and moulding – before taking the new bust to be cast. He cracks open the wooden box with the new work in front of the original. Staring down at this severed head in a box, he says: "It's very good." As if it's by someone else. What you've just watched is an artist's soul die.

Neither sculpture is a true likeness of the subject, but the first undermines the hero-worship of the idol – he is fallible, wrong, off-kilter. The second is more acceptable because it adheres to the guidelines of Brand Ronaldo, showing him as powerful, chiselled, perfect. While the first is almost iconoclastic in its flawed depiction, the second is a reassuring statement that we are mortals and Ronaldo is not.

I reply on Twitter to Bleacher Report's announcement of the new sculpture by saying that the original is better. I receive countless replies from people with handles like @VivaLaVardy and @Gerrxrd, anonymous grown men with footballers for profile pictures. They call me a nonce, an irrelevant prick. My favourite says "you reek of piss you virgin". It's nasty, but it's people actually engaging with art and it's been decades since we've had a shark in formaldehyde to send some people into conniptions.

So why are people offended by the first bust and not the new one? In this scenario, the social media masses have become censors, ensuring that the tenets of representational art are adhered to. It's a modern take on socialist realism, with rules enforced not by the state but by the worshipful public. Vast numbers of people still expect and want art to be purely representational, and that is a sad indictment of contemporary art education. We are post-Rodin, post-Brancusi, post-conceptualism, and still Santos's sculpture is an artistic failure to the majority.

The original really is a better sculpture. It's an ecstatic mess, its face a hybrid of Ronaldo and Santos's, two sets of features squidged together. It's the artist seeing something of himself in the rags-to-riches glory of Ronaldo. It's feverish, intense; the work of someone driven obsessively. The new version is someone forced into a do-over to save face. Whereas the eyes of the original bust seem pointed in a thousand directions – joyful, unfocused and giddy – the eyes of the new one look to a faraway point. They are lost, cold, sullen. This is a dead sculpture, an acceptance of defeat in the face of public outcry. And it will be immediately forgotten.

Look, they are both bad sculptures. The first one is ludicrous, the second one is bland. But at least the first one is an honest representation of the artist's intentions. Santos admits that if he hadn't made the first sculpture the way he did, it would have been forgotten about long ago. "No matter how few people see the positive side of the work, they are enough to give us strength," he says. You have to hope he finds the strength to make the art that's in his heart again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 11, 2018, 05:31:01 AM
Well, Messi may be more in shape than scheduled for the World Cup. With the Romantada by AS Roma, 3-0 after losing 4-1 in Barcelona he only has now the World Cup since the Liga is pretty much won. I don't think this will be as traumatic as the Remontada last year for PSG though.
Liverpool won again 2-1, making it 5-1 aggregate vs Man City. Nice to see some change in the Champions' League. :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 11, 2018, 05:56:06 AM
Quote from: Josephus on April 03, 2018, 07:17:25 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 03, 2018, 04:37:35 AM
Pretty sure the 24th had no games due to internationals.
When England play you often  have just short of 2 weeks with no real football.
England games should be kept midweek with the usual schedule running around them.
If teams lose players due to international duty then so be it.

Well no....because clubs would then refuse to send players out.

Which would be a good thing :p
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on April 11, 2018, 03:45:17 PM
Fucking Real


Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 11, 2018, 03:47:37 PM
What a ridiculous call.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on April 12, 2018, 01:44:12 PM
Fuck, bloody Champions League  :( :( :(

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 12, 2018, 03:53:21 PM
Quote from: Pedrito on April 12, 2018, 01:44:12 PM
Fuck, bloody Champions League  :( :( :(

L.

:console:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 13, 2018, 10:04:44 AM
I want to hope Liverpool have a good shot.

If Real win I'll be pissed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 24, 2018, 02:27:26 PM
Liverpool is playing at 5x speed compared to Roma.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 24, 2018, 03:15:04 PM
And it's 5-0. Liverpool's been great but Roma hasn't been looking like a CL team at all.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 24, 2018, 03:18:13 PM
Quote from: Liep on April 24, 2018, 03:15:04 PM
And it's 5-0. Liverpool's been great but Roma hasn't been looking like a CL team at all.

Same punishment as vs Porto. Porto could have reached the semi-finals!  :P
OTOH, Roma improved, the year before they did not reach CL after the play-off vs Porto.

PS: well, no. Roma scored 2 goals. Maybe they can draw or even win the second leg at home.  :hmm:
No b-team for Liverpool at the Olimpico.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 24, 2018, 03:31:55 PM
5-2 now Roma just needs a 3-0 victory at home. That'd be some route to the finals. :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 24, 2018, 03:37:08 PM
Bit of a collapse there.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 25, 2018, 08:05:07 AM
You only get one miracle per campaign, Roma already spent their mulligan with us.

Liverpool will get to the final where I assume they'll be trounced by Real Madrid. Hard times to be a Catalan.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on April 25, 2018, 08:53:57 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 25, 2018, 08:05:07 AM
You only get one miracle per campaign, Roma already spent their mulligan with us.

Liverpool will get to the final where I assume they'll be trounced by Real Madrid. Hard times to be a Catalan.

Germany might be your friend this time round.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on April 25, 2018, 09:39:57 AM
Quote from: Maladict on April 25, 2018, 08:53:57 AM

Germany might be your friend this time round.

Unlike 1936-1939?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on April 25, 2018, 11:11:33 AM
Quote from: Valmy on April 25, 2018, 09:39:57 AM
Quote from: Maladict on April 25, 2018, 08:53:57 AM

Germany might be your friend this time round.

Unlike 1936-1939?

This thread needed a civil war hijack.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 28, 2018, 07:58:58 AM
"The U.S. has put together a STRONG bid w/ Canada & Mexico for the 2026 World Cup. It would be a shame if countries that we always support were to lobby against the U.S. bid. Why should we be supporting these countries when they don't support us (including at the United Nations)?"

So threatening other countries to vote for the American bid.. well it's right up FIFA's alley except it's more obvious and brutish than simple bribes. Also it takes something special to give FIFA the opportunity to play the ethics card.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 28, 2018, 10:29:47 AM
"Strong bid" with a World Cup all over the continent, making it almost impossible for a fan to follow a team, unless wealthy. Great for the working class which loves the sport!  :lmfao:
Makes Morocco's bid an ever stronger one.  :P It would bankrupt or strain at least the country but who cares, best time zone and close, for Europe.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 29, 2018, 02:55:42 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on April 28, 2018, 10:29:47 AM
"Strong bid" with a World Cup all over the continent, making it almost impossible for a fan to follow a team, unless wealthy. Great for the working class which loves the sport!  :lmfao:

Since when has that mattered at all? If they wanted to make it easier for fans to attend games they'd put tickets at a reasonable price, rather than the astronomical ones they offer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 29, 2018, 03:41:54 PM
Group stages are usually held at the same city, so geographic dispersion isn't that big of a deal until the knockouts.

Also, we just won the league.  :showoff:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 29, 2018, 05:14:48 PM
Quote from: The Larch on April 29, 2018, 02:55:42 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on April 28, 2018, 10:29:47 AM
"Strong bid" with a World Cup all over the continent, making it almost impossible for a fan to follow a team, unless wealthy. Great for the working class which loves the sport!  :lmfao:

Since when has that mattered at all? If they wanted to make it easier for fans to attend games they'd put tickets at a reasonable price, rather than the astronomical ones they offer.

I recall somewhat reasonable prices for Germany 2006, at least for the opening stage. Most expensive was 100 €. I don't remember prices for France '98 but most were hoarded by speculators, which seems to happen less this time.
Prices are much higher in Russia this year, but then it includes free train rides, if booked early, like 25 to 40h from Moscow to Sochi. ;) It does not exactly  compensate, even with the free visa to Russia by registering for the FAN-ID, which is compulsory anyways.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 29, 2018, 05:17:21 PM
Quote from: celedhring on April 29, 2018, 03:41:54 PM
Group stages are usually held at the same city, so geographic dispersion isn't that big of a deal until the knockouts.

Not really, judging by previous World Cups. With a middle-sized country like France or Germany with a good and cheap transportation network, it's doable but it's already more of a problem in Russia, much more so in a North American continental bid.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 18, 2018, 08:59:09 AM
Speaking of World Cup '98, Platini's finest hour.  :P

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5744297/Michel-Platini-admits-draw-1998-World-Cup-fixed-make-France-Brazil-final-possible.html (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5744297/Michel-Platini-admits-draw-1998-World-Cup-fixed-make-France-Brazil-final-possible.html)

Quote'When we organised the calendar, we did a little trickery': Disgraced former UEFA president Michel Platini admits 1998 World Cup draw was designed to increase chances of France-Brazil final

Host nation France won the 1998 World Cup by beating Brazil 3-0 in the final
Michel Platini has admitted steps were taken to ensure the final was more likely
The former UEFA president revealed 'a little trickery' was used by organisers
Platini claimed 'it was the dream of everyone' to see a France-Brazil final

By JAIME WRIGHT FOR MAILONLINE

Michel Platini has revealed that 'little tricks' were in play for the draw of the 1998 World Cup to try to ensure that France didn't meet Brazil until the final.

The tournament was hosted and won by the French, who defeated Brazil 3-0 in the final at the Stade de France to seal their first World Cup win.

However, former UEFA president Platini has said that the draw for the tournament was made in such a way that the two nations couldn't possibly meet until the final, so long as they won all their group games.

Michel Platini revealed the 1998 World Cup draw was made to ensure a France-Brazil final

'When we organised the calendar, we did a little trickery,' Platini told France Bleu Sport. 'If we finished first in the group and Brazil finished first, we could not meet before the final.'

Heading into the tournament, Brazil were ranked No 1 in the FIFA rankings, with France second. The host nation were drawn into group C, while Brazil were pulled out of the hat in group A meaning they would appear on opposite sides of the knock-out draw providing they both finished top of their respective groups. Which they did.

Brazil won two of their three matches - with a final game defeat by Norway dampening the start of their tournament - while France stormed their way through a group consisting of Denmark, South Africa and Saudi Arabia, conceding only one goal.


France won the tournament by beating Brazil 3-0 in the final at the Stade de France

ROUTES TO THE FINAL
France
Group stages

South Africa - 3-0 (W)

Saudi Arabia - 4-0 (W)

Denmark - 2-1 (W)

Round of 16

Paraguay - 1-0 aet

Quarter-finals

Italy - 0-0 (4-3 pens)

Semi-finals

Croatia - 2-1

Brazil
Group stages

Scotland - 2-1 (W)

Morocco - 3-0 (W)

Norway - 2-1 (L)

Round of 16

Chile - 4-1

Quarter-finals

Denmark - 3-2

Semi-finals

Holland - 1-1 (4-2 pens)

France entered the final in the better form of the two, having not lost throughout their route through the tournament, which told in the final.

Zinedine Zidane scored twice before half-time before Emmanuel Petit netted the third in stoppage-time to secure the win.

Spectators and organisers got the final showdown they wanted to see and the host nation came away with the victory.

Platini, who was then co-president of the French Organising Committee of the World (CFO), spoke openly in the interview about how it was 'the dream of everyone' that the two global powerhouses would meet in Saint-Denis.

He continued: 'We did not get bored for six years to organise the World Cup to not do some little shenanigans.

'You think that the other hosts did not do it for their World Cups? France-Brazil in the final, it was the dream of everyone.'



France Bleu Sport
✔
@francebleusport
Coupe du Monde 98 : la "petite magouille" de Platini pour que France et Brésil s'évitent jusqu'à la finale > https://www.francebleu.fr/sports/football/coupe-du-monde-98-la-petite-magouille-de-michel-platini-pour-un-france-bresil-en-finale-1526569206 ...

The former UEFA president said 'we did a little trickery' to make the final possible

Platini described how the draw was designed so the two were unlikely to meet until the final

Platini claimed it was the final that everyone wanted to see and dreamed of seeing

The 62-year-old is still fighting a ban issued by the FIFA ethics committee in 2015. Platini was banned from football for financial wrongdoing after it was alleged that he received a 'disloyal payment', reported to be in the region of £1.25million, from his former FIFA counterpart Sepp Blatter.

The payment was made more than eight years after the work was done, and it proved to be the downfall of both individuals, with Blatter receiving a six-year ban also.

Platini's respective ban was originally set at eight years but has since been cut to six and then four in 2016, after which he announced he would resign from his post at UEFA. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) was not convinced by the legitimacy of the payment made by Blatter.

Platini, whose term as president of European football's governing body wasn't due to expire until March 2019, also lost his candidacy for the 2016 FIFA presidential elections to succeed Blatter as a result.

He also had an appeal rejected by the Swiss Federal Court in July 2017, who upheld the ruling issued by the CAS the year previous, and the ban still stands.

Platini (right) is still fighting a four-year ban from the game for financial wrongdoing

His most recent mode of appeal has been to take the case to the European Court of Human Rights - in January - where he continues to protest his innocence.

According to Sky Sports, he said: 'I want justice. I haven't done anything wrong. I want my integrity to be acknowledged.'

The disgraced former UEFA boss went on to describe himself as a 'victim'.

He added: 'I consider myself to be a victim, not only of an injustice, but also a political conspiracy by FIFA to stop me becoming president of this institution.

'I am fighting first of all for my honour and against injustice. I want my innocence to be recognised, that's my absolute priority.'
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 18, 2018, 09:15:53 AM
Are we gonna try and have a pool this year?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on May 18, 2018, 10:07:50 AM
France 98's victory is the day a Celebrate the most in my life.

What a day!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on May 18, 2018, 02:14:40 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on May 18, 2018, 10:07:50 AM
France 98's victory is the day a Celebrate the most in my life.

What a day!

Hey! Me to! :frog:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on May 18, 2018, 05:21:13 PM
Oddly all three south coast teams avoided relegation from the premiership; Saints by the skin of their teeth, though not quite a 'great escape'

I was convince at least one if not two were not going to survive.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 19, 2018, 08:14:57 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on May 18, 2018, 10:07:50 AM
France 98's victory is the day a Celebrate the most in my life.

What a day!

Footix !
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on May 23, 2018, 08:23:51 AM
I had to google that. I didn't know/remember the name of that Mascot.

:glare:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 23, 2018, 08:37:42 AM
Well you can stop celebrating now that Platini has admitted it was won thanks to cheating :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on May 23, 2018, 08:48:10 AM
Quote from: Tamas on May 23, 2018, 08:37:42 AM
Well you can stop celebrating now that Platini has admitted it was won thanks to cheating :P

Nah. Maybe it was made marginally easier in the group stage but that was a pretty loaded French team. They probably would have gotten through either way.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 23, 2018, 09:22:24 AM
Quote from: Valmy on May 23, 2018, 08:48:10 AM
Quote from: Tamas on May 23, 2018, 08:37:42 AM
Well you can stop celebrating now that Platini has admitted it was won thanks to cheating :P

Nah. Maybe it was made marginally easier in the group stage but that was a pretty loaded French team. They probably would have gotten through either way.

Yeah, with top players such as Guivarc'h or Diomède.  :lol:
If you want a pretty loaded French team, try 2000, and even there they had some luck with refereeing though no outright Platini-magouille, of course, nor mysterious Ronaldo poisoning.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on May 23, 2018, 09:53:49 AM
I was there for 2000 as well  :cool:

Good teams always seem to have "luck". Weird.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 23, 2018, 10:02:16 AM
Quote from: Valmy on May 23, 2018, 09:53:49 AM
I was there for 2000 as well  :cool:

Really? In Belgium and the Netherlands?  :P

Quote
Good teams always seem to have "luck". Weird.

Sometimes more than luck, cf. France '98. QED.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on May 23, 2018, 10:10:44 AM
This is some ballsy revisionist history to move the cheating from the Quarter-finals to the Group draws.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 23, 2018, 10:19:29 AM
Rabiot, a PSG midfielder selected in a group of backups for the French squad, has apparently had a diva tantrum and told the French Federation that being a reserve is beneath him and to not count on him for the WC. The competition has not even started and there's already turnmoil in Les Bleus.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on May 23, 2018, 10:29:11 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on May 23, 2018, 10:02:16 AM
Really? In Belgium and the Netherlands?  :P

Yep. Now bear in mind I did not attend any of the matches in person either time but I was there taking in the chaos.

Quote
Sometimes more than luck, cf. France '98. QED.  :P

Other times your star player headbutts the opposition in a key moment. Hey it wasn't luck that beat Brazil.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on May 23, 2018, 10:31:55 AM
Quote from: The Larch on May 23, 2018, 10:19:29 AM
Rabiot, a PSG midfielder selected in a group of backups for the French squad, has apparently had a diva tantrum and told the French Federation that being a reserve is beneath him and to not count on him for the WC. The competition has not even started and there's already turnmoil in Les Bleus.  :lol:

They bring a certain 'je ne sais quoi' to every competition.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 23, 2018, 10:40:57 AM
Quote from: Valmy on May 23, 2018, 10:29:11 AM


Yep. Now bear in mind I did not attend any of the matches in person either time but I was there taking in the chaos.

I'd say, given my memories of the Euro '2000, since I attended a game there, speaking of chaos is grossly exagerated.  :P

Quote

Other times your star player headbutts the opposition in a key moment. Hey it wasn't luck that beat Brazil.

Yeah, some food poisoning.   :P

As for Rabiot, turnmoil within the Bleus, not yet. He has not been a key player for the national squad by any account. Final diva tantrum with Deschamps as national coach? Perhaps, yes.
A coach known for his luck, at least in group phase, with the best player of a rival side out of the competition for doping, Paolo Guerrero. Without his appeal, Guerrero would have played the World Cup.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on May 23, 2018, 10:49:32 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on May 23, 2018, 10:40:57 AM
I'd say, given my memories of the Euro '2000, since I attended a game there, speaking of chaos is grossly exagerated.  :P

Whatever. It was fun. And shows that whenever I am there France wins.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 23, 2018, 11:03:26 AM
Can't deny it was fun but then I have attended other events of the same kind.

Back to Rabiot, now the French government spokesman even spoke of the "issue".   :lol:
Ah, politicians looking for a diversion. :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on May 23, 2018, 11:09:34 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on May 23, 2018, 11:03:26 AM
Can't deny it was fun but then I have attended other events of the same kind.

Man you just don't stop do you? :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 23, 2018, 11:25:16 AM
Quote from: Valmy on May 23, 2018, 11:09:34 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on May 23, 2018, 11:03:26 AM
Can't deny it was fun but then I have attended other events of the same kind.

Man you just don't stop do you? :lol:

I realise it's much harder for you to have a basis of comparison since you live on the other side of the Atlantic, but chaos? Come on.
OTOH, football fervor is more of a thing in the Low Countries than in France, though far from the crazyness of South America.

Besides, as Renard Gris just discovered, Footix(erie) is an insult in France nowadays, since '98.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on May 23, 2018, 06:59:35 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on May 23, 2018, 11:25:16 AM
I realise it's much harder for you to have a basis of comparison since you live on the other side of the Atlantic, but chaos? Come on.
OTOH, football fervor is more of a thing in the Low Countries than in France, though far from the crazyness of South America.

Besides, as Renard Gris just discovered, Footix(erie) is an insult in France nowadays, since '98.  :P

I was not being literal. I just enjoy sporting events of all sorts. I mean yeah I didn't get beaten up by any English Hooligans and no Central American wars were declared but I enjoyed all the hubbub. I liked just hanging out and trash talking with the Brazilians and Croatians in 1998.

But Texans and people from Austin especially are rather chill. People from Chicago and other places in the Midwest come here and are really disappointed about how lame we are about our sports. 'I thought you people were fanatical about football? What is this crap?' 'We are fanatical...on the inside.'
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 24, 2018, 05:50:09 AM
Quote from: Valmy on May 23, 2018, 06:59:35 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on May 23, 2018, 11:25:16 AM
I realise it's much harder for you to have a basis of comparison since you live on the other side of the Atlantic, but chaos? Come on.
OTOH, football fervor is more of a thing in the Low Countries than in France, though far from the crazyness of South America.

Besides, as Renard Gris just discovered, Footix(erie) is an insult in France nowadays, since '98.  :P

I was not being literal. I just enjoy sporting events of all sorts. I mean yeah I didn't get beaten up by any English Hooligans and no Central American wars were declared but I enjoyed all the hubbub. I liked just hanging out and trash talking with the Brazilians and Croatians in 1998.

But Texans and people from Austin especially are rather chill. People from Chicago and other places in the Midwest come here and are really disappointed about how lame we are about our sports. 'I thought you people were fanatical about football? What is this crap?' 'We are fanatical...on the inside.'

Trash talking chaos? ;) Yeah, hanging around in a boar, or in the train, while having a glass or two on the way to the next game is great, with the international ambient. That Lebanese cheering for Côte d'Ivoire was interesting. ;) He had gone native and seemed convinced of marabouts/bad spirits in football when asked about it, retorted with "you bloody cartesian European/French people!". Drunk Welshmen in the métro bring a lot of passion and actually become more articulate when speaking about football, as I mentioned once in this forum, during the EURO 2016. Yes, Amsterdam was great in the Euro 2000 to hang around!
If Texans and people from Ausin are more chill than French people about people, then it's worse than I though.  :P Then again, it is a region thing, people in Saint-Étienne or Lens (working class cities) care a lot more. Marseille also likes it a lot, though the working-class factor is not as important.

Paris is awful, French fans only wake up after quarter or semi-finals, be it in 98 or 2016. Only around the train stations or fan zones there was some kind of football fever. City is bigger of course, but not that big for an European capital.

PS: speaking of which, these long train rides, i.e 40h between Moscow and Sochi, have potential.  :P Chai/ча́я in the morning, then...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 24, 2018, 11:06:20 AM
Very much NOT in the spirit of the times, a minor Hungarian TV station will continue a tradition started during the last international football competition (IIRC): during the half-time breaks, teams of scantly-clad ladies "representing" the real teams playing, will have a penalty shootout contest:

http://indavideo.hu/video/Bunteto8

I must say, the level of quality will have trouble living up to Internet standards:

http://comment.blog.hu/#gallery-1527156949_1
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: derspiess on May 24, 2018, 02:00:48 PM
Looks like Cincinnati's USL team will be moving up to MLS.  To be announced next Tuesday.  The team has been drawing more fans than a lot of MLS teams and has plans to build a new stadium.  Hopefully the hipster fans won't get jaded and stop going.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 25, 2018, 04:56:24 AM
Quote from: Tamas on May 24, 2018, 11:06:20 AM
Very much NOT in the spirit of the times, a minor Hungarian TV station will continue a tradition started during the last international football competition (IIRC): during the half-time breaks, teams of scantly-clad ladies "representing" the real teams playing, will have a penalty shootout contest:

http://indavideo.hu/video/Bunteto8

Best use of the Chariots of Fire theme since the film.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 25, 2018, 05:37:42 AM
World Cup trash talking has started!

https://www.thestatesman.com/sports/2018-fifa-world-cup-denmark-coach-slams-france-paul-pogba-1502640331.html (https://www.thestatesman.com/sports/2018-fifa-world-cup-denmark-coach-slams-france-paul-pogba-1502640331.html)

Pogba ridiculed, again!

QuoteDenmark coach Age Hareide gave a withering assessment of his World Cup first-round rivals France claiming they have no real leader and have little chance in Russia.

"I don't believe in this team," Hareide told Danish daily Jyllands-Posten, a month ahead of their June 26 game in Russia.

"They are nothing special," he said.

"They don't have a leader such as Zinedine Zidane to lead them, someone who knew how to galvanise them," said the Norwegian who has been Denmark coach for three years.

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"They need to play as a team."

The 64-year-old singled out Manchester United's Paul Pogba for criticism — over his flashy haircuts.

"He played against Manchester City with his hair dyed blue and white, maybe he'll have it red and white to play us." "Good grief, does he only think about his haircuts?" asked the coach.

A bit harsh, but he seems to ignore Deschamps' legendary luck ™la chatte à Dédé™, which already got Peru's Paolo Guerrero out of the way. I thought Peru would be the main obstacle for the French squad now maybe Denmark, yeah. I expect Peru to play with more grinta, of course.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on May 25, 2018, 07:04:48 AM
France had also no chance & bad team with an aging Zidane in 2006 & they team made the final.

It's the WC, anything can happen until Germany or Brazil wins.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 25, 2018, 07:08:12 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on May 25, 2018, 07:04:48 AM
France had also no chance & bad team with an aging Zidane in 2006 & they team made the final.

It's the WC, anything can happen until Germany or Brazil wins.

i am tempted to put money on Russia reaching the final.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on May 25, 2018, 07:12:35 AM
Couldn't do it for the Olympics in 2014, not doing it this year either.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 25, 2018, 07:14:01 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on May 25, 2018, 07:12:35 AM
Couldn't do it for the Olympics in 2014, not doing it this year either.

It's the FIFA World Cup in Russia, mate.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 25, 2018, 07:39:09 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on May 25, 2018, 07:04:48 AM
France had also no chance & bad team with an aging Zidane in 2006 & they team made the final.


Well, there was a bit of trash talking before the game vs Spain but nothing like that. Then after a slow start, they made it with some wrong calls in France's favor which really really helped them.
OTOH, in 2002 they saw themselves as having won before playing (two stars in the jersey) and did not leave the group phase.

Quote
It's the WC, anything can happen until Germany or Brazil wins.

Thanks, but I must have into account that Spain is a favourite too.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 25, 2018, 07:39:41 AM
Quote from: Tamas on May 25, 2018, 07:14:01 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on May 25, 2018, 07:12:35 AM
Couldn't do it for the Olympics in 2014, not doing it this year either.

It's the FIFA World Cup in Russia, mate.

Enough to beat Saudia Arabia sure, but Uruguay? Maybe Egypt, Salah may not be enough.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 25, 2018, 07:48:03 AM
I still have memories of South Korea.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 25, 2018, 08:59:19 AM
Quote from: Tamas on May 25, 2018, 07:48:03 AM
I still have memories of South Korea.

I'm sure it'll be obvious, but still won't be enough. South Korea had a better team then than Russia has now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 25, 2018, 09:09:51 AM
Quote from: Liep on May 25, 2018, 08:59:19 AM
Quote from: Tamas on May 25, 2018, 07:48:03 AM
I still have memories of South Korea.

I'm sure it'll be obvious, but still won't be enough. South Korea had a better team then than Russia has now.

Agree on the first part, but not on the second. The problem with your analogy is that Russia fielded not so long ago much better teams, something South Korea never really did. OTOH, the South Koreans did stop or cancel the season of their league for the competition, something the Russians did not.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 25, 2018, 09:33:41 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on May 25, 2018, 09:09:51 AM
Quote from: Liep on May 25, 2018, 08:59:19 AM
Quote from: Tamas on May 25, 2018, 07:48:03 AM
I still have memories of South Korea.

I'm sure it'll be obvious, but still won't be enough. South Korea had a better team then than Russia has now.

Agree on the first part, but not on the second. The problem with your analogy is that Russia fielded not so long ago much better teams, something South Korea never really did. OTOH, the South Koreans did stop or cancel the season of their league for the competition, something the Russians did not.

The few games I've seen them play in the last couple of years have not left me impressed.

Anyhoo, the WC single is out and of course it's horrible. https://youtu.be/kFMZUxX6K6o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 25, 2018, 09:36:21 AM
South Korea wasn't good. There was rampant cheating on their behalf.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 25, 2018, 10:01:39 AM
Quote from: Liep on May 25, 2018, 09:33:41 AM

Anyhoo, the WC single is out and of course it's horrible. https://youtu.be/kFMZUxX6K6o

Having Will Smith in it is certainly part of harsher US sanctions against Russia, there cannot be another reason.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 26, 2018, 03:34:52 PM
It must be said: Liverpool's keeper is fucking hilariously bad

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 26, 2018, 03:53:29 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 26, 2018, 03:34:52 PM
It must be said: Liverpool's keeper is fucking hilariously bad

Yes. Also Ramos is a true spiritual successor to Pepe.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 26, 2018, 04:16:24 PM
Quote from: Tamas on May 26, 2018, 03:53:29 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 26, 2018, 03:34:52 PM
It must be said: Liverpool's keeper is fucking hilariously bad

Yes. Also Ramos is a true spiritual successor to Pepe.

Both correct. I felt really bad for Karius though when he tearfully went to apologise to the Liverpool fans.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 26, 2018, 04:56:26 PM
Salah out of the World Cup according to the BBC, very good news for the Russian football team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on May 26, 2018, 06:07:16 PM
I have been to three separate kids soccer games today.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 26, 2018, 08:32:41 PM
I failed to watch the game, sleep took me.
But poor Liverpool. And Gareth Bale to be the one...wow.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 27, 2018, 05:59:46 AM
Quote from: Tyr on May 26, 2018, 08:32:41 PM
I failed to watch the game, sleep took me.

Getting old?  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 27, 2018, 10:58:03 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on May 27, 2018, 05:59:46 AM
Quote from: Tyr on May 26, 2018, 08:32:41 PM
I failed to watch the game, sleep took me.

Getting old?  :lol:
In Japan and I've been hiking in the sun all day for 2 weeks. . Iirc kick off was 3.30
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on May 27, 2018, 01:48:19 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on May 26, 2018, 04:56:26 PM
Salah out of the World Cup according to the BBC, very good news for the Russian football team.

He says he's "confident" he'll be able to play, while the Egyptian Football Association says it's "optimistic" that he'll be available.  Liverpool seems much more dubious about the severity of the injury.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 27, 2018, 04:09:43 PM
What's worse is that Bendtner is also out injured :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 27, 2018, 04:21:18 PM
Hey Liep, it is being said that my boy Daniel Wass is not going to be picked up for the WC because of an accusation of disloyalty to the national team. What's the take over there?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 27, 2018, 05:24:06 PM
Quote from: The Larch on May 27, 2018, 04:21:18 PM
Hey Liep, it is being said that my boy Daniel Wass is not going to be picked up for the WC because of an accusation of disloyalty to the national team. What's the take over there?

Translation mistake I think. Hareide said he valued loyalty (both ways) in that he wanted to choose players who played during the qualification, and I'm not sure Wass played a lot then.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 27, 2018, 07:27:53 PM
Quote from: dps on May 27, 2018, 01:48:19 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on May 26, 2018, 04:56:26 PM
Salah out of the World Cup according to the BBC, very good news for the Russian football team.

He says he's "confident" he'll be able to play, while the Egyptian Football Association says it's "optimistic" that he'll be available.  Liverpool seems much more dubious about the severity of the injury.

I have a feeling Egypt and Salah himself will insist he's perfectly healthy enough to play in June, only for Salah to sustain an even worse injury which will put him out for the entirety of next season at Liverpool.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on May 27, 2018, 08:23:33 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 27, 2018, 07:27:53 PM
Quote from: dps on May 27, 2018, 01:48:19 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on May 26, 2018, 04:56:26 PM
Salah out of the World Cup according to the BBC, very good news for the Russian football team.

He says he's "confident" he'll be able to play, while the Egyptian Football Association says it's "optimistic" that he'll be available.  Liverpool seems much more dubious about the severity of the injury.

I have a feeling Egypt and Salah himself will insist he's perfectly healthy enough to play in June, only for Salah to sustain an even worse injury which will put him out for the entirety of next season at Liverpool.

I wouldn't be shocked.  He wouldn't be the first athlete to play when he really shouldn't have and end up hurting himself even worse.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 28, 2018, 06:11:16 AM
Quote from: Liep on May 27, 2018, 05:24:06 PM
Quote from: The Larch on May 27, 2018, 04:21:18 PM
Hey Liep, it is being said that my boy Daniel Wass is not going to be picked up for the WC because of an accusation of disloyalty to the national team. What's the take over there?

Translation mistake I think. Hareide said he valued loyalty (both ways) in that he wanted to choose players who played during the qualification, and I'm not sure Wass played a lot then.

He also said that Eriksen would always be preferred over Wass and that Krohn-Dehli was a more versatile backup.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 28, 2018, 06:58:05 AM
Quote from: Liep on May 28, 2018, 06:11:16 AM
Quote from: Liep on May 27, 2018, 05:24:06 PM
Quote from: The Larch on May 27, 2018, 04:21:18 PM
Hey Liep, it is being said that my boy Daniel Wass is not going to be picked up for the WC because of an accusation of disloyalty to the national team. What's the take over there?

Translation mistake I think. Hareide said he valued loyalty (both ways) in that he wanted to choose players who played during the qualification, and I'm not sure Wass played a lot then.

He also said that Eriksen would always be preferred over Wass and that Krohn-Dehli was a more versatile backup.

Eriksen is ahead of Wass in the pecking order, no doubt about that, but Krohn-Dehli is also ahead? He's pretty washed already, and his last injuries have made him a shadow of his former self.

Regarding the translation, what was said over here is that Wass had shown some kind of disloyalty for not playing some of the post season friendlies that the national team played, and that it made the coach valued him less because of that. AFAIK he played all the official matches.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 28, 2018, 07:00:55 AM
I was about to say, Krohn-Dehli has had a really mediocre season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 28, 2018, 08:03:36 AM
Well, one headline here is "Wassøren??" Which translate coarsely into "Wass The Fuck?". So you're not the only ones wondering about that decision.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on May 28, 2018, 12:24:42 PM
Quote from: dps on May 27, 2018, 08:23:33 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 27, 2018, 07:27:53 PM
Quote from: dps on May 27, 2018, 01:48:19 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on May 26, 2018, 04:56:26 PM
Salah out of the World Cup according to the BBC, very good news for the Russian football team.

He says he's "confident" he'll be able to play, while the Egyptian Football Association says it's "optimistic" that he'll be available.  Liverpool seems much more dubious about the severity of the injury.

I have a feeling Egypt and Salah himself will insist he's perfectly healthy enough to play in June, only for Salah to sustain an even worse injury which will put him out for the entirety of next season at Liverpool.

I wouldn't be shocked.  He wouldn't be the first athlete to play when he really shouldn't have and end up hurting himself even worse.

Egypt qualified for the first time since 1990. It's now or never.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 29, 2018, 09:07:59 AM
 :lol:

(https://asset.dr.dk/ImageScaler/?server=www.dr.dk&file=%2Fimages%2Fother%2F2018%2F05%2F29%2Frwandadd3lt3cvaae6hkc.jpg&w=786&h=442&scaleAfter=crop&quality=75&ratio=16-9)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 29, 2018, 09:14:57 AM
For a second I thought it said Wakanda.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on May 29, 2018, 09:42:48 AM
I assume the Rwandan president just wanted to be able to hobnob with Arsenal execs.  Because that sounds like a spectacularly bad investment otherwise.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 29, 2018, 12:24:57 PM
Quote from: Barrister on May 29, 2018, 09:42:48 AM
I assume the Rwandan president just wanted to be able to hobnob with Arsenal execs.  Because that sounds like a spectacularly bad investment otherwise.

:secret:

Arsène Wenger is no longer there.  :P

Great coach, but a couple of years too much, out of 20 or so, truth be said.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 29, 2018, 01:55:15 PM
Quote from: Barrister on May 29, 2018, 09:42:48 AM
I assume the Rwandan president just wanted to be able to hobnob with Arsenal execs.  Because that sounds like a spectacularly bad investment otherwise.

Whether it's a bad investment depends on how much they paid for the advertisement. Given tourism and travel makes up ~12.7% of Rwanda's GDP, promoting it seems a pretty reasonable use of money.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on May 29, 2018, 02:29:18 PM
Quote from: Jacob on May 29, 2018, 01:55:15 PM
Quote from: Barrister on May 29, 2018, 09:42:48 AM
I assume the Rwandan president just wanted to be able to hobnob with Arsenal execs.  Because that sounds like a spectacularly bad investment otherwise.

Whether it's a bad investment depends on how much they paid for the advertisement. Given tourism and travel makes up ~12.7% of Rwanda's GDP, promoting it seems a pretty reasonable use of money.

Apparently it was something like $40 million. Tourism in Rwanda generates ~$400 million annually.

I can't evaluate the return on investment of this, but it doesn't seem impossible it will pay off. Just the reactions the sponsorship is generating is getting press without the jerseys seeing the pitch. I'm sure the BBC will run an article at some point, "You've seen the jerseys, but is it really a good idea to visit Rwanda?"
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on May 29, 2018, 07:07:32 PM
I heard Rwanda is doing great these days so maybe it would be a good trip.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 29, 2018, 11:47:15 PM
I wonder whether Rwanda and Uganda will try and pick up on "we are wakanda!!!" vibes
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 31, 2018, 07:04:18 AM
Rwanda is the best Arsenal can do nowadays
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 03, 2018, 05:23:39 PM
Lord is out :( :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 04, 2018, 05:05:04 AM
Quote from: Liep on June 03, 2018, 05:23:39 PM
Lord is out :( :weep:

™ La chatte à Dédé ™ ?

Well, at least Guerrero is back for Peru.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 06, 2018, 06:42:04 PM
Whoever has the US WC rights is marketing them with the slogan "root for your roots."  :homestar:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on June 06, 2018, 06:48:09 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on June 06, 2018, 06:42:04 PM
Whoever has the US WC rights is marketing them with the slogan "root for your roots."  :homestar:

Tamas is wildly applauding his beet garden.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 06, 2018, 10:59:37 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on June 06, 2018, 06:42:04 PM
Whoever has the US WC rights is marketing them with the slogan "root for your roots."  :homestar:

What? I don't want to root for England :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 07, 2018, 04:13:02 AM
Quote from: Valmy on June 06, 2018, 10:59:37 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on June 06, 2018, 06:42:04 PM
Whoever has the US WC rights is marketing them with the slogan "root for your roots."  :homestar:

What? I don't want to root for England :weep:

Root for France, you'll do it anyway.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on June 07, 2018, 04:15:17 AM
That would have me root for France. Yuck.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 07, 2018, 05:08:24 AM
Quote from: celedhring on June 07, 2018, 04:15:17 AM
That would have me root for France. Yuck.

Relax, that is so far fetched. You are no Lucas Hernández.:P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 07, 2018, 05:44:53 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on June 06, 2018, 06:42:04 PM
Whoever has the US WC rights is marketing them with the slogan "root for your roots."  :homestar:

The sad thing is you just know someone collected over 100k for that.

My rooting is clear.
Henderson and/or Pickford are on the pitch - Berniciaaaaa!
Otherwise- Japan, Sweden, Iceland.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on June 07, 2018, 07:17:10 AM
I suppose I'll root for Iceland.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 07, 2018, 08:24:28 AM
Quote from: The Larch on June 07, 2018, 04:13:02 AM
Quote from: Valmy on June 06, 2018, 10:59:37 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on June 06, 2018, 06:42:04 PM
Whoever has the US WC rights is marketing them with the slogan "root for your roots."  :homestar:

What? I don't want to root for England :weep:

Root for France, you'll do it anyway.  :P

Of course I will -_-
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on June 07, 2018, 09:18:27 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on June 07, 2018, 05:08:24 AM
Quote from: celedhring on June 07, 2018, 04:15:17 AM
That would have me root for France. Yuck.

Relax, that is so far fetched. You are no Lucas Hernández.:P

I have (had :() a French grandad!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 07, 2018, 11:19:39 AM
French law does not recognise jus sanguinis in the case of a grandfather sorry.  :console:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on July 04, 2018, 09:32:20 AM
It seems that Juventus is seriously interested in signing Cristiano Ronaldo, for a horrific quantity of money.  :huh:

From a business point of view, it could be a rather smart move for Juventus, to open up the brand marketability with the name of the single most valuable player in the game.

From a fan point of view, I say KEEP DREAMING THE DREAM!!!

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 04, 2018, 10:25:35 AM
Quote from: Pedrito on July 04, 2018, 09:32:20 AM
It seems that Juventus is seriously interested in signing Cristiano Ronaldo, for a horrific quantity of money.  :huh:

From a business point of view, it could be a rather smart move for Juventus, to open up the brand marketability with the name of the single most valuable player in the game.

From a fan point of view, I say KEEP DREAMING THE DREAM!!!

L.

It's being talked profusely over here as well, given that around half of our sport media have a raging hard on for him.

Does Juve seriously have that much money? It seems too much for a publicity stunt.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on July 04, 2018, 10:27:38 AM
Which foreign billionaire owns Juve?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 04, 2018, 10:29:49 AM
Quote from: Liep on July 04, 2018, 10:27:38 AM
Which foreign billionaire owns Juve?

It's still owned by the Agnelli family.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on July 04, 2018, 10:44:02 AM
Funny story about Rooney having no name recognition in Washington.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jul/03/wayne-rooney-dc-united-signing-mls-soccer

Quote'Is he related to Mickey?': DC sports fans struggle to identify Wayne Rooney
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: garbon on July 04, 2018, 10:51:18 AM
Quote from: crazy canuck on July 04, 2018, 10:44:02 AM
Funny story about Rooney having no name recognition in Washington.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jul/03/wayne-rooney-dc-united-signing-mls-soccer

Quote'Is he related to Mickey?': DC sports fans struggle to identify Wayne Rooney

Yeah, I mean why would they?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on July 04, 2018, 11:02:54 AM
It's a great big universe
And we're all really puny
We're just tiny specs
About the size of Mickey Rooney
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on July 04, 2018, 12:27:02 PM
Quote from: The Larch on July 04, 2018, 10:25:35 AM
Quote from: Pedrito on July 04, 2018, 09:32:20 AM
It seems that Juventus is seriously interested in signing Cristiano Ronaldo, for a horrific quantity of money.  :huh:

From a business point of view, it could be a rather smart move for Juventus, to open up the brand marketability with the name of the single most valuable player in the game.

From a fan point of view, I say KEEP DREAMING THE DREAM!!!

L.

It's being talked profusely over here as well, given that around half of our sport media have a raging hard on for him.

Does Juve seriously have that much money? It seems too much for a publicity stunt.
To be honest, every Juve fan has a raging hard on too, at the simple thought of the possibility.

About the money, juve is doing pretty well financially: a couple years ago they paid in full the €90M release clause of Higuain, the stadium is their own property, and i think they're evaluating Ronaldo more as a global brand than as a simple fooball player.
Don't forget that the guy has something like 130 MILLION followers on Instagram and Twitter...

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 04, 2018, 12:31:43 PM
Would it really be so awesome for marketing?
Getting Ronaldo in the declining years of his career... A coup for a lesser team for sure but Juve are already rather well known.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on July 04, 2018, 12:36:53 PM
Quote from: garbon on July 04, 2018, 10:51:18 AM
Quote from: crazy canuck on July 04, 2018, 10:44:02 AM
Funny story about Rooney having no name recognition in Washington.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jul/03/wayne-rooney-dc-united-signing-mls-soccer

Quote'Is he related to Mickey?': DC sports fans struggle to identify Wayne Rooney

Yeah, I mean why would they?

Yeah, he apparently was mostly asking Washington Nationals fans.  You gotta expect a certain level of stupidity when dealing with them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 06, 2018, 01:56:02 PM
Surprised with the Buffon to PSG move. Always assumed he was retiring
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on July 06, 2018, 02:23:30 PM
Quote from: Josephus on July 06, 2018, 01:56:02 PM
Surprised with the Buffon to PSG move. Always assumed he was retiring

He's doing horrific ads on tv, so I guess nothing is too low for him at this point.  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 06, 2018, 03:05:31 PM
Quote from: Maladict on July 06, 2018, 02:23:30 PM
Quote from: Josephus on July 06, 2018, 01:56:02 PM
Surprised with the Buffon to PSG move. Always assumed he was retiring

He's doing horrific ads on tv, so I guess nothing is too low for him at this point.  :(

He has done several other lower things during his career.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 10, 2018, 11:06:11 AM
So, it seems that the CR transfer to Juve is official now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on July 11, 2018, 04:58:33 AM
..and the hard on is still, well, on  :P

I 'm still in disbelief that a move this big could happen, but good for Juve, if they don't need to dismantle the team to pay Ronaldo's wages.
A couple of sales are already in the pipeline, though (Higuain very probably, maybe Alex Sandro and Rugani).

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on July 25, 2018, 08:34:41 AM
 A 17-year-old phenom from the whitecaps is being sent to Munich with a $20 million transfer fee.  doubles the previous record for an MLS player

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on July 25, 2018, 08:51:24 AM
I hate how MLS thinks it gets legitimacy by allowing those kinds of transfers.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on July 25, 2018, 09:03:11 AM
Quote from: crazy canuck on July 25, 2018, 08:34:41 AM
A 17-year-old phenom from the whitecaps is being sent to Munich with a $20 million transfer fee.  doubles the previous record for an MLS player

17 year old phenom from Edmonton.  :contract:


Well, and from Liberia/Ghana too I guess.  But he played Edmonton minor soccer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 25, 2018, 09:13:20 AM
A 17-year old Canadian.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on July 25, 2018, 09:52:56 AM
Quote from: Josephus on July 25, 2018, 09:13:20 AM
A 17-year old Canadian.

Edmontonian. :contract:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 25, 2018, 10:59:38 AM
Quote from: Barrister on July 25, 2018, 09:52:56 AM
Quote from: Josephus on July 25, 2018, 09:13:20 AM
A 17-year old Canadian.

Edmontonian. :contract:

If he's not from Toronto...does it really matter?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on July 25, 2018, 11:08:30 AM
Quote from: Barrister on July 25, 2018, 09:03:11 AM
Quote from: crazy canuck on July 25, 2018, 08:34:41 AM
A 17-year-old phenom from the whitecaps is being sent to Munich with a $20 million transfer fee.  doubles the previous record for an MLS player

17 year old phenom from Edmonton.  :contract:


Well, and from Liberia/Ghana too I guess.  But he played Edmonton minor soccer.

He played in the Whitecaps development system for a couple of years.  Sure, when his parents emigrated to Canada from the refugee camp in Ghana they settled in Edmonton.  But it is the club development system the Whitecaps have created that made this opportunity possible for him.  The development club takes a lot of resources but it is the model that best ensures a supply of players for the main club.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 08, 2018, 03:37:01 PM
Hey Liep, my team has bouth yet another Danish player, Mathias Jensen, a midfielder originally from Nordsjælland. Anything you can tell me about him?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on August 08, 2018, 03:38:36 PM
Quote from: The Larch on August 08, 2018, 03:37:01 PM
Hey Liep, my team has bouth yet another Danish player

I hope he will recover in time for the season opener
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 08, 2018, 04:11:15 PM
Quote from: The Larch on August 08, 2018, 03:37:01 PM
Hey Liep, my team has bouth yet another Danish player, Mathias Jensen, a midfielder originally from Nordsjælland. Anything you can tell me about him?

Young but already captain and regular for his team which have done very well over the past years. He almost made the cut for the world cup team.

Did you guys sell a Dane as well? I only see Sisto, Mor and now Jensen on the list. WHERE'S WASS?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 08, 2018, 05:15:05 PM
Quote from: Liep on August 08, 2018, 04:11:15 PM
Quote from: The Larch on August 08, 2018, 03:37:01 PM
Hey Liep, my team has bouth yet another Danish player, Mathias Jensen, a midfielder originally from Nordsjælland. Anything you can tell me about him?

Young but already captain and regular for his team which have done very well over the past years. He almost made the cut for the world cup team.

Did you guys sell a Dane as well? I only see Sisto, Mor and now Jensen on the list. WHERE'S WASS?

Wass is playing for Valencia now. He wanted to be in a team that played the Champions League.

I see that you don't care much for Hjuslager. It's ok, we don't care much about him either.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on August 09, 2018, 07:18:41 AM
You Euros have any 2nd division flops that maybe you can send the MLS way?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 09, 2018, 07:37:34 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on August 09, 2018, 07:18:41 AM
You Euros have any 2nd division flops that maybe you can send the MLS way?

Hey, we just sent a damaged goods center back to Sporting Kansas City.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 10, 2018, 03:46:53 AM
Sunderland just signed a new player named....

MAX POWER

💪💪💪
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on August 10, 2018, 04:03:17 AM
(https://sc01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1uKVeKXXXXXXdXFXXq6xXFXXXA/MAX-POWER-OIL.jpg_350x350.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 10, 2018, 04:04:32 AM
(https://media.giphy.com/media/puEY4hd8L0kco/giphy.gif)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 10, 2018, 05:52:05 AM
Tottenham has become the first club in the Premier League since 2003 to not buy a player in the off season. Brexit was blamed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 10, 2018, 08:00:35 AM
Quote from: Tyr on August 10, 2018, 03:46:53 AM
Sunderland just signed a new player named....

MAX POWER

💪💪💪

:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 10, 2018, 08:01:17 AM
Quote from: Liep on August 10, 2018, 05:52:05 AM
Tottenham has become the first club in the Premier League since 2003 to not buy a player in the off season. Brexit was blamed.

I am going to laugh if they end up winning the league this season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 13, 2018, 04:09:41 AM
https://twitter.com/photosofootball/status/1028885406484447232

Rooney is giving a master class in the MLS
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on August 13, 2018, 03:41:10 PM
Please allow me to introduce myself
I'm a man of wealth and taste
I've been around for a long, long year
Went to the MLS and won't let my talent go to waste
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 13, 2018, 04:04:14 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on August 13, 2018, 03:41:10 PM
Please allow me to introduce myself
I'm a man of wealth and taste
I've been around for a long, long year
Went to the MLS and won't let my talent go to waste

You calling Rooney the Devil?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on August 13, 2018, 04:05:45 PM
Quote from: Josephus on August 13, 2018, 04:04:14 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on August 13, 2018, 03:41:10 PM
Please allow me to introduce myself
I'm a man of wealth and taste
I've been around for a long, long year
Went to the MLS and won't let my talent go to waste

You calling Rooney the Devil?

At his age, doing that, are you going to tell me he didnt make a deal?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on August 13, 2018, 08:55:32 PM
Quote from: Josephus on August 13, 2018, 04:04:14 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on August 13, 2018, 03:41:10 PM
Please allow me to introduce myself
I'm a man of wealth and taste
I've been around for a long, long year
Went to the MLS and won't let my talent go to waste

You calling Rooney the Devil?

He's saying Rooney killed the Kennedys.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: frunk on August 13, 2018, 08:58:32 PM
Quote from: dps on August 13, 2018, 08:55:32 PM

He's saying Rooney killed the Kennedys.

As least we know the nature of his game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on August 17, 2018, 05:20:06 AM
Rapid Wien was hosting Slovan Bratislava yesterday. In the past there'd been clashes of hooligans of the clubs, so police were doing border checks (severa fans were sent back because they were packing brass knuckles, knives, balaclavas, and the likes).

The subway towards the stadium had to suspend services after Bratislava supporters tore a door from a subway car. The train had to be stopped, electricity on the part of the track killed and all passengers evacuated.

The "fans" went on to loot a gas station. The police (ca. 1,000 of them) put the area on lockdown. Tram lines in the area were suspended because fans were blocking streets, using illegal fireworks etc. Police started ID checks on everyone, so most of these guys missed the 0-4 defeat of their team in the stadium.

The police then organized buses to take the hooligans back to their parked cars on the Vienna periphery because the Viennese public transports refused to let them back onto the subways.

All of this will be paid for by the tax payer.

I do understand why many of my friends here in Vienna have a very dim view of football and its fans.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on October 02, 2018, 09:13:11 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=croT8kNeaRU

Fun documentary about Fulham.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 03, 2018, 02:49:14 PM
Quote from: Syt on August 17, 2018, 05:20:06 AM
Rapid Wien was hosting Slovan Bratislava yesterday. In the past there'd been clashes of hooligans of the clubs, so police were doing border checks (severa fans were sent back because they were packing brass knuckles, knives, balaclavas, and the likes).

The subway towards the stadium had to suspend services after Bratislava supporters tore a door from a subway car. The train had to be stopped, electricity on the part of the track killed and all passengers evacuated.

The "fans" went on to loot a gas station. The police (ca. 1,000 of them) put the area on lockdown. Tram lines in the area were suspended because fans were blocking streets, using illegal fireworks etc. Police started ID checks on everyone, so most of these guys missed the 0-4 defeat of their team in the stadium.

The police then organized buses to take the hooligans back to their parked cars on the Vienna periphery because the Viennese public transports refused to let them back onto the subways.

All of this will be paid for by the tax payer.

I do understand why many of my friends here in Vienna have a very dim view of football and its fans.

What is it with Eastern Europe and hooliganism?
I've been told in Poland normal people never go anywhere near football stadiums at match time as its just for hooligans.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on October 03, 2018, 03:05:20 PM
Quote from: Tyr on October 03, 2018, 02:49:14 PM
What is it with Eastern Europe and hooliganism?

Says the Brit :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on October 03, 2018, 03:08:07 PM
Quote from: Tyr on October 03, 2018, 02:49:14 PM
I've been told in Poland normal people never go anywhere near football stadiums at match time as its just for hooligans.

https://www.tvn24.pl/tvn24-news-in-english,157,m/leader-of-dangerous-gang-and-of-wisla-krakow-hooligans-detained-in-italy,872593.html

The "Sharks" hooligan gang are basically running the club according to a controversial Polish documentary a few weeks ago.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 05, 2018, 12:29:16 AM
Quote from: HVC on October 03, 2018, 03:05:20 PM
Quote from: Tyr on October 03, 2018, 02:49:14 PM
What is it with Eastern Europe and hooliganism?

Says the Brit :lol:

I was born in the 80s.
I know only post hooligan times.
Our modern hooligans, despite the movies, are small scale and don't usually ruin normal peoples enjoyment.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on October 05, 2018, 02:39:26 AM
Quote from: Tyr on October 05, 2018, 12:29:16 AM
I was born in the 80s.
I know only post hooligan times.
Our modern hooligans, despite the movies, are small scale and don't usually ruin normal peoples enjoyment.

One success of the Thatcherite Revolution.  Essex Boys are now part of the property class.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 05, 2018, 08:30:35 AM
It was really bad in the 80s, English hooliganism. I remember talking to people then who, despite being football fans, wouldn't step near a stadium. It's cleaned up very well since. I know other countries trying to clean up their own act, refer to it as the English model.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on October 05, 2018, 08:50:05 AM
The English were pretty notorious abroad up until the recent EC in France where they were decisively defeated by their Russian rivals, shuttering their renown.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 05, 2018, 10:26:21 AM
Quote from: Tyr on October 05, 2018, 12:29:16 AMOur modern hooligans, despite the movies, are small scale and don't usually ruin normal peoples enjoyment.

That's because they've been priced out of modern football and why they're more common in lower divisions nowadays. The Premier League era is totally corporate and middle class, while the hooligan era was much more working class.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on October 06, 2018, 09:00:01 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on October 05, 2018, 02:39:26 AM
Quote from: Tyr on October 05, 2018, 12:29:16 AM
I was born in the 80s.
I know only post hooligan times.
Our modern hooligans, despite the movies, are small scale and don't usually ruin normal peoples enjoyment.

One success of the Thatcherite Revolution.  Essex Boys are now part of the property class.

MDMA and rave culture killed off hooliganism
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on October 13, 2018, 04:16:51 PM
Bloody hell, the national team won a match. Against our friendly neighbours to the east no less.
They must be in deep trouble.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 13, 2018, 09:16:29 PM
Ah yes, the "what if we invented a new tournament and no one cared?" game.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on October 14, 2018, 04:30:50 AM
Quote from: Josephus on October 13, 2018, 09:16:29 PM
Ah yes, the "what if we invented a new tournament and no one cared?" game.

Yeah that one  :)
I didn't even know about the match until after it ended.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 14, 2018, 09:55:39 AM
To be frank, I'm liking this League of Nations thing more than I expected. It adds a little spice to otherwise utterly meaningless friendlies.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on October 15, 2018, 08:30:53 AM
Quote from: celedhring on October 14, 2018, 09:55:39 AM
To be frank, I'm liking this League of Nations thing more than I expected. It adds a little spice to otherwise utterly meaningless friendlies.

:yes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 16, 2018, 04:31:19 PM
Gibraltar is on fire
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 20, 2018, 11:40:30 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 05, 2018, 10:26:21 AM
Quote from: Tyr on October 05, 2018, 12:29:16 AMOur modern hooligans, despite the movies, are small scale and don't usually ruin normal peoples enjoyment.

That's because they've been priced out of modern football and why they're more common in lower divisions nowadays. The Premier League era is totally corporate and middle class, while the hooligan era was much more working class.

They still exist with the top teams. Though they're very under the radar.
Its weird stuff apparently, they're all in contact with each other and you'll get the boss of the visiting team's firm phoning the boss of the home team's firm to announce how many people he has brought with him and arrange a place for a fight.
The police's reaction to it all is crap, they pick on all fans rather than just the trouble makers. I'm hoping to get to a few away games this year though friends who've done it before tell me of being forced to drink a few towns away before the match and it all being super stage managed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Richard Hakluyt on October 20, 2018, 03:31:08 PM
We should build amphitheatres and charge for tickets and marvel as the silly fuckers kick shit out of each other.

It is basically a plebeian form of boxing if they leave innocent bystanders out of the melee.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 28, 2018, 12:12:04 PM
What a pleasant afternoon.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on October 28, 2018, 01:20:31 PM
For Spanish football, sure  :)

In England, not so much.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on October 28, 2018, 02:34:44 PM
Quote from: celedhring on October 28, 2018, 12:12:04 PM
What a pleasant afternoon.
A manita without Messi: not bad, not bad at all.

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 28, 2018, 03:03:34 PM
Quote from: Pedrito on October 28, 2018, 02:34:44 PM
Quote from: celedhring on October 28, 2018, 12:12:04 PM
What a pleasant afternoon.
A manita without Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
L.

Fixed!

Lopetegui still not improving years after his bad spell in Porto, though his end in Madrid will be quicker.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 29, 2018, 03:10:55 PM
Spurs and City are playing on a Wembley pitch that hosted an NFL game yesterday and the yard lines are still showing. It's astonishing how small an NFL field is compared to a full-sized soccer pitch.

Feels kind if like of watching an MLS game actually  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on October 29, 2018, 03:18:09 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 29, 2018, 03:10:55 PM
Spurs and City are playing on a Wembley pitch that hosted an NFL game yesterday and the yard lines are still showing. It's astonishing how small an NFL field is compared to a full-sized soccer pitch.

Feels kind if like of watching an MLS game actually  :lol:

I'm guessing a little less length and very noticeably narrower?

Also would Wembley likely be one of the larger football pitches in UK? Or have the FA/ leagues made some effort to standardise things?

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 29, 2018, 03:21:58 PM
Pretty sure it is the maximum size a football pitch can be, but I might be wrong.

I thought it was up to the individual clubs to decide their pitch sizes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 29, 2018, 04:42:52 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 29, 2018, 03:21:58 PM
Pretty sure it is the maximum size a football pitch can be, but I might be wrong.

I thought it was up to the individual clubs to decide their pitch sizes.

There are UEFA/FIFA guidelines, at least for international games, i.e should be 105 m x 68 m.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 29, 2018, 05:16:55 PM
I think there are maximum and minimum pitch sizes. Pitch lenghts tend to be pretty consistent, but width does vary
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 30, 2018, 02:33:02 PM
Maximum is 120 m x 90 m, minimum is 90m x 45 m.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 30, 2018, 04:09:52 PM
Yes.
Teams that favour long ball football go for short pitches whilst passing focussed teams favour bigger pitches.

I think 90x45 is a bit small though. 90 x80 not closer?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on October 30, 2018, 04:32:14 PM
I hope England get to host a WC before too long, so the final can be at Wembley.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 30, 2018, 05:34:18 PM
Quote from: dps on October 30, 2018, 04:32:14 PM
I hope England get to host a WC before too long, so the final can be at Wembley.

Last WC was in Russia, UEFA, so you will have to wait for a while, like a dozen years at the minimum.

edit: unless the WC in Qatar is cancelled due to even more than usual instability in the Persian Gulf/Middle East region.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 30, 2018, 05:35:20 PM
Quote from: Tyr on October 30, 2018, 04:09:52 PM
Yes.
Teams that favour long ball football go for short pitches whilst passing focussed teams favour bigger pitches.

I think 90x45 is a bit small though. 90 x80 not closer?

105 x 68 is UEFA and FIFA recommended. 90x45 is indeed small but is just a theoretical minimum. I don't know any stadium like this.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 30, 2018, 06:29:42 PM
Just like computer games...there are minimum specs and recommended specs
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 19, 2018, 04:51:06 PM
Denmark has the longest undefeated streak of any team in FIFA: 17 (9 victories).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 19, 2018, 04:53:09 PM
Quote from: Liep on November 19, 2018, 04:51:06 PM
Denmark has the longest undefeated streak of any team in FIFA: 17 (9 victories).

Sorry, what was that? France cannot hear you with its World Cup trophies stuck in its ears.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 19, 2018, 04:54:57 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 19, 2018, 04:53:09 PM
Quote from: Liep on November 19, 2018, 04:51:06 PM
Denmark has the longest undefeated streak of any team in FIFA: 17 (9 victories).

Sorry, what was that? France cannot hear you with its World Cup trophies stuck in its ears.

I watched the France - Denmark draw in Moscow. France can fuck off until I get my money back from that snooze fest.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 19, 2018, 04:57:35 PM
Wait, are you counting Croatia as part of that streak? Because that is...not cool.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 19, 2018, 04:58:49 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 19, 2018, 04:57:35 PM
Wait, are you counting Croatia as part of that streak? Because that is...not cool.

Well, the betting companies count it as a draw. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 19, 2018, 05:01:21 PM
Germany, Iceland, Poland and Croatia relegated from League A
Denmark, Ukraine, Bosnia and probably Russia is promoted.

I'm kinda liking this Nations League as I wouldn't have given a thought about friendlies this time of the year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 19, 2018, 05:14:17 PM
By my calculations this result should give us a better seeding for both the EC and WC qualifier and a 2nd change at the EC in march 2020.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 19, 2018, 05:19:02 PM
Maybe we can actually qualify for something this time  :sleep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 20, 2018, 01:22:47 PM
 :nelson: Netherlands scored a late equaliser against Germany eliminating France for the final four tournament in Portugal.
Germany really dominated, even scored, except for the last 10 minutes. Germany relegated into Group B.
Now Portugal, in a meaningless game since they are already qualified, cannot lose against Poland, otherwise Germany will drop onto the group of second seeds for the Euro 2020 qualifiers.   :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 02, 2018, 06:45:32 AM
Schweiz.
Danmark.
Irland.
Georgien.
Gibraltar.

Looks like a qual group with a pretty good chance of advancement. :o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 02, 2018, 06:50:36 AM
Gruppe A: England, Tjekkiet, Bulgarien, Montenegro, Kosovo
Gruppe B: Portugal, Ukraine, Serbien, Litauen, Luxembourg
Gruppe C: Holland, Tyskland, Nordirland, Estland, Hviderusland
Gruppe D: Schweiz, Danmark, Irland, Georgien, Gibraltar
Gruppe E: Kroatien, Wales, Slovakiet, Ungarn, Aserbajdsjan
Gruppe F: Spanien, Sverige, Norge, Rumænien, Færøerne, Malta
Gruppe G: Polen, Østrig, Israel, Slovenien, Makedonien, Letland
Gruppe H: Frankrig, Island, Tyrkiet, Albanien, Moldova, Andorra
Gruppe I: Belgien, Rusland, Skotland, Cypern, Kazakhstan, San Marino
Gruppe J: Italien, Bosnien-Hercegovina, Finland, Grækenland, Armenien, Liechtenstein
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 02, 2018, 08:12:27 AM
Oh great, Tyskland again  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 02, 2018, 08:15:07 AM
Quote from: Liep on December 02, 2018, 06:45:32 AM
Schweiz.
Danmark.
Irland.
Georgien.
Gibraltar.

Looks like a qual group with a pretty good chance of advancement. :o

I don't know, Gibraltar are no pushovers. Georgia and Ireland will be shitting themselves.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 02, 2018, 08:31:52 AM
Quote from: Liep on December 02, 2018, 06:50:36 AM
Gruppe A: England, Tjekkiet, Bulgarien, Montenegro, Kosovo


who's Tjekklet?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 02, 2018, 08:37:02 AM
Quote from: Josephus on December 02, 2018, 08:31:52 AM
Quote from: Liep on December 02, 2018, 06:50:36 AM
Gruppe A: England, Tjekkiet, Bulgarien, Montenegro, Kosovo


who's Tjekklet?

Czechia, obviously!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 02, 2018, 09:14:14 AM
Of course.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 02, 2018, 11:10:37 AM
Unai Emery is the greatest man in history.

That derby was amazing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 02, 2018, 01:25:03 PM
I predict England shall win this nations league thing and then the whole of Europe to declare it a stupid non-tournament, never to be repeated and to be relegated to a footnote of the history books.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 03, 2018, 07:18:21 AM
Quote from: Liep on December 02, 2018, 06:50:36 AM
Group A: England, Czechia, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Kosovo
Group B: Portugal, Ukraine, Serbia, Lithuania, Luxembourg
Group C: Holland, Germany, Northern Ireland, Estonia, Lukashenkostan
Group D: Switzerland, Denmark, Ireland, Georgia, Gibraltar
Group E: Croatia, Wales, Slovakia, Hungary, Azerbaijan
Group F: Spain, Sweden, Norway (insert joke with Norwegians taken for Swedes à la The Thing), Romania, Faeroe Islands, Malta
Group G: Poland, Austria, Israel, Slovenia, Macedonia, Latvia
Group H: Al-Frankistan, Iceland, Herr Dogan's Khanate, Albania, Moldova, Andorra
Group I: Belgium, Putinistan ( a.k.a Northern Chechnya/West Tatarstan), Scotland, Cyprus, Kazakhstan, San Marino
Group J: Italy, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Finland, Hellas, Armenia, Liechtenstein

French squad lucky again, ™ La chatte à Dédé ™ is no legend.

Portugal not so great, weren't it for the last chance play-off obtained through the League of Nations. Last time Portugal failed a major competition, in no small part courtesy of a lousy French referee (gallic tradition) it was with Ukraine... Portugal gets to play at home in Luxemburg though.  :D Serbia has improved, wonder how will Ukraine fare this time.

Not exactly the best draw for Spain too but they will manage.

Despite running into Germany, Batavians will qualify since there are two spots and this is football not ice hockey (Belarus Sweden wink wink).

Italy will qualify.

Another easy group for Poland.  :lol: Probably the weakest of Qualifiers.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 03, 2018, 08:26:52 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 02, 2018, 11:10:37 AM
Unai Emery is the greatest man in history.

PSG begs to differ.  :P At least, its spoiled divas.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on December 03, 2018, 08:31:54 AM
Why is France prefixed by Al?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 03, 2018, 08:51:41 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 03, 2018, 07:18:21 AM

French squad lucky again, ™ La chatte à Dédé ™ is no legend.

Dede's pussy?

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 03, 2018, 01:27:20 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 03, 2018, 08:26:52 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 02, 2018, 11:10:37 AM
Unai Emery is the greatest man in history.

PSG begs to differ.  :P At least, its spoiled divas.  :D

Feels like a certain German in the squad would agree  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 04, 2018, 06:57:50 AM
Quote from: Josephus on December 03, 2018, 08:51:41 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 03, 2018, 07:18:21 AM

French squad lucky again, ™ La chatte à Dédé ™ is no legend.

Dede's pussy?

Literaly, yes. It also means he is a lucky bastard.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 04, 2018, 06:59:11 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on December 03, 2018, 08:31:54 AM
Why is France prefixed by Al?

As in Al(-)cohol (Al-Quhl). Article défini.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 15, 2018, 09:51:06 AM
Just started on Netflix; Sunderland 'Till I Die.

A documentary about Sunderland's horrific last season. Been reviewed well. I'm excited.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 17, 2018, 06:31:03 AM
:mmm:

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DunWVWzXcAAEp8p.png)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 17, 2018, 12:22:53 PM
My picks

Man City over Schake
Juve over Atletico
PSG over Man U
Spurs over Dortmund
B'lona over Lyons
Roma Porto will be close, probably Roma
Real Madrid will beat Ajax
and, most controversailly, Liverpool beat Bayern Munich
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 17, 2018, 12:30:59 PM
That's not controversial J., Liverpool are certainly favorites. Bayern are far from the team they used to be.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 17, 2018, 01:01:15 PM
Yeah, I'd agree with those picks as well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 17, 2018, 02:20:50 PM
I'm feeling Man Utd.
They must have given up on the league now, this is their only possibility to get something.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 18, 2018, 08:36:09 AM
Quote from: Josephus on December 17, 2018, 12:22:53 PM
My picks

Man City over Schake
Juve over Atletico
PSG over Man U
Spurs over Dortmund
B'lona over Lyons
Roma Porto will be close, probably Roma
Real Madrid will beat Ajax
and, most controversailly, Liverpool beat Bayern Munich

- Man City all the way Schalke is the weakest of the qualified and is not well in the Bundesliga too (13th!).
- Juve or Atlético could go both ways but Ronaldo knows how to score against Atlético
- PSG Man U Mourinho out may not be enough, Man U problems are not limited to Mourinho. PSG has the domestic league almost won so they can focus on Champions' League. Downside: lack of competitive games. PSG has to get to quarters once in a while too, or even the semi-finals.  :P
- Tottenham Dortmund both ways too but right now Dortmund is very good
- Barça should win this one but Lyon is very unpredictable (cf. their games vs Man City) tie in Lyon but Barça wins
- Roma Porto It's a pity for Porto the second leg will be after the domestic top game vs Benfica. Last games between teams ended well for Porto. Right now, Roma is in a bad sport but we are a long way from February. Not a bad draw for both teams. Though maybe Lyon would have been better for Porto, given how under-estimated Porto or even Portuguese clubs are in France, which many of the times ends up biting French clubs in the arse cf. 2004.
- Real Madrid Ajax Ajax gave such headaches to Bayern in group phase and Real is not exactly great. Maybe referees will save Real though. Real still favorite, of course.
- Liverpool Bayern Bayern is not having a great season with an aging squad so Liverpool winning is not exactly controversial, at least now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on January 02, 2019, 09:22:11 PM
Christian Pulisic signs with Chelsea.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on January 03, 2019, 10:52:40 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on January 02, 2019, 09:22:11 PM
Christian Pulisic signs with Chelsea.

I wonder whose money they are laundering.

The guys contract was set to expire in November and they have loaned him back to Dortmund until the end of the season, so Chelsea has paid almost 60 million pounds to get this kid 3 months before they otherwise could have.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 03, 2019, 01:40:47 PM
60 mil is a silly sum for this but it isn't unknown to buy players whose contracts are expiring in a few months. It makes sure you're the one to get him rather than someone with a better contract offer.

Also I believe with players under a certain age you have to pay compensation for swiping them on contract expiry? Not sure where the cutoff is.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on January 25, 2019, 06:01:24 PM
Just three months and a half after being fired from Monaco, Leonardo Jardim returns to... Monaco, no less. LULZ
Thierry Henry did not last long for his first coach experience.
Jardim got allegedly 8 milion € as severance pay three months ago. Well played Rybolovlev! (Russian oligarch AS Monaco owner).  :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 25, 2019, 09:59:14 PM
Henry should have stayed at his commentating gig in England
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on January 26, 2019, 09:46:19 AM
Well, he's got a severance pay (10 M € ?) for this short gig at Monaco, so chillax FunkMonk.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 26, 2019, 11:31:20 AM
Ah, of course, the managerial golden parachute  :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 27, 2019, 08:22:08 AM
Speaking of parachutes... How about Cardiffs vanished star signing?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on January 27, 2019, 10:38:01 AM
Quote from: Tyr on January 27, 2019, 08:22:08 AM
Speaking of parachutes... How about Cardiffs vanished star signing?

The teams might be involved in a legal battle for the transfer money now. Cardiff froze the payment until there's an official resolution on the case, and Nantes claims that what happened was not their fault and I guess that they still expect to get paid. And I don't know if insurance covers these kind of situations.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on January 29, 2019, 04:55:08 PM
Newcastle beats City. :o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on January 29, 2019, 04:57:22 PM
Quote from: Liep on January 29, 2019, 04:55:08 PM
Newcastle beats City. :o

Yay!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 29, 2019, 05:26:12 PM
Fuck.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on January 29, 2019, 08:10:25 PM
What is a derby?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on January 29, 2019, 08:18:12 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on January 29, 2019, 08:10:25 PM
What is a derby?

Where the police feel there is a very real chance of serious violence at a match between two nearby clubs, the game is cancelled and a short course horse race is run between two runners and riders representing the teams.

The winner gets three points, if neither side can find a horse and rider at short notice, the match is deemed a draw, one point each.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on January 29, 2019, 08:25:31 PM
So influential. :cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on January 30, 2019, 08:36:42 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on January 29, 2019, 08:10:25 PM
What is a derby?

Game between teams of the same city unless it's London.  :P

So Lazio vs Roma / Inter vs Milan AC / Juventus vs Torino
Benfica vs Sporting / Porto vs Boavista
Real vs Atlético / Barça vs Español
etc.

There has been no Paris derby since the '80s (PSG vs Racing Paris).

Sometimes, sport journos also speak of a Ruhr Derby but it is stretching a bit the definition.
This would be Schalke 04 vs Borussia Dortmund.

PS: mongers rightly points out the horse racing origin of the term.  :P Still stones for the weights of horses and jockeys btw?  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 31, 2019, 02:22:11 AM
Not necessarily the same city. Sunderland - Newcastle is one of the biggest derbies going.
I think Man Utd - Liverpool is classed as a derby too
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on January 31, 2019, 03:04:49 AM
I've got into HEATED debates with football snobs that refuse to call rivalry games outside the same city a "derby".
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on January 31, 2019, 06:02:32 AM
Quote from: celedhring on January 31, 2019, 03:04:49 AM
I've got into HEATED debates with football snobs that refuse to call rivalry games outside the same city a "derby".

Celta - Dépor is a derby and nothing will make me change my mind.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 31, 2019, 06:14:09 AM
Amazing local government boundaries hold such importance
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on January 31, 2019, 07:40:39 AM
Quote from: The Larch on January 31, 2019, 06:02:32 AM
Quote from: celedhring on January 31, 2019, 03:04:49 AM
I've got into HEATED debates with football snobs that refuse to call rivalry games outside the same city a "derby".

Celta - Dépor is a derby and nothing will make me change my mind.  :P

Derby galego, I see.  :P
I remember getting into an argument when Porto played a team based 30 km away from Porto, Paços de Ferreira, and this would not be counted as a derby because the one and only Porto derby is vs Boavista, from the name of a Porto neighborhood.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on January 31, 2019, 07:53:23 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on January 31, 2019, 07:40:39 AM
Quote from: The Larch on January 31, 2019, 06:02:32 AM
Quote from: celedhring on January 31, 2019, 03:04:49 AM
I've got into HEATED debates with football snobs that refuse to call rivalry games outside the same city a "derby".

Celta - Dépor is a derby and nothing will make me change my mind.  :P

Derby galego, I see.  :P
I remember getting into an argument when Porto played a team based 30 km away from Porto, Paços de Ferreira, and this would not be counted as a derby because the one and only Porto derby is vs Boavista, from the name of a Porto neighborhood.

Aren't there a bucketload of teams in the Portuguese first division from the Greater Porto area anyway?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on January 31, 2019, 08:37:52 AM
Quote from: The Larch on January 31, 2019, 07:53:23 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on January 31, 2019, 07:40:39 AM
Quote from: The Larch on January 31, 2019, 06:02:32 AM
Quote from: celedhring on January 31, 2019, 03:04:49 AM
I've got into HEATED debates with football snobs that refuse to call rivalry games outside the same city a "derby".

Celta - Dépor is a derby and nothing will make me change my mind.  :P

Derby galego, I see.  :P
I remember getting into an argument when Porto played a team based 30 km away from Porto, Paços de Ferreira, and this would not be counted as a derby because the one and only Porto derby is vs Boavista, from the name of a Porto neighborhood.

Aren't there a bucketload of teams in the Portuguese first division from the Greater Porto area anyway?

Pretty much so, with some changes along the years with Salgueiros having disappeared a dozen years or so ago and Paços de Ferreira in a lower division. Now there is Feirense, Clube das Aves and Rio Ave. Of course, as said before the REAL Derby is Porto vs Boavista. Like Real vs Atlético and not Real vs Rayo Vallecano.
Hell, there's even a Guimarães derby now with Vitória Guimarães vs Moreirense.  :D https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moreirense_Futebol_Clube (https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moreirense_Futebol_Clube) More possibilities for a Minho Derby too with Braga. ;)
This year derby of the archipels with Santa Clara (Açores) vs Marítimo Funchal (Madeira). There is a Madeira derby too, Nacional Madeira vs Marítimo Funchal.

Big LULZ would be Santa Clara winning an Europa League spot and having to travel all the way to the Urals or behind in Kazakhstan.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on January 31, 2019, 08:42:34 AM
Sometimes we call the Montreal - Toronto rivalry a derby when it involves our soccer teams.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 31, 2019, 10:41:18 AM
For years they tried selling Toronto and Columbus as a derby...and they're an 8 hr drive away from each other. :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on January 31, 2019, 04:30:05 PM
Would you guys call El Classico a derby?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on January 31, 2019, 04:59:18 PM
No, that's precisely why it's called El Clásico.

PS :(O) Clássico is Porto-Benfica.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on January 31, 2019, 07:46:55 PM
Southampton - Pompey has always been a 'decent' one here.  :bowler:

Pity they're not often in the same league nowadays.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 14, 2019, 09:24:24 AM
Learned about a new "derby" today from Football Manager, 'Derby delle Due Sicilie' is a Napoli - Parlermo match.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 14, 2019, 06:21:17 PM
What's a fixture?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 14, 2019, 07:25:34 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 14, 2019, 06:21:17 PM
What's a fixture?

fancy word for "game"
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on February 15, 2019, 04:19:25 AM
Quote from: Josephus on February 14, 2019, 07:25:34 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 14, 2019, 06:21:17 PM
What's a fixture?

fancy word for "game"

An upcoming game, specifically.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 20, 2019, 03:57:32 PM
How an entire stadium can boo Ronaldo and cheer for Diego Costa is beyond me.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 20, 2019, 04:03:20 PM
Quote from: Liep on February 20, 2019, 03:57:32 PM
How an entire stadium can boo Ronaldo and cheer for Diego Costa is beyond me.

It's Atlético fans, that explains everything.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 20, 2019, 05:18:53 PM
I don't like VAR but mostly I don't like that it gives the players one more thing to cry to the ref about. Yellow card to any player who gets within one meter of the ref to complain.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 20, 2019, 05:30:11 PM
2nd penalty in the City game: there was offside before the penalty, how is it still a penalty when you can review it with VAR?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 22, 2019, 06:29:59 AM
Chelsea hit with a two window-transfer ban for irregularities int he signing of international underage players. Couldn't happen to a nicer team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on February 22, 2019, 07:01:11 AM
FU :P

Good to know FIFA still fights the good fight against breaking the rules, and corruption.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 22, 2019, 07:12:04 AM
Quote from: Tamas on February 22, 2019, 07:01:11 AM
FU :P

Good to know FIFA still fights the good fight against breaking the rules, and corruption.

If it puts an end to Chelsea's shameful strategy of hoarding young players just to loan them out and eventually sell them, it'll be for the greater good.  :P

Edit: For the record: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelsea_F.C.#Out_on_loan (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelsea_F.C.#Out_on_loan). That's 42 players from Chelsea currently on loan in other clubs. You can maybe scratch a couple of them off, as those loans are parts of arrangements for transfers of senior team players (Pulisic or Morata, for instance), but the vast majority of them are basically the result of a strategy of gaming the system.

For comparison, Arsenal has 9 players out on loan, Liverpool 13 (already a lot, IMO), Man City 6 and Man Utd 3.

I wouldn't mind if the cases of Spanish teams are looked into, lest I be accused of bias. Real Madrid have currently 25 players on loan, which is also well into outrageous territory. I checked other European top teams and apparently only Juventus, with 47 (!!!) players currently on loan has Chelsea beaten in that regard.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on February 22, 2019, 07:24:18 AM
If it forces them to actually use some of those players then yes I agree. But I am afraid they'll just sulk and sink. Especially with Sarri in charge.

I am really turning against that guy. They managed to score some goals against a weak Malmo after they went down to 10 men. This coincided with Jorginho, his BFF, coming in from the bench. So post-match, Sarri was all "see I told you we need him".
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on February 22, 2019, 08:04:14 AM
What's the issue with having 40+ players on loan?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 22, 2019, 08:10:19 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on February 22, 2019, 08:04:14 AM
What's the issue with having 40+ players on loan?

That's not the issue. The issue is that Chelsea are breaking the rules regarding signing internationals under the age of 18. The 40 players on loan is the result of the issue, and the reason they do it
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 22, 2019, 08:30:48 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on February 22, 2019, 08:04:14 AM
What's the issue with having 40+ players on loan?

It shows bad faith on Chelsea's part, as it games the transfer system. On itself it's perfectly legal, but it goes against the spirit of the sport, because most of those players have no realistic hope of ever being part of Chelsea's first team. It turns those young players into assets/bargaining chips.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on February 22, 2019, 10:29:58 AM
I see.

Just another proof that the American system is better, imo.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 22, 2019, 11:48:36 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on February 22, 2019, 10:29:58 AM
I see.

Just another proof that the American system is better, imo.

No. Even MLS is moving away from relying on college drafts and developing academy squads.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on February 22, 2019, 12:06:09 PM
Quote from: Josephus on February 22, 2019, 11:48:36 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on February 22, 2019, 10:29:58 AM
I see.

Just another proof that the American system is better, imo.

No. Even MLS is moving away from relying on college drafts and developing academy squads.

Probably because there are only about 200 major Men's Soccer programs in the US. By comparison there are 351 Men's Basketball programs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 22, 2019, 05:23:48 PM
Quote
I wouldn't mind if the cases of Spanish teams are looked into, lest I be accused of bias. Real Madrid have currently 25 players on loan, which is also well into outrageous territory. I checked other European top teams and apparently only Juventus, with 47 (!!!) players currently on loan has Chelsea beaten in that regard.

Curious its a problem in Spain too, you'd think the B team system would offset the need a lot.

Quote from: Grey Fox on February 22, 2019, 10:29:58 AM
I see.

Just another proof that the American system is better, imo.

Chelsea here aren't being typical of the European system. They're something quite different altogether. A people smuggling operation we might say if we fancy being a bit questionably racist.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 22, 2019, 05:50:15 PM
Quote from: Tyr on February 22, 2019, 05:23:48 PM
QuoteI wouldn't mind if the cases of Spanish teams are looked into, lest I be accused of bias. Real Madrid have currently 25 players on loan, which is also well into outrageous territory. I checked other European top teams and apparently only Juventus, with 47 (!!!) players currently on loan has Chelsea beaten in that regard.

Curious its a problem in Spain too, you'd think the B team system would offset the need a lot.

B teams in Spain normally play in the 3rd tier or lower, so sometimes the level of competition they get is not great for top level develpment, so even after a time at the B team good prospects are still loaned out to finish their polishing. Real Madrid are way out of the average, anyway. Barcelona have 15 and Atlético 7.

In the particular case of Real Madrid, the players they loan out are normally 1st team discards who are way too expensive to be outright bought by other teams (Kovacic or James Rodríguez), youngsters with good/reasonable prospects that are being developed at other good teams in order to play for the 1st team in the future or be sold out (Theo Hernández or Achraf Hakimi in the first group, Lucas Silva or Andrey Lunin in the second), and mostly no-name youth teamers that are spread out around lower league teams in order not to burden the B team with too many players (a bunch of them who nobody has ever heard about).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 24, 2019, 03:49:12 AM
Is there no off sides on throw-ins?  6:45 of this clip.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yuJWGCWKDQ
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: bogh on February 24, 2019, 04:13:35 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 24, 2019, 03:49:12 AM
Is there no off sides on throw-ins?  6:45 of this clip.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yuJWGCWKDQ

No.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 24, 2019, 02:05:02 PM
The Carabao Cup final. :D

What the hell is going on with Chelsea, Tamas?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on February 24, 2019, 02:33:30 PM
I don't know.

For a change they seemed to be actually making a plan work. Then Kepa goes and shits on the coach on live TV.

Too bad there's the transfer ban and we paid a shitload of money for him, because he should be made an example of.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 24, 2019, 02:37:53 PM
Quote from: bogh on February 24, 2019, 04:13:35 AM
No.

No there isn't, or no there is?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 24, 2019, 02:46:13 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 24, 2019, 02:37:53 PM
Quote from: bogh on February 24, 2019, 04:13:35 AM
No.

No there isn't, or no there is?

A player cannot be offsides during a throw in, corner kick, or goal kick.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 24, 2019, 02:48:07 PM
Quote from: Tamas on February 24, 2019, 02:33:30 PM

Too bad there's the transfer ban and we paid a shitload of money for him, because he should be made an example of.

The amount of player power at Chelsea is astonishing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on February 24, 2019, 03:19:19 PM
Sarri has plaed it down in the press conference saying it was a misunderstanding he thought Kepa couldn't continue, until later the doctor arrived back to the bench and explained that he could. And that it's not a big deal.

Well, IDK. Even just before penalties IIRC Sarri was screaming at Kepa, and Rudiger had to keep him away.

What is more worrying though is how Azpalecueta (sp?) the captain, and other senior players didn't just shove Kepa's ass down the pitch. Who cares what he thinks?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 01, 2019, 12:07:59 PM
Hey. I got a question for any of you Brit footie fans.

I'm going to be in London next November. I'd like to catch a game -- doesnt' matter which, there's plenty London teams to chose from

What's the easiest way of getting tickets?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 02, 2019, 02:03:30 PM
Quote from: Josephus on March 01, 2019, 12:07:59 PM
Hey. I got a question for any of you Brit footie fans.

I'm going to be in London next November. I'd like to catch a game -- doesnt' matter which, there's plenty London teams to chose from

What's the easiest way of getting tickets?

Official team websites.
I'd imagine Chelsea with their small stadium are hard to get and have a dumb system of points et al, but the other teams have big enough stadiums that there shouldn't be much trouble getting tickets.
You'll have to wait until next season's fixtures are officially announced though.

If you can I'd recommend checking out a game of one of the big premier teams and one of the smaller lower league teams, to get the authentic English football experience. With these you can usually just show up and pay on the door, they usually announce on their website if cash turnstyles are open.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 03, 2019, 09:31:14 AM
Quote from: Tyr on March 02, 2019, 02:03:30 PM
Quote from: Josephus on March 01, 2019, 12:07:59 PM
Hey. I got a question for any of you Brit footie fans.

I'm going to be in London next November. I'd like to catch a game -- doesnt' matter which, there's plenty London teams to chose from

What's the easiest way of getting tickets?

Official team websites.
I'd imagine Chelsea with their small stadium are hard to get and have a dumb system of points et al, but the other teams have big enough stadiums that there shouldn't be much trouble getting tickets.
You'll have to wait until next season's fixtures are officially announced though.

If you can I'd recommend checking out a game of one of the big premier teams and one of the smaller lower league teams, to get the authentic English football experience. With these you can usually just show up and pay on the door, they usually announce on their website if cash turnstyles are open.

ok, thanks. Which non premier teams play out of, or close to London, do you know?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 03, 2019, 10:09:41 AM
QPR, Millwall and Wimbledon.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 03, 2019, 10:15:12 AM
And next season probably Fulham :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 03, 2019, 11:16:02 AM
Don't go to a Millwall match. Their fanbase is infamous for its large ultra racist hooligan element.

Wimbledon could be cool. They have an interesting story.



(https://external-preview.redd.it/79RLUvRL0rO5oE8wuNvYRfUzaDASdvsys7Iq1DpWO3w.gif?width=960&crop=smart&s=4bf97d3b3ddc9762fb581ea08fd1c1b3899449ed)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 03, 2019, 04:39:56 PM
Quote from: Tyr on March 03, 2019, 11:16:02 AM
Don't go to a Millwall match. Their fanbase is infamous for its large ultra racist hooligan element.

Wimbledon could be cool. They have an interesting story.

Ok thanks for the heads up.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on March 03, 2019, 04:51:18 PM
Support AFC Wimbledon, John Green's team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 04, 2019, 06:59:01 AM
A band wagoning football supporter of London/EPL clubs abroad would be more interesting.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 04, 2019, 08:50:13 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on March 03, 2019, 04:51:18 PM
Support AFC Wimbledon, John Green's team.

Who?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 04, 2019, 09:11:15 AM
The guy from Radiohead?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 04, 2019, 11:54:08 AM
Quote from: Liep on March 04, 2019, 09:11:15 AM
The guy from Radiohead?

Ah

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on March 04, 2019, 11:59:29 AM
No, he's an American Author.

MLS is back. Impact won it's first game, great news since the start of the season is always a grueling 8 of 9 on the road.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 05, 2019, 04:24:15 PM
Fucking VAR. That was a class A goal with no clear indication of the ball being out. Just rule it as the line ref saw it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 05, 2019, 04:24:54 PM
Right call, but way too long for a VAR decision.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on March 05, 2019, 04:58:49 PM
It is always great to see Real Madrid humiliated. There isn't any other team deserving it more.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 06, 2019, 06:45:10 PM
I mean, it clearly hits his arm which is making his blocking wider so the penalty is good. What a week in Champions League.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on March 06, 2019, 09:09:02 PM
OGS seems to be doing quiet well at MUFC.   :cool:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 07, 2019, 07:34:37 AM
Mini-remontada in Paris? This is getting ridiculous for Paris. B-team Man U(re?) was no Barça.

At least, Porto won :w00t:, despite Dzeko pulling a Müller on Pepe, the latter saved the team with a miracle save and could have doomed it with a possible second yellow.
Much better Porto than the one who played and lost versus Ben Fica last WE.
Of course, this could end in quarters with a thrashing but some luck at the draw could guarantee some lower-budget team like Porto or Ajax into semi-finals.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on March 07, 2019, 09:16:29 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on March 07, 2019, 07:34:37 AM
Mini-remontada in Paris? This is getting ridiculous for Paris. B-team Man U(re?) was no Barça.

At least, Porto won :w00t:, despite Dzeko pulling a Müller on Pepe, the latter saved the team with a miracle save and could have doomed it with a possible second yellow.
Much better Porto than the one who played and lost versus Ben Fica last WE.
Of course, this could end in quarters with a thrashing but some luck at the draw could guarantee some lower-budget team like Porto or Ajax.

Yes, I can see how that would be a bit embarrassing.   :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 09, 2019, 01:36:40 PM
Do they have VAR in the premier league? I don't understand that cancelled offside ruling in the City game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 12, 2019, 05:02:19 PM
So Ronaldo is pretty good.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 13, 2019, 08:23:36 AM
Quote from: Liep on March 12, 2019, 05:02:19 PM
So Ronaldo is pretty good.

No shit Sherlock!  :lol:
Unless you meant for a 34-year old football player, which I hope so.  :P
Nobody complaining about the penalty?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on March 13, 2019, 09:16:34 AM
That Lebron James guy? Not too bad at Basketball.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 13, 2019, 11:57:20 AM
Unless he's playing for the Lakers.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 13, 2019, 12:03:33 PM
 :lol:

The Lakers have become the MLS of the NBA. The place world-class players go when they're past-it and ready to retire.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 13, 2019, 02:20:35 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 13, 2019, 12:03:33 PM
:lol:

The Lakers have become the MLS of the NBA. The place world-class players go when they're past-it and ready to retire.

That's becoming more China and the Middle East. Teams are slowly encouraged to move away from that and spend their money on younger South Americans. MLS also moves players to Europe.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 13, 2019, 05:29:38 PM
4 English teams in CL quarter finals, what Brexit?!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on March 14, 2019, 01:44:14 AM
One thing I've noticed a lot of in EPL clips is that defenders trailing a breakaway don't seem very interested in catching up.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on March 14, 2019, 10:15:16 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 13, 2019, 12:03:33 PM
:lol:

The Lakers have become the MLS of the NBA. The place world-class players go when they're past-it and ready to retire.

Nah, other than LeBRon the only player they have that was ever anywhere near world-class is Rondo.  The rest of the roster is never-weres and never-will-bes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 15, 2019, 06:36:29 AM
Champions' League Quarter finals draw

F.C Barcelona - Manchester United (Barcelona)
Tottenham - Manchester City (Man City)
Liverpool - F.C Porto (same as last year I'm afraid hopefully less goals)
Ajax-Juventus (Juventus)

Well, party is over. No clash of titans since Manchester United is not so great right now, despite the remontada vs Paris.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 15, 2019, 07:45:04 AM
Europa League Quarter Finals draw

- Arsenal - Naples
clash of Titans?

- Villarreal - Valencia
based on their Liga standing Valencia but Villareal is resilient in the Europa League
PS: A real derby!

- Slavia Prague - Chelsea
best draw for Chelsea though FC Sevilla may beg to differ

- Benfica - Frankfurt
Benfica had trouble with Dynamo Zagreb on the previous round but I hope they are busy with an European competition till the final so they can't focus on the Portuguese league. Advantage for the Eintracht which got rid of Inter Milano.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on March 25, 2019, 04:35:55 AM
(https://preview.redd.it/87wsb46pv7o21.jpg?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=0493c146491e6876b5145d150e47c4c9133048a4)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 25, 2019, 05:03:44 AM
 :lmfao:

And the two Austrian goals by a guy named Arnautovic.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 25, 2019, 08:47:54 AM
A lot of fun being made of Scotland losing to Kazakhstan too
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 26, 2019, 04:44:38 PM
Left the game at 0-3, Denmark had played horrible. When I got back to the hostel it was 3-3. Yay, I guess.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on April 04, 2019, 01:12:42 AM
Are those kids that walk onto the field with the players children of fans who have paid a meelion dollars for the priviledge?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 04, 2019, 02:26:55 AM

Sunderland will never win at Wembley. :(
Luckily doesn't seem to have knocked us in the league too much

Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 04, 2019, 01:12:42 AM
Are those kids that walk onto the field with the players children of fans who have paid a meelion dollars for the priviledge?

No. They usually come from local schools or associated charities or the like.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 04, 2019, 05:08:43 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 04, 2019, 02:26:55 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 04, 2019, 01:12:42 AM
Are those kids that walk onto the field with the players children of fans who have paid a meelion dollars for the priviledge?

No. They usually come from local schools or associated charities or the like.

#Notallteams, nowadays some clubs charge quite a lot of money for it. West Ham charges 700 pounds for it, Leicester 600, Tottenham 400... It is known from quite some years already, not exactly breaking news.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 17, 2019, 03:58:50 PM
City - Tottenham

What a crazy fantastic game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 07, 2019, 03:58:26 PM
I'm no Liverpool fan but lmaooooo fucken Barcelona just love giving up in the second leg loooool
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on May 07, 2019, 04:08:23 PM
A deserved epic win for Liverpool.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 07, 2019, 04:20:20 PM
FFS I thought I was done with this for the weeknights but had to listen to the lowlife Liverpool fan upstairs screaming for all the goals as usual.

Barcelona was a bloody disgrace.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on May 07, 2019, 04:22:53 PM
The Twin Brooks U7 boys Vipers (yours truly the head coach) took the pitch in an exciting match against the TRSA U7 Green Dragons.  Most of the action was in the Vipers own zone, but they managed a 1-1 draw after some strong defensive performances.

And more importantly, I only had to tell one kid to "pay attention to the ball" once, and not a single kid refused to take the field when asked.  A big step up from last year's team. :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on May 07, 2019, 04:53:09 PM
Quote from: Barrister on May 07, 2019, 04:22:53 PM
The Twin Brooks U7 boys Vipers (yours truly the head coach) took the pitch in an exciting match against the TRSA U7 Green Dragons.  Most of the action was in the Vipers own zone, but they managed a 1-1 draw after some strong defensive performances.

And more importantly, I only had to tell one kid to "pay attention to the ball" once, and not a single kid refused to take the field when asked.  A big step up from last year's team. :)

With that kind of performance, I can see why Kloop felt he had to up his game tonight.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 07, 2019, 05:24:50 PM
That's awesome Beeb  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 07, 2019, 05:46:22 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 07, 2019, 03:58:26 PM
I'm no Liverpool fan but lmaooooo fucken Barcelona just love giving up in the second leg loooool

This is the Remontada on reverse for Barcelona.  :P

PS: again that is, cf. the remontada vs AS Roma last year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 08, 2019, 06:53:25 AM
I am a Liverpool fan; and yeah, yesterday was freaking awesome.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on May 08, 2019, 07:41:18 AM
Quote from: Barrister on May 07, 2019, 04:22:53 PM
The Twin Brooks U7 boys Vipers (yours truly the head coach) took the pitch in an exciting match against the TRSA U7 Green Dragons.  Most of the action was in the Vipers own zone, but they managed a 1-1 draw after some strong defensive performances.

And more importantly, I only had to tell one kid to "pay attention to the ball" once, and not a single kid refused to take the field when asked.  A big step up from last year's team. :)

Nice. 5 on 5? My U6 son plays 4 on 4. He wants to be a goalie more than anything else, so he's really, really waiting for U7.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 08, 2019, 04:12:46 PM
OMG
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 08, 2019, 04:22:58 PM
Fuck Tottenham those fucking fuckers

Ajax  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on May 08, 2019, 04:26:39 PM
 :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on May 08, 2019, 04:50:40 PM
Quote from: Maladict on May 08, 2019, 04:26:39 PM
:(

Don't worry there won't be a injury time winner in the Brexit negotiations, just five straight own goals.  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on May 08, 2019, 04:54:54 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on May 08, 2019, 07:41:18 AM
Quote from: Barrister on May 07, 2019, 04:22:53 PM
The Twin Brooks U7 boys Vipers (yours truly the head coach) took the pitch in an exciting match against the TRSA U7 Green Dragons.  Most of the action was in the Vipers own zone, but they managed a 1-1 draw after some strong defensive performances.

And more importantly, I only had to tell one kid to "pay attention to the ball" once, and not a single kid refused to take the field when asked.  A big step up from last year's team. :)

Nice. 5 on 5? My U6 son plays 4 on 4. He wants to be a goalie more than anything else, so he's really, really waiting for U7.

Yup 5 on 5 with a goalie.  Almost all the kids want to play goalie (plus they can get easily bored) so I just rotate the goalie when we substitute players.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 08, 2019, 05:07:20 PM
Crazy semis. Can't wait for the final
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 09, 2019, 12:19:27 AM
And the final will be on a free channel over here, unlike all other games.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on May 09, 2019, 12:47:42 AM
Quote from: mongers on May 08, 2019, 04:50:40 PM
Quote from: Maladict on May 08, 2019, 04:26:39 PM
:(

Don't worry there won't be a injury time winner in the Brexit negotiations, just five straight own goals.  :bowler:

:hug:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 09, 2019, 01:40:20 AM
Quote from: Barrister on May 08, 2019, 04:54:54 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on May 08, 2019, 07:41:18 AM
Quote from: Barrister on May 07, 2019, 04:22:53 PM
The Twin Brooks U7 boys Vipers (yours truly the head coach) took the pitch in an exciting match against the TRSA U7 Green Dragons.  Most of the action was in the Vipers own zone, but they managed a 1-1 draw after some strong defensive performances.

And more importantly, I only had to tell one kid to "pay attention to the ball" once, and not a single kid refused to take the field when asked.  A big step up from last year's team. :)

Nice. 5 on 5? My U6 son plays 4 on 4. He wants to be a goalie more than anything else, so he's really, really waiting for U7.

Yup 5 on 5 with a goalie.  Almost all the kids want to play goalie (plus they can get easily bored) so I just rotate the goalie when we substitute players.

That's funny. When I was a kid being goalie was the position nobody wanted generally. Those few who liked it could have it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on May 09, 2019, 07:51:30 AM
Quote from: Barrister on May 08, 2019, 04:54:54 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on May 08, 2019, 07:41:18 AM
Quote from: Barrister on May 07, 2019, 04:22:53 PM
The Twin Brooks U7 boys Vipers (yours truly the head coach) took the pitch in an exciting match against the TRSA U7 Green Dragons.  Most of the action was in the Vipers own zone, but they managed a 1-1 draw after some strong defensive performances.

And more importantly, I only had to tell one kid to "pay attention to the ball" once, and not a single kid refused to take the field when asked.  A big step up from last year's team. :)

Nice. 5 on 5? My U6 son plays 4 on 4. He wants to be a goalie more than anything else, so he's really, really waiting for U7.

Yup 5 on 5 with a goalie.  Almost all the kids want to play goalie (plus they can get easily bored) so I just rotate the goalie when we substitute players.

Good idea.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on May 09, 2019, 09:42:12 AM
Quote from: Tyr on May 09, 2019, 01:40:20 AM
Quote from: Barrister on May 08, 2019, 04:54:54 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on May 08, 2019, 07:41:18 AM
Quote from: Barrister on May 07, 2019, 04:22:53 PM
The Twin Brooks U7 boys Vipers (yours truly the head coach) took the pitch in an exciting match against the TRSA U7 Green Dragons.  Most of the action was in the Vipers own zone, but they managed a 1-1 draw after some strong defensive performances.

And more importantly, I only had to tell one kid to "pay attention to the ball" once, and not a single kid refused to take the field when asked.  A big step up from last year's team. :)

Nice. 5 on 5? My U6 son plays 4 on 4. He wants to be a goalie more than anything else, so he's really, really waiting for U7.

Yup 5 on 5 with a goalie.  Almost all the kids want to play goalie (plus they can get easily bored) so I just rotate the goalie when we substitute players.

That's funny. When I was a kid being goalie was the position nobody wanted generally. Those few who liked it could have it.

Remember we're talking about U7 kids.  I think they just like it because being goalie is "special".  Once we have to have a full-time keeper I suspect a lot would lose interest.

And I agree - I personally would want no part of being a goalie.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 09, 2019, 04:50:35 PM
4 English teams in the two European cup finals!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 01, 2019, 02:06:34 PM
Wow... that escalated quickly. I know it was hands, but it was clearly unintended as he was pointing out a defense and quickly tried to take his arm down.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 01, 2019, 02:29:05 PM
We have the greatest ever European footballer commentating but his talents doesn't really translate.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 01, 2019, 02:57:40 PM
Highlight in the game of the year has so far been a half naked girl running the field. Apparently she was advertising for a YouTuber...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 01, 2019, 03:41:24 PM
I can't recall a more boring final. Mourinho had more pace and offensive ideas than either of these teams. :zzz
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 01, 2019, 04:02:45 PM
What an awful game of foot. Wow.

Liverpool are definitely just a better team, though, so good on them. I'm happy for Klopp.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 02, 2019, 06:29:31 AM
Fell asleep at half-time, did not see much during the first half. Except that dubious penalty.

Liep

Mourinho's CL final with Porto in 2004 was indeed entertaining.  :P 15 years though, damn. Tempus fugit. I remember celebrating with champagne in on the Champs-Élysées with other Porto fans. *saudade/nostalgy*
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 02, 2019, 06:38:17 AM
Quote from: Liep on June 01, 2019, 02:57:40 PM
Highlight in the game of the year has so far been a half naked girl running the field. Apparently she was advertising for a YouTuber...

How do you know she was half naked. All happened so quick; couldn't even tell what gender it was.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 02, 2019, 07:16:56 AM
Quote from: Josephus on June 02, 2019, 06:38:17 AM
How do you know she was half naked. All happened so quick; couldn't even tell what gender it was.

It was surprisingly slow compared to how they usually film streakers and it's NSFW enough that I won't post the pictures here, but I don't see how you could be in doubt.

Pics in the bottom. https://ekstrabladet.dk/sport/fodbold/udenlandsk_fodbold/championsleague/hun-stjal-billedet-under-cl-finalen/7656694
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 02, 2019, 02:02:06 PM
yup she is.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on June 06, 2019, 01:51:17 PM
Posting this before we lose to England or Portugal, but this Nations League stuff isn't really doing it for me.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 06, 2019, 02:31:51 PM
Quote from: Maladict on June 06, 2019, 01:51:17 PM
Posting this before we lose to England or Portugal, but this Nations League stuff isn't really doing it for me.

That penalty from Ligt? Happens, specially when commentators hype a player too much.
Not a great game by the Selecção yesterday, far from it, but Ronaldo saved the day, again. 
Batavians still have a half-time to turn things around since, well, English football "fans" abroad... :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on June 06, 2019, 02:39:07 PM
 
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on June 06, 2019, 02:31:51 PM
Quote from: Maladict on June 06, 2019, 01:51:17 PM
Posting this before we lose to England or Portugal, but this Nations League stuff isn't really doing it for me.

That penalty from Ligt? Happens, specially when commentators hype a player too much.
Not a great game by the Selecção yesterday, far from it, but Ronaldo saved the day, again. 
Batavians still have a half-time to turn things around since, well, English football "fans" abroad... :rolleyes:

Fairly mediocre first half from both sides, don't think I'll bother with the second.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 06, 2019, 02:57:20 PM
I have nothing else to so, so I am watching.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on June 06, 2019, 03:04:10 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on June 06, 2019, 02:57:20 PM
I have nothing else to so, so I am watching.

You guys should have a good chance to take the title.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 06, 2019, 03:15:48 PM
Was expecting (or fearing) from the Netherlands, to be honest.
Though so some overtime and cards would also help the Selecção.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 06, 2019, 03:21:47 PM
Guess what, Batavians equalised. Game is gaining momentum, at last.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on June 06, 2019, 03:23:17 PM
Allright allright, I'll watch it  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on June 06, 2019, 03:29:55 PM
Oh great  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 06, 2019, 03:30:47 PM
More VAR fun! Though yesterday will be hard to beat.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 06, 2019, 03:35:02 PM
Clément Turpin is supposed to be a good referee, as far as French referees so. Say, better than Marc Bata(rd).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 06, 2019, 03:39:03 PM
So seven (!) minutes of stoppage time. No game-changing VAR after the cancelled goal, with the possible penalty for the Netherlands. Would have been penalty for les Bleus I guess.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 06, 2019, 03:41:15 PM
Nice failure in the money time for the Batavians.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on June 06, 2019, 03:50:08 PM
Yeah, some dreadful finishing in the second half
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 06, 2019, 03:56:41 PM
Of course, Furor Batavicus coupled to an English failure leads to an opportunistic goal.  :lol:

PS: this is an own goal actually  :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 06, 2019, 04:06:58 PM
I guess the English are still very good at putting themselves into trouble without any foreign help.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on June 06, 2019, 04:16:36 PM
Well well well, a final against our favourite Angstgegner.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 06, 2019, 04:17:10 PM
Another fluke by England.  :lmfao: Game over now at 3-1 with only 5 minutes of overtime left.

Really a shame that Portugal does not get to play against them. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 06, 2019, 04:18:33 PM
Quote from: Maladict on June 06, 2019, 04:16:36 PM
Well well well, a final against our favourite Angstgegner.

Did not know this synonym of bête noire.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 06, 2019, 06:07:15 PM
Put up some avatars, guys, it's so weird when two avatar-less posters are chatting.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 06, 2019, 06:14:59 PM
I think the avatar drive is busted right now.

Is freaky though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on June 06, 2019, 07:05:20 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on June 06, 2019, 06:14:59 PM
I think the avatar driveis busted right now.

Is freaky though.

Where our on-line presences will go to live out retirement and fade away?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on June 07, 2019, 12:20:29 AM
Quote from: The Larch on June 06, 2019, 06:07:15 PM
Put up some avatars, guys, it's so weird when two avatar-less posters are chatting.  :P

I have avatars switched off, you guys all look the same to me.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on June 07, 2019, 06:10:02 AM
Quote from: Maladict on June 07, 2019, 12:20:29 AM
Quote from: The Larch on June 06, 2019, 06:07:15 PM
Put up some avatars, guys, it's so weird when two avatar-less posters are chatting.  :P

I have avatars switched off, you guys all look the same to me.

But how do you then easily find the important stuff in threads i.e one's own posts?   :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 07, 2019, 07:17:17 AM
Quote from: The Larch on June 06, 2019, 06:07:15 PM
Put up some avatars, guys, it's so weird when two avatar-less posters are chatting.  :P

You could always check posters' name you know.  :P
Hell, even recognise some patterns in their posting.  :smarty:

I used to have an avatar, but it disappeared after a server crash or change.

Tonight, opening game of the ladies' World Cup! Just in case you are really bored.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on June 07, 2019, 07:58:23 AM
Quote from: mongers on June 07, 2019, 06:10:02 AM

But how do you then easily find the important stuff in threads i.e one's own posts?   :P

I think I have the lowest post count of anyone still hanging out here.

Quote from: Duque de Bragança on June 07, 2019, 07:17:17 AM
You could always check posters' name you know.  :P
Hell, even recognise some patterns in their posting.  :smarty:

On my phone posters' names are typically off screen when I'm reading threads. Definitely no need to look for them in a lot of cases.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on June 07, 2019, 08:15:28 AM
Quote from: Maladict on June 07, 2019, 07:58:23 AM
Quote from: mongers on June 07, 2019, 06:10:02 AM

But how do you then easily find the important stuff in threads i.e one's own posts?   :P

I think I have the lowest post count of anyone still hanging out here.

No, you don't.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 07, 2019, 12:30:53 PM
So Women's World Cup. Do we care?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 07, 2019, 12:39:22 PM
Quote from: Josephus on June 07, 2019, 12:30:53 PM
So Women's World Cup. Do we care?

If they avoid DDR-style "female" athletes, yes.
Nobody is asking to care as if it were the real World Cup, right?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 07, 2019, 12:44:11 PM
Besides, Copa América starting next week (14th June). No Neymar Jr. though, injured in a friendly against Qatar (!). Qatar participating this year to the Copa América (stop laughing).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on June 07, 2019, 01:11:53 PM
There is only 10 team in the Conmebol, there is a need for invitee teams to make it a worth while tournament, imo.

Japan is also in this year's Copa América.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 07, 2019, 01:15:29 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 07, 2019, 01:11:53 PM
There is only 10 team in the Conmebol, there is a need for invitee teams to make it a worth while tournament, imo.

Japan is also in this year's Copa América.

Not good enough to justify Qatar.
What about North America such as Mexico or the US? Would make sense and stay true to the name. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on June 07, 2019, 01:27:30 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on June 07, 2019, 01:15:29 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 07, 2019, 01:11:53 PM
There is only 10 team in the Conmebol, there is a need for invitee teams to make it a worth while tournament, imo.

Japan is also in this year's Copa América.

Not good enough to justify Qatar.
What about North America such as Mexico or the US? Would make sense and stay true to the name. :P

They've been, last time around the Copa America was played in the US.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 07, 2019, 01:28:27 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 07, 2019, 01:27:30 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on June 07, 2019, 01:15:29 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 07, 2019, 01:11:53 PM
There is only 10 team in the Conmebol, there is a need for invitee teams to make it a worth while tournament, imo.

Japan is also in this year's Copa América.

Not good enough to justify Qatar.
What about North America such as Mexico or the US? Would make sense and stay true to the name. :P

They've been, last time around the Copa America was played in the US.

One reason more to make it the rule, rather than the exception. Though perhaps once in a while Canada instead of the US.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 07, 2019, 01:29:58 PM
OTOH, there are Euro 2020 qualifiers too such as Faeroe Islands-Spain.
Should be 5-0 or so for Spain though.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 07, 2019, 01:42:52 PM
No lyrics for the Spanish anthem, yet they manage to sing out of key.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 07, 2019, 02:17:42 PM
2-1 for Spain, Faeroe Islanders just scored on a corner kick.  :D

More interesting game than France-Korea, really dominated by les Bleues. 1-0 for now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 07, 2019, 02:24:04 PM
Own goals are trendy it seems. Tough luck for the Faeroe goalkeeper.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 07, 2019, 03:10:25 PM
France-Korea is really boring, with such a gap between teams. It's even worse than Faeroe Islands-Spain. At least, Feroers put a fight and even scored a goal.
France with a 1m86 player (Renard) just has to jump a bit over 1m70 Korean players during corner kicks, and voilà, two goals.

3-0 now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 08, 2019, 01:45:49 PM
Galli in Iconium (Lycaonia).  :hmm:

PS: supposed to be movement there.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 08, 2019, 02:17:59 PM
1-0 for Turkey, after a disappointing start for both teams. Freekick and a somewhat passive French defence.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 08, 2019, 02:27:27 PM
2-0 for Turkey.  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 08, 2019, 04:33:59 PM
 :lmfao:

Worst game of the French squad since South Africa 2010. Not even a single shot on-target.
Outmatched by the Turkish squad at every level. Only Lloris was good, with a couple of good saves.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 08, 2019, 10:48:22 PM
Kraut  chick who scored is easy on the eyes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 09, 2019, 06:05:27 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on June 08, 2019, 10:48:22 PM
Kraut  chick who scored is easy on the eyes.

She looked 15 :lol:

There are some nice looking ones, as well as there are dikey ones. the one who got me was Germany's coach. At first I thought it was Klinsman's older brother, but then I realized it was a woman.

But of course the game is not about that. It's about the skill, technique and dexterity of the players.

Though I always root for the team with the biggest boobs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 09, 2019, 07:55:10 AM
The Australia Italy game was actually pretty good
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 09, 2019, 07:57:34 AM
Quote from: Josephus on June 09, 2019, 06:05:27 AM


But of course the game is not about that. It's about the skill, technique and dexterity of the players.

Much more so than their athletic qualities.  :P

Quote
Though I always root for the team with the biggest boobs.

Esthetics fan? :D

The France-Korean was hopeless one-sized. Athletic-wise, this was a travesty.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on June 09, 2019, 03:45:00 PM
Congrats Duque, the better team won.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 09, 2019, 05:31:06 PM
Quote from: Maladict on June 09, 2019, 03:45:00 PM
Congrats Duque, the better team won.

Thanks. Team really improved compared to the game vs Switzerland. At last, a proper mid-field with Danilo, Carvalho and Fernandes. Bernardo Silva in a proper position and role for his best game with the national squad.

Some of Koeman's choices are puzzling though (why no VDB?), and one day less of rest seems to have had too much of an influence. Something to change for the next edition?
Still, I will take it!  :P

Wish I were in Porto, Avenida dos Aliados right now...

Some party in the Champs-Élysées, not as many people as 2016 or 2003-04 for Porto but at least there is not trouble.

Day of Portugal, of Camões and Portuguese communities abroad is officially tomorrow (June 10). Well, it started on June 9! :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 10, 2019, 01:48:31 AM
We are talking about women's World Cup here? :unsure:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on June 10, 2019, 02:59:18 AM
Nations League final.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 10, 2019, 10:45:00 AM
Quote from: Tyr on June 10, 2019, 01:48:31 AM
We are talking about women's World Cup here? :unsure:

:secret:

England managed to win another penalty kick shoot-out! Versus Switzerland, for the "small" final.
The curse is over!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 10, 2019, 01:54:46 PM
This is genuinely all news to me. :lol:
I guess its the first strike of having deleted facebook from my phone
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 10, 2019, 02:10:06 PM
The Women's World Cup is a weird and strange place where Canada can play soccer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on June 10, 2019, 02:21:53 PM
It's pretty awesome.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 10, 2019, 04:54:49 PM
Quote from: Valmy on June 10, 2019, 02:10:06 PM
The Women's World Cup is a weird and strange place where Canada can play soccer.

More like a nightmarish place where Argentina has to struggle to tie with Japan.
Pretty low level for now. Snooze fest at the Parc des Princes for the above mentioned game.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 10, 2019, 04:55:23 PM
Quote from: Tyr on June 10, 2019, 01:54:46 PM
This is genuinely all news to me. :lol:
I guess its the first strike of having deleted facebook from my phone

Nah, it's just not having anymore Beckham taking penalties.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 11, 2019, 12:23:00 PM
The Swedish team is a joy to watch.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 11, 2019, 02:24:09 PM
Bold move for Thailand to field their U17 side instead of their Senior squad.

Oh, this is their Senior squad...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 11, 2019, 02:37:33 PM
Quote from: Liep on June 11, 2019, 12:23:00 PM
The Swedish team is a joy to watch.

I guess you are not speaking about the game vs Spain.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 11, 2019, 04:05:22 PM
13-0
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 11, 2019, 04:13:05 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on June 11, 2019, 04:05:22 PM
13-0

Does not make for interesting games...

Wonder what will Charlie Hebdo will make of this.  :hmm:

Wait, here it is:

https://footradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Saved-Image-2019-06-11-at-8.12.39-PM.png (https://footradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Saved-Image-2019-06-11-at-8.12.39-PM.png)

NSFW!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 11, 2019, 04:13:17 PM
What's the deal with all the international men's games being played right now?  Are they all friendlies?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 11, 2019, 04:16:03 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on June 11, 2019, 04:13:17 PM
What's the deal with all the international men's games being played right now?  Are they all friendlies?

Euro qualifiers, North America's Gold Cup, and South America's Copa América. Basically lots of important matches happening.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 11, 2019, 04:17:30 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on June 11, 2019, 04:13:17 PM
What's the deal with all the international men's games being played right now?  Are they all friendlies?

The games being played by European countries are qualification games for the Euro 2020 competition. South American ones are pre-Copa América friendlies.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 11, 2019, 04:20:45 PM
Copa América starts June 14th. Final is the same day as Women's World Cup.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 11, 2019, 05:08:59 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on June 11, 2019, 02:37:33 PM
Quote from: Liep on June 11, 2019, 12:23:00 PM
The Swedish team is a joy to watch.

I guess you are not speaking about the game vs Spain.  :P

Oh, the men played too?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 11, 2019, 07:56:13 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on June 11, 2019, 04:05:22 PM
13-0

I get you don't want to ease up and risk not getting that precious goal differential but scoring in stoppage time just seemed mean.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 12, 2019, 06:05:03 AM
Quote from: Liep on June 11, 2019, 05:08:59 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on June 11, 2019, 02:37:33 PM
Quote from: Liep on June 11, 2019, 12:23:00 PM
The Swedish team is a joy to watch.

I guess you are not speaking about the game vs Spain.  :P

Oh, the men played too?

European qualifiers in Santiago Bernabéu, 3-0 for Spain with Sweden putting up a decent fight, only collapsing at the end of the game.
Sérgio Ramos being as always the quintessential arsehole.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 12, 2019, 07:47:32 AM
USA ladies beat Thai ladies 13-0.

USA ladies were criticized for running up the score and over zealous celebrations for each goal.

I don't have an issue with running up the score. Goal difference counts after all, even though it's unlikely to matter in this case.

But the way they celebrated all their goals, including the final six, as though they won the World Cup was pretty disrespectful
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 12, 2019, 08:00:14 AM
Only comparable slaughter for men I can think think of was back in 1982 with unfortunate Salvadorans losing 10-1 to Hungary.

24-team WC too much? Gap is widening, not tightening, the previous record for the ladies was Germany-Argentina 11-0 in 2007.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on June 12, 2019, 08:40:36 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on June 12, 2019, 08:00:14 AM
24-team WC too much? Gap is widening, not tightening, the previous record for the ladies was Germany-Argentina 11-0 in 2007.

It doesn't really change. Canada beat Martinique 14-0 and Puerto Rico 21-0 all the way back in 1998.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 12, 2019, 08:49:03 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 12, 2019, 08:40:36 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on June 12, 2019, 08:00:14 AM
24-team WC too much? Gap is widening, not tightening, the previous record for the ladies was Germany-Argentina 11-0 in 2007.

It doesn't really change. Canada beat Martinique 14-0 and Puerto Rico 21-0 all the way back in 1998.

That's not unusual during qualification (the Oceanian ones have some extremely lopsided results), but it's a different thing during the final stages.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 12, 2019, 10:22:35 AM
The gap is not really the issue I'm calling out though; it's the over-the-top celebrations that are causing the controversy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on June 12, 2019, 10:40:40 AM
Quote from: Josephus on June 12, 2019, 07:47:32 AM
USA ladies beat Thai ladies 13-0.

USA ladies were criticized for running up the score and over zealous celebrations for each goal.

I don't have an issue with running up the score. Goal difference counts after all, even though it's unlikely to matter in this case.

But the way they celebrated all their goals, including the final six, as though they won the World Cup was pretty disrespectful

Also, it is worth keeping in mind the most athletic thai women aren't pursuing soccer. Oh the shows I've seen...what they can do with a ping pong ball... :homestar:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on June 12, 2019, 11:07:46 AM
Quote from: alfred russel on June 12, 2019, 10:40:40 AM
Quote from: Josephus on June 12, 2019, 07:47:32 AM
USA ladies beat Thai ladies 13-0.

USA ladies were criticized for running up the score and over zealous celebrations for each goal.

I don't have an issue with running up the score. Goal difference counts after all, even though it's unlikely to matter in this case.

But the way they celebrated all their goals, including the final six, as though they won the World Cup was pretty disrespectful

Also, it is worth keeping in mind the most athletic thai women aren't pursuing soccer. Oh the shows I've seen...what they can do with a ping pong ball... :homestar:

(https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/disapproving_look.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 12, 2019, 11:57:02 AM
Yeah it kind of reminded me of that South Park episode where Stan's peewee hockey team gets destroyed by a NHL team who then proceeds to have an over-the-top celebration.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 12, 2019, 06:54:15 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on June 12, 2019, 10:40:40 AM
Quote from: Josephus on June 12, 2019, 07:47:32 AM
USA ladies beat Thai ladies 13-0.

USA ladies were criticized for running up the score and over zealous celebrations for each goal.

I don't have an issue with running up the score. Goal difference counts after all, even though it's unlikely to matter in this case.

But the way they celebrated all their goals, including the final six, as though they won the World Cup was pretty disrespectful

Also, it is worth keeping in mind the most athletic thai women aren't pursuing soccer. Oh the shows I've seen...what they can do with a ping pong ball... :homestar:

Took me a minute. Been awhile since I've seen Yellow Emmanuelle :perv:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on June 12, 2019, 10:05:05 PM
The celebrations past 4 - 0 were very crass. What's wrong with people? Basic human decency is in short supply it seems.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 13, 2019, 12:47:29 PM
France beat Norway 2-1 with another goal by Virgil van Dijk Wendy Renard. It was an own goal though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on June 13, 2019, 12:59:16 PM
Brazil's soccer federation is so petty, the Women's wear the Men's 5 stars on their kit.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 13, 2019, 01:06:22 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on June 13, 2019, 12:47:29 PM
France beat Norway 2-1 with another goal by Virgil van Dijk Wendy Renard. It was an own goal though.

Wasn't crazy about the penalty in that game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 13, 2019, 01:21:09 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on June 13, 2019, 01:06:22 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on June 13, 2019, 12:47:29 PM
France beat Norway 2-1 with another goal by Virgil van Dijk Wendy Renard. It was an own goal though.

Wasn't crazy about the penalty in that game.

"Home advantage" crappy refereeing or crappy defence?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 13, 2019, 01:25:00 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on June 13, 2019, 01:21:09 PM
"Home advantage" crappy refereeing or crappy defence?

I thought it was a bad call.  The defender kicked the ball and the follow through hit the other chick's leg.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 16, 2019, 06:21:58 AM
Copa América has started!

Among the first results :

Brazil 3 Bolivia 0
Colombia 2  Argentina 0

Argentina collapsed in the end while Brazil won without really any suffering.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 16, 2019, 05:31:39 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0jn1E4XxFI

Did the Swedish goalie give Thailand a sympathy goal?  Breakaway starts at 1:02 of clip.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on June 17, 2019, 08:20:34 AM
No.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 17, 2019, 04:08:03 PM
Paraguay-Qatar 2-2. Yes, this is Copa América, but having the tournament at the same time as the Copa de Oro makes it impossible for Mexico and the US to attend it.
Deserved tie for Qatar, which was losing 2-0.

The other favorite, Uruguay won 4-0 vs Ecuador.

Japan playing soon (stop laughing).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on June 17, 2019, 04:43:00 PM
Spain makes it to the knockout stages of the women's WC for the first time ever. We'll probably play the USA, so that's the end of the line.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 18, 2019, 03:06:56 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on June 13, 2019, 01:25:00 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on June 13, 2019, 01:21:09 PM
"Home advantage" crappy refereeing or crappy defence?

I thought it was a bad call.  The defender kicked the ball and the follow through hit the other chick's leg.

I guess you did not like the penalty in France vs Nigeria. "Home advantage"

https://www.france24.com/en/20190617-france-women-world-cup-nigeria-norway-south-korea (https://www.france24.com/en/20190617-france-women-world-cup-nigeria-norway-south-korea)

Penalty kick, red card following a second yellow, retaken due to a goalkeeper foot not being on the line.
Double standards since French players entered the penalty box before the penalty shot (as per the rules null).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 18, 2019, 03:46:11 PM
Those were two separate penalties, yeah?  Goalie was clearly off the line, and I didn't see the French chicks coming in early.  The second yellow on the mugging in the box I thought was warranted.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 18, 2019, 03:58:58 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on June 18, 2019, 03:46:11 PM
Those were two separate penalties, yeah?  Goalie was clearly off the line, and I didn't see the French chicks coming in early.  The second yellow on the mugging in the box I thought was warranted.

Second yellow seems acceptable to me. The yellow card for the goalkeeper, obviously no.
Nope, penalty shot was retaken since the first one was deemed invalid because the goalkeeper had left too early the line with both feet. As for clearly, that's by a few centimetres. Only one foot is allowed.
French chicks came in too early for the second take, leading to the goal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LWkoynvlPQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LWkoynvlPQ)Why enforcing regulations to the letter so selectively?  :hmm:



Strangely enough, the non-French Francophone press, say Belgian, has a different take than French press.  :P

https://www.rtl.be/sport/football/coupe-du-monde/coupe-du-monde-feminine-la-france-le-var-et-le-penalty-polemique-1133972.aspx (https://www.rtl.be/sport/football/coupe-du-monde/coupe-du-monde-feminine-la-france-le-var-et-le-penalty-polemique-1133972.aspx)

QuoteLes garants du jeu s'appuie en fait sur la loi 14 du règlement relative au penalty, qui stipule qu'au moment du tir, "le gardien de but doit avoir au moins un pied sur sa ligne". Pour Melissa Borjas et ses assistants, Chiamak Nnadozie a quitté sa ligne de but trop tôt. Elle écope même d'un carton jaune. Dans le même temps, deux Françaises ont pénétré dans la surface, ce qui est interdit aussi... Wendie Renard se présente une seconde fois. Cette fois, sa frappe termine au fond des filets.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 18, 2019, 04:04:58 PM
I didn't realize the goalie only had to keep one foot.  I might agree then about the shoddy call.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 18, 2019, 04:12:01 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on June 18, 2019, 04:04:58 PM
I didn't realize the goalie only had to keep one foot.  I might agree then about the shoddy call.

To be fair, the rules have been changed a bit lately. Soon, only players of the defending team on free-kicks. No longer both teams, which was a way by the attacking team to induce confusion for the defending goalkeeper.
Such a set-up piece goal was scored in the Portugal-Switzerland game in the League of Nations which prompted badly informed commentators to say that the goal should have been refused.
Rule supposed to be in effect after 25th June, since the League of Nations tournament and qualifiers had started the year before, and ended June 9th.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 18, 2019, 05:35:46 PM
I wonder if the white Jamaican chicks are real Jamaicans or fake Jamaicans.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 18, 2019, 05:44:03 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on June 18, 2019, 05:35:46 PM
I wonder if the white Jamaican chicks are real Jamaicans or fake Jamaicans.

There are pretty strict rules in football regarding nationality. You can't just fake a nationality and play for whatever team you like.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 18, 2019, 05:47:35 PM
Quote from: Liep on June 18, 2019, 05:44:03 PM
There are pretty strict rules in football regarding nationality. You can't just fake a nationality and play for whatever team you like.

I'm not talking about fraud; I'm talking about those "my grandfather was born there" deals.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 18, 2019, 05:58:31 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYv2ocekZLw

Class shot (blocked) at 17 seconds of clip by Brazil.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 18, 2019, 06:55:30 PM
Platini detained on corruption suspicions.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 19, 2019, 06:18:30 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on June 18, 2019, 04:04:58 PM
I didn't realize the goalie only had to keep one foot.  I might agree then about the shoddy call.

It's one of five or six new rules being used in this WC that will be implemented in leagues starting next season. A few others off the top of my head: In a direct free kick, attacking players are no longer allowed to be in the defensive wall. During a substitution, outgoing players do not have to walk to the middle of the field to be substituted
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 19, 2019, 06:29:43 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on June 18, 2019, 05:47:35 PM
Quote from: Liep on June 18, 2019, 05:44:03 PM
There are pretty strict rules in football regarding nationality. You can't just fake a nationality and play for whatever team you like.

I'm not talking about fraud; I'm talking about those "my grandfather was born there" deals.

Actually, you can. In youth teams that is.  :smarty:
Lots of bi-nationals when they cannot play in the country they live suddenly rediscover their heritage.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 19, 2019, 06:31:05 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on June 18, 2019, 06:55:30 PM
Platini detained on corruption suspicions.

I am shocked, shocked to find corruption is going on at FIFA!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on June 19, 2019, 07:35:13 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on June 18, 2019, 05:35:46 PM
I wonder if the white Jamaican chicks are real Jamaicans or fake Jamaicans.

Let's see :

Sydney Schneider ; Goalkeeper, 19. Born in New Jersey. She qualifies to play soccer for 3 countries: US(birthplace), Germany(dad's birthplace) & Jamaica(maternal grandparents birthplace).

Havana Solaun ; Midfielder, 26. Born in Hong Kong. She qualifies to play for 4 countries : Hong Kong(birthplace), US(Dad), Cuba(Dad) & Jamaica(mom).

Lauren Fielder ; Midfielder, 26, Born in the US, She qualifies to play for 2 countries : US(birthplace), Jamaica(maternal grandfather).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on June 19, 2019, 09:12:05 AM
How does her dad qualify her to play for both Cuba and the US?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on June 19, 2019, 09:49:21 AM
Hell, we had brothers Kevin Prince Boateng and Jerome Boateng playing for different countries (Ghana and Germany, respectively)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on June 19, 2019, 10:12:48 AM
Quote from: dps on June 19, 2019, 09:12:05 AM
How does her dad qualify her to play for both Cuba and the US?

He's apparently from there, got American citizenship after the emigrating. I'm guessing she would also qualify for Cuba based on a paternal grandparents if her dad didn't qualify her.

It happens all the time for Canada's men team. Our best player, Alphonso Davies is from a Liberian refugee camp in Ghana. Altho, he did grow up in Edmonton.
Or our Captain, Scott Arfield. Dude's Scottish. I don't think he's ever been to Canada without also being there for a National team match.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 19, 2019, 11:01:27 AM
Quote from: dps on June 19, 2019, 09:12:05 AM
How does her dad qualify her to play for both Cuba and the US?

Miami?  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 19, 2019, 12:35:12 PM
There was once a time where Ireland was known as the England reserve team due to the amount of people qualifying via grandparents.

It's pretty interesting stuff really, the rules are really drawn from another era where a Frenchman was a Frenchman was a Frenchman, but these days with the increase in mixed race people, migration, etc.... things are quite messed up.
There's been a few interesting stories of countries battling each other for the services of promising youngsters.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 19, 2019, 02:56:07 PM
So all fake Jamaicans. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on June 19, 2019, 04:07:25 PM
A lot of lower-ranked hockey federations wind up using mostly Canadians with some sort of tie to their country.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 20, 2019, 06:16:10 AM
More Copa América fun!

Brazil tied 0-0 with Venezuela!
Argentina 1-1 with Paraguay.

So the first place is no longer guaranteed for Brazil, and Argentina could be out in the group phase, unless they win against... Qatar!  :D Messi scored a penalty, before you ask. Qatar lost his second game but did a good impression on his first, a tie with Paraguay.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on June 20, 2019, 06:57:30 AM
Gold Cup Update
Mexico beat Canada 3-1
Martinique beat Cuba 3-0

Next Matches are
Mexico vs Martinique
Canada vs Cuba

Canada needs a win, especially if Mexico shits the bed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 20, 2019, 07:36:17 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 20, 2019, 06:57:30 AM
Gold Cup Update
Mexico beat Canada 3-1
Martinique beat Cuba 3-0

Next Matches are
Mexico vs Martinique
Canada vs Cuba

Canada needs a win, especially if Mexico shits the bed.

If Canada can't beat Cuba, who lost to Martinique, then Canada should just stick with hockey.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on June 20, 2019, 08:03:59 AM
Soccer fans give up so easily ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 20, 2019, 10:43:45 AM
Quote from: Josephus on June 20, 2019, 07:36:17 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 20, 2019, 06:57:30 AM
Gold Cup Update
Mexico beat Canada 3-1
Martinique beat Cuba 3-0

Next Matches are
Mexico vs Martinique
Canada vs Cuba

Canada needs a win, especially if Mexico shits the bed.

If Canada can't beat Cuba, who lost to Martinique, then Canada should just stick with hockey.

If the rest of Canada had your attitude they would have stopped fielding a national team decades ago :P

I mean we lost out on the World Cup because we couldn't beat Trinidad and Tobago and you don't see us giving up! USA! USA! USA!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on June 20, 2019, 10:55:20 AM
Quote from: Valmy on June 20, 2019, 10:43:45 AM
If the rest of Canada had your attitude they would have stopped fielding a national team decades ago :P

For all practical purposes, they did.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 20, 2019, 11:50:18 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 20, 2019, 08:03:59 AM
Soccer fans give up so easily ;)

If Canada can't beat Cuba, then yes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 20, 2019, 05:13:12 PM
Dutch giantesses end Canadian women's World Cup.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on June 20, 2019, 05:18:45 PM
Huh? Sweden is supposed to meet Canada.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 20, 2019, 05:26:02 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsHpYYSozU8
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on June 20, 2019, 08:16:02 PM
Still qualify to get crushed by Sweden.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 20, 2019, 08:29:58 PM
Asoka.  My bad.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 24, 2019, 08:25:19 AM
Quote from: Josephus on June 20, 2019, 11:50:18 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 20, 2019, 08:03:59 AM
Soccer fans give up so easily ;)

If Canada can't beat Cuba, then yes.

And thankfully they did.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 24, 2019, 08:49:22 AM
Copa América:

Messi Argentina qualified for quarters! By switching to another formation, instead of relying too much on Messi, Argentina beat Qatar 2-0. Qatar out.
Brazil thrashed Peru 5-0 and is qualified too, as first of the group. Peru might still qualifiy as best third.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 24, 2019, 01:43:44 PM
Women:

They're completely messing up how VAR is supposed to work.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on June 25, 2019, 08:35:24 AM
I disagree, they are using it properly. At every occasion.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 25, 2019, 01:37:15 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 25, 2019, 08:35:24 AM
I disagree, they are using it properly. At every occasion.

I guess the teams you support were advantaged by VAR.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on June 25, 2019, 01:40:07 PM
If you have the technology you must use it, at every occasion. If it's detrimental to the sports, change the rules that are leading to Replays.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 25, 2019, 01:46:41 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 25, 2019, 01:40:07 PM
If you have the technology you must use it, at every occasion. If it's detrimental to the sports, change the rules that are leading to Replays.

Shame you can't change the enforcement of rules during the game when the referee is not up for the game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on June 25, 2019, 01:52:25 PM
That's true for every referee in the entire history of FIFA being not up for the game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 25, 2019, 01:53:29 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 25, 2019, 01:52:25 PM
That's true for every referee in the entire history of FIFA being not up for the game.

Except Var makes it even worse. Not to mention that some changes in the rules have been detrimental to the game cf. penalties.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on June 25, 2019, 02:58:59 PM
How is letting the sole ref who's stuck running around being taken for a foul by 22 assholes look at replays worse than not letting the ref do that?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 25, 2019, 03:28:36 PM
Easy, if the referee is bad as in selectively enforcing game rules (penalty with France for instance), you don't get game disruption without video-refereeing, just the bad call.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on June 25, 2019, 08:56:42 PM
Ahhh, I think I understand a basic difference here. I don't see VAR disruption, or any disruption really, has a negative.

Actually, I feel that soccer should learn to handle their stoppage in play better.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 29, 2019, 08:06:28 PM
Well Canada's women and now the men bow out disgracefully.

Canada's men 2-0 up over Haiti at half-time and manage to lose 3-2. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 30, 2019, 04:22:57 PM
Spain just won the U-21 Euro, defeating Germany 2-1 in the final.  :w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on July 01, 2019, 03:55:16 AM
No love for the Copa América ?

Argentina, after a very bad start, made it to the semi-finals:
Argentina 2 Venezuela

Brazil too, painfully though
Brazil 0 Paraguay (4-3 on penalties end of a curse for Brazil)

Chile on penalties again, vs Colombia, very hyped in the beginning after a very good group phase
Chile 0 Colombia (5-4 penalties)

Last upset, Uruguay out!

Uruguay 0 Peru 0 (penalties again 4-5)

If you are wondering why there are so many penalty kick battles, that's because there is no overtime after regulation time, straight to penalties. I don't like it much, as far as I am concerned.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on July 01, 2019, 04:02:06 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on July 01, 2019, 03:55:16 AM
No love for the Copa América ?

Nope, there's no love for anything not EC or WC, but we do get a little coverage of the women's WC and the final of the U21 got a mention but only because of missed brutal tackle that should've been a red card.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on July 01, 2019, 05:18:40 AM
Quote from: Liep on July 01, 2019, 04:02:06 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on July 01, 2019, 03:55:16 AM
No love for the Copa América ?

Nope, there's no love for anything not EC or WC, but we do get a little coverage of the women's WC and the final of the U21 got a mention but only because of missed brutal tackle that should've been a red card.

Euro U21 was nice to watch though, some nice goals there like the trivela during Spain-France.

Women's WC was way overhyped over here, and now that the French squad is out, it's back to anonymity.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: katmai on July 01, 2019, 05:40:18 AM
yeah sadly copa is playing backseat to gold cup and Women's world cup here in states, i think only telemundo network is showing Copa, where FOX and it's sports networks are broadcasting the other two competitions.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on July 02, 2019, 01:54:45 PM
So... Is football coming home?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 02, 2019, 02:22:48 PM
A couple of sick nasty goals to start off ENG-USA.

Turns out sometimes football is actually good and fun to watch.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on July 02, 2019, 02:53:12 PM
About time, the overhype here made the poor refereeing, the not-so interesting games even worse than usual.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: merithyn on July 02, 2019, 02:57:26 PM
I love how the US women's team is "arrogant" in most news reports rather than confidant.   :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on July 02, 2019, 03:00:00 PM
Didn't they taunt the thai team until they cried? Seems arrogant :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on July 02, 2019, 03:05:38 PM
Quote from: merithyn on July 02, 2019, 02:57:26 PM
I love how the US women's team is "arrogant" in most news reports rather than confidant.   :rolleyes:

The Patriots are also arrogant. It just means you are awesome.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 02, 2019, 03:07:49 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on July 02, 2019, 02:53:12 PM
About time, the overhype here made the poor refereeing, the not-so interesting games even worse than usual.

There have been a couple good matches. This one is looking good as well.

Not as ballistic as last year, though. I still see Pavard's goal when I close my eyes sometimes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on July 02, 2019, 04:00:46 PM
I was rooting for England, but it was a deserved victory for the US. And VAR is boring.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on July 02, 2019, 04:03:00 PM
The tea sipping thing won't help the arrogant narrative. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on July 02, 2019, 04:04:10 PM
What was that again? Did they mock the english after winning? That's just bad sportsmanship.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 02, 2019, 04:05:22 PM
I don't mind the American women coming off as arrogant. When you're the best team in the world, a certain amount of arrogance is expected, even necessary.

I wish the Men's team was half as arrogant as the Women's side.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on July 02, 2019, 04:06:53 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on July 02, 2019, 04:05:22 PM
I don't mind the American women coming off as arrogant. When you're the best team in the world, a certain amount of arrogance is expected, even necessary.

I wish the Men's team was half as arrogant as the Women's side.

The best team in the world has been squeaking out one goal wins.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on July 02, 2019, 04:09:17 PM
Quote from: Threviel on July 02, 2019, 04:00:46 PM
I was rooting for England, but it was a deserved victory for the US. And VAR is boring.

England played well, had one goal disallowed on a close call and missed a PK, could easily have gone the other way.

I was rooting for the yanks until I saw the tea sipping - low class move.

Quote from: FunkMonk on July 02, 2019, 04:05:22 PM
I don't mind the American women coming off as arrogant. When you're the best team in the world, a certain amount of arrogance is expected, even necessary.

I wish the Men's team was half as arrogant as the Women's side.

The Yanks don't have much to be arrogant about in this tournament.  If not for VAR they would have lost to Spain and would have gone into extra time in this game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on July 02, 2019, 04:11:00 PM
Quote from: merithyn on July 02, 2019, 02:57:26 PM
I love how the US women's team is "arrogant" in most news reports rather than confidant.   :rolleyes:

One can be confident without taunting the other team.  The American side doesn't seem to understand that distinction.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 02, 2019, 04:17:33 PM
I understand why people are bothered by their arrogance. I'm just saying their arrogance doesn't bother me.  They're still the best team in the world, until they lose to the Netherlands on penalties in the final.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on July 02, 2019, 04:20:11 PM
We can only hope. Bad sportsmanship is annoying and never justified. If you are are the best you have no need to be mean, and if you are mean, well, fuck you. Bad winners deserve to lose, just a shame that the world rarely is that poetic.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on July 02, 2019, 04:42:01 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on July 02, 2019, 04:17:33 PM
I understand why people are bothered by their arrogance. I'm just saying their arrogance doesn't bother me.  They're still the best team in the world, until they lose to the Netherlands on penalties in the final.

The gold standard of confidence without arrogance was the 92 US Olympic basketball team.  Everyone knew they would win and they conducted themselves with class throughout.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 02, 2019, 04:55:58 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on July 02, 2019, 04:42:01 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on July 02, 2019, 04:17:33 PM
I understand why people are bothered by their arrogance. I'm just saying their arrogance doesn't bother me.  They're still the best team in the world, until they lose to the Netherlands on penalties in the final.

The gold standard of confidence without arrogance was the 92 US Olympic basketball team.  Everyone knew they would win and they conducted themselves with class throughout.

Indeed.

Just as a point, I was rooting for the English to win (I'd like to see football come home in my lifetime), but I'm happy our Ladies won the day just the same.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on July 02, 2019, 05:59:56 PM
That offside was a little hinky, wasn't it?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: merithyn on July 02, 2019, 06:11:32 PM
Replay showed it pretty clearly, I thought.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on July 02, 2019, 06:16:56 PM
Maybe you're right.  But that red line looks quite a bit further than the foot.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on July 02, 2019, 07:29:15 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on July 02, 2019, 05:59:56 PM
That offside was a little hinky, wasn't it?

Yeah, it was a very close call and one where the ref could easily have said replay was not appropriate.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on July 02, 2019, 08:26:03 PM
Ironic that the US coach was born in my home county, a Pompey girl.  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on July 03, 2019, 06:05:17 AM
Copa América finale avant la lettre

Brazil 2 Argentina 0

Gabriel Jesus beat the Messi(ah).  :P With a little help from Firmino. ;)
Argentina improved again compared to the beginning of the tournament, but not enough. Even while leading 1-0 Brazil had to wait the end of the game to score the 2-0. Argentina hit the post and bar (once by Messi) while trailing 1-0. Argentine squad stopped playing for claiming there was a penalty for them and suffered a second goal as a result. This lead Messi to complain about refereeing, mentioning also too many yellow cards.

Messi did not announce he would quit the national squad this time.

Maybe Brazil plays better without Neymar. Maybe Argentina will play better without Messi. Like Côte d'Ivoire finally winning a title after Drogba stopped playing for the national squad. Yes, wandering into apples and oranges territory there.  :P
There is another Copa América next year after all, to align it with the EURO.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on July 03, 2019, 01:12:41 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on July 02, 2019, 04:42:01 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on July 02, 2019, 04:17:33 PM
I understand why people are bothered by their arrogance. I'm just saying their arrogance doesn't bother me.  They're still the best team in the world, until they lose to the Netherlands on penalties in the final.

The gold standard of confidence without arrogance was the 92 US Olympic basketball team.  Everyone knew they would win and they conducted themselves with class throughout.

Here it is spelled out for you the problem with arrogance. The Dream team was so good at everything that even now, 25 years later & in different sports, teams get compared to it.

Be Arrogant, USWNT.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on July 03, 2019, 02:47:57 PM
Defensive battle between Sweden and the Netherlands.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on July 04, 2019, 04:15:44 AM
Copa América

No third title in a row for Chile!

Chile 0 Peru 3

Both countries have a long history of disputed borders, so this could be dubbed as Derby del Pacífico.  :P
This is the end for Chile's Golden Generation. Chile did not qualify for the previous World Cup too.
Third goal in the extra time by veteran Paolo Guerrero.
I guess that's why the Chilean I spoke to before the tournament was not optimistic.

Road is wide open for a Brazilian final victory. After all, they managed to beat Argentina in the cursed Mineirão (remember that 7-1?). No Mineiraço of traumatic proportions compared to the Maracanaço of 1950.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on July 04, 2019, 05:58:35 AM
Lampard is Chelsea's new head coach. As much as I like him I think this is much more likely to turn out as a mistake than a good move.

I assume that no big profile name wanted the job with the year-long transfer ban.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 07, 2019, 11:54:46 AM
The best team in the world just completely clowned the European champions. Could have been 4 or 5 if not for some goalkeeping heroics.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on July 07, 2019, 11:58:31 AM
A shame seeing as they seemed to be so arrogant and unpleasant. But all right, they had reason for their arrogance.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on July 07, 2019, 12:03:28 PM
Another lost WC final. That's just what we need  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on July 07, 2019, 05:00:10 PM
Yay
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on July 07, 2019, 05:02:08 PM
Unsurprisingly, Brazil won vs Peru 3-1 in the Copa América Final.
Better performance than expected all in all for Peru, which managed to scare Brazil at times.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: KRonn on July 07, 2019, 05:31:45 PM
Congrats USA on the win for first! :) Also congrats to The Netherlands and Sweden.   :cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on July 07, 2019, 05:39:56 PM
I was surprised by the total domination.  Well deserved by the US side.

edit:  should add that second goal was a thing of beauty.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: KRonn on July 07, 2019, 06:19:29 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on July 07, 2019, 05:39:56 PM
I was surprised by the total domination.  Well deserved by the US side.

edit:  should add that second goal was a thing of beauty.

Agreed, on the second goal. Nicely timed and placed with a defender or two around her.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 07, 2019, 10:19:15 PM
Men's team cock it up and lose to perennial rivals Mexico 1 - 0 in the Cup no one cares about but actual fans of soccer.

At least the women are good.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on July 08, 2019, 06:12:29 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on July 07, 2019, 10:19:15 PM
Men's team cock it up and lose to perennial rivals Mexico 1 - 0 in the Cup no one cares about but actual fans of soccer.

At least the women are good.

Careful about the Cup no ones cares. It may apply as well to the Women's Football World Cup.  :P
Over here, once the national squad got out, the hype ended suddenly. Maybe Platini should have tricked the drawing of the groups and competition as in 1998, to avoid France and Brazil clashing early on. Not possible until the final if both teams were first of their respective groups.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/may/18/michel-platini-world-cup-1998-brazil-france-draw-trickery (https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/may/18/michel-platini-world-cup-1998-brazil-france-draw-trickery)

Since nobody spoke of Africa's Cup of Nations, any victory of a team with a sizable immigrant community in France meant a lot more noise in Paris than usual.  :P

PS: A round of 16 3-0 victory against Guinea (!) by the Algerian squad was enough to create traffic jams around the Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Élysées.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 08, 2019, 08:59:33 AM
That the U.S. women are indominatable is undeniable. It's just heir cockiness that annoys people. But they deserve their accolades.

I think their total domination will end soon though. The game is picking up in Europe. England, Netherlands, France and Spain have burgeoning leagues of their own and this can only be good for the game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on July 08, 2019, 09:37:36 AM
I am glad to hear soccer is finally catching on in Europe. Maybe some day they can be as good as the US.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on July 08, 2019, 09:38:10 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on July 07, 2019, 10:19:15 PM
Men's team cock it up and lose to perennial rivals Mexico 1 - 0 in the Cup no one cares about but actual fans of soccer.

At least the women are good.

We have a men's team?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on July 08, 2019, 09:40:28 AM
Quote from: Valmy on July 08, 2019, 09:38:10 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on July 07, 2019, 10:19:15 PM
Men's team cock it up and lose to perennial rivals Mexico 1 - 0 in the Cup no one cares about but actual fans of soccer.

At least the women are good.

We have a men's team?

yes, and I hate them. I was in vegas when they played Portugal for the 2014 world cup. I was mightily annoyed
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on July 08, 2019, 09:41:53 AM
Quote from: HVC on July 08, 2019, 09:40:28 AM
yes, and I hate them. I was in vegas when they played Portugal for the 2014 world cup. I was mightily annoyed

Why? Portugal didn't lose :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on July 08, 2019, 09:42:48 AM
Quote from: Valmy on July 08, 2019, 09:41:53 AM
Quote from: HVC on July 08, 2019, 09:40:28 AM
yes, and I hate them. I was in vegas when they played Portugal for the 2014 world cup. I was mightily annoyed

Why? Portugal didn't lose :P

didn't win either :D

Plus I was surrounded by USA chanters haha
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on July 08, 2019, 09:44:28 AM
Quote from: HVC on July 08, 2019, 09:42:48 AM
Quote from: Valmy on July 08, 2019, 09:41:53 AM
Quote from: HVC on July 08, 2019, 09:40:28 AM
yes, and I hate them. I was in vegas when they played Portugal for the 2014 world cup. I was mightily annoyed

Why? Portugal didn't lose :P

didn't win either :D

Plus I was surrounded by USA chanters haha

I still remember PDH's annoyance after the extra time equalizer by Cristiano Ronaldo Varela. I bet the chanters were pissed off too. ;)

PS: assist, at most by Ronaldo
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on July 08, 2019, 09:49:44 AM
I believe, I believe, I believe that we will tie!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on July 08, 2019, 09:56:59 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on July 08, 2019, 09:44:28 AM
Quote from: HVC on July 08, 2019, 09:42:48 AM
Quote from: Valmy on July 08, 2019, 09:41:53 AM
Quote from: HVC on July 08, 2019, 09:40:28 AM
yes, and I hate them. I was in vegas when they played Portugal for the 2014 world cup. I was mightily annoyed

Why? Portugal didn't lose :P

didn't win either :D

Plus I was surrounded by USA chanters haha

I still remember PDH's annoyance after the extra time equalizer by Cristiano Ronaldo. I bet the chanters were pissed off too. ;)

wasn't it some porto player that tied?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on July 08, 2019, 10:19:35 AM
Quote from: HVC on July 08, 2019, 09:56:59 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on July 08, 2019, 09:44:28 AM
Quote from: HVC on July 08, 2019, 09:42:48 AM
Quote from: Valmy on July 08, 2019, 09:41:53 AM
Quote from: HVC on July 08, 2019, 09:40:28 AM
yes, and I hate them. I was in vegas when they played Portugal for the 2014 world cup. I was mightily annoyed

Why? Portugal didn't lose :P

didn't win either :D

Plus I was surrounded by USA chanters haha

I still remember PDH's annoyance after the extra time equalizer by Cristiano Ronaldo. I bet the chanters were pissed off too. ;)

wasn't it some porto player that tied?

Yep, Varela. I think Ronaldo made an assist which made me confused. I would have to check to be sure.
Ronaldo scored the second goal against Ghana.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on July 08, 2019, 12:23:08 PM
(https://secondnexus.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Screen-Shot-2019-07-08-at-10.57.01-AM.png)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 08, 2019, 12:46:52 PM
Needs the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3jwCrN67GY
:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on July 08, 2019, 12:51:32 PM
Who in their right mind would take a live feed from a bar?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on July 08, 2019, 01:00:25 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on July 08, 2019, 12:51:32 PM
Who in their right mind would take a live feed from a bar?

I've seen lots of live feeds from bars during sporting events.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on July 08, 2019, 01:02:01 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on July 08, 2019, 12:51:32 PM
Who in their right mind would take a live feed from a bar?

It's quite common for football events. Everyone hates it including the journalists and the viewers so can't tell you why, I guess it's just something producers feel they need to do because it's always been done.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on July 08, 2019, 08:53:19 PM
Quote from: Tyr on July 08, 2019, 12:46:52 PM
Needs the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3jwCrN67GY
:lol:

:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 09, 2019, 07:00:35 PM
Apparently Trump was very upset with Fox about that  :D
https://deadspin.com/report-president-salty-over-soccer-fans-1836208794
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 23, 2019, 10:02:23 PM
Got to see Real Madrid and Arsenal play their friendly when they came to town today. Being able to see Arsenal play in person was a treat, and the atmosphere was great.

Also felt otherworldly seeing Zidane in person, even from the other side of the stadium :pope:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 24, 2019, 04:47:02 AM
So they were playing properly?
When I've seen pre season friendlies in the past you could tell they were only a step above training ground matches.


Quote from: Josephus on July 09, 2019, 07:00:35 PM
Apparently Trump was very upset with Fox about that  :D
https://deadspin.com/report-president-salty-over-soccer-fans-1836208794

Whats with this word salty?
It seems to have suddenly arisen this last year or two.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 24, 2019, 04:49:24 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on July 23, 2019, 10:02:23 PMAlso felt otherworldly seeing Zidane in person, even from the other side of the stadium :pope:

And he did not even headbutt you!  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 24, 2019, 07:07:42 AM
Quote from: Tyr on July 24, 2019, 04:47:02 AM
So they were playing properly?
When I've seen pre season friendlies in the past you could tell they were only a step above training ground matches.


Quote from: Josephus on July 09, 2019, 07:00:35 PM
Apparently Trump was very upset with Fox about that  :D
https://deadspin.com/report-president-salty-over-soccer-fans-1836208794

Whats with this word salty?
It seems to have suddenly arisen this last year or two.

It was definitely a glorified practice at first, though there were 2 red cards shown and both sides went down to 10 men in the first half  :lol:

The ref was a bit shit and showed two yellows to both players when I think a stern talking to was all that was needed instead of a yellow.

One of the Real Madrid players got carted off with an injury and the game got a little scrappy in the second half, too. It was drawn 2-2 at full time but apparently there had to be a winner so they went to penalties to decide it  :lol:

All in all, it was really fun for those of us across the pond who will likely never see these players in person in full form in the league.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on July 24, 2019, 02:19:50 PM
Quote from: Tyr on July 24, 2019, 04:47:02 AM
Whats with this word salty?
It seems to have suddenly arisen this last year or two.

It means upset.  Salt has been rubbed in your wounds.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 06, 2019, 12:04:19 PM
Looks like Rooney's time in the US of A is over at the end of this year...he's heading back to Blighty to play for the mighty Derby (I tried to do a rhyming thing there)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 06, 2019, 07:13:47 PM
Quote from: Josephus on August 06, 2019, 12:04:19 PM
Looks like Rooney's time in the US of A is over at the end of this year...he's heading back to Blighty to play for the mighty Derby (I tried to do a rhyming thing there)

Fuck I have to catch a DC United game soon
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 25, 2019, 07:12:11 AM
Well, well, well, some promising Sunderland news for once.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49451205

QuoteSunderland: Michael Dell and American investors seek to take over League One side

https://ceoworld.biz/2019/05/20/richlist/

#28

:hmm:

Richest owner in the world?

Wonder how much the Sunderland Till I Die doc helped?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 29, 2019, 09:59:21 AM
So I got tickets to see Engand v. Montenegro at Wembley in November  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 29, 2019, 11:02:50 AM
Quote from: Josephus on August 29, 2019, 09:59:21 AM
So I got tickets to see Engand v. Montenegro at Wembley in November  :bowler:

Should be fun, England usually plays well in the qualifiers so they can go hopeful in to the cups and then disappoint.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 29, 2019, 11:11:20 AM
Quote from: Liep on August 29, 2019, 11:02:50 AM
Quote from: Josephus on August 29, 2019, 09:59:21 AM
So I got tickets to see Engand v. Montenegro at Wembley in November  :bowler:

Should be fun, England usually plays well in the qualifiers so they can go hopeful in to the cups and then disappoint.

:D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 30, 2019, 08:30:15 AM
Eric Cantona's speech at the Player of the Year ceremony  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 31, 2019, 10:56:55 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 30, 2019, 08:30:15 AM
Eric Cantona's speech at the Player of the Year ceremony  :lol:

Great, even by Cantona's admittedly high standards.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 31, 2019, 11:55:24 AM
My favourite moment:
(https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article19033553.ece/ALTERNATES/s1200b/0_messironaldo.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 31, 2019, 08:11:32 PM
Ronaldo's face  :lol:

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 03, 2019, 05:24:08 PM
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EDjxPq0WkAALMsE?format=png&name=small)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 04, 2019, 03:39:14 AM
Lord is back in Copenhagen. Maybe he'll get some playing time now so he can re-enter the national squad and we can qualify for the EC we're hosting.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 04, 2019, 04:18:31 AM
Pepe got injured in the last Portuguese League game, so he won't be playing against Serbia, much to Languish chagrin. :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 04, 2019, 04:42:48 AM
That could've been fun :p
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on September 04, 2019, 04:43:53 AM
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/sep/04/inter-fans-tell-romelu-lukaku-monkey-chants-in-italy-are-not-racist


Apparently it wasn't racist because it was done in jest, to rile him up. It was his own team's supporters defending the racist slurs coming at him from another team, Cagliari.

From Italy to America, turns out the world is devoid of racists and bigots, and is just filled with jokesters.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 06, 2019, 02:42:15 PM
GER-NL is the top Euro qualifier game tonight. 1-0 at half-time for Germany. Pleasant game, the Batavians stil have their chances.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 06, 2019, 03:03:53 PM
1-1 now. By de Jong. The last 30 minutes should be even more interesting. :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 06, 2019, 03:11:45 PM
Own goal by Tah after save by Neuer, so 2-1 for the Batavians. Germans had chances to kill the game before.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 06, 2019, 03:15:46 PM
Penalty for Germany after an off-side.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 06, 2019, 03:25:07 PM
Two handballs in the penalty area, first German then Dutch. Penalty scored by Germany.  :lol:

3-2 by the Netherlands now! A not so great German defense in the second half.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 06, 2019, 03:39:09 PM
It's over now. 4-2 by Wijnaldum in the stoppage time.
Great game!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 07, 2019, 07:14:39 AM
Has Germany ever allowed four goals in one half? That defence was very spotty.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on September 07, 2019, 12:10:27 PM
Sweden went from 4-0 to 4-4 in the latest WC qualifier or something like that. In Berlin and in the second half IIRC.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 07, 2019, 12:21:02 PM
Qualifiers for WC 2014 I believe.
Just checked, october 2012, there was even a goal in stoppage time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on September 07, 2019, 12:31:31 PM
Voj! Time flies.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 07, 2019, 04:03:41 PM
Portugal 4 Serbia 2

A deserved victory, but two defense mistakes helped a very defensive Serbia back into the game. Nice game to watch.
Pepe was missed.  :P

PS: in Saint-Denis, near Paris, wrong anthem for Albania, Montenegro according to Albanians, others say Andorra (!), so Albanians refused to play until the right anthem was played. The Speaker even spoke of Armenia instead of Albania.  :lol:
France 4 Albania 1
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on September 22, 2019, 08:01:33 PM
Is Pulasic dinged up or just benched for not being awesome enough?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 25, 2019, 08:58:06 AM
Apparently Uli Hoeness has said that if Germany drop Neuer in favour of Ter Stegen in the German national team then Bayern would stop providing players to the team.  :wacko:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 25, 2019, 01:30:18 PM
I think he probably meant he would stop paying his taxes to the German tax office.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 25, 2019, 01:32:19 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on September 25, 2019, 01:30:18 PM
I think he probably meant he would stop paying his taxes to the German tax office.  :lol:

Again?  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 25, 2019, 06:30:54 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on September 22, 2019, 08:01:33 PM
Is Pulasic dinged up or just benched for not being awesome enough?

He's probably fit. I think Lampard fancies his young English players more. To be fair, they seem to be good players. Pulisic just needs to man up and take his chances when they come.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 28, 2019, 11:31:53 AM
Man City's away shirt looks like a Tequila Sunrise
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 02, 2019, 03:44:13 PM
Messi :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on October 02, 2019, 03:55:15 PM
I hear Tottenham didn't do so well last night?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 03, 2019, 05:30:39 AM
On City....
Could this finally be Liverpool's year?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 04, 2019, 07:04:30 AM
Awful week for Portuguese clubs. Between Benfica which starts the Champion's league by fielding a B-team vs Leipzig or Zenith (second defeat in a row in the group phase), so I am not sure they are really interested in getting out of the group phase, or even to Europa League; Porto screwing up against Feyenoord in the Netherlands after a good first half, Braga not getting more than an unlucky draw against Slovan Bratislava at home, Guimarães losing unsurprisingly at home too to Eintracht Frankfurt. Sporting won however against LASK Linz but it's a lucky win all things considered.

The 6th position in UEFA rankings for 2 spots in future CLs has yet to be achieved. Good thing than Russian clubs screwed up too, except precisely Zenith St-Petersburg vs Ben fica.
Or Liga Nos goes the way the Eredivisie has been or was.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 06, 2019, 01:24:11 PM
Spurs lose 7-2 at home and then lose again in the league and both Manchester teams get humiliated? Good week of football.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 06, 2019, 07:51:00 PM
As a Liverpool fan, I'm already planning the parade down...um, whatever street in Liverpool will have a parade. :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on October 07, 2019, 08:07:57 AM
Quote from: Josephus on October 06, 2019, 07:51:00 PM
As a Liverpool fan, I'm already planning the parade down...um, whatever street in Liverpool will have a parade. :D

City won the title last year while losing 4 games to Liverpool's 1; there's still 30 games to go...and Liverpool already seem to be riding their luck.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 07, 2019, 08:09:29 AM
Quote from: Josephus on October 06, 2019, 07:51:00 PM
As a Liverpool fan, I'm already planning the parade down...um, whatever street in Liverpool will have a parade. :D
As an Everton fan, I'm getting planning permission for a bunker to wait out the next ten years.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 13, 2019, 04:55:02 AM
Thanks to Schmeichel and Eriksen's only good touch of the game we won against the Swiss. :w00t: Now we just need to beat Gibraltar and tie against Ireland and we might qualify for the EC we're co-hosting.

Schmeichel saves: https://twitter.com/olaf_vv/status/1183088812060303360?s=20
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 14, 2019, 04:03:05 PM
Thrilled to discover that "Everton" is now in the Google definition of "woe":
great sorrow or distress (often used hyperbolically).
"the Everton tale of woe continued"

Seems about right :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 15, 2019, 02:53:32 AM
The British press shows itself to be stupid yet again.
Apparently England ran into trouble last night with a group of Bulgarian neo nazis shouting racist stuff.
The mirrors headline is a sensible England stand tall against the racists. The scum.... They say Bulgar off you nazis. :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 02, 2019, 07:11:51 PM
Poo La Sic!  Poo La Sic!  :yeah:

How many PL teams get relegated each year?

And how does the PL post season work?

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 02, 2019, 08:25:00 PM
Three teams are relegated.

No post-season for the Premier League.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 03, 2019, 12:24:23 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on November 02, 2019, 07:11:51 PM

And how does the PL post season work?

The post season is you qualify for European football and you get to play in a bunch of extraneous games in the next season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 03, 2019, 06:53:40 AM
Speaking of post-seasons... another Toronto FC v. Seattle final :lol: God bless parity
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 05, 2019, 04:32:05 PM
5 minutes of utter collapse for Ajax. Wow.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 05, 2019, 04:52:26 PM
Great game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 05, 2019, 07:20:43 PM
Lively FIXTURE.

Who committed the hand ball on the goal that was called off?  I've watched that part of the clip 3 times and can't see it.  Was it on Abraham down by the end line?

And someone please explain to me very slowly and simply, as one would to a golden retriever, what the hell the Champions League is.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 05, 2019, 07:26:04 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on November 05, 2019, 07:20:43 PMAnd someone please explain to me very slowly and simply, as one would to a golden retriever, what the hell the Champions League is.

It's the top continental title.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 06, 2019, 02:24:56 AM
How can they start playing Champions League games before the regular season has ended?  I.e., how can they tell which teams qualify?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 06, 2019, 02:42:25 AM
They don't.
This years champions league is based on last year's domestic  league positions, traditionally just champions but now going down to 4th place finishers in the big leagues,
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 06, 2019, 02:58:41 AM
Got it.  Thanks.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 06, 2019, 01:10:40 PM
Think of it as a playoff in which the top teams from each country's league face each other in a multi-round tournament. However, it's lagged a year, so the teams in this year's tournament are last year's top teams.

There is also a tournament called the Europa league which is much less prestigious as it's basically the teams who aren't good enough for the big boy tournament.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 06, 2019, 03:30:56 PM
Received my tickets today....will be at Wembley next week.  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 06, 2019, 04:55:04 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 06, 2019, 03:30:56 PM
Received my tickets today....will be at Wembley next week.  :bowler:

Nice! Is England playing at home?

Man City is playing Kyle Walker as a goalie as Bravo was sent off and 1st keeper injured. Walker is laughably bad but Atalanta frustratingly can't get close enough to really test him.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 06, 2019, 06:11:33 PM
Quote from: Liep on November 06, 2019, 04:55:04 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 06, 2019, 03:30:56 PM
Received my tickets today....will be at Wembley next week.  :bowler:

Nice! Is England playing at home?

Man City is playing Kyle Walker as a goalie as Bravo was sent off and 1st keeper injured. Walker is laughably bad but Atalanta frustratingly can't get close enough to really test him.

Yeah watching England v. Montenegro. Seeing England at Wembely has always been a bucket list wish.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 08, 2019, 06:28:52 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 06, 2019, 01:10:40 PM
Think of it as a playoff in which the top teams from each country's league face each other in a multi-round tournament. However, it's lagged a year, so the teams in this year's tournament are last year's top teams.

There is also a tournament called the Europa league which is much less prestigious as it's basically the teams who aren't good enough for the big boy tournament.

It's more complex than that. Champions' League is the UEFA competition to avoid a closed league based on the US model. Performance is not the only criterium, with the French league among the top 5 thanks to Qatari money, Russian league was 6th thanks to lots of money poured to prepare for WC 2018.
Europa League has the flavour of European cups of yesteryear with some exotic games unlike the same old big games of the Champions League.

In other news, this is the worst season European season for Porto I can remember. :( Benfica sucks and fields a B-team in Champions League and get trounced, but that's hardly surprising this has been the case for the past years even with their main team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 08, 2019, 02:15:13 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 08, 2019, 06:28:52 AM
It's more complex than that. Champions' League is the UEFA competition to avoid a closed league based on the US model. Performance is not the only criterium, with the French league among the top 5 thanks to Qatari money, Russian league was 6th thanks to lots of money poured to prepare for WC 2018.
Europa League has the flavour of European cups of yesteryear with some exotic games unlike the same old big games of the Champions League.
I get so annoyed by people who want a US model on this though. I just hate the disrespect of good, historic European clubs in favour of the rich leagues :ultra:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 09, 2019, 07:02:23 AM
In MLS there is always talk of adding a relegation system to the league, even though I think most reasonable people think it is basically impossible because of the owner's structure. Still, there is an effort here to "Europeanize" the league. Just look at how the teams rebranded themselves.

Oddly enough, I think the European leagues will start to look more like American-style leagues, eventually.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 09, 2019, 09:28:17 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 09, 2019, 07:02:23 AM
In MLS there is always talk of adding a relegation system to the league,

Is there? Not officially. Some fans call for it, but MLS has never really said it would. MLS's goal is to expand, it's the only way it makes money. You can't court new franchises by saying "Oh by the way, there is a chance you'll be languishing in the bottom league for a while."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 09, 2019, 02:23:48 PM
#emeryOUT
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 09, 2019, 02:33:09 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 09, 2019, 09:28:17 AM
languishing in the bottom league for a while.

Man I would hate to languish someplace with a bunch of outcasts for years at a time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 09, 2019, 05:15:04 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 09, 2019, 02:33:09 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 09, 2019, 09:28:17 AM
languishing in the bottom league for a while.

Man I would hate to languish someplace with a bunch of outcasts for years at a time.

Horrible thought
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 10, 2019, 11:41:37 AM
VAR is beyond saving.

Is there a time limit where a bad call can no longer be reviewed? Eg. hand ball in Liverpool's penalty box but they score a goal a minute after and before it can be reviewed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 10, 2019, 12:26:59 PM
Quote from: Liep on November 10, 2019, 11:41:37 AM
VAR is beyond saving.

Is there a time limit where a bad call can no longer be reviewed? Eg. hand ball in Liverpool's penalty box but they score a goal a minute after and before it can be reviewed.

Maybe there's hope yet, apparently City had a hand on it first so it should've been a Liverpool free kick but that isn't reviewable I guess
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 10, 2019, 02:04:17 PM
So. How shall Liverpool blow it this year?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 10, 2019, 08:21:37 PM
No parade on Younge Street.

Is that pronounced Yoonj?  Yownj?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 10, 2019, 08:51:04 PM
Yonge pronounced young.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 15, 2019, 02:41:21 PM
Big EC weekend coming up and Denmark is meeting Gibraltar today in a must win. It's raining with heavy wind and about 6 degrees, the pitch sucks and we'll draw and not qualify.

Or we'll win big and still be negative towards the national team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 15, 2019, 02:42:22 PM
The tifo sucks and I can't read what it says, why is it so hard for people to hold up a piece of cardboard
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 15, 2019, 02:48:48 PM
In good news Finland qualified and it's apparently the first time they'll enter the EC.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on November 15, 2019, 03:21:50 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 09, 2019, 09:28:17 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 09, 2019, 07:02:23 AM
In MLS there is always talk of adding a relegation system to the league,

Is there? Not officially.

They've actually said that they are studying it;  I posted about it some time back.  Now, it's entirely possible that they just said that to mollify fans who want to see it, but they did say it.  Of course, even if they were sincere, there's still a huge difference between studying an idea and deciding to implement it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 17, 2019, 07:19:18 AM
Quote from: Liep on November 15, 2019, 02:48:48 PM
In good news Finland qualified and it's apparently the first time they'll enter the EC.

Their first major tournament indeed. Litmanen was maybe the best they had, but there was less spots back then.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on November 17, 2019, 07:36:48 AM
So the Spanish Super Cup will be played in Saudi Arabia for the next three years? I'm sure Spanish fans will appreciate that. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 17, 2019, 08:09:01 AM
This Euro cup there's going to be more spots than usual right?
I know they're doing a weird europe wide thing.
I do hope Kosovo qualify, I think 3rd place teams still can right?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 17, 2019, 12:11:19 PM
Nope, same as in 2016 i.e 24.
What changes is the League of Nations results, no longer best thirds, though in some cases this amounts to the same.
Play-offs in March for the remaining 4 spots. Final Four for each spot.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 18, 2019, 03:58:08 PM
Last game of the qualifiers and winner takes it all in the Ireland - Denmark game, we're through with a tie. It's a horrible game, I think the Danes have a passing rating below 50%.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 18, 2019, 03:59:59 PM
2 Danes already out, due to injury. Irish fighting spirit!  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 18, 2019, 04:17:52 PM
Well, now is the time for this famed Irish fighting spirit : Denmark scored and only 20 mins left to score 2 goals.
The Irish defense was caught sleeping by a realist Danish squad.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 18, 2019, 04:18:54 PM
:yeah:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 18, 2019, 04:28:09 PM
Denmark got lucky, that could be a penalty.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 18, 2019, 04:29:53 PM
Deserved equaliser. Last minutes should be interesting. :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 18, 2019, 04:30:30 PM
That's what happens when you stop playing football. 1-1 :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 18, 2019, 04:32:42 PM
Clear hands, unfortunately outside the box so no review. An ugly but entertaining game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 18, 2019, 04:39:35 PM
What a mess. :lol: But we're through! :yeah: :w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 18, 2019, 04:40:58 PM
Tie seems fair, Ireland was not good enough to beat Denmark.
Ireland still gets a chance to qualify through League of Nations play-offs I believe. A major tournament without Irish fans would be sad.

PS: speaking of ugly games, the last Portugal game vs Luxembourg was not great though part of it stems from the sorry state of the pitch, best described as a potato field.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 20, 2019, 03:14:30 AM
Porchettino out Mourinho in. What a trade for Tottenham. :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 20, 2019, 07:22:33 AM
Quote from: Syt on November 17, 2019, 07:36:48 AM
So the Spanish Super Cup will be played in Saudi Arabia for the next three years? I'm sure Spanish fans will appreciate that. :P

It's a complete disgrace. They take the cup there, change the format (from a straight up game between Barcelona and Valencia, the teams that actually qualified, it'll now be a final four format, including Real and Atlético) and rig the way of splitting the earnings to favour bigger clubs, as well as the draw as, coincidence of coincidences, Barcelona and Real Madrid won't face each other in the semis. It's an extremely thinly disguised attempt to get an officially sanctioned and competitive Barcelona - Real Madrid game there, with those teams getting most of the money as well.

Some media outlets have already said that they'll refuse to cover it, I myself will completely ignore it as well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 20, 2019, 07:36:22 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 20, 2019, 07:22:33 AM
Quote from: Syt on November 17, 2019, 07:36:48 AM
So the Spanish Super Cup will be played in Saudi Arabia for the next three years? I'm sure Spanish fans will appreciate that. :P

It's a complete disgrace. They take the cup there, change the format (from a straight up game between Barcelona and Valencia, the teams that actually qualified, it'll now be a final four format, including Real and Atlético) and rig the way of splitting the earnings to favour bigger clubs, as well as the draw as, coincidence of coincidences, Barcelona and Real Madrid won't face each other in the semis. It's an extremely thinly disguised attempt to get an officially sanctioned and competitive Barcelona - Real Madrid game there, with those teams getting most of the money as well.

Some media outlets have already said that they'll refuse to cover it, I myself will completely ignore it as well.

Must be Allah's will.  :lol:

Ojalá it fails.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 20, 2019, 07:44:21 AM
AFAIK, it'll be like that for at least the next 3 seasons.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 20, 2019, 01:28:07 PM
Quote from: Liep on November 20, 2019, 03:14:30 AM
Porchettino out Mourinho in. What a trade for Tottenham. :bleeding:

Hahahahahaha
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 20, 2019, 03:18:03 PM
Quote from: Liep on November 20, 2019, 03:14:30 AM
Porchettino out Mourinho in. What a trade for Tottenham. :bleeding:
Woke up to some surprised texts from my Spurs-supporting fans :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 23, 2019, 08:39:55 AM
The Special One gets a freebie against a very passive West Ham.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 23, 2019, 02:20:18 PM
Quote from: dps on November 15, 2019, 03:21:50 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 09, 2019, 09:28:17 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 09, 2019, 07:02:23 AM
In MLS there is always talk of adding a relegation system to the league,

Is there? Not officially.

They've actually said that they are studying it;  I posted about it some time back.  Now, it's entirely possible that they just said that to mollify fans who want to see it, but they did say it.  Of course, even if they were sincere, there's still a huge difference between studying an idea and deciding to implement it.

The MLS makes money by selling franchises, not by allowing mid-range teams to get promoted into it. Also, as I said earlier, it's hard to sell to potential new owner, say in Sacramento, "OK, so it will cost you millions to get a franchise, and just so you know, if you suck, you get booted out to a lower league."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 23, 2019, 02:21:33 PM
So just flew back from London.

Highlight of my trip was seeing England at Wembley. Yeah, it was a 7-0 blow out, but it wasn't the game ... it was being there. Coming out of the subway stop and taking the view of thousands of people walking towards the stadium was amazing. Bucket trip item checked.

:bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 23, 2019, 02:23:47 PM
#EmeryOUT
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 23, 2019, 03:27:47 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 23, 2019, 02:21:33 PM
So just flew back from London.

Highlight of my trip was seeing England at Wembley. Yeah, it was a 7-0 blow out, but it wasn't the game ... it was being there. Coming out of the subway stop and taking the view of thousands of people walking towards the stadium was amazing. Bucket trip item checked.

:bowler:

Nice!

Did you partake in any hooliganism?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 24, 2019, 01:58:15 PM
Quote from: Liep on November 23, 2019, 03:27:47 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 23, 2019, 02:21:33 PM
So just flew back from London.

Highlight of my trip was seeing England at Wembley. Yeah, it was a 7-0 blow out, but it wasn't the game ... it was being there. Coming out of the subway stop and taking the view of thousands of people walking towards the stadium was amazing. Bucket trip item checked.

:bowler:

Nice!


Did you partake in any hooliganism?

No. It was quite a docile crowd that because of the lobsided score line (7-0) started to do the Mexican wave and fling paper airplanes around.
The closest I got was on the tube to the game, a few stops before wembley some rather stereotypical big steel worker types hopped on and started making a ruckus--but even that was disappointingly short of violent mayhem,
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on November 25, 2019, 01:21:59 PM
It's not unusual to have Turkish football clubs in German. Apparently there's also a Serbian clubs. Like "FK Nikola Tesla Hamburg":

(https://www.picclickimg.com/d/l400/pict/153169655560_/Fussball-Anstecknadel-FK-Nikola-Tesla-Hamburg.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 25, 2019, 01:53:02 PM
We need to have American expats form the FC Thomas Edison Hamburg to be their rival.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on November 26, 2019, 02:01:30 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 23, 2019, 02:20:18 PM
Quote from: dps on November 15, 2019, 03:21:50 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 09, 2019, 09:28:17 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 09, 2019, 07:02:23 AM
In MLS there is always talk of adding a relegation system to the league,

Is there? Not officially.

They've actually said that they are studying it;  I posted about it some time back.  Now, it's entirely possible that they just said that to mollify fans who want to see it, but they did say it.  Of course, even if they were sincere, there's still a huge difference between studying an idea and deciding to implement it.

The MLS makes money by selling franchises, not by allowing mid-range teams to get promoted into it. Also, as I said earlier, it's hard to sell to potential new owner, say in Sacramento, "OK, so it will cost you millions to get a franchise, and just so you know, if you suck, you get booted out to a lower league."


Dude, I don't disagree with you--I don't think they'll ever actually do it.  But that doesn't change the fact that they did say that they are studying it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on November 26, 2019, 02:14:00 PM
The obvious difference being that American pro leagues have a top down approach - you have the top tier (NFL, MLB, etc.) and the rest serve to feed those teams with players.

In European football, it's a bottom up approach where this is played from a very basic grassroots level with every team having the (theoretical) chance to make it to the top floor if they're just good enough.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 26, 2019, 02:50:23 PM
Brugge equalise in injury time and gets 2 players ejected, one for removing his shirt and one for kicking the corner flag (both already had yellow cards). Most idiotic celebration in Champions League history.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 26, 2019, 03:49:20 PM
VAR keeps being confusing and utterly arbitrary. You can apparently VAR check a (very) small free kick and then cancel a clear penalty and a doubtful red card.

:huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 26, 2019, 04:27:28 PM
Quote from: Syt on November 26, 2019, 02:14:00 PM
The obvious difference being that American pro leagues have a top down approach - you have the top tier (NFL, MLB, etc.) and the rest serve to feed those teams with players.

In European football, it's a bottom up approach where this is played from a very basic grassroots level with every team having the (theoretical) chance to make it to the top floor if they're just good enough.

I mean the idea that some tiny town's football team could reach the NFL while the New York Giants are some minor league team is just not something the US sports business wants to get involved in. They get annoyed as it is when some "small market" team like Detroit or Kansas City wins things. They would burn everything down if the Hagerstown Marylanders, or whomever, suddenly found themselves in the big leagues.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 26, 2019, 04:40:10 PM
Quote from: Syt on November 26, 2019, 02:14:00 PM
The obvious difference being that American pro leagues have a top down approach - you have the top tier (NFL, MLB, etc.) and the rest serve to feed those teams with players.

In European football, it's a bottom up approach where this is played from a very basic grassroots level with every team having the (theoretical) chance to make it to the top floor if they're just good enough.
Although that's a factor of the historical origins of football leagues. It feels like a European "superleague" is inevitable at some point in  the next few years :bleeding: :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 26, 2019, 04:41:05 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 26, 2019, 04:27:28 PM
I mean the idea that some tiny town's football team could reach the NFL while the New York Giants are some minor league team is just not something the US sports business wants to get involved in. They get annoyed as it is when some "small market" team like Detroit or Kansas City wins things. They would burn everything down if the Hagerstown Marylanders, or whomever, suddenly found themselves in the big leagues.
:lol: Well the same sort of happened here.

Everyone loved Leicester but after that all of the "big" teams invested massiverly because they never want that to happen again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 26, 2019, 04:47:17 PM
You can't do a player draft with relegation.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on November 26, 2019, 05:09:28 PM
Quote from: Valmy link=topic=56.msg1210347#msg1210347I mean the idea that some tiny town's football team could reach the NFL while the New York Giants are some minor league team is just not something the US sports business wants to get involved in. They get annoyed as it is when some "small market" team like Detroit or Kansas City wins things. They would burn everything down if the Hagerstown Marylanders, or whomever, suddenly found themselves in the big leagues.

Understandable. But there were times when  Berlin was without a top tier club, and currently both clubs of Germany's second largest city Hamburg are in the second tier. And people accept it, because that's how it's always been.

There was quite a bit resentment when Red Bull took over a club in Leipzig and instead of creating a proper grassroots club and work their way up, they mostly dumped money into the club and set up the club rules in a way that the average Joe's who are members in traditional clubs were kept outside.

In the other hand  it would be inconceivable for a European club to move half way across the country to a different city. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 26, 2019, 05:10:57 PM
See: MK Dons :console:

And they only moved about 50 miles :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 26, 2019, 06:04:01 PM
Never mind Franchise FC. You get enough controversy when teams move out of their old stadiums in town centres to outside the boundaries of the town.


Teams with large catchment areas tend to make more money so tend to do better. I don't think you'd have to worry about New York dying. More of a concern is you get a dozen teams in the top flight  all from New York.
On the other hand it's the beauty of the system that in theory Hicksville Utd could end up at the top of the game.
They won't.
But in theory.

In the US isnt there a cup competition open to non mls teams? 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: frunk on November 26, 2019, 07:08:15 PM
Quote from: Syt on November 26, 2019, 05:09:28 PM
In the other hand  it would be inconceivable for a European club to move half way across the country to a different city. :P

Definitely one of the stupid things about American professional sports.  I think the franchise should be movable, but the name, records and history of the team should stay with the city.  That's happened a couple of times, but I wish it was standard.  Utah Jazz is dumb.  LV Raiders is dumb.  Arizona Cardinals is dumb.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 26, 2019, 07:11:52 PM
Utah Jazz is the dumbest ever.  Mormons don't have rhythm.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 26, 2019, 07:16:25 PM
Quote from: Tyr on November 26, 2019, 06:04:01 PM

In the US isnt there a cup competition open to non mls teams? 

Yes. Theoretically some local yokels could go all the way to the CONCACAF club champioship.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on November 26, 2019, 08:49:30 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on November 26, 2019, 04:47:17 PM
You can't do a player draft with relegation.

Sure you could, but you'd have to design a system whereby teams outside of the top leagues could draft players.

In fact, in baseball it was once the case that minor league teams could theoretically draft players, but then around 1990 when a minor league team did draft a player, the rules were quickly changed before the next draft.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 26, 2019, 08:54:51 PM
Get rid of drafts as well.  :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 26, 2019, 09:01:44 PM
Quote from: dps on November 26, 2019, 08:49:30 PM
Sure you could, but you'd have to design a system whereby teams outside of the top leagues could draft players.

In fact, in baseball it was once the case that minor league teams could theoretically draft players, but then around 1990 when a minor league team did draft a player, the rules were quickly changed before the next draft.

What could the the Sioux City Hedgehogs, with a payroll of $50/game per player plus a Denny's meal voucher, do with the #1 overall pick?  They could sell the pick to another team, but then we'd have a proliferation of teams that exist solely to profit by gaming the system.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 26, 2019, 09:04:19 PM
Now a bit more seriously, the whole debate on how the MLS should be organized is a result of tension between two models, the "American" (so to speak) and the "ROTW" (or maybe shall we say European in this case?).

The American model has many features that are exclusive to them and absent from ROTW leagues, such as player drafts, salary caps, no relegation, teams as franchises, and so on. Football is a global sport, and the MLS has the option of integrating itself in the wider ecosystem of football leagues from the ROTW, but some of these "American" features could be an obstacle.

In other sports it's not an issue, the NBA is so far ahead of other basketball leagues that it can play by its own rules and others will adapt to them, and the NFL and MLB might as well be the only leagues in the world that matter for their respective sports, and interaction with foreign actors is unlikely or irrelevant (don't know how baseball teams get their Latin American players, though, maybe you could enlighten me there). In football, though, it's a very different case, as the MLS is at best a second-third tier league at the global level, although with amazing potential.

So, the MLS could try to drop some of these "American" features in order to integrate itself better with the global sport, or isolate itself and remain marginal at the global level. Which strategy will be better for its own development is for the MLS to decide and for the future to answer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 26, 2019, 09:05:00 PM
Quote from: Liep on November 26, 2019, 03:49:20 PM
VAR keeps being confusing and utterly arbitrary. You can apparently VAR check a (very) small free kick and then cancel a clear penalty and a doubtful red card.

:huh:

VAR as is it practiced in the European leagues right now is fucking garbage.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 26, 2019, 09:20:52 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 26, 2019, 08:54:51 PM
Get rid of drafts as well.  :ph34r:

Hehe. No.

The whole idea is to have a cartel designed to make every owner money. If you have open season for players well...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on November 26, 2019, 09:22:08 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on November 26, 2019, 09:01:44 PM
don't know how baseball teams get their Latin American players, though, maybe you could enlighten me there

Basically, they get them the way they used to get U.S. players before there was a draft--they scout amateur players and sign them.  No draft, so no one has exclusive rights to sign a player;  just whoever does a better job of scouting and makes better offers gets the better players. 

There's been a fair bit of talk about having a world-wide draft, but nothing much has come of it yet, and I'm not sure it ever will, at least not any time soon.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 26, 2019, 09:24:22 PM
wtf?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 26, 2019, 09:25:30 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 26, 2019, 09:04:19 PM
(don't know how baseball teams get their Latin American players, though, maybe you could enlighten me there).

They scout every league around the world for talent. It is pretty cut throat. If you play baseball in your country Major League Baseball has at least given your country a glance.

But for some big time Latin American baseball nations, like Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, there will be camps and leagues and academies sponsored by Major League baseball teams to find players.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 26, 2019, 09:26:24 PM
Quote from: dps on November 26, 2019, 09:22:08 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on November 26, 2019, 09:01:44 PM
don't know how baseball teams get their Latin American players, though, maybe you could enlighten me there

Basically, they get them the way they used to get U.S. players before there was a draft--they scout amateur players and sign them.  No draft, so no one has exclusive rights to sign a player;  just whoever does a better job of scouting and makes better offers gets the better players. 

There's been a fair bit of talk about having a world-wide draft, but nothing much has come of it yet, and I'm not sure it ever will, at least not any time soon.

Yeah. To the victors go the spoils. It is kind of fascinating.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 27, 2019, 06:46:05 AM
Quote from: Liep on November 26, 2019, 03:49:20 PM
VAR keeps being confusing and utterly arbitrary. You can apparently VAR check a (very) small free kick and then cancel a clear penalty and a doubtful red card.

:huh:

That's a reference to the Real Madrid-PSG game right?
At least, there was a mini-remontada for the PSG this time.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 27, 2019, 06:50:09 AM
Quote from: Valmy on November 26, 2019, 09:20:52 PMIf you have open season for players well...

What if it's like that? You already have too much cut-throat capitalism in your daily life that you don't need it in your sports?  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 27, 2019, 07:01:52 AM
Quote from: dps on November 26, 2019, 09:22:08 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on November 26, 2019, 09:01:44 PM
don't know how baseball teams get their Latin American players, though, maybe you could enlighten me there

Basically, they get them the way they used to get U.S. players before there was a draft--they scout amateur players and sign them.  No draft, so no one has exclusive rights to sign a player;  just whoever does a better job of scouting and makes better offers gets the better players. 

There's been a fair bit of talk about having a world-wide draft, but nothing much has come of it yet, and I'm not sure it ever will, at least not any time soon.

I have no idea on how you quoted my post with Yi's name on it.  :lol:

Ok, so it seems quite like how any other league in the world in pro sports sign their players, then.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 27, 2019, 07:09:01 AM
Quote from: Valmy on November 26, 2019, 09:26:24 PM
Quote from: dps on November 26, 2019, 09:22:08 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on November 26, 2019, 09:01:44 PM
don't know how baseball teams get their Latin American players, though, maybe you could enlighten me there

Basically, they get them the way they used to get U.S. players before there was a draft--they scout amateur players and sign them.  No draft, so no one has exclusive rights to sign a player;  just whoever does a better job of scouting and makes better offers gets the better players. 

There's been a fair bit of talk about having a world-wide draft, but nothing much has come of it yet, and I'm not sure it ever will, at least not any time soon.

Yeah. To the victors go the spoils. It is kind of fascinating.

How so is it fascinating? As I said, it's the standard model for most pro sports in the world. A player from anywhere is good at the sport they play, teams scout the player and, if they want to sign, extend offers to the club the player is currently at and the player as well. What's so fascinating about it?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on November 27, 2019, 08:23:06 AM
The NHL has mostly perfected drafting. Universal & if you're 18 in October of the draft year you are eligible.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 27, 2019, 08:38:35 AM
Quote from: Liep on November 26, 2019, 03:49:20 PM
VAR keeps being confusing and utterly arbitrary. You can apparently VAR check a (very) small free kick and then cancel a clear penalty and a doubtful red card.

:huh:

Not the way it works. VAR doesn't check for small free kicks; but if it leads to a goal or a penalty, then they go back to it. And yes, it's stupid
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 27, 2019, 08:40:13 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on November 26, 2019, 09:01:44 PM
Quote from: dps on November 26, 2019, 08:49:30 PM
Sure you could, but you'd have to design a system whereby teams outside of the top leagues could draft players.

In fact, in baseball it was once the case that minor league teams could theoretically draft players, but then around 1990 when a minor league team did draft a player, the rules were quickly changed before the next draft.

What could the the Sioux City Hedgehogs, with a payroll of $50/game per player plus a Denny's meal voucher, do with the #1 overall pick?  They could sell the pick to another team, but then we'd have a proliferation of teams that exist solely to profit by gaming the system.

That sort of exists in Europe too, where lower tier teams survive simply by selling their prospects to higher tier teams.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 27, 2019, 08:48:23 AM
Not just lower tier teams either, there are big teams and some entire leagues that depend on player trading.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 27, 2019, 09:43:52 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on November 27, 2019, 08:48:23 AM
Not just lower tier teams either, there are big teams and some entire leagues that depend on player trading.

The Dutch league comes to mind, yeah
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 27, 2019, 10:00:07 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 27, 2019, 09:43:52 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on November 27, 2019, 08:48:23 AM
Not just lower tier teams either, there are big teams and some entire leagues that depend on player trading.

The Dutch league comes to mind, yeah

Or the Portuguese one. And nowadays with the deep pockets of every single Premier League club it seems as if almost every European league is a feeder for the Premier.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on November 27, 2019, 10:29:03 AM
And that situation, you want the MLS to join?

I wish Don Garber wouldn't let MLS teams sell players outside the NA system.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 27, 2019, 10:45:06 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 27, 2019, 10:29:03 AM
And that situation, you want the MLS to join?

I wish Don Garber wouldn't let MLS teams sell players outside the NA system.

Um, that would work well with the players union. "Sorry, I know Chelsea are willing to pay you $12 million, but alas you have to stay with DC United and get $3 million."

Probably not even legal.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 27, 2019, 11:01:11 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 27, 2019, 10:00:07 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 27, 2019, 09:43:52 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on November 27, 2019, 08:48:23 AM
Not just lower tier teams either, there are big teams and some entire leagues that depend on player trading.

The Dutch league comes to mind, yeah

Or the Portuguese one. And nowadays with the deep pockets of every single Premier League club it seems as if almost every European league is a feeder for the Premier.

Outside of PSG in France indeed. Lille and Monaco recent owners are in it for player trading.
Italian, Spanish and German clubs can still make money by feeding their local champions.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on November 27, 2019, 11:07:51 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 27, 2019, 10:45:06 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 27, 2019, 10:29:03 AM
And that situation, you want the MLS to join?

I wish Don Garber wouldn't let MLS teams sell players outside the NA system.

Um, that would work well with the players union. "Sorry, I know Chelsea are willing to pay you $12 million, but alas you have to stay with DC United and get $3 million."

Probably not even legal.

That is how any other pro league in NA works.

Also, I am not saying players can't go, I am saying the teams shouldn't profit from it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 27, 2019, 01:40:56 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 27, 2019, 11:07:51 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 27, 2019, 10:45:06 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 27, 2019, 10:29:03 AM
And that situation, you want the MLS to join?

I wish Don Garber wouldn't let MLS teams sell players outside the NA system.

Um, that would work well with the players union. "Sorry, I know Chelsea are willing to pay you $12 million, but alas you have to stay with DC United and get $3 million."

Probably not even legal.

That is how any other pro league in NA works.

Also, I am not saying players can't go, I am saying the teams shouldn't profit from it.

Why shouldn't a team profit from player sales?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 27, 2019, 02:09:03 PM
VAR. :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 27, 2019, 02:43:51 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 27, 2019, 10:00:07 AM
Or the Portuguese one. And nowadays with the deep pockets of every single Premier League club it seems as if almost every European league is a feeder for the Premier.
Plus Barca and Real. Everyone's a feeder club to those two.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 27, 2019, 02:51:26 PM
Valencia - Chelsea is a hugely entertaining match with ping pong attacks, goals and drama both VAR and normal.

How Valencia is not winning this game is the greatest mystery of our time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 27, 2019, 03:19:18 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 27, 2019, 08:40:13 AM
That sort of exists in Europe too, where lower tier teams survive simply by selling their prospects to higher tier teams.

The difference, AFAICS, is that lower tier fodbol teams have invested time and money into developing that player, whereas the Hedgehogs have invested nothing.  They've just been handed a windfall in the form of a draft pick by virtue of existing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on November 27, 2019, 03:40:24 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 27, 2019, 01:40:56 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 27, 2019, 11:07:51 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 27, 2019, 10:45:06 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 27, 2019, 10:29:03 AM
And that situation, you want the MLS to join?

I wish Don Garber wouldn't let MLS teams sell players outside the NA system.

Um, that would work well with the players union. "Sorry, I know Chelsea are willing to pay you $12 million, but alas you have to stay with DC United and get $3 million."

Probably not even legal.

That is how any other pro league in NA works.

Also, I am not saying players can't go, I am saying the teams shouldn't profit from it.

Why shouldn't a team profit from player sales?

Because it incensitize selling players.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 27, 2019, 04:00:51 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 27, 2019, 03:40:24 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 27, 2019, 01:40:56 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 27, 2019, 11:07:51 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 27, 2019, 10:45:06 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 27, 2019, 10:29:03 AM
And that situation, you want the MLS to join?

I wish Don Garber wouldn't let MLS teams sell players outside the NA system.

Um, that would work well with the players union. "Sorry, I know Chelsea are willing to pay you $12 million, but alas you have to stay with DC United and get $3 million."

Probably not even legal.

That is how any other pro league in NA works.

Also, I am not saying players can't go, I am saying the teams shouldn't profit from it.

Why shouldn't a team profit from player sales?

Because it incensitize selling players.

Why are you against player selling?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 27, 2019, 04:01:34 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on November 27, 2019, 03:19:18 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 27, 2019, 08:40:13 AM
That sort of exists in Europe too, where lower tier teams survive simply by selling their prospects to higher tier teams.

The difference, AFAICS, is that lower tier fodbol teams have invested time and money into developing that player, whereas the Hedgehogs have invested nothing.  They've just been handed a windfall in the form of a draft pick by virtue of existing.

That's a good point.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 28, 2019, 12:28:17 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 27, 2019, 07:09:01 AM
How so is it fascinating? As I said, it's the standard model for most pro sports in the world. A player from anywhere is good at the sport they play, teams scout the player and, if they want to sign, extend offers to the club the player is currently at and the player as well. What's so fascinating about it?

What is fascinating about it is...well...what I was just saying. If a major league team waits to hear about a good player and then scouts them they are not going to succeed. They go out searching in the most obscure places to try to get a leg up on their competition, and often they go much farther and literally train tons of Venezuelans and Dominicans from small children to adults to try to find potential stars in their camps and baseball academies.

And there is a movie about an agent who went to India to scout cricket players, I mean guys who had never even played baseball in their lives. And yes he found and got some players signed that way IRL.

It's crazy. And not what normally happens with our other sports leagues. I mean the NBA is interested in spreading basketball but they still have to draft international players so it is not quite as insane.

But I don't know, maybe its normal. Maybe Spanish football clubs go scout players who have never even played football before, but just happen to play a sport that kind of looks similar. Maybe they train kids from third world countries to.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on November 28, 2019, 02:15:37 AM
Quote from: Valmy on November 28, 2019, 12:28:17 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 27, 2019, 07:09:01 AM
How so is it fascinating? As I said, it's the standard model for most pro sports in the world. A player from anywhere is good at the sport they play, teams scout the player and, if they want to sign, extend offers to the club the player is currently at and the player as well. What's so fascinating about it?

What is fascinating about it is...well...what I was just saying. If a major league team waits to hear about a good player and then scouts them they are not going to succeed. They go out searching in the most obscure places to try to get a leg up on their competition, and often they go much farther and literally train tons of Venezuelans and Dominicans from small children to adults to try to find potential stars in their camps and baseball academies.

And there is a movie about an agent who went to India to scout cricket players, I mean guys who had never even played baseball in their lives. And yes he found and got some players signed that way IRL.

It's crazy. And not what normally happens with our other sports leagues. I mean the NBA is interested in spreading basketball but they still have to draft international players so it is not quite as insane.

But I don't know, maybe its normal. Maybe Spanish football clubs go scout players who have never even played football before, but just happen to play a sport that kind of looks similar. Maybe they train kids from third world countries to.

It's not really that fascinating.  As I said, it's essentially the same system that existed in the US and Canada until 1965, except that MLB teams didn't run baseball academies here, because they could simply scout high school and college teams.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 28, 2019, 06:31:07 AM
Quote from: Valmy on November 28, 2019, 12:28:17 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 27, 2019, 07:09:01 AM
How so is it fascinating? As I said, it's the standard model for most pro sports in the world. A player from anywhere is good at the sport they play, teams scout the player and, if they want to sign, extend offers to the club the player is currently at and the player as well. What's so fascinating about it?

What is fascinating about it is...well...what I was just saying. If a major league team waits to hear about a good player and then scouts them they are not going to succeed. They go out searching in the most obscure places to try to get a leg up on their competition, and often they go much farther and literally train tons of Venezuelans and Dominicans from small children to adults to try to find potential stars in their camps and baseball academies.

And there is a movie about an agent who went to India to scout cricket players, I mean guys who had never even played baseball in their lives. And yes he found and got some players signed that way IRL.

It's crazy. And not what normally happens with our other sports leagues. I mean the NBA is interested in spreading basketball but they still have to draft international players so it is not quite as insane.

But I don't know, maybe its normal. Maybe Spanish football clubs go scout players who have never even played football before, but just happen to play a sport that kind of looks similar. Maybe they train kids from third world countries to.

Well, with football is different, since it's such a widespread sport, it's not as if you can easily find some kid who has never played it or heard from it. Then again, you have the odd case of some futsal palyer who crosses over to try his hand (or foot  :P) in 11 a side football, but those are few and far between.

But yeah, big football teams will proactively scout players all over the world, and the richest ones will go to the strangest places (every team worth its salt will scout say, Argentina or Brazil, but not many teams will scout in weird African countries, for instance), set up academies abroad and do agreements with local teams in other countries or even directly set up subsidiary teams abroad. It's completely cut-throat in that sense, and it's not unusual for, for instance, South American players who start showing star qualities to be fought over several European big teams even when they're still minors. In the last few years several teams have landed in hot water regarding the signings of minors, and IIRC international transfers for minors are nowadays forbidden, and teams have to wait until the players turn 18 to bring them over (Real Madrid had to do that with their two latest Brazilian starlets, for instance. They signed them when they were 16 or 17, and they kept playing in Brazil until they turned 18). In the shadier fringes of the sport this turns into a sort of low key people trafficking, mostly affecting young African players, with self proclaimed agents or scouts luring kids to go to Europe for a series of team trials to try their luck at getting signed by any of them. This sometimes does not go well, as you might imagine.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on November 28, 2019, 08:43:02 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 27, 2019, 04:00:51 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 27, 2019, 03:40:24 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 27, 2019, 01:40:56 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 27, 2019, 11:07:51 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 27, 2019, 10:45:06 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 27, 2019, 10:29:03 AM
And that situation, you want the MLS to join?

I wish Don Garber wouldn't let MLS teams sell players outside the NA system.

Um, that would work well with the players union. "Sorry, I know Chelsea are willing to pay you $12 million, but alas you have to stay with DC United and get $3 million."

Probably not even legal.

That is how any other pro league in NA works.

Also, I am not saying players can't go, I am saying the teams shouldn't profit from it.

Why shouldn't a team profit from player sales?

Because it incensitize selling players.

Why are you against player selling?

The notion that players are a commodity rubs me the wrong way.

Revenue streams that comes from anything but winning are bad.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 28, 2019, 08:59:39 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 28, 2019, 08:43:02 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 27, 2019, 04:00:51 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 27, 2019, 03:40:24 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 27, 2019, 01:40:56 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 27, 2019, 11:07:51 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 27, 2019, 10:45:06 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 27, 2019, 10:29:03 AM
And that situation, you want the MLS to join?

I wish Don Garber wouldn't let MLS teams sell players outside the NA system.

Um, that would work well with the players union. "Sorry, I know Chelsea are willing to pay you $12 million, but alas you have to stay with DC United and get $3 million."

Probably not even legal.

That is how any other pro league in NA works.

Also, I am not saying players can't go, I am saying the teams shouldn't profit from it.

Why shouldn't a team profit from player sales?

Because it incensitize selling players.

Why are you against player selling?

The notion that players are a commodity rubs me the wrong way.

Revenue streams that comes from anything but winning are bad.

As if players weren't commodities in American sports, even more so when they don't even have a say in their trades, most of the time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on November 28, 2019, 09:26:31 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 28, 2019, 08:59:39 AM
As if players weren't commodities in American sports, even more so when they don't even have a say in their trades, most of the time.

It is not a perfect system either but the trading system is atleast a CBA approved mechanism.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 28, 2019, 09:35:58 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 28, 2019, 09:26:31 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 28, 2019, 08:59:39 AM
As if players weren't commodities in American sports, even more so when they don't even have a say in their trades, most of the time.

It is not a perfect system either but the trading system is atleast a CBA approved mechanism.

CBA?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on November 28, 2019, 09:58:07 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 28, 2019, 09:35:58 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 28, 2019, 09:26:31 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 28, 2019, 08:59:39 AM
As if players weren't commodities in American sports, even more so when they don't even have a say in their trades, most of the time.

It is not a perfect system either but the trading system is atleast a CBA approved mechanism.

CBA?

Collective Bargaining Agreement
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 28, 2019, 10:38:53 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 28, 2019, 09:58:07 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 28, 2019, 09:35:58 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 28, 2019, 09:26:31 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 28, 2019, 08:59:39 AM
As if players weren't commodities in American sports, even more so when they don't even have a say in their trades, most of the time.

It is not a perfect system either but the trading system is atleast a CBA approved mechanism.

CBA?

Collective Bargaining Agreement

COMMUNISM
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 28, 2019, 11:13:16 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 28, 2019, 08:43:02 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 27, 2019, 04:00:51 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 27, 2019, 03:40:24 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 27, 2019, 01:40:56 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 27, 2019, 11:07:51 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 27, 2019, 10:45:06 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 27, 2019, 10:29:03 AM
And that situation, you want the MLS to join?

I wish Don Garber wouldn't let MLS teams sell players outside the NA system.

Um, that would work well with the players union. "Sorry, I know Chelsea are willing to pay you $12 million, but alas you have to stay with DC United and get $3 million."

Probably not even legal.

That is how any other pro league in NA works.

Also, I am not saying players can't go, I am saying the teams shouldn't profit from it.

Why shouldn't a team profit from player sales?

Because it incensitize selling players.

Why are you against player selling?

The notion that players are a commodity rubs me the wrong way.

Revenue streams that comes from anything but winning are bad.

Winning doesn't bring any revenue, in any sport. REvenues, for the most part, come from TV rights and marketing.

Case in point: Toronto Maple Leafs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 28, 2019, 11:19:37 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 28, 2019, 11:13:16 AM
Winning doesn't bring any revenue, in any sport. REvenues, for the most part, come from TV rights and marketing.

Case in point: Toronto Maple Leafs.

I know as a Leafs fan that you may not be used to winning, but winning certainly does bring in revenue.  Players earn the same salary whether they're out after the regular season, or go on to win the cup.  As such any playoff ticket sales are pure profit for teams - there's no extra expense in player salaries.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 28, 2019, 11:21:28 AM
Not quite true. In the lower leagues prize money is a big deal. The place a team finishes in the Premier league is also a huge income determiner via domestic TV right payments and for the top teams European  right payments.  Failure to qualify for Europe is what ultimately led to Leeds going into financial meltdown.
Though this is also part of why cup competitions in England aren't as significant as they once were. With the league Cup in particular, it's so much more rewarding to finish slightly higher in the league than actually win a trophy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 28, 2019, 11:36:25 AM
Quote from: Barrister on November 28, 2019, 11:19:37 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 28, 2019, 11:13:16 AM
Winning doesn't bring any revenue, in any sport. REvenues, for the most part, come from TV rights and marketing.

Case in point: Toronto Maple Leafs.

I know as a Leafs fan that you may not be used to winning, but winning certainly does bring in revenue.  Players earn the same salary whether they're out after the regular season, or go on to win the cup.  As such any playoff ticket sales are pure profit for teams - there's no extra expense in player salaries.

My point is the Leafs are the second most profitable team in the NHL. They haven't won anything since the Beatles released Sergeant Pepper
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 28, 2019, 11:38:20 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 28, 2019, 11:36:25 AM
Quote from: Barrister on November 28, 2019, 11:19:37 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 28, 2019, 11:13:16 AM
Winning doesn't bring any revenue, in any sport. REvenues, for the most part, come from TV rights and marketing.

Case in point: Toronto Maple Leafs.

I know as a Leafs fan that you may not be used to winning, but winning certainly does bring in revenue.  Players earn the same salary whether they're out after the regular season, or go on to win the cup.  As such any playoff ticket sales are pure profit for teams - there's no extra expense in player salaries.

My point is the Leafs are the second most profitable team in the NHL. They haven't won anything since the Beatles released Sergeant Pepper

Yes, but your words were "Winning doesn't bring any revenue, in any sport."  This was false.

Plus I couldn't resist the opportunity at a chance to trash talk Leaf fas. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 28, 2019, 12:25:10 PM
Quote from: Barrister on November 28, 2019, 11:38:20 AM

Plus I couldn't resist the opportunity at a chance to trash talk Leaf fas. :P

I noticed.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 28, 2019, 01:03:08 PM
Quote from: Barrister on November 28, 2019, 11:19:37 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 28, 2019, 11:13:16 AM
Winning doesn't bring any revenue, in any sport. REvenues, for the most part, come from TV rights and marketing.

Case in point: Toronto Maple Leafs.

I know as a Leafs fan that you may not be used to winning, but winning certainly does bring in revenue.  Players earn the same salary whether they're out after the regular season, or go on to win the cup.  As such any playoff ticket sales are pure profit for teams - there's no extra expense in player salaries.

I assume that players will have plenty of possible bonuses established in their contracts so, in case they make the playoffs, they'd be entitled to more money.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 30, 2019, 12:49:24 PM
Group F has Portugal, France and Germany and some other poor country. They might all 3 go through though. :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 30, 2019, 12:51:59 PM
But it's a confusing draw. We get Belgium, Russia and Finland. Should be possible to get 4 points there.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 30, 2019, 02:50:28 PM
Quote from: Liep on November 30, 2019, 12:49:24 PM
Group F has Portugal, France and Germany and some other poor country. They might all 3 go through though. :hmm:

It's good enough for a ™ Group of Death ™ don't you think?  :P Of course, a Killer ™ Group of Death ™ (sic) would have had Wales.  :P Hungary qualifying through play-offs would play at home though.

PS : End of ™ La chatte à Dédé ™ ?  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 01, 2019, 01:27:01 PM
VAR decision at '93 for Leicester... wow. At least they're getting faster with drawing the offside lines.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 04, 2019, 04:18:53 PM
What even is an Everton? :blink: :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on December 04, 2019, 06:06:24 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 04, 2019, 04:18:53 PM
What even is an Everton? :blink: :weep:

Allegedly devised fron Eofor, "wild boar" - so Everton translates as wild boar village, or possibly wild boar enclosure.

And I'm happy with the result.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 04, 2019, 08:53:13 PM
I might start exclusively following womens football where Liverpool are bottom and Everton are forth.

It has been a bad few decades :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on December 05, 2019, 11:14:05 AM
Leicester has been interesting ever since someone took control of them in Football Manager and has been playing on career mode.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 05, 2019, 11:37:08 AM
It is strange to see them back at the top again this year. Knowing Liverpool expect them to mess up. But it's looking good.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 05, 2019, 03:21:22 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 04, 2019, 08:53:13 PM
I might start exclusively following womens football where Liverpool are bottom and Everton are forth.

It has been a bad few decades :(

Well Silva is out and it looks like you'll be getting Moyesy back so chin up mate.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 05, 2019, 03:27:25 PM
It's weird. At this stage with Silva I feel sad and kind of sorry for him - which is new.

Moyes seems most likely which I'd be okay with - if he's the interim manager until the summer. But I honestly would have expected him to be appointed by now if he was coming in. The fact that Dunc's in charge for Chelsea and the statement talks about appointing a "permanent manager" makes me wonder if it's someone else - or if there's been big contract issues with him? :mellow:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 05, 2019, 04:01:41 PM
Now that I know there's no Premier League playoff, someone tell me how you're supposed to maintain interest in the season, when it's obvious no one is going to catch Liverpool?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 05, 2019, 04:08:38 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 05, 2019, 04:01:41 PM
Now that I know there's no Premier League playoff, someone tell me how you're supposed to maintain interest in the season, when it's obvious no one is going to catch Liverpool?

Liverpool are very likely going to win the league but they may drop points along the way and Manchester City or Leicester or whoever could still nick it at the end.

If Liverpool do win it it's still big news. They've never won the title in the Premier League era (i.e., when football began, etc, etc).

Or, you could just pick a team and follow them through the trials and tribulations of being a sports fan.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 05, 2019, 04:15:07 PM
Wasn't Liverpool way ahead around christmas last season too?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 05, 2019, 04:18:58 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 05, 2019, 04:01:41 PM
Now that I know there's no Premier League playoff, someone tell me how you're supposed to maintain interest in the season, when it's obvious no one is going to catch Liverpool?
What Funk said.

Loads of people will watch some games and Match of the Day for the highlights just for some good football and a lot of people follow a team doing well or bad - however stupid that is <_<

The Netflix documentary on Sunderland is really, really good for the grimness of that experience :lol: :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 05, 2019, 04:26:10 PM
Quote from: Liep on December 05, 2019, 04:15:07 PM
Wasn't Liverpool way ahead around christmas last season too?
I'm living in hope. And building a bunker just in case :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 05, 2019, 04:56:41 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 05, 2019, 04:08:38 PM
Or, you could just pick a team and follow them through the trials and tribulations of being a sports fan.

I can see how fans can do this by making an outing of going to the match or a pub with a bunch of buds and getting blootered, but I don't see how it works as well for a guy watching Barclay's extended highlights on a computer.

The one organizing principle I do have is a bet with a bartender on whether Pulasic will score 10 goals the season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 05, 2019, 04:57:37 PM
Arsenal about to lose at home to mighty Brighton in what is Arsenal's worst run of form since the 1970s.

Le sigh
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 05, 2019, 05:04:08 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 05, 2019, 03:27:25 PM
It's weird. At this stage with Silva I feel sad and kind of sorry for him - which is new.

Moyes seems most likely which I'd be okay with - if he's the interim manager until the summer. But I honestly would have expected him to be appointed by now if he was coming in. The fact that Dunc's in charge for Chelsea and the statement talks about appointing a "permanent manager" makes me wonder if it's someone else - or if there's been big contract issues with him? :mellow:

Moyes?
Expect everton to be relegated
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 05, 2019, 05:05:26 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 05, 2019, 04:56:41 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 05, 2019, 04:08:38 PM
Or, you could just pick a team and follow them through the trials and tribulations of being a sports fan.

I can see how fans can do this by making an outing of going to the match or a pub with a bunch of buds and getting blootered, but I don't see how it works as well for a guy watching Barclay's extended highlights on a computer.

The one organizing principle I do have is a bet with a bartender on whether Pulasic will score 10 goals the season.

If you have no attachment to any club then there isn't much else to note, unless you make bets on outcomes, like you mention, or just have an admiration for the sport itself.

Honestly, like any other sport, it's more fun (and infuriating, and sad, and depressing) if you become emotionally attached to a team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 05, 2019, 05:29:15 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 05, 2019, 04:57:37 PM
Le sigh

*soupir*  :frog:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on December 05, 2019, 08:56:59 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 05, 2019, 05:05:26 PM
Honestly, like any other sport, it's more fun (and infuriating, and sad, and depressing) if you become emotionally attached to a team.

That's one of my problems with MLS.  The teams have no real identity or history, so without a local team, I don't really have a rooting interest. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on December 06, 2019, 01:59:13 AM
Even if the championship is decided, teams will still compete for the runner up positions which will get them into the lucrative international competitions the following season.

And the bottom of the table will compete against being relegated down.

So there's still a  lot of relevant jockeying for where a team ends up at the end of the season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 06, 2019, 12:16:08 PM
What Syt said.

Look, some teams now right at the outset they're not going to win the league. So it becomes a matter of trying to make top 6, or avoiding relegation or whatever. There's plenty of reasons to continue playing and supporting long into the season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 06, 2019, 12:57:19 PM
It is weird though how much fans have bought into the commercial sides push to finish a space higher in the league rather than win a tournament
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on December 06, 2019, 01:54:44 PM
What tournament isn't just a cash grab anyway?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 06, 2019, 02:07:05 PM
Quote from: Syt on December 06, 2019, 01:59:13 AM
Even if the championship is decided, teams will still compete for the runner up positions which will get them into the lucrative international competitions the following season.

And the bottom of the table will compete against being relegated down.

So there's still a  lot of relevant jockeying for where a team ends up at the end of the season.
Yeah. I think there's a point where it shifts though.

So there's the historic big clubs - Rory Smith did a piece on this today - across Europe who are maybe doomed miserable because of the weight of their history and their fanbase, but who missed out on the chance to be a superclub in the 2000s. So Everton, Marseille, Kaiserslautern, maybe Lazio.

And there are clubs that get into the top league, get safe and then get bored. I have a friend who's a Saints fan (and I think Stoke went through this) and part of him wants to get relegated because the Championship is more fun - they win games - and being in the Premier League, without their rival or any hope of breaking into Europe gets boring after the first few seasons.

But aside from that you're either a club fighting for survival, aspiring for Europe or on a project - so Burnley and Bournemouth still fall into this category I think where they've been on a journey up the leagues and are wanting to settle. At some point they'll probably slip into the Saints/Stoke category.

QuoteIt is weird though how much fans have bought into the commercial sides push to finish a space higher in the league rather than win a tournament
Yeah. I feel like the richer super-clubs are taking the cups more seriously than they used to though. Possibly because they now have the resources to basically have two very good teams.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 06, 2019, 06:40:46 PM
It's interesting to see how all the money being pumped into the Premier League is making the competition fiercer than it was, say, 20 years ago.

At the same time, the league isn't even really "English" anymore. Most of its players are foreigners, the owners of the biggest clubs are foreigners, and the TV audience is mainly foreigners.

As an American I'm pretty happy with having so much more coverage of the league.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on December 07, 2019, 04:46:13 AM
Quote from: Tyr on December 06, 2019, 12:57:19 PM
It is weird though how much fans have bought into the commercial sides push to finish a space higher in the league rather than win a tournament

That's just normal hope though; "if we finish even one place higher we'll have the money to buy that one special player, or hire that one manager, that will lift our team from mediocrity to glory". Despite being a team sport football is also one of the last places where "the great man of history" theory holds sway.

Even if only due to the self-promotion of those involved - for example Jose "the special one" Mourinho.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on December 07, 2019, 04:52:18 AM
Rivalries also play a role. "At least we finished ahead of ...!"
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 07, 2019, 09:18:42 AM
I didn't think Everton fans could love Duncan Ferguson any more :o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on December 07, 2019, 09:43:38 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 07, 2019, 09:18:42 AM
I didn't think Everton fans could love Duncan Ferguson any more :o

Yes, well done. Nice to see Chelsea drop a little further off of the leading group, and I really don't want to see Everton relegated.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 07, 2019, 10:48:39 AM
And apparently Niko Kovac was at the game sat in the director's box  :hmm:

QuoteYes, well done. Nice to see Chelsea drop a little further off of the leading group, and I really don't want to see Everton relegated.
It was also just nice to see an "Everton" performance which has been a long time coming. Plus I felt quite emotional seeing Ferguson running up and down the touchline :blush:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 07, 2019, 02:25:01 PM
United wins. :o

Excellent game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 07, 2019, 02:46:37 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 07, 2019, 10:48:39 AM
Plus I felt quite emotional seeing Ferguson running up and down the touchline :blush:

He has one of those English dialects that is almost impossible to understand. It sounds lovely.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 07, 2019, 03:21:07 PM
Messi. :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 07, 2019, 03:43:23 PM
Quote from: Liep on December 07, 2019, 02:46:37 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 07, 2019, 10:48:39 AM
Plus I felt quite emotional seeing Ferguson running up and down the touchline :blush:

He has one of those English dialects that is almost impossible to understand. It sounds lovely.
The dulcet tones of Stirling :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 07, 2019, 03:47:45 PM
Barca is playing on another level tonight. That one-two ending in a heel goal by Suarez. :o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 10, 2019, 02:06:36 PM
Salzburg is playing great football. I don't think they have any Austrians on the field.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 10, 2019, 02:11:49 PM
Quote from: Liep on December 10, 2019, 02:06:36 PM
Salzburg is playing great football. I don't think they have any Austrians on the field.

Jinxed :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 10, 2019, 05:22:42 PM
Yanks! A query.

With Guardiola's time at City (maybe) coming to an end this season, and Pochettino getting fired from Spurs there's been a lot of talk in England about the time limit on managers.

Basically that after 4-5 years they stop having the same effect on a group of players, it runs out, things get stale and either you need to restructure the squad or replace the manager. A few of the old-school managers (Fergie especially) were defined by their ability to constantly refresh and restructure their squad so they never got tired of him and his management. But generally now few clubs would trust a manager to do that and it's cheaper to replace them than it is to restructure the team.

But it got me thinking. My impression is that isn't the case in NFL (and maybe other US sports) with, I assume, head coaches - is that right? Or am I wrong and there is the same thing? I just feel like there's lots of head coaches around who've been in place for like a decade and in England there's no-one left like that and, I think, a general perception that it won't happen again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2019, 05:35:09 PM
Quote from: Liep on December 10, 2019, 02:11:49 PM
Quote from: Liep on December 10, 2019, 02:06:36 PM
Salzburg is playing great football. I don't think they have any Austrians on the field.

Jinxed :(

I wonder who jinxed Zenit St-Petersburg too.  :P
Guess somebody woke up Lyon at half-time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 10, 2019, 05:43:05 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 10, 2019, 05:22:42 PM
Yanks! A query.

With Guardiola's time at City (maybe) coming to an end this season, and Pochettino getting fired from Spurs there's been a lot of talk in England about the time limit on managers.

Basically that after 4-5 years they stop having the same effect on a group of players, it runs out, things get stale and either you need to restructure the squad or replace the manager. A few of the old-school managers (Fergie especially) were defined by their ability to constantly refresh and restructure their squad so they never got tired of him and his management. But generally now few clubs would trust a manager to do that and it's cheaper to replace them than it is to restructure the team.

But it got me thinking. My impression is that isn't the case in NFL (and maybe other US sports) with, I assume, head coaches - is that right? Or am I wrong and there is the same thing? I just feel like there's lots of head coaches around who've been in place for like a decade and in England there's no-one left like that and, I think, a general perception that it won't happen again.

My impression is that in college ball there are still de facto lifetime appointments, though they are less common than they were in the 70s and 80s.  This could in fact fit with your thesis since there is 100% turnover in personnel every five years in college.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 10, 2019, 05:47:19 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 10, 2019, 05:22:42 PM
Yanks! A query.

With Guardiola's time at City (maybe) coming to an end this season, and Pochettino getting fired from Spurs there's been a lot of talk in England about the time limit on managers.

Basically that after 4-5 years they stop having the same effect on a group of players, it runs out, things get stale and either you need to restructure the squad or replace the manager. A few of the old-school managers (Fergie especially) were defined by their ability to constantly refresh and restructure their squad so they never got tired of him and his management. But generally now few clubs would trust a manager to do that and it's cheaper to replace them than it is to restructure the team.

But it got me thinking. My impression is that isn't the case in NFL (and maybe other US sports) with, I assume, head coaches - is that right? Or am I wrong and there is the same thing? I just feel like there's lots of head coaches around who've been in place for like a decade and in England there's no-one left like that and, I think, a general perception that it won't happen again.

It is much easier to reestructure teams in American style leagues, though. In the NBA sometimes you get reestructuring on the fly during the season itself, in some extreme cases, and player turnover can be quite high in some teams.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 10, 2019, 05:49:31 PM
That could be the difference and with college teams there's no need to restructure. It happens automatically so you can stay in place forever.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 10, 2019, 05:59:17 PM
 :glare:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 10, 2019, 06:01:36 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 10, 2019, 05:59:17 PM
:glare:
Sorry :console:

You said some are still basically lifetime, right?  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 10, 2019, 06:05:08 PM
Just checked out of curiosity, in the NBA out of 30 head coaches, 9 of them have been in their current position for 5 years or longer, and out of those 9, 3 have been there for 10 years or more (23 years for Popovich at the Spurs!  :o)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 10, 2019, 06:11:01 PM
:lol: And in all of English league football there are four managers who've been in place for more than 5 years and well over half are under 2 years.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on December 10, 2019, 06:28:06 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 10, 2019, 05:22:42 PM
Yanks! A query.

With Guardiola's time at City (maybe) coming to an end this season, and Pochettino getting fired from Spurs there's been a lot of talk in England about the time limit on managers.

Basically that after 4-5 years they stop having the same effect on a group of players, it runs out, things get stale and either you need to restructure the squad or replace the manager. A few of the old-school managers (Fergie especially) were defined by their ability to constantly refresh and restructure their squad so they never got tired of him and his management. But generally now few clubs would trust a manager to do that and it's cheaper to replace them than it is to restructure the team.

But it got me thinking. My impression is that isn't the case in NFL (and maybe other US sports) with, I assume, head coaches - is that right? Or am I wrong and there is the same thing? I just feel like there's lots of head coaches around who've been in place for like a decade and in England there's no-one left like that and, I think, a general perception that it won't happen again.

This is just a guess, but I'd say that the influx of really big money is what is driving that.  There's not only more pressure to win, but to win NOW! when the monetary stakes go up.  But in the long term, there is a good bit of value in stability, too, and eventually successful managers and coaches get to stick around until they leave more-or-less on their own terms.  I think that managerial/coaching stability is probably cyclical in the long term.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 10, 2019, 06:36:59 PM
I think that's definitely part of it - and the lack of jeopardy also probably helps American coaches. Missing out on Champions League or relegation has serious financial consequences so owners are likely to gamble on replacing a manager in trouble. But what's interesting with Guardiola and Pochettino is they've both been very successful (and Guardiola has his own reasons), but part of the theory of why they're faltering or faltered now is that they've reached the limit of what they can do with broadly the same team.

And this trend goes beyond the top division, so those examples I was giving covers all 72 teams in four tiers of English football, which is partly just churn. If anything it's even more febrile in the lower leagues - which I don't fully understand.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 10, 2019, 06:55:50 PM
Quote from: Agelastus on December 07, 2019, 04:46:13 AM
Quote from: Tyr on December 06, 2019, 12:57:19 PM
It is weird though how much fans have bought into the commercial sides push to finish a space higher in the league rather than win a tournament

That's just normal hope though; "if we finish even one place higher we'll have the money to buy that one special player, or hire that one manager, that will lift our team from mediocrity to glory". Despite being a team sport football is also one of the last places where "the great man of history" theory holds sway.

Even if only due to the self-promotion of those involved - for example Jose "the special one" Mourinho.

I don't think many fans see it that way.. There's not too much awareness of how money is shared out in the Premier league.  If I was supporting a mid table Premier league team ( this decade.... Promised so much on all fronts.... :cry:) I'd take a cup over half a dozen places higher up the league.

Finishing higher than rivals is a fair point.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 11, 2019, 01:50:03 PM
VAR woes #3109. Clear elbow to the face and an obvious red card, the ref misses it but VAR does nothing even though there are several angles showing the incident.

They really need to have an info screen on TV direct from the VAR room explaining calls and no calls.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 11, 2019, 03:20:11 PM
Quote from: Tyr on December 10, 2019, 06:55:50 PM
I don't think many fans see it that way.. There's not too much awareness of how money is shared out in the Premier league.  If I was supporting a mid table Premier league team ( this decade.... Promised so much on all fronts.... :cry:) I'd take a cup over half a dozen places higher up the league.
Agree. It varies a little bit so newly promoted teams want to be secure for the first few seasons, I imagine Leicester and Wolves would care more about the league too - same for any other club that could get a European place.

QuoteFinishing higher than rivals is a fair point.
Agreed. It's been a long time :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on December 11, 2019, 05:37:17 PM
So, apparently we are going to get a MLS team in North Carolina, but it's going to be in Charlotte instead of Raleigh.  Supposedly it will be officially announced on the 17th.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on December 12, 2019, 12:42:50 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 10, 2019, 06:11:01 PM
:lol: And in all of English league football there are four managers who've been in place for more than 5 years and well over half are under 2 years.

It varies widely on a per organisation basis, especially in pro sports.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had 3 coaches in 50 years. (NFL)
The Edmonton Oilers have had 7 coaches in 10 years. (NHL)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 12, 2019, 02:01:18 PM
Quote from: dps on December 11, 2019, 05:37:17 PM
So, apparently we are going to get a MLS team in North Carolina, but it's going to be in Charlotte instead of Raleigh.  Supposedly it will be officially announced on the 17th.

Lame. Charlotte gets everything as it is.

We also are getting a MLS team, the Austin Anthem. Maybe they will crush your team at some future date.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on December 12, 2019, 05:39:23 PM
Quote from: Valmy on December 12, 2019, 02:01:18 PM
Quote from: dps on December 11, 2019, 05:37:17 PM
So, apparently we are going to get a MLS team in North Carolina, but it's going to be in Charlotte instead of Raleigh.  Supposedly it will be officially announced on the 17th.

Lame. Charlotte gets everything as it is.

Apparently, part of the reason for the expansion team going to Charlotte is because how well Raleigh has supported its NASL club.  So why not give the MLS franchise to Raleigh, instead of Charlotte.  Well, actually, we know why--David Tepper's money,
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 12, 2019, 05:41:36 PM
Quote from: dps on December 12, 2019, 05:39:23 PM
Apparently, part of the reason for the expansion team going to Charlotte is because how well Raleigh has supported its NASL club.  So why not give the MLS franchise to Raleigh, instead of Charlotte.  Well, actually, we know why--David Tepper's money,

I was going to call you a wuss, but i checked and the two are much further apart than I thought.   I thought maybe an hour drive.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 16, 2019, 08:05:49 AM
Draws of European Cups :

Champions' League


Dortmund (GER) v Paris (FRA)

Real Madrid (ESP) v Man. City (ENG)

Atalanta (ITA) v Valencia (ESP)

Atlético Madrid (ESP) v Liverpool (ENG)

Chelsea (ENG) v Bayern (GER)

Lyon (FRA) v Juventus (ITA)

Tottenham (ENG) v Leipzig (GER)

Napoli (ITA) v Barcelona (ESP)

Juventus should have no problem with Lyon being the weakest and losing Depay for the remainder of the season. PSG may reach quarters this time. Atalanta-Valencia brings some novelty. Seems tough for Atlético. Bayern favourite. Lipsians have a decent draw though far from easy. Barça favourite, though Napoli could resist if the mess there gets sorted out.



Europa League (in Portuguese but you will recognise all teams)  :P

Wolverhampton-Espanhol Barcelona
Sporting-Basaksehir
Getafe-Ajax Amesterdão
Bayer Leverkusen-FC Porto
Copenhaga-Celtic
APOEL-Basileia
Cluj-Sevilha
Olympiacos-Arsenal
AZ Alkmaar-LASK Linz
Club Bruges-Manchester United
Ludogorets-Inter
Eintracht Francoforte-Salzburgo
Shakhtar Donetsk-Benfica
Wolfsburgo-Malmö
Roma-Gent
Rangers-Braga

Not the best draw for Porto.  :hmm: Sporting will get my support against Herr Dogan's team.  :P Perhaps Benfica will field an A-team this time.  :D Braga can make it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 16, 2019, 08:33:20 AM
Some pretty good matches there:

Especially:

Real Madrid (ESP) v Man. City (ENG)

Atlético Madrid (ESP) v Liverpool (ENG)

Chelsea (ENG) v Bayern (GER)

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 16, 2019, 03:13:27 PM
Looks like Everton snagged Ancelotti.  :bowler:

Arsenal must be in for Arteta.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 16, 2019, 03:27:17 PM
My mind is blown :o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 16, 2019, 08:52:23 PM
So someone want to explain the Serie A initiative against racism, which features images of monkeys to me?

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ftw/2019/12/16/serie-a-italy-soccer-anti-racism-campaign-monkey-imagery/40836381/
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 16, 2019, 10:04:42 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 16, 2019, 03:27:17 PM
My mind is blown :o

Seems like a great move by the club, though I'm wondering about Ancelotti's reasons for going to Everton.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 16, 2019, 11:48:35 PM
Quote from: Josephus on December 16, 2019, 08:52:23 PM
So someone want to explain the Serie A initiative against racism, which features images of monkeys to me?

Maybe they are saying we are all just hairless apes? Though granted Italians are less hairless than many of us.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on December 17, 2019, 06:59:40 AM
Quote from: Josephus on December 16, 2019, 08:52:23 PM
So someone want to explain the Serie A initiative against racism, which features images of monkeys to me?

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ftw/2019/12/16/serie-a-italy-soccer-anti-racism-campaign-monkey-imagery/40836381/

According to the artist it's to show that "we're all just apes".

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EL7SMF3W4AApo3b?format=jpg&name=small)

However, considering that black players are still subjected to chants of ape sounds, this is pretty tone deaf.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 17, 2019, 07:18:34 AM
I like it. It does look cool.
But as a anti racist campaign its the opposite of a good idea.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 19, 2019, 12:08:21 AM
Ronaldo's header :o

https://twitter.com/obioraofficial/status/1207375419558768645?s=21
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 20, 2019, 12:52:40 PM
Arsenal have appointed Mikel Arteta's immaculate hair as their head coach and I'm chuffed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 20, 2019, 07:10:46 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 20, 2019, 12:52:40 PM
Arsenal have appointed Mikel Arteta's immaculate hair as their head coach and I'm chuffed.
One of my favourite ever Everton players. And as excited as I am by what we're doing I am slightly gutted Arteta's going to Arsenal (again) :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 20, 2019, 07:38:17 PM
Tomorrow's game will be odd if only because both new managers will be watching from the stands.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 20, 2019, 07:55:32 PM
Battle of the interims :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 21, 2019, 12:53:28 PM
So Vardy is pretty good
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 27, 2019, 03:08:14 PM
I like the physics of how Mahrez is cannoned into the air after being stepped a little on his foot.

Goddamn VAR.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 27, 2019, 04:13:13 PM
Yeah. I try not to get into the whole VAR debate because :yawn: but this game feels like has been a little bit ridiculous.

And often the debate about VAR is actually really about the rules. People are really criticising whatever the rule is through the medium of VAR because x rule wasn't previously really enforced that harshly. Whereas that just seems like one where there's no need for the VAR to intervene from the refs decision :mellow:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 27, 2019, 09:17:36 PM
Fucking lol if none of the other Big Six in the Premier League are in the top 4 at the end of the season except Liverpool.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 28, 2019, 11:30:04 AM
I have heard it proposed that the VAR referee gets 30 seconds and if he can't make a call in time the call on the field stands.

It would probably stop this from happening:

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EM4TmViXYAoxrvo?format=jpg&name=900x900)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 28, 2019, 11:35:00 AM
I've always thought that stopping to check wether the forward's nose was 1 cm offside misrepresents the purpose of the rule.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 28, 2019, 12:20:05 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 27, 2019, 04:13:13 PM
Yeah. I try not to get into the whole VAR debate because :yawn: but this game feels like has been a little bit ridiculous.

And often the debate about VAR is actually really about the rules. People are really criticising whatever the rule is through the medium of VAR because x rule wasn't previously really enforced that harshly. Whereas that just seems like one where there's no need for the VAR to intervene from the refs decision :mellow:

Yeah. The rules as written were for a game.
If strictly applied to the letter at all times then they sap out all the fun so they're meant to be applied a bit fluffily.
But when there's millions upon millions of pounds resting on decisions this original reason for the rules gets lost and the name of the game does become strictly applying them to the letter and wrecking the game.

VAR is fine. The problem is the rules are a bit too fluffy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 28, 2019, 01:08:25 PM
Also who decided it was the armpit of the attacker that counts?

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EM5I3o6XUAMfF3Q?format=jpg&name=large)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 28, 2019, 02:21:30 PM
So weirdly I have less issue with offside because I think whatever happens there, there's going to be a physical point at which you breach the rule. And I get what Celed is saying but if you say you need x limb over the offside line or you have x cm before you're offside there's still a point where you go 1 cm over and it's a breach that will sometimes get caught by the linesman and sometimes not. I don't mind always catching that with VAR which can give a definitive factual answer, even if it is sometimes harsh.

What I find really weird is the number of times refs are being overruled on very strict, or subjective interpretations of other rules based on VAR and that, to me, defeats the purpose. With offside they can do maths and give an answer which may sometimes be unfair. But replacing a subjective on-pitch interpretation of the rules with an equally subjective off-pitch interpretation of the rules (with the benefit of multiple angles and slowmos) seems weird. It's just not been the "clear and obvious" errors which is what I thought they were aiming for. A lot of these calls feel like they could be exams in Ref School where you can reach multiple conclusions and I'm not sure that the off-pitch should have this precedence.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 28, 2019, 08:32:59 PM
What does the letter of the law say?  Is it foot or furthest body part?  Seems to me foot would be the most objective and create fewer arguments.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 28, 2019, 08:38:50 PM
Any part of the body except for hands or arms.

This is partly why these "armpit" offsides are so annoying:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50935709
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 28, 2019, 09:02:35 PM
Dumb.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 29, 2019, 05:42:06 AM
I forsee VAR scientifically analysing the skeletal structure of players to determine whether the part of the shoulder over the line was part of the arm or body.

It seems the sensible thing to do to stop any ambiguity is to make it any body part at all.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on December 31, 2019, 12:06:55 PM
Quote from: dps on December 10, 2019, 06:28:06 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 10, 2019, 05:22:42 PM
Yanks! A query.

With Guardiola's time at City (maybe) coming to an end this season, and Pochettino getting fired from Spurs there's been a lot of talk in England about the time limit on managers.

Basically that after 4-5 years they stop having the same effect on a group of players, it runs out, things get stale and either you need to restructure the squad or replace the manager. A few of the old-school managers (Fergie especially) were defined by their ability to constantly refresh and restructure their squad so they never got tired of him and his management. But generally now few clubs would trust a manager to do that and it's cheaper to replace them than it is to restructure the team.

But it got me thinking. My impression is that isn't the case in NFL (and maybe other US sports) with, I assume, head coaches - is that right? Or am I wrong and there is the same thing? I just feel like there's lots of head coaches around who've been in place for like a decade and in England there's no-one left like that and, I think, a general perception that it won't happen again.

This is just a guess, but I'd say that the influx of really big money is what is driving that.  There's not only more pressure to win, but to win NOW! when the monetary stakes go up.  But in the long term, there is a good bit of value in stability, too, and eventually successful managers and coaches get to stick around until they leave more-or-less on their own terms.  I think that managerial/coaching stability is probably cyclical in the long term.

I think European soccer is a perfect storm and the sports aren't comparable.

American football requires a degree of coordination that the other sports don't have: there is a general consensus that players need time to adjust to the system and coaches time to implement it. Granted this is true to some degree in all sports, but I think American football is at an extreme end of the spectrum.

Basketball has a salary cap with max salaries that makes it critical to recruit top talent with something other than money. For that reason teams will especially value a coach with a positive reputation, and tend toward stability (no one wants to enter a chaotic situation).

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 31, 2019, 01:45:19 PM
American football is pretty much akin to if football entirely consisted of set pieces right?
Far more the kind of thing that is drilled on the training field than open play.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 31, 2019, 01:56:06 PM
Quote from: Tyr on December 31, 2019, 01:45:19 PM
American football is pretty much akin to if football entirely consisted of set pieces right?

Infinitely more complex, orchestrated, and interconnected.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 31, 2019, 03:37:14 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 31, 2019, 01:56:06 PM
Quote from: Tyr on December 31, 2019, 01:45:19 PM
American football is pretty much akin to if football entirely consisted of set pieces right?

Infinitely more complex, orchestrated, and interconnected.

It's closer to Rugby league, with indeed an emphasis on tactics, and of course no free flow action as Association football should.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 31, 2019, 09:46:34 PM
American Football is a descendant of Rugby not Football. I mean notice the primary goal is to score a "touchdown" a term that makes no sense at all unless you know Rugby.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on December 31, 2019, 11:15:20 PM
Of course Soccer & Grid Iron are brothers.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on January 01, 2020, 02:46:00 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on December 31, 2019, 11:15:20 PM
Of course Soccer & Grid Iron are brothers.

2nd cousins twice removed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on January 01, 2020, 03:02:10 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 31, 2019, 01:56:06 PM
Quote from: Tyr on December 31, 2019, 01:45:19 PM
American football is pretty much akin to if football entirely consisted of set pieces right?

Infinitely more complex, orchestrated, and interconnected.

Infinitely? Let's not exagerate.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on January 02, 2020, 09:21:17 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on January 01, 2020, 03:02:10 AM
Infinitely? Let's not exagerate.

No exaggeration.  All 11 players are going to have precisely defined responsibilities on every single play.  Many of those are going to be conditional responsibilities that vary depending on what the other team sets up in or does when the ball is hiked.  There's nothing in fodbol that compares.

*change of subject*

I'm watching Man City and Sheffield highlights, ball hits the ref and Man City scores off the carom.  Announcers are going off.  What's the rule in that situation?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on January 03, 2020, 02:12:28 AM
Didn't see the game but usually I think it's a ref ball if his influence causes the other team to win possession (original team regains possession), otherwise play continues.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 03, 2020, 06:24:43 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on January 02, 2020, 09:21:17 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on January 01, 2020, 03:02:10 AM
Infinitely? Let's not exagerate.

No exaggeration.  All 11 players are going to have precisely defined responsibilities on every single play.  Many of those are going to be conditional responsibilities that vary depending on what the other team sets up in or does when the ball is hiked.  There's nothing in fodbol that compares.
You underestimate football.
Especially on set pieces they are drilled rigorously, everyone has a role to play (albeit an arguably considerably smaller one for the attacking goalkeeper)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on January 03, 2020, 06:45:19 AM
He's probably right if football was just what Tyr suggested, repeated set pieces. But it isn't, so apples and oranges.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on January 03, 2020, 06:55:54 AM
It's apples and oranges. American football is indeed an endless number of set pieces with no free-flowing game whatsoever. Its tactical demands on players are naturally going to be different than in football. Just the fact that defensive and ofensive players are different already tells a lot about the kind of game it is.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on January 03, 2020, 04:39:22 PM
Quote from: The Larch on January 03, 2020, 06:55:54 AM
It's apples and oranges. American football is indeed an endless number of set pieces with no free-flowing game whatsoever. Its tactical demands on players are naturally going to be different than in football. Just the fact that defensive and ofensive players are different already tells a lot about the kind of game it is.

Also, substitution adds a significant layer of complexity. American football has hyperspecialized roles: some players are twice the size of others, and the size and speed of the same team may change dramatically on a play by play basis.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on January 03, 2020, 05:47:56 PM
Quote from: Tyr on January 03, 2020, 06:24:43 AM
You underestimate football.
Especially on set pieces they are drilled rigorously, everyone has a role to play (albeit an arguably considerably smaller one for the attacking goalkeeper)

For set pieces that involve a fairly good angle on the goal, the role of everyone not taking the kick is to hope he kicks it in.  For corner kicks the role of everyone not taking the corner is to hope the ball comes down near your head.  I have seen a number of times where the team with the ball runs a sort of pick play, one player circles around one of his teammates and the guy covering him in hopes to find an open space.  Then you have another guy waiting for or faking the short corner.

What am I missing?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 03, 2020, 06:06:50 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on January 03, 2020, 05:47:56 PM
Quote from: Tyr on January 03, 2020, 06:24:43 AM
You underestimate football.
Especially on set pieces they are drilled rigorously, everyone has a role to play (albeit an arguably considerably smaller one for the attacking goalkeeper)

For set pieces that involve a fairly good angle on the goal, the role of everyone not taking the kick is to hope he kicks it in.  For corner kicks the role of everyone not taking the corner is to hope the ball comes down near your head.  I have seen a number of times where the team with the ball runs a sort of pick play, one player circles around one of his teammates and the guy covering him in hopes to find an open space.  Then you have another guy waiting for or faking the short corner.

What am I missing?

A lot.
Even on a most basic level of kids football, players have set jobs when attacking or defending a corner.
For the attackers they know where the corner taker will aim to send the ball and how they should behave to meet that.
Before a professional game managers will study how their opposition approaches set pieces and drill the appropriate defence.
For free kicks various routines will be worked out on the training field to try and work it in.
Even players who are not planned to touch the ball aim to run in a certain way to draw defenders out of position or obscure the keepers line of sight or all that sort of thing.
There's often a lot of bluff and counter bluff going on. You have a very good tall forward so you know the opposition will put their biggest defenders on him so they aren't doing their job and watching other players... But they know you know that so maybe putting the ball to this forward is the smart move afterall.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on January 03, 2020, 06:50:17 PM
Also I remember listening to a podcast and one of the guys is super into tactics and said it started by paying a lot of attention to set pieces because it starts from a dead ball it's easier to notice than in a game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on January 05, 2020, 03:41:56 PM
I always think chat about mentality tends to be because people have run out of other things to say.

But fuck me if Everton don't have huge, insane, catastrophic levels of psychological issues that need sorting :bleeding: :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 05, 2020, 04:33:58 PM
I have been thinking about that sort of thing a lot lately.
A lot don't realise just how small the difference in quality between players in the lower leagues and Premier league is. I really think a lot of it comes down to mentality.
The big area it stands out to me is how Sunderland went from a solid mid table team with allardyce, then with moyes and only one player gone, bottom of the table and ready to drop two leagues.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on January 06, 2020, 01:28:49 AM
Quote from: The Larch on January 03, 2020, 06:55:54 AM
It's apples and oranges. American football is indeed an endless number of set pieces with no free-flowing game whatsoever. Its tactical demands on players are naturally going to be different than in football. Just the fact that defensive and ofensive players are different already tells a lot about the kind of game it is.

Yeah they are vastly different sorts of games. I actually prefer those games with lots of pauses than the free-flowing ones. But generally I love all sports.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 06, 2020, 10:10:50 AM
Quote from: Tyr on January 05, 2020, 04:33:58 PM
I have been thinking about that sort of thing a lot lately.
A lot don't realise just how small the difference in quality between players in the lower leagues and Premier league is. I really think a lot of it comes down to mentality.
The big area it stands out to me is how Sunderland went from a solid mid table team with allardyce, then with moyes and only one player gone, bottom of the table and ready to drop two leagues.

I don't know. While there are exceptions (Wolves this year), most teams that get promoted from the Championship to the Premier have a hard time staying up. There is a fair bit of difference between the premier league and the lower teams. Money plays a huge role in this.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on January 07, 2020, 11:12:01 PM
Quote from: Josephus on January 06, 2020, 10:10:50 AM
I don't know. While there are exceptions (Wolves this year), most teams that get promoted from the Championship to the Premier have a hard time staying up. There is a fair bit of difference between the premier league and the lower teams. Money plays a huge role in this.
It depends how long-view you look at it. There's always 1-2 clubs that go straight back down - Wolves are an exception but it's often they're the ones who already have a lot of money (for the Championship) and try to rebuild their squad for the Premier League. It feels like the teams that basically have a project to get into the Premier League and stick with it to survive tend to do better.

But I sort of wonder if, after a while, the energy of that project to get promotion and survive wears off if there's nothing new to aim for. Like Southampton and Bournemouth this season and Swansea or Wigan before them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on January 09, 2020, 03:29:24 PM
Why is it that every time I look at the PL standing Liverpool has one less game played than everyone (-1) else?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on January 09, 2020, 03:32:32 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on January 09, 2020, 03:29:24 PM
Why is it that every time I look at the PL standing Liverpool has one less game played than everyone (-1) else?

They haven't played the round against West Ham yet, they'll probably play it on a weekday when there's no CL or Cup games.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on January 09, 2020, 03:36:46 PM
Quote from: Liep on January 09, 2020, 03:32:32 PM
They haven't played the round against West Ham yet, they'll probably play it on a weekday when there's no CL or Cup games.

Is there a special reason they haven't played it yet?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on January 09, 2020, 03:40:22 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on January 09, 2020, 03:36:46 PM
Quote from: Liep on January 09, 2020, 03:32:32 PM
They haven't played the round against West Ham yet, they'll probably play it on a weekday when there's no CL or Cup games.

Is there a special reason they haven't played it yet?

I haven't heard of any extreme weather in England this season so it's probably scheduling conflicts with cup games or similar. Usually they can't fit in more than 2 games a week.

EDIT: Google says it's because of the FIFA Club World Cup.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on January 09, 2020, 03:44:15 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on January 09, 2020, 03:36:46 PM
Quote from: Liep on January 09, 2020, 03:32:32 PM
They haven't played the round against West Ham yet, they'll probably play it on a weekday when there's no CL or Cup games.

Is there a special reason they haven't played it yet?

I guess they skipped the game because it was meant to be played during the Club's World Cup that Liverpool played due to them being the current Champions League title holders. Now they'll have to wait for a suitable new date to be available, maybe they'll end up playing mid week some time later in the season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on January 09, 2020, 03:50:34 PM
Groovy
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on January 11, 2020, 11:15:16 AM
Williams with the miss of the decade. 1 meter from goal and he shoots it out of the stadium.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on January 11, 2020, 03:55:18 PM
What is the Emirates FA Cup?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on January 11, 2020, 04:18:00 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on January 11, 2020, 03:55:18 PM
What is the Emirates FA Cup?

England's FA Cup, its oldest and most prestigious cup competition. The Emirates thing is for sponsorship reasons.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on January 11, 2020, 05:34:49 PM
Also within English culture it used to matter more than the league - I think partly because it was on TV when the league wasn't - but now is very much secondary in importance.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 12, 2020, 08:29:42 AM
It's sad how far it has fallen. Secondary is over stating it. It seems even middling premier league teams don't care these days.
Money is the reason of course.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on January 13, 2020, 05:55:27 PM
In a decision that might go down in football management history as one of the possible worst ones ever, Barcelona have fired Valverde because reasons and hired Quique Setién instead.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on January 14, 2020, 04:23:24 AM
Yeah, not understanding that decision at all. Setiens resume doesn't look that impressive, is he known in Spain?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on January 14, 2020, 04:38:04 AM
Valverde was terrible. Setién will also suck.

Way to piss away the last years of Messi's prime.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on January 14, 2020, 04:41:43 AM
Quote from: Liep on January 14, 2020, 04:23:24 AM
Yeah, not understanding that decision at all. Setiens resume doesn't look that impressive, is he known in Spain?

His Betis team overachieved while playing nice football. But I'm not sure he'll be able to keep a star-studded dressing room in line due to his lack of pedigree.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on January 16, 2020, 07:27:54 AM
(https://estaticos.elperiodico.com/resources/jpg/9/2/futbol-latin-1547842786229.jpg)

Latin/Castilian glossary of football but pretty easy to understand.

More details in Castilian:
https://www.elperiodico.com/es/barca/20190118/barca-latin-twitter-barcinops-guillem-cintas-7251581 (https://www.elperiodico.com/es/barca/20190118/barca-latin-twitter-barcinops-guillem-cintas-7251581)

PS : Pedifollii (sic) should be Pedifollis (genitive III declension). The Barça fan behind it, Classic languages teacher must not have been happy with it.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on January 18, 2020, 09:29:37 AM
Tottenham continues to suck. I really hope Eriksen gets to leave in January so he can join Inter, it's sad to see him waste away.

Also I'd rather visit Milan for a spring game than London. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on January 21, 2020, 04:46:06 PM
Everton Evertoned :weep: :( :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on January 25, 2020, 05:50:37 PM
If soccer shoes are called boots, what are boots called?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on January 26, 2020, 10:14:11 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tx_LLdBDsWg

Excellent breakdown of the San Francisco 49er's run offense.  I post it here to PRAWN any naysayers about the complexity of the NFL.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 26, 2020, 11:45:14 AM
american football sucks
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on January 27, 2020, 04:59:12 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 26, 2020, 11:45:14 AM
american football sucks

How dare you?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on January 27, 2020, 05:05:06 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 26, 2020, 11:45:14 AM
american football sucks

:yes:

Real men only need 3 downs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on January 27, 2020, 07:26:17 PM
Quote from: Barrister on January 27, 2020, 05:05:06 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 26, 2020, 11:45:14 AM
american football sucks

:yes:

Real men only need 3 downs.

and score a rouge.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: dps on February 09, 2020, 01:36:53 PM
What's going on with the weather in Europe?  Seems like a bunch of matches have been cancelled or at least postponed. 

This probably should have gone in the Weather WTF thread, but I first learned about it when I turned on the TV to watch Man City vs West Ham and the match wasn't there.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 09, 2020, 01:45:38 PM
Quote from: dps on February 09, 2020, 01:36:53 PM
What's going on with the weather in Europe?  Seems like a bunch of matches have been cancelled or at least postponed. 

This probably should have gone in the Weather WTF thread, but I first learned about it when I turned on the TV to watch Man City vs West Ham and the match wasn't there.

Major storm hitting the UK, Benelux, northern France and Germany and southern Scandinavia.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on February 09, 2020, 02:07:49 PM
Quote from: Liep on February 09, 2020, 01:45:38 PM
Quote from: dps on February 09, 2020, 01:36:53 PM
What's going on with the weather in Europe?  Seems like a bunch of matches have been cancelled or at least postponed. 

This probably should have gone in the Weather WTF thread, but I first learned about it when I turned on the TV to watch Man City vs West Ham and the match wasn't there.

Major storm hitting the UK, Benelux, northern France and Germany and southern Scandinavia.

Pretty windy in Paris indeed, though I don't think it really qualifies as storm over here.
Back to football, the Dragon may be in a rough shape this season but at least there is still some suspense in the Portuguese league:

Porto 3 Benfica 2
O Clássico  :smarty:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 09, 2020, 04:40:32 PM
The Milan derby is great tonight.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 09, 2020, 06:06:36 PM
Quote from: Liep on February 09, 2020, 04:40:32 PM
The Milan derby is great tonight.

Not an Inter fan, but I'm also an "anybody-but-Juve", so go Inter.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 09, 2020, 06:37:02 PM
Very fun match indeed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 14, 2020, 01:58:15 PM
City banned from UEFA competitions for two years.


https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/feb/14/manchester-city-banned-from-champions-league-two-seasons-ffp-uefa
QuoteCity were found guilty by Uefa's club financial control body (CFCB) of having falsely inflated their sponsorship revenues, when they made submissions for the FFP compliance process. The guilty finding follows an investigation sparked by the publication of "leaked" emails and documents by the German magazine Der Spiegel in November 2018.

The "leaked" emails and documents appeared to show that City's owner, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan of the Abu Dhabi ruling family, was mostly funding the huge, £67.5m annual sponsorship of the City shirt, stadium and academy by his country's airline, Etihad. One of the leaked emails suggested that only £8m of that sponsorship in 2015-16 was funded directly by Etihad, and the rest was coming from Mansour's own company vehicle for the ownership of City, the Abu Dhabi United Group.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 14, 2020, 02:26:32 PM
Quote from: Liep on February 14, 2020, 01:58:15 PM
City banned from UEFA competitions for two years.


https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/feb/14/manchester-city-banned-from-champions-league-two-seasons-ffp-uefa
QuoteCity were found guilty by Uefa's club financial control body (CFCB) of having falsely inflated their sponsorship revenues, when they made submissions for the FFP compliance process. The guilty finding follows an investigation sparked by the publication of "leaked" emails and documents by the German magazine Der Spiegel in November 2018.

The "leaked" emails and documents appeared to show that City's owner, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan of the Abu Dhabi ruling family, was mostly funding the huge, £67.5m annual sponsorship of the City shirt, stadium and academy by his country's airline, Etihad. One of the leaked emails suggested that only £8m of that sponsorship in 2015-16 was funded directly by Etihad, and the rest was coming from Mansour's own company vehicle for the ownership of City, the Abu Dhabi United Group.

Wow. That's huge
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 14, 2020, 02:34:20 PM
Holy shit  :lol:

I guess that means Pep will want out sooner rather than later. Where the hell else would he go, though?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on February 14, 2020, 02:38:06 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 14, 2020, 02:34:20 PM
Holy shit  :lol:

I guess that means Pep will want out sooner rather than later. Where the hell else would he go, though?

Paris Saint-Germain, if they don't go further Round of 16 or perhaps Quarter Finals. :P

PS: assuming PSG does not get his by the same kind of sanctions.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 14, 2020, 02:58:37 PM
i'm sure there will be an appeal...so one year...still.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 14, 2020, 03:01:39 PM
Wow. City fans will intensify their hatred of UEFA :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 14, 2020, 05:23:07 PM
Talk of a Premier league points deduction for City too.
Hope that comes next year considering this year is already lost to them. It would sort of cheapen Liverpools victory.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 17, 2020, 03:10:51 AM
:(

"Porto forward Moussa Marega walked off midway through his side's win at Vitoria Guimaraes, saying he was subjected to racist abuse from fans."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51526210

Shameful, do life time bans for these people help?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on February 17, 2020, 06:58:56 AM
Well, one of the few times the Portuguese league gets some coverage is "thanks" to them. :(

PS : did not watch the game, I wonder if it was heard on TV. Catch-up time.
Seems the racist insults started before kick-off.
During warm-up, insults started with Guimarães Ultras calling Marega, a former Vitoria Guimarães player, a traitor. I guess things got out of hands, and racist slurs followed with Marega showing them the finger.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 17, 2020, 06:36:18 PM
Watched Chelsea vs United...

VAR is a farce  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 17, 2020, 06:49:31 PM
 :mad:

Why was Dreadlocks not playing?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 18, 2020, 06:50:45 AM
Braithwaite to Barca. Quite a chocking transfer, he's a good player but it could only happen because of Barca's current striker shortage and the closure of the transfer window. I'll watch their game on Saturday with renewed interest.

If it happens, but the press talks about it as a sure deal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 18, 2020, 08:29:01 AM
Quote from: Liep on February 18, 2020, 06:50:45 AM
Braithwaite to Barca. Quite a chocking transfer, he's a good player but it could only happen because of Barca's current striker shortage and the closure of the transfer window. I'll watch their game on Saturday with renewed interest.

If it happens, but the press talks about it as a sure deal.

There are 5 or 6 names (all equally underwhelming for a club of Barcelona's stature, though) being bandied around in the press every day, who knows who'll be at the end of the day, if any.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 18, 2020, 11:02:30 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 17, 2020, 06:49:31 PM
:mad:

Why was Dreadlocks not playing?

Not sure who you mean.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 18, 2020, 03:21:29 PM
So what's up with that ball?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 18, 2020, 03:22:16 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 18, 2020, 11:02:30 AM
Not sure who you mean.

Tommy Abrams
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 18, 2020, 03:31:27 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 18, 2020, 03:22:16 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 18, 2020, 11:02:30 AM
Not sure who you mean.

Tommy Abrams

You mean Chelsea's Tammy Abraham?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 18, 2020, 03:32:54 PM
Quote from: The Larch on February 18, 2020, 03:31:27 PM
You mean Chelsea's Tammy Abraham?

Close enough for government work.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 18, 2020, 04:16:39 PM
I prefer Tommy Abrams actually.  :lol:

Not sure about that fellow. I don't follow chels.

Poolisitch is out injured still, I think.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 18, 2020, 04:35:44 PM
Haaland :o :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 18, 2020, 04:52:03 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 18, 2020, 04:16:39 PM
Poolisitch

:hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 18, 2020, 05:35:12 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 18, 2020, 04:52:03 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 18, 2020, 04:16:39 PM
Poolisitch

:hmm:

Christian Pulisic, the great American Messi.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 18, 2020, 05:37:42 PM
I know who you were talking about.

Are you throwing shade at The Greatest American Hero?  :glare:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 18, 2020, 10:45:55 PM
He is the most skillful American male soccer player, yes. He hasn't won anything yet, though, so I hesitate to call him great.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 19, 2020, 04:24:04 AM
It looks like Norway's got some decent thing going with Berge, Haaland and Odegaard.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on February 19, 2020, 06:21:28 AM
Well, this time PSG lost the first leg. Maybe they will get to quarter finals then I guess.  :P
1-2 away is not so bad, though they were outsmarted tactically yesterday.

Bonus: Neymar did not get injured this time but complains about lack of competitive games lately since he was preserved for this game, after a small injury.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 19, 2020, 09:08:37 AM
I haven't seen Haaland play before but wow, he is a beast of a player  :o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 19, 2020, 01:11:33 PM
Quote from: The Larch on February 18, 2020, 08:29:01 AM
Quote from: Liep on February 18, 2020, 06:50:45 AM
Braithwaite to Barca. Quite a chocking transfer, he's a good player but it could only happen because of Barca's current striker shortage and the closure of the transfer window. I'll watch their game on Saturday with renewed interest.

If it happens, but the press talks about it as a sure deal.

There are 5 or 6 names (all equally underwhelming for a club of Barcelona's stature, though) being bandied around in the press every day, who knows who'll be at the end of the day, if any.

His agent says he has signed a 4,5 year contract. I'll admit it sounds unbelievable but we'll supposedly know tomorrow.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 20, 2020, 01:19:44 PM
And it's official: First Dane in Barcelona since Michael Laudrup. :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 20, 2020, 01:21:06 PM
And I assume the first player with the surname Braithwaite to ever play for Barcelona :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 22, 2020, 11:59:58 AM
20 minutes and 1½ assists in his first game. :w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 22, 2020, 12:22:26 PM
Quote from: Liep on February 22, 2020, 11:59:58 AM
20 minutes and 1½ assists in his first game. :w00t:

It's not as if the competition was fierce, though.  :P

This signed has caused a small controversy in Spain, btw, because Leganés are now unable to sign a replacement for him and now will almost surely get relegated.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 24, 2020, 07:07:59 PM
Do you guys think those penalty kicks where the kicker takes a bunch of stutter steps and baits the goalie to commit before striking are in keeping with the spirit of the game?  Should that be against the rules?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 25, 2020, 08:17:52 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 24, 2020, 07:07:59 PM
Do you guys think those penalty kicks where the kicker takes a bunch of stutter steps and baits the goalie to commit before striking are in keeping with the spirit of the game?  Should that be against the rules?

Yes. No.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 29, 2020, 07:44:02 PM
Montreal Vs. New England MLS game. Local fans attack their opponents'... maple syrup quality.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ER-A3PAXkAQg_IH?format=jpg&name=small)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on March 02, 2020, 03:53:33 AM
German football league finally set a sign against hate in stadiums, threatening to break off a running match.

The target of scorn? The billionaire owner of TSG Hoffenheim.

While I agree with the step, I wish they had done the same with the countless racist incidents against players of color or foreigners.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 02, 2020, 06:40:19 AM
Using the regulations about racism reeks of cynicism though, not to mention creating a precedent.
Of course, the protest was not really subtle "Hurensohn" i.e son of a bitch/whore (choose your favorite).
Opposition to artificial clubs such TSG Hoffenhein, circumventing 50+1 rules (preventing takeovers à la City or PSG) is fine but such a cause demands more skill.

Big news in Portugal, after the racist insults in Guimarães at Marega, was the dramatic debacle of Portuguese clubs in the Europa League in the round of 32 (!). 4 had some varying chances, none after the second leg. While Porto is having the worst European season I can remember and lost not so unsurprisingly against a good Bayer Leverkusen side, from a better league, the others like Sporting mostly (losing in OT after winning 3-1 in Lisbon) is more of a surprise against Erdogan's club. Braga, after a brilliant play-off and group phase, lost twice to Glasgow Rangers, and Benfica, out of the Champions' League, tied after leading against Shakhtar Donets.
That competion was the last won by Portuguese clubs in 2011, when the final pitched Porto vs Braga, the latter beating Benfica in semi-finals, to give some context. Tempus Fugit.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 02, 2020, 11:17:30 AM
Similar in Spain, where sanctions have only been imposed when a player was being called a nazi.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on March 03, 2020, 03:59:53 PM
Nations League draw:

League A

    Group 1: Netherlands; Italy; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Poland
    Group 2: England; Belgium; Denmark; Iceland
    Group 3: Portugal; France; Sweden; Croatia
    Group 4: Switzerland; Spain; Ukraine; Germany

League B

    Group 1: Austria; Norway; Northern Ireland; Romania
    Group 2: Czech Republic; Scotland; Slovakia; Israel
    Group 3: Russia; Serbia; Turkey; Hungary
    Group 4: Wales; Finland; Ireland; Bulgaria

League C

    Group 1: Montenegro; Cyprus; Luxembourg; Azerbaijan
    Group 2: Georgia; North Macedonia; Estonia; Armenia
    Group 3: Greece; Kosovo; Slovenia; Moldova
    Group 4: Albania; Belarus; Lithuania; Kazakhstan

League D

    Group 1: Faroe Islands; Latvia; Andorra; Malta
    Group 2: Gibraltar; Liechtenstein; San Marino
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 03, 2020, 04:14:18 PM
Will Liverpool win another game this season?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 03, 2020, 04:16:13 PM
I think this means they don't win the league at Goodison - thank Christ :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 03, 2020, 04:20:19 PM
It's too bad they're so far ahead already. The regularly scheduled Liverpool bust would have made the league much more interesting at this point in the season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 03, 2020, 04:32:17 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on March 02, 2020, 06:40:19 AM
Using the regulations about racism reeks of cynicism though, not to mention creating a precedent.
Of course, the protest was not really subtle "Hurensohn" i.e son of a bitch/whore (choose your favorite).
Opposition to artificial clubs such TSG Hoffenhein, circumventing 50+1 rules (preventing takeovers à la City or PSG) is fine but such a cause demands more skill.


Speaking of artificial clubs in Germany, another RB Leipzig prowess :
expelling Japanese (!) spectators from their stadium due to coronavirus fears.

As for the League of Nations draw, UEFA reformed the competition to prevent Germany from falling into League B. Still interesting  though, with oppositions such as Netherlands-Italy, Belgium-England, Portugal-France and Spain-Germany in League A, plus outsiders wanting to cause a surprise.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 03, 2020, 08:54:03 PM
Quote from: Maladict on March 03, 2020, 03:59:53 PM
Nations League draw:


Yawn. This still a thing?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on March 04, 2020, 01:15:40 PM
Why do the Liverpool Chelsea clips I see refer to FA Cup something or other?  I can see that the results are not showing up in the PL standings.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on March 04, 2020, 02:13:08 PM
Quote from: Liep on March 03, 2020, 04:14:18 PM
Will Liverpool win another game this season?

Quote from: Sheilbh on March 03, 2020, 04:16:13 PM
I think this means they don't win the league at Goodison - thank Christ :weep:

Quote from: FunkMonk on March 03, 2020, 04:20:19 PM
It's too bad they're so far ahead already. The regularly scheduled Liverpool bust would have made the league much more interesting at this point in the season.

This has been coming since they came back from their "mid-season break"; they lost their "edge", and it has been very apparent in every game played since. There's only so far you can ride your luck. They are very lucky they haven't lost three games in a row.

I am honestly not surprised; I was and remain implacably opposed to "mid-season breaks" for any country where the weather does not mandate them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on March 04, 2020, 03:05:42 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on March 04, 2020, 01:15:40 PM
Why do the Liverpool Chelsea clips I see refer to FA Cup something or other?  I can see that the results are not showing up in the PL standings.

I think I figured it out myself.  This is the same thing I asked about earlier, just that it's reached the stage where two PL teams are playing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 04, 2020, 05:36:58 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on March 04, 2020, 01:15:40 PM
Why do the Liverpool Chelsea clips I see refer to FA Cup something or other?  I can see that the results are not showing up in the PL standings.

The FA Cup and the Premier League are different competitions.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 05, 2020, 03:57:01 AM
Sad to see Liverpool faltering.
Will they be super Liverpool and throw away the title?
Probably not.
And I'm not sure whether that would be entertaining or not. Going to go, no, since it'd only be City otherwise.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 05, 2020, 08:20:40 AM
Quote from: Tyr on March 05, 2020, 03:57:01 AM
Sad to see Liverpool faltering.
Will they be super Liverpool and throw away the title?
Probably not.
And I'm not sure whether that would be entertaining or not. Going to go, no, since it'd only be City otherwise.

It's pretty much impossible to lose the League title; but Champions League seems very likely
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on March 05, 2020, 06:09:01 PM
Why is Rooney playing for a 5th division team?  Is he broke?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on March 05, 2020, 06:34:09 PM
He's an assistant coach there, iirc.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 06, 2020, 02:59:55 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on March 05, 2020, 06:09:01 PM
Why is Rooney playing for a 5th division team?  Is he broke?

They're a comfortably second division team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on March 06, 2020, 03:02:50 AM
Vienna paper recently had in its sports section under "foreign leagues" a report of the Barnsley vs Reading game which confused me, because they usually only mention the top teams of the Premiere League.

Turns out that apparently there were some Austrians in the match. :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 06, 2020, 09:24:48 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on March 05, 2020, 06:09:01 PM
Why is Rooney playing for a 5th division team?  Is he broke?

A step up from his last team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 06, 2020, 11:32:09 AM
Quote from: Josephus on March 06, 2020, 09:24:48 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on March 05, 2020, 06:09:01 PM
Why is Rooney playing for a 5th division team?  Is he broke?

A step up from his last team.

:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on March 08, 2020, 09:34:44 PM
Quote from: Josephus on March 06, 2020, 09:24:48 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on March 05, 2020, 06:09:01 PM
Why is Rooney playing for a 5th division team?  Is he broke?

A step up from his last team.

But you like the MLS 🤔
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on March 09, 2020, 03:06:42 AM
The MLS' technical level is just so, so bad. Lots of garbage passes, balls bouncing around, poor coverage defensively etc.

I remember when the Impact signed Alessandro Nesta for a year or 2. The dude was a million years old, couldn't run for shit but NOBODY got past him.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 09, 2020, 09:37:35 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on March 08, 2020, 09:34:44 PM
Quote from: Josephus on March 06, 2020, 09:24:48 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on March 05, 2020, 06:09:01 PM
Why is Rooney playing for a 5th division team?  Is he broke?

A step up from his last team.

But you like the MLS 🤔

I do.

But Rooney played for DC United

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on March 09, 2020, 09:45:15 AM
Quote from: Josephus on March 09, 2020, 09:37:35 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on March 08, 2020, 09:34:44 PM
Quote from: Josephus on March 06, 2020, 09:24:48 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on March 05, 2020, 06:09:01 PM
Why is Rooney playing for a 5th division team?  Is he broke?

A step up from his last team.

But you like the MLS 🤔

I do.

But Rooney played for DC United

Not a step up then!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 09, 2020, 09:52:00 AM
I generally recommend the Set Piece Menu podcast - but their recent episode on the MLS was excellent :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on March 09, 2020, 02:35:07 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on March 09, 2020, 03:06:42 AM
The MLS' technical level is just so, so bad. Lots of garbage passes, balls bouncing around, poor coverage defensively etc.

I can't tell the difference between good and bad defense, but I have noticed a lot of passes clanking off of people's feet.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on March 09, 2020, 03:57:59 PM
Hey Shelf, aren't you an Everton boi?

If so, then suck it! Go Blues! :nelson:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 09, 2020, 04:03:35 PM
Pls respect my privacy at this difficult time :weep:

Still at least we can bounce back at Goodison *checks notes* playing Liverpool next week, where, I think, they might win the League :bleeding: :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on March 09, 2020, 04:39:37 PM
It's amazing how English interviewers can understand every word Billy Gilmour says.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 09, 2020, 04:44:48 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 09, 2020, 04:03:35 PM
Pls respect my privacy at this difficult time :weep:

Still at least we can bounce back at Goodison *checks notes* playing Liverpool next week, where, I think, they might win the League :bleeding: :weep:

That sounds horrifying. My condolences.  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 11, 2020, 05:12:57 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 09, 2020, 04:03:35 PM
Pls respect my privacy at this difficult time :weep:

Still at least we can bounce back at Goodison *checks notes* playing Liverpool next week, where, I think, they might win the League :bleeding: :weep:

You can hopefully find some comfort in tonight's game at Anfield. :console:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 11, 2020, 05:22:29 PM
Daniele Rugani from Juventus has tested positive for Coronavirus.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 11, 2020, 05:22:43 PM
Quote from: Liep on March 11, 2020, 05:12:57 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 09, 2020, 04:03:35 PM
Pls respect my privacy at this difficult time :weep:

Still at least we can bounce back at Goodison *checks notes* playing Liverpool next week, where, I think, they might win the League :bleeding: :weep:

You can hopefully find some comfort in tonight's game at Anfield. :console:
Beyond thrilled :w00t:

Especially because I have a soft spot for Atletico who are the club we dream to be :lol: :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 11, 2020, 05:25:16 PM
Quote from: The Larch on March 11, 2020, 05:22:29 PM
Daniele Rugani from Juventus has tested positive for Coronavirus.

Is that the end of the Italian season?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on March 11, 2020, 05:28:58 PM
Quote from: Liep on March 11, 2020, 05:25:16 PM
Quote from: The Larch on March 11, 2020, 05:22:29 PM
Daniele Rugani from Juventus has tested positive for Coronavirus.

Is that the end of the Italian season?
I think it is.

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 11, 2020, 07:46:38 PM
I guess by getting sick, he wins his club the Serie A.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on March 12, 2020, 02:14:42 AM
Uefa should stop every competition.
Now that Juventus is quarantined, how can they think the virus will not spread, if it hasn't already during the match against Lyon.

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 12, 2020, 02:55:22 AM
Quote from: Pedrito on March 12, 2020, 02:14:42 AM
Uefa should stop every competition.
Now that Juventus is quarantined, how can they think the virus will not spread, if it hasn't already during the match against Lyon.

L.

Think of all the millions of euros that will be lost. Because that is what UEFA is thinking of.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 12, 2020, 04:47:56 AM
Quote from: Pedrito on March 12, 2020, 02:14:42 AM
Uefa should stop every competition.
Now that Juventus is quarantined, how can they think the virus will not spread, if it hasn't already during the match against Lyon.

L.
Yeah I can't see how UEFA competitions can go ahead.

There's talk that we move fully into "delay" today. Apparently all football would be behind closed doors, season ticket holders and other ticket holders would be given a way to stream the games and they'd liberalise some of the rules on broadcast (so Sky etc would show more games).

I hope there's some consideration of the lower leagues because there are multiple clubs in the Football League who still rely on their gates and kind of live home game to home game. Still I'm sure the Premier League will show solidarity and support the.... :lol: :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 12, 2020, 04:58:20 AM
A couple of games between Spanish and Italian clubs have already been postponed due to the travel restrictions in place.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 12, 2020, 05:06:50 AM
Man. Liberalising broadcast rules could really open a Pandoras box of awesome.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on March 12, 2020, 05:10:11 AM
I wonder how Football Manager will model pandemics in its next couple of releases. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 12, 2020, 05:10:39 AM
Quote from: Tyr on March 12, 2020, 05:06:50 AM
Man. Liberalising broadcast rules could really open a Pandoras box of awesome.
I think they're keeping the 3pm ban though, for some reason.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 12, 2020, 05:13:18 AM
Quote from: Syt on March 12, 2020, 05:10:11 AM
I wonder how Football Manager will model pandemics in its next couple of releases. :P

Woops
Your 100 mil striker is dead.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 12, 2020, 06:35:42 AM
Quote from: Tyr on March 12, 2020, 05:13:18 AM
Quote from: Syt on March 12, 2020, 05:10:11 AM
I wonder how Football Manager will model pandemics in its next couple of releases. :P

Woops
Your 100 mil striker is dead.

The Emiliano Sala event?  :P

Apparently it is coded that a regen could suddenly drop dead, but not a real player. There are plenty of regen-only events out there.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 12, 2020, 07:19:28 AM
Quote from: Syt on March 12, 2020, 05:10:11 AM
I wonder how Football Manager will model pandemics in its next couple of releases. :P

I was thinking that last night :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 12, 2020, 07:59:04 AM
Premier League club is testing all their players after three displayed symptoms  :ph34r:

Can't see leagues continuing once players are affected, even behind closed doors.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 12, 2020, 09:02:27 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 12, 2020, 07:59:04 AM
Premier League club is testing all their players after three displayed symptoms  :ph34r:

Can't see leagues continuing once players are affected, even behind closed doors.

La Liga has been suspended after Real Madrid had to go into quarantine.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 12, 2020, 09:06:20 AM
Quote from: celedhring on March 12, 2020, 09:02:27 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 12, 2020, 07:59:04 AM
Premier League club is testing all their players after three displayed symptoms  :ph34r:

Can't see leagues continuing once players are affected, even behind closed doors.

La Liga has been suspended after Real Madrid had to go into quarantine.
I feel at this point no-one really wants the league suspended.

We should probably just cancel it for this season and acknowledge, collectively, that the 2019/20 season never happened and there were no champions. It was just a write-off.

Edit: Apparently Leicester are the Premier League club with three players self-isolating and all players being tested.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 12, 2020, 09:37:31 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 12, 2020, 09:06:20 AM
Quote from: celedhring on March 12, 2020, 09:02:27 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 12, 2020, 07:59:04 AM
Premier League club is testing all their players after three displayed symptoms  :ph34r:

Can't see leagues continuing once players are affected, even behind closed doors.

La Liga has been suspended after Real Madrid had to go into quarantine.
I feel at this point no-one really wants the league suspended.

We should probably just cancel it for this season and acknowledge, collectively, that the 2019/20 season never happened and there were no champions. It was just a write-off.

Edit: Apparently Leicester are the Premier League club with three players self-isolating and all players being tested.

I think your bias may be hanging out a little bit there :p

As a neutral to cancel the season now with no champions would be madness considering Liverpools victory is a fait accompli.
More concerning is the relegation and promotion places in other leagues. What of play offs etc...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on March 12, 2020, 09:40:22 AM
Suspend for now & resume in the summer. Euro 2020 can be delayed to 2021.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 12, 2020, 09:41:02 AM
Quote from: Tyr on March 12, 2020, 09:37:31 AM
I think your bias may be hanging out a little bit there :p
That is possibly a risk :P

QuoteAs a neutral to cancel the season now with no champions would be madness considering Liverpools victory is a fait accompli.
More concerning is the relegation and promotion places in other leagues. What of play offs etc...
Fair - I mean Leeds and West Brom are probably basing a huge chunk of their current business on promotion and an extra £100 million a year. It'll be similar in the rest of the league. Plus, as I say, there are definitely clubs that rely on their gates and even a suspension would hugely damage them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 12, 2020, 10:52:47 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on March 12, 2020, 09:40:22 AM
Suspend for now & resume in the summer. Euro 2020 can be delayed to 2021.

UEFA will decide on European competitions next week. I read that it can be taken for granted that the Euro will be pushed back to 2021.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on March 12, 2020, 11:03:23 AM
Quote from: The Larch on March 12, 2020, 10:52:47 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on March 12, 2020, 09:40:22 AM
Suspend for now & resume in the summer. Euro 2020 can be delayed to 2021.

UEFA will decide on European competitions next week. I read that it can be taken for granted that the Euro will be pushed back to 2021.

I'm rarely this clairvoyant.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 12, 2020, 11:26:47 AM
Wonder what this means for the nations league thingy (meh) and World Cup qualifiers
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 12, 2020, 12:08:34 PM
Major League Soccer suspended.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 12, 2020, 12:35:13 PM
In Portugal, after games behind closed doors, now the Primeira Liga is suspended.
More of a margin in Portugal, due to one the worst years in European competitions since 1978-79 ; no team made it be to the round of 16.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 12, 2020, 05:39:12 PM
Mikel Arteta has tested positive for coronavirus and Arsenal close down their training facilities and quarantine their full first team and a number of coaches. The premier league is, I think, one of the few ones that has not been suspended yet, and they're intending to play this weekend as usual.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 12, 2020, 05:52:06 PM
It's crazy - I can only assume they're waiting for government to force them to shut down :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 12, 2020, 05:53:27 PM
Insurance reasons?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 12, 2020, 05:54:56 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 12, 2020, 05:52:06 PM
It's crazy - I can only assume they're waiting for government to force them to shut down :bleeding:

Scotland has already announced a ban on events of more than 500 people starting on monday. On sunday it's Rangers Vs. Celtic.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 12, 2020, 06:25:45 PM
The Premier League has announced....a meeting to discuss whether to delay games :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 13, 2020, 02:35:52 AM
I just hope there's some special fund in place to cover the losses teams will endure. As you say gate fees are a big deal for many teams. A lot of clubs living week to week. We may see another Bury or two.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 13, 2020, 05:24:17 AM
Quote from: Tyr on March 13, 2020, 02:35:52 AM
I just hope there's some special fund in place to cover the losses teams will endure. As you say gate fees are a big deal for many teams. A lot of clubs living week to week. We may see another Bury or two.

Not anymore, at least not for the top divisions. Nowadays it's TV rights what keeps a club's coffers full. Gate fees are less and less relevant as time goes on. Unless you mean teams in lower divisions, I guess.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 13, 2020, 05:25:55 AM
Quote from: The Larch on March 13, 2020, 05:24:17 AM
Not anymore, at least not for the top divisions. Nowadays it's TV rights what keeps a club's coffers full. Gate fees are less and less relevant as time goes on. Unless you mean teams in lower divisions, I guess.
Yeah - there's loads of teams in the lower divisions who rely on it and would go bust without their home games. From what I understand some are literally living home game to home game, so this would have a big impact.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: garbon on March 13, 2020, 06:00:00 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 13, 2020, 05:25:55 AM
Quote from: The Larch on March 13, 2020, 05:24:17 AM
Not anymore, at least not for the top divisions. Nowadays it's TV rights what keeps a club's coffers full. Gate fees are less and less relevant as time goes on. Unless you mean teams in lower divisions, I guess.
Yeah - there's loads of teams in the lower divisions who rely on it and would go bust without their home games. From what I understand some are literally living home game to home game, so this would have a big impact.

Sounds like they are not viable businesses then.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 13, 2020, 06:10:25 AM
UEFA has postponed Champions League and Europa League games due next week.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 13, 2020, 08:00:11 AM
Wish they'd called things off 2 weeks back. Would help our results.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 17, 2020, 04:41:22 AM
So much talk about voiding the season....
This really does stink. Riots on the streets of Liverpool if so.

Brightons chairman seems to be talking sense. Liverpool declared winners with the league frozen as it is and two teams promoted from the championship with no relegations. We then have two years of 4 teams relegated and 3 coming up.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 17, 2020, 04:48:59 AM
Domestic leagues can easily be finished sometime in June behind closed doors. There aren't that many games left.

European competitions might be a dicier proposition, given all the travel involved.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 17, 2020, 08:42:42 AM
Quote from: Tyr on March 17, 2020, 04:41:22 AM
So much talk about voiding the season....
This really does stink. Riots on the streets of Liverpool if so.

Brightons chairman seems to be talking sense. Liverpool declared winners with the league frozen as it is and two teams promoted from the championship with no relegations. We then have two years of 4 teams relegated and 3 coming up.

Depending on the respective team position, some are claiming for no titles but current rankings determine European competitions spots. Of course, some creative mind will say his club, now second, was champion of the first phase, so it deserves the first golden spot.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on March 17, 2020, 08:43:23 AM
Euro 2020 to be postponed to 2021.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 17, 2020, 10:15:20 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on March 17, 2020, 08:42:42 AM
Quote from: Tyr on March 17, 2020, 04:41:22 AM
So much talk about voiding the season....
This really does stink. Riots on the streets of Liverpool if so.

Brightons chairman seems to be talking sense. Liverpool declared winners with the league frozen as it is and two teams promoted from the championship with no relegations. We then have two years of 4 teams relegated and 3 coming up.

Depending on the respective team position, some are claiming for no titles but current rankings determine European competitions spots. Of course, some creative mind will say his club, now second, was champion of the first phase, so it deserves the first golden spot.  :P


Thats the worry. A lot angling for their own self interest and not what is right.
That Liverpool are champions should not be at all up for debate.
With European qualification and definitely relegation however there is still a lot to play for.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 18, 2020, 06:25:17 AM
Quote from: Maladict on March 17, 2020, 08:43:23 AM
Euro 2020 to be postponed to 2021.

If you bought tickets and cannot attend the future events, money back as well, said UEFA.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 18, 2020, 10:22:52 AM
Quote from: Syt on March 12, 2020, 05:10:11 AM
I wonder how Football Manager will model pandemics in its next couple of releases. :P

Well, they're releasing FM 2020 free for a week or so.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 20, 2020, 03:12:32 AM
I've edited in Covid-19 in my FM dabatase  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 20, 2020, 04:08:53 AM
Quote from: celedhring on March 20, 2020, 03:12:32 AM
I've edited in Covid-19 in my FM dabatase  :P

Hopefully it's a Freddie adu.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 27, 2020, 02:16:58 PM
It hasn't been posted here but this has happened:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/mar/26/all-english-football-below-national-league-level-to-be-voided

Football below the top 2 semi-pro leagues has been declared void.
Which in cases like the one here, South Shields, on the verge of entering semi-pro, 12 points ahead on top of the league, just stinks.
IMO the best way to go would be to have limited promotion, via behind closed doors playoffs if necessary, and no relegation.
12 points seems a nice cut off for just declaring thats it, they've won. Below that insist on playoffs amongst all teams within say 10 points of the leader to decide on two to be promoted.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 27, 2020, 02:24:41 PM
Quote from: Tyr on March 27, 2020, 02:16:58 PM
It hasn't been posted here but this has happened:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/mar/26/all-english-football-below-national-league-level-to-be-voided

Football below the top 2 semi-pro leagues has been declared void.
Which in cases like the one here, South Shields, on the verge of entering semi-pro, 12 points ahead on top of the league, just stinks.
IMO the best way to go would be to have limited promotion, via behind closed doors playoffs if necessary, and no relegation.
12 points seems a nice cut off for just declaring thats it, they've won. Below that insist on playoffs amongst all teams within say 10 points of the leader to decide on two to be promoted.
Does this affect Barrow? :o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 27, 2020, 02:27:42 PM
Just below national league north and south. For now. Some think the FA are testing lower first.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 27, 2020, 02:41:46 PM
So Liverpool will still be without a win? Is this whole thing something sheilbh is dreaming?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 27, 2020, 05:08:59 PM
Quote from: Liep on March 27, 2020, 02:41:46 PM
So Liverpool will still be without a win? Is this whole thing something sheilbh is dreaming?

I think that is actually a real possibility  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 27, 2020, 05:46:10 PM
It really does stink. Sacrificing this nearly done league for the sake of next seasons league which itself probably won't follow the normal schedule and feasibly may be massively disrupted.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 27, 2020, 05:53:01 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 27, 2020, 05:08:59 PM
Quote from: Liep on March 27, 2020, 02:41:46 PM
So Liverpool will still be without a win? Is this whole thing something sheilbh is dreaming?

I think that is actually a real possibility  :lol:
Shit - Tyr's monkey paw theory strikes again :o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 02, 2020, 09:06:40 AM
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ETELqxgX0AAIMGY?format=jpg&name=large)

One should never provoke the wrath of the football gods so brazenly.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on April 02, 2020, 12:14:26 PM
 :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 02, 2020, 07:26:10 PM
Is that real? :glare:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 06, 2020, 04:12:04 PM
So with cancelling all larger events until September the government effectively killed this football season. It'll be interesting to see how they handle it with some leagues here only about half way done.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 06, 2020, 04:14:06 PM
Quote from: Liep on April 06, 2020, 04:12:04 PM
So with cancelling all larger events until September the government effectively killed this football season. It'll be interesting to see how they handle it with some leagues here only about half way done.

Can't they play behind closed doors?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 06, 2020, 04:18:09 PM
Quote from: The Larch on April 06, 2020, 04:14:06 PM
Quote from: Liep on April 06, 2020, 04:12:04 PM
So with cancelling all larger events until September the government effectively killed this football season. It'll be interesting to see how they handle it with some leagues here only about half way done.

Can't they play behind closed doors?

Maybe, but right now there's a limit to 10 people until may 10. There are exception for work places though so maybe they can finish the season without audience.

But most clubs have send home personel to receive government help, so maybe they can't afford to play without match day money..
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 08, 2020, 05:14:36 PM
More general sports than football specific. But it turns out Wimbledon's been paying £1.5 million a year for the last 17 years for pandemic insurance which I think they're the only sports tournament or league or club I've heard of doing something like this.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on April 08, 2020, 05:27:49 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 08, 2020, 05:14:36 PM
More general sports than football specific. But it turns out Wimbledon's been paying £1.5 million a year for the last 17 years for pandemic insurance which I think they're the only sports tournament or league or club I've heard of doing something like this.

Apparently the Royal & Ancient has pandemic insurance as well, which is apparently part of the reason that the Open has been cancelled whereas the American Majors have only been postponed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on April 08, 2020, 05:44:52 PM
OK, so this pandemic does have a silver lining, it's stopped two of the most deadly dull sports known to mankind.  :cool:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 08, 2020, 05:53:22 PM
Quote from: mongers on April 08, 2020, 05:44:52 PM
OK, so this pandemic does have a silver lining, it's stopped two of the most deadly dull sports known to mankind.  :cool:
Tennis is great - on golf we agree.

I am kind of looking forward to some of the plans to replace sports on TV. I think ITV is going to re-run Euro '96 and the BBC's doing loads of stuff, I'm particularly excited by their promise to cover the "greatest moments in snooker" :mmm: :wub:

And the GAA are putting some classics on the internet to stream so I watched the 2013 All Ireland Replay Hurling final between Clare and Cork which is apparently considered one of the best ever finals. It was great, I really enjoyed it. I am still none the wiser as to the rules of hurling but it was very enjoyable.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on April 09, 2020, 03:06:38 AM
Golf is a little Nascar in that the best part is when they fuck up.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 09, 2020, 03:25:30 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 08, 2020, 05:14:36 PM
More general sports than football specific. But it turns out Wimbledon's been paying £1.5 million a year for the last 17 years for pandemic insurance which I think they're the only sports tournament or league or club I've heard of doing something like this.
Its certain shown its worth now, but £1.5 million seems excessive :blink:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on April 09, 2020, 04:35:59 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 09, 2020, 03:25:30 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 08, 2020, 05:14:36 PM
More general sports than football specific. But it turns out Wimbledon's been paying £1.5 million a year for the last 17 years for pandemic insurance which I think they're the only sports tournament or league or club I've heard of doing something like this.
Its certain shown its worth now, but £1.5 million seems excessive :blink:

That will be nothing compared to the new premiums.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 09, 2020, 05:02:55 AM
Yeah. I imagine it was highly bespoke/negotiated piece of cover.

I'm just quite impressed at the forethought. It's not something sports leadership is well-known for :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on April 09, 2020, 06:58:22 AM
Quote from: mongers on April 08, 2020, 05:44:52 PM
OK, so this pandemic does have a silver lining, it's stopped two of the most deadly dull sports known to mankind.  :cool:

Yes, football being one of them.

I much prefer to watch golf on TV than I do football; support a team I may do but I don't find football to be an interesting sport to watch.

Give me Cricket, Rugby Union, Tennis or Golf any day of the week. With a side order of snooker for an indoor game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on April 09, 2020, 07:22:56 AM
Quote from: Agelastus on April 09, 2020, 06:58:22 AM
Quote from: mongers on April 08, 2020, 05:44:52 PM
OK, so this pandemic does have a silver lining, it's stopped two of the most deadly dull sports known to mankind.  :cool:

Yes, football being one of them.

I much prefer to watch golf on TV than I do football; support a team I may do but I don't find football to be an interesting sport to watch.

Give me Cricket, Rugby Union, Tennis or Golf any day of the week. With a side order of snooker for an indoor game.

:thumbsup:

Each to his own Angs.

TBT is spend very little time watching sport, maybe none nowadays.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on April 09, 2020, 07:45:01 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 09, 2020, 05:02:55 AM
Yeah. I imagine it was highly bespoke/negotiated piece of cover.

I'm just quite impressed at the forethought. It's not something sports leadership is well-known for :ph34r:

Just connected the dots, seventeen years ago means SARS prompted it. Forethought indeed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 09, 2020, 07:48:44 AM
Quote from: Maladict on April 09, 2020, 07:45:01 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 09, 2020, 05:02:55 AM
Yeah. I imagine it was highly bespoke/negotiated piece of cover.

I'm just quite impressed at the forethought. It's not something sports leadership is well-known for :ph34r:

Just connected the dots, seventeen years ago means SARS prompted it. Forethought indeed.
Fuck! You're right. That is very smart planning.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on April 17, 2020, 07:18:16 AM
Damn, Coronavirus fells Norman Hunter, legendary Leeds United hard-man:

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52246007 (https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52246007)

(https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/480/cpsprodpb/8AAF/production/_111830553_norman_hunter1_getty.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 21, 2020, 11:07:49 AM
QuoteLiverpool-hating mascot benched by Singapore following complaints

Singapore's government has withdrawn its fictional band of coronavirus battling superheroes after complaints about a Liverpool-hating member of the five-strong Virus Vanguard.

Less than 24 hours after the team was unveiled, the government announced on Monday that they were reviewing the situation.

"The Virus Vanguard is undergoing a review. We have received quite a lot of feedback on the characters and we will be reviewing them. We are sorry if we offended anyone," it said.

The group were part of of a public information campaign created to reinforce how the authorities want the public to behave during the lockdown, which is known as "circuit breaking" in Singapore.

The members -- Circuit Breaker, Fake News Buster, Dr Disinfector, Care-leh Dee and MAWA [Must Always Walk Alone] Man -- all had special abilities which helped people to stay home, keep things clean, not spread rumours and look after each other's mental health.

Much of the controversy was focused on MAWA Man, who had the ability to force people to maintain social distancing through telekinetic power.

Growing up in the 80s supporting Manchester United and taunted by two Liverpool-supporting brothers, made him, according to the government's official website, "despise everything Liverpool including their motto You'll Never Walk Alone. His hatred for Liverpool so far exceeds his love for Man Utd that it manifested as a telekinesis power."

A petition organised by Liverpool fans in Singapore has received over 760 signatures.

"'You'll Never Walk Alone' is a song that was collectively used by most European radio stations as a show of solidarity amidst the Covid-19 lockdowns," the group wrote. "Yet this campaign appears to be an attempt to make a mockery of the song. This is distasteful and extremely disrespectful."

Liverpool have a long-standing and substantial fanbase in the country.

Singapore reported a record 1,426 new coronavirus cases on Monday and its total of over 8,000 confirmed cases is the highest in Southeast Asia.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on April 21, 2020, 01:45:27 PM
Dutch Eredivisie de facto cancelled by the government, no matches until September. Suck it, UEFA.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 21, 2020, 02:26:55 PM
Quote from: Maladict on April 21, 2020, 01:45:27 PM
Dutch Eredivisie de facto cancelled by the government, no matches until September. Suck it, UEFA.

Not even behind closed doors?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on April 21, 2020, 03:24:15 PM
Quote from: The Larch on April 21, 2020, 02:26:55 PM
Quote from: Maladict on April 21, 2020, 01:45:27 PM
Dutch Eredivisie de facto cancelled by the government, no matches until September. Suck it, UEFA.

Not even behind closed doors?

That would still be considered an event, needing a permit. No exceptions have been made so far.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on April 29, 2020, 01:09:46 AM
Seems the French league will not resume play.

PSG owner's initial reaction (paraphrasing): Eh, whatever. As long as we can play Champions League. Outside of France if we need to.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 29, 2020, 02:08:13 AM
Checking the table that's surprising. You'd think they'd want their title at least. Shows how much they've fallen I guess.

Quote from: Maladict on April 21, 2020, 01:45:27 PM
Dutch Eredivisie de facto cancelled by the government, no matches until September. Suck it, UEFA.

Pfff. Sucks to be alkmaar. Should at least give them a playoff with ajax for the title.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on April 29, 2020, 02:28:48 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 29, 2020, 02:08:13 AM
Checking the table that's surprising. You'd think they'd want their title at least. Shows how much they've fallen I guess.

My impression is that many big teams put their prime focus on the Champions League these days and look at the national league as an annoying necessity.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on April 29, 2020, 02:39:47 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 29, 2020, 02:08:13 AM
Checking the table that's surprising. You'd think they'd want their title at least. Shows how much they've fallen I guess.

Quote from: Maladict on April 21, 2020, 01:45:27 PM
Dutch Eredivisie de facto cancelled by the government, no matches until September. Suck it, UEFA.

Pfff. Sucks to be alkmaar. Should at least give them a playoff with ajax for the title.

Current league standings will count for European placement, but there will be no leaugue champion this year. Also, no relegations.
Seems reasonably fair, under the circumstances.

AZ don't seem to be too upset about it, at least not publicly.
Cambuur, who won the First Division and won't be promoted, are seething and seeking legal action. Not the best course of action from a PR point of view.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 29, 2020, 04:57:36 AM
Quote from: Syt on April 29, 2020, 01:09:46 AM
Seems the French league will not resume play.

PSG owner's initial reaction (paraphrasing): Eh, whatever. As long as we can play Champions League. Outside of France if we need to.

Prime Minister might have been more bumbling than usual, due to the crisis but he left that perfectly clear: no more pro sports till September as in no more events with more than 5,000 people. Say goodbye to festival such as the Hellfest (French Wacken).
Incidentally, the earliest cluster of the pandemic was linked to an attendance of around  2,000 people, it was an evangelical protestant (not lutheran) meeting in Mulhouse/Mülhausen. Maurras must feel vindicated in his grave by protestantism being a plague, not just a spiritual plague.  :P
The eastern region got infected earlier and got more cases per capita than Île-de-France (Groß Paris and Region).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 29, 2020, 05:06:57 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 29, 2020, 02:08:13 AM
Checking the table that's surprising. You'd think they'd want their title at least. Shows how much they've fallen I guess.
I don't think PSG care at all about the French title.

I think it's sort of similar with City's owners (the fans are famously more ambivalent) not particularly being bothered by another domestic win but really wanting to do well in Europe - or am I way off?

Here it feels like there is a lot of desire to finish the season no matter what, even if it's just played behind closed doors as a sort of mini-tournament. To me that feels right - partly because I think by June/July people will want some sporting entertainment.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 29, 2020, 05:15:59 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 29, 2020, 05:06:57 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 29, 2020, 02:08:13 AM
Checking the table that's surprising. You'd think they'd want their title at least. Shows how much they've fallen I guess.
I don't think PSG care at all about the French title.

I think it's sort of similar with City's owners (the fans are famously more ambivalent) not particularly being bothered by another domestic win but really wanting to do well in Europe - or am I way off?

Here it feels like there is a lot of desire to finish the season no matter what, even if it's just played behind closed doors as a sort of mini-tournament. To me that feels right - partly because I think by June/July people will want some sporting entertainment.

PSG has such a lead, this does not change much. More suspense than for Liverpool or rather less certainty.  :P Nobody seriously denies the title to PSG.
It's a big problem however for badly ranked Lyon, Jean-Michel Aulas the former elitist, being at a lowly 7th position or so wants a play-off to get a direct access to the Champion's League.
Remember the game when Juventus lost vs Olympique Lyonnais in Lyon ? Well, that was one of the main events leading to the pandemic.
Merci, Jean-Michel Hélas...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 29, 2020, 06:55:42 AM
Quote from: Maladict on April 29, 2020, 02:39:47 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 29, 2020, 02:08:13 AM
Checking the table that's surprising. You'd think they'd want their title at least. Shows how much they've fallen I guess.

Quote from: Maladict on April 21, 2020, 01:45:27 PM
Dutch Eredivisie de facto cancelled by the government, no matches until September. Suck it, UEFA.

Pfff. Sucks to be alkmaar. Should at least give them a playoff with ajax for the title.

Current league standings will count for European placement, but there will be no leaugue champion this year. Also, no relegations.
Seems reasonably fair, under the circumstances.

AZ don't seem to be too upset about it, at least not publicly.
Cambuur, who won the First Division and won't be promoted, are seething and seeking legal action. Not the best course of action from a PR point of view.


That's surprising. Its been a decade since they last won right?
I had the impression that in the Netherlands anyone other than the big 3 winning the title was somewhat akin to  anyone outside of the old firm in Scotland doing it, and considered a big deal?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on April 29, 2020, 07:16:33 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 29, 2020, 06:55:42 AM


That's surprising. Its been a decade since they last won right?
I had the impression that in the Netherlands anyone other than the big 3 winning the title was somewhat akin to  anyone outside of the old firm in Scotland doing it, and considered a big deal?

Yeah, over a decade ago. They are still mulling over an appeal, as it turns out.
The decision to not have any more matches was taken by the government and is final, the only thing they can appeal is the way European tickets are handed out. They don't have much of a claim to first place, even if they're tied on points.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 15, 2020, 10:55:41 AM
The water creeps ever higher

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52679614?at_custom3=Match+of+the+Day&at_custom1=%5Bpost+type%5D&at_custom4=CE736188-96B0-11EA-BF47-44103A982C1E&at_campaign=64&at_custom2=facebook_page&at_medium=custom7&fbclid=IwAR0wgu-RVN1y5gxeMRNDZmd2VZzeaq8-O3jjkhZOUah_w4BG9sBrUTAZO3I

Quote
League Two clubs vote to end season, but League One teams fail to decide

League Two's season has been brought to an early conclusion following discussions between clubs and the English Football League on Friday.

The EFL said clubs "unanimously indicated" they wished to end the season via a "framework" that included tables being decided on points per game and the play-offs remaining as planned.

Any move still needs to be ratified by the EFL and Football Association.

But League One sides face further talks after failing to come to an agreement.

Six third-tier clubs had said prior to the meeting that they were determined to complete their remaining fixtures - and are now set to meet again on Monday in an attempt to find a resolution.

Peterborough United, Oxford United, Sunderland, Fleetwood, Portsmouth and Ipswich Town released a joint statement saying they had "no desire for voiding the season, points-per-game scenarios or letting a computer decide our footballing fate".

Follow updates from Friday's League One and League Two meetings
Could Stevenage avoid relegation?
Although it is understood some League Two sides wanted to use a weighted points-per-game system to finalise the table, the EFL has confirmed an unweighted points-per-game system was agreed upon.

Both of those methods would have seen Stevenage stay bottom - yet clubs have also requested that relegation from the fourth tier is removed this season.

"Clubs asked for consideration to be given to suspending relegation to the National League for 2019-20 as a result of circumstances created where fixtures cannot be completed," said the EFL in a statement.

"No commitments were made in this respect and the board will now consider the implications of the division's preferred approach at their next meeting."

Stevenage owner Phil Wallace told BBC Sport: "My preference is to finish the league so we have the opportunity to play our way out of trouble.

"We have 10 games to play and are three points behind, with a game in hand. Why should I think it was not possible to get out of it?

"The League Two clubs cannot decide this. We can only tell the EFL of their indicative position but that is the collective view.

"It would cost us £140,000 for the tests, we would have to bring players out of furlough and comply with a 47-page health and safety document regarding sterilisation of stadiums etc.

"I don't know what this would mean for the National League."

Who would make up the places at the top?
Swindon Town would overtake Crewe Alexandra to claim the title using the points-per-game method, with Plymouth Argyle staying in the third and final automatic promotion spot.

The four teams currently in the play-offs - Exeter City, Cheltenham Town, Colchester United and Northampton Town - would remain there, but Cheltenham would move above Exeter and into fourth.

Why can't they restart?
Attempting to resume the League One and League Two campaigns was always likely to to be more difficult than in the Championship and Premier League, which could begin again in mid-June behind closed doors.

Many clubs in the third and fourth tiers have furloughed their players and, with no crowds allowed into stadiums for the foreseeable future, it would cost them money to stage games.

EFL chairman Rick Parry has also said 1,400 players across the league's three divisions are out of contract on 30 June. The majority of those players are in League One and League Two.

The National League decided to end its three divisions immediately on 22 April but they were waiting on the EFL to announce an outcome before deciding on promotion and relegation.

Timeline: How did we get to this point?
10 March - Last games played in Leagues One & Two
13 March - EFL suspended until at least 3 April
19 March - Suspension extended until end of April
26 March - All football below National League expunged
9 April - Season 'can be finished in 56 days'
22 April - National League clubs vote to end regular season
23 April - Clubs write to EFL over salary cap introduction
5 May - EFL clubs face '£200m hole' by September
15 May - League Two season ended, League One undecided

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 15, 2020, 11:22:10 AM
Portuguese League is supposed to resume June 4th, behind doors and in 6 stadia only. There are already Coronavirus cases in teams such as Benfica (one case only), Guimarães, Famalicão and Moreirense, so this leaves me skeptical. Porto is ahead of Benfica by one point, having won their two games against Benfica precisely.

There is a still the Portuguese Cup Final to play between those two as well and that should have been enough.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 16, 2020, 08:24:38 AM
Weird to think I'd be this excited to watch German football matches played in empty stadiums. And yet, here we are  :blush:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 16, 2020, 08:56:38 AM
I don't think I had watched a Bundesliga game since the 1990s.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 16, 2020, 09:14:43 AM
Bundesliga is still the third League in Europe so it's not like watching Belarus Liga games during the lockdown.  :P

I lived in Germany, so my last viewing is much later than the '90s, or at the very least the Sportschau on Saturday.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 16, 2020, 09:49:32 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on May 16, 2020, 09:14:43 AM
Bundesliga is still the third League in Europe so it's not like watching Belarus Liga games during the lockdown.  :P

I lived in Germany, so my last viewing is much later than the '90s, or at the very least the Sportschau on Saturday.

It's just that every time there's a Bundesliga game on, there's usually something in England/Spain/Italy I'd rather watch. I don't have much of an emotional attachment to German club football.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on May 16, 2020, 10:21:00 AM
The entire world is watching Dortmund - Schalke  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 16, 2020, 10:22:52 AM
Quote from: celedhring on May 16, 2020, 09:49:32 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on May 16, 2020, 09:14:43 AM
Bundesliga is still the third League in Europe so it's not like watching Belarus Liga games during the lockdown.  :P

I lived in Germany, so my last viewing is much later than the '90s, or at the very least the Sportschau on Saturday.

It's just that every time there's a Bundesliga game on, there's usually something in England/Spain/Italy I'd rather watch. I don't have much of an emotional attachment to German club football.

I understand the attachment argument. For me, that's the problem with English club football.
I can't say I have a club I follow in Germany though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 16, 2020, 12:15:09 PM
Quote from: Maladict on May 16, 2020, 10:21:00 AM
The entire world is watching Dortmund - Schalke  :lol:

Dortmund just made a billion new fans  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 16, 2020, 01:14:53 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 16, 2020, 12:15:09 PM
Quote from: Maladict on May 16, 2020, 10:21:00 AM
The entire world is watching Dortmund - Schalke  :lol:

Dortmund just made a billion new fans  :lol:

Schalke 04 abysmal season is now also more infamous than ever I'd say.
Dortmund is already pretty well-known.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 18, 2020, 05:15:33 AM
Ah Japa... Err.... Korea.

https://www.sportbible.com/football/weird-fc-seoul-have-placed-creepy-looking-plastic-dolls-in-the-stands-20200517.amp.html

:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 18, 2020, 05:57:19 AM
I would like Oglekvinde's opinion on this matter. Desu dolls would probably be brought into the debate. :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 27, 2020, 02:32:24 AM
Remote cheering, that's the kind of stuff I'd have imagined as a Futurama gag years ago  :lol:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/27/japan-launches-remote-cheering-app-to-boost-atmosphere-in-empty-stadiums
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 27, 2020, 04:15:09 AM
Quote from: celedhring on May 27, 2020, 02:32:24 AM
Remote cheering, that's the kind of stuff I'd have imagined as a Futurama gag years ago  :lol:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/27/japan-launches-remote-cheering-app-to-boost-atmosphere-in-empty-stadiums
Amazing. Genuinely thrilled that I'll be able to boo Everton remotely :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 27, 2020, 05:26:05 AM
Quote from: celedhring on May 27, 2020, 02:32:24 AM
Remote cheering, that's the kind of stuff I'd have imagined as a Futurama gag years ago  :lol:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/27/japan-launches-remote-cheering-app-to-boost-atmosphere-in-empty-stadiums

I'd prefer it to the "canned cheering" that is being planned over here.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 29, 2020, 05:18:16 PM
The decline of Sunderland. Super long piece and probably only appeals to me but... 😔

https://justpaste.it/1zwc6

I can't help but see a connection between things turning sour for Sunderland AFC and things turning sour for the UK with Sunderland as a poster child.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 30, 2020, 10:45:42 AM
I liked Season One of Sunderland Till I Die. Season two, so-so
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on May 30, 2020, 12:59:50 PM
Quote from: Tyr on May 29, 2020, 05:18:16 PM
The decline of Sunderland. Super long piece and probably only appeals to me but... 😔

https://justpaste.it/1zwc6

I can't help but see a connection between things turning sour for Sunderland AFC and things turning sour for the UK with Sunderland as a poster child.

Tyr, are you listening to Athletico Mince by any chance? Some good Sunderland/Middlesborough rivalry there. Well, mostly Sunderland bashing really.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 01, 2020, 08:40:48 AM
Quote from: Maladict on May 30, 2020, 12:59:50 PM
Quote from: Tyr on May 29, 2020, 05:18:16 PM
The decline of Sunderland. Super long piece and probably only appeals to me but... 😔

https://justpaste.it/1zwc6

I can't help but see a connection between things turning sour for Sunderland AFC and things turning sour for the UK with Sunderland as a poster child.

Tyr, are you listening to Athletico Mince by any chance? Some good Sunderland/Middlesborough rivalry there. Well, mostly Sunderland bashing really.

Never heard of it tbh. Checking up, Bob Mortimer. Yes. To be expected. Will seek it out someday.
The Middlesbrough/Sunderland rivalry is very one sided. Sunderland fans don't care about Boro much at all. Even on the Boro side I don't think it goes too high, there's a lot of historic cooperation between the two.
It has nothing on Newcastle/Sunderland. That's the real rivalry.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 13, 2020, 01:58:27 PM
Braithwaite starts in Barca's first game back. I thought Suarez was ready again? I'm all for it though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 13, 2020, 04:26:50 PM
Quote from: Liep on June 13, 2020, 01:58:27 PM
Braithwaite starts in Barca's first game back. I thought Suarez was ready again? I'm all for it though.

Suárez just recovered from injury last week, I guess he's still got plenty of fitness to recover.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 13, 2020, 05:39:36 PM
Gol!!!!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 20, 2020, 10:59:49 AM
FFS Arsenal :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 20, 2020, 11:06:27 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on June 20, 2020, 10:59:49 AM
FFS Arsenal :bleeding:
:lol:

"Fascinating how looking at Bundesliga and La Liga gives a real sense of how important crowds are. Without fans the technically better team just wins the match."
*Arsenal has entered the chat*

Edit: Incidentally I make that joke - but I am fairly dreading the Merseyside derby :lol: :weep: :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 20, 2020, 04:26:57 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on June 20, 2020, 11:06:27 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on June 20, 2020, 10:59:49 AM
FFS Arsenal :bleeding:
:lol:

"Fascinating how looking at Bundesliga and La Liga gives a real sense of how important crowds are. Without fans the technically better team just wins the match."
*Arsenal has entered the chat*

Edit: Incidentally I make that joke - but I am fairly dreading the Merseyside derby :lol: :weep: :ph34r:

Arsenal somehow becomes even more Arsenal when there are no fans around.  :lol: :mad: :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 24, 2020, 12:38:50 PM
In light of Warnock's new appointment, this video is absolutely magnificent:
https://twitter.com/cenkthfc/status/1275359528230555648?s=20
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 24, 2020, 01:30:27 PM
Portuguese League still undecided.

Benfica lost in extra time against Santa Clara (Azores) by 3 to 4 while Porto won in the Porto derby against Boavista 4-0. They were tied in points, though Porto was ahead due to particular goal average.
6 more games to play for both.
I got used to the empty stadium ambient since it allows to hear all shouts and cursing during the game. :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 24, 2020, 01:31:50 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on June 24, 2020, 12:38:50 PM
In light of Warnock's new appointment, this video is absolutely magnificent:
https://twitter.com/cenkthfc/status/1275359528230555648?s=20

:D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on June 24, 2020, 01:34:27 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on June 24, 2020, 12:38:50 PM
In light of Warnock's new appointment, this video is absolutely magnificent:
https://twitter.com/cenkthfc/status/1275359528230555648?s=20

:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 25, 2020, 04:14:43 PM
Liverpool are League Champions.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 25, 2020, 04:30:14 PM
As an anti mono in such things I welcome this development.

Plus I've a soft spot for Henderson and Klopp
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 25, 2020, 04:34:23 PM
It was frustrating seeing Klopp who I had liked get coated in glue and rolled through the club shop for them. Luckily I've found him quite easy to dislike him since :)

Obviously there is no team I wouldn't prefer winning this. According to family horns and fireworks going off around them <_< :bleeding:

Edit: On the other hand, after four long years we've announced that Oumar Niasse - possibly the worst player I've ever seen for us - is leaving Everton. So swings and roundabouts :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 25, 2020, 04:38:28 PM
I always thought the everton - Liverpool rivalry was a rather friendly one without any big geographic or cultural divides, with all the hate reserved for Manchester?

But I can imagine Liverpool isn't a great place to be right now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 25, 2020, 04:45:42 PM
Quote from: Tyr on June 25, 2020, 04:38:28 PM
I always thought the everton - Liverpool rivalry was a rather friendly one without any big geographic or cultural divides, with all the hate reserved for Manchester?

But I can imagine Liverpool isn't a great place to be right now.
There's no big geographic or cultural divide (I would say, while I'm sure many are nice, out of town Liverpool fans are kind of insufferable online). So we know each other and obviously no-one likes Manchester, but I think we both have a healthy dislike of each other. I'd rather either Manchester team win than Liverpool.

In part because we know them and because they're scousers. So they will not shut up about this. When I visit family who are Liverpool fans I'll get a cup of tea and an anecdote about Istanbul :bleeding:

If we could just win anything it would probably help :bleeding: :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 25, 2020, 04:47:56 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on June 25, 2020, 04:45:42 PM
Quote from: Tyr on June 25, 2020, 04:38:28 PM
I always thought the everton - Liverpool rivalry was a rather friendly one without any big geographic or cultural divides, with all the hate reserved for Manchester?

But I can imagine Liverpool isn't a great place to be right now.
There's no big geographic or cultural divide (I would say, while I'm sure many are nice, out of town Liverpool fans are kind of insufferable online). So we know each other and obviously no-one likes Manchester, but I think we both have a healthy dislike of each other. I'd rather either Manchester team win than Liverpool.

In part because we know them and because they're scousers. So they will not shut up about this. When I visit family who are Liverpool fans I'll get a cup of tea and an anecdote about Istanbul :bleeding:

If we could just win anything it would probably help :bleeding: :weep:

My condolences on today's events.  :hug:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on June 26, 2020, 07:51:44 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on June 25, 2020, 04:14:43 PM
Liverpool are League Champions.

:yeah:  :w00t: :yeah:  :w00t: :yeah:  :w00t: :yeah:  :w00t: :yeah:  :w00t: :yeah:  :w00t: :yeah:  :w00t: :yeah: :w00t:

Quote from: Sheilbh on June 25, 2020, 04:45:42 PM
(I would say, while I'm sure many are nice, out of town Liverpool fans are kind of insufferable online)

I will try to restrain myself.

---------------------------------------

Finally, after 30 years, finally...

Did they really have to take inspiration from the England song for Euro 96... :glare:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on June 26, 2020, 08:00:12 AM
Quote from: Tyr on June 25, 2020, 04:38:28 PM
I always thought the everton - Liverpool rivalry was a rather friendly one without any big geographic or cultural divides, with all the hate reserved for Manchester?

But I can imagine Liverpool isn't a great place to be right now.

That's what every Liverpool fan will tell you. Everton fans will not (and it really irks them that L'pool's main rivalry is with Man U).

I've never liked Liverpool but this is a great team playing brilliant football and Klopp is not just a fatnastic manager but a really cool human being.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on June 28, 2020, 04:23:35 PM
Dare to think big: Orban's home village's football team (population 1800) has finished 3rd in the top Hungarian league and thus earned the right to play in the Europa League.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 30, 2020, 03:39:20 PM
How did Barca end up with no one but Messi able to get past a man? The wings especially seem useless, they don't even have speed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 30, 2020, 04:50:01 PM
Okay, that Puig fellow might turn into something.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 30, 2020, 07:19:59 PM
Quote from: Liep on June 30, 2020, 03:39:20 PM
How did Barca end up with no one but Messi able to get past a man? The wings especially seem useless, they don't even have speed.

The whole team is in shambles lately, and prospects don't seem good.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 01, 2020, 12:54:40 PM
I don't want to jinx this (a 2-0 scoreline still feels dangerous after the Martinez and Silva experience). But it's great looking like a side that have a plan and know how to play football. I fucking love Ancelotti :wub:

Edit: I know this should be the bare minimum. But it is really refreshing seeing an Everton manager spotting a problem and changing things to fix it. It feels like a very, very long time since that happened. Also we keep picking a very young team which makes me hopeful - if only we could get rid of some of our obscenely expensive, older, ornamental players :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 07, 2020, 10:17:55 AM
Just read (thanks to the always brilliant David Squires' footie cartoon: https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2020/jul/07/david-squires-on-wigan-athletic-going-into-administration (https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2020/jul/07/david-squires-on-wigan-athletic-going-into-administration)) about the dire situation of Wigan Athletic, which just went into administration and is on the verge of dropping from the Championship to League 1 because of this. If the league doesn't investigate the very likely shenanigans that have gone on they should be ashamed of themselves.

Short summary:

- Wigan Athletic is a humble English football club, which in the last few years has bounced between the Championship (England's 2nd division) and League One (England's 3rd division), after a golden age between 2005 and 2013 in which they played at the Premier League (England's 1st division) and even won the FA Cup in 2013.
- It used to be owned by the Whelan family, having been bought by patriarch David Whelan in 1995, when the team languished in the Third Division (England's 4th tier at the time).
- In 2018, the Whelan family sold the club to a Hong Kong based company called International Entertainment Corporation (IEC), headed by Stanley Choi, a businessman and professional poker player. In late May 2020, IEC sold the club to another Hong Kong based company, called New Leader Fund (NLF), that had been created at the beginning of the year and is apparently also partially owned by Stanley Choi. In the process, Wigan ended up saddled with a high interest 24 million pound loan by IEC.
- As soon as NLF gained full control of Wigan by the end of June, they withdrew funds and put the club into administration (which carries a 12 point penalty, which would surely doom Wigan to relegation) officially claiming that it was due to the financial impact of the COVID crisis and Brexit, with players' wages going unpaid, making staff redundant and putting the club for sale.

Whoever vets prospective new owners in the EFL should be fired (from a cannon, if possible).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 07, 2020, 10:25:55 AM
It's absolutely insane and apparently the old new owners have connections with gambling businesses in Asia and there are rumours of significant movements in the betting markets on Wigan's relegations. Who knows.

The local Rugby League team, the Wigan Warriors (Wigan is one of those towns were football probably isn't the biggest sport), have stated their intention to make a bid. Hopefully they succeed as they at least seem well run and honest :(

Edit: And there is an issue here with the 12 point deduction not hurting the people who caused this. And I'd be astonished if there wasn't a lot of legal action over this because it's just insane behaviour. There's no reason without something very shady going on for an owner to behave like this.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 07, 2020, 10:29:43 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on July 07, 2020, 10:25:55 AM
It's absolutely insane and apparently the old new owners have connections with gambling businesses in Asia and there are rumours of significant movements in the betting markets on Wigan's relegations. Who knows.

The local Rugby League team, the Wigan Warriors (Wigan is one of those towns were football probably isn't the biggest sport), have stated their intention to make a bid. Hopefully they succeed as they at least seem well run and honest :(

Yeah, apparently IEC, the old new owners, have gambling interests in the Philippines, and rumours point to that being the place where bets on Wigan's relegation would have allegedly been made.

QuoteEdit: And there is an issue here with the 12 point deduction not hurting the people who caused this. And I'd be astonished if there wasn't a lot of legal action over this because it's just insane behaviour. There's no reason without something very shady going on for an owner to behave like this.

It truly deserves to produce a deep review of governance rules at the very least. A ban on ownership change for a number of years after a takeover that ensures that any new owner is in for the long run and not to make a quick buck would be desireable, as well as a tightening on leveraged operations that saddle the clubs with unreasonable amounts of debt that hasn't benefitted the club at all.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on July 07, 2020, 02:57:12 PM
Larch, are there any signs of Celta forgiving Sisto or is he on his way out?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 07, 2020, 03:15:26 PM
The Wigan situation is a worry, not least for the threat of a similar meltdown hitting Sunderland, especially after being cheated out of an end to this season.
The whole financial system of British football is seriously screwed up. Instability is the norm in the championship and lower reaches of the Premier league in the pursuit of the vast riches of premiership stability.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 07, 2020, 03:19:55 PM
Quote from: Liep on July 07, 2020, 02:57:12 PM
Larch, are there any signs of Celta forgiving Sisto or is he on his way out?

All signs point to the club being absolutely fed up with him and looking to offload him this summer. Our current coach really wanted to recover him, but leaving the country during quarantine didn't exactly help him out reputation-wise.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on July 07, 2020, 03:30:50 PM
I had hoped to see him play for Celta in September for the new season. Planning on visiting Galicia if there's continued positive development with the virus. (Latest breakout is noted. :P)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 07, 2020, 04:33:45 PM
Quote from: Liep on July 07, 2020, 03:30:50 PM
I had hoped to see him play for Celta in September for the new season. Planning on visiting Galicia if there's continued positive development with the virus. (Latest breakout is noted. :P)

Cool, let me know about your plans! :cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 07, 2020, 04:55:32 PM
Quote from: Tyr on July 07, 2020, 03:15:26 PM
The Wigan situation is a worry, not least for the threat of a similar meltdown hitting Sunderland, especially after being cheated out of an end to this season.

Can't wait to see it unfold on Netflix.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on July 11, 2020, 04:35:21 PM
Poor Atalanta. Two hand balls both involuntary and the last was even a pass away from goal. It's not easy being a defender at the moment.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on July 13, 2020, 05:19:02 AM
CAS ruled to not uphold City's two year European ban and sentenced them only to pay a small fine. Anyone surprised?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 13, 2020, 05:24:48 AM
RIP FFP.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 13, 2020, 05:50:01 AM
I'm slightly surprised given the case I'd heard - but from what I'm reading the main issue was that UEFA were time-barred, so basically a technicality. It feels like UEFA and other sports regulatory bodies need to beef up their legal teams (they had really good representation at CAS - as did Man City who had Lord Pannick, the QC from the prorogation case) to catch issues like this and deadlines before they get to this stage. I think arbitrators and courts will be incredibly reluctant to ignore rules like limitation periods, especially from regulators who they'll probably think should know better.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on July 13, 2020, 07:17:23 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on July 13, 2020, 05:50:01 AM
I'm slightly surprised given the case I'd heard - but from what I'm reading the main issue was that UEFA were time-barred, so basically a technicality. It feels like UEFA and other sports regulatory bodies need to beef up their legal teams (they had really good representation at CAS - as did Man City who had Lord Pannick, the QC from the prorogation case) to catch issues like this and deadlines before they get to this stage. I think arbitrators and courts will be incredibly reluctant to ignore rules like limitation periods, especially from regulators who they'll probably think should know better.

:rolleyes: Come on Sheilbh. When ManCity did wrong, they forgot to grease the proper wheels. Those wheels showed their discontent with that. Situation has been corrected, things are now back to normal. That's all there is to this one.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 13, 2020, 07:32:21 AM
Quote from: Tamas on July 13, 2020, 07:17:23 AM
:rolleyes: Come on Sheilbh. When ManCity did wrong, they forgot to grease the proper wheels. Those wheels showed their discontent with that. Situation has been corrected, things are now back to normal. That's all there is to this one.
I don't know. From everything I've read and heard UEFA were genuinely very committed and sort of furious about this. A lot of the claim from my understanding was that UEFA brought the initial FFP breach and made a decision based on that which Man City agreed with (which was based on acting in good faith etc). It then came out through the Football Leaks that the information Man City provided was false and that they were hiding things from UEFA.

I remember hearing that Man City had basically done a cost benefit analysis of breaking the rules (and then instructing 100 best lawyers they could to fight it) v not breaking the rules. I don't think UEFA's fully ready for that yet - it's a bit like the European regulators so far very inadequate fights with the big tech companies. They're just not resourced for someone taking the decision they'll break the rules and fight it which means you need to jump through every hoop and make sure you've not fucked up on any technicality or they'll pounce.

Edit: And for what it's worth I've seen lots of recruitment ads from UEFA for lawyers in the last few months :lol:

Edit: Incidentally reading the press release - this is very much a "not guilty" rather than a City are exonerated.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 15, 2020, 11:55:04 AM
QuoteFive substitutes will be allowed next season, football lawmakers have announced following a meeting of the International Football Association Board.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 15, 2020, 12:19:29 PM
Almost feels like that's a bigger win for City etc than the CAS decision :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 15, 2020, 12:33:30 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on July 15, 2020, 12:19:29 PM
Almost feels like that's a bigger win for City etc than the CAS decision :(

It'll certainly help the big clubs for sure.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on July 16, 2020, 03:12:31 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 15, 2020, 12:33:30 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on July 15, 2020, 12:19:29 PM
Almost feels like that's a bigger win for City etc than the CAS decision :(

It'll certainly help the big clubs for sure.

More and more as gridiron and the like. :( Closed league soon?

Quote from: The Larch on June 30, 2020, 07:19:59 PM

The whole team is in shambles lately, and prospects don't seem good.

Another team in shambles lately is Benfica. Collapse after the Covid-19 break, while the situation was not exactly good before (1 point behind Porto only then).
Porto recovered from the worst first League half memory and is champion since yesterday, following a victory 2-0 vs Sporting.

Not a brilliant season, but I'll take it.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 20, 2020, 02:45:57 PM
Massive boondongle in the last game of the Spanish 2nd division. The Deportivo - Fuenlabrada game (the most exciting one of them all, with Deportivo fighting against relegation and Fuenlabrada fighting to enter the promotion playoff) has been called off this afternoon after 6 Fuenlabrada players tested positive for Covid. Now we'll surely have a big legal mess, with other teams claiming that competition has been disturbed (in the last games they're all meant to be played at the same time) and huge question marks about what to do with the promotion playoff that was meant to start next week.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 21, 2020, 04:30:25 PM
And it looks like Fuenlabrada traveled to La Coruña knowing the risk (one of their players tested positive before the trip, and they failed to isolate the rest of the squad as close contacts) in order to avoid the game being forfeit...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 21, 2020, 05:58:02 PM
Quote from: celedhring on July 21, 2020, 04:30:25 PM
And it looks like Fuenlabrada traveled to La Coruña knowing the risk (one of their players tested positive before the trip, and they failed to isolate the rest of the squad as close contacts) in order to avoid the game being forfeit...

And we'll be getting legal action for sure. Deportivo have said that they won't play the game next week as intended unless the whole last set of games is repeated, which the league has already ruled out, so funnily enough they might be the ones who end up forfeiting the match. I've just seen that it has been proposed that next season's Segunda could have 24 teams, in order to "compensate" Deportivo for the whole situation by allowing them to stay in Segunda.  :wacko:

As I heard being reported today, it is extremely ironic that the team that has benefitted the most from all of this, Fuenlabrada, is the one that actually created the mess.

Other ramifications:

- Galician health authorities are now mandating Fuenlabrada to stay quarantined in Coruña for 2 weeks, when they'd be meant to be playing the promotion playoff in the 2nd of August. Fuenlabrada has challenged that saying that league protocols don't mandate quarantine in this situation (they argue that only the people who tested positive have to be quarantined, rather than the whole expedition), but the Galician health authorities have rubbished that, since a private entity's internal protocol can't be softer than the law that has recently been enacted to control covid outbreaks (and this situation falls under it because it is qualified as a full outbreak, since there are more than 3 related cases, and that triggers automatically a series of measures, amongst them the official notification to the government about the situation).
- Moreover, if it is proved that Fuenlabrada knew ahead of travelling that anyone in their party was positive, they could be charged with a crime against public health.
- The Coruña city hall will take the league to court, claiming that the failure of their internal protocol has created a health risk in the city.
- It is not yet known if Elche, which played Fuenlabrada a few days ago, should enter quarantine as well, and they're also in contention for the promotion playoff.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 23, 2020, 06:26:23 AM
Mildy obsessed with this map/data viz:
http://www.cahiersdufootball.net/infographie.php?id_infographie=13
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 23, 2020, 06:42:33 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on July 23, 2020, 06:26:23 AM
Mildy obsessed with this map/data viz:
http://www.cahiersdufootball.net/infographie.php?id_infographie=13
Awesome.
I always wanted to figure out how to do something like that for the UK.  Zero idea on the data scraping skills needed to pull it off though. Twitter scrapes I guess but...clueless
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 23, 2020, 06:45:42 AM
The full article has loads:
http://www.cahiersdufootball.net/article-geographie-des-supporters-francais-7391
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on July 23, 2020, 07:59:15 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on July 23, 2020, 06:26:23 AM
Mildy obsessed with this map/data viz:
http://www.cahiersdufootball.net/infographie.php?id_infographie=13

No one cares about a Grenoble team, lol.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on July 24, 2020, 10:01:52 AM
Messi transfers to Inter. How realistic is that? Is he just leaking the story to get more power in Barca?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 24, 2020, 11:07:09 AM
Quote from: Liep on July 24, 2020, 10:01:52 AM
Messi transfers to Inter. How realistic is that? Is he just leaking the story to get more power in Barca?
I guess if he's towards the end of his career it makes sense to do what Ronaldo did and get a big pay day.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 24, 2020, 11:11:28 AM
Quote from: Tyr on July 24, 2020, 11:07:09 AM
Quote from: Liep on July 24, 2020, 10:01:52 AM
Messi transfers to Inter. How realistic is that? Is he just leaking the story to get more power in Barca?
I guess if he's towards the end of his career it makes sense to do what Ronaldo did and get a big pay day.
Also from everything I've read he is very powerful at Barca but is also kind of tired of the politics especially at the minute - no diea if there's any truth to it, but living the Barca mess at the minute would be exhausting.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on July 24, 2020, 02:07:14 PM
Quote from: Tyr on July 24, 2020, 11:07:09 AM
Quote from: Liep on July 24, 2020, 10:01:52 AM
Messi transfers to Inter. How realistic is that? Is he just leaking the story to get more power in Barca?
I guess if he's towards the end of his career it makes sense to do what Ronaldo did and get a big pay day.

He makes over 20 million euros a year now. The rumor is he'll get about 5-6 million more a year at Inter though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 25, 2020, 02:36:06 AM
He might well leave but I doubt it will be to Inter.

We are a complete mess.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on July 25, 2020, 07:43:31 AM
Quote from: celedhring on July 25, 2020, 02:36:06 AM
He might well leave but I doubt it will be to Inter.

Will Serie A have to wait to regain its 90s/early '00s prominent status then?

Quote
We are a complete mess.

Even if he does not leave, Messi will stop playing eventually. FCB governance will have to be sorted out, sooner or later.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 25, 2020, 07:53:49 AM
The current board cannot run for reelection (not that they would have a chance, they're as popular as Covid-19), so we'll get somebody new next year. That doesn't necessarily mean an improvement.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 26, 2020, 02:08:18 PM
Baines :wub: :weep: :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 30, 2020, 09:46:12 AM
So Newcastle takeover off. Good to know where exactly football would draw the line in terms of dodgy character/countries buying clubs: the infringement of Premier League IP and broadcasting rights :lol: :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on July 30, 2020, 02:19:18 PM
Swiss are investigating Gianni Infantino
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 30, 2020, 04:55:09 PM
Christ. Imagine being so criminal the Swiss notice :o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 01, 2020, 02:00:18 PM
Arteta's Arsenal.  :bowler:

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on August 02, 2020, 02:05:30 AM
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/01/austrian-football-team-sorry-for-9-0-loss-that-saw-opponents-promoted

QuoteAustrian football team sorry for 9-0 loss that saw opponents promoted

Austrian second-tier side Floridsdorfer AC have apologised for a 9-0 defeat which allowed opponents Ried to win promotion on goal difference, but denied that they behaved improperly.

Ried finished top of Austria's Second League above Austria Klagenfurt, who beat Wacker Innsbruck 6-1 in the final matches on Friday. Ried's goal difference was 34 to Klagenfurt's 29. Only the champions are promoted to the top flight.

"Yesterday's defeat at SV Ried still causes us headaches and consternation," Floridsdorfer said in a statement on Saturday. "We are aware that we disappointed many people with yesterday's performance. We would like to apologise on behalf of the entire Floridsdorfer Sports Club for the desolate and unprofessional performance of our team."

However, the statement added: "We vehemently defend ourselves against various accusations that are circulating. In the coming days and weeks, we will intensively analyse and process yesterday's events."

Klagenfurt coach Robert Micheu complained that Floridsdorfer had allowed five players to go on holiday and added: "We scored a goal, then Ried scored again - very interesting."

There was no immediate comment from the Austrian league.

:whistle: :goodboy: :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on August 02, 2020, 11:13:05 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 01, 2020, 02:00:18 PM
Arteta's Arsenal.  :bowler:

Stupid incompetent cheating referee. :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on August 02, 2020, 01:18:06 PM
I just cannot believe a team from Austria would ever collude to help an opponent advance.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on August 02, 2020, 01:47:26 PM
Quote from: Valmy on August 02, 2020, 01:18:06 PM
I just cannot believe a team from Austria would ever collude to help an opponent advance.

^_^
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 03, 2020, 05:40:01 AM
Quote from: Syt on August 02, 2020, 01:47:26 PM
Quote from: Valmy on August 02, 2020, 01:18:06 PM
I just cannot believe a team from Austria would ever collude to help an opponent advance.

^_^

:lol:

In other news, Benfica can't play for shit. Despite playing with one player more than Porto following a two yellows, they lost 1-2 in the Portuguese Cup Final. Two flukes on the Benfica side, which gave two chances converted into goals by the unlikely Chancel Mbemba, a defender .

They will really need Jesus to perform some miracles.
Nor to mention, that's the weakest Porto team in the last 20 years.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 03, 2020, 05:46:54 AM
Quote from: Syt on August 02, 2020, 01:47:26 PM
Quote from: Valmy on August 02, 2020, 01:18:06 PM
I just cannot believe a team from Austria would ever collude to help an opponent advance.

^_^

Is this a reference to the 82 WC?  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on August 03, 2020, 05:49:05 AM
Quote from: celedhring on August 03, 2020, 05:46:54 AM
Quote from: Syt on August 02, 2020, 01:47:26 PM
Quote from: Valmy on August 02, 2020, 01:18:06 PM
I just cannot believe a team from Austria would ever collude to help an opponent advance.

^_^

Is this a reference to the 82 WC?  :lol:

You mean "The Non-Aggression Pact of Gijon" and the reason why afterwards the last group matches were always held in parallel? Nah .....  :P

It was a big change compared to "The Shame of Cordoba 1978" where the already eliminated Austrians beat Germany who therefore also were eliminated.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on August 03, 2020, 05:50:20 AM
I saw that my hero Christian Pulasic was cheated out of a much deserved victory by Arsenal's underhanded tricks in the FA Emirates Cup final.

Is this the thing we talked about before, where every single team in England (just England, right?) plays?

And does anyone care who wins?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 03, 2020, 05:58:32 AM
Its a sad sign of how far the FA Cup has fallen that I didn't even realise the final was on.

What did Arsenal do?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on August 03, 2020, 06:03:25 AM
Quote from: Tyr on August 03, 2020, 05:58:32 AM
What did Arsenal do?

Nothing.  I'm just talking shit.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 03, 2020, 06:08:30 AM
Quote from: Syt on August 03, 2020, 05:49:05 AM
You mean "The Non-Aggression Pact of Gijon" and the reason why afterwards the last group matches were always held in parallel? Nah .....  :P


I have seen it called the Second Anschluss  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 03, 2020, 06:09:59 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 03, 2020, 05:50:20 AM
Is this the thing we talked about before, where every single team in England (just England, right?) plays?
Yep.

QuoteAnd does anyone care who wins?
It used to be the most important competition in England. I'd say it still matters - it's a little club specific (e.g. Liverpool would want to win the League more than anything, Man City probably want to win the Champions League more than anything).

But roughly it's - League, FA Cup, League Cup, the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, the various "team of the season" by various newspapers and, finally, the Community Shield :)

QuoteIts a sad sign of how far the FA Cup has fallen that I didn't even realise the final was on.
Although I think that's severely impacted by the weirdness of this year and timing (also it was on quite late for some reason). It's one of those things where, because it was out of it's normal sort of slot and I don't watch live TV so don't see adverts, I'd totally forgotten until I got a WhatsApp from a friend.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 03, 2020, 06:12:59 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 03, 2020, 05:50:20 AM
I saw that my hero Christian Pulasic was cheated out of a much deserved victory by Arsenal's underhanded tricks in the FA Emirates Cup final.

Is this the thing we talked about before, where every single team in England (just England, right?) plays?

And does anyone care who wins?

If he's your hero you should probably learn to spell his name correctly.  :P

And yeah, the FA Cup is the one played by English teams, not every single one, but lots of them (the record seems to be on 763). And whoever wins is important, yes. The Carabao Cup this is not.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on August 03, 2020, 06:13:20 AM
Quote from: celedhring on August 03, 2020, 06:08:30 AM
Quote from: Syt on August 03, 2020, 05:49:05 AM
You mean "The Non-Aggression Pact of Gijon" and the reason why afterwards the last group matches were always held in parallel? Nah .....  :P


I have seen it called the Second Anschluss  :lol:

10 or so years back, a Austro-German comedy duo had a skit where they commentated bits of the Cordoba match as expats "who have been living in Argentina since 1945". They treated it as training game, as "there's only one country's team on the pitch." Or, "Referee: a certain Abraham Klein from Israel - no further comment required."

The bit, in unfortunately horrendous quality, and in German: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rlUhjfqvNQ

They have a history of making fun of the extreme right and nazi fanbois.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 03, 2020, 06:14:26 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on July 30, 2020, 09:46:12 AM
So Newcastle takeover off. Good to know where exactly football would draw the line in terms of dodgy character/countries buying clubs: the infringement of Premier League IP and broadcasting rights :lol: :weep:

Its amazing how entitled some of them can be with their wailing about this being the end of Newcastle. Most teams would kill for Ashley as an owner.

A Sunderland fanzine sums it up:
https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2020/8/2/21350805/dear-newcastle-fans-you-lot-dont-know-youre-born?fbclid=IwAR2iiRyN4bPHfZlwC45TbjDrNktzjZhDuKQs1saRj-sNiV8D8NCKfWtPdeg

A Newcastle Utd fanzine responds in a way which does nothing but validate everything the Sunderland one said:
https://cominghomenewcastle.sbnation.com/platform/amp/2020/8/2/21351499/dear-sunderland-fans-newcastle-takeover-bid

QuoteIt used to be the most important competition in England. I'd say it still matters - it's a little club specific (e.g. Liverpool would want to win the League more than anything, Man City probably want to win the Champions League more than anything).

But roughly it's - League, FA Cup, League Cup, the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, the various "team of the season" by various newspapers and, finally, the Community Shield :)
What makes me sad is a fair number of foreigners I've met have this idea that it still is some big important thing.
I feel like the UK has a habit of disapointing you the more you learn about it.

QuoteAlthough I think that's severely impacted by the weirdness of this year and timing (also it was on quite late for some reason). It's one of those things where, because it was out of it's normal sort of slot and I don't watch live TV so don't see adverts, I'd totally forgotten until I got a WhatsApp from a friend.
True the timing doesn't help. The excitement of football being back has gone and the league has been won for some time so interest has waned.
Though even in more normal recent years I've had a habit of not noticing the FA Cup final. I remember how awesome it used to be, with "We're in the final!" songs being mandatory.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on August 03, 2020, 06:27:27 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 03, 2020, 06:12:59 AM
If he's your hero you should probably learn to spell his name correctly.  :P

:face:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 03, 2020, 08:37:38 AM
Winning the FA Cup means a lot to Arsenal fans after the shitshow season the team has had.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 03, 2020, 09:30:53 AM
Quote from: Tyr on August 03, 2020, 05:58:32 AM
Its a sad sign of how far the FA Cup has fallen that I didn't even realise the final was on.

What did Arsenal do?

FA Cup hasn't fallen. I forgot it was on too, but that's just because of what a fucked up year this has been. I don't associate August with FA Cup finals.
Somebody mentioned Champions League games are on this week. Really?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on August 03, 2020, 09:33:26 AM
Yes, Friday & Saturday.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 03, 2020, 09:42:56 AM
Quote from: Josephus on August 03, 2020, 09:30:53 AM
Somebody mentioned Champions League games are on this week. Really?
Yeah - as a weird mini-tournament.

The big aim is to have everyone finish the league as normal next year so the Euros can go ahead, but if the situation isn't much better I can't see the multi-city/country tournament that UEFA devised would work. And I'm not even sure how internationals will happen given all of the different safety protocols in different leagues across Europe :hmm:

I mean I think Serie A, Bundesliga and the Premier League are probably all interoperable given that they've safely returned. But the league in France and I think the Netherlands cancelled. I don't know about the league in Russia. But if you have players in lots of different teams following lots of different rules it feels like it'll be a nightmare - maybe need a UEFA/national team bubble for two-three weeks ahead of the tournament? :mellow:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 03, 2020, 02:52:32 PM
The different format of the euros seems like it could be an advantage to me. The whole thing could work like standard cup qualifiers, spread out over a long time scale. It isn't planned as a single big local event so it seems in a way easier when you're just dealing with a few games per stadium.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 03, 2020, 06:22:12 PM
Quote from: Tyr on August 03, 2020, 02:52:32 PM
The different format of the euros seems like it could be an advantage to me. The whole thing could work like standard cup qualifiers, spread out over a long time scale. It isn't planned as a single big local event so it seems in a way easier when you're just dealing with a few games per stadium.
I don't know - I mean UEFA have organised all of the Champions League to take place over a couple of weeks in Lisbon and it feels easier to control a limited number of stadiums rather than 12 in 11 different countries. Especially given the group stages so are played in like Russia and Denmark, Romania and the Netherlands, Dublin and Bilbao. It just feels like moving entire media teams for the group nations, the ops teams from UEFA, the teams, coaches, medical staff etc across Europe just might not be a great idea.

Also saw today that the FA have amended the rules so deliberately coughing on another player (or match official) is a straight red plus disciplinary procedures.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 04, 2020, 06:30:47 AM
You guys think the 5-sub rule is here to stay? I know they've extended it for next season. Not sure I can see them going back now. Thoughts?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 04, 2020, 06:35:54 AM
Quote from: Josephus on August 04, 2020, 06:30:47 AM
You guys think the 5-sub rule is here to stay? I know they've extended it for next season. Not sure I can see them going back now. Thoughts?

I fear it is, this kind of rule changes rarely go back once they're in place.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 04, 2020, 06:51:12 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 04, 2020, 06:35:54 AM
Quote from: Josephus on August 04, 2020, 06:30:47 AM
You guys think the 5-sub rule is here to stay? I know they've extended it for next season. Not sure I can see them going back now. Thoughts?

I fear it is, this kind of rule changes rarely go back once they're in place.
Yeah.

Flipside is I think it's not been authorised in England for the PL and from my understanding it is the different leagues who decide on this - but I could be wrong. And I can't see much incentive for most of the clubs to back a change that probably just gives an(other) advantage to the richest teams.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 04, 2020, 06:56:08 AM
More chances to develop youngsters in FM, though!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 04, 2020, 11:01:05 AM
Quote from: celedhring on August 04, 2020, 06:56:08 AM
More chances to develop youngsters in FM, though!

Which they'd implement this in the current edition in a patch :mad:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 06, 2020, 08:14:13 AM
So the Premier League have voted against continuing the five sub rule.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 07, 2020, 02:36:24 PM
I quite like end of domestic seasons, then Champions League/Europa knock-outs :mellow: :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 08, 2020, 03:17:15 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 07, 2020, 02:36:24 PM
I quite like end of domestic seasons, then Champions League/Europa knock-outs :mellow: :hmm:

Feels like yank sports.

Definitely don't like the single game format for the CL though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 08, 2020, 06:20:07 AM
We all have to make sacrifices for the greater cause of Football.

Like the 55 Arsenal staff and scouts that they let go because I guess they're redundant now that Arsenal get all their players through Raul and Kia :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 08, 2020, 08:59:42 AM
Sarri out, following Juve's elimination of the Champions' League. That first half of that game in Lyon, corona virus super-spreader event aside, sealed his fate, despite the subsequent 2-1 victory in Turin.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 08, 2020, 09:35:59 AM
Besides Varane's howlers, City was a cut above Madrid in fitness yesterday. I think that whoever has managed this weird schedule the best will ultimately win the CL.

It's not going to be us, that's for sure.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 08, 2020, 10:27:33 AM
City were really excellent at actually just controlling the game, especially the second half, and just keeping Madir at arm's length.

I wonder if it's a benefit or a hindrance for the French teams that they've not played any football in 5 months compared to the English, Italian, Spanish and German teams?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 08, 2020, 10:30:04 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 08, 2020, 10:27:33 AM
City were really excellent at actually just controlling the game, especially the second half, and just keeping Madir at arm's length.

I wonder if it's a benefit or a hindrance for the French teams that they've not played any football in 5 months compared to the English, Italian, Spanish and German teams?

They were on top of Real Madrid whenever they tried to get the ball out. They snuffed them out completely. I think fitness will play a big role.

Dunno about the French teams, I'd say it's a hindrance but then again the league schedules have been super-crazy with games every 2 days, and it probably has taken a toll on those who have had their leagues completed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 08, 2020, 10:48:01 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 08, 2020, 10:27:33 AM
City were really excellent at actually just controlling the game, especially the second half, and just keeping Madir at arm's length.

I wonder if it's a benefit or a hindrance for the French teams that they've not played any football in 5 months compared to the English, Italian, Spanish and German teams?

PSG played two cup finals so it was not as bad as Lyon. OTOH, the Juve schedule did not help but their uninspired game and Dybala's injury are a better explanation.
It's not a great Lyon side, when the league was ended, they were 7th, their worst ranking in 20 years or more.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 12, 2020, 03:53:33 PM
Gutting :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 12, 2020, 04:23:22 PM
If anyone knows ought about German football I'm curious about something- why did Red Bull have to buy Markranstadt's license if Markranstadt was then able to still play anyway from the next league down?
Some hijinks with the authorities refusing to sell Red Bull a fresh license whilst they decided not to be so hard on Markranstadt replacing theirs?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 14, 2020, 02:43:40 PM
Ouch. There's no way Setien gets to keep his job after this massacre.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 14, 2020, 03:04:03 PM
Quote from: Liep on August 14, 2020, 02:43:40 PM
Ouch. There's no way Setien gets to keep his job after this massacre.

Silver lining I guess. Although he isn't the only problem.

I turned off the second half  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 14, 2020, 03:06:34 PM
Glad to see you posting, cel, I was getting worried about your wellbeing.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 14, 2020, 03:16:48 PM
Quote from: Liep on August 14, 2020, 02:43:40 PM
Ouch. There's no way Setien gets to keep his job after this massacre.

It's not really (or only) his fault, Barcelona has been extremely mismanaged by its board during the last few seasons. The Bartomeu era is really not going to be remembered fondly.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 14, 2020, 03:22:40 PM
Semedo during that goal reminds me of that clip where Messi puts a Bayern defender on his ass.

Ouch.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 14, 2020, 03:28:56 PM
Quote from: The Larch on August 14, 2020, 03:16:48 PM
Quote from: Liep on August 14, 2020, 02:43:40 PM
Ouch. There's no way Setien gets to keep his job after this massacre.

It's not really (or only) his fault, Barcelona has been extremely mismanaged by its board during the last few seasons. The Bartomeu era is really not going to be remembered fondly.

Yeah, can't blame him for this season. He has seemed pretty helpless in the Messi v. Bartomeu thing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 14, 2020, 03:29:22 PM
Somebody forgot to tell Barça that no remontada was possible in the second leg, for obvious reasons.  :P

Incidentally, there was a mini-remontada in the previous game as Atatalanta lead by 1-0 until the 89th minutes. Then two goals in stoppage time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 14, 2020, 03:39:37 PM
This is sad. Even if that 6th goal was offside.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 14, 2020, 03:40:40 PM
(https://media.tenor.com/images/a53dc07bf0a6f8822f16c0760299f915/tenor.gif)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 14, 2020, 03:42:58 PM
This is worse that Germany - Brazil
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 14, 2020, 03:45:28 PM
Shouldn't Bayern's coach call on his team to not humiliate their opponents?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 14, 2020, 03:46:35 PM
I hope celed went to bed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 14, 2020, 03:48:13 PM
Great thing of alcohol is that it works either you win or you lose like this.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 14, 2020, 03:51:07 PM
Christ :blink:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on August 14, 2020, 03:51:17 PM
Yikes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 14, 2020, 04:36:49 PM
Quote from: celedhring on August 14, 2020, 03:48:13 PM
Great thing of alcohol is that it works either you win or you lose like this.
That's drink or lose, booze!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 14, 2020, 06:48:52 PM
Oh hey I heard Barca and Bayern played today I'll just go check the sc-

:lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 15, 2020, 07:25:09 AM
Commentator was saying this "marks the end of an era."

I think this concludes what has been a fairly rapid decline. I wonder if Messi sees out the end of his contract there.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Monoriu on August 15, 2020, 10:31:34 AM
I think the Barcelona squad is just too old.  They need new blood.  Messi is like 33. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on August 15, 2020, 12:54:03 PM
Quote from: Monoriu on August 15, 2020, 10:31:34 AM
I think the Barcelona squad is just too old.  They need new blood.  Messi is like 33. 

Mono saying the status quo should be pushed aside? :o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 15, 2020, 01:29:03 PM
Quote from: Valmy on August 15, 2020, 12:54:03 PM
Quote from: Monoriu on August 15, 2020, 10:31:34 AM
I think the Barcelona squad is just too old.  They need new blood.  Messi is like 33. 

Mono saying the status quo should be pushed aside? :o

Status quo in this case is a strong Barça side, with or without Messi.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 15, 2020, 03:05:21 PM
Lyon leading 1-0 at halftime vs Man City. Not the first time in recent years Man City would be defeated by Lyon, but still, so far, quite an upset.  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 15, 2020, 03:37:34 PM
1-1 by KDB, at the 75th minute.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 15, 2020, 03:46:07 PM
3-1 to Lyon moments after Sterling misses the biggest chance of the season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 15, 2020, 03:51:17 PM
Two great days of foot in a row, it must be said.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 15, 2020, 03:53:49 PM
Two French clubs in CL semi-finals... Well, Lyon only needs to win the CL to play it next year.  :P
Which makes the performance even more impressive.

PS: vs 2 German clubs...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 15, 2020, 03:58:04 PM
Last time Lyon reached semi-finals was 10 years ago, after beating a French club  :P, they were subsequently beaten by Bayern. 
They will meet again. Seems difficult given the thrashing Bayern delivered to Barça. :hmm:

PS : No Messi, nor Ronaldo, in CL semi-finals for the first time since 2006. "Marks the end of an era" indeed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on August 16, 2020, 12:59:29 PM
Does Barcalounger have any Catalan-favoring personnel policies, similar to that one Basque team?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 16, 2020, 01:01:21 PM
Nope, it's no Athletic/Atlético Bilbao.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 18, 2020, 04:26:43 PM
PSG won 3-0 against Rasen Ball Sport Leipzig in Lisbon , so first CL ever for PSG vs the winner of Lyon-Bayern.
25 years after their first and only, till this year, semi-final.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 19, 2020, 02:05:48 PM
Well, Lyon almost scored on a counter by Depay. Good intervention by Neuer though, not so good defending by Bayern.
Game has started well. :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 19, 2020, 02:09:59 PM
An all French final would be a huge surprise. I must support Lyon though Bayern probably have the better chance of beating PSG, who must lose.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 19, 2020, 02:12:01 PM
Quote from: Tyr on August 19, 2020, 02:09:59 PM
An all French final would be a huge surprise. I must support Lyon though Bayern probably have the better chance of beating PSG, who must lose.
Yeah I just want PSG to lose now. Although I would also take very real pleasure in a delighted Muller and a bereft Neymar :ph34r:  :blush:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on August 19, 2020, 02:13:01 PM
What's wrong with Perdre Sans Gloire?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 19, 2020, 02:18:43 PM
Quote from: Valmy on August 19, 2020, 02:13:01 PM
What's wrong with Perdre Sans Gloire?

:lol:

That one has to be really old since I don't even remember reading or hearing it...
It's QSG now (Qatar Saint Germain).

Another great opportunity for Lyon, with a post hit for good measure, and then Bayern scores subsequently, with a terrific shot.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on August 19, 2020, 02:19:24 PM
My French cultural references are all from the 1990s  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 19, 2020, 02:20:27 PM
Quote from: Valmy on August 19, 2020, 02:19:24 PM
My French cultural references are all from the 1990s  :P

Has to be older, I don't remember it back then.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on August 19, 2020, 02:22:05 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on August 19, 2020, 02:20:27 PM
Quote from: Valmy on August 19, 2020, 02:19:24 PM
My French cultural references are all from the 1990s  :P

Has to be older, I don't remember it back then.

I mean the club isn't even all that old. But I heard it around Nice when I was there in the summer of 1998. I thought it was cute and I was proud of myself for understanding a lame sports joke in a different language :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 19, 2020, 02:26:18 PM
Quote from: Valmy on August 19, 2020, 02:22:05 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on August 19, 2020, 02:20:27 PM
Quote from: Valmy on August 19, 2020, 02:19:24 PM
My French cultural references are all from the 1990s  :P

Has to be older, I don't remember it back then.

I mean the club isn't even all that old. But I heard it around Nice when I was there in the summer of 1998. I thought it was cute and I was proud of myself for understanding a lame sports joke in a different language :P

Club was born in the 1970's.
From an OGC Nice fan in their then decrepit stadium? Takes one to know.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 19, 2020, 02:27:50 PM
The first 20 minutes were difficult for Bayern with two great chances against them, but their great goal has unsurprisingly changed the game flow.
Iron law of football etc.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on August 19, 2020, 02:30:34 PM
I was also born in the 70s and I am not that old either  :mad:

:P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 19, 2020, 02:34:41 PM
Besides, until the QSG period  :P, the '90s were the best time for PSG.

2-0 for Bayern now. Bayern does not squander chances, unlike Lyon in the first 17-18 minutes or so.

PS: if PSG or Bayern win the CL, Porto gets to be seeded in pot 1.  :P
Give this disastrous European season, it's no small gift.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 19, 2020, 03:16:20 PM
It seems like Lyon doesn't want to lose to PSG in the final.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 19, 2020, 03:22:05 PM
Quote from: Liep on August 19, 2020, 03:16:20 PM
It seems like Lyon doesn't want to lose to PSG in the final.

It would be only the third time of the season.  :hmm:
All right, last one, Cup final, was on penalties.

A tweet from Jean-Marie Le Pen about this game:

Context: yesterday the PSG victory was followed by some rioting on the Champs-Élysées, as during the WC in 2018 for instance. Not to mention no social distancing.
QuoteIl n'y a qu'un seul qui puisse empêcher les débordements joyeux dimanche : c'est le Bayern Munich, s'il gagne.
https://twitter.com/lepenjm/status/1296162909593231362?s=20 (https://twitter.com/lepenjm/status/1296162909593231362?s=20)

Judging by the EURO 2016 Final, this may not be enough.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 19, 2020, 03:41:30 PM
Third Bayern goal was offside, or so the referee decided.

PS:
QuoteOn aurait tellement aimé que le scénario fût différent...

Imperfect subjunctive (literary tense) used  by a French commentator during the game. Does not happen often on TV, even less so for sport commenting, though fût is probably one of the most commonly used, as in not too rare.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 19, 2020, 03:47:15 PM
And a Lewandowski header goal to finish. Bayern 3 Lyon 0
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on August 19, 2020, 08:15:50 PM
How do you guys feel about the piped in crowd noise?

Works for me up the point the camera pans up.  Too weird then.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 19, 2020, 11:24:05 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 19, 2020, 08:15:50 PM
How do you guys feel about the piped in crowd noise?

Works for me up the point the camera pans up.  Too weird then.

I prefer it. Without it it feels too much like lower league football where you can hear every ball contact and player shout.

La Liga's fake crowd overlay was good, kinda like FIFA anno 2010. It looked crapped when focused on but worked to cover the empty seats.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 20, 2020, 02:26:02 AM
Quote from: Liep on August 19, 2020, 11:24:05 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 19, 2020, 08:15:50 PM
How do you guys feel about the piped in crowd noise?

Works for me up the point the camera pans up.  Too weird then.

I prefer it. Without it it feels too much like lower league football where you can hear every ball contact and player shout.


I actually like the lower league football vibe. Used to happen only when a game was played behind closed doors due to hooliganism.
I guess when you are not paying too much attention to what is on screen, as in multitasking and not trying to recognize the chants, the piped in crowd noise does not sound too fake.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 20, 2020, 04:55:15 AM
Spain's national team's call up for the next two international games (Germany and Ukraine) has gone up and there are LOTS of young new players on it (I've even had to look up who a couple of them were  :lol: ), with very few veterans remaining. Glad to see that they're finally taking generational renewal seriously.

Also a positive sign of the times, I believe this is the first time in which two players of African background (Adama Traoré and Ansu Fati) have been called up to the team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 20, 2020, 05:09:15 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 19, 2020, 08:15:50 PM
How do you guys feel about the piped in crowd noise?

Works for me up the point the camera pans up.  Too weird then.
I change around with it.

I thought it'd be interesting to hear managers actually sort of coaching through a game. I was disabused of this when I heard Steve Bruce shout "for fuck's sake!" the third time when someone miscontrolled a ball :lol:

I wonder if it'll stay for good. We've got empty stadiums then in October the government is planning to hopefully allow some fans back into the stadiums (I think at 1/3 capacity with lots of other rules), I can imagine the producers using the crowd noise to augment the semi-empty stadiums. And I wouldn't be surprised if even once we're back to full stadiums if the producers don't keep it as an enhancement to amp up the atmosphere.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 20, 2020, 05:55:50 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 19, 2020, 08:15:50 PM
How do you guys feel about the piped in crowd noise?

Works for me up the point the camera pans up.  Too weird then.

I watch most games these days on DAZN, and it offers a sound off option; which i tend to prefer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 20, 2020, 06:53:27 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 20, 2020, 04:55:15 AM
Also a positive sign of the times, I believe this is the first time in which two players of African background (Adama Traoré and Ansu Fati) have been called up to the team.

Wait, wait... A Celta fan has forgotten Vicente Engonga?  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 20, 2020, 06:55:47 AM
Quote from: celedhring on August 20, 2020, 06:53:27 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 20, 2020, 04:55:15 AM
Also a positive sign of the times, I believe this is the first time in which two players of African background (Adama Traoré and Ansu Fati) have been called up to the team.

Wait, wait... A Celta fan has forgotten Vicente Engonga?  :(

I said two, there have been several ocasions in which one player of African background, like Engonga, was called up.  ;)

Munir and Iñaki Williams come to mind, for instance.  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 20, 2020, 06:58:35 AM
Ok, I understood you meant it as "first ever"
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 20, 2020, 07:14:21 AM
Quote from: celedhring on August 20, 2020, 06:58:35 AM
Ok, I understood you meant it as "first ever"

Nah, as I said it's been a short while since Spanish players of African descent have been called up, although none have been featured consistently. I believe both Munir and Williams have only 1 cap each, and at least on Munir's case it was promted by him being tempted by Morocco to switch international allegiance, and him picking Spain ended up being the wrong choice. If he had switched to Morocco I guess he'd have way more chances to play internationally.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 20, 2020, 07:35:53 AM
I suspect Traoré's callup is for the same reason. He was already hinting that he'd switch to Mali early in the year IIRC.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 20, 2020, 07:42:35 AM
Quote from: celedhring on August 20, 2020, 07:35:53 AM
I suspect Traoré's callup is for the same reason. He was already hinting that he'd switch to Mali early in the year IIRC.

Yeah, I believe he started the process to switch to Mali last year and only stopped it after being called up late in the year, although he had to withdraw from the team due to injury and is yet uncapped at senior level (although he has played for every U-XX team there is).

I think I read that if he played for Mali he'd be the third player called Adama Traoré in the squad. :lol: And to add insult to injury, the other two Adama Traorés play for the same French team (although one of them is currently away on loan, and the other one is actually a loanee there).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 20, 2020, 07:50:49 AM
I wonder how they'd distinguish them if there's no middle names or such. A, B, C?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 20, 2020, 07:52:07 AM
Quote from: Tyr on August 20, 2020, 07:50:49 AM
I wonder how they'd distinguish them if there's no middle names or such. A, B, C?

In the wiki page they're called Adama Traoré I and Adama Traoré II.

Back in the day (80s and 90s), Sporting Gijón had two brothers playing for them with similar first names, and they were also diferentiated with Roman numerals, with the older one getting the I and the younger the II. Funnily enough, the younger brother was the better player and even played for the Spanish national team (without numerals there).

Edit: Found their Panini stickers!  :lol:

(https://www.cihefe.es/cuadernosdefutbol/wp-content/upLoads/2017/01/Hermanos20.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 21, 2020, 12:21:21 PM
Le Monde says Macron (a declared as such OM fan) intervened in this highly important and sensitive matter.  :P

https://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2020/08/21/quand-l-elysee-intervient-contre-un-arrete-interdisant-le-port-du-maillot-du-psg-a-marseille_6049570_823448.html (https://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2020/08/21/quand-l-elysee-intervient-contre-un-arrete-interdisant-le-port-du-maillot-du-psg-a-marseille_6049570_823448.html)

QuotePSG anti-jersey decree finally repealed in Marseille

Parisian jerseys will not be banned in Marseille this Sunday during the Champions League final. Incidents were observed on Tuesday during the semi-final between PSG and Leipzig in Marseille had prompted local authorities to react. Indeed, this Thursday, the prefecture of Bouches-du-Rhône decided to sign a decree which prohibits the wearing of the Parisian jersey on the Canebière on Sunday on the occasion of the final of the Champions League.

Ban on wearing a PSG jersey in Marseille on Sunday

In everyday life, the text also prohibits "to display the colors of PSG" in any way and aims to avoid any overflow and "disturbance of public order" while no information has filtered out on possible gatherings. But finally, this Friday, the police headquarters decided to repeal this decision, in the face of numerous disputes on the web, and is explained in a press release.

"The sole purpose of this decree was to protect Parisian supporters, and in no way aimed to restrict freedom of movement. Following the assault of two people, one of whom was wearing the Paris Saint-Germain jersey, on the sidelines of the semi-final, it aimed to prevent Parisian supporters from being too easily identified and targeted ", in particular indicated the police headquarters in its press release.

Sonny Anderson: "I think PSG are better armed than Bayern"

"Faced with the incomprehension caused by this decree, the prefect of police decided today to repeal it. He urges the Parisian supporters who will attend broadcasts of the final in Marseille not to wear ostentatious signs in the public space and to exercise moderation in their eventual celebrations so as not to be taken to task", concluded the police chief of Bouches-du-Rhône.

On Tuesday, groups of OM supporters marched through the streets of Marseille, chanting hostile chants towards the Parisian club. PSG supporters had even been taken to task in the streets of Marseille, leading to an arrest. If the ban is lifted, PSG supporters in Marseille must still exercise caution and keep a low profile will surely be advised.

https://www.time24.news/2020/08/psg-anti-jersey-decree-finally-repealed-in-marseille.html (https://www.time24.news/2020/08/psg-anti-jersey-decree-finally-repealed-in-marseille.html)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 23, 2020, 03:01:05 PM
God what I wouldn't give for an Italian team/coach to have made it this far :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 23, 2020, 03:54:50 PM
:w00t:  :cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 23, 2020, 03:57:29 PM
Fun game with the correct winners.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 23, 2020, 04:06:45 PM
Iron Law of Football: PSG squandered too many chances and could have even got a penalty against them just before half-time. Neymar and Mbappé on a bad day or Neuer very good again.
The veterans would perhaps compare this final to the Saint-Étienne v Bayern final in Glasgow in 1976 (without square posts). Same result for Bayern but a much different time.

PS: hopefully no riots on the Champs-Élysées tonight.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on August 23, 2020, 05:42:50 PM
I wonder if they play different crowd noises depending on who scores.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 24, 2020, 02:11:44 AM
Speaking of who scores, Kingsley Coman, yesterday's scorer, was scouted and trained by PSG and started there his pro career. Refused a contract in 2014, then moved to Juventus, and after to Bayern.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 24, 2020, 04:19:26 AM
I completely forgot it was last night :blush:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on August 24, 2020, 09:08:34 PM
Alphonso Davies from Edmonton (well originally from Liberia, then Ghana) who played youth soccer here is getting an impressive amount of local coverage for winning the Champions League. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 24, 2020, 09:51:00 PM
Davies is insanely good and made headlines when he clowned on Barcelona when they demolished them 8-2.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on August 25, 2020, 08:09:16 AM
Quote from: Barrister on August 24, 2020, 09:08:34 PM
Alphonso Davies from Edmonton (well originally from Liberia, then Ghana) who played youth soccer here is getting an impressive amount of local coverage for winning the Champions League. :thumbsup:

Really a success story for Edmonton's youth program.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 25, 2020, 01:51:04 PM
Messi told Barcelona he wants to leave on a free transfer via a fax.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 25, 2020, 01:55:50 PM
How deliciously retro.
Though I remember not long ago, a player whose transfer failed due to fax confirmation being sent 14 seconds too late.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on August 25, 2020, 01:58:39 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 25, 2020, 01:51:04 PM
Messi told Barcelona he wants to leave on a free transfer via a fax.  :lol:

Was the pony express out of order?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 25, 2020, 02:02:00 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 25, 2020, 01:51:04 PM
Messi told Barcelona he wants to leave on a free transfer via a fax.  :lol:
:lol:

I thought only Japanese businessmen still used fax.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 25, 2020, 02:33:24 PM
He has a year left on his contract and apparently his option to leave on a free ran out June 10th. But I hope he leaves and that we'll get to see him playing in a different league.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 25, 2020, 02:41:54 PM
Quote from: Liep on August 25, 2020, 02:33:24 PM
He has a year left on his contract and apparently his option to leave on a free ran out June 10th. But I hope he leaves and that we'll get to see him playing in a different league.
From what I've seen - and no idea if this is true or nonsense - it depends on when the season "ends". Barca's view: June, Messi's view: August.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 25, 2020, 03:25:25 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on August 25, 2020, 01:55:50 PM
How deliciously retro.

It's most probably a legal requirement, it's meant to be a notarized fax message or somesuch, that is supposed to carry legal weight.

QuoteThough I remember not long ago, a player whose transfer failed due to fax confirmation being sent 14 seconds too late.  :P

IIRC that was Real Madrid trying to sign Kepa from Athletic Bilbao on the last day of the transfer window.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 28, 2020, 08:45:40 AM
Champions' League preliminary rounds already started and some – formerly – big names are at risk or already fell.
Namely Celtic Glasgow, which caused some of its fans to joyfully despair:

Quote"It's only 4 days since Bayern Munich won last season's Champions League, and Celtic are already out of this season's."

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 29, 2020, 02:30:04 PM
This Messi vs. Bartomeu is going to be a mess, right? Barca's board is actually making me cheer for City... :huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 29, 2020, 02:56:35 PM
Quote from: Liep on August 29, 2020, 02:30:04 PM
This Messi vs. Bartomeu is going to be a mess, right? Barca's board is actually making me cheer for City... :huh:

It is already a mess.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 29, 2020, 03:03:28 PM
Time for Barcelona to burn the last of their cred as "the friendly giant"?

Really seem to be heading sharply down in recent years from the glory days of non sponsorship
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 29, 2020, 04:00:22 PM
Friendly giant?  :huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 29, 2020, 04:03:39 PM
Quote from: The Larch on August 29, 2020, 04:00:22 PM
Friendly giant?  :huh:
I think common view outside of Spain for a while - as Tyr says non-sponsorship, the whole more than a club thing, plus the players they had and the style they played.

Certainly compared to the other European giants, Barcelona seemed wholesome.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 29, 2020, 08:03:02 PM
I must say, it is really nice to see Arsenal raise silverware yet again :bowler:

*Even if it's a glorified friendly
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 29, 2020, 08:26:32 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 29, 2020, 04:03:39 PM
Quote from: The Larch on August 29, 2020, 04:00:22 PM
Friendly giant?  :huh:
I think common view outside of Spain for a while - as Tyr says non-sponsorship, the whole more than a club thing, plus the players they had and the style they played.

I'd say that's quite a superficial and naive perception, not to say very very partial. Few things made Barcelona stand out as a "good club", the no sponsor/UNICEF sponsor is long gone, the "more than a club" thing has taken a controversially political tinge lately with the rise of Catalan separatism, the players were awesome on the field but away from it many have acquired shadier sides over time (Xavi shilling like crazy for Qatar, or the fact that none of them seem to know what paying taxes means, only Iniesta has retained an unblemished reputation), and the style was indeed wonderful but has also become an obsession and a bit of a straightjacket for any kind of evolution (the moment a Barça coach makes players kick long passes you can picture journos opening their papers the next day claiming that Cruyff is rolling in his grave).

QuoteCertainly compared to the other European giants, Barcelona seemed wholesome.

I guess that the self-righteousness didn't quite translate.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 29, 2020, 08:43:34 PM
Agree it's very partial and very superficial.

I also don't think Spanish attitudes to separatism translate elsewhere - I know from a UK perspective it's very alien - so that side of Barcelona isn't generally that controversial outside of Spain I don't think. And there's a very simplistic Real = Franco, Bilbao and Barca = anti-Franco (people overseas also love Bilbao). And again I think Spanish attitudes to Franco are probably more nuanced than for people overseas.

The tax thing has probably not cut through here because that just seems to be a thing of no-one in Spanish football was paying tax for a while - eg Ancelotti and Ronaldo and others. So I think people just kind of take it as a picturesque element of Spanish football :lol:

Totally agree on the hypocrisy with Xavi not just playing in Qatar but actively shilling for Qatar too. I'd also note Guardiola who is political and wore the yellow ribbon kicking off when asked about Abu Dhabi's human rights record. And I hink there's a strong view here you can't really have it both ways. You can't use your platform to make political statements and then say it's ridiculous to be asked questions about the state that owns the team you work for (similarly I find Arsenal's commitment to BLM admirable, but quite at odds with the two autocratic regimes on their shirt and the way they disowned Ozil after his statement - "Arsenal does not make political comments" or something similar).

Also agree on the style as straitjacket. I definitely think from within Spanish football it is far more nuanced, but I think that from outside Spain, Barca have had a very good brand and PR exercises. It might be superficial but I think it was quite strong (and always helped by playing incredibly - I think the attention on the other faults probably increased as the football faults have grown). I'm just glad that, as you say, Iniesta remains untarnished :wub:

QuoteI guess that the self-righteousness didn't quite translate.  :P
:lol: Fair. But you know I feel like it's not hard to be likeable option if you're competing against Madrid, Juve, Man City, PSG etc.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 30, 2020, 03:58:33 AM
I'm actually quite familiar with Barça's marketing operation and it's very slick and of course calculated and hypocritical. If only the sports side was as well run as the marketing side...  :hmm:

And I'm a playing style mujahdeen, incidentally.  :mad:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on August 30, 2020, 05:09:33 AM
Barca is also lucky because the counterpoint to compare against is Real Madrid, a disgusting POS operation and team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 30, 2020, 08:47:33 AM
Quote from: Tamas on August 30, 2020, 05:09:33 AM
Barca is also lucky because the counterpoint to compare against is Real Madrid, a disgusting POS operation and team.
I mean even Madrid is starting to be sympathetic in the age of state-owned football clubs :lol:

QuoteI'm actually quite familiar with Barça's marketing operation and it's very slick and of course calculated and hypocritical. If only the sports side was as well run as the marketing side...  :hmm:
Yeah. As an Everton fan my memory of Ronald Koeman is not great :console:

We're still recovering from a lot of the mistakes he made (we can't shift players he brought in for a lot of money) and from everything I've heard he is the worst man manager I've ever heard. Some of it, in my view, was borderline workplace bullying. I've no doubt he'd just say he was being Dutch so just telling people things directly but.....yeeesh :ph34r:

So good luck for now :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 30, 2020, 08:54:03 AM
His tenure at Valencia was also dreadful. He's only been signed because he's beloved by fans and the board thought it might calm things down.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 30, 2020, 08:58:39 AM
Quote from: celedhring on August 30, 2020, 08:54:03 AM
His tenure at Valencia was also dreadful. He's only been signed because he's beloved by fans and the board thought it might calm things down.
I mean I think he's done quite well at the Dutch national team where, presumably, he gave a shit. And he definitely gives a shit about Barcelona. So maybe he'll be okay.

But, yeah, I'd say he's the worst recent manager we've had - and we've had Sam Allardyce :lol: :ph34r:

I also feel that if you'd told me Roberto Martinez would be managing Belgium, his replacement would now be managing Barcelona and now Everton were being managed by Carlo Ancelotti - I would assume good things had happened. But here we are :lol: :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 30, 2020, 09:08:37 AM
Hindisght 20/20 and all that, but Ancelotti is a terrible fit for Everton. You won't go anywhere with him.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 30, 2020, 12:30:36 PM
Quote from: celedhring on August 30, 2020, 08:54:03 AM
His tenure at Valencia was also dreadful. He's only been signed because he's beloved by fans and the board thought it might calm things down.

I would've thought there were plenty of more beloved former Barca players to choose from. Koeman wasn't very Barca-esque when he played either.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 30, 2020, 12:37:29 PM
Quote from: Liep on August 30, 2020, 12:30:36 PM
Quote from: celedhring on August 30, 2020, 08:54:03 AM
His tenure at Valencia was also dreadful. He's only been signed because he's beloved by fans and the board thought it might calm things down.

I would've thought there were plenty of more beloved former Barca players to choose from. Koeman wasn't very Barca-esque when he played either.
But he has that iconic goal which I imagine has been on loop in the Barcelona boardroom this week.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 30, 2020, 02:03:05 PM
QuoteBut, yeah, I'd say he's the worst recent manager we've had - and we've had Sam Allardyce :lol: :ph34r:

Sam Allardyce is the best recent manager we've had.
Not a great human being. But a very under rated manager.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 30, 2020, 02:12:10 PM
I don't know, I feel he is rate entirely appropriately. Luckily we only had him for six months so he only got to waste about £50 million instead of a lot more like Koeman :weep: :bleeding:

And the football under him was just so insipid - I think one of my favourite Everton moans about Allardyce was that there wasn't even anything to boo - "he's taken away our rage, that's all we had left" :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 30, 2020, 02:53:10 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 30, 2020, 12:37:29 PM
Quote from: Liep on August 30, 2020, 12:30:36 PM
Quote from: celedhring on August 30, 2020, 08:54:03 AM
His tenure at Valencia was also dreadful. He's only been signed because he's beloved by fans and the board thought it might calm things down.

I would've thought there were plenty of more beloved former Barca players to choose from. Koeman wasn't very Barca-esque when he played either.
But he has that iconic goal which I imagine has been on loop in the Barcelona boardroom this week.

My generation grew up with that goal on loop. It was our biggest moment until the Ronaldinho-Messi eras.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 30, 2020, 03:38:52 PM
Quote from: celedhring on August 30, 2020, 02:53:10 PM
My generation grew up with that goal on loop. It was our biggest moment until the Ronaldinho-Messi eras.

That seems strange to me, but then again I've only been a fan of Barca when they had Laudrup, Ronaldinho, Iniesta and/or Messi.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 30, 2020, 05:53:31 PM
Quote from: Liep on August 30, 2020, 03:38:52 PM
Quote from: celedhring on August 30, 2020, 02:53:10 PM
My generation grew up with that goal on loop. It was our biggest moment until the Ronaldinho-Messi eras.

That seems strange to me, but then again I've only been a fan of Barca when they had Laudrup, Ronaldinho, Iniesta and/or Messi.

Why strange? That was the first European Cup won by Barcelona, and it was thanks to that Koeman goal. And Laudrup was playing for Barcelona by then. It's the culmination of Cruyff's stay at Barcelona, in a way. Two years later they'd be humilliated by Milan 4-0 in the final.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 31, 2020, 01:46:54 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 30, 2020, 05:53:31 PM

Why strange? That was the first European Cup won by Barcelona, and it was thanks to that Koeman goal. And Laudrup was playing for Barcelona by then. It's the culmination of Cruyff's stay at Barcelona, in a way. Two years later they'd be humilliated by Milan 4-0 in the final.

What I mean is that I was only a fan of the players never the club. I don't remember any Barca wins from the 90's so I never saw that Koeman goal as something special.

I do remember when they lost that 94 cup though. Laudrup wasn't on the team because of the 3 foreigners rule or something and I had quite a bit of schadenfreude. Actually this might be why I don't like Koeman or Cruyff or any Dutch player.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 31, 2020, 01:53:39 AM
Liep's grudges against the Dutch nation run deep!

Laudrup should've played, Koeman was done by that time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 31, 2020, 04:11:33 AM
Quote from: Liep on August 31, 2020, 01:46:54 AM
I do remember when they lost that 94 cup though. Laudrup wasn't on the team because of the 3 foreigners rule or something and I had quite a bit of schadenfreude. Actually this might be why I don't like Koeman or Cruyff or any Dutch player.

Games between Portugal and the Netherlands have to be very special for you then.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 31, 2020, 05:00:11 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on August 31, 2020, 04:11:33 AM
Quote from: Liep on August 31, 2020, 01:46:54 AM
I do remember when they lost that 94 cup though. Laudrup wasn't on the team because of the 3 foreigners rule or something and I had quite a bit of schadenfreude. Actually this might be why I don't like Koeman or Cruyff or any Dutch player.

Games between Portugal and the Netherlands have to be very special for you then.  :P

I've grown to like Portugal in recent years and I've had sympathy for Ronaldo ever since he left the EC sitting on the grass crying with a grasshopper on his face.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 31, 2020, 05:00:55 AM
Quote from: Liep on August 31, 2020, 01:46:54 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 30, 2020, 05:53:31 PM

Why strange? That was the first European Cup won by Barcelona, and it was thanks to that Koeman goal. And Laudrup was playing for Barcelona by then. It's the culmination of Cruyff's stay at Barcelona, in a way. Two years later they'd be humilliated by Milan 4-0 in the final.

What I mean is that I was only a fan of the players never the club. I don't remember any Barca wins from the 90's so I never saw that Koeman goal as something special.

I do remember when they lost that 94 cup though. Laudrup wasn't on the team because of the 3 foreigners rule or something and I had quite a bit of schadenfreude. Actually this might be why I don't like Koeman or Cruyff or any Dutch player.

In fact being left out of the 94 final was what made Laudrup leave Barcelona, IIRC.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 31, 2020, 06:44:09 AM
No, he'd been finding himself out of team way before that. He had a falling out with Cruyff.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 31, 2020, 07:00:16 AM
Quote from: celedhring on August 31, 2020, 06:44:09 AM
No, he'd been finding himself out of team way before that. He had a falling out with Cruyff.

One of the many incomprehensible things Cruyff did in his last stages in the club. The next year was the one with the weird signings, right?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 31, 2020, 07:22:33 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 31, 2020, 07:00:16 AM
Quote from: celedhring on August 31, 2020, 06:44:09 AM
No, he'd been finding himself out of team way before that. He had a falling out with Cruyff.

One of the many incomprehensible things Cruyff did in his last stages in the club. The next year was the one with the weird signings, right?

To be fair to Cruyff, all those weirdos were not his first options. Nuñez penny-pinched him a lot in his last 2 years, only to then break the world's transfer record to bring in Ronaldo after Cruyff left.

Incidentally, Ronaldo was the best player I have ever seen play for us until Messi appeared on scene. What a force of nature he was.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 31, 2020, 07:37:08 AM
Quote from: celedhring on August 31, 2020, 07:22:33 AM
Incidentally, Ronaldo was the best player I have ever seen play for us until Messi appeared on scene. What a force of nature he was.

Has Brazil been good since Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 31, 2020, 07:40:17 AM
Quote from: celedhring on August 31, 2020, 07:22:33 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 31, 2020, 07:00:16 AM
Quote from: celedhring on August 31, 2020, 06:44:09 AM
No, he'd been finding himself out of team way before that. He had a falling out with Cruyff.

One of the many incomprehensible things Cruyff did in his last stages in the club. The next year was the one with the weird signings, right?

To be fair to Cruyff, all those weirdos were not his first options. Nuñez penny-pinched him a lot in his last 2 years, only to then break the world's transfer record to bring in Ronaldo after Cruyff left.

Yeah, I really doubt that Escaich, Eskurza, Ekelund or Sánchez Jara would have been on Barcelona's radar otherwise.  :P[/quote]

QuoteIncidentally, Ronaldo was the best player I have ever seen play for us until Messi appeared on scene. What a force of nature he was.

And then he was sold to Inter the next year  :lol: I never understood that move, as you said that young (and uninjured) Ronaldo was a true force of nature.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 31, 2020, 07:44:53 AM
Quote from: Liep on August 31, 2020, 07:37:08 AM
Quote from: celedhring on August 31, 2020, 07:22:33 AM
Incidentally, Ronaldo was the best player I have ever seen play for us until Messi appeared on scene. What a force of nature he was.

Has Brazil been good since Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho?

Define good.  :P If it means "winning the world cup", then no, the three Rs were the last ones to do so back in 2002. Besides the team that was steamrolled by Germany in 2014, they haven't made it past the quarter finals since then.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 31, 2020, 08:19:54 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 31, 2020, 07:44:53 AM
Quote from: Liep on August 31, 2020, 07:37:08 AM
Quote from: celedhring on August 31, 2020, 07:22:33 AM
Incidentally, Ronaldo was the best player I have ever seen play for us until Messi appeared on scene. What a force of nature he was.

Has Brazil been good since Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho?

Define good.

As in fun to watch.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 31, 2020, 08:24:13 AM
Ronaldo wanted a new contract, since Inter were willing to trigger the release clause (which was fantastically high for the time). It looked like there was an agreement, but Núñez ultimately walked back at the last moment for reasons unclear. Some say he was blinded by the potential $$$, others than he thought Ronaldo's camp were bluffing about Inter...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 31, 2020, 12:06:54 PM
Quote from: celedhring on August 31, 2020, 08:24:13 AM
Ronaldo wanted a new contract, since Inter were willing to trigger the release clause (which was fantastically high for the time). It looked like there was an agreement, but Núñez ultimately walked back at the last moment for reasons unclear. Some say he was blinded by the potential $$$, others than he thought Ronaldo's camp were bluffing about Inter...

What could had been had Ronaldo stayed...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 31, 2020, 12:23:00 PM
We used the Ronaldo money to buy Rivaldo, so it turned out fine.

I mean pre-injury Ronaldo was a way better player, and it's a hell of a what-if, but Rivaldo was delightful.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 31, 2020, 12:49:00 PM
Quote from: celedhring on August 31, 2020, 12:23:00 PM
We used the Ronaldo money to buy Rivaldo, so it turned out fine.

I mean pre-injury Ronaldo was a way better player, and it's a hell of a what-if, but Rivaldo was delightful.

You really had a great string of Brazilians in the 90s/early 00s, first Romario, then Ronaldo, afterwards Rivaldo and Ronaldinho to top it off.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 31, 2020, 04:54:47 PM
City is ready to pay Messi 100 million euros per year for 5 years including a 250 million euro bonus for a transfer to New York in the last 2 of the 5 years. That is insane but I'll be in New York in 2023 or 24 as I don't think it possible to get tickets to Etihad in the near future.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 02, 2020, 11:37:44 AM
This could go in the coronavirus thread as well.

3 PSG players tested positive, following a short holiday in Ibiza:

Paredes, Di María and last but not least Neymar!
French league is to resume next week for PSG.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 04, 2020, 11:21:15 AM
Messi will stay in Barca to avoid a legal battle. They honestly don't deserve him.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 04, 2020, 11:39:20 AM
Quote from: Liep on September 04, 2020, 11:21:15 AM
Messi will stay in Barca to avoid a legal battle. They honestly don't deserve him.

Well, that's code for "my lawyers told me we'd lose".

Anyway, hopefully fucking Covid clears out in the near future so I can watch him live for one last time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 04, 2020, 12:15:54 PM
Yeah - you might lose or it's messy and there'll be a fight and given everything else in the world no club is willing to take on the risk that we get it wrong and they suddenly owe €700 mil :ph34r:

In a way I sort of wonder if a fee would be better for Barca (even if it's not the full amount) because they could probably do something useful with it in the market, I feel like they're going to struggle to get rid of some of the other older and expensive players (whereas clubs would come in and pay for Messi) and - I mean - are there any doubts about how well Messi will train/perform after this. Is there not a risk that actually he really isn't arsed anymore, every niggle means he can't play/risk injury etc?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 04, 2020, 12:49:57 PM
It's a terrible situation for both the club and player, but the problem is that nobody has come and bid for him. The talk is that no club can afford to pay his wages AND a transfer fee while still complying with FFP. He has a monster salary.

He probably had something under the table with City on the condition that he came on a free. Barça buckled down, and here we are. That's what happens when your agent is your dad, and not a professional.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 04, 2020, 01:15:23 PM
Always been curious how football contracts gel with general employment law. There's nothing to stop any of us quitting our job and going to work elsewhere. How come footballers can't do this? Non compete clause or so? So Messi could quit and get a job in a supermarket if he wants?

But aye. Sucks. Wonder what he will do next season. Will he play?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 04, 2020, 01:29:25 PM
Quote from: Tyr on September 04, 2020, 01:15:23 PM
Always been curious how football contracts gel with general employment law. There's nothing to stop any of us quitting our job and going to work elsewhere. How come footballers can't do this? Non compete clause or so? So Messi could quit and get a job in a supermarket if he wants?

But aye. Sucks. Wonder what he will do next season. Will he play?

In Spain, sportsmen contracts fall outside the general employment contracts. However, under Spanish law they can actually break them unilaterally. However - and that's why footballers in Spain have all release fees - the club can put a penalty on the contract if the player wants to cancel it. That's what the release fees are.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 05, 2020, 01:01:13 PM
National football is back and we're starting up against Belgium. Looking at the starting line up I thought that we actually have a pretty good team. Regulars at Milan, Leicester, Valencia, Chelsea, Nice, Copenhagen and Leipzig and contenders at Tottenham, Inter and Dortmund. And then a soon to be former Barca player. ;)

And a new coach.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 05, 2020, 01:51:19 PM
The new season has started in England too. Oddly with the league Cup and checkatrade first, the league to start after. Which is useful, gives 2 dress reversals effectively.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 05, 2020, 03:01:34 PM
League of Nations for Portugal as well.
2-0 for Portugal vs Croatia for now, with both teams kissing key players such as Ronaldo (injured) and Modric for instance. Portugal clearly dominates since the 15th minute but is not that efficient vs a not so good Croatia. Goals by Cancelo and Jota (first goal for the national squad I believe for the latter).
Now it looks really difficult for Croatia.

France is playing vs Sweden in Solna and was leading 1-0 at half-time, in a not so good game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 05, 2020, 03:13:28 PM
3-0 now. At last, João Felix, one of the youngest players who has had a disappointing season, scores in his sixth game for the national squad.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 05, 2020, 03:16:22 PM
Eriksen is now also invisible on the national team. Thanks, Conte.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 05, 2020, 03:40:30 PM
Final scores

Portugal 4 Croatia 1

Portugal had a bad spell in the end with tired players and substitutions disorganizing the team so Croats improved and managed to score a goal. André Silva scored the last Portuguese goal on a corner kick. Not brilliant but opportunistic.

Sweden 0 France 1

Griezmann failed a penalty in stoppage time but Kyky Mbappé's nice and opportunistic goal is enough.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 07, 2020, 09:04:47 PM
Outstanding content from Vitoria :lol:
https://twitter.com/MundialMag/status/1303052851866894336?s=20
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 08, 2020, 01:39:34 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 07, 2020, 09:04:47 PM
Outstanding content from Vitoria :lol:
https://twitter.com/MundialMag/status/1303052851866894336?s=20

The Golden Gypsy more than deserved that, you vile anti-tsiganist!  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 08, 2020, 02:52:17 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 07, 2020, 09:04:47 PM
Outstanding content from Vitoria :lol:
https://twitter.com/MundialMag/status/1303052851866894336?s=20

Hope his mansion has long hallways since he's so fond of running into blind alleys.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 08, 2020, 05:13:02 AM
Quote from: celedhring on September 08, 2020, 02:52:17 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 07, 2020, 09:04:47 PM
Outstanding content from Vitoria :lol:
https://twitter.com/MundialMag/status/1303052851866894336?s=20

Hope his mansion has long hallways since he's so fond of running into blind alleys.

No fond memories of his time at Barcelona?  :P

I've just checked the Vitoria Guimaraes squad and I'm quite astonished to see that they feature three English players, all of them quite young. Since when do young English footballers move abroad? They used to be the exception, but checking the current U21 and U20 squads there are a few of them playing in the continent nowadays.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 08, 2020, 05:17:11 AM
Quote from: The Larch on September 08, 2020, 05:13:02 AM
No fond memories of his time at Barcelona?  :P

The Camp Nou remembers  :lol:

Utterly frustrating player.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 08, 2020, 05:20:59 AM
Quote from: celedhring on September 08, 2020, 05:17:11 AM
Quote from: The Larch on September 08, 2020, 05:13:02 AM
No fond memories of his time at Barcelona?  :P

The Camp Nou remembers  :lol:

Utterly frustrating player.

Wasn't he very young when he played for Barcelona?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 08, 2020, 05:26:48 AM
Quote from: The Larch on September 08, 2020, 05:20:59 AM
Quote from: celedhring on September 08, 2020, 05:17:11 AM
Quote from: The Larch on September 08, 2020, 05:13:02 AM
No fond memories of his time at Barcelona?  :P

The Camp Nou remembers  :lol:

Utterly frustrating player.

Wasn't he very young when he played for Barcelona?

Yeah, he was a spoiled brat. He somehow managed to have a fallout with Rijkaard, which is like managing to piss off the Dalai Lama.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 08, 2020, 11:04:51 AM
Quote from: The Larch on September 08, 2020, 05:13:02 AM
I've just checked the Vitoria Guimaraes squad and I'm quite astonished to see that they feature three English players, all of them quite young. Since when do young English footballers move abroad? They used to be the exception, but checking the current U21 and U20 squads there are a few of them playing in the continent nowadays.
Been a big shift over the last few years I think maybe 5-10 years. I think part of it is they see more opportunities to be playing top level football in the Bundesliga or the Portuguese league than waiting around the academy of x Premier League club - especially because certain Premier League clubs hoover up young players as a revenue stream. The clubs don't mind loaning or selling them because it's pure profit from an FFP perspective (naming no names), it's better than selling to a direct rival and, normally, they anticipate that if they do well in Europe they'll be able to afford to buy them back - Jadon Sancho at Dortmund is possibly testing that.

The other really important point is European teams now scout academy football in England very heavily because, unlike in the past, they are turning out technically skilled players. Also I think it's still relatively cheap so it's a market where Bundesliga teams especially think there's value.

In a way it's a sad reflection of certain wit lots of money having huge numbers of talented young players who, it seems, will really struggle to come through in that club which will use them to generate revenue while buying in sort of surer bets from elsewhere. Chelsea seems a particularly extreme example of this because they have a lot of very talented young players, many of them did well last year because of the transfer ban but because of the players Chelsea's been bringing in I'm not sure how much time they'll get now and they may go back to bit part players. If that happens, and it might not, then I wonder if those players will want a move to somewhere they get to play.

But even for Everton that tends to have a few academy players in the first team it seems that at least a stint on loan in Europe is now part of the path from academy to first team and can lead to a sale - for example from everything I've read if the situation wasn't so bad at Schalke they would like to buy Jonjoe Kenny who they had on loan last season. There's been a couple of articles that basically say first they want to send players to League One/Championship and then to the Bundesliga or Eredevisie etc.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 08, 2020, 11:05:27 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on September 08, 2020, 01:39:34 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 07, 2020, 09:04:47 PM
Outstanding content from Vitoria :lol:
https://twitter.com/MundialMag/status/1303052851866894336?s=20

The Golden Gypsy more than deserved that, you vile anti-tsiganist!  :D
I couldn't agree me, it's exactly the approach you should have in signing Quaresma - no criticism here :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 08, 2020, 02:27:05 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 08, 2020, 11:05:27 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on September 08, 2020, 01:39:34 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 07, 2020, 09:04:47 PM
Outstanding content from Vitoria :lol:
https://twitter.com/MundialMag/status/1303052851866894336?s=20

The Golden Gypsy more than deserved that, you vile anti-tsiganist!  :D
I couldn't agree me, it's exactly the approach you should have in signing Quaresma - no criticism here :P

Remember, Quaresma was nicknamed Mustang.  :contract:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 08, 2020, 02:41:00 PM
Ligue of Nations Day 2

Half-time scores

France 2 Croatia 1

Croatia started better though. La chatte à Dédé still works, given the not-so-good performance of les Bleus.

Sweden 0 Portugal 1

Yes, Ronaldo scored. Free-kick goal. Sweden down 10 following two yellow cards, the goal was on the free kick which followed the red card.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 08, 2020, 03:37:59 PM
DEN-ENG 0-0

England was surprisingly dull. Eriksen had the biggest chance of the game and shot it about 20 m above goal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 08, 2020, 03:53:37 PM
Unlike the crappy Denmark-England game   :P, group 3 games were more interesting.

Sweden 0 Portugal 2

Second great goal by Ronaldo, but Bernardo Silva left the pitch injured. First 20-30 minutes were rough but agressive defending by Sweden left them at 10.
French commentators said Sweden was one of Ronaldo's favorite "victims" with 7 goals scored against.

France 4 Croatia 2

Most entertaining though the skill level was not that high, Croatia improved but a not-so-good France prevailed.


Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 08, 2020, 05:46:04 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 08, 2020, 11:04:51 AM
Quote from: The Larch on September 08, 2020, 05:13:02 AM
I've just checked the Vitoria Guimaraes squad and I'm quite astonished to see that they feature three English players, all of them quite young. Since when do young English footballers move abroad? They used to be the exception, but checking the current U21 and U20 squads there are a few of them playing in the continent nowadays.
Been a big shift over the last few years I think maybe 5-10 years. I think part of it is they see more opportunities to be playing top level football in the Bundesliga or the Portuguese league than waiting around the academy of x Premier League club - especially because certain Premier League clubs hoover up young players as a revenue stream. The clubs don't mind loaning or selling them because it's pure profit from an FFP perspective (naming no names), it's better than selling to a direct rival and, normally, they anticipate that if they do well in Europe they'll be able to afford to buy them back - Jadon Sancho at Dortmund is possibly testing that.

The other really important point is European teams now scout academy football in England very heavily because, unlike in the past, they are turning out technically skilled players. Also I think it's still relatively cheap so it's a market where Bundesliga teams especially think there's value.

In a way it's a sad reflection of certain wit lots of money having huge numbers of talented young players who, it seems, will really struggle to come through in that club which will use them to generate revenue while buying in sort of surer bets from elsewhere. Chelsea seems a particularly extreme example of this because they have a lot of very talented young players, many of them did well last year because of the transfer ban but because of the players Chelsea's been bringing in I'm not sure how much time they'll get now and they may go back to bit part players. If that happens, and it might not, then I wonder if those players will want a move to somewhere they get to play.

But even for Everton that tends to have a few academy players in the first team it seems that at least a stint on loan in Europe is now part of the path from academy to first team and can lead to a sale - for example from everything I've read if the situation wasn't so bad at Schalke they would like to buy Jonjoe Kenny who they had on loan last season. There's been a couple of articles that basically say first they want to send players to League One/Championship and then to the Bundesliga or Eredevisie etc.

I guess that's better for players, rather than being trapped in the endless loan to lower league team wheel. Let's see if they're able to make good careers abroad rather than a few formative years.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 09, 2020, 01:22:24 AM
Quote from: The Larch on September 08, 2020, 05:46:04 PM
I guess that's better for players, rather than being trapped in the endless loan to lower league team wheel. Let's see if they're able to make good careers abroad rather than a few formative years.
Yeah. I feel that's less likely to happen because so far they seem to be going to leagues and clubs that like young players, develop them well and then like to sell them on for a big profit (Dutch league, Portuguese leage, Leipzig, arguably Dortmund too). Given wages in the Premier League I feel like it's more likely they'll go back to England unless they attract the attention of Bayern, Madrid, Barca etc.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 09, 2020, 03:30:45 AM
In more important footballing matters* Sunderland's pre-season is off to a good start. A 0-0 draw with Hull, lost on penalties, followed by an 8-1 win over Aston Villa U21s.
I have to say I quite like starting the season off with these less important cup games. Gives you something which is competitive but doesn't matter too much as a stepping stone between friendlies and league games.




*Slight joke in these being important but the nations league is completely unimportant.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 09, 2020, 03:59:12 AM
England beaten by the Netherlands in the Final Four first edition explains the "completely unimportant".  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 09, 2020, 04:03:41 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on September 09, 2020, 03:59:12 AM
England beaten by the Netherlands in the Final Four first edition explains the "completely unimportant".  :P
I had no idea this had happened.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 09, 2020, 04:14:59 AM
Quote from: Tyr on September 09, 2020, 04:03:41 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on September 09, 2020, 03:59:12 AM
England beaten by the Netherlands in the Final Four first edition explains the "completely unimportant".  :P
I had no idea this had happened.
Yeah - I don't particularly care about England. But I think it was fun and did kind of achieve the goal of getting rid of "meaningless friendlies" and also try to create level-ish playing fields in the first time they did it.

But I sort of feel like because it's - from what I understand - less relevant for qualifying for the World Cup than the Euros and also that actually the final games of this "tournament" in 2021 will actually be played just weeks after the finals of the Euros that they've actually just created a new type of meaningless friendly :lol:

I think it worked really well as an off-tournament year tournament, and it's just unfortunate covid consequence that it's no clashing with a tournament people do care about. I get why they still need to be playing these games and so on. But it feels less fun this time round, especially given the way all the other football calendars are being incredibly condensed this year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 09, 2020, 06:04:17 AM
There are still some spots for the next Euro to be decided through play-offs games from the last edition.  :P
Actually, this current edition (2020-21) is linked to the World Cup 2022 Euro qualifiers.  :P

QuoteUEFA[edit]
Main article: 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)
The qualification format was confirmed by the UEFA Executive Committee during their meeting in Nyon, Switzerland on 4 December 2019, pending validation from FIFA.[24][25] The qualification will depend, in part, on results from the 2020–21 UEFA Nations League, although to a lesser degree than UEFA Euro 2020. The structure will maintain UEFA's usual 'group stage/playoff stage' structure, with only the specific format of the play-offs amended.[26]

First round (group stage): 10 groups of 5 or 6 teams (with the 4 teams that make the 2021 UEFA Nations League Finals put into the smaller groups) with group winners qualifying for the World Cup finals.
Second round (play-off stage): The 10 group runners-up would be joined by the best 2 Nations League group winners, based on the Nations League overall ranking, that finished outside the top two of their qualifying group. These 12 teams will be drawn into three play-off paths, playing two rounds of single-match play-offs (semi-finals and finals, with the home teams to be drawn), with the 3 path winners qualifying for the World Cup.

I'll grant you this edition is somewhat diluted due to mercantile steps taken to avoid Germany falling in League B by enlarging group from 3 to 4 teams. Saved Croatia as well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 09, 2020, 06:18:26 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 09, 2020, 01:22:24 AM
Quote from: The Larch on September 08, 2020, 05:46:04 PM
I guess that's better for players, rather than being trapped in the endless loan to lower league team wheel. Let's see if they're able to make good careers abroad rather than a few formative years.
Yeah. I feel that's less likely to happen because so far they seem to be going to leagues and clubs that like young players, develop them well and then like to sell them on for a big profit (Dutch league, Portuguese leage, Leipzig, arguably Dortmund too). Given wages in the Premier League I feel like it's more likely they'll go back to England unless they attract the attention of Bayern, Madrid, Barca etc.

Yeah, sure, if somebody makes it big abroad he's likely to be poached back to the Premier League, just like Jadon Sancho is currently a target for Man United. But, say, one of these kids currently at Vitoria Guimaraes makes it big in Portugal, and maybe signs for one of the big clubs there, say Porto or Benfica, or even Braga, making decent wages (not Premier league ones, but nice wages nevertheless) and regularly qualifying for European competitions. Maybe he ends up developing a nice career over there and is less interested in moving to a mid or low tier club in England, unless the wages are significantly better (which they might very well be, though).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 09, 2020, 06:22:09 AM
Quote from: The Larch on September 09, 2020, 06:18:26 AM
Yeah, sure, if somebody makes it big abroad he's likely to be poached back to the Premier League, just like Jadon Sancho is currently a target for Man United. But, say, one of these kids currently at Vitoria Guimaraes makes it big in Portugal, and maybe signs for one of the big clubs there, say Porto or Benfica, or even Braga, making decent wages (not Premier league ones, but nice wages nevertheless) and regularly qualifying for European competitions. Maybe he ends up developing a nice career over there and is less interested in moving to a mid or low tier club in England, unless the wages are significantly better (which they might very well be, though).
Yeah and I think Sancho also matters in showing that playing abroad doesn't stop you from getting picked for England.

Just like the technical improvement of academy players I think it's another part of the normalisation/Europeanisation of English football.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 09, 2020, 08:48:59 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 09, 2020, 06:22:09 AM
Quote from: The Larch on September 09, 2020, 06:18:26 AM
Yeah, sure, if somebody makes it big abroad he's likely to be poached back to the Premier League, just like Jadon Sancho is currently a target for Man United. But, say, one of these kids currently at Vitoria Guimaraes makes it big in Portugal, and maybe signs for one of the big clubs there, say Porto or Benfica, or even Braga, making decent wages (not Premier league ones, but nice wages nevertheless) and regularly qualifying for European competitions. Maybe he ends up developing a nice career over there and is less interested in moving to a mid or low tier club in England, unless the wages are significantly better (which they might very well be, though).
Yeah and I think Sancho also matters in showing that playing abroad doesn't stop you from getting picked for England.

Just like the technical improvement of academy players I think it's another part of the normalisation/Europeanisation of English football.

Yeah, well, but to a certain degree top players will almost always end up fine. At the end of the day, Sancho is playing for a top European side in a top European league, it's not as if he's anywhere obscure. It's another thing for players one or two steps down the pole. For instance, one of the players at Vitoria Guimaraes, Marcus Edwards (21 yo, former Tottenham academy player, and capper until England U20 level) has featured in lists of the more promising players in the Portuguese league, but most probably he won't make it to the senior team. Will he make it? Let's see.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 09, 2020, 09:29:22 AM
I've just googled who won the nations league - Portugal apparently. Explains things :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 10, 2020, 12:45:27 AM
Quote from: Tyr on September 09, 2020, 09:29:22 AM
I've just googled who won the nations league - Portugal apparently. Explains things :lol:

Same for the last Euro ; yet you care about the Euro.  :P

PS: or was it because France was beaten while playing at home?  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 13, 2020, 12:40:16 PM
At the *check notes* 41st time of asking, Everton finally beats a "top 6" side away from home :lol: :weep: :w00t:

Edit: Also since January the thing that Ancelotti has done so well is actually allowed Everton some game management. If we had a 1-0 or 2-0 lead under any of the previous managers I've seen, I would not trust our ability to see the game out. The number of times we'd see the team start to feel pressure, drop deeper and deeper and then concede and lose or draw the game. That seems to be far less of an issue under Ancelotti, and we weren't under huge pressure today so he didn't make massive changes - but everyone just felt under control the entire time. It's very novel.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 13, 2020, 12:41:41 PM
Mou has lost it already.

Spurs will finish in the bottom half this year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 13, 2020, 02:30:14 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on September 13, 2020, 12:41:41 PM
Mou has lost it already.

Spurs will finish in the bottom half this year.

He had already gone football-insane when he signed for ManU.

Needs some time off the game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 14, 2020, 04:47:58 PM
Former German international and 2006 WC winner Christoph Metzelder has apparently pleaded guilty of posession and distribution of child pornography.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 15, 2020, 10:11:46 AM
Aubameyang signed da ting!!!  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on September 15, 2020, 10:47:11 AM
Quote from: The Larch on September 14, 2020, 04:47:58 PM
Former German international and 2006 WC winner Christoph Metzelder has apparently pleaded guilty of posession and distribution of child pornography.

:blink:

(2006 WC winner, though? I wish :weep: )
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 16, 2020, 03:13:18 AM
Quote from: Syt on September 15, 2020, 10:47:11 AM
Quote from: The Larch on September 14, 2020, 04:47:58 PM
Former German international and 2006 WC winner Christoph Metzelder has apparently pleaded guilty of posession and distribution of child pornography.

:blink:

This is what's on the topic on wiki:

QuoteMetzelder is currently being investigated for the potential distribution of child pornography, which led him to step down from his role as president of his former club TuS Haltern am See in September 2019.

On 4 September 2020, the district court of the city of Düsseldorf announced that an official charge has been filed against Metzelder by the prosecutor. The prosecutor did not express any specific suspicions. On the other hand, the district court stated in a press release that one female witness received 10 child pornographic pictures, another female witness received 16 child pornographic pictures and 2 child pornographic videos and a third female witness received 1 child pornographic picture - all distributed by using Metzelder's WhatsApp account. Further on, that there have been nearly 300 media files found on Metzelder's confiscated cell phone with child pornographic content. Metzelder himself has had the allegations denied by his lawyers so far - an opinion on the current developments has been requested by the German public television WDR, but has not yet been given.

So the case comes from last year, when he had to step down from his position as president of his club because of it. Apparently his confession, not yet covered at the wiki article, was last monday and a criminal case has now been opened against him.

Quote(2006 WC winner, though? I wish :weep: )

Woops, flubbed that one. He was part of the squad even if Germany didn't win, right?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 16, 2020, 04:03:30 AM
Germany won the small final that year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on September 16, 2020, 08:55:07 AM
Zidane headbutted Italy to victory in 2006
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 16, 2020, 09:00:00 AM
Benfica already out of the Champions' League after losing by 2-1 to PAOK Thessalonica (coached by a Portuguese...) with an own goal by a relatively expensive new recruit and, icing on the cake, another goal by a former player who was let go for free a few weeks ago in order to save money on salaries. The new coach Jesus, made no miracles and did not come cheap as well.
If it weren't bad for the Portuguese UEFA rating, this would be hilarious.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 16, 2020, 03:55:24 PM
Are the qualifying games just one round?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 16, 2020, 04:42:16 PM
Quote from: Liep on September 16, 2020, 03:55:24 PM
Are the qualifying games just one round?

Yeah, I think it's a one-off Covid thing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 17, 2020, 01:55:05 AM
Quote from: celedhring on September 16, 2020, 04:42:16 PM
Quote from: Liep on September 16, 2020, 03:55:24 PM
Are the qualifying games just one round?

Yeah, I think it's a one-off Covid thing.

Indeed, though given the sorry, pre-season shape of Benfica I am not sure two games would have changed the result.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 17, 2020, 06:38:26 AM
I actually liked the way they did the final rounds of the Champions League this year due to COVID and wish they'd consider keeping it that way. A quick one-game tournament beats a never ending 2-game series.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 17, 2020, 06:52:48 AM
There was nothing I could like from this year's CL tournament.   <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 17, 2020, 07:34:15 AM
Quote from: Josephus on September 17, 2020, 06:38:26 AM
I actually liked the way they did the final rounds of the Champions League this year due to COVID and wish they'd consider keeping it that way. A quick one-game tournament beats a never ending 2-game series.

Perhaps if it was played simultaneously with the league. I didn't really like the post-season feeling of this year's CL so for now I hope they keep the old format.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 17, 2020, 07:38:26 AM
I quite liked it, but it did change things and I quite like two legs so would revert to that.

I have seen some people suggesting that this could be a nice change for the Europa League though. So the CL continues as normal but you basically have a post-season knock-out tournament in a location for the Europa League and it feels like that is the competition that could do with fewer matches and more excitement.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 19, 2020, 07:43:51 AM
West Brom with a legendary implosion just before the half against Everton.

And then they go and score an incredible free kick to even the score. Wow.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 19, 2020, 07:48:31 AM
Keane (again!?) has taken the lead again (thank God).

I don't really get sending off managers when the stadium is empty because I'm pretty sure Bilic can shout just as much from the stands as the touchline :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 19, 2020, 07:48:58 AM
Missed the chance to enter the fantasy Premier League this season, I blame covid  :mad:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 19, 2020, 07:50:34 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 19, 2020, 07:48:31 AM
Richarlison has taken the lead again (thank God).

I don't really get sending off managers when the stadium is empty because I'm pretty sure Bilic can shout just as much from the stands as the touchline :lol:

Yeah his straight red was a little perplexing to me.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 20, 2020, 06:44:28 AM
This made me laugh.

(https://forumcontent.paradoxplaza.com/public/616654/1600600171716.png)

0 sprints, that's James Rodríguez indeed.  :lol:

Great player if you can accomodate he's a lazyarse, which at Real/Bayern wasn't possible given the other top dogs they had.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 20, 2020, 07:22:33 AM
Haha. But hey. It works
Everton top of the league. 2020 man.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 20, 2020, 09:13:06 AM
Quote from: celedhring on September 20, 2020, 06:44:28 AM
This made me laugh.

(https://forumcontent.paradoxplaza.com/public/616654/1600600171716.png)

0 sprints, that's James Rodríguez indeed.  :lol:

Great player if you can accomodate he's a lazyarse, which at Real/Bayern wasn't possible given the other top dogs they had.
:lol: The Sky stats guy gave a bit of context to that: "a sprint is classed as reaching +25km/h, or level 25 on a treadmill! His average speed during the game was faster than several others" and he might not be sprinting but I am pleasantly surprised he has that Latin American snide-side. He's made a couple of sharp tackles, which is lovely to see.

But in the first game alone he created more chances than any Everton player in our last 20 games. So he can coast as much as he wants :wub:

In all seriousness - I was speaking to a friend about this last night and I said he is one of those players who are so good and skilled that it looks like time sort of behaves differently around them. They always have an extra second on the ball to spot the pass. It's really, really lovely to see in an Everton shirt and it strikes me that this must be what it's like supporting a good team :lol:

Edit: Also the position of the candle looks like someone's making votive offerings to Jermaine Jenas :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 20, 2020, 03:49:18 PM
He sort of reminds me of Riquelme, which was an even more extreme case. When the team is willing to accomodate to all his foibles, it can work great, but if they want to change the way he plays it won't work too well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 20, 2020, 04:07:28 PM
Quote from: The Larch on September 20, 2020, 03:49:18 PM
He sort of reminds me of Riquelme, which was an even more extreme case. When the team is willing to accomodate to all his foibles, it can work great, but if they want to change the way he plays it won't work too well.
Maybe. It's still very early but he does more defensively than I was expecting, but that's not what we got him for so we will very much accomodate his foibles. Also, weirdly Everton accidentally announced signing Riquelme on their website before having to pull it as the deal collapsed - so maybe we've just finally completed that narrative.

Although it's very alien to my experience of having a team that you have so much talent that you can sideline someone like him because he doesn't track back enough (though Moyes definitely would) :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 20, 2020, 06:21:08 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 20, 2020, 04:07:28 PM
Quote from: The Larch on September 20, 2020, 03:49:18 PMAlthough it's very alien to my experience of having a team that you have so much talent that you can sideline someone like him because he doesn't track back enough (though Moyes definitely would) :lol:

Depends on the team and the coach, I guess, and what's above what, if the tactics are above the players or the players above the tactics, how big a name the player in question is, how much authority the coach has...

A "lazy" but super talented player has definitely more chances in a smaller team where he's the one calling the shots than in a big club where other players might be more or less as talented as him and way more disciplined. You have to be a generational talent to be able to coast without making much effort in the greyer areas of the game, and I have my doubts if nowadays even generational talents get a pass from pressing and tracking back.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 22, 2020, 07:12:00 AM
So, in a move totally unfitting of his character it looks like Luís Suárez cheated in his Italian language exam to get Italian citizenship. The Italian police is getting involved, since I guess cheating in a citizenship exam is kinda serious.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 22, 2020, 07:15:24 AM
Did he bite the examiner for the oral exam?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 22, 2020, 09:22:04 AM
Quote from: celedhring on September 22, 2020, 07:12:00 AM
So, in a move totally unfitting of his character it looks like Luís Suárez cheated in his Italian language exam to get Italian citizenship. The Italian police is getting involved, since I guess cheating in a citizenship exam is kinda serious.  :lol:

So that's why he's not going to Juventus?  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on September 22, 2020, 09:46:07 AM
Quote from: The Larch on September 22, 2020, 09:22:04 AM
Quote from: celedhring on September 22, 2020, 07:12:00 AM
So, in a move totally unfitting of his character it looks like Luís Suárez cheated in his Italian language exam to get Italian citizenship. The Italian police is getting involved, since I guess cheating in a citizenship exam is kinda serious.  :lol:

So that's why he's not going to Juventus?  :P

He would fit right in.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 23, 2020, 12:59:08 AM
Quote from: celedhring on September 22, 2020, 07:12:00 AM
So, in a move totally unfitting of his character it looks like Luís Suárez cheated in his Italian language exam to get Italian citizenship. The Italian police is getting involved, since I guess cheating in a citizenship exam is kinda serious.  :lol:

Luis could not conjugate verbs and was using the infinitive form all the time.  :hmm: Or so it is claimed there:
Quote"Non coniuga i verbi'' e ''parla all'infinito'' afferma un indagato in una delle intercettazioni.

https://www.adnkronos.com/fatti/cronaca/2020/09/22/caso-suarez-intercettazione-stipendio-mln-deve-passare-esame_fIyDnaHLW5MAI5k2w2T7rO.html (https://www.adnkronos.com/fatti/cronaca/2020/09/22/caso-suarez-intercettazione-stipendio-mln-deve-passare-esame_fIyDnaHLW5MAI5k2w2T7rO.html)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 23, 2020, 02:06:18 AM
Well that's worrying. If even a Spanish speaker needs to cheat on this exam. :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 23, 2020, 02:47:49 AM
Quote from: Tyr on September 23, 2020, 02:06:18 AM
Well that's worrying. If even a Spanish speaker needs to cheat on this exam. :ph34r:

It's still a formal exam in a foreign language, no matter how similar the languages are.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 23, 2020, 03:06:17 AM
Yeah, I'm pretty sure I'd fail an Italian exam.  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 23, 2020, 03:47:02 AM
Going in cold sure. But given time to study and prepare?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 23, 2020, 03:50:39 AM
Quote from: Tyr on September 23, 2020, 03:47:02 AM
Going in cold sure. But given time to study and prepare?

Don't think he had much time for that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 23, 2020, 08:16:48 AM
Pretty easy to figure out for Romance language speakers:

(https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/120041373_1904679519674309_3876728211861231087_o.jpg?_nc_cat=1&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=FrkXt79x2aUAX8wc5m2&_nc_ht=scontent-cdg2-1.xx&oh=f387a0029d770c1f78108674d6d09e52&oe=5F91482D)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 23, 2020, 08:32:58 AM
That's a really odd meme  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 23, 2020, 08:42:07 AM
Quote from: celedhring on September 23, 2020, 08:32:58 AM
That's a really odd meme  :lol:

I don't see it going viral
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 24, 2020, 04:32:36 PM
Zlatan Ibrahimović
@Ibra_official
·
6h
I tested negative to Covid yesterday and positive today. No symptoms what so ever. Covid had the courage to challenge me. Bad idea
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 24, 2020, 04:59:23 PM
 :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 25, 2020, 08:03:20 AM
So it's safe to say Messi's in the zero fucks given territory :lol: :blink:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 25, 2020, 09:09:35 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 25, 2020, 08:03:20 AM
So it's safe to say Messi's in the zero fucks given territory :lol: :blink:

Absolutely.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 25, 2020, 09:26:39 AM
This season is going to be so fun  :lol: :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 25, 2020, 09:27:51 AM
Quote from: The Larch on September 25, 2020, 09:09:35 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 25, 2020, 08:03:20 AM
So it's safe to say Messi's in the zero fucks given territory :lol: :blink:

Absolutely.  :lol:
Imagine what his leaving do's going to be like at the end of this season :o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on September 26, 2020, 11:07:37 PM
Geez, fodbol doesn't have much of an off season, does it?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 27, 2020, 02:16:54 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on September 26, 2020, 11:07:37 PM
Geez, fodbol doesn't have much of an off season, does it?

Usually from May to August. Look at Harry Maguire to see what happens when footballers try to squeeze too much vacation into two weeks.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 27, 2020, 09:28:06 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on September 26, 2020, 11:07:37 PM
Geez, fodbol doesn't have much of an off season, does it?

This year is odd due to the stoppage because of Covid and how late the last season ended in many places. Normally leagues will finish around may and restart in august.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 27, 2020, 09:40:46 AM
It's gonna have a toll on players that's for sure.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 27, 2020, 09:42:30 AM
Quote from: Josephus on September 27, 2020, 09:40:46 AM
It's gonna have a toll on players that's for sure.

You could see that at the end of last season already, also with the congested fixture calendar that resulted. In a way that's why the 5 substitutions rule has been carried on.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 27, 2020, 03:05:47 PM
Barca is up 4-0 and the Barcalonians are celebrating with a shit tonnes of fireworks. Sounds like New Year's.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 27, 2020, 03:06:57 PM
Quote from: Liep on September 27, 2020, 03:05:47 PM
Barca is up 4-0 and the Barcalonians are celebrating with a shit tonnes of fireworks. Sounds like New Year's.

They'll need all the good news they can get.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 27, 2020, 03:21:36 PM
Quote from: Liep on September 27, 2020, 03:05:47 PM
Barca is up 4-0 and the Barcalonians are celebrating with a shit tonnes of fireworks. Sounds like New Year's.

The fireworks are unrelated to the game, it's a local festivity  :P

Tbf, I'm surprised the fireworks show wasn't cancelled this year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 27, 2020, 03:31:31 PM
Quote from: The Larch on September 27, 2020, 09:42:30 AM
You could see that at the end of last season already, also with the congested fixture calendar that resulted. In a way that's why the 5 substitutions rule has been carried on.
Not in the Premier League which, needless to say the richest clubs with the deepest squads are moaning about endlessly :lol: <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 28, 2020, 08:00:49 AM
In amusing news of the week, the lawyer that counseled Messi during his attempt to leave Barça has been kicked out from his firm  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 30, 2020, 01:15:57 PM
An excellent little clip about Scotlands goalkeeping options

https://youtu.be/tvreCDC61Zw
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 30, 2020, 04:34:52 PM
So the Danish team with the most boring name, FC Midtjylland (FC Middle of Jutland) has won entry to the Champions League. It's a huge surprise and it doesn't happen very often that a Danish team gets to play in the CL.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 30, 2020, 05:23:39 PM
I cannot explain enough how much I love Ancelotti and how great it is when he's in charge of your club :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 30, 2020, 05:58:20 PM
Quote from: Liep on September 30, 2020, 04:34:52 PM
So the Danish team with the most boring name, FC Midtjylland (FC Middle of Jutland) has won entry to the Champions League. It's a huge surprise and it doesn't happen very often that a Danish team gets to play in the CL.

Sisto's influence already showing?  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on October 01, 2020, 12:58:57 AM
When do they go to a shoot out and when do they just call it a tie?  Just watched Chelsea Spurs highlights.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on October 01, 2020, 01:35:03 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on October 01, 2020, 12:58:57 AM
When do they go to a shoot out and when do they just call it a tie?  Just watched Chelsea Spurs highlights.

Depends on the tournament format. In league play, there's no penalty shootouts. In knock out rounds usually if there's a  tie after full play time and overtime.

If a knock out round has teams playing each other twice (home and away), the cumulative score decides; in some contests away goals are used as tie breaker before overtime or penalty shootouts. I.e. if your team wins 3-2 at home, but loses 1-0 away, then the score is 3-3, but the other team scored 2 away goals vs your 0, and advances to next round.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 01, 2020, 03:45:58 AM
Quote from: The Larch on September 30, 2020, 05:58:20 PM
Quote from: Liep on September 30, 2020, 04:34:52 PM
So the Danish team with the most boring name, FC Midtjylland (FC Middle of Jutland) has won entry to the Champions League. It's a huge surprise and it doesn't happen very often that a Danish team gets to play in the CL.

Sisto's influence already showing?  :P

They were trailing 0-1 until he was subbed out :p
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 01, 2020, 11:36:53 AM
Quote from: Liep on September 30, 2020, 04:34:52 PM
So the Danish team with the most boring name, FC Midtjylland (FC Middle of Jutland) has won entry to the Champions League. It's a huge surprise and it doesn't happen very often that a Danish team gets to play in the CL.
Poor Midtjylland ended up with a challenging group :( :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 01, 2020, 12:43:58 PM
So it's Porto, Manchester City, Olympiakos and Marseille.

Usually, a French club would be good since for some unexplainable reason Portuguese clubs, even Porto, are not taken seriously, despite the gap in European titles between A Liga and the Ligue des Tas Lents. However, with a great Portuguese coach such as Villas-Boas I am afraid this won't be the case this time.
Plus one Portuguese coach for Olympiakos, for good measure.

:hmm:

A priori City first. They only mess up from 1/4 finals.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on October 01, 2020, 01:47:17 PM
Quote from: Syt on October 01, 2020, 01:35:03 AM
Depends on the tournament format. In league play, there's no penalty shootouts. In knock out rounds usually if there's a  tie after full play time and overtime.

If a knock out round has teams playing each other twice (home and away), the cumulative score decides; in some contests away goals are used as tie breaker before overtime or penalty shootouts. I.e. if your team wins 3-2 at home, but loses 1-0 away, then the score is 3-3, but the other team scored 2 away goals vs your 0, and advances to next round.

So does that mean Chelsea and Tottenham were playing in some tournament?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 01, 2020, 01:48:28 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on October 01, 2020, 11:36:53 AM
Quote from: Liep on September 30, 2020, 04:34:52 PM
So the Danish team with the most boring name, FC Midtjylland (FC Middle of Jutland) has won entry to the Champions League. It's a huge surprise and it doesn't happen very often that a Danish team gets to play in the CL.
Poor Midtjylland ended up with a challenging group :( :lol:

Reaction from a Liverpool journalist: "A couple of brilliant cities and a three-hour road trip from Copenhagen to somewhere which sounds like a planet."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 01, 2020, 03:40:37 PM
FC Copenhagen is out of Europe League after losing 0-1.

The goal was the most insane and defensively incompetent looking goal I've seen in a long time. 1 attacker, 4 defenders:

https://twitter.com/axelmoeen/status/1311735130151620608?s=20
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 01, 2020, 05:03:59 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on October 01, 2020, 01:47:17 PM
Quote from: Syt on October 01, 2020, 01:35:03 AM
Depends on the tournament format. In league play, there's no penalty shootouts. In knock out rounds usually if there's a  tie after full play time and overtime.

If a knock out round has teams playing each other twice (home and away), the cumulative score decides; in some contests away goals are used as tie breaker before overtime or penalty shootouts. I.e. if your team wins 3-2 at home, but loses 1-0 away, then the score is 3-3, but the other team scored 2 away goals vs your 0, and advances to next round.

So does that mean Chelsea and Tottenham were playing in some tournament?
Yeah - the League Cup (well, the Carabao Cup - named for it's sponsor). It's a cup tournament of all the clubs in the Football League so all the professional clubs (though I think there's a gorwing number of clubs that are non-league but professional).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 01, 2020, 05:04:40 PM
Quote from: Liep on October 01, 2020, 03:40:37 PM
FC Copenhagen is out of Europe League after losing 0-1.

The goal was the most insane and defensively incompetent looking goal I've seen in a long time. 1 attacker, 4 defenders:

https://twitter.com/axelmoeen/status/1311735130151620608?s=20
:lol: OMG :blink: :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 02, 2020, 01:24:18 AM
Bad night for clandestino, Sporting out after losing 4-1 to Linz.
Milan AC was dragged to a very long penalty session by Rio Ave (20 or so penalty kicks). Crazy game. Including a late equalizer on penalty in the overtime and a double post shot.

As for FC Copenhagen, sorry but  :lol:.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on October 02, 2020, 03:15:07 AM
Quote from: Liep on October 01, 2020, 03:40:37 PM
FC Copenhagen is out of Europe League after losing 0-1.

The goal was the most insane and defensively incompetent looking goal I've seen in a long time. 1 attacker, 4 defenders:

https://twitter.com/axelmoeen/status/1311735130151620608?s=20

:lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on October 02, 2020, 04:25:44 AM
Quote from: Liep on October 01, 2020, 03:40:37 PM
FC Copenhagen is out of Europe League after losing 0-1.

The goal was the most insane and defensively incompetent looking goal I've seen in a long time. 1 attacker, 4 defenders:

https://twitter.com/axelmoeen/status/1311735130151620608?s=20

That's so sad to watch. Fremdschämen at its best. :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 02, 2020, 08:44:24 AM
That's incredible  :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on October 02, 2020, 09:11:37 AM
Did the defender go ahead and score the goal for him once he bounced it off the top of the goal?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 02, 2020, 09:23:02 AM
Quote from: Valmy on October 02, 2020, 09:11:37 AM
Did the defender go ahead and score the goal for him once he bounced it off the top of the goal?
Yes :weep: :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on October 02, 2020, 10:39:21 AM
The one that is set to the Benny Hill theme music is the best.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 02, 2020, 11:14:56 AM
Quote from: crazy canuck on October 02, 2020, 10:39:21 AM
The one that is set to the Benny Hill theme music is the best.

My thoughts exactly. Would be perfect for a bad FIFA video game script sequence.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 03, 2020, 10:16:52 AM
James is in Everton? They're looking really good.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 03, 2020, 11:34:21 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 30, 2020, 05:23:39 PM
I cannot explain enough how much I love Ancelotti and how great it is when he's in charge of your club :wub:
Again :wub:

James is great. But the players that have improved under Ancelotti is incredible. There was a bit of me that worried when he came because I thought it was really good but didn't think he really improved players like this (beyond just really good man management, making everyone feel good). I didn't think he was that kind of coach, but it's been really impressive.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 04, 2020, 10:58:41 AM
What's up with the Premier League? There's so many goals everywhere. Just now it's 1-2 in Man U - Spurs and it's just 27 minutes in.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 04, 2020, 11:00:59 AM
Lamella is an arsehole.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 04, 2020, 11:20:56 AM
Shit ManU is always entertaining. Might make them bid for Dembele, even.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 04, 2020, 11:22:53 AM
Quote from: celedhring on October 04, 2020, 11:20:56 AM
Shit ManU is always entertaining. Might make them bid for Dembele, even.

Interesting to see how they lost all structure after the red card.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 04, 2020, 11:26:19 AM
Because Solksjaer is a mediocre manager, imho. They have never found their guy since Ferguson left.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 04, 2020, 11:46:58 AM
Would be quite wonderful for Everton to win the league the year after Liverpool wouldn't it. :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 04, 2020, 11:53:24 AM
Quote from: Tyr on October 04, 2020, 11:46:58 AM
Would be quite wonderful for Everton to win the league the year after Liverpool wouldn't it. :lol:
Yes. Yes it would :ph34r:

QuoteBecause Solksjaer is a mediocre manager, imho. They have never found their guy since Ferguson left.
I know they did enough to justify another season, but the fact that Lampard and Solskjaer are in two of the biggest and richest clubs in England while Poch is unemployed is baffling.

With Solskjaer I sort of feel like if he does well enough (top 5 say) then he's not really a manager in a position to demand better in terms of transfers etc which is ideal for a lazy, incompetent board.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 04, 2020, 01:54:16 PM
Well, Liverpool certainly doesn't want to be upstaged by ManU. All is good for Everton's title aspirations.

Looking back at ManU and Everton, I certainly can't remember a quicker fall from grace than David Moyes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 04, 2020, 01:59:09 PM
Villa ahead 4-1.. I repeat my question. I don't know what happened to the PL but I like it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 04, 2020, 02:08:54 PM
Quote from: Liep on October 04, 2020, 01:59:09 PM
Villa ahead 4-1.. I repeat my question. I don't know what happened to the PL but I like it.
I do kind of crave a nice 0-0 :blush:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 04, 2020, 02:10:31 PM
The Appoint Norwegian PE teacher strategy was not a good strategy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 04, 2020, 02:12:39 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 04, 2020, 02:10:31 PM
The Appoint Norwegian PE teacher strategy was not a good strategy.
"Give it Giggsy till the end of the season."

QuoteLooking back at ManU and Everton, I certainly can't remember a quicker fall from grace than David Moyes.
I mean he's doing well managing West Ham from home :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 04, 2020, 02:14:09 PM
Everton top of the league at Christmas? So far they look the best out of these first few games.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 04, 2020, 02:25:44 PM
James will get his traditional muscle injury at some point and they'll fall off.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 04, 2020, 02:53:23 PM
Villa and Liverpool :o  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on October 04, 2020, 04:19:53 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 04, 2020, 02:53:23 PM
Villa and Liverpool :o  :lol:

It's been coming for a while. :(

They rode their luck before the winter break last season, went "off the boil" (or, if you prefer, "lost their edge") after it, and then shipped 3 goals in their opening match against newly promoted Leeds - Leeds are a decent side and a club with a storied history, but no champion should begin their title defense shipping that many goals. I'm not surprised that a horror show score like this has happened; possibly a little surprised at it coming so quickly after the Leeds match.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on October 04, 2020, 07:29:23 PM
25 goals in just 6 matches yesterday.  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 04, 2020, 07:30:56 PM
Quote from: mongers on October 04, 2020, 07:29:23 PM
25 goals in just 6 matches yesterday.  :hmm:

2020 is a helluva year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on October 05, 2020, 02:34:41 AM
Quote from: Agelastus on October 04, 2020, 04:19:53 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 04, 2020, 02:53:23 PM
Villa and Liverpool :o  :lol:

It's been coming for a while. :(

They rode their luck before the winter break last season, went "off the boil" (or, if you prefer, "lost their edge") after it, and then shipped 3 goals in their opening match against newly promoted Leeds - Leeds are a decent side and a club with a storied history, but no champion should begin their title defense shipping that many goals. I'm not surprised that a horror show score like this has happened; possibly a little surprised at it coming so quickly after the Leeds match.

I think that game (and the Leeds one and Man City v Leicester) demonstrate that you can't depend solely on high press and a high line, particularly when you are missing key players like Mane.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 05, 2020, 07:24:01 AM
A Top 3 of Everton, Aston Villa and Leicester has a very "early XXth century" vibe, with most of the players sporting stupendous moustaches. I support such a radical change in top teams.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 05, 2020, 08:12:24 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 05, 2020, 07:24:01 AM
A Top 3 of Everton, Aston Villa and Leicester has a very "early XXth century" vibe, with most of the players sporting stupendous moustaches. I support such a radical change in top teams.
Missing Sunderland. :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on October 05, 2020, 08:28:49 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 05, 2020, 07:24:01 AM
A Top 3 of Everton, Aston Villa and Leicester has a very "early XXth century" vibe, with most of the players sporting stupendous moustaches. I support such a radical change in top teams.

I dunno, Leicester were not very successful in the early 20th century. Just one season in devision 1 pre-WW1 and relegated in that one. Has more of an early/mid 1980s vibe to me.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 05, 2020, 01:46:54 PM
I cannot comprehend what Arsenal thought they'd achieve by firing Gunnersaurus :blink: :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 05, 2020, 02:10:58 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on October 05, 2020, 01:46:54 PM
I cannot comprehend what Arsenal thought they'd achieve by firing Gunnersaurus :blink: :(

I saw Arsenal play a friendly last summer here in the States and watching Gunnersaurus interact with people was my favorite thing about the experience.

:(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 05, 2020, 02:51:58 PM
With Porto lending (with compulsory sale) or selling its only international-class players such as Danilo to PSG, a team in dire need of a 6 like him, and Telles (left wing-back) to MU, a complete failure à la Benfica in 2017-18 in the CL (Zero point) becomes possible.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on October 05, 2020, 02:54:53 PM
Is there nothing equivalent to free agency in fodbol?  I never hear of a player just finishing his contract then putting himself up for bid.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 05, 2020, 03:09:19 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on October 05, 2020, 02:54:53 PM
Is there nothing equivalent to free agency in fodbol?  I never hear of a player just finishing his contract then putting himself up for bid.

Cavani was just picked up by United on a free. It just usually doesn't happen with big profile players though because a club will rather sell him before his contract expires to make money on the sale if they cannot get the player to extend.

The largest recent free transfer I can think of now is probably Lewandowski's move to Bayern.

Next year Messi will be free to move.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 06, 2020, 07:06:16 AM
Braithwaite got number 9 at Barca.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 06, 2020, 07:14:03 AM
Quote from: Liep on October 06, 2020, 07:06:16 AM
Braithwaite got number 9 at Barca.

It's not as if he had much competition for the traditional center forward number.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 06, 2020, 07:14:24 AM
Quote from: Liep on October 05, 2020, 03:09:19 PM
Cavani was just picked up by United on a free. It just usually doesn't happen with big profile players though because a club will rather sell him before his contract expires to make money on the sale if they cannot get the player to extend.

The largest recent free transfer I can think of now is probably Lewandowski's move to Bayern.

Next year Messi will be free to move.
I think this is key to why Yi won't have seen many even outside big profile players. I think letting a player run down their contract is normally seen as a failure by the club in some way or other. Either they are wildly over-paying for the player so literally can't shift them, or they're really managing their assets very well.

The Eriksen-Spurs fight strikes me as a particular example of this. Spurs get their players (generally) to sign a contract extension every years, with a nice pay rise but that means they always have the player on a five year contract and so have a fair amount of leverage if the player wants to leave or another club wants them. Eriksen refused to sign any extensions so at the end of five years the power dynamic shifted and he wanted a move, so Spurs accepted a far lower fee than they would expect because it was better than letting him leave on a free and not get any money for the transfer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 06, 2020, 07:16:49 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 06, 2020, 07:14:03 AM
Quote from: Liep on October 06, 2020, 07:06:16 AM
Braithwaite got number 9 at Barca.

It's not as if he had much competition for the traditional center forward number.  :P

Kinda pleased the number didn't go to any of our million side forwards that will probable play more than him. Shirt numbers are serious business.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 06, 2020, 07:31:46 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on October 06, 2020, 07:14:24 AM
I think this is key to why Yi won't have seen many even outside big profile players. I think letting a player run down their contract is normally seen as a failure by the club in some way or other.

Yup, and even more so for big names. Losing a player and getting nothing in exchange is seen as the worst possible outcome. It happens more often with less relevant players, and when it happens to a big player it's normally because they're int he tail end of their careers and on a very big contract that nobody will match.

Then again this year is strange in that there are a number of unattached relatively big names still around (Götze, Mandzukic, Sturridge...), and for instance the transfer market in Spain was really weird. I have the feeling that Covid is wrecking many clubs' economies and this is affecting a lot of this year's transfers.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 06, 2020, 07:37:28 AM
Surprised no one has taken a punt on Götze, though, even with his injury history.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 06, 2020, 08:08:25 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 06, 2020, 07:31:46 AM
Yup, and even more so for big names. Losing a player and getting nothing in exchange is seen as the worst possible outcome. It happens more often with less relevant players, and when it happens to a big player it's normally because they're int he tail end of their careers and on a very big contract that nobody will match.
I know nothing about US sports - beyond occasionally watching them. What causes the free agency thing to be so big there?

QuoteThen again this year is strange in that there are a number of unattached relatively big names still around (Götze, Mandzukic, Sturridge...), and for instance the transfer market in Spain was really weird. I have the feeling that Covid is wrecking many clubs' economies and this is affecting a lot of this year's transfers.
Yeah I think Covid is a big issue on this. There's also been a few players mutually terminating their contract to move or to go on a free which I think is very new - I can't think of examples in other windows. Plus lot's more loans with an obligation to buy or swaps or other creative solutions.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 06, 2020, 08:22:24 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on October 06, 2020, 08:08:25 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 06, 2020, 07:31:46 AM
Yup, and even more so for big names. Losing a player and getting nothing in exchange is seen as the worst possible outcome. It happens more often with less relevant players, and when it happens to a big player it's normally because they're int he tail end of their careers and on a very big contract that nobody will match.
I know nothing about US sports - beyond occasionally watching them. What causes the free agency thing to be so big there?

My impression (mostly through following the NBA) is that teams operate on a similar logic, when a big name player refuses to renew their contract it becomes a ticking clock scenario for his team to trade him in order to get something out of it, and it has happened many times in recent years. The difference regarding player transfers is that over there players don't sign a new contract with their new team upon being transferred, they retain the contract they already had, so it's not a chance to increase their wages. Also, most players don't have a say and are traded without being informed or even giving their approval, so they're even more explicitely club assets.

Then again, even taking all of this into account, there's always a reasonable amount of players who still finish their contracts and enter free agency, in order to sign a new contract with a new team (there's no chance of signing a new contract with your current contract still active, like in footie when players can sign new contracts once there's less than 6 months remaining on their current contracts. There's also a "sign and trade", in which a player signs a new contract with his current team and is immediately trasnfered to a new one, in which all parts are in agreement.

The fact that American sports also have highly regulated Collective Bargaining Agreements in place makes comparisons difficult, as they're normally quite intricate and nothing of that sort exists in Europe.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 06, 2020, 08:31:51 AM
A big part of American free agency, I believe, is the fact that it is the only way players get to choose their destiny, since they have no formal input on their trades. Also wage caps remove incentives for teams to keep everybody under contract.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 06, 2020, 08:38:07 AM
Quote from: celedhring on October 06, 2020, 08:31:51 AM
A big part of American free agency, I believe, is the fact that it is the only way players get to choose their destiny, since they have no formal input on their trades. Also wage caps remove incentives for teams to keep everybody under contract.

Yeah, that too. Then again, and at least in the NBA, it is said that we're in the era of "player empowerment", as players tend to have more of a say in this kind of things, but I think it's mostly theoretical and only really works for the biggest names. Mid and low level palyers will still keep getting churned around. As I said, in US sports players are club assets in a much more tangible way. Also, the way many leagues work, player rotation is quite high and players contracts can be much more easily rescinded (many times for purely financial reasons, or simply to make room in the roster for a new player), so there's always a decently sized pool of free agents (ie, unemployed players) lying around waiting for a contract offer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 06, 2020, 09:37:53 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on October 05, 2020, 01:46:54 PM
I cannot comprehend what Arsenal thought they'd achieve by firing Gunnersaurus :blink: :(

Apparently Ozil is offering to pay Gunnersaurus' salary out of his paycheck for as long as he's an Arsenal player.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on October 06, 2020, 11:33:13 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 06, 2020, 09:37:53 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on October 05, 2020, 01:46:54 PM
I cannot comprehend what Arsenal thought they'd achieve by firing Gunnersaurus :blink: :(

Apparently Ozil is offering to pay Gunnersaurus' salary out of his paycheck for as long as he's an Arsenal player.  :lol:

Reminds me of one of my favourite David Squires strips

https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2018/may/15/david-squires-on-the-north-bank-redemption-arsene-wenger-arsenal
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 06, 2020, 11:37:41 AM
Quote from: Gups on October 06, 2020, 11:33:13 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 06, 2020, 09:37:53 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on October 05, 2020, 01:46:54 PM
I cannot comprehend what Arsenal thought they'd achieve by firing Gunnersaurus :blink: :(

Apparently Ozil is offering to pay Gunnersaurus' salary out of his paycheck for as long as he's an Arsenal player.  :lol:

Reminds me of one of my favourite David Squires strips

https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2018/may/15/david-squires-on-the-north-bank-redemption-arsene-wenger-arsenal

That one is brilliant. Lots of people on Twitter were referencing it upon all the Gunnersaurus debacle.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 06, 2020, 11:39:14 AM
Quote from: Gups on October 06, 2020, 11:33:13 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 06, 2020, 09:37:53 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on October 05, 2020, 01:46:54 PM
I cannot comprehend what Arsenal thought they'd achieve by firing Gunnersaurus :blink: :(

Apparently Ozil is offering to pay Gunnersaurus' salary out of his paycheck for as long as he's an Arsenal player.  :lol:

Reminds me of one of my favourite David Squires strips

https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2018/may/15/david-squires-on-the-north-bank-redemption-arsene-wenger-arsenal
:lol: Yes! One of his best. I have no attachment whatsover to Arsenal, but I weirdly like Gunnersaurus because of David Squires.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 06, 2020, 11:40:46 AM
Apparently Arsenal had to come out to say that as soon as fans are allowed back in the stadium Gunnersaurus will be back as well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 06, 2020, 11:41:12 AM
I've loved gunnersaurus since I watched him looking solemn and dejected in an Arsenal game during Remembrance Day  :lol:

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EjjUrZDXcAA3ms_.jpg)

Magnificent mastery of mascot body language.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 06, 2020, 11:44:13 AM
And of course Squires includes the Gunnersaurus affaire in his latest strip, getting more space than Man U0s's thrashing by Tottenham.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2020/oct/06/david-squires-on-anarchy-in-the-premier-league-and-extinct-dinosaurs (https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2020/oct/06/david-squires-on-anarchy-in-the-premier-league-and-extinct-dinosaurs)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 06, 2020, 11:52:10 AM
Quote from: celedhring on October 06, 2020, 11:41:12 AM
I've loved gunnersaurus since I watched him looking solemn and dejected in an Arsenal game during Remembrance Day  :lol:
There's nothing better than mascots having to look solemn :lol:

This Twitter account's worth a look:
https://twitter.com/MascotSilence
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 06, 2020, 12:07:31 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on October 06, 2020, 11:52:10 AM
Quote from: celedhring on October 06, 2020, 11:41:12 AM
I've loved gunnersaurus since I watched him looking solemn and dejected in an Arsenal game during Remembrance Day  :lol:
There's nothing better than mascots having to look solemn :lol:

This Twitter account's worth a look:
https://twitter.com/MascotSilence

That's a fantastic account. I love you.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on October 06, 2020, 12:13:20 PM
If you like mascots, there's also Mondo Mascots, showcasing weird Japanese mascots for cities, companies, etc.

https://twitter.com/mondomascots
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 06, 2020, 12:49:45 PM
West Bromwich Albion has (or had) as a mascot, due to sponsorship reasons, a water boiler. Let that sink in.

(https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2018/08/04/Boilerman_trans%2B%2BgYKNigzpQRdkdFdTSqb4hpbi-2s8cZgMx3mvlzIvHRY.PNG)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 06, 2020, 12:53:29 PM
Quote from: The Larch on October 06, 2020, 12:49:45 PM
West Bromwich Albion has (or had) as a mascot, due to sponsorship reasons, a water boiler. Let that sink in.

(https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2018/08/04/Boilerman_trans%2B%2BgYKNigzpQRdkdFdTSqb4hpbi-2s8cZgMx3mvlzIvHRY.PNG)
:lol: One of the all time greats.

They even had a sort of mascot hand-over between Baggie the Bird and Boilerman (I'm not clear who the dinosaur is):
(https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/NINTCHDBPICT000442622889.jpg?w=620)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 06, 2020, 03:35:50 PM
Wasn't boilerman an awesome bit of post modern advertising?
Really got people talking about the boiler by being intentionally ridiculous.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 07, 2020, 01:46:48 PM
Seems Antonin Panenka is in ICU for Covid-19.

Yes, THE Panenka.
(https://media.giphy.com/media/jOsk23bU3rzF9ZlqPX/giphy.gif)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 07, 2020, 05:15:18 PM
Great NYT piece on the Jorge Mendes merry-go-round:
QuoteThe Big Winner at the Transfer Window Was Jorge Mendes. Again.
The coronavirus pandemic has sent the soccer industry reeling, but money still flows to Mendes, one of the world's most powerful agents. He just wrapped up another extremely profitable summer.

(https://static01.nyt.com/images/2020/10/05/sports/05soccer-deadline-mendes/merlin_137314962_1bec2b7f-6a2a-4174-9820-504c7df6a3bf-superJumbo.jpg?quality=90&auto=webp)
The soccer agent Jorge Mendes, whose guiding hand was present in dozens of deals before Monday's transfer deadline.Credit...Sergio Perez/Reuters

By Tariq Panja
    Published Oct. 5, 2020Updated Oct. 6, 2020

The soccer economy is reeling. Every week there appears to be a new, dizzying figure highlighting the financial crunch the industry is facing as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. More than $115 million in losses at Barcelona alone. Hundreds of millions more in rebates to television rights holders. Across Europe, losses are expected to climb as high as $4.5 billion.

But the crisis has also created a few winners. Among the biggest has been Jorge Mendes, the Portuguese businessman and player agent, who for the last two decades has regularly taken a healthy slice from the $7 billion-a-year player transfer market. This year, despite soccer's meltdown, Mendes appears to be doing better than ever.

In the transfer window that closed Monday night in Europe, Mendes sent Benfica's Rúben Dias to Manchester City for $80 million, then replaced him in Lisbon with another client. He eased James Rodríguez out of Real Madrid's doghouse and into a starring role at Everton, and arranged for Wolverhampton to sell the Irish defender Matt Doherty to Tottenham ($20 million) and the Portuguese forward Diogo Jota to Liverpool ($53 million).

And even as he completed those last two sales, Mendes helpfully persuaded Wolves to spend some of the money it received in his own shop: Wolves replaced Doherty with another Mendes client, Nelson Semedo, and used most of the money from Jota's sale to recruit two rising talents — two more deals driven by Mendes — from F.C. Porto.

Across the board, from the unheralded signing to the headlining-grabbing move, Mendes left his imprint across Europe again. This summer's deals alone have produced hundreds of millions of dollars in players sales, and — perhaps more important to Mendes and his agency, Gestifute — tens of millions of dollars in commissions.

"It seems he is not touched by the crisis," said Pippo Russo, the author of a book that charted the rise of Mendes, 54, from Portuguese nightclub manager to one of soccer's most dominant actors. "We can say the economic power network of Jorge Mendes resisted the coronavirus. It is as if he has the vaccine."

Permanently tanned, impeccably dressed and usually outfitted with a pair of glistening white earphones to field calls, Mendes is never off duty, never pausing in his efforts to cultivate new inroads that could yield new and richer deals. The Mendes business model is built upon relationships, and this summer's transfer window has seen him leverage them to full effect.

Operating deftly in an unstable marketplace, Mendes worked with both financially stricken clubs looking to balance their books and with the few cash-rich outfits that saw opportunity amid the financial uncertainty. The roots of his business are now so entrenched, in fact, that in some cases he and his company are represented on all sides — buying club, selling club and player — of a given deal.

In one recent example — the move of Doherty, a 28-year-old Irish defender, from Wolverhampton to Tottenham — the guiding hand of Mendes touched every facet of the deal.

Wolves, you see, is owned by Fosun International, a Chinese conglomerate that also holds a minority stake in Gestifute. And Doherty, who turned to Mendes earlier this year to guide his career, left a club managed by Mendes's first professional client, Nuno Espirito Santo, to join a team coached by one of Mendes's most high-profile clients, José Mourinho.

Wolves's relationship with Mendes has been the subject of scrutiny in English soccer, with rival clubs complaining about his close ties to Fosun, to Espirito Santo and to a handful of the players on the team's roster. An investigation by the Football League, which is responsible for the three professional tiers of English soccer below the Premier League, found that there were no breaches in how Wolves — bolstered by a clutch of Mendes-linked players from Portugal — secured promotion to England's top flight in 2018.

But Mendes's dealings with the club, and others, run deep. Wolves — and Mendes — were also at the center of two curious trades this summer involving F.C. Porto, a Portuguese champion with a two-decade link to the agent.

On the cusp of a financial meltdown, and with large debts coming due, Porto turned to Mendes to find buyers for some of its up-and-coming stars. In a feat of alchemy that Mendes appears to have honed to perfection, Mendes convinced Fosun, his Chinese partners at Wolves, to pay what could be as much as $70 million for two highly rated though largely untested youngsters: Vitor Ferreira, a 20-year-old midfielder known as Vitinha, and Fábio Silva, an 18-year-old forward.

A quarter of the 40 million euro fee for Silva ended up in agents commissions, Porto announced, with most of it going to Mendes.

The size of Mendes's commission for Silva was eye-catching, and considerably above the industry average, but not uncommon: Last year, when Mendes arranged the $138 million sale of the Benfica teenager João Felix to Atlético Madrid, he reportedly earned about $35 million in the deal.

Still, it was another sign that whatever measures soccer's governing body, FIFA, imposes to try to curb the excesses of the transfer market, the most canny operators are always able to generate sky-high returns.

Porto, which is regulated on the Portuguese stock market, declined to explain why it had agreed to part with 25 percent of the sale price for Silva in commissions.

A spokeswoman for Mendes declined to comment on any of Mendes's past or present deals, saying the agent never discusses his business publicly.

Portuguese agents have privately fumed about Mendes's influence over the industry for years. Yet Mendes is so well-connected that clubs routinely call on him to grease the wheels of deals even when he is not affiliated with the player in question. In January, for example, he was paid $8 million for helping arrange for Braga, a mid-ranking Portuguese team, to sell its young forward Francisco Trincão to Barcelona. Trincão's registered agents were not involved in the sale.

In 2018, the president of Benfica, Portugal's biggest team, described Mendes's role as akin to a taxi service, ferrying out the club's best assets in one direction and ferrying in millions of dollars in the other.

Last week, Mendes helped Benfica replenish its accounts once again. Benfica agreed to send striker Carlos Vinicius on loan to Tottenham under an agreement in which the London team will have to pay 40 million euros to make the deal permanent next summer, and then it sold Dias, a talented defender, to Manchester City for a fee of 68 million euros (about $80 million).

Dias's arrival at Manchester City was bad news for Nicolas Otamendi, since he plays the same position. But Mendes had a solution there, too: Otamendi was promptly sold to Benfica for $18 million, slotting neatly into the space Dias had vacated. Mendes, as Otamendi's agent, cashed in again.

His ties with clubs and executives have at times allowed Mendes's operation to seem like a carousel on which a never ending cast of athletes floats from one club to another. In collecting commissions each time, Mendes directs a system that sometimes seems as sophisticated, and as meticulously choreographed, as anything a coach might direct on the field.

Mendes rarely gives interviews, but he was required in 2017 to explain how his business operated at a court hearing in Spain, where the authorities charged a number of his clients, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Mourinho, with tax evasion. Most of the cases were resolved with guilty pleas and fines.

Mendes told the Spanish court he knew nothing about his clients' tax arrangements, saying he had hired professionals to deal with those affairs. His focus, he said, was purely on guiding their careers.

"I dedicate myself only to this, trying to find the best solutions for my players, and spending a year is like spending a minute," he said, according to news reports at the time. "I try to dedicate my time to my family and spend my life working, on the phone until midnight."

This year, even when soccer ground to a halt, Mendes kept right on working. He remains the agent always ready with a solution, providing clubs can afford his fee.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 08, 2020, 02:10:43 AM
I know Wolves are doing well and their fans won't complain, but the way he uses them to line his pockets is such a massive conflict of interest, how is that even allowed?

I mean, we sold Semedo for €30m to them, which is way over the odds given the current economy, and the only reason for the inflated price is because that way Mendes could extract a bigger fee from it, which Wolves paid.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 08, 2020, 03:03:16 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on October 07, 2020, 05:15:18 PM


In 2018, the president of Benfica, Portugal's biggest team, described Mendes's role as akin to a taxi service, ferrying out the club's best assets in one direction and ferrying in millions of dollars in the other.



This is Salazar's Portugal in the '60s anymore. Even in Portugal, it's more of a 2+1 so with Porto and Sporting in best years. In European competitions, Benfica has been a joke for quite a while now.
Mind you, the big Three are kind of detrimental to the rest.

Yes, Mendes is a plague and no Portuguese club president can deal without him.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 08, 2020, 04:06:23 AM
Quote from: celedhring on October 08, 2020, 02:10:43 AM
I know Wolves are doing well and their fans won't complain, but the way he uses them to line his pockets is such a massive conflict of interest, how is that even allowed?

I mean, we sold Semedo for €30m to them, which is way over the odds given the current economy, and the only reason for the inflated price is because that way Mendes could extract a bigger fee from it, which Wolves paid.
I wonder if this is the window when Wolves sort of start to regret it. Because I think they've sold good players and replaced them with either fairly young, untested players or less good players like Semedo. They are  basically a shop window for Mendes' wares.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 12, 2020, 07:29:19 AM
League of Nations, after friendlies:

Games a bit disappointing yesterday, except perhaps for the English.  :P

Bosnia-Herzegovina 0 Netherlands 0

No Memphis Depay and it shows. Dzeko can't do everything by himself, specially if he enters only 30 minutes before the end. New Dutch coach is not that great either...

England 2 Belgium 1

Somewhat surprising, a lucky deflection yes but it is legit.

Sweden 1 Croatia

First victory for Croatia, Sweden still at 0.

Poland 0 Italy 0

Italy is not what it used to be and Lewandowski is not performing as well as with Bayern, as nearly always;

Last but not least, ™the Euro 2016 Final Revenge™ [spoiler]or so it was marketed[/spoiler]

France 0 Portugal 0

Tactical game indeed. or "matche taquetique" as would say Deschamps. A Selecção still leading the group.

Fluke of the night:
https://twitter.com/lequipe/status/1315335591832293376 (https://twitter.com/lequipe/status/1315335591832293376)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 12, 2020, 09:05:32 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on October 12, 2020, 07:29:19 AM
League of Nations, after friendlies:

Games a bit disappointing yesterday, except perhaps for the English.  :P
Poland 0 Italy 0

Italy is not what it used to be a
https://twitter.com/lequipe/status/1315335591832293376 (https://twitter.com/lequipe/status/1315335591832293376)

Most teams treat this tournament as glorified friendlies, which is what they're intended to be. Come Euro or World Cup and you can expect Italy to do really well, and for England to suck.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 12, 2020, 09:45:17 AM
Well, England won against Belgium, which had beaten them for the Bronze medal for the last World Cup.
As for the last World Cup, Italy did not qualify.

First edition of the League of Nations was better as in less crammed games due to the current health crisis and a more competitive format (3 teams per group in League A).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 13, 2020, 05:03:47 PM
Cristiano Ronaldo tested positive for Covid-19, so no game for him with a Selecção vs Sweden.

Asymptomatic though, so everybody around him has been tested lately. Only the second Portuguese goalkeeper had to leave earlier, since he was tested positive previously.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 14, 2020, 05:45:21 AM
Are you guys getting any reporting on this "Big Picture Project" proposal for English football? I just saw a couple of reports son it and it seems to contain some rather worrying elements for the future of English football. As it currently stands it basically implies a heavy concentration of power on the top Premier League clubs and a reorganization of competitions in exchange for a bailout for lower league teams, which are currently in dire straits. It was created by the owners of Man United and Liverpool, with Chelsea later joining them and afterwards including also Arsenal, Man City and Tottenham.

A short summary would be as follows.

Competition related changes:
- Premier League would be reduced to 18 teams, with Championship, League 1 and League 2 staying at 24 teams.
- During the first season a "super relegation" would take place, with 4 Premier League teams going down and cascading downwards. Afterwards, 2 PL teams would be automatically relegated each year, with 2 CL teams being automatically promoted. Afterwards, the 16th PL team would enter a playoff with the 3rd, 4th and 5th CL teams.
- League Cup and Community Shield would be abolished.
- Creation of an independent Women's League.

Financially related changes:
- One-off 250 million pounds bailout for the EFL (Championship, League 1 and League 2), and 100 million pound "gift" for the FA in order to fund lower league teams, grassroots and women's game.
- Complete reworking of the distribution of tv broadcasting rights, with the abolition of parachute payments for relegated PL teams. Instead, 25% of the money from broadcasting rights would go to EFL teams (roughly speaking, 15 million pounds per CL team, 3 millions for L1 and 2 millions for L2), from the current 8%.
- Some games per season would be able to be sold independently from the current broadcasting agreement
- Cap on 20 pounds for tickets destined to away fans, and subsidised travel for supporters.

Premier League management changes:
- Decision making in the Premier League would be reformed. Instead of 14 out of 20 teams being needed to take a decision, for some topics, such as accepting new team owners, financial regulations or the negotiation of broadcasting rights, it would move to 6 out of the 9 "long term stakeholders" (the teams that have currently been in the PL the longest, ie Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool, Man Utd, Man City, Southampton, Tottenham and West Ham). 6 out of those 9 would also have veto powers as a bloc.

Apparently this plan would have the support of EFL teams, which are desperate for cash, but opposed by the FA, which had been involved in initial talks but left them in opposition of what was being discussed, and is willing to use its "golden share" to block any changes in the Premier League.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on October 14, 2020, 05:52:49 AM
Shouldn't Newcastle be a stakeholder?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 14, 2020, 05:55:17 AM
It's pretty bad. Hiding the good (supporting the lower leagues) amongst ridiculous bollocks.
The whole thing about giving 9 teams special rights is particularly stinky. The big 6 I get, and Everton too, but why Southampton and West ham in particular otherwise? Why not Leicester who have actually won the league or (🤮) Newcastle who have had more seasons in the Premier league?
The whole concept of creating an entrenched elite... No.

Also rather than killing the league Cup how about making it worthwhile? Putting some good prize money in it?

18 team premier league is also a thumbs down. Having the top teams weakened due to Europe is a good thing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 14, 2020, 05:58:56 AM
Quote from: Threviel on October 14, 2020, 05:52:49 AM
Shouldn't Newcastle be a stakeholder?

They were relegated in 2016 but inmediately promoted again in 2017. Southampton and West Ham are, I believe, the ones from the "long term stakeholders" that have been in the Premier League for the shortest time (they were both promoted in 2012).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on October 14, 2020, 06:09:35 AM
Are there rules for when the stakeholder teams get relegated?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 14, 2020, 06:14:49 AM
Quote from: Threviel on October 14, 2020, 06:09:35 AM
Are there rules for when the stakeholder teams get relegated?

I assume that the next longest tenured club at that moment would get the spot. Currently that'd be Crystal Palace, if I'm not mistaken.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 14, 2020, 06:37:44 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 14, 2020, 05:45:21 AM
Are you guys getting any reporting on this "Big Picture Project" proposal for English football? I just saw a couple of reports son it and it seems to contain some rather worrying elements for the future of English football. As it currently stands it basically implies a heavy concentration of power on the top Premier League clubs and a reorganization of competitions in exchange for a bailout for lower league teams, which are currently in dire straits. It was created by the owners of Man United and Liverpool, with Chelsea later joining them and afterwards including also Arsenal, Man City and Tottenham.
It's also opposed by the Premier League and the government. I don't particularly like this but there are some interesting ideas in it.

I think it's clear we need change and I think there are good ideas here. Re-uniting Premier League and the EFL and providing funding to the EFL, an independent Women's League (not owned by the Premier League or the FA). I quite like the idea of play-offs for relegation/promotion. I don't think anyone would mourn the Community Shield and my approach to the League Cup wouldn't be to abolilsh it but that it becomes a competition for clubs not playing in Europe and a route into Europe. I also don't mind reducing the number of clubs in the Premier League to 18 (but this does mean 2 clubs leave the League pyramid which is not something that should be done lightly).

I also think getting rid of parachute payments is a good idea. And I see people saying that clubs wouldn't be able to "gamble" on getting to the Premier League - I think that's a good thing. I think a lot of issues have been caused by clubs gambling on promotion, failing and imploding (and separately - the EFL has serious financial issues but they also have an issue of some very, very bad owners and this won't fix that).

The negative bits I think are clubs selling international rights to their games independently - I think this is their priority because Liverpool and City for example could make a lot more money by doing this. It would start with x number of games but end up with all games I think and I don't like it. I also really don't like the change to the voting rights which isn't quite what you've said. It isn't that 6 of the 9 would have a veto right, it's that to make changes you'd need two thirds - so 6 of the 9 is enough to agree anything (with Everton, West Ham and Southampton as patsies).

I don't think the FA will need to use the Golden Share because it's really weird in that the 6 clubs working on this don't need to convince the EFL (who they're kind of bribing) to go along with this. They need to convince another 9 Premier League teams to go along with it, but they're the group worst affected by the proposals.

Honestly part of me just wishes all the super-clubs would fuck off and form their European super-league (if only for the tantrums when some of Chelsea/Arsenal/Spurs/United are not included because it can't have 6 English clubs). Then we can have an English league with teams like Leeds and Villa (and Everton :ph34r:) competing plus allow UEFA to run European competitions without pandering to the super-clubs, which I think would show a bit more respect to the legitimate, good football clubs outside of Spain, England, Italy, Germany and France. So have a Champions League that is just the Champions and then a Europa League for another three clubs (which could be based on league position or cup winners).

I think the real issue is that we all looked at Ajax in the Champions League a couple of years ago or Leicester winning the league, or Super Deportivo to go back further and enjoyed that. The people who own big football clubs smiled along but basically think of ways to stop it ever happening again. And (this is yank-bashing) I think American owners are particularly big on this stuff which combined with the rest of the way football works would just mean a closed shop and no draft so the worst of both worlds.

Edit: Also the opportunism is pretty distasteful and I think may have consequences because the Premier League were doing a pretty good case (I thought) of why they can't bail-out the rest of football. I think the government could now fairly say, well you were just about to give them £250million (again agreed by the 6 people but it's all of the Premier League's money) so the pleadings of poverty ring pretty hollow now
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 14, 2020, 06:49:33 AM
Another possible negative change that I saw mentioned would be that the big teams could block any new really big sugardaddy owner (say, another big national oil fund or whatever) from buying a club that could rival the current top teams, further cementing their economic advantage.

I agree with most of what you say about possible new reforms, but it is quite the naked power grab by the top teams. I don't see the rest of the PL teams going along with it, so I doubth it'll be implemented as it's currently being presented, but it will surely come back in a different shape.

Also, as you say the possibility of teams selling the broadcasting rights for their games independently would be quite a bad move for the league. The economic success of the PL is based on the collective sale of those rights, and allowing some games to be taken away from that package would surely detract from the overall price that they'd be sold for in the future. It's what we did over here, each team sold their rights separately, which was great for Real Madrid and Barcelona, but overall the league was hurt because of that as smaller teams just couldn't get anywhere close to those earnings. The PL model was seen as the epytome of fairness and something to be imitated.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 14, 2020, 09:54:28 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 14, 2020, 06:49:33 AM
Also, as you say the possibility of teams selling the broadcasting rights for their games independently would be quite a bad move for the league. The economic success of the PL is based on the collective sale of those rights, and allowing some games to be taken away from that package would surely detract from the overall price that they'd be sold for in the future. It's what we did over here, each team sold their rights separately, which was great for Real Madrid and Barcelona, but overall the league was hurt because of that as smaller teams just couldn't get anywhere close to those earnings. The PL model was seen as the epytome of fairness and something to be imitated.
Agreed - and here's the thing, I think that decision and greed by Madrid and Barca is now costing them. Because of the way money is distributed in the PL I think while the league itself may not necessarily be competitive almost all of the teams are pretty good and, on their day, can beat any other club including Liverpool or City. Now Liverpool and City would get more money if they negotiated their own TV deals and would pull away even more. I think part of the success of the PL as a brand is that they can pitch games as exciting and surprising in a way that is more challenging if there's a huge gulf between the top and everyone else (however big or small that top is).

So if the games become less exciting because there's less competitiveness fewer people will watch, they'll watch the Bundesliga or Serie A and the English clubs will start to be at an economic disadvantage. I mean I think the competition was why everyone in the world was into Italian football in the 90s, I think there was something similar in Spain in the 2000s with Valencia, Villareal, Madrid, Barca, Super Deportivo (:wub:) which kept going because of how competitive Madrid-Barca-Atletico became (plus the NBA of football with Messi, Ronaldo etc).

There'll always be a base layer of fans globally who watch x league. But I think competition drives the undecided who just like football and if you start baking in a competitive advantage, in the long-run you'll only hurt yourself (however tempting it might be). And I think that is something that perhaps is the issue with American owners in particular because there's no leveling mechanism in football like a salary cap or the draft.

It's also what I think about a European Super-League. For the first few years I'm sure everyone will enjoy it but, and I say this as an Everton fan, eventually a club will end up being Everton. There'll be a top x number of clubs within the Super-League and then there'll be one that is basically often the best of the rest and we start the cycle again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 14, 2020, 11:59:49 AM
Well this has been shut down "unanimously" but it looks like some changes are going to be discussed:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EkTNVvnXsAE6oaF?format=jpg&name=large)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 14, 2020, 12:03:34 PM
Sure, unanimously...  :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 14, 2020, 03:43:57 PM
So Denmark beat England at Wembley. Didn't see the match but apparently Eriksen scored on a debatable penalty and besides that Kjær was the best player. Sounds proper boring.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 14, 2020, 07:30:43 PM
Quote from: Liep on October 14, 2020, 03:43:57 PM
So Denmark beat England at Wembley. Didn't see the match but apparently Eriksen scored on a debatable penalty and besides that Kjær was the best player. Sounds proper boring.

and England had a man sent off too
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 15, 2020, 02:44:14 AM
Portugal 3 Sweden 0

No Ronaldo due to Covid-19, but Diogo Jota was there to score two goals and deliver an assist to an almost eliminated Sweden.

Croatia 1 France 2

™La chatte à Dédé™ is still... working. Croatia actually played better in the second half but Mbappé woke up at last.

"Group final" on November 14 between Portugal and France

Italy 1 Netherlands 1

Both teams are in a not so great shape.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 15, 2020, 07:18:02 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 14, 2020, 12:03:34 PM
Sure, unanimously...  :lmfao:
This is getting messy :lol:

Someone has revealed that the head of the FA in the early meetings proposed a Premier League 2 and Premier League B-Teams (which are both very controversial/pro-big 6 ideas). I could be wrong but it wouldn't surprise me if "someone" is Rick Parry the head of the EFL who was very keen on Project Big Picture.

We not quite at Spanish levels of fights between the leagues and the federation - but we're getting there :lol:

Edit: Also just listening to my usual Everton podcast and I will never not love how much Everton fans/scousers don't care about England :lol: :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on October 15, 2020, 05:16:59 PM
Intense localism is what sports is all about.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 17, 2020, 07:32:00 AM
Pickford destroying Virg was quite a play.  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 17, 2020, 08:15:48 AM
Calvert-Lewin jumping 10 feet in the air to head in a goal was also quite the play :o  :bowler: :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 17, 2020, 08:40:57 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 17, 2020, 08:15:48 AM
Calvert-Lewin jumping 10 feet in the air to head in a goal was also quite the play :o  :bowler: :bowler:
I love him so much :wub:

What a mad game. But it makes a pleasant change from the usual derby of recent years - either Liverpool winning or a very gritty* (*boring) draw.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on October 17, 2020, 02:38:09 PM
Do Spanish announcers all do that "gooooooooooooooal" thing?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 17, 2020, 03:45:20 PM
Barca still sucks. When they need to play fast their game breaks after one or two touches.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on October 17, 2020, 07:42:48 PM
The silence at P league matches is a little eerie after that piped stuff.

I notice the trend of really weird hair cuts seems to be over.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 17, 2020, 07:50:30 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on October 17, 2020, 07:42:48 PM
The silence at P league matches is a little eerie after that piped stuff.
The piped stuff is still available here - normally there's two channels running the match one with artificial stadium noise (that only we hear) and one without. Is there maybe an option with the broadcaster in the US?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on October 17, 2020, 07:55:34 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on October 17, 2020, 07:50:30 PM
The piped stuff is still available here - normally there's two channels running the match one with artificial stadium noise (that only we hear) and one without. Is there maybe an option with the broadcaster in the US?

I'm just watching youtube highlight clips.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on October 17, 2020, 09:38:06 PM
Hey Shelf, how do you deal with a player on your team being a thug?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 17, 2020, 10:32:09 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on October 17, 2020, 09:38:06 PM
Hey Shelf, how do you deal with a player on your team being a thug?
Wut? :blink:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on October 17, 2020, 11:24:31 PM
You're an Everton guy, right?  Seems Richarlison is a cheap shot artist.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 18, 2020, 01:58:10 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on October 17, 2020, 02:38:09 PM
Do Spanish announcers all do that "gooooooooooooooal" thing?

Yes, except homers when the other team scores.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 18, 2020, 08:47:51 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on October 17, 2020, 11:24:31 PM
You're an Everton guy, right?  Seems Richarlison is a cheap shot artist.
He's not. I've watched him a lot over the last two and a bit season. He's not a cynical player.

That was a horrendous tackle though at a ridiculous time and part of the pitch. But I don't think it was deliberate, more of a striker's challenge. The red was deserved, he'll be banned for a few games which is right and he's already apologised to Thiago and his team-mates and issued a public apology (which resulted in a lot of racist abuse on social media - which is unfortunate). I don't think there's anything more that needs to happen with him.

I also actually think the Pickford challenge was worse and should have been punished. It should have been a red card.

It may be that something more needs to be done internally by Ancelotti but again, I feel like Richarlison knows he fucked up, I'm not so sure Pickford does.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 18, 2020, 12:24:55 PM
So was watching the Spurs West Ham game. At the 60th minute, with Spurs up 3-0,  I decided to go for a nap.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 18, 2020, 12:27:17 PM
Quote from: Josephus on October 18, 2020, 12:24:55 PM
So was watching the Spurs West Ham game. At the 60th minute, with Spurs up 3-0,  I decided to go for a nap.
:lol: :console:

Turns out Moyes can do it both working from home and on-site.

Edit: I love that #Moyesout was already trending before that :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 18, 2020, 12:29:11 PM
Quote from: Josephus on October 18, 2020, 12:24:55 PM
So was watching the Spurs West Ham game. At the 60th minute, with Spurs up 3-0,  I decided to go for a nap.

I switched to NFL at around that time. Hmm..
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 18, 2020, 12:30:24 PM
Quote from: Liep on October 17, 2020, 03:45:20 PM
Barca still sucks. When they need to play fast their game breaks after one or two touches.

Yes, we do.  <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 18, 2020, 01:48:39 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on October 18, 2020, 12:27:17 PM
Quote from: Josephus on October 18, 2020, 12:24:55 PM
So was watching the Spurs West Ham game. At the 60th minute, with Spurs up 3-0,  I decided to go for a nap.
:lol: :console:

Turns out Moyes can do it both working from home and on-site.

Edit: I love that #Moyesout was already trending before that :lol:

"It's Tottenham."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 20, 2020, 04:36:51 AM
So - a very good piece in the NYT on Ancelotti at Everton:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/16/sports/soccer/liverpool-everton-carlo-ancelotti.html
QuoteCarlo Ancelotti Would Like to Talk About Crosby

His Everton squad is leading the Premier League entering Saturday's Merseyside Derby, but a manager who has seen it all has never been single-minded when it comes to soccer.

Obviously the whole thing of Ancelotti managing Everton is something I still find really weird. But what really brings it home is hearing about him waxing lyrical about the Liverpool suburb I lived in as a kid and where my nan lived. This intro is really difficult to wrap my head around :blink:
QuotePrecisely 51 seconds elapse between pressing "record" on Zoom and Carlo Ancelotti asking the question that, according to those who work with him, is never far from his lips these days. "Do you know Crosby?" he says, leaning forward in his chair. It is very important to Carlo Ancelotti that you should know about Crosby.

Until the turn of the year, Ancelotti was one of the unlucky ones: He was someone who had never been to Crosby. He had been to Liverpool a few times, of course — as manager of Chelsea and Real Madrid and Napoli — but he had never had the chance, on those flying visits, to venture much further than his team's hotels.

In the first few weeks after taking the job as Everton manager last December, though, Ancelotti set out with his wife to find a place to call home. They did not want to live in one of the luxury apartments in the city's center: They have three dogs — a Pomeranian, a Jack Russell/Poodle cross, and one of lineage Ancelotti has not yet committed to memory — and so prefer a bit of open space.

He wanted somewhere comfortable, not especially ornate or flashy or grand, and quiet. His days, he said, tend to be spent at the training facility, and his nights with family. He does not crave nightlife.

But nor did he want a long commute from one of the essentially fortified villages south of Manchester that constitute North West England's footballer belt. All of which led someone at the club to recommend Crosby — on the coast, just outside the city, refined but not knowingly exclusive — as a happy medium.

(https://static01.nyt.com/images/2020/10/16/sports/16onsoccer3/merlin_171307194_3c3adc7f-87f1-4bd1-8588-dba56acadc57-superJumbo.jpg?quality=90&auto=webp)
The beach at Crosby, the seaside town for which Ancelotti has become an evangelist.Credit...Jon Super/Associated Press

Ancelotti and his wife were smitten. In the intervening months, a colleague jokes, the 61-year-old Ancelotti has seemingly taken on an unofficial role as Crosby's minister for tourism. "It's a beautiful place," he said. He got to know it especially well over those long spring months of lockdown, walking his dogs along the water. Ever since, he has been keen to alert others to Crosby's charms.

"It's close to the sea," he said. "There's a beautiful beach. A long beach. There is really nice cycling, really nice walks. You can walk all the way to Formby on the coastal path. There are the Gormley statues, 100 of them, on the beach. I really like it."

Hearing Ancelotti — this stylish, urbane Italian whose glittering career has been spent almost exclusively in one or other of Europe's great cities, from Rome to Milan, Milan to London, London to Paris, and on to Madrid and Munich — spend the days before the season's first Merseyside Derby evangelizing the charms of Crosby is, even for someone who has been to Crosby and likes it very much, something of a surprise.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on October 20, 2020, 06:47:20 AM
The picture makes it look like you're being invaded by the aliens from the war of the worlds.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on October 20, 2020, 06:50:21 AM
Love those beautiful wind turbines :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on October 26, 2020, 07:50:00 PM
What's the rationale for the rule that offside doesn't get called until after the dude takes a shot?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on October 26, 2020, 07:51:27 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on October 26, 2020, 07:50:00 PM
What's the rationale for the rule that offside doesn't get called until after the dude takes a shot?

It's like defensive PI.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 26, 2020, 08:02:58 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on October 26, 2020, 07:50:00 PM
What's the rationale for the rule that offside doesn't get called until after the dude takes a shot?
I think the theory is that previously the linesmen would flag an offside and the attack would stop which would happen by mistake when a player wasn't offside.

So now the attacking move finishes the linesman flags or not and it gets reviewed by VAR to confirm the decision or not.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 27, 2020, 05:11:11 AM
This NYT piece on Ozil being frozen out at Arsenal is really good:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/26/sports/soccer/mesut-ozil-arsenal-china.html?smid=tw-share

The points that seem particularly striking are the very obvious double standards on footballers being political - Arsenal are strong supporters of BLM within the league and Aubameyang has tweeted about the End SARS protests in Nigeria, and the club have issued a statement.

Also it's hard to feel that Ozil was wrong about the covid paycuts. He asked detailed questions including whether the owners would be contributing, how the money would be used and whether there would be guarantees that non-playing staff were protected. He was the only player who wouldn't take a paycut after getting the answers to those questions. Since then Arsenal have laid off 55 non-playing members of the staff.

What's also striking is you wonder if any team with ambitions of doing well in China would be willing to take him on even though he's still a player it feels Arsenal could do with in some matches  (without him I feel like their most creative player is David Luiz which is not ideal) and he would still be a very good player for lots of other clubs. It's just so weird because I think even with players who've been frozen out - like Bale and Rodriguez - they're normally somewhere in the squad, while Ozil is just nowhere.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 31, 2020, 11:42:16 AM
Barcelona going bankrupt? https://en.as.com/en/2020/10/31/football/1604126117_921520.html

Maybe they should've sold Messi.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 31, 2020, 12:03:39 PM
Quote from: Liep on October 31, 2020, 11:42:16 AM
Barcelona going bankrupt? https://en.as.com/en/2020/10/31/football/1604126117_921520.html

Maybe they should've sold Messi.

It was said, back in the day, that at least financially it'd be a blessing in disguise to sell him.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 31, 2020, 12:05:19 PM
Quote from: Liep on October 31, 2020, 11:42:16 AM
Barcelona going bankrupt? https://en.as.com/en/2020/10/31/football/1604126117_921520.html

Maybe they should've sold Messi.

No offers for him, I'd have driven him to the airport myself if somebody was willing to pay for him  :hmm:

The broadcaster that released this news is very close to Barça's managing committee and has been their mouthpiece in the past, I think they are just trying to put pressure on the players.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 03, 2020, 03:15:10 PM
Quote from: Liep on November 03, 2020, 03:02:18 PM
I was hoping Midtjylland - Ajax could help pass the time but Ajax scores after 48 seconds. It's going to be a disastrous night. :(

0 - 2 after a lay off to the keeper and a indirect free kick in the box. I haven't seen that since I was playing junior football over 20 years ago.  :Embarrass: :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 03, 2020, 03:35:23 PM
Porto - Marseille

Will Marseille equal Anderlecht's crappy record of 12 games lost in a row in the CL?
So far it's not going well for Marseille, already losing 2-0 and Payet failed a penalty when Porto was only leading by 1-0.
But then Marseille never won a game vs any Portuguese club in Portugal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 03, 2020, 04:58:33 PM
Porto 3 Marseille 0

Marseille beyond crappy. AVB, former coach of Porto won't make enemies this way when he returns to be president of Porto.  :P
Corona made another new 11 victims.
12 defeats in a row for Marseille in the Champions' League. Anderlecht equalled.

City 3 Olympiakos 0

Liverpool 5 Atalanta 0

Bayern 6 Salzburg 2

Lots of thrashings tonight.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 06, 2020, 05:59:31 PM
:lol:
QuoteSouthampton FC
@SouthamptonFC
STOP THE COUNT
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EmLDKZLWkAANnAL?format=png&name=small)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 06, 2020, 06:01:40 PM
 :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 07, 2020, 07:00:11 AM
:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 07, 2020, 07:17:55 AM
Make Southampton great again! :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 10, 2020, 02:25:48 PM
In one meeting today giving evidence to Parliament the head of the FA:
Quote1. Said Asians would rather a career in IT than football
2. Described being Gay as a 'lifestyle choice'
3. Used the outdated (by about 3 decades) term 'Coloured'
4. Quoted a coach saying female footballers 'don't like having the ball kicked at them hard'.
:bleeding: :blink:

He has now stepped down. But it feels like that's a stable that needs clearing out.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 10, 2020, 02:59:17 PM
Sounds like he was just trying to be sacked. What topic could you be on to come up with all that in one?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 10, 2020, 03:05:55 PM
Quote from: Tyr on November 10, 2020, 02:59:17 PM
Sounds like he was just trying to be sacked. What topic could you be on to come up with all that in one?
It's insane. It's like he went in trying to do a 1970s comedy routine :blink:

I can only assume he went in with a bingo card of offensive remarks to get through in one meeting.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 12, 2020, 07:01:18 AM
Crazy goal of the month: https://twitter.com/lyngbyboldklub/status/1326632569228701702?s=21
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 12, 2020, 07:14:43 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on November 10, 2020, 03:05:55 PM
Quote from: Tyr on November 10, 2020, 02:59:17 PM
Sounds like he was just trying to be sacked. What topic could you be on to come up with all that in one?
It's insane. It's like he went in trying to do a 1970s comedy routine :blink:

I can only assume he went in with a bingo card of offensive remarks to get through in one meeting.

Maybe it's just the rich-guy bubble he lives in.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 12, 2020, 01:06:20 PM
Quote from: Liep on November 12, 2020, 07:01:18 AM
Crazy goal of the month: https://twitter.com/lyngbyboldklub/status/1326632569228701702?s=21

That's awesome.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Richard Hakluyt on November 12, 2020, 01:34:58 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on November 10, 2020, 03:05:55 PM
Quote from: Tyr on November 10, 2020, 02:59:17 PM
Sounds like he was just trying to be sacked. What topic could you be on to come up with all that in one?
It's insane. It's like he went in trying to do a 1970s comedy routine :blink:

I can only assume he went in with a bingo card of offensive remarks to get through in one meeting.

Maybe he had a bet on?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 12, 2020, 02:06:39 PM
I haven't seen what he actually said. I assume it was about professional football majorly non-representing minorities apart from black and mixed race people?
Thinking on that...and the gay as a lifestyle choice bit...
I've often thought a key part of why we don't really see gay footballers is that football so heavily is a lifestyle choice. There's the whole macho culture about it which just excludes anyone who isn't down with it. Not to say I ever had the makings of a professional footballer but I certainly felt excluded from football in my teen years because I just didn't give a fuck about the toxic masculinity, constant squabbles about who is hardest, etc....
I can imagine this same thing will deter the vast majority of gay would-be footballers, perhaps leading to us missing out on the genuine gay Messi.*


*though some would argue this is Ronaldo.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 15, 2020, 05:53:54 AM
Well, I guess the League of Nations is now a major tournament for French "fans".  :P

Portugal 0 France 1

Not so good Portuguese midfield was clearly outmatched for this game, despite the ™Fantastic Four™ who can't play together with Bernardo Silva failing a pass in the Portuguese half leading to the French goal by N'Golo Kanté.
Great Rui Patrício, dubbed São Patrício with only sinners around him by the Portuguese press.

Reminds me of contemporary pre 2016 games between A Selecção and les Bleus. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 15, 2020, 07:02:14 AM
In other games, Spain is not what it used to be:

Switzerland 1 Spain 1

Sérgio Ramos did not convert 2 (!) penalty shots into goals breaking a long successive streak of 25 scored penalties.

Luis Enrique as a coach does no wonder and Spain got a late equalizer (89th minute), almost undeserved versus a valiant Helvetic team.

Spain can still make it to the final four though, as long as they beat Germany.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on November 15, 2020, 08:29:43 AM
Thank God for that. That tiki-taka snorefest was the most boring thing to happen to football and I hope Spanish football forever returns to being losers without style.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 15, 2020, 08:50:14 AM
Wasn't so bad in 2008 though after it got really boring.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 15, 2020, 03:18:11 PM
How refreshing to keep receiving criticism from a decade ago.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on November 15, 2020, 03:54:28 PM
Well, the Italians should be thoroughly refreshed then, people still complain about '82.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 15, 2020, 04:39:30 PM
Who complains about '82?  :huh: Besides old farts, that is.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on November 15, 2020, 04:41:47 PM
Brazil-lovers? I've only ever heard complaints and that Brazil should have won.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 15, 2020, 05:53:25 PM
The only thing that remains consistent is that England will always suck. :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on November 15, 2020, 06:45:50 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 15, 2020, 05:53:25 PM
The only thing that remains consistent is that England will always suck. :bowler:

:cheers: :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on November 16, 2020, 01:59:31 AM
I believe that this game https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italy_v_Brazil_(1982_FIFA_World_Cup) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italy_v_Brazil_(1982_FIFA_World_Cup)) is seen as a kind of watershed moment. It presumably led to a more boring destructive style of football that dominated the 80'ies rather than the flairful brazilian style that had dominated brazilian football until then.

I actually don't know much about the details, I've just always heard about how Italy destroyed Brazil and with that destroyed the beautiful game.

Reading that article it seems that the brazilian style was a precursor to tiki-taka, so perhaps we should give the Italians a medal for saving us from that crap for 30 years.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 16, 2020, 05:43:25 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 15, 2020, 04:39:30 PM
Who complains about '82?  :huh: Besides old farts, that is.

Old French fans, cf. Sevilla '82 vs West Germany and the brutal goalkeeping by Schumacher. Joined by Algerian fans for the arranged game between Austria and Germany.
Italy got to a slow start, with only ties, this reminds of me some other team.  :P

Refereeing was beyond crappy in that WC though.

Brazilian dominance ended earlier actually with previous winners being West Germany and Argentina.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on November 16, 2020, 06:29:42 AM
Yes, but that brazilian team was one of the best they ever sent to the WC, having it (as I've heard it told) be brutally stopped by a game-destroying Italy was hard on them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 16, 2020, 07:22:14 AM
Quote from: Threviel on November 16, 2020, 06:29:42 AM
Yes, but that brazilian team was one of the best they ever sent to the WC, having it (as I've heard it told) be brutally stopped by a game-destroying Italy was hard on them.

It was definitely one of the best teams that didn't win the WC, like the Netherlands in 1974 or Hungary in 1954.

Their failure in the '82 WC made their football philosophy swing completely on the opposite direction and created a generation of Brazilian football that was based on being physical, cynical and defensive, rather than technical, free-flowing and attacking. Sadly this less flashy mentality was rewarded with the '94 WC, which made them double down on it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 16, 2020, 09:41:38 AM
Telê Santana of "football died today" fame following the game vs Italy in 1982,  had another round though in '86. I'd say the change was after '86.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 16, 2020, 10:05:04 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 16, 2020, 09:41:38 AM
Telê Santana of "football died today" fame following the game vs Italy in 1982,  had another round though in '86. I'd say the change was after '86.

But the '86 team was patently inferior. In '82 all their stars (Socrates, Zico, Falcao...) were in their prime. By '86 only Socrates was still a starter.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 16, 2020, 11:09:43 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 16, 2020, 10:05:04 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 16, 2020, 09:41:38 AM
Telê Santana of "football died today" fame following the game vs Italy in 1982,  had another round though in '86. I'd say the change was after '86.

But the '86 team was patently inferior. In '82 all their stars (Socrates, Zico, Falcao...) were in their prime. By '86 only Socrates was still a starter.

Same play style though which was my point. Zico played but had not recovered fully from an injury. Falcão still played in '86 and some new talents were showing up such as Branco, Júlio César and Müller.
Plus, Careca who was injured in '82 played this time. No, the big purge was Italy '90, as most teams in that tournament, truth be said.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 17, 2020, 11:00:37 PM
So Spain needed to win, and score a lot of goals. AGainst Germany. Wouldn't happen, right?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 18, 2020, 05:13:04 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 17, 2020, 11:00:37 PM
So Spain needed to win, and score a lot of goals. AGainst Germany. Wouldn't happen, right?

This beats scoring a dozen goals against Malta (hello Josephus!) to eliminate the Netherlands.  :P (Insert Batavian conspiration theories here).
6-0 vs Germany. I can't remember the time Germany, even West Germany, took such a beating. 3-0 losses vs Croatia or Portugal when the squad was old and declining yes ('98 and '2000).
I guess some countries take the League of Nations more seriously than others.  :D

Other game results were anecdotal, with France winning 4-2 against Sweden despite Sweden scoring first, and Portugal getting a difficult win against Croatia 3-2 in a crappy field, with false rebounds, non intentional handballs and flukes. If it were France that would be la ™Chatte à Dédé™.  :P

As of now, France is a favorite for both tournaments (League of Nations and Euro) and Germany lost its favorite status. First time ever, at least as far as I can remember. Others are outsiders, though Netherlands, Portugal and Spain if they can clean their act should give trouble to les Bleus.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 18, 2020, 07:51:21 AM
I remember that Spain v Malta game. I think it came out years later that the Maltese players profited from that game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 18, 2020, 07:57:24 AM
Actually Luís Enrique is on record saying repeatedly that he doesn't care about the League of Nations and that he'd use the games to try new players/tactics with a view on next year's Euro.

I guess the Germans cared even less.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 18, 2020, 08:09:15 AM
Quote from: celedhring on November 18, 2020, 07:57:24 AM
Actually Luís Enrique is on record saying repeatedly that he doesn't care about the League of Nations and that he'd use the games to try new players/tactics with a view on next year's Euro.

I guess the Germans cared even less.

Yeah, he has been using a lot of young and/or unproven players at the international level recently, with very few veterans in the squad (I swear that Ramos is there just because of his desire to pad up the number of his international caps). Many of the players that took part in yesterday's game were very young, with plenty of them in their early 20s. Some of them could still be playing for the under 21 team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 18, 2020, 04:23:55 PM
Remind me: is this tournament how Europe picks its qualifiers for the WC?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 18, 2020, 04:31:20 PM
It always was meant to "make friendlies more meaningful", but in the end they always remain friendlies.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 18, 2020, 05:40:10 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on November 18, 2020, 04:23:55 PM
Remind me: is this tournament how Europe picks its qualifiers for the WC?

No, there's a WC Qualifier tournament played next year. However, the Nations League awards 2 slots for the "losers round" of that qualifier.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 18, 2020, 05:54:29 PM
:bland:

I hope the players are being well compensated for playing in the Nothingburger Tournament.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 18, 2020, 06:54:00 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on November 18, 2020, 05:54:29 PM
:bland:

I hope the players are being well compensated for playing in the Nothingburger Tournament.

It's mandatory for players to attend national team games if called upon.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 18, 2020, 11:28:44 PM
Yeah no-one really cares about the Nations League - it's the "fetch" of European football :(

The first version, I think, was more directly linked to Euro 2020 qualification which made it more meaningful. But because that link's a lot weaker for the WC it's kind of irrelevant.

The good thing about it is it sorts nations by sort of strength so generally the big countries play each other rather than, say, Liechtenstein or San Marino. This means the games are more useful than friendlies were before but also means, for example, that I think San Marino won their first international in something crazy like 40 years because they were playing another minnow. But as it is they're being treated as friendlies by all countries, I think, Enrique playing kids - from what I understand by Jonathan Wilson it seems like Southgate is similarly trying different systems/things to solidify England's defence. Both of those are the sort of things you'd normally do in friendlies, not competitive games.

I also just don't think it's necessary or good to have these games (or internationals generally) at the minute given the pandemic. I think every international team has had at least one or two covid outbreaks and it just seems crazy to me that you have various national league procedures on covid which are quite strict but working and then every six weeks you let all of those players from everywhere mingle and send them around the world to play meaningless/non-competitive games.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 19, 2020, 03:27:19 AM
Yeah the main thing about the NL is that you have more games between quality opposition instead of random friendlies against Moldova or St Kitts & Nevis. The Spanish FA loved to play friendlies against Latin American minnows for cash (our FA loves cash).

The final round with Spain, Italy, France and Belgium can be really tasty too. It just feels odd that it's not getting played until after the Euro.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 19, 2020, 05:12:10 AM
Quote from: celedhring on November 19, 2020, 03:27:19 AM
The final round with Spain, Italy, France and Belgium can be really tasty too. It just feels odd that it's not getting played until after the Euro.
Yeah. As I say I think the first year struck a really good balance of being new and having some real stakes that made it a bit more meaningful.

But this year it just doesn't work in part because the Euros were delayed so it's not an off-year competition now. It's competing with the real competition.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 19, 2020, 05:20:45 AM
I like the NL, it's not like its any more pointless than club leagues. It gives context to friendlies, which is cool.


Also with Hungary qualifying for group A last night, it allows members of government to gloat about the criminally insane amounts of money they spent to build empty stadiums from taxpayers' money, so there's that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 19, 2020, 05:28:48 AM
I kinda want Hungary to be good at football again, despite all the Orban malarkey. Lots of time for the Magical Magyars.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 19, 2020, 05:46:30 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on November 18, 2020, 11:28:44 PM
Yeah no-one really cares about the Nations League - it's the "fetch" of European football :(

The first version, I think, was more directly linked to Euro 2020 qualification which made it more meaningful. But because that link's a lot weaker for the WC it's kind of irrelevant.


First version was even tougher with 3-team groups for League A, but for money reasons they broadened to 4, salvaging some wealthy team in the process i.e Germany.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 19, 2020, 07:46:07 AM
The only thing I like about it is I get to see Malta doing really, really well. Like drawing the Faroes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 19, 2020, 09:20:55 AM
Quote from: celedhring on November 19, 2020, 05:28:48 AM
I kinda want Hungary to be good at football again, despite all the Orban malarkey. Lots of time for the Magical Magyars.

They are having a very successful year, e.g. they just beat Iceland in the EC playoffs with two late goals to secure a place. My theory is that all the empty stadiums are disorienting the other teams but Hungarian players are used to them. :P

Seriously though as far as I understand, all key players trained abroad or at least outside of the "academy" system developed by Orban and crew as a system to gather tribute from private companies (private company pays grant to academy, gets a tax write-off, academy owners swallow the money). One of the key attackers is some French black guy who was in the French U21 team 2-3 years ago so couldn't even play for Hungary if it wasn't for a recent regulation change. Plus we have Marco Rossi as manager who could not be accused of be a product of the Hungarian school. :P

I guess one possible influence of Orban is that as far as I can remember, the old guard of Hungarian coaches (slowly dying out to be fair) would always jump like savage dogs on a foreign manager at the first sign of weakness. This did not happen with the non-stellar start of Rossi so he had time to build. I assume this is because football is Orban's lifelong passion (football is to him what painting was for Hitler :P ) and nobody dares to try and hunt the chosen manager down without getting a pass from him.

The previous manager, some Belgian/Dutch guy seemed instantly aware of this and from the moment he got appointed launched a nauseating charm-offensive to acknowledge Orban as god emperor of all mankind. Too bad he was absolute rubbish, so not even this could save him.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 24, 2020, 04:34:52 PM
Yes Liep, we should be playing Braithwaite more.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 25, 2020, 04:30:53 AM
Quote from: celedhring on November 24, 2020, 04:34:52 PM
Yes Liep, we should be playing Braithwaite more.

It's 2020, of course benching Messi and playing Braithwaite is a better solution.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 25, 2020, 11:33:38 AM
Apparently Maradona has just died  :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 25, 2020, 12:22:44 PM
Sucks about Maradona. Great player. His legacy overtaken by his extracurrricular activities.

I'm an England fan, so I'm inclined to hate him; but my favourite Italian club is Napoli...so there's that.


:(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 25, 2020, 12:26:20 PM
Oh no :(

The recent Asif Kapadia documentary on him is outstanding - even for non-football fans:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuErPYsoaR4

Edit: Better trailer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Brain on November 25, 2020, 12:54:45 PM
RIP. Few players have been able to become the football like him. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 25, 2020, 12:58:04 PM
RIP. It was due to happen sooner or later, that kind of lifestyle had to take its toll.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 25, 2020, 01:35:11 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 25, 2020, 12:22:44 PM
Sucks about Maradona. Great player. His legacy overtaken by his extracurrricular activities.

I'm an England fan, so I'm inclined to hate him; but my favourite Italian club is Napoli...so there's that.


:(

You shouldn't hate the hand of god. it was retribution for screwing over portugal
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 25, 2020, 01:40:12 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 25, 2020, 12:58:04 PM
RIP. It was due to happen sooner or later, that kind of lifestyle had to take its toll.

I'd say it's a bit of a miracle he lasted until 60.

One of the greats. I only have blurry memories of him playing for Barça (outside of watching tapes games when I was older), but I have fresher memories of his times at Napoli and he was magnificent. RIP  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 25, 2020, 02:00:03 PM
Despite the wreck he was in his last years, he will still be one of the Greats.

RIP :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 25, 2020, 03:21:16 PM
Three days of official mourning in Argentina, in case there was any doubt how much he was loved and revered there.

Wouldn't be surprised if Naples follows suit.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 25, 2020, 05:02:05 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 25, 2020, 01:35:11 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 25, 2020, 12:22:44 PM
Sucks about Maradona. Great player. His legacy overtaken by his extracurrricular activities.

I'm an England fan, so I'm inclined to hate him; but my favourite Italian club is Napoli...so there's that.


:(

You shouldn't hate the hand of god. it was retribution for screwing over portugal

No one remembers that
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 25, 2020, 05:10:16 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 25, 2020, 05:02:05 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 25, 2020, 01:35:11 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 25, 2020, 12:22:44 PM
Sucks about Maradona. Great player. His legacy overtaken by his extracurrricular activities.

I'm an England fan, so I'm inclined to hate him; but my favourite Italian club is Napoli...so there's that.


:(

You shouldn't hate the hand of god. it was retribution for screwing over portugal

No one remembers that

Wrong.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 25, 2020, 05:12:28 PM
Somewhat luckily for Olympique de Marseille, with their famous unoficial motto " à jamais les premiers" they will for ever be the first team in the Champions' League to lose 13 games in a row.

A jamais les premiers!

Anderlecht, (previous record holder) thank them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 25, 2020, 06:26:51 PM
In consecutive Champion's Leagues? That's pretty impressive.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on November 25, 2020, 08:30:25 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 25, 2020, 05:10:16 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 25, 2020, 05:02:05 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 25, 2020, 01:35:11 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 25, 2020, 12:22:44 PM
Sucks about Maradona. Great player. His legacy overtaken by his extracurrricular activities.

I'm an England fan, so I'm inclined to hate him; but my favourite Italian club is Napoli...so there's that.


:(

You shouldn't hate the hand of god. it was retribution for screwing over portugal

No one remembers that

Wrong.

:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 26, 2020, 07:07:31 AM
Quote from: HVC on November 25, 2020, 01:35:11 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 25, 2020, 12:22:44 PM
Sucks about Maradona. Great player. His legacy overtaken by his extracurrricular activities.

I'm an England fan, so I'm inclined to hate him; but my favourite Italian club is Napoli...so there's that.


:(

You shouldn't hate the hand of god. it was retribution for screwing over portugal

Screwing over Portugal and unfairly denying England a WC are equally fine achievements. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on November 26, 2020, 07:39:03 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 25, 2020, 11:33:38 AM
Apparently Maradona has just died  :cry:

I think that Maradona has been the greatest player to ever grace a football pitch.
Every consideration about individual technique aside, his ability to raise the quality of the team he played with, and many times singlehandedly change the course of a match, was awesome and unparalleled.

Some days ago, in celebration of his sixtieth birthday, a clip made the rounds on whatsapp of his feats during the 1986 World Cup; not only he scored 5 goals and made 5 assists (on a total of 14 goals scored by the team), but the real staggering part was about the number of times he made incredible plays, put the ball in the middle of the area only to be pushed behind the goal line, and his disgraced teammates squandered the opportunities.
 
Many of you probably did not follow Serie A in the Eighties, and many of you did not know the rather low quality of the Napoli side before the arrival of Maradona. And he managed to pull the team to a double Scudetto in a few years, a feat considered impossible. In Naples no one will ever be more loved, because he was a real embodiement of all the marvellous imperfection of the city and its people.

As they say in Naples, yes he was a dope fiend; he was friends with camorra bosses; his innumerable marriages and illegitimate sons were a boon for the papers; he won a WC with a handball; but he had some flaws, too.

R.I.P. Dieguito, the Greatest.  :weep:

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 26, 2020, 08:09:34 AM
Quote from: Liep on November 25, 2020, 06:26:51 PM
In consecutive Champion's Leagues? That's pretty impressive.

Three consecutive Champions' Leagues, though truth be said, the last time Marseille played the CL, it was seven years ago.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 26, 2020, 08:12:05 AM
Quote from: Pedrito on November 26, 2020, 07:39:03 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 25, 2020, 11:33:38 AM
Apparently Maradona has just died  :cry:

I think that Maradona has been the greatest player to ever grace a football pitch.
Every consideration about individual technique aside, his ability to raise the quality of the team he played with, and many times singlehandedly change the course of a match, was awesome and unparalleled.

Some days ago, in celebration of his sixtieth birthday, a clip made the rounds on whatsapp of his feats during the 1986 World Cup; not only he scored 5 goals and made 5 assists (on a total of 14 goals scored by the team), but the real staggering part was about the number of times he made incredible plays, put the ball in the middle of the area only to be pushed behind the goal line, and his disgraced teammates squandered the opportunities.
 
Many of you probably did not follow Serie A in the Eighties, and many of you did not know the rather low quality of the Napoli side before the arrival of Maradona. And he managed to pull the team to a double Scudetto in a few years, a feat considered impossible. In Naples no one will ever be more loved, because he was a real embodiement of all the marvellous imperfection of the city and its people.

As they say in Naples, yes he was a dope fiend; he was friends with camorra bosses; his innumerable marriages and illegitimate sons were a boon for the papers; he won a WC with a handball; but he had some flaws, too.

R.I.P. Dieguito, the Greatest.  :weep:

L.

I only have very vague memories of the late '80s Serie A but I am not surprised Naples won't forget him. Though by 1990, with the Italy-Argentina WC game, that love was lost for a while.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 26, 2020, 08:12:52 AM
Hey Pedrito, I read somewhere yesterday that Napoli wanted to change the name of their stadium from San Paolo to Diego Armando Maradona, is that true?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 26, 2020, 08:16:33 AM
Quote from: Pedrito on November 26, 2020, 07:39:03 AM
As they say in Naples, yes he was a dope fiend; he was friends with camorra bosses; his innumerable marriages and illegitimate sons were a boon for the papers; he won a WC with a handball; but he had some flaws, too.

^_^
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on November 26, 2020, 09:28:53 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 26, 2020, 08:12:52 AM
Hey Pedrito, I read somewhere yesterday that Napoli wanted to change the name of their stadium from San Paolo to Diego Armando Maradona, is that true?
I've read there's a proposal by the city's street naming commitee; and I don't doubt that, would such a proposal need a vote, it will be an overwhelming success.

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 26, 2020, 11:01:50 AM
Modern football is incredibly scientific and systematized. Is it possible now for a player to be as dominant as Diego was? To be able to single-handedly drag an utterly mediocre team to victory in a World Cup or league championship?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 26, 2020, 11:45:05 AM
Quote from: Pedrito on November 26, 2020, 09:28:53 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 26, 2020, 08:12:52 AM
Hey Pedrito, I read somewhere yesterday that Napoli wanted to change the name of their stadium from San Paolo to Diego Armando Maradona, is that true?
I've read there's a proposal by the city's street naming commitee; and I don't doubt that, would such a proposal need a vote, it will be an overwhelming success.

L.

I could see Argentina wanting to rename one of their stadiums as well. Would that be a first, two major stadiums named after the same person? Is it allowed?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 26, 2020, 11:50:21 AM
Quote from: Maladict on November 26, 2020, 11:45:05 AM
I could see Argentina wanting to rename one of their stadiums as well. Would that be a first, two major stadiums named after the same person? Is it allowed?
The Argentinos Juniors stadium is already the Estadio Diego Armando Maradona. Not major but they're in the top league - so he could well end up with multiple top level stadiums on two continents named after him.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 26, 2020, 11:57:24 AM
Quote from: Maladict on November 26, 2020, 11:45:05 AMWould that be a first, two major stadiums named after the same person?

There are a gajillion "Ataturk Stadium" in Turkey.

Quote from: Maladict on November 26, 2020, 11:45:05 AMIs it allowed?

Why would it have to be allowed? Teams and stadium owners can put whatever name they want to them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on November 26, 2020, 12:45:18 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 26, 2020, 11:01:50 AM
Modern football is incredibly scientific and systematized. Is it possible now for a player to be as dominant as Diego was? To be able to single-handedly drag an utterly mediocre team to victory in a World Cup or league championship?

Maradona played in the twilight years of old football. Arrigo Sacchi's A.C. Milan side started the revolution of organized football (graced by first-class players like Van Basten, Gullit, Paolo Maldini, and excellent midfielder-turned star coach Carlo Ancelotti), and Sacchi's first stint at Milan started in 1987, the year after Maradona's first Scudetto with Napoli.
In those years a player with the right mix of technique, charisma and "locker room weight" could tip the scale of the whole team more than it's possible today, IMO, and Maradona had everything of those in spades.

"What I do with a football, Diego does with an orange" - Michel Platini

Another fundamental characteristic of Diego was the total selflessness, inside and outside of the pitch. His former teammates say that everyone in the team, from the worst to the almost non-mediocre, knew that he was the best in the world, and that he was ready to play FOR them every single minute of the match.
If you love old football, go and watch the game Argentina's national team played in the 1994 WC after Maradona was disqualified for doping (as an aside, they were beaten by what was probably the best Romania team of every time - and yes, I have a *very* soft spot for WC94 East European teams  :blush: ), and watch the games they played with him before the suspension: you will see two utterly different teams, in the way they played but even more in the way they were "staying on the pitch", for lack of a better word.

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 26, 2020, 01:01:29 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 26, 2020, 11:01:50 AM
Modern football is incredibly scientific and systematized. Is it possible now for a player to be as dominant as Diego was? To be able to single-handedly drag an utterly mediocre team to victory in a World Cup or league championship?
Maybe. I think part of it is we've seen a bit of a club-ification of international football. So the best international sides are ones that play as a team/unit in the way that clubs do (and very often given the increasing dominance of a few European clubs they already often play together) which I think has reduced space for the star. And there's no greater symbol of the "star" in world football than the Argentine 10. It's a bit like the debate about whether there's a space in football for a traditional 10 anymore - and there probably isn't but the role's evolved.

And there'll probably be a bit of a reaction.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 26, 2020, 03:15:06 PM
Quote from: Pedrito on November 26, 2020, 07:39:03 AM
As they say in Naples, yes he was a dope fiend; he was friends with camorra bosses; his innumerable marriages and illegitimate sons were a boon for the papers; he won a WC with a handball; but he had some flaws, too.

:D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 26, 2020, 05:32:34 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 26, 2020, 11:57:24 AM

Why would it have to be allowed? Teams and stadium owners can put whatever name they want to them.

Yeah I guess so. I figured that would be the kind of thing FIFA likes to get their red tape all over.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 26, 2020, 05:49:55 PM
Napoli players came out for their UEFA game today wearing #10 Maradona shirts. Nice gesture.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 26, 2020, 06:58:24 PM
Quote from: Maladict on November 26, 2020, 05:32:34 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 26, 2020, 11:57:24 AM

Why would it have to be allowed? Teams and stadium owners can put whatever name they want to them.

Yeah I guess so. I figured that would be the kind of thing FIFA likes to get their red tape all over.

I highly doubt that FIFA has any power whatsoever regarding stadium naming.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on November 26, 2020, 11:21:30 PM
Only during their events I think, and then only if a stadium has a non-FIFA sponsor's name. I recall that during the 2006 WC German stadiums that had sold their names to sponsors had to go by generic names instead.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on November 29, 2020, 08:37:38 AM
Quote from: celedhring on November 24, 2020, 04:34:52 PM
Yes Liep, we should be playing Braithwaite more.

Good call.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 29, 2020, 09:46:41 AM
Messi scored and took off his Barça top to show a Maradona Newell's shirt.

(https://phantom-marca.unidadeditorial.es/23954e46542d11f93a067ce27241478f/resize/660/f/webp/assets/multimedia/imagenes/2020/11/29/16066606145045.jpg)

The commentators were implying that it was a match-worn shirt. If true, the world now has a shirt that has been both worn by Messi and Maradona.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 30, 2020, 07:26:14 AM
Napol wore striped blue/white shirts in Maradona's honour. Insigne waved a number 10 shirt after he scored.

edit: Oh, just heard Napoli will change the name of their stadium to Stadio Diego Maradona.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 30, 2020, 07:32:15 AM
Incidentally, I think that the commentators were just kinda getting carried away when they said it was an original shirt (as opposed to a replica) during the broadcast. The fit on Messi is way too smug for being an original Newell's Maradona shirt  :lol:

(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/79/49/7c/79497c7cf3af018981fda49ec9b97619.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 30, 2020, 06:08:20 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86i69k6H16E

Ghanian news reader having difficulty with European club names.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on December 02, 2020, 02:29:51 AM
https://www.thefa.com/news/2020/dec/01/gbe-points-based-system-launched-011220

QuotePLAN AGREED ON ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR OVERSEAS PLAYERS IN ENGLAND POST-BREXIT IN 2021

The FA, the Premier League and EFL have come together to agree a plan for entry requirements for overseas players post Brexit.

Football's Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) proposal was submitted to the Government last month by the FA, as the governing body for football, and has now been approved by The Home Office.

The criteria will provide the framework for Premier League and EFL clubs to sign overseas players when the UK leaves the European Union (EU) after 31 December 2020.

Post Brexit, clubs will not be able to sign players freely from the EU. Players from EU countries who want to play in the Premier League or EFL will be required to gain a GBE, like all other overseas players without the right to work in the UK.

The GBE will operate a points-based system, where points are scored for senior and talented young players based on:
• Senior and youth international appearances
• Quality of the selling club, based on the league they are in, league position and progression in continental competition
• Club appearances, based on domestic league and continental competition minutes

Players accumulating the requisite amount of points will earn a GBE automatically, while players just below the threshold may be considered for a GBE by an Exceptions Panel.

The system meets the joint objectives of the Premier League, EFL and the FA allowing access to the best players and future talent for clubs, as well as safeguarding England teams, by ensuring opportunities for homegrown players.

In the Premier League, the number of overseas U21 players a club can sign will be limited to three in the January transfer window and six per season moving forwards. This enables the recruitment of the best players from around the world to train and play together with homegrown talent. Under FIFA's rules, the UK's exit from the EU will also mean that clubs will not be able to sign players from overseas until they are 18.

The leading football bodies have also agreed to work together to continue to improve the player pathway system.

The Women's game has also had their GBE proposal approved by the Home Office. This will also operate a points-based system, where points are scored on:

• Senior international appearances
• Quality of the selling club, based on the league they are in and former league position
• Club appearances, based on domestic league and continental competition minutes

The agreement is in accordance with the Government's required criteria and will come into effect when the UK leaves the European Union, in the new year. It will be implemented in the January 2021 transfer window and reviewed in full ahead of the summer 2021 transfer window.

Mark Bullingham, our chief executive officer, said: "Despite having different starting perspectives on how Brexit should impact football, this is another example of how the football authorities can work effectively together for the greater good of the game.

"We have a strong working relationship with both the Premier League and EFL and will monitor this new agreement together to ensure it evolves to best meet our joint objectives over time. We will also discuss improvements to the player pathway for the mutual benefit of football clubs and homegrown talent in this country."

Richard Masters, the Premier League's chief executive, added: "The Premier League has worked with the FA to come to an agreement to ensure no part of Brexit should damage the success of the Premier League, or the prospects of the England teams. We welcome the news that the Home Office has approved the Governing Body Endorsement plan for the January 2021 transfer window.

"Continuing to be able to recruit the best players will see the Premier League remain competitive and compelling and the solution will complement our player development philosophy of the best foreign talent alongside the best homegrown players. Following the January transfer window, we look forward to reviewing the agreement with the FA."

EFL Chief Executive, David Baldwin, said: "The EFL has contributed to the discussions with our colleagues across football as the game prepares for the UK's exit from the EU, and it is helpful to be able to provide clarity for EFL Clubs by having an established position to a long-standing issue ahead of the January transfer window, albeit in the short term.

"The objective of the EFL throughout this process has been to ensure EFL Clubs continue to have the opportunity to sign players from overseas to enhance the quality of their playing squads, while recognising the need for restrictions, and we will continue to assess the application of these rules and consider the long-term implications early in 2021."

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 02, 2020, 06:07:52 AM
Quote from: Syt on December 02, 2020, 02:29:51 AM
https://www.thefa.com/news/2020/dec/01/gbe-points-based-system-launched-011220

PLAN AGREED ON ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR OVERSEAS PLAYERS IN ENGLAND POST-BREXIT IN 2021


The GBE will operate a points-based system, where points are scored for senior and talented young players based on:
• Senior and youth international appearances
• Quality of the selling club, based on the league they are in, league position and progression in continental competition
• Club appearances, based on domestic league and continental competition minutes

Players accumulating the requisite amount of points will earn a GBE automatically, while players just below the threshold may be considered for a GBE by an Exceptions Panel.

This could help other continental leagues in retaining for a bit longer players though.  :hmm: Possibly positive.

I expect "Quality of the selling club, based on the league they are in", (...) to be somewhat controversial in the mainland. Beyond the (next to EPL) big 3 that is. ™Ligue des Talents™ being the fifth market but not necessarily the fifth league on sport terms.  :P Though Marseille managed to score a victory on the Champions' League after 13 defeats in a row.  :D Generous penalty aside. ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 02, 2020, 04:13:36 PM
You're welcome, celed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 03, 2020, 03:54:23 AM
Quote from: Liep on December 02, 2020, 04:13:36 PM
You're welcome, celed.

4 goals in 3 games... The team has lots of cooks but few diners, so to speak. We need a player like him.



Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 03, 2020, 06:25:09 AM
Quote from: celedhring on December 03, 2020, 03:54:23 AM
Quote from: Liep on December 02, 2020, 04:13:36 PM
You're welcome, celed.

4 goals in 3 games... The team has lots of cooks but few diners, so to speak. We need a player like him.





If Braithwaite can continue at just half pace and Griezmann, Dembele, Fati, Coutinho and Trincao can live up to their potential you might not miss Messi when he leaves for City. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 03, 2020, 10:03:44 AM
Tamas, what's up with this Dominik Szoboszlai kid? Arsenal are supposed to be in for him in January because he's supposed to be really good with a lot of potential but mainly because he has a relatively cheap release clause and Arsenal are starving for creative attacking midfielders.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on December 03, 2020, 01:58:30 PM
Going slightly off topic while watching Europa League.

As astute readers of the What Are You Playing thread will know I'm currently making another attempt to learn Football Manager. To start I picked a more or less random team. I didn't want to go with one of the big 5 leagues (ESP, ITA, ENG, GER, FRA), but a decent league, and a name I know, so I ended up with Feyenoord Rotterdam.

I haven't really watched football much these last 15 years, so while some really big names are familiar, I knew nothing about the Feyenoord squad (and I wasn't aware that Mario Götze now plays for PSV Eindhoven? :unsure: ), or the Dutch league.

Anyways, fast forward to today and I'm watching Feyenoord play Dynamo Zagreb in Europa League. It's a bit weird to see "my" players on the pitch and see distinct similarities to how they play in my matches (hell, the way some of my matches have been going the current first half - two Feyenoord players out on injury, and getting a penalty against them in the last minute of the half - is on par with some of the matches I had). I feel at this point I've come to know the current team a bit.

The last time I really, really played football managers the ones available in our market only let you play German teams, often with fictionalized players due to licensing issues, and with a small handful of stats, at best. Matches were either fully simmed in the background, or a text crawl (or crudely animated pre-rendered scenes). So there was a much bigger disconnect between the game and real life.

I totally can see why some people become so obsessed with the game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 03, 2020, 02:18:55 PM
The amount of work that goes into each Football Manager game is quite astounding, so it's no wonder that it becomes so inmersive. And yeah, when you've been playing for a while and you suddenly see "your" players in a real game it's quite the funny feeling.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 03, 2020, 02:29:36 PM
I very fondly remember a save in the early 1990s with Piacenza in the Serie B, and having a youngster promote me with a 30-goal season. His name was Filippo Inzaghi...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 03, 2020, 02:31:57 PM
Quote from: celedhring on December 03, 2020, 02:29:36 PM
I very fondly remember a save in the early 1990s with Piacenza in the Serie B, and having a youngster promote me with a 30-goal season. His name was Filippo Inzaghi...

Back when it was still Championship Manager, my winningest Celta team was lead by a certain young Dutch winger by the name of Arjen Robben.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on December 03, 2020, 02:33:58 PM
In Anstoß 2 I had gotten quite good at timing the use of PEDs during preparation so they'd give my players a boost weren't traceable in doping tests any more. Also, how to best funnel away money into a secret fund to try and bribe opponent players and referees.

It also had coaching tests where you were quizzed on German football trivia, but also stats of your current league. (Doing well in the quiz improved your coaching stats.)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 03, 2020, 02:36:24 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 03, 2020, 02:31:57 PM
Quote from: celedhring on December 03, 2020, 02:29:36 PM
I very fondly remember a save in the early 1990s with Piacenza in the Serie B, and having a youngster promote me with a 30-goal season. His name was Filippo Inzaghi...

Back when it was still Championship Manager, my winningest Celta team was lead by a certain young Dutch winger by the name of Arjen Robben.  :lol:

Also, I signed Cristiano Ronaldo for my hometown club in Segunda B back when he was 16 and absolutely nobody knew of him (not even me). He wasn't a wonderkid in the game, but was more than good enough for Segunda B and helped me get promoted. It was quite funny when he went on to become such a villain for people like me  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 03, 2020, 02:41:40 PM
Quote from: Syt on December 03, 2020, 02:33:58 PM
In Anstoß 2 I had gotten quite good at timing the use of PEDs during preparation so they'd give my players a boost weren't traceable in doping tests any more. Also, how to best funnel away money into a secret fund to try and bribe opponent players and referees.

It also had coaching tests where you were quizzed on German football trivia, but also stats of your current league. (Doing well in the quiz improved your coaching stats.)

Damn, that simulator is dark.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 03, 2020, 02:46:23 PM
Quote from: celedhring on December 03, 2020, 02:36:24 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 03, 2020, 02:31:57 PM
Quote from: celedhring on December 03, 2020, 02:29:36 PM
I very fondly remember a save in the early 1990s with Piacenza in the Serie B, and having a youngster promote me with a 30-goal season. His name was Filippo Inzaghi...

Back when it was still Championship Manager, my winningest Celta team was lead by a certain young Dutch winger by the name of Arjen Robben.  :lol:

Also, I signed Cristiano Ronaldo for my hometown club in Segunda B back when he was 16 and absolutely nobody knew of him (not even me). He wasn't a wonderkid in the game, but was more than good enough for Segunda B and helped me get promoted. It was quite funny when he went on to become such a villain for people like me  :lol:

Heh, randomised players were always a hoot. In that Celta team, together with Robben my other stalwart, and more or less on par with him in importance for the team, was another Dutch attacking midfielder called Youssouf Hersi, who in real life didn't really amount to much (checking his wiki I can see that he roamed almost all teams on the Dutch first division and got to play a few games for the U21 national team, played one year in Greece and ended up his career in the Australian league).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 03, 2020, 02:50:25 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 03, 2020, 02:41:40 PM
Quote from: Syt on December 03, 2020, 02:33:58 PM
In Anstoß 2 I had gotten quite good at timing the use of PEDs during preparation so they'd give my players a boost weren't traceable in doping tests any more. Also, how to best funnel away money into a secret fund to try and bribe opponent players and referees.

It also had coaching tests where you were quizzed on German football trivia, but also stats of your current league. (Doing well in the quiz improved your coaching stats.)

Damn, that simulator is dark.  :lol:

I kinda miss when CM was a little bit wilder and you could enable player misbehavior, I fondly remember Rivaldo spitting on an opposition player and getting banned for the season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 03, 2020, 02:51:38 PM
Quote from: celedhring on December 03, 2020, 02:50:25 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 03, 2020, 02:41:40 PM
Quote from: Syt on December 03, 2020, 02:33:58 PM
In Anstoß 2 I had gotten quite good at timing the use of PEDs during preparation so they'd give my players a boost weren't traceable in doping tests any more. Also, how to best funnel away money into a secret fund to try and bribe opponent players and referees.

It also had coaching tests where you were quizzed on German football trivia, but also stats of your current league. (Doing well in the quiz improved your coaching stats.)

Damn, that simulator is dark.  :lol:

I kinda miss when CM was a little bit wilder and you could enable player misbehavior, I fondly remember Rivaldo spitting on an opposition player and getting banned for the season.

I don't think I ever saw such a thing happen.  :lol:

But it's true that FM is quite "sanitized" lately. I mean, it's been ages since one of my players skipped training.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on December 03, 2020, 02:56:40 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 03, 2020, 02:41:40 PM
Quote from: Syt on December 03, 2020, 02:33:58 PM
In Anstoß 2 I had gotten quite good at timing the use of PEDs during preparation so they'd give my players a boost weren't traceable in doping tests any more. Also, how to best funnel away money into a secret fund to try and bribe opponent players and referees.

It also had coaching tests where you were quizzed on German football trivia, but also stats of your current league. (Doing well in the quiz improved your coaching stats.)

Damn, that simulator is dark.  :lol:

It was a serious sim, but with a more lighthearted tone. It also referenced real life events. E.g. one of the players could be a mole leaking secrets to the tabloids, or write a tell-all book that pisses everyone off, killing morale. Players had hobbies that could be beneficial or detrimental. A dreaded event was a player being out for two weeks, because an old lady accidentally hit his heel with her shopping cart.

German management games also had tycoon elements. You would negotiate sponsoring deals, could expand your stadium and add amenities like roofs for fans, or VIP areas, manage the prices for merchandise, manage your private life (buy status symbols, get married, and have your kids become players once they grow up), etc. On April 1st you might be struck with horrendous news ("You entire team died in a plane crash.") only to get "April Fools!" when your accepted the message. You could also instruct players to go all out on tackling.

The series peaked IMHO with Anstoß 2 Gold. 3 was still ok, though.

(https://www.mobygames.com/images/shots/l/18505-anstoss-2-der-fussballmanager-windows-screenshot-your-tactics.jpg)

As mentioned, no license, so the names were changed. In the above screenshot, the IRL players would be Kahn, Matthäus, (not sure who Punke is supposed to be, Fink possibly), Helmer, Lizarazu, Wiblishauser, Tarnat, Zickler, Effenberg, Jancker, Elber - I'm still reasonably familiar with the Bayern names of that era (ca. 1997), it seems :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 03, 2020, 02:57:16 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 03, 2020, 02:51:38 PM
Quote from: celedhring on December 03, 2020, 02:50:25 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 03, 2020, 02:41:40 PM
Quote from: Syt on December 03, 2020, 02:33:58 PM
In Anstoß 2 I had gotten quite good at timing the use of PEDs during preparation so they'd give my players a boost weren't traceable in doping tests any more. Also, how to best funnel away money into a secret fund to try and bribe opponent players and referees.

It also had coaching tests where you were quizzed on German football trivia, but also stats of your current league. (Doing well in the quiz improved your coaching stats.)

Damn, that simulator is dark.  :lol:

I kinda miss when CM was a little bit wilder and you could enable player misbehavior, I fondly remember Rivaldo spitting on an opposition player and getting banned for the season.

I don't think I ever saw such a thing happen.  :lol:

But it's true that FM is quite "sanitized" lately. I mean, it's been ages since one of my players skipped training.

That's probably because only regens can do that now (and it's still pretty rare). The more fun events (like players coming out as gay) tend to happen a lot of seasons into a save, when all your squad is made up of regens.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on December 03, 2020, 02:59:21 PM
Quote from: celedhring on December 03, 2020, 02:57:16 PM
That's probably because only regens can do that now (and it's still pretty rare). The more fun events (like players coming out as gay) tend to happen a lot of seasons into a save, when all your squad is made up of regens.

Yes, I'd imagine they're careful not to get in hot water with any real players.

You can always play with fictionals, I suppose.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on December 03, 2020, 03:00:42 PM
Btw, I also saw that Wolfsberg from Austria is in Europa League, WTF? :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 03, 2020, 03:13:32 PM
Quote from: celedhring on December 03, 2020, 02:57:16 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 03, 2020, 02:51:38 PM
Quote from: celedhring on December 03, 2020, 02:50:25 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 03, 2020, 02:41:40 PM
Quote from: Syt on December 03, 2020, 02:33:58 PM
In Anstoß 2 I had gotten quite good at timing the use of PEDs during preparation so they'd give my players a boost weren't traceable in doping tests any more. Also, how to best funnel away money into a secret fund to try and bribe opponent players and referees.

It also had coaching tests where you were quizzed on German football trivia, but also stats of your current league. (Doing well in the quiz improved your coaching stats.)

Damn, that simulator is dark.  :lol:

I kinda miss when CM was a little bit wilder and you could enable player misbehavior, I fondly remember Rivaldo spitting on an opposition player and getting banned for the season.

I don't think I ever saw such a thing happen.  :lol:

But it's true that FM is quite "sanitized" lately. I mean, it's been ages since one of my players skipped training.

That's probably because only regens can do that now (and it's still pretty rare). The more fun events (like players coming out as gay) tend to happen a lot of seasons into a save, when all your squad is made up of regens.

I assumed it was because I tend to play the Touch versions in the last editions of the game, as the full version is becoming a bit overwhelming (when they added interactions with the press they were not aware on how draining it'd be). I've seen some of the latest additions with curiosity, like dressing room cliques, but they're absent in Touch versions, as they strip down the more cumbersome simulation things and is a bit more arcade-like (or what can pass for arcade-like in FM).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 03, 2020, 03:22:00 PM
Yeah, all the interactions with press/players are an absolute chore, but I leave them to my assistant as much as possible. The clique and seniority systems are decent additions though.

I don't care much for the feature creep of the game, but the Touch version feels a bit too lightweight for my taste.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 03, 2020, 03:28:29 PM
Quote from: Syt on December 03, 2020, 03:00:42 PM
Btw, I also saw that Wolfsberg from Austria is in Europa League, WTF? :lol:

They should play against Wolfsburg.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 04, 2020, 07:08:31 AM
Quote from: The Larch on December 03, 2020, 02:18:55 PM
The amount of work that goes into each Football Manager game is quite astounding, so it's no wonder that it becomes so inmersive. And yeah, when you've been playing for a while and you suddenly see "your" players in a real game it's quite the funny feeling.

Yeah it's especially noticeable if you're bored on a Thursday and watching Europa League games, and you come across a player and you're like "I signed that guy!"
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 05, 2020, 05:57:04 PM
Hooray for Chelsea  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 05, 2020, 06:29:30 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 05, 2020, 05:57:04 PM
Hooray for Chelsea  :)

Sure, but I still feel kind of sad that we're back to Chelsea, Spurs, Liverpool, City and United.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 05, 2020, 06:51:24 PM
Quote from: Liep on December 05, 2020, 06:29:30 PM
Sure, but I still feel kind of sad that we're back to Chelsea, Spurs, Liverpool, City and United.

I hear ya.  So lets root for all of them except Chelsea to lose.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 05, 2020, 07:38:18 PM
I guess some matches have socially distanced fans in the stands and some don't because of the tieredness of the location?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 06, 2020, 01:10:54 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 05, 2020, 07:38:18 PM
I guess some matches have socially distanced fans in the stands and some don't because of the tieredness of the location?
Exactly.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 06, 2020, 07:19:27 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 06, 2020, 01:10:54 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 05, 2020, 07:38:18 PM
I guess some matches have socially distanced fans in the stands and some don't because of the tieredness of the location?
Exactly.

It's funny though. Was watching the Chelsea Leeds game, and they had limited attendance; but it seemed the fans that were there were all sitting in a crowd together. would have thought they spaced them out better. They also didn't seem to be enforcing mask wearing. I guess it's more about getting people in and out that's the issue, than people sitting in the stadium.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 06, 2020, 07:27:27 AM
 :weep:

(https://i.sohn.dk/eriksen.png)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 06, 2020, 07:35:12 AM
Christ, what did they do to Inter's shirt?  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on December 06, 2020, 07:36:48 AM
Quote from: celedhring on December 06, 2020, 07:35:12 AM
Christ, what did they do to Inter's shirt?  :lol:

Goes well with their sponsor, though. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 06, 2020, 07:45:16 AM
Quote from: Josephus on December 06, 2020, 07:19:27 AM
It's funny though. Was watching the Chelsea Leeds game, and they had limited attendance; but it seemed the fans that were there were all sitting in a crowd together. would have thought they spaced them out better. They also didn't seem to be enforcing mask wearing. I guess it's more about getting people in and out that's the issue, than people sitting in the stadium.
There wouldn't be any neee to mask wear in the UK if you're outside - it's only necessary if you're in an enclosed space. So it sould be mandatory getting in and out (and I imaing quite strictly enforced) but once you're in your seat you wouldn't need to wear a mask. I think the big fear in the development of protocols were enclosed spaces like toilets.

I think they are socially distanced but you could be in a household group (dad and kids) so sitting together, but I think it's just one stand presumably because that's easier to manage/monitor the protocols than spreading people out more? The weird thing is it's a flat cap so you could have 2,000 fans in a 40,000 seater stadium, or in League 1 or 2 or even National League in a tiny stadium which is far more crowded.

So this crowd is tiny and dwarfed by the stadium for West Ham's game:
(https://i2-prod.football.london/west-ham-united-fc/fixtures-results/article19408032.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/1_GettyImages-1229961719.jpg)

And the same number at the stadium for National League side Weymouth (they've had to cut capacity because people weren't socially distancing).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 06, 2020, 12:40:11 PM
A Tottenham managed by Jose Mourinho winning the league the same season Arsenal get relegated means I'm just going to quit watching football forever.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 07, 2020, 03:06:24 PM
Group A: Portugal, Serbia, Republic of Ireland, Luxembourg, Azerbaijan
Group B: Spain, Sweden, Greece, Georgia, Kosovo
Group C: Italy, Switzerland, Northern Ireland, Bulgaria, Lithuania
Group D: France, Ukraine, Finland, Bosnia, Kazakhstan
Group E: Belgium, Wales, Czech Republic, Belarus, Estonia
Group F: Denmark, Austria, Scotland, Israel, Faroe Islands, Moldova
Group G: Netherlands, Turkey, Norway, Montenegro, Latvia, Gibraltar
Group H: Croatia, Slovakia, Russia, Slovenia, Cyprus, Malta
Group I: England, Poland, Hungary, Albania, Andorra, San Marino
Group J: Germany, Romania, Iceland, North Macedonia, Armenia, Liechtenstein

We might actually end up honoring that 10th seed although I still think it's more likely we end up 2nd after losing points to Faroe Island. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 08, 2020, 02:43:36 AM
So, Kosovo got stuck in a group where IIRC only Sweden recognizes its independence. That will be fun  :P

EDIT: I'm reading that they first got drawn in Group A alongside Serbia (!!) but FIFA decided to move them to B instead. Probably a good decision...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 08, 2020, 06:59:36 AM
Quote from: celedhring on December 08, 2020, 02:43:36 AM
So, Kosovo got stuck in a group where IIRC only Sweden recognizes its independence. That will be fun  :P

EDIT: I'm reading that they first got drawn in Group A alongside Serbia (!!) but FIFA decided to move them to B instead. Probably a good decision...

Political reasons. Kosovo can't be drawn with Bosnia-Herzegovia, probably due to the Serbian part of the entity as well.
There are also geographical criteria to avoid more than one team in the fringe of the UEFA zone.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 08, 2020, 02:06:57 PM
Quote from: celedhring on December 08, 2020, 02:43:36 AM
So, Kosovo got stuck in a group where IIRC only Sweden recognizes its independence. That will be fun  :P

EDIT: I'm reading that they first got drawn in Group A alongside Serbia (!!) but FIFA decided to move them to B instead. Probably a good decision...

Group A is also joined by Qatar it seems.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 08, 2020, 02:12:17 PM
I mean can you really arrange these tournaments forever to where you never have a politically complicated match?

I personally am looking forward to all the drones at the Armenia-Azerbaijan match. They just need to somehow get out of their groups and meet in the knock out round someplace  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 08, 2020, 02:35:08 PM
If we go to war against France we might have a chance of making a deep run in football tournaments  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 08, 2020, 02:42:41 PM
Quote from: celedhring on December 08, 2020, 02:35:08 PM
If we go to war against France we might have a chance of making a deep run in football tournaments  :hmm:
Unrelated but the French Football Federation stories at the minute are incredibly grim :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 08, 2020, 03:59:56 PM
So what transpired during the PSG game?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 08, 2020, 04:02:17 PM
Quote from: Liep on December 08, 2020, 02:06:57 PM
Quote from: celedhring on December 08, 2020, 02:43:36 AM
So, Kosovo got stuck in a group where IIRC only Sweden recognizes its independence. That will be fun  :P

EDIT: I'm reading that they first got drawn in Group A alongside Serbia (!!) but FIFA decided to move them to B instead. Probably a good decision...

Group A is also joined by Qatar it seems.

That's a new low for UEFA.
That's Portugal group, a 5-team only group.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 08, 2020, 04:15:53 PM
So FIFA essentially force teams in group A to play friendlies with Qatar? Heh.

I would put their qualification berth on the line  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 08, 2020, 04:17:47 PM
Quote from: Josephus on December 08, 2020, 03:59:56 PM
So what transpired during the PSG game?

Contradicting reports.
Following several fouls and yellow cards given to Basaksehir and mounting contestation from the team, fourth referee would have called a Basaksehir Camerunese staff member (deputy coach) of Erdogan's club "black" but it's not clear if he used an epithet possibly seen as derogative by the relevant player in a Romanian-accented French "Negru" very close to an untrained ear to négro in French (offensive like nigger in English unless it's rap go figure) or either noir (black) or black (English word in French). The last being the most PC you can use for wokes.
It is not said if it was just communication between referees, all of them being Romanian.

There is an history of anglo-like minded francophones mistaking the neutral term negro in other latin languages as a racist insult.
OTOH, the Romanian fourth referee may not just care about PC or be used to using derogative slurs or just be racist.

This followed two yellow cards for fouls committed by Basaksehir, as I said previously.

It's game lost for Erdogan's club a priori, since PSG players were willing to resume playing and the visiting team did not show up until 22.00.
OTOH, since Erdogan and Qatar (owner of PSG) are friends the accident could be minimized by both sides.

PS: another video surfaced, just before the incident, a Turkish staff member, while talking to the Romanian referees, compared Romanians to Gypsies "In my country, Romanians are gypsies" before pulling some backhand preterition "but I can't say it".
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 08, 2020, 04:18:13 PM
Quote from: celedhring on December 08, 2020, 04:15:53 PM
So FIFA essentially force teams in group A to play friendlies with Qatar? Heh.

I would put their qualification berth on the line  :lol:

That crap used to limited to Asia or even CONMEBOL (how the might have fallen). :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 08, 2020, 04:26:40 PM
Actually Ba's point - from the video I've seen is why they're using the phrase "the black one". They never refer to "the white one":
https://twitter.com/Turkish_Futbol1/status/1336420377019510784?s=20

"You never say 'this white guy' you say 'this guy', so why when you mention a black guy you have to say 'this black guy'."

Fair play to both sides for walking off.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on December 08, 2020, 04:36:18 PM
Then again if he was a blond guy among black haired ones he might have said "that blond one".

I mean, online dictionary says black in Romanian is negru. Identifying him by skin colour was not nice, but I don't think both teams would have gone off if he said black in English.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 08, 2020, 04:37:28 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 08, 2020, 04:26:40 PM
Actually Ba's point - from the video I've seen is why they're using the phrase "the black one". They never refer to "the white one":
https://twitter.com/Turkish_Futbol1/status/1336420377019510784?s=20

"You never say 'this white guy' you say 'this guy', so why when you mention a black guy you have to say 'this black guy'."

Fair play to both sides for walking off.

Not too many black staff members in Basaksehir, I'd guess.

They certainly refer to this white guy in Africa cf. yovo in Beninese French, or  "le sorcier blanc" for foreign coaches, in other countries. L'Européen is synonym of white for African francophones, as well.
And there is the counter-argument heard: "how many languages do you speak? To pass PC Judgment that is. Valid point.

PS: I'm surprised referees are not coached in PC to be honest to avoid these kind of "awkwardness".
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 08, 2020, 04:39:31 PM
FYI, Cavani recently ran into trouble with the FA for saying "gracias negrito" (thanks blackie) to a friend in a tweet.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-8999161/Edinson-Cavani-facing-FA-probe-sparking-racism-storm.html (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-8999161/Edinson-Cavani-facing-FA-probe-sparking-racism-storm.html)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 08, 2020, 04:48:44 PM
Yes. The same word Suarez used to Evra - who did not take it as friendly gesture.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 08, 2020, 05:09:04 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 08, 2020, 04:48:44 PM
Yes. The same word Suarez used to Evra - who did not take it as friendly gesture.

Guess what, Evra is not a friend of Suarez. Go check, it does not bite.  :P
And not exactly bright, and hardly a Romance linguist (English sense).

Did Évra find the traitor following the bus strike in Knysna btw?  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 08, 2020, 05:11:24 PM
Seen the video at the Parc des Princes, Webo did accuse initially the Romanian of calling him négro before the tune change to "black" (man/guy) by Demba Ba.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 08, 2020, 05:14:52 PM
I kinda wish somebody had been racist in our game and suspended that one instead...  :Embarrass:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 08, 2020, 05:16:37 PM
And now a tweet by Merdogan putting some pressure on UEFA.  :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 08, 2020, 05:21:04 PM
Looks like the game's officially abandoned. So ... PSG win?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 08, 2020, 05:22:44 PM
Quote from: Josephus on December 08, 2020, 05:21:04 PM
Looks like the game's officially abandoned. So ... PSG win?

In theory, yes but game could be postponed. Basaksehir said they would not replay.

PS: to tomorrow wednesday, 19.00 CET (GMT + 1), according to some reports.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 08, 2020, 06:30:43 PM
Quote from: Valmy on December 08, 2020, 02:12:17 PMI mean can you really arrange these tournaments forever to where you never have a politically complicated match?

The countries blocked from being in the same group together is an evolving thing, and there are not that many, it depends on their countries being in an armed conflict, not having regular diplomatic relations or there being an explicit call from one of their federations not to play with the other.

At the moment there are only 6 pairings that are prevented from taking place in qualification groups, Armenia/Azerbajan, Russia/Ukraine, Serbia/Kosovo, Bosnia/Kosovo, Russia/Kosovo and Spain/Gibraltar. And this is not only for national teams, but also for clubs in European competitions.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 08, 2020, 07:07:27 PM
Really? Spain and Gibraltar?

Come on Spain, the Treaty of Utrecht was awhile ago.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 08, 2020, 07:15:16 PM
Quote from: Valmy on December 08, 2020, 07:07:27 PM
Really? Spain and Gibraltar?

Come on Spain, the Treaty of Utrecht was awhile ago.

Thing is, the Spanish federation had blocked Gibraltar from being recognized by UEFA for as long as I can remember. When it could no longer prevent it, it asked for not having to play against it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 09, 2020, 10:07:13 AM
Quote from: Valmy on December 08, 2020, 07:07:27 PM
Really? Spain and Gibraltar?

Come on Spain, the Treaty of Utrecht was awhile ago.

I hope the KNVB pick our stadium in Utrecht for the qualifier against Gibraltar  :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 09, 2020, 10:23:41 AM
Quote from: Maladict on December 09, 2020, 10:07:13 AM
Quote from: Valmy on December 08, 2020, 07:07:27 PM
Really? Spain and Gibraltar?

Come on Spain, the Treaty of Utrecht was awhile ago.

I hope the KNVB pick our stadium in Utrecht for the qualifier against Gibraltar  :ph34r:

Gibraltar used to play until recently at home in the Algarve stadium (Faro/Loulé) in Portugal.  :P With so many Brits arounds, home advantage really.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on December 10, 2020, 05:32:05 AM
RIP Paolo Rossi:

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/55248469

QuotePaolo Rossi: Italy's 1982 World Cup hero dies aged 64

Italy's 1982 World Cup hero Paolo Rossi has died aged 64, his family says.

Rossi became a household name after leading the Azzurri to victory at the tournament in Spain, finishing as top scorer and being named best player.

At club level he first came to prominence as a prolific scorer for Vicenza, earning a move to Juventus and later playing for AC Milan.

His death was announced on Thursday, following what Italian media report had been a long illness.

Rossi's wife Federica Cappelletti posted a picture of them together on social media with the words "Per sempre" ("forever").

She did not disclose the cause of his death.

Rossi scored 20 goals in 48 appearances for the Italian national side, and more than 100 Serie A goals during spells with Vicenza, Perugia, Juventus, Milan and Verona.

"Sometimes there are simply no words to express the pain we are all experiencing," said a statement from Vicenza, who Rossi helped win promotion to Serie A in 1977.

Following his performances at the 1982 World Cup, he was awarded the Ballon d'Or which at the time was given to the European footballer of the year.

After retiring from football in the late 1980s, Rossi worked as a pundit for Sky, Mediaset and Rai.

Rossi wrote his name into footballing folklore with his displays at the 1982 World Cup - although he nearly missed the competition after being implicated in a match-fixing scandal.

Although Rossi maintained his innocence, he was banned from football for three years after being accused of taking part in the 1980 Totonero scandal.

This suspension was reduced to two years on appeal, meaning he was available to play at the World Cup in Spain.

Rossi later described going on to win the tournament as a "personal redemption".

The tournament started with a whimper for both Italy and Rossi. The Juventus striker failed to score in the opening group stage as Italy drew all three games to scrape through.

The Italians looked far from World Cup contenders - until Rossi, whose performances had come under criticism, found his sharpness in front of goal in the crucial meeting with Brazil in the second group stage.

Rossi scored a hat-trick as Italy won 3-2 to reach the semi-finals, then scored both goals against Poland as Italy set up a meeting with West Germany in the final.

A tense final swung Italy's way when Rossi scored the opening goal in the second half, the Azzurri going on to win 3-1 and become world champions for a third time.

"On one hand I felt fulfilled. I said to myself, 'you've made it'," Rossi later said about the triumph.

"On the other hand, I was disappointed that all of this just ended. The World Cup was over.

"[But] when you win something important it's not just about the trophy. It's about the group you win it with, it's about your entire career that took you there."

Italy's triumph sparked an outpouring of emotion back home, providing national unity and joy at a time when the country was beset by political and social unrest.

Those images of Rossi and his team-mates becoming world champions will forever be ingrained in the country's culture, says Italian journalist Daniele Verri.

"We are all shocked here because Paulo Rossi is such an iconic figure for Italian football," Verri told BBC World Service.

"He is part of Italian history that goes beyond football.

"For those who were lucky enough to see him play in the 1982 World Cup we cannot ever forget what he did.

"The images of Spain 82 are part of Italian culture."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 10, 2020, 06:55:13 AM
Lots of football mourning going on in Italy this month. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2020, 07:27:07 AM
Back to real, but sad football news. :(
Too early for my time but he was THE player of a major tournament. Images of his goal celebrations are still famous.

RIP Paolo
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Pedrito on December 10, 2020, 05:13:16 PM
 :weep: :weep: :weep:

Rossi was not a phenomenal player; what he did during WC82 was phenomenal. I was nine, and remember *exactly* where I was when I watched the matches against Brasil, Poland and West Germany. And I still have shivers thinking about Zoff's save on the goal line in the 89th minute against Brasil.

2020 is confirmed to be a shitty, shitty year.

L.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 13, 2020, 04:37:34 PM
Arsenal fans: what is happening? :hmm: :huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 13, 2020, 06:22:28 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 13, 2020, 04:37:34 PM
Arsenal fans: what is happening? :hmm: :huh:

:weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 13, 2020, 06:35:01 PM
The short version: players are bad, shockingly poor transfers over last several seasons, Arteta is new at this and probably doesn't have the toolset yet to manage this crisis, club management structure has been chaotic since Wenger left, and it seems the dressing room is in revolt.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 13, 2020, 06:37:06 PM
Aubameyang needs to get a new do.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 14, 2020, 07:45:36 AM
Round of 16 Champions' League:

Borussia Mönchengladbach-Manchester City

Lázio-Bayern

Atlético de Madrid-Chelsea

RB Lípsia-Liverpool

FC Porto-Juventus

Barcelona-PSG (! Remontada?!)

Sevilha-Borussia Dortmund

Atalanta-Real Madrid


Europa League Round of 32

Wolfsberger AC - Tottenham

FC Krasnodar -Dínamo Zagreb

Young Boys Bern - Bayer Leverkusen

Molde FK -Hoffenheim

Granada CF - Napoli

Maccabi Tel Aviv - Chakhtior Donetsk

Lille - Ajax Amsterdam

Olympiakos -PSV Eindhoven

Dynamo Kiev - Club Bruges

Real Sociedad -Manchester United

Ben fica Al-Ushbona - Arsenal

Red Star Belgrado -AC Milão

Royal Antuérpia - Glasgow Rangers

Slavia Praga - Leicester

RB Salzburgo - Villarreal

Braga - AS Roma


Toponyms/Exonyms should be pretty easy to figure out.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 14, 2020, 07:58:28 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 14, 2020, 07:45:36 AM
Toponyms/Exonyms should be pretty easy to figure out.  :P

Exonyms are fascinating. Why does Leipzig get one in Portuguese? Apart from being unpronouncable  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 14, 2020, 07:59:36 AM
Lipsia? Really?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on December 14, 2020, 08:18:13 AM
Lisbon is Al-Uschbona?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on December 14, 2020, 09:57:09 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 13, 2020, 04:37:34 PM
Arsenal fans: what is happening? :hmm: :huh:

:nelson:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 14, 2020, 10:02:47 AM
Quote from: Tamas on December 14, 2020, 09:57:09 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 13, 2020, 04:37:34 PM
Arsenal fans: what is happening? :hmm: :huh:

:nelson:
:lol: I have a Spurs fan who was sending me screenshots of AFTV and the moment "Big Sam" started trending.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 14, 2020, 10:03:22 AM
Quote from: Tamas on December 14, 2020, 09:57:09 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 13, 2020, 04:37:34 PM
Arsenal fans: what is happening? :hmm: :huh:

:nelson:

https://twitter.com/arseblog/status/1338228789378158595
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 14, 2020, 11:53:24 AM
Quote from: Threviel on December 14, 2020, 08:18:13 AM
Lisbon is Al-Uschbona?

That's just Duque's islamophobia.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 14, 2020, 12:00:47 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 14, 2020, 07:59:36 AM
Lipsia? Really?

Same as in Italian, Italians use it even more often (medieval latinisation). Hell, Augsburgo is Augusta for them (Augusta Vindelicorum). I guess it fell into disuse in Castilian. Wiki, which loves archaic exonyms, says precisely it's archaic castillan.
Lípsia is not as common as it used to be, despite being such a nice sounding-one.

French still uses Lipsiens for Leipzigers...
OTOH, all latin language as a variation of of Colonia (Claudia Ara Agripinensis)

Göteborg, being the sole North Sea outlet of Sweden for a long time has the still commonly used Gotemburgo. An adaptation, more than a true exonym.

PS: somewhat disappointed Italians say Weser and not Visurgo (Visurgis in Latin). :(  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 14, 2020, 12:03:21 PM
Quote from: Maladict on December 14, 2020, 11:53:24 AM
Quote from: Threviel on December 14, 2020, 08:18:13 AM
Lisbon is Al-Uschbona?

That's just Duque's islamophobia.

Ushbona, not the German spelling of the Arabic exonym, bitte.
LULZ that's a reminder to Lisboetes, namely Benfica fans, who think Portugal begins and only exist through Benfica (real name is Sport Lisboa e Benfica SLB in short), the other common one is reminding Benfica fans of their Régime club status under Salazar. Would not trigger so much wokes around here I guess.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 14, 2020, 12:06:42 PM
Quote from: Maladict on December 14, 2020, 07:58:28 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 14, 2020, 07:45:36 AM
Toponyms/Exonyms should be pretty easy to figure out.  :P

Exonyms are fascinating. Why does Leipzig get one in Portuguese? Apart from being unpronouncable  :P

Hard to pronounce indeed, but still falling slowing into disuse. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 14, 2020, 12:09:12 PM
Still no comments on the draw?

I guess Porto will be on the way out. Only Dortmund, somewhat in crisis, would have given equal chances.

Arsenal is in crisis, but Benfica plays like crap since Jesus does not perform miracles.
Tough draw for Braga but they can make it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on December 14, 2020, 03:51:13 PM
Wait a minute. Why do you often talk about Gothenburg?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 14, 2020, 04:49:51 PM
Barca PSG, which of the super stars will still play for their current team when the first game starts?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 14, 2020, 05:38:56 PM
Quote from: Liep on December 14, 2020, 04:49:51 PM
Barca PSG, which of the super stars will still play for their current team when the first game starts?
Not Neymar, while injured again, he will be busy celebrating his sister's birthday.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 17, 2020, 03:54:54 PM
Lewandowski named Best Footballer in 2020. No surprise I guess. A little scandalous is that Harder only came in 2nd. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 19, 2020, 03:31:45 PM
It's difficult to see Arsenal persisting with Arteta much past New Year's if results don't change. Chelsea next in the league (almost assuredly a loss), then away to Brighton and West Brom, both easily loseable games by this Arsenal squad. Relegation genuinely in the cards.

Shaking my damn head  :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 19, 2020, 04:57:16 PM
Poor Palace. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 23, 2020, 02:50:13 AM
I still can't believe that Braithwaite is a bigger success in Barca than Eriksen is in Inter. I can see why, I just don't believe it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 23, 2020, 02:59:22 AM
Koeman likes to play with natural centreforwards, and Braithwaite is the only one in the roster. And once he's on the pitch, well he has Messi threading passes to him...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 23, 2020, 03:03:29 AM
Quote from: celedhring on December 23, 2020, 02:59:22 AM
Koeman likes to play with natural centreforwards, and Braithwaite is the only one in the roster. And once he's on the pitch, well he has Messi threading passes to him...

Yes, the circumstances for success there are good for him. Any idea what happens in January?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 23, 2020, 03:21:33 AM
Nothing will happen, we're broke. Only chance to sign a striker is if we sell another player first. And due to being cup-tied we don't really have that many movable assets.

Biggest threat for him right now is when Fati/Dembelé come back from injury. Koeman might do some shuffling to accomodate everybody. We have loads of attacking players for just 3 spots.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 24, 2020, 12:05:35 PM
PSG coach fired!
Thomas Tuchel, with a mere six months of contract remaining with the club. Despite winning 4-0 in the last game, PSG is only third in the French League. The Final 8 final last season and the qualification to the round of 16 in the CL was not enough. Maybe the interview given to a German channel was the last straw but reports of bad relationship with Leonardo, sporting Director, have been heard for quite a while.

In short, more PSG nouveau riche comedy.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 24, 2020, 12:40:30 PM
Rumours talk about Pochettino replacing him. I hope that would mean he brings Eriksen to PSG and release him from Conte-hell.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 26, 2020, 02:40:42 PM
Genuinely shocked that Arsenal defeated Chelsea. It's a True Christmas Miracle.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 26, 2020, 03:09:09 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 26, 2020, 02:40:42 PM
Genuinely shocked that Arsenal defeated Chelsea. It's a True Christmas Miracle.
Today's matches are falling a good way for Everton to take on Sheffield United who still only have 1 point. And I, for one, am looking forward to losing 3-1 :ph34r: :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on December 26, 2020, 03:16:08 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 24, 2020, 12:05:35 PM
PSG coach fired!
Thomas Tuchel, with a mere six months of contract remaining with the club. Despite winning 4-0 in the last game, PSG is only third in the French League. The Final 8 final last season and the qualification to the round of 16 in the CL was not enough. Maybe the interview given to a German channel was the last straw but reports of bad relationship with Leonardo, sporting Director, have been heard for quite a while.

In short, more PSG nouveau riche comedy.  :P

Curious side note: Jürgen Klopp's clubs before Liverpool were Mainz and Dortmund. Tuchel's clubs before PSG were Mainz and Dortmund, directly succeeding Klopp each time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 26, 2020, 03:35:08 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 26, 2020, 03:09:09 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 26, 2020, 02:40:42 PM
Genuinely shocked that Arsenal defeated Chelsea. It's a True Christmas Miracle.
Today's matches are falling a good way for Everton to take on Sheffield United who still only have 1 point. And I, for one, am looking forward to losing 3-1 :ph34r: :weep:

Sheffield United have 2 points now actually  :ph34r:

My wife adopted Sheffield United as her team to root for this season because they only had 1 point and she felt really bad for them :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 26, 2020, 06:33:45 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 26, 2020, 03:35:08 PM
My wife adopted Sheffield United as her team to root for this season because they only had 1 point and she felt really bad for them :lol:
:ph34r: :console: But they're a good proper team to root for. But you might not have much joy - no idea really what's gone wrong there.

On the other hand I still cannot deal with Ancelotti as our manager or how great he is. Win a load of games at the start of the season playing absurd, fun attacking football (but ship 3 goals to West Brom :ph34r:), form dips and we lose a load of key players to injuries etc and he's now got us grinding out four wins (Chelsea, Leicester, Arsenal, Sheffield). It's everything you want from an Italian coach :wub:

He is still so good.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 27, 2020, 01:42:23 AM
I've always liked Ancelotti and I've always liked Everton so it is meant to be.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 27, 2020, 02:22:09 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 26, 2020, 06:33:45 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 26, 2020, 03:35:08 PM
My wife adopted Sheffield United as her team to root for this season because they only had 1 point and she felt really bad for them :lol:
:ph34r: :console: But they're a good proper team to root for. But you might not have much joy - no idea really what's gone wrong there.



They were totally reliant on their defence, playing every game like a lower division team against man Utd in the cup. They had a very good keeper on loan who they've lost and with a season to analyse everyone else has figured out how to get past their cheap park the bus ways.
Last year was a freak event, which they stupidly thought they could repeat rather than investing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 27, 2020, 03:37:46 AM
A friend of mine met his wife while doing an Erasmus in Sheffield* and he became a Wed fan, so he's enjoying this mightily.

*Discontinued experience
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 27, 2020, 07:17:18 AM
Quote from: Tyr on December 27, 2020, 02:22:09 AM
They were totally reliant on their defence, playing every game like a lower division team against man Utd in the cup. They had a very good keeper on loan who they've lost and with a season to analyse everyone else has figured out how to get past their cheap park the bus ways.
Last year was a freak event, which they stupidly thought they could repeat rather than investing.
It's a fair point on Henderson.

But I don't know - I quite liked watching them last year, not least because they were doing something different. A bit like how I quite like watching Burnley (unless my team is playing them) because they're quite distinctive. It just feels like it's fallen off a cliff.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 27, 2020, 01:25:43 PM
Can I just shock you? I like Sam Allardyce. Despite what I just said earlier.

Edit: Incidentally there was a lovely Twitter exchange between Mike Duncan (of Revolutions etc) and Jonathan Wilson, because Duncan's started reading Wilson's books through lockdown now he's been based in Europe and following football.

But Duncan made an interesting point that basically one of the themes of Wilson's books is that there are loads of different sort of divisions in football and debates between them. One of the ones that Wilson talks about and that is really attractive to fans is the idealist (play beautiful, entertain everyone and try to win) v pragmatists (just win). And Duncan noticed that this conflict just doesn't exist within American sports - every head coach is a pragmatist and winning is all they want. He later said that if things get boring/ugly then maybe the leagues would change the rules, but then everyone is a pragmatist within the rules.

No idea if it's true but I found it really interesting especially as football is particularly big on this division - e.g. Barcelona's never-ending conflict between the conservative wing and Cruyffist wing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 27, 2020, 07:29:32 PM
I did see that exchange and found it quite interesting. I don't know enough about many US sports, but it's true that, at least at surface level, they're quite more "mechanical" than footie. Basketball does indeed have a kind of debate about style, but it's not at the same level as in football. Baseball seems purely mechanistic to me, maybe the obsession with stats helps that perception.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on December 28, 2020, 02:06:45 AM
Tbf, football hasn't been above making rule changes to make matches more interesting, like the 1992 back-pass rule.

I remember the times when goalies could pick up any ball coming to them, even from their own team. Many's the match that would have a team's defense/midfield push the ball to each other before passing back to the goalie who'd pick it up and then spend 10, 20, seconds with it before rolling/kicking it back to his team. :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 28, 2020, 03:07:02 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 27, 2020, 01:25:43 PM
Can I just shock you? I like Sam Allardyce. Despite what I just said earlier.

Edit: Incidentally there was a lovely Twitter exchange between Mike Duncan (of Revolutions etc) and Jonathan Wilson, because Duncan's started reading Wilson's books through lockdown now he's been based in Europe and following football.

But Duncan made an interesting point that basically one of the themes of Wilson's books is that there are loads of different sort of divisions in football and debates between them. One of the ones that Wilson talks about and that is really attractive to fans is the idealist (play beautiful, entertain everyone and try to win) v pragmatists (just win). And Duncan noticed that this conflict just doesn't exist within American sports - every head coach is a pragmatist and winning is all they want. He later said that if things get boring/ugly then maybe the leagues would change the rules, but then everyone is a pragmatist within the rules.

No idea if it's true but I found it really interesting especially as football is particularly big on this division - e.g. Barcelona's never-ending conflict between the conservative wing and Cruyffist wing.

I believe the reason pragmatism isn't so prevalent in football is because analytics haven't cracked the game yet. Yank sports are very easy to break down into definite play actions (a possession in basketball, a down in football, an at-bat in baseball) which then you can try to make more efficient, while football is far blurrier - only set pieces are like that and they are indeed the bread and butter of the Allardyces and Pulises of the world. Thus a college basketball coach can go "you all start shooting threes" and easily make the case how that wins games, while in football that's not really there.

I presume that the statheads will eventually crack football and ruin it for everyone like they have done with basketball.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 28, 2020, 05:17:17 AM
Quote from: celedhring on December 28, 2020, 03:07:02 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 27, 2020, 01:25:43 PM
Can I just shock you? I like Sam Allardyce. Despite what I just said earlier.

Edit: Incidentally there was a lovely Twitter exchange between Mike Duncan (of Revolutions etc) and Jonathan Wilson, because Duncan's started reading Wilson's books through lockdown now he's been based in Europe and following football.

But Duncan made an interesting point that basically one of the themes of Wilson's books is that there are loads of different sort of divisions in football and debates between them. One of the ones that Wilson talks about and that is really attractive to fans is the idealist (play beautiful, entertain everyone and try to win) v pragmatists (just win). And Duncan noticed that this conflict just doesn't exist within American sports - every head coach is a pragmatist and winning is all they want. He later said that if things get boring/ugly then maybe the leagues would change the rules, but then everyone is a pragmatist within the rules.

No idea if it's true but I found it really interesting especially as football is particularly big on this division - e.g. Barcelona's never-ending conflict between the conservative wing and Cruyffist wing.

I believe the reason pragmatism isn't so prevalent in football is because analytics haven't cracked the game yet. Yank sports are very easy to break down into definite play actions (a possession in basketball, a down in football, an at-bat in baseball) which then you can try to make more efficient, while football is far blurrier - only set pieces are like that and they are indeed the bread and butter of the Allardyces and Pulises of the world. Thus a college basketball coach can go "you all start shooting threes" and easily make the case how that wins games, while in football that's not really there.

I presume that the statheads will eventually crack football and ruin it for everyone like they have done with basketball.

They're starting out to creep in, though. At least it's more noticeable in American media, where from a couple of years or so you can see things like "Expected goals" and stuff like that quoted in analysis pieces.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 28, 2020, 06:41:13 AM
As a manager Allardyce is very good indeed. He turned Sunderland into a solid mid table side.
Then the cunt went off to England for a week....
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on December 28, 2020, 09:44:35 AM
Wasn't Wimbledon's tactics based around a mathematical view of football? From what I've understood they based their tactics around an analysis of how goals are made and what you have to do to score. Can't really argue with their success either. The problem was that the football they played was horribly boring. Also the team culture seems to not really have been nice and friendly.

The Norwegian coach Drillo was a famous adherent, claiming that if you weren't shooting at goal after 4-5 ball contacts you might as well not play. The anti-Barcelona tactic you might say. The teams practising this has always been underdogs, would be fun to see a good team try.

And I listened to an interesting podcast that discussed quality vs quantity. Football is one of those sports where the worst players quality is more important than the best. So instead of buying Messi for billions it would have more effect to replace the five worst players on the team. The galacticos would be a good example of that theory, some of the world's absolutely best players and then the rest a second rate junior team, did not end super well.

So, say that a large club were to think like that with players and then play like Norway or Iceland, perhaps they would be really successful.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 28, 2020, 10:39:10 AM
Well, superstars in football are a bit overrated. When you have 11 people on the pitch, the influence of a single player will be less than for example basketball superstars. Guardiola's Barça was amazing not because of Messi, but because of Messi and Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, Dani Alves, Puyol, Piqué, Villa/Henry... Christ, what a side that was.

We had a discussion once among a few friends about who was the single most influential player in all of the most famous team sports, we tentatively agred it would be a Quarterback in yank football, which we guessed would then make Brady the goat of all goats.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on December 28, 2020, 10:45:29 AM
And that's the thing that makes Maradona so great. He was so good that he lifted Argentina and Napoli to glory almost by himself. Sure, good teams, but he was the clear difference.

Like you say, Barcelona without Messi would have been as almost good as Barcelona with Messi and would probably have won as much. (To the detriment of entertaining football everywhere)

Likewise Real and Ronaldo.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 28, 2020, 11:30:23 AM
Quote from: celedhring on December 28, 2020, 03:07:02 AM
I believe the reason pragmatism isn't so prevalent in football is because analytics haven't cracked the game yet. Yank sports are very easy to break down into definite play actions (a possession in basketball, a down in football, an at-bat in baseball) which then you can try to make more efficient, while football is far blurrier - only set pieces are like that and they are indeed the bread and butter of the Allardyces and Pulises of the world. Thus a college basketball coach can go "you all start shooting threes" and easily make the case how that wins games, while in football that's not really there.

I presume that the statheads will eventually crack football and ruin it for everyone like they have done with basketball.
Yes although the interesting thing is I don't think the statheads in football have necessarily solved working out the stats that mean if a team is playing well in the various different styles we see, which they need to do first. Which I think is part of why the stats don't provide an answer yet, because all these methods can work.

And in a way are Allardyce or Pulis really pragmatists? They have a very fixed idea of the way football should play. It reminds me of a Grace Robertson's point at the weekend when Villa were done to 10 men and Palace were still losing 3-0 "Maybe if Roy Hodgson was more pragmatic and didn't stick to his philosophy, he would've dominated this second half with a man up and got back into the game."

There's one English guy who is famous for being the first football statistician and his conclusion was something like the more passes there are the less likely it is to end in a goal (this was in the 70s or 80s) which definitely had an influence on a number of English teams at the time. But, I can't remember, he'd basically done stats wrong :lol:

QuoteAs a manager Allardyce is very good indeed.
As an Everton fan I'd strongly disgree with this - he's history's greatest monster :P

QuoteAnd I listened to an interesting podcast that discussed quality vs quantity. Football is one of those sports where the worst players quality is more important than the best. So instead of buying Messi for billions it would have more effect to replace the five worst players on the team. The galacticos would be a good example of that theory, some of the world's absolutely best players and then the rest a second rate junior team, did not end super well.
Yes, I think that's the theory of Billy Beane from Moneyball as well. You spend the money improving your weakest link because the return on that is far higher than signing a superstar in a position where you already have quality.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 28, 2020, 11:32:15 AM
Isn't FC Midtylands success built on analytics?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 28, 2020, 12:24:51 PM
Quote from: Tyr on December 28, 2020, 11:32:15 AM
Isn't FC Midtylands success built on analytics?

I think the story here is that Midtjylland has a great academy and a solid budget developing players and selling them on. That's why it was a surprise that they signed Sisto from Celta.

How they find the talent for the academy I don't know.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 28, 2020, 01:59:28 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 28, 2020, 11:30:23 AM
Yes, I think that's the theory of Billy Beane from Moneyball as well. You spend the money improving your weakest link because the return on that is far higher than signing a superstar in a position where you already have quality.

What I got from Moneyball is you shouldn't waste money on flashy stats like home runs and even RBIs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on December 29, 2020, 01:23:54 PM
I knew he'd miss that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 29, 2020, 02:35:39 PM
That was bound to happen.  :lol: :(

Somebody please find a vaccine for *this* malaise.  I'll give my firstborn to AstraZeneca or Moderna.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 01, 2021, 03:30:51 PM
It's truly mad how much corona is messing up the fixture list in league 1. Sunderland were forced to play a game a few weeks back sans most of the first team and then suspended 4 games.
Due to play the first game of the holidays, normally a packed time, tomorrow....and then another corona suspended game.
Interesting the premier league isn't getting this
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on January 02, 2021, 12:27:36 PM
https://utdreport.co.uk/2020/12/19/danish-university-professor-andreas-beck-holm-has-reports-fa-to-kick-it-out-for-cultural-racism-against-cavani/ (https://utdreport.co.uk/2020/12/19/danish-university-professor-andreas-beck-holm-has-reports-fa-to-kick-it-out-for-cultural-racism-against-cavani/)

QuoteIt has been almost three weeks since Manchester United's emphatic comeback victory over Southampton, but it still remains to be seen whether striker Edinson Cavani is served with a suspension for his social media post from the triumphs aftermath.

The post in question is of course the famous Instagram story that the Uruguayan posted, in his native tongue, thanking his friend for the congratulations which followed his fantastic substitute appearance that propelled the Reds to victory. The message read, "Gracias negrito" along with the handshake emoji.

Not much was made of the post as in South America, Cavani's message is one that shows affection to another person. But in England, the FA has went on to open a case against the forward in suspicion of racist connotations.

United have since released a statement in defense of Cavani which read: "It is clear to us that there was absolutely no malicious intent behind Edinson's message and he deleted it as soon as he was informed that it could be misconstrued.

"Edinson has issued an apology for any unintentional offense caused. Manchester United and all of our players are fully committed to the fight against racism."

The club's and Cavani's statements were both in line with the popular belief that Cavani's actions did not involve racist behavior. But, the FA's case has remained open and the striker could face a multiple game suspension in the new year as a result.

This apparent disregard for cultural differences has led a Danish university professor, Andreas Beck Holm, to report the FA to KickItOut for "cultural racism" against Cavani.

"The claim that I want to make is that while Cavani's words are not racist, the decision to indict him is. Specifically, it is a case of cultural racism that is closely connected with ethnocentrism," Holm's report read.

Holm's report was based on three main points: Cavani's message was a greeting to a friend, the word "negrito" in South America is affectionate, not racist, and the fact that Cavani deleted the post as soon as he was alerted that his greeting might get misunderstood in order not to cause any harm.

"Edinson Cavani is a foreign worker who is being punished for his inadequate mastery of the English language and for his equally limited understanding of British social rules," Holm continued. "In fact, he is being punished for not obeying these codes with a foreigner. This is clearly an example of discrimination based on a person's culture."

The FA and KickItOut have both been doing great work in order to fight racism on and off the British football pitches, but as per Holm's complaint, it does seem as though punishing Cavani for a message of affection to a fellow country man is an example of fighting the wrong fight.

"The charge put forward by the FA is based on several assumptions that are obviously ethnocentric," said Holm. "In short, the FA's indictment is nothing short of reprehensible by the very same standards the organization sanctimoniously claims to uphold."

Wokery backfire? Thinly veiled discriminatory ethnocentrism?


Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 03, 2021, 01:21:45 PM
Chelsea look the way Arsenal looked 2 weeks ago  :lmfao:

Thankfully Arsenal reclaimed a bit of confidence and look decent again. But will Chels ? :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on January 03, 2021, 01:42:02 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 03, 2021, 01:21:45 PM
Chelsea look the way Arsenal looked 2 weeks ago  :lmfao:

Thankfully Arsenal reclaimed a bit of confidence and look decent again. But will Chels ? :hmm:
Apparently assessing Lampard's future tomorrow :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 03, 2021, 02:15:29 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on January 03, 2021, 01:42:02 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 03, 2021, 01:21:45 PM
Chelsea look the way Arsenal looked 2 weeks ago  :lmfao:

Thankfully Arsenal reclaimed a bit of confidence and look decent again. But will Chels ? :hmm:
Apparently assessing Lampard's future tomorrow :ph34r:

Frank needs a Christmas miracle the way Arteta got one, but he can't wait a year for Christmas to come round again  :lol:

Who is available for Roman to bring in mid-season?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on January 03, 2021, 02:18:37 PM
woof
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 03, 2021, 05:29:33 PM
Actually just remembered Tuchel got sacked by PSG like a week ago so I guess he's just waiting for Roman's call. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 05, 2021, 04:56:08 PM
Reports are that Özil may be moving from my beloved Arsenal to my local scrub team, DC United.  :cool:

https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/exclusive-mesut-ozil-negotiations-mls-19569935
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on January 21, 2021, 09:45:02 AM
Suddenly emotional about a football ground I've never been to:
https://twitter.com/YorkCityFC/status/1351982485320687616?s=20
:lol: :(

They're moving into a council owned ground-share with the local Rugby League club.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 21, 2021, 10:09:36 AM
There a why on that?

I'd thought York was doing OK, gunning to get back in the league. They have a pretty big and dedicated fan base for a non league team, I know somebody who supports them as their only team: contrary to most non league fans who also have a "proper" team.

On non league, my favoured non league team south shields had quite the nightmare 2020. Running away with the northern league, way ahead of the nearest competitor.... Then the FA decided to just declare the season null.
This season they're lagging behind in 6th place <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on January 21, 2021, 10:18:46 AM
Quote from: Tyr on January 21, 2021, 10:09:36 AM
There a why on that?

I'd thought York was doing OK, gunning to get back in the league. They have a pretty big and dedicated fan base for a non league team, I know somebody who supports them as their only team: contrary to most non league fans who also have a "proper" team.
I think Bootham Crescent was just very, very run down and would cost a huge amount of money to renovate. So them and the Rugby League club talked with the Council about building a community stadium.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 25, 2021, 02:32:55 PM
Frank got the sack. Chels in for Tuchel.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 25, 2021, 05:59:13 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 25, 2021, 02:32:55 PM
Frank got the sack. Chels in for Tuchel.

What's the longest anyone has lasted at Chelsea since Abromovitch bought it?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on January 25, 2021, 06:02:15 PM
Mourinho I?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on January 30, 2021, 03:24:32 PM
Eriksen finally starts a game and if the Danish commentators are to be believed he is playing like a god.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on January 31, 2021, 01:16:07 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 25, 2021, 02:32:55 PM
Frank got the sack. Chels in for Tuchel.

I liked Frank. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 01, 2021, 03:49:43 AM
This is the worst Barça team that I've watched since the early 2000s yet somehow we are back to second place (we're a mile behind Atlético, who are going to stroll to the title).

Ah well, I just want to survive the season with the club intact.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 01, 2021, 07:41:57 AM
Quote from: celedhring on February 01, 2021, 03:49:43 AM
This is the worst Barça team that I've watched since the early 2000s yet somehow we are back to second place (we're a mile behind Atlético, who are going to stroll to the title).

Ah well, I just want to survive the season with the club intact.

Do you have any take about the revelations regarding Messi's contract?

Otherwise yeah, not the best time to be a Barça supporter. :console:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 01, 2021, 08:59:02 AM
To be frank the leak doesn't reveal anything that wasn't previously known, but we have to go through the entire indignation theater. The rough figures were known, the loyalty bonuses were known, even the "anti-independence" clause was known.

I'm fine with paying this salary to the best in the world. Barça's problem has been paying astronomical figures for mediocre players, not paying them to Leo Messi.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on February 02, 2021, 10:14:08 AM
Quote from: celedhring on February 01, 2021, 08:59:02 AM
To be frank the leak doesn't reveal anything that wasn't previously known, but we have to go through the entire indignation theater. The rough figures were known, the loyalty bonuses were known, even the "anti-independence" clause was known.

I'm fine with paying this salary to the best in the world. Barça's problem has been paying astronomical figures for mediocre players, not paying them to Leo Messi.

He was supposed to learn Catalan language as part of this € 555,237,619 contract. How is his Catalan?  Good enough for Catalan nationalists? :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 02, 2021, 02:34:46 PM
This Wolves-Arsenal game is bizarre :blink:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 02, 2021, 02:38:14 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on February 02, 2021, 10:14:08 AM
Quote from: celedhring on February 01, 2021, 08:59:02 AM
To be frank the leak doesn't reveal anything that wasn't previously known, but we have to go through the entire indignation theater. The rough figures were known, the loyalty bonuses were known, even the "anti-independence" clause was known.

I'm fine with paying this salary to the best in the world. Barça's problem has been paying astronomical figures for mediocre players, not paying them to Leo Messi.

He was supposed to learn Catalan language as part of this € 555,237,619 contract. How is his Catalan?  Good enough for Catalan nationalists? :P

I don't think I've ever heard a single word in Catalan from him outside of prepared (and short) statements.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 02, 2021, 03:02:36 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on February 02, 2021, 02:34:46 PM
This Wolves-Arsenal game is bizarre :blink:

It sucks real bad, have to say
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on February 02, 2021, 03:20:10 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on January 31, 2021, 01:16:07 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 25, 2021, 02:32:55 PM
Frank got the sack. Chels in for Tuchel.

I liked Frank. :(

I liked him as a player. He was quite clearly out of his depth as a Premier League manager. Mainly, it felt like he could make no effort to change tactics that were clearly not working on the pitch.

With Tuchel it already seems like the players have a better idea of what they are supposed to be doing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on February 02, 2021, 04:01:03 PM
Quote from: Tamas on February 02, 2021, 03:20:10 PM
With Tuchel it already seems like the players have a better idea of what they are supposed to be doing.

I am not saying you are not correct, I just don't understand the concept of professional players not knowing what they are supposed to do.  I get that to manager can have any number of influences on a team how did they not know what to do before?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 10, 2021, 05:54:52 AM
So UEFA, in its infinite wisdom, has decided that for Champions League and Europa Cup matches in which teams face travelling restrictions to enter countries due to Covid, both teams will then travel to a 3rd country where both teams can travel and play there, rather than postpone a single match.

Thus, RB Leipzig Vs Liverpool will be played in Budapest, Benfica Vs Arsenal will be played in Rome, Atlético Vs Chelsea will be played in Bucarest...

I can't roll my eyes enough.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 10, 2021, 05:58:58 AM
Yay, lets spread corona to more places than necessary!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 10, 2021, 06:01:52 AM
Yeah - I saw that :rolleyes:

And obviously we have an international break soon when players from all over Europe, in different leagues with different covid protocols will mix in the national team set up which strikes me as far more risky.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 10, 2021, 05:48:10 PM
Chaos.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 11, 2021, 04:03:05 AM
In other Catalan election news, the Barça presidential election is being held 3 weeks from now. A record 20% of the census is voting by mail. As way of comparison, mail vote in the Catalan regional election has closed and it's clocked at 5% of the census.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on February 11, 2021, 08:10:15 AM
I am glad to see Catalonians have set their priorities right.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 12, 2021, 05:50:13 AM
Quote from: The Larch on February 10, 2021, 05:54:52 AM
So UEFA, in its infinite wisdom, has decided that for Champions League and Europa Cup matches in which teams face travelling restrictions to enter countries due to Covid, both teams will then travel to a 3rd country where both teams can travel and play there, rather than postpone a single match.

Thus, RB Leipzig Vs Liverpool will be played in Budapest, Benfica Vs Arsenal will be played in Rome, Atlético Vs Chelsea will be played in Bucarest...

I can't roll my eyes enough.
Re this Arsenal - Benfica looks worst hit in Europa League because of travel restrictions in both countries.

So a team from England and a team from Portugal will go to Italy and then Greece for their games.

I don't think it's super-high risk but it does feel like something will have to give at some point (as I say I'm fairly sure a few countries in continental Europe will have another big wave when the new UK variant takes over :(). At some point it feels like either the Euros, or the CL/EL, or domestic games, or the international break (:rolleyes:) will need to move.

I think in England we've already got a few teams with basically no space left to play a game if there's a postponement because of European games plus playing domestic games that have already been postponed. And it feels like that's going to happen everywhere at some point.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 12, 2021, 12:32:08 PM
In the legal press today :ph34r: :hmm:
QuoteBarcelona FC star called to give evidence in wrangle with CMS
By Luke Barr 12 February 2021

A court has said that CMS should be able to cross-examine Lionel Messi over his assets, with the Barcelona star to be served with the order when he next plays in England.

It was ruled by Master Dagnall that Messi, who is represented by Stevens & Bolton, is to be served personally with the order the next time he plays for his club or the Argentina National Team on English soil.

This complex wrangle stems from asserted unpaid legal fees dating back to 2014 that are said to be owed to legacy firm Olswang. CMS is a relevant party to the case following its 2017 merger.

Olswang previously brought the issue before Master Yoxall who awarded a default judgment against the player in the region of £110,000.

Enforcement proceedings have been ongoing in Spain for several years, with Messi arguing that the judgment is unenforceable because the claim form was not properly served. This is also being fought separately in the Spanish Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, this disruption abroad led to CMS applying for an order in England to obtain information about Messi's assets, in particular those outside of Spain.

At a hearing between the two parties back in September, The Lawyer revealed CMS' ambition to question Messi in court over his UK-based assets.

CMS' counsel Mark Vinall of Blackstone Chambers told the court that the firm was not strictly seeking an order limited to Messi's means in the UK and that it did "reserve the right to ask questions about foreign assets".

Meanwhile, Messi's counsel Jonathan Cohen QC of Littleton Chambers suggested that the claim form was initially taken to Barcelona's stadium before then being redirected to Messi's Spanish law firm.

Olswang has historically asserted that it served Messi successfully in Spain.

CMS and Stevens & Bolton were both contacted for comment.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 12, 2021, 05:38:51 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on February 10, 2021, 05:48:10 PM
Chaos.

The only thing missing from that game were the fans. Imagine the scenes in the stadium  :D

There is a clip of Ancelotti casually sipping a cup of tea as Everton scored what would be the winning goal and it's just pure class.  :bowler:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CLIQCVUnCdH/?igshid=dm3ecsjxpazf  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 12, 2021, 06:21:19 PM
He's an inspiration :lol: :wub:

Although I particularly loved Glenn Hoddle on co-commentary whose guess was that it was soup. I think Carlo likes the North-West, but he's not gone that native :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 13, 2021, 04:29:35 AM
So many fun sports moments that could have been so much more awesome with fans at stadiums  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 16, 2021, 09:01:21 AM
For people with an Athletic subscription - the long read on Justin Fashanu is outstanding and I think a very important actual article.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 16, 2021, 09:07:34 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on February 16, 2021, 09:01:21 AM
For people with an Athletic subscription - the long read on Justin Fashanu is outstanding and I think a very important actual article.
You work for the Athletic right?
Why else would you talk about an article without posting it here. :p

I have read some of their articles in the past and they were interesting but not quite at the level to pay for.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 16, 2021, 09:12:31 AM
:lol: Sorry (I normally use the app) - a link:
https://theathletic.co.uk/2382097/2021/02/14/we-know-justin-fashanu-died-now-let-us-hear-how-he-lived/

I do subscribe but largely as a bitter blue because they are good at covering every club in the Premier League which isn't really the way for most of the nationals I read.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 17, 2021, 02:55:30 AM
I suscribe but mostly for yank sports (NBA, NFL, MLS). Their La Liga coverage isn't really great, but I don't need a yank newspaper for that...

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on February 17, 2021, 05:27:15 AM
Last night highlight:

Barça 1 PSG 4

Well, a remontada is still theoretically possible, but current Barça is only a shadow of what he was a few years ago.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 17, 2021, 05:33:44 AM
We're a rickety house waiting to crumble completely. Much like last year against Bayern, this was bound to happen when we went against a team with ellite offensive talent.

Now, we do have some talented young players in there to build around (De Jong, Pedri, Fati, Dest, even Dembelé if he isn't sold), but we need to clear up shop. This is a bit of a transitional season and I'll be happy with ensuring CL qualification.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 17, 2021, 06:03:15 AM
(https://i.sohn.dk/mbappe.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on February 17, 2021, 05:40:37 PM
Porto 2 Juventus 1

Crappiest Juve due in part to key players missing, manages to limit damage in the Dragão. Goals are mostly flukes, on both sides (bad start of both periods for the Juve). I am afraid the second leg will be different, since Porto was almost solid but far from great. In the meantime, I will take it. :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 17, 2021, 07:42:37 PM
Phil Foden looks exactly like the apprentice monk in The Fifth Element.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 18, 2021, 04:41:21 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 17, 2021, 07:42:37 PM
Phil Foden looks exactly like the apprentice monk in The Fifth Element.
This is excellent.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 18, 2021, 05:18:16 AM
So. Sunderland is in the Pizza Hut trophy final again.
Huzzah?
I mean...yeah, a trophy would be nice. But its one of those things where you can't really boast about it as the only reason your team is eligible to compete is being in the 3rd tier.
The under 21 teams don't even try all that hard for it (unlike me when I play Football Manager- lets just move those wonderkids over to the reserves for a day.... :menace:).
And the league continues to look a mess....
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on February 18, 2021, 05:58:53 AM
Yesterday's best game was Sevilla-Dortmund, however:

Sevilla 2 Dortmund 3

Not great defending as well, with an early lucky goal by Sevilla, but Haaland entered full Dolph Lundgren mode (in a good way before you ask) and scored two goals in the first half.
Haaland claimed to have been motivated by the three goals of Le Génie français.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 18, 2021, 04:44:54 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 17, 2021, 07:42:37 PM
Phil Foden looks exactly like the apprentice monk in The Fifth Element.

:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on February 18, 2021, 04:47:42 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 17, 2021, 07:42:37 PM
Phil Foden looks exactly like the apprentice monk in The Fifth Element.

(https://resources.premierleague.com/premierleague/photo/2020/08/31/19a536a0-677d-46ae-a34d-6559a3101b73/Phil-Foden-Manchester-City.png)

(https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2017-09/8/15/asset/buzzfeed-prod-fastlane-01/sub-buzz-5999-1504899979-4.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 18, 2021, 04:50:22 PM
:o :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 18, 2021, 04:56:02 PM
Amazing pick up, Yi.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 20, 2021, 12:20:37 PM
Imagine supporting a team where you could look forward to your derby instead of the cold sense of inevitability :ph34r: :bleeding: :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on February 20, 2021, 12:39:56 PM
Seems quite easy actually.   :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 20, 2021, 12:40:30 PM
:lol:

STOP THE COUNT!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on February 20, 2021, 12:46:11 PM
Except in Ligue des ™tas lents™, where there is not a single real derby.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 20, 2021, 12:49:05 PM
I'd say I miss the Barcelona derby myself, but then again it's not like I could have had any work/gym banter this season.  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on February 20, 2021, 12:52:47 PM
I'm old enough to remember when there was a Paris derby.  :frog:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 20, 2021, 02:15:07 PM
Lolverpool  :nelson:

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 20, 2021, 02:20:45 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 20, 2021, 02:15:07 PM
Lolverpool  :nelson:
Don't jinx it. I've seen us throw away a two goal lead against Bournemouth and Newcastle to think we're safe yet :lol: :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 20, 2021, 02:26:24 PM
:w00t: :w00t: :w00t:

Edit: I have not missed pubs so much all lockdown :( Need to leave the flat - little bit too much excitement to sit down :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 20, 2021, 05:11:39 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on February 20, 2021, 02:26:24 PM
:w00t: :w00t: :w00t:

Edit: I have not missed pubs so much all lockdown :( Need to leave the flat - little bit too much excitement to sit down :lol:

Enjoy it.  :D
:cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 23, 2021, 09:19:29 AM
They can't establish how many of those deaths are directly tied to work in WC infrastructure, but seriously fuck FIFA in the most painful way possible. <_<

Quote
Revealed: 6,500 migrant workers have died in Qatar as it gears up for World Cup
Guardian analysis indicates shocking figure likely to be an underestimate, as preparations for 2022 tournament continue

More than 6,500 migrant workers from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have died in Qatar since it won the right to host the World Cup 10 years ago, the Guardian can reveal.

The findings, compiled from government sources, mean an average of 12 migrant workers from these five south Asian nations have died each week since the night in December 2010 when the streets of Doha were filled with ecstatic crowds celebrating Qatar's victory.

Data from India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka revealed there were 5,927 deaths of migrant workers in the period 2011–2020. Separately, data from Pakistan's embassy in Qatar reported a further 824 deaths of Pakistani workers, between 2010 and 2020.

The total death toll is significantly higher, as these figures do not include deaths from a number of countries which send large numbers of workers to Qatar, including the Philippines and Kenya. Deaths that occurred in the final months of 2020 are also not included.

In the past 10 years, Qatar has embarked on an unprecedented building programme, largely in preparation for the football tournament in 2022. In addition to seven new stadiums, dozens of major projects have been completed or are under way, including a new airport, roads, public transport systems, hotels and a new city, which will host the World Cup final.

While death records are not categorised by occupation or place of work, it is likely many workers who have died were employed on these World Cup infrastructure projects, says Nick McGeehan, a director at FairSquare Projects, an advocacy group specialising in labour rights in the Gulf. "A very significant proportion of the migrant workers who have died since 2011 were only in the country because Qatar won the right to host the World Cup," he said.

There have been 37 deaths among workers directly linked to construction of World Cup stadiums, of which 34 are classified as "non-work related" by the event's organising committee. Experts have questioned the use of the term because in some cases it has been used to describe deaths which have occurred on the job, including a number of workers who have collapsed and died on stadium construction sites.

The findings expose Qatar's failure to protect its 2 million-strong migrant workforce, or even investigate the causes of the apparently high rate of death among the largely young workers.

Behind the statistics lie countless stories of devastated families who have been left without their main breadwinner, struggling to gain compensation and confused about the circumstances of their loved one's death.

Ghal Singh Rai from Nepal paid nearly £1,000 in recruitment fees for his job as a cleaner in a camp for workers building the Education City World Cup stadium. Within a week of arriving, he killed himself.

Another worker, Mohammad Shahid Miah, from Bangladesh, was electrocuted in his worker accommodation after water came into contact with exposed electricity cables.

In India, the family of Madhu Bollapally have never understood how the healthy 43-year old died of "natural causes" while working in Qatar. His body was found lying on his dorm room floor.

Qatar's grim death toll is revealed in long spreadsheets of official data listing the causes of death: multiple blunt injuries due to a fall from height; asphyxia due to hanging; undetermined cause of death due to decomposition.

But among the causes, the most common by far is so-called "natural deaths", often attributed to acute heart or respiratory failure.

Based on the data obtained by the Guardian, 69% of deaths among Indian, Nepali and Bangladeshi workers are categorised as natural. Among Indians alone, the figure is 80%.

The Guardian has previously reported that such classifications, which are usually made without an autopsy, often fail to provide a legitimate medical explanation for the underlying cause of these deaths.

In 2019 it found that Qatar's intense summer heat is likely to be a significant factor in many worker deaths. The Guardian's findings were supported by research commissioned by the UN's International Labour Organization which revealed that for at least four months of the year workers faced significant heat stress when working outside.

A report from Qatar government's own lawyers in 2014 recommended that it commission a study into the deaths of migrant workers from cardiac arrest, and amend the law to "allow for autopsies ... in all cases of unexpected or sudden death". The government has done neither.

Qatar continues to "drag its feet on this critical and urgent issue in apparent disregard for workers' lives", said Hiba Zayadin, Gulf researcher for Human Rights Watch. "We have called on Qatar to amend its law on autopsies to require forensic investigations into all sudden or unexplained deaths, and pass legislation to require that all death certificates include reference to a medically meaningful cause of death," she said.

The Qatar government says that the number of deaths – which it does not dispute – is proportionate to the size of the migrant workforce and that the figures include white-collar workers who have died naturally after living in Qatar for many years.

"The mortality rate among these communities is within the expected range for the size and demographics of the population. However, every lost life is a tragedy, and no effort is spared in trying to prevent every death in our country," the Qatari government said in a statement by a spokesperson.

The official added that all citizens and foreign nationals have access to free first-class healthcare, and that there has been a steady decline in the mortality rate among "guest workers" over the past decade due to health and safety reforms to the labour system.

Other significant causes of deaths among Indians, Nepalis and Bangladeshis are road accidents (12%), workplace accidents (7%) and suicide (7%).

Covid-related deaths, which have remained extremely low in Qatar, have not significantly affected the figures, with just over 250 fatalities among all nationalities.

The Guardian's research has also highlighted the lack of transparency, rigour and detail in recording deaths in Qatar. Embassies in Doha and governments in labour-sending countries are reluctant to share the data, possibly for political reasons. Where statistics have been provided, there are inconsistencies between the figures held by different government agencies, and there is no standard format for recording the causes of death. One south-Asian embassy said they could not share data on the causes of death because they were only recorded by hand in a notebook.

"There is a real lack of clarity and transparency surrounding these deaths," said May Romanos, Gulf researcher for Amnesty International. "There is a need for Qatar to strengthen its occupational health and safety standards."

The committee organising the World Cup in Qatar, when asked about the deaths on stadium projects, said: "We deeply regret all of these tragedies and investigated each incident to ensure lessons were learned. We have always maintained transparency around this issue and dispute inaccurate claims around the number of workers who have died on our projects."

In a statement, a spokesperson for Fifa, football's world governing body, said it is fully committed to protecting the rights of workers on Fifa projects. "With the very stringent health and safety measures on site ... the frequency of accidents on Fifa World Cup construction sites has been low when compared to other major construction projects around the world," they said, without providing evidence.

For the sake of comparison during the same period 7,000 people died in labor accidents in Spain, a country 15 times larger.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 23, 2021, 09:29:58 AM
Jesus Christ, they must treat migrant workers as basically disposable over there. As if more reasons were needed to boycott that tournament...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 23, 2021, 09:33:52 AM
So grim :(

As Larch says, there were already plenty of reasons to boycott Qatar but FIFA are a disgrace and it's so frustrating and sad that they run this tournament <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 23, 2021, 10:34:12 AM
It would make for the perfect solution of what to do with Euro 2020. Just have Euro 2022 and skip the world cup.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on February 23, 2021, 10:54:06 AM
Quote from: Liep on February 17, 2021, 06:03:15 AM
(https://i.sohn.dk/mbappe.jpg)

How dare that shirt reach out and impede the defender
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on February 23, 2021, 10:54:34 AM
Nothing surprising, unfortunately.

As for boycotts, not many supporters would travel there in the first place, with the enforced wahhabi laws, despite some minor accommodation during the tournament, near the stadia.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on February 23, 2021, 03:18:24 PM
Wait a minute, 700 dead spaniards a year in work related accidents? That's insane.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 23, 2021, 03:24:40 PM
Quote from: Threviel on February 23, 2021, 03:18:24 PM
Wait a minute, 700 dead spaniards a year in work related accidents? That's insane.

When construction is such a big deal for a country's economy, it does not seem that strange. Also, sad to say, but many of those casualties are most probably not Spaniards, as inmigrant workers do many of the most terrible jobs and are thus, assumedly, a relevant % of the casualties.

And it's gone down considerably. It was almost 2.000 people in 1990.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on February 24, 2021, 02:16:28 PM
That Braithwaite assist was very Barca-esque.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 24, 2021, 05:27:14 PM
Quote from: Threviel on February 23, 2021, 03:18:24 PM
Wait a minute, 700 dead spaniards a year in work related accidents? That's insane.
Define work related accident I guess.
It seems a bit on the low side to me tbh when you consider all the possible flukes with falling off ladders, all the road traffic accidents drivers get into, etc...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 24, 2021, 05:42:15 PM
Quote from: Tyr on February 24, 2021, 05:27:14 PM
Quote from: Threviel on February 23, 2021, 03:18:24 PM
Wait a minute, 700 dead spaniards a year in work related accidents? That's insane.
Define work related accident I guess.
It seems a bit on the low side to me tbh when you consider all the possible flukes with falling off ladders, all the road traffic accidents drivers get into, etc...

Does it really need much defining? Any accident that takes place at work or coming/going from work that results in death of the worker.

Don't know how it can be on the low side, though. How many people do you think die on work related accidents annually?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 24, 2021, 05:54:31 PM
I think the issue is that some people think of traffic fatalities in a different category than work related.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 24, 2021, 06:02:11 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 24, 2021, 05:54:31 PM
I think the issue is that some people think of traffic fatalities in a different category than work related.

Well, if the accident takes place when the worker is coming or going from work, it counts as a work related fatality. It is considered in a different category, but it's a work related fatality nevertheless.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 24, 2021, 06:07:22 PM
Yeah, so including all that especially 700 seems low for a country as big as Spain.


More football related.
Man City are making things so boring.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 24, 2021, 06:09:24 PM
Quote from: The Larch on February 24, 2021, 06:02:11 PM
Well, if the accident takes place when the worker is coming or going from work, it counts as a work related fatality. It is considered in a different category, but it's a work related fatality nevertheless.

I get it.

Though on second read, it seems Squeeze was saying the opposite of what I did.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 24, 2021, 06:15:26 PM
Quote from: Tyr on February 24, 2021, 06:07:22 PMYeah, so including all that especially 700 seems low for a country as big as Spain.

I think you vastly overestimate the amount of fatal accidents that take place annually. IIRC it was 3 thousand and a few hundred in the whole EU in the last year there were stats for.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on February 25, 2021, 01:02:43 AM
For the period 2010-2019 Sweden has had 434 work related deaths. 43 a year in country a fifth the size. Extrapolating that number would give Spain 43*5 = 215 deaths a year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 25, 2021, 04:36:58 AM
Quote from: The Larch on February 24, 2021, 06:15:26 PM
Quote from: Tyr on February 24, 2021, 06:07:22 PMYeah, so including all that especially 700 seems low for a country as big as Spain.

I think you vastly overestimate the amount of fatal accidents that take place annually. IIRC it was 3 thousand and a few hundred in the whole EU in the last year there were stats for.
Yeah it's quite low in the UK too - 111 in 2019/20.
https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/fatals.htm

Looks like it peaked in the late 80s and has declined hugely since then. It's like health and safety laws actually serve a purpose rather than just being the butt of the joke.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 25, 2021, 05:27:07 AM
Maybe I'm being racist and assuming Spaniards  drive like Italians? :hmm:

Googling I find 1,700 road deaths in a year in the UK. Interesting very few of them happen on the commute.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on February 25, 2021, 06:18:01 AM
Quote from: Threviel on February 25, 2021, 01:02:43 AM
For the period 2010-2019 Sweden has had 434 work related deaths. 43 a year in country a fifth the size. Extrapolating that number would give Spain 43*5 = 215 deaths a year.

The Netherlands has 60 a year on average, roughly the same as Sweden per capita. It does not include commutes, though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on February 25, 2021, 06:53:18 AM
Portugal had in 103 in 2018, down from 348 in 1985
Peak of 595 in 1988.
Those fatalities made it into the news, specially on high-profile projects such as motorways, bridges etc.

https://www.pordata.pt/Portugal/Acidentes+de+trabalho+total+e+mortais-72 (https://www.pordata.pt/Portugal/Acidentes+de+trabalho+total+e+mortais-72)

That's 2,1 %ooo in 2018 and 8,2 %ooo in 1985

https://www.pordata.pt/Portugal/Acidentes+de+trabalho+total+e+mortais+por+100+mil+empregados+-616-4243 (https://www.pordata.pt/Portugal/Acidentes+de+trabalho+total+e+mortais+por+100+mil+empregados+-616-4243)

Does not include commutes cf. Quantas quedas, esmagamentos, choques e outros acidentes de trabalho provocam ferimentos ou a morte a trabalhadores?

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 25, 2021, 07:39:09 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on February 25, 2021, 04:36:58 AM
Quote from: The Larch on February 24, 2021, 06:15:26 PM
Quote from: Tyr on February 24, 2021, 06:07:22 PMYeah, so including all that especially 700 seems low for a country as big as Spain.

I think you vastly overestimate the amount of fatal accidents that take place annually. IIRC it was 3 thousand and a few hundred in the whole EU in the last year there were stats for.
Yeah it's quite low in the UK too - 111 in 2019/20.
https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/fatals.htm

Looks like it peaked in the late 80s and has declined hugely since then. It's like health and safety laws actually serve a purpose rather than just being the butt of the joke.

Same here, peak was in 89 and except for a small spike in the mid 90s and another slow increase since 2013 until now they have gone down a lot since then.

Quote from: Tyr on February 25, 2021, 05:27:07 AM
Maybe I'm being racist and assuming Spaniards  drive like Italians? :hmm:

Googling I find 1,700 road deaths in a year in the UK. Interesting very few of them happen on the commute.

Traffic related deaths in Spain have gone down dramatically in the last couple of decades as well. In 1990 5.736 people died in traffic accidents, in 2020 it was 870.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on February 25, 2021, 07:46:57 AM
Seems like a lot of the extreme differences can be attributed to differences in definition of work related deaths. Eurostat uses the same definition and this nice page https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Accidents_at_work_statistics (https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Accidents_at_work_statistics) says that Spain is a bit worse than the EU average, but it is not quite the death camp described above. 323 dead a year compared to Sweden's 50 and Netherlands 45.

I imagine that Lux is explained by all manual labourers being foreigners and noone cares.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Richard Hakluyt on February 25, 2021, 07:53:17 AM
That figure for Spain's road deaths looks too low to be likely. Reuters say that there was a decline of 870 deaths and that was 21% down on the previous year, which implies about 3,300 road deaths.

https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-spain-caraccidents/pandemic-curbs-slash-spains-traffic-deaths-by-21-in-2020-to-lowest-on-record-idUKL8N2JI2ZQ?edition-redirect=uk

I tried to find the total figure for 2020 but couldn't; maybe a Spanish speaker would have better luck.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 25, 2021, 08:03:25 AM
Quote from: The Larch on February 25, 2021, 07:39:09 AM
Traffic related deaths in Spain have gone down dramatically in the last couple of decades as well. In 1990 5.736 people died in traffic accidents, in 2020 it was 870.
Yeah - huge fall in the UK too. I looked it up on Wiki and I had no idea how steep the fall is. Over 5,000 deaths in 1990 to about 1,700 in 2019.

I suspect 2020 will be a weird year because of lockdowns everywhere, fewer people on the road etc.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 25, 2021, 08:49:53 AM
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on February 25, 2021, 07:53:17 AM
That figure for Spain's road deaths looks too low to be likely. Reuters say that there was a decline of 870 deaths and that was 21% down on the previous year, which implies about 3,300 road deaths.

https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-spain-caraccidents/pandemic-curbs-slash-spains-traffic-deaths-by-21-in-2020-to-lowest-on-record-idUKL8N2JI2ZQ?edition-redirect=uk

I tried to find the total figure for 2020 but couldn't; maybe a Spanish speaker would have better luck.

Just checked the official government figure and in 2019 it was 1,098 road deaths, and 870 in 2020. However, that doesn't include deaths on urban streets.

Honestly I would have expected the pandemic to have a bigger effect, although it's true that it's been reported that people are now using their cars more for fear of contagion while riding a train/bus.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Richard Hakluyt on February 25, 2021, 09:10:57 AM
Very confusing reporting by Reuters there  :mad:


But what a fantastic improvement for road safety in Spain  :cool:

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 25, 2021, 11:58:19 AM
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on February 25, 2021, 09:10:57 AM
Very confusing reporting by Reuters there  :mad:


But what a fantastic improvement for road safety in Spain  :cool:

What difference swapping "fell by" to "fell to" makes.  :lol:

And yes, the improvement is very significative. Road accidents used to be the bane of the country back in the day, and after years and years of agressive campaigining to change the driving culture, significant improvements in road infrastructure and changes in policing and regulation definitely changed things for the much better.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 25, 2021, 01:18:34 PM
Yeah, also a lot of work in schools. I was already getting lectures on safe driving years before I could even actually get a license...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 01, 2021, 05:55:47 AM
Bartomeu has been arrested, not for his transfer policy - as he should - but for his involvement in hiring a consultancy agency (essentially a troll farm) with the club's money to improve his public standing, smearing Barça players and the opposition.

We've become such a farce  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 01, 2021, 06:21:31 AM
Surprise, surprise!  :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 01, 2021, 06:32:53 AM
Quote from: celedhring on March 01, 2021, 05:55:47 AM
Bartomeu has been arrested, not for his transfer policy - as he should - but for his involvement in hiring a consultancy agency (essentially a troll farm) with the club's money to improve his public standing, smearing Barça players and the opposition.

We've become such a farce  :lol:
Chaos :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 01, 2021, 06:45:08 AM
Well, it's not as if this is a first for Barcelona.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 01, 2021, 06:47:43 AM
He'd be the first one that gets jailed/executed for club business though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 01, 2021, 07:18:10 AM
:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 01, 2021, 01:08:04 PM
He'll run his local prison's football club into the ground too
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on March 01, 2021, 04:01:06 PM
FC Schalke 04 have fired their head coach.

They have gone through a few in recent years.

(https://preview.redd.it/49sfbamwvfk61.jpg?width=640&height=1134&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=654b0b9fdcd9d5a950d0d86fdb4314f81facc6f7)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on March 01, 2021, 05:56:20 PM
Huub didn't even last a month
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on March 02, 2021, 12:31:31 AM
He only filled in between hires, I think. He was Schalke headcoach from 1996 till 2002 during one of the strongest phases of the team (culminating in almost becoming champions in 2001).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 02, 2021, 03:59:30 AM
I'm impressed. Better than Sunderland even.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 02, 2021, 03:06:17 PM
We now have further details on the Bartomeu saga. Apparently his associates delivered personal data of Barça's members to the troll farm to help them target their online campaigns. They also disguised the expenses to avoid oversight from the club's comptroller.

While all of this is criminal behavior it still doesn't reach the level of paying 150 million for Coutinho.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 03, 2021, 06:58:01 AM
Neymar injuries in Paris, so since 2017-18

(https://i.goopics.net/AngJw.jpg)

Too much partying/boozing and staying up late to watch whatever Brazilian Reality TV crap does not help I guess.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 03, 2021, 07:22:43 AM
As his two more severe injuries deal with broken bones in his foot, I doubt that refraining from partying would make his bones stronger, though.  :P It's a bit exagerated, any professional footballer will accumulate a laundry list of injuries over time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 03, 2021, 07:30:37 AM
I just saw him play a monk in Spanish Netflix show Casa del Papel (money heist).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 03, 2021, 06:05:38 PM
Braithwaite  :w00t: :w00t: :w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 04, 2021, 12:35:05 AM
Quote from: celedhring on March 03, 2021, 06:05:38 PM
Braithwaite  :w00t: :w00t: :w00t:

are you going to keep him now? Me and my dad are looking at either an Inter or Barca game when Europe opens up next spring.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on March 04, 2021, 02:00:52 AM
Do EPL games ever get cancelled due to fog?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 04, 2021, 02:37:05 AM
Quote from: Liep on March 04, 2021, 12:35:05 AM
Quote from: celedhring on March 03, 2021, 06:05:38 PM
Braithwaite  :w00t: :w00t: :w00t:

are you going to keep him now? Me and my dad are looking at either an Inter or Barca game when Europe opens up next spring.

We're broke and he's a low-earning, effective player. It would make too much sense to keep him so I guess that we won't? That's the Barça way.

That said, even if he stays we'll probably buy another striker, and if Fati's back healthy, that will cut severely into his minutes. Eriksen is probably a safer bet.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 04, 2021, 05:50:03 AM
If you want to have more laughs at us, a local newspaper has taken the address of one of the shell companies that Bartomeu allegedly used to hide the payments to the troll farm, and tracked it down on google street:

(https://www.lavanguardia.com/files/image_948_465/files/fp/uploads/2021/03/04/60407c8d112c4.r_d.599-685-7960.jpeg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 04, 2021, 06:51:29 AM
Quote from: The Larch on March 03, 2021, 07:22:43 AM
As his two more severe injuries deal with broken bones in his foot, I doubt that refraining from partying would make his bones stronger, though.  :P It's a bit exagerated, any professional footballer will accumulate a laundry list of injuries over time.

For what it's worth, Neymar already has way more injuries than Ronaldo. Plus it's not just partying as I said (staying up late for Real TV crap?!)
His face is showing some signs of too much alcohol, or some health issues though.
On his way to be another Coentrão?  :P


As for the pic I linked, suspensions for cards were not counted, and at least one season start in 2020 was not counted. Still recovering from an injury to ankle ligaments.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 04, 2021, 07:05:33 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on March 04, 2021, 06:51:29 AM
Quote from: The Larch on March 03, 2021, 07:22:43 AM
As his two more severe injuries deal with broken bones in his foot, I doubt that refraining from partying would make his bones stronger, though.  :P It's a bit exagerated, any professional footballer will accumulate a laundry list of injuries over time.

For what it's worth, Neymar already has way more injuries than Ronaldo.

If you mean Brazilian Ronaldo, I don't think the comparison holds up. Ronaldo missed entire seasons because of recurring knee injuries when he was at Inter, while Neymar has never had an injury like that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 04, 2021, 07:23:38 AM
Good thing I guess I didn't mean O Fenómeno.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 04, 2021, 08:27:01 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on March 04, 2021, 02:00:52 AM
Do EPL games ever get cancelled due to fog?
Not that I'm aware of. There is a probably apocryphal story of a pre-war football game that was called off for fog (probably smog, actually) and one of the goalkeepers didn't realise for about 10 minutes :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 04, 2021, 08:28:45 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on March 04, 2021, 07:23:38 AM
Good thing I guess I didn't mean O Fenómeno.  :P

There's one and only one Ronaldo. All other have to qualify their names.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 04, 2021, 08:52:15 AM
Quote from: Josephus on March 03, 2021, 07:30:37 AM
I just saw him play a monk in Spanish Netflix show Casa del Papel (money heist).

Iirc wasn't his only speaking part one of...

Berlin: Hey brother Alberto (or whatever his name is) where are you from anyway?
Neymar: Brazil.
Berlin: ah Brazil! Excellent!  Land of football! Do you play?
Neymar: I don't care for football

:hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on March 04, 2021, 09:18:58 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 04, 2021, 08:27:01 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on March 04, 2021, 02:00:52 AM
Do EPL games ever get cancelled due to fog?
Not that I'm aware of. There is a probably apocryphal story of a pre-war football game that was called off for fog (probably smog, actually) and one of the goalkeepers didn't realise for about 10 minutes :lol:

While I've heard that story myself, and don't know its' status - this is more recent.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31847992 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31847992)

I doubt anything has been called off in the premier league though.

Edit: At least 2 FA cup games between prominent teams have been called off due to fog - Chelsea vs. Fulham in 1936, and Newcastle vs. Swansea in 1953.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 04, 2021, 09:39:53 AM
And Chelsea or Newcastle in the 30s or 50s must have been proper smog too.

Just thinking of the amount of coal dust and ash in the air plus fog in cities then for the players it must have been like trying to play a game in a smoking room :x :blink:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on March 04, 2021, 09:44:10 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 04, 2021, 08:27:01 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on March 04, 2021, 02:00:52 AM
Do EPL games ever get cancelled due to fog?
Not that I'm aware of. There is a probably apocryphal story of a pre-war football game that was called off for fog (probably smog, actually) and one of the goalkeepers didn't realise for about 10 minutes :lol:

I happen to know about this as it was a legendary keeper from my team Charlton Athletic from the long ago days when we were good

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Bartram

QuoteBartram was involved in a well reported incident when thick fog closed in on a game he was playing against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge:

"Soon after the kick-off," he wrote in his autobiography, "[fog] began to thicken rapidly at the far end, travelling past Vic Woodley in the Chelsea goal and rolling steadily towards me. The referee stopped the game, and then, as visibility became clearer, restarted it. We were on top at this time, and I saw fewer and fewer figures as we attacked steadily."

The game went unusually silent but Sam remained at his post, peering into the thickening fog from the edge of the penalty area. And he wondered why the play was not coming his way. "After a long time," he wrote, 'a figure loomed out of the curtain of fog in front of me. It was a policeman, and he gaped at me incredulously. "What on earth are you doing here?" he gasped. "The game was stopped a quarter of an hour ago. The field's completely empty".
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on March 04, 2021, 09:51:53 AM
1937 according to the articles I have now found (thanks Gups.) And against Chelsea too.

Given the FA Cup match I found from 1936, was Stamford Bridge known as an exceptionally foggy ground?

[Or, more accurately perhaps, "smoggy" ground?]
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 04, 2021, 10:04:55 AM
Quote from: Agelastus on March 04, 2021, 09:18:58 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 04, 2021, 08:27:01 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on March 04, 2021, 02:00:52 AM
Do EPL games ever get cancelled due to fog?
Not that I'm aware of. There is a probably apocryphal story of a pre-war football game that was called off for fog (probably smog, actually) and one of the goalkeepers didn't realise for about 10 minutes :lol:

While I've heard that story myself, and don't know its' status - this is more recent.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31847992 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31847992)

I doubt anything has been called off in the premier league though.

Edit: At least 2 FA cup games between prominent teams have been called off due to fog - Chelsea vs. Fulham in 1936, and Newcastle vs. Swansea in 1953.


Pretty sure I remember a Sunderland game in the 90s being cancelled part way through due to fog. Not Premier League though, FA Cup maybe.
Coastal cities do get pretty heavy fog.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on March 04, 2021, 11:40:08 AM
Quote from: Tyr on March 04, 2021, 10:04:55 AM
Pretty sure I remember a Sunderland game in the 90s being cancelled part way through due to fog. Not Premier League though, FA Cup maybe.
Coastal cities do get pretty heavy fog.

I did another quick search and found a Liverpool versus Arsenal League cup quarter final at Anfield that was abandoned due to fog in 2006; that almost counts as a Premiership match.

Benitez and Wenger, of course, thought the ref was wrong...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 04, 2021, 02:17:06 PM
Sorry cel, but here are some more bad news for Barça.

QuoteEU's top court rules Spanish fooball clubs received illegal state aid

The EU top court has ruled that Spanish tax laws unfairly benefit some of the country's top football clubs.

A verdict handed out by the European Court of Justice stated the government had given illegal state aid to four of its major clubs, including FC Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Spanish law allows the clubs to pay taxes as nonprofit sports clubs, rather than sports companies.

In 2016, Brussels penalised several La Liga teams over the preferential tax breaks and ordered them to repay millions of euros to the Spanish authorities.

The Commission said the four clubs were treated as non-profit organisations and had paid tax rate on profit that was a 5% lower that of their rivals for more than 20 years without an objective justification.

It added the money to be recovered would be limited to €5 million per club but that the precise amount to be paid back should be fixed by Spanish authorities.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 04, 2021, 02:57:04 PM
It's actually good news, it was feared that the damages would be much bigger.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 04, 2021, 02:57:38 PM
Quote from: celedhring on March 04, 2021, 02:57:04 PM
It's actually good news, it was feared that the damages would be much bigger.

You mean the 5 million limit?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 04, 2021, 03:04:42 PM
Well, that was already part of the original ruling. Since one of main issues was how the Commission had calculated those missing monies, it was thought the ECJ could have mandated a reassessment.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 04, 2021, 03:40:58 PM
Quote from: celedhring on March 04, 2021, 03:04:42 PM
Well, that was already part of the original ruling. Since one of main issues was how the Commission had calculated those missing monies, it was thought the ECJ could have mandated a reassessment.

If it covers the entire 30 years period it does seem like a bargain, yeah.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 04, 2021, 06:09:18 PM
So what's the deal with Liverpool? Were they just over-achieving pre-Covid? Or are they under-achieving now?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 04, 2021, 06:28:31 PM
Quote from: Josephus on March 04, 2021, 06:09:18 PM
So what's the deal with Liverpool? Were they just over-achieving pre-Covid? Or are they under-achieving now?
Maybe a bit of both. They were very good for a number of years and also very lucky with injuries. Now they have an insane number of injuries in the same position which would be a challenge for any team but I feel like there are also some bigger issues - the Aston Villa 7-2 happened before the injuries started, the front three weren't really performing as they have in the last few years (though Jota's a superb addition). I think they maybe needed to re-fresh a little bit more a little earlier.

And also I think Rory Smith's point about Klopp (and possibly other systems coaches) is true. He can't change his system because it's who he is (like Wenger, Poch etc) so when things start to create challenges like injuries or player sales Klopp can't change and can't really adjust, because his system is who he is as a coach (in my head the opposite to this are all Italian coaches :lol:). So if those problems occur and pile-up, Klopp just puts out teams that are kind of limp, pale imitations of Klopp teams. But the flip side of that is that when he has resources and his players are fit and his team has been built well around him - you get a really good Klopp team.

I had a theory that the more system/less pragmatic/adaptable coaches would suffer with covid because there are just so many games so often. And maybe there is something to that looking at the top of the table in the Premier League, but I'm not sure :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 05, 2021, 07:23:21 AM
It does beg the question why the front three arent' scoring anymore. They pointed out yesterday that Liverpool have only scored one game at home this year, and that was a penalty.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 05, 2021, 09:16:21 AM
Haven't seen many games this year. So purely guessing; could it be the trick to controlling their attack has been worked out?

This happened with Sheffield Utd too. Once everyone recognised some simple tricks for how to break down their defence and start scoring against them they were screwed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 05, 2021, 09:40:11 AM
Quote from: Josephus on March 05, 2021, 07:23:21 AM
It does beg the question why the front three arent' scoring anymore. They pointed out yesterday that Liverpool have only scored one game at home this year, and that was a penalty.
I think the injuries do have an impact because Klopp's solution has been to move midfielders into defence, so every time he gets another injury in defence the midfield gets rejigged too and that will have an effect on the front three.

But it does feel like there's more to it. I think there's something to Tyr's point - and I think something similar was happening to their high line when clubs worked out how if you broke it, you could score as Villa did repeatedly (still my favourite game of the season :lol: :blush:). I also just wonder if there's an element of fatigue both mentally and physically. They've been playing together in those roles for three years and maybe needed to be refreshed sooner. But also Klopp isn't big on rotation and never has been so they've played a lot of games in that time and now are in a season where there's a game every 3-4 days. Plus possibly recruitment's an issue - they don't necessarily have good enough back-up or young players to challenge, replace or rest them.

With the front three, it reminds me a little bit of Spurs. There was a demanding system and coach that has got a lot out of those players, but it does need fresh blood every now and then and they've maybe been a little slow to do that. Both teams got a lot of praise for keeping a core of players together who were ageing and coming good at the same time, but this is maybe a consequence of that?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 05, 2021, 11:10:09 AM
On the other side, Pep has a large squad and has rotated quite a bit. City don't play a super high intensity press and Pep still loves seeing 1000 passes a game so his players aren't exhausting themselves as much every game. City of course are coasting to the title.

It also helps to have infinite money so you can have 2 or 3 great options in each position, especially in a season where like you say there is a game every 3 days or so.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 05, 2021, 11:20:41 AM
Liverpool also lost van Dijk early in the season, and he's their key man in defence, so they must be really missing him.

On a different topic, UEFA's youtube channel has produced a series of shorts on "Football Ideologies" by country. They're like 11 minutes long and based on interviews. Some of them might be a bit enlightening.

Here's the one about England, for instance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hn22h6_ll4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hn22h6_ll4)

There are also videos on Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands. Don't know if they'll publish more, as I feel that France should be there too.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 05, 2021, 11:33:46 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 05, 2021, 11:10:09 AM
On the other side, Pep has a large squad and has rotated quite a bit. City don't play a super high intensity press and Pep still loves seeing 1000 passes a game so his players aren't exhausting themselves as much every game. City of course are coasting to the title.

It also helps to have infinite money so you can have 2 or 3 great options in each position, especially in a season where like you say there is a game every 3 days or so.
Yeah absolutely. They basically have two teams that could win the league it's insane :lol: :weep:

QuoteLiverpool also lost van Dijk early in the season, and he's their key man in defence, so they must be really missing him.
Yeah - although that injury came after the 7-2 loss to Villa so I think there were cracks that we'd not seen in the last couple of years even when he was playing. And the really freaky thing for Liverpool isn't the number of injuries - which is high but lots of other teams have similar - but that they're all in the same position: van Dijk, Gomez, Matip, Fabinho (when playing centre back), Henderson (when playing centre back), Phillips. It's crazily unlucky and any team would really struggle with 6 injuries in the same position.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 05, 2021, 11:46:19 AM
Quote from: The Larch on March 05, 2021, 11:20:41 AM

On a different topic, UEFA's youtube channel has produced a series of shorts on "Football Ideologies" by country. They're like 11 minutes long and based on interviews. Some of them might be a bit enlightening.

Here's the one about England, for instance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hn22h6_ll4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hn22h6_ll4)

There are also videos on Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands. Don't know if they'll publish more, as I feel that France should be there too.

Interesting, obrigado. :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 05, 2021, 11:48:18 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on March 05, 2021, 11:46:19 AM
Quote from: The Larch on March 05, 2021, 11:20:41 AM

On a different topic, UEFA's youtube channel has produced a series of shorts on "Football Ideologies" by country. They're like 11 minutes long and based on interviews. Some of them might be a bit enlightening.

Here's the one about England, for instance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hn22h6_ll4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hn22h6_ll4)

There are also videos on Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands. Don't know if they'll publish more, as I feel that France should be there too.

Interesting, obrigado. :)

As you might imagine, the one on Portugal is quite Mourinho-centric.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 05, 2021, 11:52:59 AM
Quote from: The Larch on March 05, 2021, 11:48:18 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on March 05, 2021, 11:46:19 AM
Quote from: The Larch on March 05, 2021, 11:20:41 AM

On a different topic, UEFA's youtube channel has produced a series of shorts on "Football Ideologies" by country. They're like 11 minutes long and based on interviews. Some of them might be a bit enlightening.

Here's the one about England, for instance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hn22h6_ll4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hn22h6_ll4)

There are also videos on Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands. Don't know if they'll publish more, as I feel that France should be there too.

Interesting, obrigado. :)

As you might imagine, the one on Portugal is quite Mourinho-centric.  :P

They mention Vitor Frade, so they got the source of tactical periodization right, at least. :)

PS: big lulz would be invoking Helenio Herrera for France where he started his career, of catenaccio fame.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 05, 2021, 11:54:43 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on March 05, 2021, 11:52:59 AM
Quote from: The Larch on March 05, 2021, 11:48:18 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on March 05, 2021, 11:46:19 AM
Quote from: The Larch on March 05, 2021, 11:20:41 AM

On a different topic, UEFA's youtube channel has produced a series of shorts on "Football Ideologies" by country. They're like 11 minutes long and based on interviews. Some of them might be a bit enlightening.

Here's the one about England, for instance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hn22h6_ll4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hn22h6_ll4)

There are also videos on Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands. Don't know if they'll publish more, as I feel that France should be there too.

Interesting, obrigado. :)

As you might imagine, the one on Portugal is quite Mourinho-centric.  :P

They mention Vitor Frade, so they got the source of tactical periodization right, at least. :)

Well, they interview the director of the coaching school named after him, so it's only fair.  :lol:

It was interesting to know how academic the background for many Portuguese coaches is, I was not aware of that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 05, 2021, 12:01:17 PM
Quote from: The Larch on March 05, 2021, 11:54:43 AM
It was interesting to know how academic the background for many Portuguese coaches is, I was not aware of that.

Very relevant indeed.
Quite the opposite of most French coaches who are often former glorified physical training instructors.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 06, 2021, 07:03:31 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 05, 2021, 11:33:46 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 05, 2021, 11:10:09 AM
On the other side, Pep has a large squad and has rotated quite a bit. City don't play a super high intensity press and Pep still loves seeing 1000 passes a game so his players aren't exhausting themselves as much every game. City of course are coasting to the title.

It also helps to have infinite money so you can have 2 or 3 great options in each position, especially in a season where like you say there is a game every 3 days or so.
Yeah absolutely. They basically have two teams that could win the league it's insane :lol: :weep:

QuoteLiverpool also lost van Dijk early in the season, and he's their key man in defence, so they must be really missing him.
Yeah - although that injury came after the 7-2 loss to Villa so I think there were cracks that we'd not seen in the last couple of years even when he was playing. And the really freaky thing for Liverpool isn't the number of injuries - which is high but lots of other teams have similar - but that they're all in the same position: van Dijk, Gomez, Matip, Fabinho (when playing centre back), Henderson (when playing centre back), Phillips. It's crazily unlucky and any team would really struggle with 6 injuries in the same position.

The new guy, Kabak, is doubtful for Sunday
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 07, 2021, 09:01:00 AM
So Rangers are back? 20 points ahead 9 goal against in 32 games is pretty good even in the Scottish League. :o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 09, 2021, 05:45:43 PM
Champions League football is the best.
Always good to see Juve get knocked out.
Great game.
But man, there was a lot of clutching head and flopping around on the ground.

EDIT: On another note, I don't think away goals should count in extra time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 09, 2021, 06:11:11 PM
Weakest Porto on years, technically, but guts. Crappy refereeing deserves a mention. In your face "Superleague Agnelli"! Though tickets for the last 15 min and overtime would have been great tonight.   :P

PS: passes or tickets for the last 15 minutes was actually a suggestion made by the Juventus owner, Andrea Agnelli.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 10, 2021, 05:39:22 AM
In the other game of the night, Haaland was still in Dolph Lundgren mode so two goals more. 4th game in a row with 2 goals scored.
Crappy VAR refereeing though, with a goal cancelled, replaced by a penalty, which had to be reshot.

2-2 with Seville getting the equalizer in late extra time (96th minute) but not enough.
Lopetegui (former not so good Porto coach despite a few early highlights) not happy with refereeing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 10, 2021, 05:54:12 AM
I know Haaland is great - and am really impressed with him. But I find him very unlikeable for some reason :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 10, 2021, 06:12:27 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 10, 2021, 05:54:12 AM
I know Haaland is great - and am really impressed with him. But I find him very unlikeable for some reason :hmm:

(https://www.sofoot.com/IMG/img_580_380_center_articles-496582.jpg)

The haircut? The gesture?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 10, 2021, 06:20:31 AM
Languish fans of Pepe will be happy to know that he, at 38 year of age, was arguably the man of the match.
Sérgio Oliveira scored two goals, one on a penalty, the other on a free kick with some really bad wall from Juve.

Chiesa scored 3 goals against Porto in those two games.  :hmm:
Last Juve goal by Rabiot, former PSG (diva) player.

Juve 3 Porto 2

Porto qualified on away goals (2-1 first leg in the Dragão)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 10, 2021, 06:21:27 AM
I don't know - I've thought it for a while with Haaland. There's just something about him I really don't like/react against :blush:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 10, 2021, 06:25:15 AM
He has an intimidating presence, as the legendary statuesque Swede.  :P

PS: Reus can confirm it, I believe.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 10, 2021, 01:34:53 PM
https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Aucune-question-posee-a-sergio-conceicao-fc-porto-en-conference-de-presse/1230999?fbclid=IwAR3jxPhXb2NnLPSLTWfvRgjRfO-K8-GrXtDpUYUId8Y0exIcXBakG9VvD08 (https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Aucune-question-posee-a-sergio-conceicao-fc-porto-en-conference-de-presse/1230999?fbclid=IwAR3jxPhXb2NnLPSLTWfvRgjRfO-K8-GrXtDpUYUId8Y0exIcXBakG9VvD08)

Porto coach, Sérgio Conceição's post-game press conference.

Executive summary: for some reason, no questions were asked, not even by the Portuguese press. The Benfica or Sporting orientated does not surprise me too much though it's a new low.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 10, 2021, 03:52:27 PM
Remontada in Paris? 1-1 at halt-time. One goal by Messi and a penalty saved by Navas.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 11, 2021, 07:19:46 AM
No remontada in Paris, and Liverpool won vs the Lipsian squad.

Sign of times:

FIFA.com
@FIFAcom
#UCL quarter-final appearances of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo:

2021: None
2020: Messi
2019: Both
2018: Both
2017: Both
2016: Both
2015: Both
2014: Both
2013: Both
2012: Both
2011: Both
2010: Messi
2009: Both
2008: CR7
2007: CR7
2006: None
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on March 11, 2021, 08:48:05 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on March 10, 2021, 06:12:27 AM

The haircut? The gesture?

He has a very punchable face.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 11, 2021, 08:49:41 AM
Quote from: HVC on March 11, 2021, 08:48:05 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on March 10, 2021, 06:12:27 AM

The haircut? The gesture?

He has a very punchable face.
This could be it.

He looks like he's about to bully Marty McFly.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 11, 2021, 11:08:45 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 11, 2021, 08:49:41 AM
Quote from: HVC on March 11, 2021, 08:48:05 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on March 10, 2021, 06:12:27 AM

The haircut? The gesture?

He has a very punchable face.
This could be it.

He looks like he's about to bully Marty McFly.

He looks like a young version of that Nazi in Raiders of the Lost Ark who gets the medallion burnt into his hand and then has his face melted off by the Ark.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 11, 2021, 11:54:34 AM
Quote from: HVC on March 11, 2021, 08:48:05 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on March 10, 2021, 06:12:27 AM

The haircut? The gesture?

He has a very punchable face.

He is 1.94 m tall and not exactly skinny. Punch him at your own risk.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on March 11, 2021, 11:56:22 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on March 11, 2021, 11:54:34 AM
Quote from: HVC on March 11, 2021, 08:48:05 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on March 10, 2021, 06:12:27 AM

The haircut? The gesture?

He has a very punchable face.

He is 1.94 m tall and not exactly skinny. Punch him at your own risk.

Approaching a decent height.  I like him already.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on March 11, 2021, 12:00:01 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on March 11, 2021, 11:54:34 AM
Quote from: HVC on March 11, 2021, 08:48:05 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on March 10, 2021, 06:12:27 AM

The haircut? The gesture?

He has a very punchable face.

He is 1.94 m tall and not exactly skinny. Punch him at your own risk.

As a Canadian i have bastardized metric understanding. distance, and non-people weight? metric all day. but when it comes to personal measurements we use imperial. so i have no point of reference for the value provided :D .

That being said, not all punchable faces need to be punched, but it's an option one must keep open :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on March 11, 2021, 12:04:33 PM
This should help you HVC, he is .06 meters shorter than I am.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 11, 2021, 12:05:21 PM
Quote from: HVC on March 11, 2021, 12:00:01 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on March 11, 2021, 11:54:34 AM
Quote from: HVC on March 11, 2021, 08:48:05 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on March 10, 2021, 06:12:27 AM

The haircut? The gesture?

He has a very punchable face.

He is 1.94 m tall and not exactly skinny. Punch him at your own risk.

As a Canadian i have bastardized metric understanding. distance, and non-people weight? metric all day. but when it comes to personal measurements we use imperial. so i have no point of reference for the value provided :D .

That being said, not all punchable faces need to be punched, but it's an option one must keep open :P

Even imperial is pretty bastardized with brit imperial and US imperial. Stones anyone?  :lmfao:

As for the option, it's not even a putative one I'm afraid.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 11, 2021, 12:07:29 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on March 11, 2021, 12:04:33 PM
This should help you HVC, he is .06 meters shorter than I am.  :D

That's 6 cm shorter in easy to read and understand metric.  :P
It's already complicated enough for HVC.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 11, 2021, 01:20:23 PM
Good VAR call in the Man U - Milan AC game. Not that common.
Did not see the handball at first.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 14, 2021, 12:32:53 PM
It's a good day.
Sunderland finally win at Wembley at the 10th time of asking and at about the same time as the final whistle is blown my son emerges. :w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on March 14, 2021, 12:41:39 PM
:cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on March 14, 2021, 12:47:37 PM
Quote from: Tyr on March 14, 2021, 12:32:53 PM
It's a good day.
Sunderland finally win at Wembley at the 10th time of asking and at about the same time as the final whistle is blown my son emerges. :w00t:

Congratulations on the soccer match, oh and your son's birth. :cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 14, 2021, 12:50:38 PM
Congratulations! :cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on March 14, 2021, 12:51:41 PM
Quote from: Tyr on March 14, 2021, 12:32:53 PM
It's a good day.
Sunderland finally win at Wembley at the 10th time of asking and at about the same time as the final whistle is blown my son emerges. :w00t:

:cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 14, 2021, 02:02:04 PM
Quote from: Tyr on March 14, 2021, 12:32:53 PM
It's a good day.
Sunderland finally win at Wembley at the 10th time of asking and at about the same time as the final whistle is blown my son emerges. :w00t:

:bowler: :cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 14, 2021, 02:05:49 PM
I'll never get tired of Jose Mourinho losing a match and then moaning about referees in the Post-Match interview. He said Michael Oliver incorrectly gave a penalty because he officiated a midweek CL game and he was tired  :lol:

The penalty was incredibly obvious btw.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 14, 2021, 04:25:32 PM
Quote from: Tyr on March 14, 2021, 12:32:53 PM
It's a good day.
Sunderland finally win at Wembley at the 10th time of asking and at about the same time as the final whistle is blown my son emerges. :w00t:

Congrats on the birth of you son.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on March 14, 2021, 04:50:50 PM
Quote from: Tyr on March 14, 2021, 12:32:53 PM
It's a good day.
Sunderland finally win at Wembley at the 10th time of asking and at about the same time as the final whistle is blown my son emerges. :w00t:
:cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on March 14, 2021, 05:08:46 PM
Quote from: Tyr on March 14, 2021, 12:32:53 PM
It's a good day.
Sunderland finally win at Wembley at the 10th time of asking and at about the same time as the final whistle is blown my son emerges. :w00t:

Happy birthday Tyr Jr!!

The mother is doing fine I take it?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on March 14, 2021, 05:10:35 PM
Quote from: Tyr on March 14, 2021, 12:32:53 PM
It's a good day.
Sunderland finally win at Wembley at the 10th time of asking and at about the same time as the final whistle is blown my son emerges. :w00t:

:cheers:

Congrats!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 14, 2021, 07:12:53 PM
Quote from: Tyr on March 14, 2021, 12:32:53 PM
It's a good day.
Sunderland finally win at Wembley at the 10th time of asking and at about the same time as the final whistle is blown my son emerges. :w00t:

Truly an auspicious omen.  :w00t: :cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 14, 2021, 08:20:06 PM
:w00t: Congrats - both on the Sunderland victory and the kid :w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on March 14, 2021, 08:41:55 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 14, 2021, 08:20:06 PM
:w00t: Congrats - both on the Sunderland victory and the kid :w00t:

It's quite possible Tyr will end up siring more children than Sunderland have top flight wins.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on March 14, 2021, 09:05:03 PM
Congrats Tyr.

Weird thread to announce in.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 14, 2021, 10:31:36 PM
Thanks all.

Quote
It's quite possible Tyr will end up siring more children than Sunderland have top flight wins.

I think we are a bit old and poor for that :p
I'll settle for more than Sunderlands FA Cup victories.

Quote from: Grey Fox on March 14, 2021, 09:05:03 PM
Congrats Tyr.

Weird thread to announce in.

Priorities :p

I thought to post elsewhere too but I don't want to spam the world. I'm conscious I've been mentioning its coming overly much of late in the real world at least. Hopefully haven't hijacked here too much!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on March 14, 2021, 10:33:53 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on March 14, 2021, 09:05:03 PM
Weird thread to announce in.

Word.  :lol:

Choose between "Sunderland won and I have a son" and "I have a son and Sunderland won."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 15, 2021, 01:52:49 AM
Congrats Tyr!  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 15, 2021, 06:08:46 AM
Congrats TYR on the Sunerland win. I look forward to seeing it on Sunderland Till I die.

oh, and the kid thing too. awesome.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 15, 2021, 04:40:33 PM
So, in today's call up for the Spanish national team Luís Enrique pulled one of his (almost mandatory at this point) rabbits out of a hat by calling up an almost unheard of player. This time it was a goalkeeper called Robert Sánchez that plays for Brighton that I'm sure thay 90% of Spain had never even heard of before today.

So, this Robert Sánchez turns out to be a 23 y.o. from Cartagena, Murcia, that has been playing for Brighton since he was 15 or 16, and been through the traditional British merry go round of loans at lower level clubs (he was at a League One team last year and at a League Two one the year before). He's never been part of a Spanish youth team and only started featuring for Brighton's first team this season, in which he was like the 4th or 5th keeper at the beginning of the season, but he managed to start for the team for the first time in November and has been the club's regular starter since then.

Given that so little was known about him, some wild-ish speculation started to brew amongst our sports journalists, and rumours of him having gained British citizenship after living there for so long, and given that he was uncapped for Spain would make him eligible to play for England if called, so this would prevent that, but it turns out that that wouldn't be possible because apparently the Home Nations federations have some kind of internal agreement under which they'd never call up players just by having citizenship and require either some familial roots in the country or having lived there since quite young.

To be honest, even considering myself to be quite knowledgeable about football, I had no idea about this agreement. It seems to be quite an unnecessary hurdle in modern football, and it effectively prevents these teams from increasing their talent pool. What's the point of it, to prevent poaching between the Home Nations?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 15, 2021, 04:53:55 PM
I've no idea nad never heard of that - though I read a great piece by Carl Anka in the Atlantic on how we're moving a little bit away from the more strict rules to reflect people's actual identities (and desire to play international football). I think it was led by the Moroccan and Algerian federations who had young players who were not going to play for France but wanted to play for Morocco and Algeria.

But it's now easier for individuals to make that shift - I think part of it has been lifting the number of caps they need before they're sort of kept to one nation. This should really help countries with diasporas - so I think the Jamaican national team are quite optimistic/excited about the Premier League players they're signing up for passports, similarly I think Aaron Wan-Bissaka has declared for DRC. I know British Nigerians are disappointed that Bukayo Saka has declared for England not Nigeria :lol:

On Sanchez - I've not watched lots of Brighton but they are the team that's breaking football stats. I think they are relatively good defensively (though I think because they keep the ball well and restrict chances rather than anything he's done) and have an insane xG but they cannot finish to save their lives. So I think on "expected points" they should be 5th, but they're actually 16th :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 15, 2021, 04:58:29 PM
I hate Expected Goals and all those attempts to moneyball football so much, you Brits created this sport, why do you intend to ruin it?  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 15, 2021, 05:12:38 PM
Quote from: celedhring on March 15, 2021, 04:58:29 PM
I hate Expected Goals and all those attempts to moneyball football so much, you Brits created this sport, why do you intend to ruin it?  :lol:

I think this tendency actually comes from the US, but it's in the UK where it's paid the most attention in Europe.

Regarding the agreement, according to Wiki it's as follows:

QuoteThe criteria for eligibility to represent a home nation is:

A Player who, under the terms of art. 5, is eligible to represent more than one Association on account of his nationality, may play in an international match for one of these Associations only if, in addition to having the relevant nationality, he fulfils at least one of the following conditions:

a) He was born on the territory of the relevant Association;

b) His biological mother or biological father was born on the territory of the relevant Association;

c) One of his biological grandparents was born on the territory of the relevant Association;

d) He has engaged in a minimum of five years education under the age of 18 within the territory of the relevant association.
— Home nations agreement

So, what this basically does is prevent outsiders from qualifying to play for the Home Nations, right? It doesn't matter if you have the citizenship and have lived in the UK for ages, you'll never be eligible to play for any of the Home Nations unless you were born in one of them, have a blood relation to one of them or have been raised in one of them since you were in your early teens. I saw some examples of players who back in the day were rumoured to want to try to play for England if this had been allowed but were prevented by this agreement, such as Arteta and Almunia, as well as many French players who played in the Premier League for ages.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 15, 2021, 05:18:45 PM
Interesting - that all seems pretty reasonable to me.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 15, 2021, 05:35:38 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 15, 2021, 05:18:45 PM
Interesting - that all seems pretty reasonable to me.

It doesn't ask for anything unreasonable on a quick glance, but it doesn't take long to imagine the strange situations it might produce. Say, a 14 year old kid from England who moves to, say, Wales, with his whole family being English. He'll never ever qualify to play for Wales, even if he stays there his whole life, because he has no blood relation to Wales or has been able to fulfill the 5 years education criteria. He could be a 35 year old playing for Cardiff for decades who feels Welsher than the dragon on the flag and is married to a Welsh, with Welsh kids, but will never qualify to play for the Welsh national team because of this and will forever be, in football terms, an Englishman.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 15, 2021, 05:42:44 PM
I imagine it's more flexible and those are guidelines not rules so if that kid comes in and says "I feel really Welsh" etc they'd work around that. But I could be wrong.

Also I feel it'd be more likely to produce multiple options given how young academies start. So it's as easy to imagine a kid with Irish and Scottish grandparents, born in England and then going to, say, the Swansea Academy :o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 15, 2021, 06:44:59 PM
Really the whole system of internationals just wasn't setup for the modern world. It's solidly a relic of a bygone less serous era of football where leagues broadly consisted of players from the country of the league and there was no real incentive to try and fiddle things with the likes of the Quatari Brazilian D team.
As time goes on we are going to see more and more kids eligible for multiple countries. I really hate the whole locking in system where you have to choose one and stick with it - this can lead to some pretty good players never playing professionally despite being good enough as they hold out for England over Scotland or wherever or may be.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 16, 2021, 08:01:13 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 15, 2021, 05:42:44 PM
I imagine it's more flexible and those are guidelines not rules so if that kid comes in and says "I feel really Welsh" etc they'd work around that. But I could be wrong.

It doesn't seem to be a flexible set of guidelines but a hard agreement, all references I've seen to it were about players being prevented to play for one of the Home Nations because of it. It does get reviewed from time to time, the original agreement was from 1993, and it has been amended in 2006 and 2009 (apparently FIFA has to sign up to it as well). The last clause allowing players to play for a Home Nation if they spent 5 years there before turning 18 was only added in 2009. Two examples of players affected are given:

- Andrew Driver. Born in England in 1987, his family moved to Scotland in 1998 when he was 11. He started his football career in Scotland, where he played for most of it, excepting a couple of spells in the Netherlands and in the US. He played as a schoolboy for Scotland (apparently there are no restrictions for that category), but he could not progress to the proper Scotland U-18 or U-21 teams because he was inelligible for Scotland at the time (no education clause yet). He is eventually called up to the England U-21 team, for which he plays only once in 2009. In 2010, seeing that his chances with England are rather slim, he announces that, under the new elegibility agreement's education clause, he commits to play for the Scottish national team instead (although he does not get called up for it either). Without it he would remain unelegible for Scotland.

- Andy Dorman. Born in England in 1982, he grew up in Wales, where he lived and played for Wales at schoolboy level, but again could not play for other youth teams like U-18 due to not being elegible). At 18 he moved to the US, where he lived and played for a few years and later made his career playing in Scotland and England. Upon the introduction of the education clause in 2009, he became eligible for Wales (he was unelegible before that, even after having been brought up in Wales, as his family had no Welsh background), and played 3 games for the Welsh senior team afterwards.

QuoteAlso I feel it'd be more likely to produce multiple options given how young academies start. So it's as easy to imagine a kid with Irish and Scottish grandparents, born in England and then going to, say, the Swansea Academy :o

When the players have a familial link to the countries there's no problem at all, those players were always elegible. The ones prevented to play for the national teams were the ones without a blood relation to the country that arrived there as adults. Two examples are given of Spanish players that were interested to get British citizenship and play for one of the Home Countries that were prevented by the agreement, Nacho Novo, who played in Scotland for 10 years, got married to a local and considered getting British citizenship if it allowed him to play for Scotland, but was informed by the Scottish FA that he would remain unelegible because of the agreement, and Ángel Rangel, who played in Wales for 11 years and also married a local, and considered to get British citizenship to qualify to play for Wales, but was also told by the Welsh FA the same thing, that even after becoming a British citizen he would remain unelegible for Wales because of the agreement.

I mean, in basically every other country in the world those two players would have qualified to play for those national teams had they become citizens, it was only because of that Home Nations agreement that they were prevented from doing that. And we're talking about players with a commitment to those nations, not random guys who popped up for a couple of years and then buggered off, but players who spent decades there, got married to locals and made long careers there. To my eyes it seems highly unfair for players like them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on March 16, 2021, 08:17:10 AM
Isn't the issue is that Great Britain doesn't have a team. To me, that's the fix to all those issues.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 16, 2021, 08:20:50 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on March 16, 2021, 08:17:10 AM
Isn't the issue is that Great Britain doesn't have a team. To me, that's the fix to all those issues.

Yes, it's due to that. FIFA makes teams whose players share a common passport reach an agreement on how players become eligible to play for each of them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 16, 2021, 01:32:12 PM
Quote from: The Larch on March 16, 2021, 08:01:13 AM
When the players have a familial link to the countries there's no problem at all, those players were always elegible. The ones prevented to play for the national teams were the ones without a blood relation to the country that arrived there as adults. Two examples are given of Spanish players that were interested to get British citizenship and play for one of the Home Countries that were prevented by the agreement, Nacho Novo, who played in Scotland for 10 years, got married to a local and considered getting British citizenship if it allowed him to play for Scotland, but was informed by the Scottish FA that he would remain unelegible because of the agreement, and Ángel Rangel, who played in Wales for 11 years and also married a local, and considered to get British citizenship to qualify to play for Wales, but was also told by the Welsh FA the same thing, that even after becoming a British citizen he would remain unelegible for Wales because of the agreement.

I mean, in basically every other country in the world those two players would have qualified to play for those national teams had they become citizens, it was only because of that Home Nations agreement that they were prevented from doing that. And we're talking about players with a commitment to those nations, not random guys who popped up for a couple of years and then buggered off, but players who spent decades there, got married to locals and made long careers there. To my eyes it seems highly unfair for players like them.
Interesting and I take your points. I have a soft spot for Roberto Martinez who had a similar career of being a journeyman footballer in England and Wales before becoming a manager here too. I'd consider him basically a domestic appointment if he became England manager at some point :lol:

I assume the issue they're trying to address is the risk of England and Scotland basically hoovering up all home nation talent because there's relatively few Welsh teams in the league system, good Northern Irish players will most likely move to the English or Scottish leagues. So living in a country, settling down etc is a category lots of domestic players would meet just through the course of their career and because the Premier League has most money it's likely the best players will end up playing there and possibly exposed to the risk of transferring their allegiance to England. I think they probably underestimate the extent to which no-one in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland likes England :lol:

In slightly related news I saw Che Adams has declared for Scotland rather than holding out for England.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on March 18, 2021, 12:34:28 AM
Chelsea 2, Atletico 0.  Announcer says 3-0 *on aggregate*.  What does that mean?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on March 18, 2021, 01:00:49 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on March 18, 2021, 12:34:28 AM
Chelsea 2, Atletico 0.  Announcer says 3-0 *on aggregate*.  What does that mean?

Chelsea and Atletico played two matches, one each home and away. "On aggregate" is the score of both matches combined. So Chelsea won the previous match 0-1.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on March 18, 2021, 01:01:09 AM
grazie
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on March 18, 2021, 01:12:50 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on March 18, 2021, 01:01:09 AM
grazie

np :cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 18, 2021, 04:57:42 AM
And if you heard in the same context about "away goals" it means that, when two teams draw on aggregate, the team that scored more goals when playing away from their home field wins the tie.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 18, 2021, 08:11:55 AM
Quote from: The Larch on March 18, 2021, 04:57:42 AM
And if you heard in the same context about "away goals" it means that, when two teams draw on aggregate, the team that scored more goals when playing away from their home field wins the tie.

Practical example in this round of 16, the Porto-Juventus Turin aggregate was 4-4

Since Porto won 2-1 at home and lost by 3 goals to 2 in Turin, Porto qualified.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 18, 2021, 08:49:54 AM
Away goal rule is horrible but at the same time it brings a weird angst to the game that if it were done away with I feel like we'd lose something a little special about European ties.  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 18, 2021, 09:05:14 AM
I kinda wish the yanks had gone mad and we had 7-game series in the MLS playoffs  :lol: Instead of going with the sensible option of single-elimination games.  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on March 18, 2021, 09:10:39 AM
Quote from: celedhring on March 18, 2021, 09:05:14 AM
I kinda wish the yanks had gone mad and we had 7-game series in the MLS playoffs  :lol: Instead of going with the sensible option of single-elimination games.  :(

They change the format often. We could have 7-game series but the insane international availability rules preclude that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 18, 2021, 09:54:34 AM
Don't usual yank sports have setups like cricket tests rather than one off finals and it's purely done in a basis of who won more with actual scores irrelevant?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on March 18, 2021, 10:09:44 AM
How are Cricket tests set up?

If I understand right what you are asking. Yes, we North American call that playoffs & x-game series.

The MLS a single elimination tournament format in the vein of the NFL/NCAA Basketball set ups.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 18, 2021, 01:17:08 PM
Yeah the aim during the season is basically to make it to the playoffs. Form during the season is mostly inconsequential except it can decide how tough your playoff schedule might be. Better results during the season means a higher seed and/or home advantage in the playoffs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 18, 2021, 01:17:24 PM
Quote from: celedhring on March 18, 2021, 09:05:14 AM
I kinda wish the yanks had gone mad and we had 7-game series in the MLS playoffs  :lol: Instead of going with the sensible option of single-elimination games.  :(

If you go for the crazy 7 game series option (or even "just" 5 game series), then you get super long playoffs and/or exhausted players by the 2nd or 3rd round. I assume you'd play 2 games per week? You can't really make them play more than that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 18, 2021, 01:18:47 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 18, 2021, 01:17:08 PM
Yeah the aim during the season is basically to make it to the playoffs. Form during the season is mostly inconsequential except it can decide how tough your playoff schedule might be. Better results during the season means a higher seed and/or home advantage in the playoffs.

Yeah, single elimination playoffs wildly reward teams that reach peak form later in the season, rather than a team who has kept a better average during the regular season. It makes the regular season slightly pointless.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 18, 2021, 01:24:14 PM
American playoffs have the American version of "the magic of the cup" though. It is cool to see the last seeded team win out in the playoffs, Cinderella stories, etc etc
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 18, 2021, 01:27:02 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 18, 2021, 01:24:14 PM
American playoffs have the American version of "the magic of the cup" though. It is cool to see the last seeded team win out in the playoffs, Cinderella stories, etc etc

Yeah, that's the cool element of a cup tournament and why we have separate trophies for leagues and cups over here. You have a league that awards the better team over the long term, the one that keeps their regularity and goes steady for a whole season, and a separate cup for upsets and Cinderellas. That's why when a small team wins a league it's an even bigger deal, like when Leicester won the Premier League.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 18, 2021, 01:42:50 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 18, 2021, 01:24:14 PM
American playoffs have the American version of "the magic of the cup" though. It is cool to see the last seeded team win out in the playoffs, Cinderella stories, etc etc
I quite liked the focused single round knock-out Champions League last year.

I feel that without fans the home and away rounds seem a little bit pointless.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 18, 2021, 01:47:30 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 18, 2021, 01:42:50 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 18, 2021, 01:24:14 PM
American playoffs have the American version of "the magic of the cup" though. It is cool to see the last seeded team win out in the playoffs, Cinderella stories, etc etc
I quite liked the focused single round knock-out Champions League last year.

I feel that without fans the home and away rounds seem a little bit pointless.

Yup, without fans it's as if every game was played in a neutral field, so a double round makes less sense, although single round should theoretically provide for more upsets than a home/away one.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 18, 2021, 02:12:52 PM
Yeah europe has been absurd this season with teams like Arsenal and Benfica playing their home/away ties in italy and greece  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 18, 2021, 02:14:04 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 18, 2021, 02:12:52 PM
Yeah europe has been absurd this season with teams like Arsenal and Benfica playing their home/away ties in italy and greece  :lol:

That was due to the different travel restrictions due to COVID, but yeah, absolutely preposterous.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 18, 2021, 02:18:18 PM
Quote from: The Larch on March 18, 2021, 02:14:04 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 18, 2021, 02:12:52 PM
Yeah europe has been absurd this season with teams like Arsenal and Benfica playing their home/away ties in italy and greece  :lol:

That was due to the different travel restrictions due to COVID, but yeah, absolutely preposterous.
But also because of covid even more preposterous. Due to covid travel restrictions we're making two teams travel to two additional countries so they can infect people there instead :blink:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 18, 2021, 05:53:51 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 18, 2021, 08:49:54 AM
Away goal rule is horrible but at the same time it brings a weird angst to the game that if it were done away with I feel like we'd lose something a little special about European ties.  :bowler:

it does provide late game excitmeent though. You could be set to qualify, then the other team scores one, and now you have to score two. Generally I do like it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 18, 2021, 05:56:46 PM
Yikes.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ewy7r9vW8AIUkU8?format=jpg&name=900x900)

Glasgow Rangers striker Kemar Roofe kicks Slavia Praha goalkeeper Ondrej Kolar in the face during their Europa League match this evening.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 20, 2021, 12:32:11 AM
Bases only on picture it's horrifying, going completely uncontrollably into a challenge like that against a goalie must be worth at least 5 games out.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on March 20, 2021, 12:47:25 AM
Quote from: Tyr on March 18, 2021, 09:54:34 AM
Don't usual yank sports have setups like cricket tests rather than one off finals and it's purely done in a basis of who won more with actual scores irrelevant?

Each Yank sport has its own rules. Points scored does become a factor in ties in American Football (NFL), Basketball (NBA), and Hockey (NHL) but you have to go pretty far down the list of tie breakers before points, or goals, scored enters into the picture. In baseball (MLB) if there is a tie they just play extra games, which can get a little weird in the dreaded three way tie but that has only happened twice in 150+ years of Baseball seasons.

As far as I know Soccer/Football (MLS) uses the same tie breakers most other football leagues use. They use aggregate goals and everything.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on March 20, 2021, 12:53:26 AM
Quote from: The Larch on March 18, 2021, 01:18:47 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 18, 2021, 01:17:08 PM
Yeah the aim during the season is basically to make it to the playoffs. Form during the season is mostly inconsequential except it can decide how tough your playoff schedule might be. Better results during the season means a higher seed and/or home advantage in the playoffs.

Yeah, single elimination playoffs wildly reward teams that reach peak form later in the season, rather than a team who has kept a better average during the regular season. It makes the regular season slightly pointless.

The American experience was just the opposite. Remember our first big sports league was the National League (baseball) and it had lots of teams in it, and the champion was simply the team with the best record at the end of the season...but the impact was that the fans of the teams that were behind kind of checked out early on. Without something like regulation to keep the bottom clubs sweating it just doesn't work without a big playoff.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 20, 2021, 09:16:30 AM
Speaking of Yank sport vs Association Football:

https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/4341340/potential-mls-liga-mx-merger-would-be-seen-in-a-positive-light-infantino (https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/4341340/potential-mls-liga-mx-merger-would-be-seen-in-a-positive-light-infantino)

Quote"I think the potential in the United States and Mexico is enormous, each country by itself. But of course if you could bring those two together that would be incredible and that could quite well be the best league in the world," Infantino said during an online news conference.

"Any discussion about organising such a competition, of course respecting the rules of member associations and FIFA and with the agreement of all stakeholders, any discussion in that respect, is interesting and we see that in a positive light," he added.

Latest brilliant idea by Gianni Infantino. Comments?  :P
Article reminds the very dissimilar organisation of both leagues.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 20, 2021, 04:28:40 PM
Quote from: Valmy on March 20, 2021, 12:53:26 AM
Quote from: The Larch on March 18, 2021, 01:18:47 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 18, 2021, 01:17:08 PM
Yeah the aim during the season is basically to make it to the playoffs. Form during the season is mostly inconsequential except it can decide how tough your playoff schedule might be. Better results during the season means a higher seed and/or home advantage in the playoffs.

Yeah, single elimination playoffs wildly reward teams that reach peak form later in the season, rather than a team who has kept a better average during the regular season. It makes the regular season slightly pointless.

The American experience was just the opposite. Remember our first big sports league was the National League (baseball) and it had lots of teams in it, and the champion was simply the team with the best record at the end of the season...but the impact was that the fans of the teams that were behind kind of checked out early on. Without something like regulation to keep the bottom clubs sweating it just doesn't work without a big playoff.

Maybe it'd work if there werent roughly 85 million games of baseball each season.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 20, 2021, 04:34:23 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on March 20, 2021, 09:16:30 AM
Latest brilliant idea by Gianni Infantino. Comments?  :P
Article reminds the very dissimilar organisation of both leagues.
Leave the Mexican league alone!

Although I quite liked his idea of a pan-African super league.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 20, 2021, 05:39:17 PM
The Mexican league having  a team or two across the border does make sense.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 21, 2021, 02:28:34 PM
https://twitter.com/MessiMX10i/status/1373664183590486020

Disgusting free kick.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 21, 2021, 02:41:21 PM
Quote from: Tyr on March 20, 2021, 05:39:17 PM
The Mexican league having  a team or two across the border does make sense.
Mexican league has more viewers in the US than the Premier League and make pretty good TV money from it, plus it's one of the highest attendances in all of global football (I think only the Premiership, La Liga and Bundesliga have bigger crowds). Plus it's a weird/cool isolationist league - because it's got money they basically get the South Americans who aren't quite good enough to go to Europe (though the MLS is moving in on this territory) and unless you're one of the best in the country if you want to get picked for the national team you need to stay in Mexico.

There's financial and other issues - but leave the Mexican league alone! :o :contract:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on March 22, 2021, 12:41:14 AM
Quote from: The Larch on March 20, 2021, 04:28:40 PM
Quote from: Valmy on March 20, 2021, 12:53:26 AM
Quote from: The Larch on March 18, 2021, 01:18:47 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 18, 2021, 01:17:08 PM
Yeah the aim during the season is basically to make it to the playoffs. Form during the season is mostly inconsequential except it can decide how tough your playoff schedule might be. Better results during the season means a higher seed and/or home advantage in the playoffs.

Yeah, single elimination playoffs wildly reward teams that reach peak form later in the season, rather than a team who has kept a better average during the regular season. It makes the regular season slightly pointless.

The American experience was just the opposite. Remember our first big sports league was the National League (baseball) and it had lots of teams in it, and the champion was simply the team with the best record at the end of the season...but the impact was that the fans of the teams that were behind kind of checked out early on. Without something like regulation to keep the bottom clubs sweating it just doesn't work without a big playoff.

Maybe it'd work if there werent roughly 85 million games of baseball each season.  :P

Basketball and Hockey have the same issue. Very very long regular seasons and, if anything, the season means even less in those sports.

The NFL also had a long run with no playoff and I think it works best in that sport but even then everybody loves the playoffs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 22, 2021, 11:35:02 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 21, 2021, 02:41:21 PM
Quote from: Tyr on March 20, 2021, 05:39:17 PM
The Mexican league having  a team or two across the border does make sense.
Mexican league has more viewers in the US than the Premier League and make pretty good TV money from it, plus it's one of the highest attendances in all of global football (I think only the Premiership, La Liga and Bundesliga have bigger crowds). Plus it's a weird/cool isolationist league - because it's got money they basically get the South Americans who aren't quite good enough to go to Europe (though the MLS is moving in on this territory) and unless you're one of the best in the country if you want to get picked for the national team you need to stay in Mexico.

There's financial and other issues - but leave the Mexican league alone! :o :contract:
No argument there.  :P

Apertura and Clausura phase, liguilla (play-offs), very idiosyncratic, so not exactly easy to combine with a very different model.
What's in for Liga MX anyways? CONCACAF Champions' League is dominated by Mexicans clubs anyways.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on March 22, 2021, 12:06:37 PM
Are Mexican fans still nasty? It has been a while since I've heard about battery throwing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on March 22, 2021, 12:08:09 PM
Quote from: Valmy on March 22, 2021, 12:41:14 AM
Basketball and Hockey have the same issue. Very very long regular seasons and, if anything, the season means even less in those sports.

The NFL also had a long run with no playoff and I think it works best in that sport but even then everybody loves the playoffs.

NFL doesn't have a long run though - there's only 16 games.

NBA and NHL can certainly have that problem.  The final weeks of the season can be funny - you'll have the teams at the top who just worry about not getting injured, the teams at the bottom who have mostly checked out, but it's the teams in the middle who are righting to get/stay in the playoffs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 22, 2021, 12:11:23 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on March 22, 2021, 12:06:37 PM
Are Mexican fans still nasty? It has been a while since I've heard about battery throwing.
Latin American fans are intense :lol:

I don't even think Mexico is the worst compared to how things can get in, say, Argentina.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on March 22, 2021, 12:16:55 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 22, 2021, 12:11:23 PM
Latin American fans are intense :lol:

I don't even think Mexico is the worst compared to how things can get in, say, Argentina.

Stop gaysplaining. 

I know about Boca Junior and all that.  The nastiness of Mexican fans is relevant if the topic is merging leagues.

Although, do Argentine fans throw shit at visiting players?  I wouldn't be surprised but it's not something I've specifically seen mentioned.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 22, 2021, 12:24:05 PM
I'm imagining Mormon fans of Real Salt Lake on an away trip to Chivas  :nelson:  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on March 22, 2021, 12:37:07 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 22, 2021, 12:11:23 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on March 22, 2021, 12:06:37 PM
Are Mexican fans still nasty? It has been a while since I've heard about battery throwing.
Latin American fans are intense :lol:

No kiddding.  :ph34r:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_War

:P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 22, 2021, 01:08:08 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 22, 2021, 12:24:05 PM
I'm imagining Mormon fans of Real Salt Lake on an away trip to Chivas  :nelson:  :lol:

The opposite would be fun as well, with hinterlandish places discovering what is football fervour.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on March 22, 2021, 08:35:20 PM
Quote from: Barrister on March 22, 2021, 12:08:09 PM

NFL doesn't have a long run though - there's only 16 games.

The long run I was talking about was 1920 until 1933 the team with the best record was the NFL champion. There was no playoff or proto-Super Bowl at all. I don't know if the tie breakers back then factored in points scored.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 24, 2021, 01:44:58 PM
The Spanish FA is always finding new ways of ruining Spanish Football.

(https://forumcontent.paradoxplaza.com/public/684472/1616608098133.png)
(https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/_CpPNgvqrtIWPl99ldP9AA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTY0MDtoPTM4Ny4y/https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2021-03/ac31fb60-8bcf-11eb-beff-c3313ab15b57)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on March 24, 2021, 01:47:38 PM
Lots of discussion about whether the Dutch FA or the players should boycott the Qatar WC.
Looks like they decided to take the diplomatic way out by getting clobbered by Turkey.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on March 24, 2021, 01:48:59 PM
Quote from: Maladict on March 24, 2021, 01:47:38 PM
Lots of discussion about whether the Dutch FA or the players should boycott the Qatar WC.
Looks like they decided to take the diplomatic way out by getting clobbered by Turkey.

:D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 24, 2021, 01:50:39 PM
Quote from: Maladict on March 24, 2021, 01:47:38 PM
Lots of discussion about whether the Dutch FA or the players should boycott the Qatar WC.
Looks like they decided to take the diplomatic way out by getting clobbered by Turkey.

:D

Hadn't realized the started qualifications already.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 25, 2021, 06:24:50 AM
Sorry for you, Liep, but some upsets already:

Turkey 4 Netherlands 2

De Boer as a coach may prevent the Netherlands form qualifying it seems. However, Turkey has a history of failing against smaller teams after beating the strong one.

France 1 Ukraine 1

This was no C(ovid)-team Ukraine so it was more difficult. Add in a relative lack of efficiency, some good defending by the Ukrainian side, an own goal, et voilà !

Slovenia 1 Croatia 0

Ex-yugo derby.  :P Croatia is in transition from the aged 2018 team and Slovenia can be pesky. Early goal, but no effective reaction by Croatia in the next 75 minutes.

Portugal 1 Azerbaijan 0

Home game of Portugal in Turin, Juventus stadium, due to Covid restrictions.

Lots of new or unusual players (5-6) but the coach still does not what to do with so many top mid-fielders. Azeris were really dominated in the first half but a Selecção had to get an goal from them to score (own goal). André Silva, for his return to the squad, is a far cry from his scoring stats in Buli. Ronaldo is no longer a winger, so a whole flank was left underused.
Languish fans of Pepe will be sad to know he was injured so he could not play. Same goes for the usual goalkeeper, Rui Patrício.
Azerbaijan woke up in the second half, not just the goalkeeper (very good then) and could have even scored. Good entry by João Félix though. Fernandes cannot say the same unfortunately. Bernardo was ok but not great. Wolverhampton midfield line has not impressed.

In the Norway game, Dolph Lungren did not manage to score against the Rock.
Still 3-0, however.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 25, 2021, 02:08:50 PM
Braithwaite wins it!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 25, 2021, 02:31:40 PM
Hungary v Poland - the Tamas derby :o :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 25, 2021, 03:12:42 PM
There are as many players currently playing for Man City in the Spain starting XI as there are R. Madrid + Barcelona + Atlético. All hail our Premier League overlords.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on March 25, 2021, 03:54:39 PM
Are there many/any Brits playing on the Continent?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 25, 2021, 03:59:03 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on March 25, 2021, 03:54:39 PM
Are there many/any Brits playing on the Continent?

McManaman was decent in Real iirc. And Ashley Young is doing pretty good in Inter right now.

But it's not really something they do I think.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 25, 2021, 03:59:25 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on March 25, 2021, 03:54:39 PM
Are there many/any Brits playing on the Continent?
The Bundesliga's got very good value from some young English players in recent years - but mainly on loan (Ademola Lookman and Jonjoe Kenny spring to mind). The two big exceptions are Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham who both play for Dortmund. But for young players the Bundesliga is a top destination for a loan or if they're not getting played because the impression here is that Germany probably has best coaches in Europe right now, especially for young players.

Also Kieran Tripper at Atletico Madrid. Also Aaron Ramsey (Welsh) at Juve. Off the top of my head anyway.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 25, 2021, 05:10:37 PM
Was watching Malta v Russia yesterday and Malta has a couple players named Mbonga. I'm thinking they're ringers. :huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 26, 2021, 05:36:16 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 25, 2021, 02:31:40 PM
Hungary v Poland - the Tamas derby :o :ph34r:

No, that would be Hungary v Romania.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 26, 2021, 05:46:57 AM
Last upset:

Spain 1 Greece 1

A very limited Greek side manages to tie in Granada. Very nice goal by Morata, but Greece tied on a questionable penalty. No attack in the penalty was fouled, but a Greek player was hit after a save.
Fun fact: Greece has a naturalised Portuguese-origin player: Καρλος Ζεκα (Carlos Zeca).

80% ball possession for Spain vs 20% for Greece, more than 600 passes of course, as well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on March 26, 2021, 05:59:55 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 25, 2021, 02:31:40 PM
Hungary v Poland - the Tamas derby :o :ph34r:

It was quite the game, too.  :D Hungary went ahead 2-0, then probably woke up to the fact that this is ridiculous, and conceded two goals in a space of a single minute. Ended up 3-3.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 26, 2021, 06:23:13 AM
I would approve of Hungary being good at football again, the Magical Magyars is one of my favorite historical sides. Many of them came to play in Spain (and several for FC Barcelona) after 1956.

Before Messi, Barça's biggest legend was László Kubala, an Hungarian.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 26, 2021, 07:44:33 AM
Tifo's video on Wenger's proposal for changing the offside rule: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7woFOryHPQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7woFOryHPQ)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 26, 2021, 09:25:11 AM
Quote from: The Larch on March 26, 2021, 07:44:33 AM
Tifo's video on Wenger's proposal for changing the offside rule: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7woFOryHPQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7woFOryHPQ)

I fail to see how this change would reduce VAR stoppages. Seems to me you'd now be spending a lot of time checking whether a body part of the attacker is in line with the defender, instead of if any is offside.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on March 27, 2021, 10:58:33 AM
Quote from: celedhring on March 26, 2021, 09:25:11 AM
I fail to see how this change would reduce VAR stoppages. Seems to me you'd now be spending a lot of time checking whether a body part of the attacker is in line with the defender, instead of if any is offside.

Agree.  You'd just be moving the crosshairs to the back of the attacker.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 27, 2021, 11:51:10 AM
These small distances can make all the difference. You have a better chance of running past someone if you start almost behind him rather than almost in front of him.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 27, 2021, 09:06:26 PM
oooh....Malta get an away point. World Cup baby.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 28, 2021, 01:34:35 AM
Quote from: Josephus on March 27, 2021, 09:06:26 PM
oooh....Malta get an away point. World Cup baby.

Faroe Islands too. And Luxembourg won against Ireland. Is this pointing towards us losing to Moldova at home?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 28, 2021, 06:13:22 AM
Quote from: Liep on March 28, 2021, 01:34:35 AM
Quote from: Josephus on March 27, 2021, 09:06:26 PM
oooh....Malta get an away point. World Cup baby.

Faroe Islands too. And Luxembourg won against Ireland. Is this pointing towards us losing to Moldova at home?

:hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 28, 2021, 08:30:33 AM
Quote from: Josephus on March 27, 2021, 09:06:26 PM
oooh....Malta get an away point. World Cup baby.

After leading by 2-0 vs Slovakia.  :hmm:

If you needed some controversy yesterday, Serbia-Portugal was the place to be with the referee denying unfairly an extra time winning goal to Ronaldo, no less. Referee was probably far but the assistant or linesmen probably saw it.

(https://scontent-cdt1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-9/166230021_258826935874733_5697243916805976631_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-3&_nc_sid=ae9488&_nc_ohc=w-Fg4xva_NEAX9RGavQ&_nc_ht=scontent-cdt1-1.xx&oh=2df21c07c1d12b1da32a329d86823f8b&oe=608611A8)

Serbia 2 Portugal 2

Decent, under control first half-time by Portugal but Serbia woke up right after the beginning with the Portuguese changing too late his team to deal with the tactical changes on the Serbian side (hello Mitrovic). Given the game, a tie does not seem unfair, but is a bit of a disappointment for Portugal, specially after leading 2-0 thanks to a lethal Jota.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 28, 2021, 11:36:13 AM
Quote from: Josephus on March 28, 2021, 06:13:22 AM
Quote from: Liep on March 28, 2021, 01:34:35 AM
Quote from: Josephus on March 27, 2021, 09:06:26 PM
oooh....Malta get an away point. World Cup baby.

Faroe Islands too. And Luxembourg won against Ireland. Is this pointing towards us losing to Moldova at home?

:hmm:

Indeed, 30 minutes in and we're up 3-0.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on March 28, 2021, 11:38:45 AM
The national team is protesting Qatar tonight by playing in new jerseys that somehow supports migrant workers.

(https://free-cdn.tv2i.dk/users/editorial/images/9c13984b-91e4-4e93-ba3e-39e3c5d57f7a.jpg?t%5B%5D=crop%3Ax%3D0%2Cy%3D49%2Cwidth%3D1794%2Cheight%3D1008&t%5B%5D=maxSize%3Aheight%3D349%2Cwidth%3D620&t%5B%5D=compress%3Alevel%3D82&publicKey=cms-ro&accessToken=4df809a6471285d008987b1f12a1d188bc336cfe4abf70492634ba8264b4d48c)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 28, 2021, 12:07:54 PM
A boycott would have more sense 10 years ago, when the organisation was sold decided.

Hummel has a better image than Nike in terms of sweatshop cheap labor though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 28, 2021, 01:01:30 PM
Quote from: Liep on March 28, 2021, 11:36:13 AM
Quote from: Josephus on March 28, 2021, 06:13:22 AM
Quote from: Liep on March 28, 2021, 01:34:35 AM
Quote from: Josephus on March 27, 2021, 09:06:26 PM
oooh....Malta get an away point. World Cup baby.

Faroe Islands too. And Luxembourg won against Ireland. Is this pointing towards us losing to Moldova at home?

:hmm:

Indeed, 30 minutes in and we're up 3-0.

8-0. I guess they wanted to make sure.
But Iceland,  :huh: I guess their good days are long behind them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 30, 2021, 10:04:04 AM
Mad League grouping merger of the week:

Exec. Sum:

Ligue 1 sucks so let's reduce the number of clubs from 20 to 18 in it (fair enough) and invite the two best Scottish (Glaswegian) clubs  to enhance its value :lmfao:

https://www.lemonde.fr/idees/article/2021/03/28/invitons-les-deux-grands-clubs-ecossais-de-glasgow-en-ligue-1_6074769_3232.html (https://www.lemonde.fr/idees/article/2021/03/28/invitons-les-deux-grands-clubs-ecossais-de-glasgow-en-ligue-1_6074769_3232.html)

QuoteLe salut du football français passe par une internationalisation douce et un apport bienvenu de sang neuf, relève dans une tribune au « Monde » l'économiste Jean-Pascal Gayant, qui appelle le monde sclérosé du ballon rond à se réinventer.Publié le 28 mars 2021 à 18h00   Temps deLecture 3 min.

Tribune. Il existe aujourd'hui un consensus pour affirmer que le football français doit se réinventer. Si l'équipe nationale se porte bien, le football de clubs est en détresse.

Avant même l'irruption du Covid-19 et l'abracadabrantesque feuilleton [du diffuseur sino-espagnol insolvable] Mediapro, les performances des clubs français en coupe d'Europe étaient en chute libre (à l'exception de celles du Paris-Saint-Germain dopé par la manne gazière qatarie), la qualité de jeu et les audiences télé étaient en baisse, et la Ligue de football professionnel (LFP) ressemblait à un cloaque où pleuvent les coups bas.

La situation financière très dégradée des clubs a finalement fait naître l'idée que l'on ne pouvait pas continuer comme ça...

Choc de compétitivité salutaire
Pour les uns, il faut accentuer les mécanismes de solidarité et instaurer un plafonnement salarial dont les économistes du sport s'époumonent à rappeler qu'il est inapplicable dans une ligue ouverte « à l'européenne ». Pour les autres, il faut réduire la taille de la Ligue 1 et accorder une part plus importante des droits TV aux grosses cylindrées qui participent aux compétitions européennes.

Chez ceux qui pensent qu'une réduction de la taille de la Ligue 1 produirait un choc de compétitivité salutaire, il existe néanmoins une ligne de fracture entre les partisans d'une réduction du nombre de clubs professionnels (et une réduction concomitante de la taille de la Ligue 2) et ceux qui souhaitent, au contraire, la création d'une Ligue 3 professionnelle et la fin de l'amateurisme marron.

Article réservé à nos abonnés Lire aussi  « Comment contribuer à une concurrence plus saine et équilibrée au sein du football européen ? »
On peut ajouter qu'il existe aussi un débat sur le nombre annuel de promotions et de relégations, ainsi que sur le bien-fondé d'une clôture du mercato d'été [époque des transferts de joueurs entre clubs] dès la première rencontre de championnat...

Il existe aussi une fracture plus subliminale entre ceux qui sont partisans de la création d'une super ligue européenne (Paris-Saint-Germain d'une part, l'Olympique lyonnais et quelques autres cadors français, si l'on daigne les y inviter) et ceux qui y verraient un déclassement assuré (car ils n'y seront jamais conviés).

Mépris anglais
Cette fracture illustre l'existence d'une « croisée des chemins » pour les ligues domestiques européennes : l'Europe est le vivier des plus grands talents du sport le plus populaire du monde, mais il n'existe aucune « Major League » européenne de football – à l'image des Major League nord américaines – alors même que les distances géographiques entre les clubs européens sont plus faibles que celles qui séparent les franchises d'une même conférence aux Etats-Unis et au Canada. Pour un spectacle sportif à l'exposition devenue planétaire, cette absence de super ligue européenne fait figure d'anachronisme.

Even some kind of Atlantic League would make more sense.

PS : reduction of the number of clubs added
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 31, 2021, 05:02:56 PM
LOL Germany  :nelson:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 31, 2021, 05:06:19 PM
I don't want to blame it all on Germany having a surprisingly ugly kit at the minute. But it can't help :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 31, 2021, 09:43:56 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 31, 2021, 05:02:56 PM
LOL Germany  :nelson:

They lost to a country they just invented. LOL.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 15, 2021, 06:29:08 PM
Good to see the Arsenal lads finally wallop the massive racists at Slavia Prague.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 16, 2021, 03:56:25 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 15, 2021, 06:29:08 PM
Good to see the Arsenal lads finally wallop the massive racists at Slavia Prague.

Massive racists? Just one at worst, and it was not even proved since there is no audio record of the alleged racist insults, and one could not see the lips of Ondrej Kudela while he was talking since he covered them. Probably insults, judging by the context though, since it ended with Kudela being assaulted after the game by Glen Kamara.

But then racism for the Brits is quite the nebulous concept., cf. Cavani's misadventures "gracias negrito"
QuoteRAE entry for Negro : 16. m. y f. And. y Am. U. como voz de cariño entre casados, novios o personas que se quieren bien.
.
Plus, the Rangers complaining about racism with their long history of bigotry vs Celtic fans, after playing tough on the field with the skull of the Czech goalkeeper being fractured. They should have expected some anger from the Czech side
While we are at it, let us ask the Celtic what they think about Rangers as PC crusaders.  :lol:

Perhaps sadly, unlike say, Romania, the Czech president office does not indulge in unfounded repentance, quite the opposite.

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210415-czech-president-slams-uefa-over-kudela-racism-ban (https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210415-czech-president-slams-uefa-over-kudela-racism-ban)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 16, 2021, 01:13:55 PM
Thank you for confirming for everyone the level of racism endemic in football.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 16, 2021, 02:31:41 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 16, 2021, 01:13:55 PM
Thank you for confirming for everyone the level of Anglo racism endemic in football.

Fixed! No need to thank me. :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 17, 2021, 04:30:38 PM
Is this gonna end up a good season for Barca?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 17, 2021, 04:38:33 PM
Quote from: Liep on April 17, 2021, 04:30:38 PM
Is this gonna end up a good season for Barca?

I'd say it's turning out much better than expected.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 17, 2021, 04:47:33 PM
Yeah, after the first games of the season I was seeing us fighting to stay in a CL place. That now seems secured and with a trophy in the bag. So a decent season given all the turmoil.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 18, 2021, 12:39:07 PM
https://twitter.com/Wrexham_AFC/status/1383828587137040384?s=19

STATEMENT | ESL

Despite the club's two 4-0 victories this week, we can confirm that we will not be seeking membership to the newly uncovered 'European Super League' and will continue our quest to reach the EFL.

The club will be making no further comment.

🔴⚪️ #WxmAFC https://t.co/Qqf9i2GeFf

:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 18, 2021, 05:41:10 PM
It seems that the Super League concept has finally been formally announced with 12 clubs backing it (6 English teams, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City, Man Utd & Tottenham; 3 Spanish teams, Atlético Madrid, Barcelona & Real Madrid, 3 Italian teams, AC Milan, Juventus & Inter), with 3 more unnamed ones waiting in the wings (PSG and Bayern were not too keen, apparently, but were still following developments). UEFA and all the big European leagues have already threatened those clubs taking part with huge sanctions. Let's see how this goes...

The hubris of this group of clubs seems off the charts, btw:

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzSkc4_UYBEG8A2?format=jpg&name=medium)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 18, 2021, 06:02:08 PM
Johnson and Macron have also issued statements against. Johnson's said the government supports football authorities in taking action.

I would also note that football has been kindly treated by European competition authorities (the whole transfer market for example) - I hope it's made clear that that's on the basis of a national and international football pyramid having special community value <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 18, 2021, 06:06:51 PM
Pérez and Agnelli vs Macron and Johnson? Wow :D

Makes sense for Arsenal, they are far from C1 level, a competition itself soon reformed to appease Top clubs and their customer bases.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 18, 2021, 06:21:19 PM
And the founders have all quit the European Club Association.

The powerlessness of fans - including of these clubs is what makes this so galling. I am personally in a full blown burn it to the ground and salt the earth mood - most people on my Twitter seem the same but it means nothing :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 18, 2021, 07:49:36 PM
Thrusting an American model on European football does not seem like a good idea at all.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 18, 2021, 07:56:39 PM
If Manchester City and Manchester United get sanctioned by the Premier League will that mean that 3rd-placed Leicester win the League again? :menace:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 18, 2021, 08:00:19 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 18, 2021, 07:56:39 PM
If Manchester City and Manchester United get sanctioned by the Premier League will that mean that 3rd-placed Leicester win the League again? :menace:
Or better yet - Moyes :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 18, 2021, 08:34:48 PM
Are the new "Super League" clubs expecting to play in their regular leagues, cups, and UEFA/ Champions league games in addition to Super League games? Or is the purpose of this organization to get them out of those games? Because if they still expect to play in regular games, the easiest sanction would be to just ban them from that. Sure, they can play with their 11 to 15 other super-friends, but that's all they have. Let them sink or swim on their own.

Fans, of course, could stop following the offending clubs.

UEFA (esp. if backed by FIFA) could prevent players from Super League clubs from playing on their national teams.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 18, 2021, 08:42:33 PM
Ultimately, of course, it's about ensuring revenue growth, and/or a larger share of existing revenue at the expense of other clubs. So the best response by opposed parties are ones that will undermine existing revenue streams and make the projected Super Friends revenue streams seem less fantastic.

However, I'm guessing it's about pursuing international broadcasting and merchandising revenue - in China and elsewhere.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 18, 2021, 08:48:51 PM
Quote from: Jacob on April 18, 2021, 08:34:48 PM
Are the new "Super League" clubs expecting to play in their regular leagues, cups, and UEFA/ Champions league games in addition to Super League games? Or is the purpose of this organization to get them out of those games? Because if they still expect to play in regular games, the easiest sanction would be to just ban them from that. Sure, they can play with their 11 to 15 other super-friends.
I think they'd be out of the Champions League - this is the replacement. But still in regular leagues and domestic cups. There's talk of FIFA and UEFA banning players who are in these teams from playing in their competitions - so do players want to play in a World Cup or a Super League. But given that FIFA awarded the World Cup to Qatar I'm not sure I'll rely on them not being biddable.

Not sure about domestic leagues - there's lots of panicked talk in England of kicking the clubs out of the league structure but I don't think there's any chance of that happening. But a lot of this looks like "Project Big Picture" which was the same six English clubs basically taking over the Premier League (with Agnelli and Perez's own ideas too). From everything I've read relations between those six clubs and the rest of the league have broken down and the six clubs think the Premier League is over/incompetently run/has peaked. But I'd very much like it if they were basically removed from the domestic leagues and cups in England - told they either participate in the FA and the Premier League's competitions (which include the Champions League etc) or they do one :ultra:

QuoteFans, of course, could stop following the offending clubs.
Yeah - but I query how much of an impact that has, just looking at Newcastle or West Ham. The various fan groups in England have put out very strong statements - I imagine the same will happen everywhere else too. I think it's particularly frustrating that this is happening after a season when fans can't attend games (and the clubs cite the pandemic as a justification <_< :bleeding: :x).

I think the clubs are betting that whatever local fans they lose will be replaced by global fans who want to watch Juve v Liverpool v Milan forever. I generally have a lot of sympathy with international fans - and hate the hierarchy of fans that prioritises people who live in a certain area and earn enough to buy a season ticket. But I think that's the gamble.

Now I would say the reason those Champions League games get a big viewership is because they're rare - like a World Cup. Whereas if they're in this league with lots of games and play-offs they're not rare anymore and because there's no talk of a draft or a wage cap to equalise the competition there is going to be the same issue of a few clubs with even more resources than this lot dominating (chances are the ones backed by nation states, if PSG joins), there'll be a Super League Everton and a Super League West Brom. I give it a decade before we start hearing rumours of a hyper league <_< :bleeding:

Edit: I would point out that in England most of these clubs are also the ones that took full advantage of covid support from the government (which I think is sort of legitimate) and often undertook restructuring with lots of redundancies (which isn't). I think they may have all underestimated the reaction which so far, here at least and I imagine everywhere else, has been extreme.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 18, 2021, 09:06:24 PM
This really sucks. Holy shit.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on April 18, 2021, 09:26:28 PM
I, obviously, like this idea. Go Free yourself from EUFA and the FA.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on April 18, 2021, 10:06:18 PM
It sounds like an American style Major League to me. Just big markets with no relegation.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 18, 2021, 10:51:47 PM
Quote from: Valmy on April 18, 2021, 10:06:18 PM
It sounds like an American style Major League to me. Just big markets with no relegation.
It is. No surprise that three of the English clubs who sort of tried this with the Premier League earlier this year are American (and I believe own teams in the US). Plus European football at the very top has an obsession with American sports because they make a lot more money out of them and there's no risk of them not getting that money by not qualifying for Champions League - in addition there's a particular focus on the NBA in the context of the emergence of fans of players rather than clubs.

The problem is football doesn't have any of the other things American sports have to try and level the playing field/keep it entertaining. So there's no salary caps and there's no draft etc.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on April 18, 2021, 11:01:34 PM
That is exactly why the NBA is my least favorite of the big four major leagues. When I hate NBA stars people keep acting like it is some kind of personal dislike. It is weird, nobody ever thinks me hating members of opposing teams in other leagues has anything to do with my opinion of their character. I hate Sid Crosby because he plays for a hockey club I have hated with all my black little heart for almost 30 years, not because I think he doesn't love his mother or something.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 19, 2021, 01:20:05 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 18, 2021, 06:21:19 PM
And the founders have all quit the European Club Association.

The powerlessness of fans - including of these clubs is what makes this so galling. I am personally in a full blown burn it to the ground and salt the earth mood - most people on my Twitter seem the same but it means nothing :(

Our board has confirmed that our Superleague membership has to be approved by Barça members, which are fairly against it. But I suppose the board can play up the "pass this or we broke" card, like when Bartomeu managed to get stadium naming rights approved.

Anyway, I hope this shit DIAF.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 19, 2021, 01:27:14 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 19, 2021, 01:20:05 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 18, 2021, 06:21:19 PM
And the founders have all quit the European Club Association.

The powerlessness of fans - including of these clubs is what makes this so galling. I am personally in a full blown burn it to the ground and salt the earth mood - most people on my Twitter seem the same but it means nothing :(

Our board has confirmed that our membership has to be approved by the membership, which are fairly against it. But I suppose the board can play up the "pass this or we broke" card, like when Bartomeu managed to get stadium naming rights approved.

Anyway, I hope this shit DIAF.

It's not Camp Nou any more?

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 19, 2021, 01:38:55 AM
Quote from: Liep on April 19, 2021, 01:27:14 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 19, 2021, 01:20:05 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 18, 2021, 06:21:19 PM
And the founders have all quit the European Club Association.

The powerlessness of fans - including of these clubs is what makes this so galling. I am personally in a full blown burn it to the ground and salt the earth mood - most people on my Twitter seem the same but it means nothing :(

Our board has confirmed that our membership has to be approved by the membership, which are fairly against it. But I suppose the board can play up the "pass this or we broke" card, like when Bartomeu managed to get stadium naming rights approved.

Anyway, I hope this shit DIAF.

It's not Camp Nou any more?

They were supposed to change it this season to XXXXX Camp Nou but Bartomeu getting the boot put a halt to it, for now. To be honest, we probably need the cash.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 01:56:33 AM
If this ends up resulting in a Pan-european grand football league of different tiers and no consideration for club nationality I am all for it. At the moment it's likely outcome is the opposite though, with the departure of these clubs destroying interest in the champions league (not to mention the Europa League) while making their own new competition uninteresting due to the low and unchanging number of clubs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 19, 2021, 02:20:48 AM
Just looked at the news this morning. Well I'm shocked. There's been talk of this for years and didn't expect it to actually happen.
In principle I'm all for a European league but a closed one without promotion and relegation? No.
Those 5 teams who qualify annually... Seems insulting.
I also have to laugh at spurs being involved.
Good news from it though is the lack of fifa sanction and the potential for involved players to be banned from the world Cup. Confirming the secondary status of the world Cup much as happened with the FA Cup makes me smile. Its time is passed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 02:50:36 AM
QuoteThe Super League has now sent a letter to the presidents of FIFA & UEFA issuing notice of legal proceedings in European courts designed to block any sanctions the two governing bodies may try to enforce to over the formation of the ESL...

At least this whole thing is a severe financial risk to FIFA and UEFA, which kind of makes it worthwhile.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 02:53:16 AM
Also: both sides (but UEFA mostly) citing sanctity of sport etc. when it is about them making insane profits is just nauseating.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 19, 2021, 02:58:02 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 02:53:16 AM
Also: both sides (but UEFA mostly) citing sanctity of sport etc. when it is about them making insane profits is just nauseating.

It's clearly an Aliens vs Predator scenario.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 03:11:16 AM
QuoteThe Labour Party's Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, which is home to two of the Super League founder clubs in Manchester United and Manchester City, tweeted: 'That phrase 'the game's gone' always used to annoy me. But with VAR and now this, nothing else better sums up where we are. It's the phrase of the day. #TheGamesGone.'"


:rolleyes:

If this shrilling continues it will quickly turn me into a Super League supporter.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 03:40:50 AM
What makes it even more ironic is that while these clubs tout themselves as the largest and most prestigious in the world, the announcement has taken place in a weekend in which Real Madrid had a goal-less draw against mighty Getafe, Juventus were beaten by Atalanta and Arsenal drew at home against Fulham.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 19, 2021, 03:49:22 AM
Which are the three teams they expect will join? After the rather bad press this is getting I can't see any team wanting this except maybe PSG as I doubt the German clubs will follow (Maybe Leipzig? :p)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 04:00:16 AM
Quote from: Liep on April 19, 2021, 03:49:22 AM
Which are the three teams they expect will join? After the rather bad press this is getting I can't see any team wanting this except maybe PSG as I doubt the German clubs will follow (Maybe Leipzig? :p)

Apparently PSG, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 04:10:39 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 18, 2021, 10:51:47 PM
Quote from: Valmy on April 18, 2021, 10:06:18 PM
It sounds like an American style Major League to me. Just big markets with no relegation.
It is. No surprise that three of the English clubs who sort of tried this with the Premier League earlier this year are American (and I believe own teams in the US).

Yeah, it's no coincidence that this has happened after most of the largest clubs have been taken over by foreign owners (be they American sports-business groups like at Arsenal or Liverpool or Man United, Asian conglomerates like at Inter and formerly at AC Milan, or petro-monarchies from the Persian Gulf like Man City) with little to no emotional attachment to the sport's traditions and the club's roots, but it doesn't cover the whole picture, as this Super League is spearheaded in part by two clubs (Real Madrid and Juventus, who together with Man United are said to be the main movers and shakers behind the scenes) who still theoretically are part of the "old order" of continental football. At the end of the day greed has no nationality.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 04:48:12 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 03:11:16 AM
QuoteThe Labour Party's Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, which is home to two of the Super League founder clubs in Manchester United and Manchester City, tweeted: 'That phrase 'the game's gone' always used to annoy me. But with VAR and now this, nothing else better sums up where we are. It's the phrase of the day. #TheGamesGone.'"


:rolleyes:

If this shrilling continues it will quickly turn me into a Super League supporter.
Andy Burnham's a huge Everton fan and Manchester's a huge football city, hardly surprising to see him get involved.

There's been calls for more regulation for football for a while because of the sense that the owners' self-regulation hasn't worked out and we might be going in that direction. Apparently the Culture Secretary will be giving a statement today on this: "It is understood that officials in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport are examining what powers the government might have to stop the plan, and what action it could take. Options believed to be under consideration include taking action under competition laws, and wider reforms, for example guaranteeing fans a greater say in the running of clubs and the wider sport."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 04:53:59 AM
Some info on the internal dealings of the ESL obtaind by BBC News:

*Man Utd & RM "ringleaders"
*3 US-owned PL clubs "really mean this", sold on the NFL model of closed league with star clubs/players driving value
*others see it more as leverage over UEFA - unhappy new CL format means £ shared among more clubs..
*Big clubs from struggling leagues (Spain, Italy) agitating because their domination of has produced boring football outcomes.
*All hurting due to Covid. Want control of the competition structure and of revenue distributions.
* According to source, some of those involved in ESL call traditional supporters of clubs "legacy fans" while they are focused instead on the "fans of the future" who want superstar names
*ESL insists modelling shows solidarity payments will be boosted £10bn Euros over 23 seasons)
*ESL clubs insist they negotiated in good faith with UEFA over new CL, but really dislike new 36 team format which they feel is quantity over quality. They want consistency in the competition & feel pre-Xmas the current system doesn't work with too many predictable matches.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 05:00:45 AM
Meanwhile proposed changes to the Champions League:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzU7kMfVEAAvfVE?format=jpg&name=small)

I get that all these clubs want to play more games/earn more money. But I fail to see how this format doesn't just produce a lot of dead-rubbers.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 05:15:36 AM
That reform of the Champions League is apparently what triggered this latest iteration of the European Super League, but seeing many of the intended changes that the ESL wants to implement I'd say that's an excuse to simply change the competition model.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 19, 2021, 05:22:34 AM
So club owners complain about having too many games to play, yet want to play more.  :hmm:

The umpteenth reform of the Champions' League was bad enough as in appeasing top clubs, yet the ESL came.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 05:24:15 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on April 19, 2021, 05:22:34 AM
So club owners complain about having too many games to play, yet want to play more.  :hmm:

The umpteenth reform of the Champions' League was bad enough as in appeasing top clubs, yet the ESL came.

Too many games against the "wrong" kind of teams. Not too many games in general.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 19, 2021, 05:44:12 AM
Tottenham have sacked Mourinho after he's secured them a permanent place in the Super League. Shameful stuff, game's gone.



Seriously though,  :nelson:  :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 05:47:47 AM
Deffinitely a good day to bury bad news :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 19, 2021, 05:52:12 AM
I've heard with spurs the reason Jose was sacked was opposition to the super league stuff and refusal to take the team out for training due to it?

Which doesn't sound like Mourinio but hope it's true.

Quote from: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 05:15:36 AM
That reform of the Champions League is apparently what triggered this latest iteration of the European Super League, but seeing many of the intended changes that the ESL wants to implement I'd say that's an excuse to simply change the competition model.
Isn't it the other way?
The champions league reform was to meet the concerns of the clubs who did this, but since they were arguing in bad faith they've gone ahead and done it anyway (kind of like Camerons pre brexit negotiations with the EU)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 05:57:53 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 19, 2021, 05:52:12 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 05:15:36 AM
That reform of the Champions League is apparently what triggered this latest iteration of the European Super League, but seeing many of the intended changes that the ESL wants to implement I'd say that's an excuse to simply change the competition model.
Isn't it the other way?
The champions league reform was to meet the concerns of the clubs who did this, but since they were arguing in bad faith they've gone ahead and done it anyway (kind of like Camerons pre brexit negotiations with the EU)

I guess it's some kind of chicken & egg situation, but they're definitely linked.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 05:59:48 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 19, 2021, 05:52:12 AM
I've heard with spurs the reason Jose was sacked was opposition to the super league stuff and refusal to take the team out for training due to it?

Which doesn't sound like Mourinio but hope it's true.
I think the source of that was Chico Azul who is an Everton shitposter who, every transfer window, starts the most absurd rumours that then end up getting picked up (especially about Newcastle for some reason :lol:

I think this is just mid season fun for him.

QuoteIsn't it the other way?
The champions league reform was to meet the concerns of the clubs who did this, but since they were arguing in bad faith they've gone ahead and done it anyway (kind of like Camerons pre brexit negotiations with the EU)
Also - and I have as many issues with UEFA as the next man - but UEFA and the Champions League are at least in theory open to all of Europe. I hate the "big six" in this country and I hate the "big five" leagues dominating and getting their way. It may be the misty-eyed romantic in me, but I want a European competition with Ajax and Benfica and Dynamo Kyiv etc - and despite the controversies and how much English clubs hate playing them also for champions like Slavia Prague to be playing. If it's a European league it should be European - not the five richest/most dominant leagues and invited guests <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 19, 2021, 06:05:05 AM
Mostly agreed. Though I do have sympathy when it comes to playing Eastern European teams with horrid nazi fan bases.
A true champions league would be excellent, even if it did work much like the Scottish league and came down to which of the few teams with a chance of winning clipped the most hurdles along the way.

Speaking of which I recall reading a few weeks ago somebody prominent was talking of an auld alliance league to save Scottish football. :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 06:12:08 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 19, 2021, 06:05:05 AM
Mostly agreed. Though I do have sympathy when it comes to playing Eastern European teams with horrid nazi fan bases.
A true champions league would be excellent, even if it did work much like the Scottish league and came down to which of the few teams with a chance of winning clipped the most hurdles along the way.
Return to a true Champions League and a Cup Winners' Cup as God intended.

I agree on teams with Nazi fan bases (and while Eastern Europe is generally the worst, we've seen racial abuse from teams across Europe), this is one of the circumstances where I think if UEFA had balls on punishing it could help change things. At the minute it feels like everything is left to the players which is not the way it should be.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 19, 2021, 06:20:44 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 06:12:08 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 19, 2021, 06:05:05 AM
Mostly agreed. Though I do have sympathy when it comes to playing Eastern European teams with horrid nazi fan bases.
A true champions league would be excellent, even if it did work much like the Scottish league and came down to which of the few teams with a chance of winning clipped the most hurdles along the way.
Return to a true Champions League and a Cup Winners' Cup as God intended.


This. I do think the Champions League is the best, and most exciting tournament, but it has gotten watered down over the years with too many teams. Just have the league winners and a cup winners tournament. And then have a Euro League for the "rest of the has-beens."

You should also have a preliminary round, so that the, say, Latvian champions aren't playing Real Madrid in the first round. Weed out the minnows to 3-4 teams.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 19, 2021, 06:21:49 AM
The problem there is it misses the potential fun of Helsinki FC walloping Man Utds under 21s and knocking them out.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 06:26:38 AM
Quote from: Josephus on April 19, 2021, 06:20:44 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 06:12:08 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 19, 2021, 06:05:05 AM
Mostly agreed. Though I do have sympathy when it comes to playing Eastern European teams with horrid nazi fan bases.
A true champions league would be excellent, even if it did work much like the Scottish league and came down to which of the few teams with a chance of winning clipped the most hurdles along the way.
Return to a true Champions League and a Cup Winners' Cup as God intended.


This. I do think the Champions League is the best, and most exciting tournament, but it has gotten watered down over the years with too many teams. Just have the league winners and a cup winners tournament. And then have a Euro League for the "rest of the has-beens."

You should also have a preliminary round, so that the, say, Latvian champions aren't playing Real Madrid in the first round. Weed out the minnows to 3-4 teams.

They already have several qualification rounds.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 06:28:14 AM
Quote from: Josephus on April 19, 2021, 06:20:44 AMYou should also have a preliminary round, so that the, say, Latvian champions aren't playing Real Madrid in the first round. Weed out the minnows to 3-4 teams.

There are already several preliminary rounds in the Champions League. There are 3 or 4 qualification rounds before the group stage.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on April 19, 2021, 06:35:28 AM
I wonder if this will help the development of better National teams. Especially for England.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 06:59:41 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 19, 2021, 06:35:28 AM
I wonder if this will help the development of better National teams. Especially for England.

Unlikely.

What should be is a European Super League A, B, with promotions and relegations. Below these the national leagues. So if you stayed in one of the Super Leagues you don't play your national league next season, but if you got relegated from SL B you do play the national league to get back into it.

Would also strengthen a European identity instead of this nation state nonsense.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 07:01:45 AM
I like the socialist / anti-capitalist spin the Guardian live commentary is attempting.  :lol: As if the People's Sport is being overtaken by Evil Capitalists, as if that has not happened 70 years ago.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: garbon on April 19, 2021, 07:03:14 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 07:01:45 AM
I like the socialist / anti-capitalist spin the Guardian live commentary is attempting.  :lol: As if the People's Sport is being overtaken by Evil Capitalists, as if that has not happened 70 years ago.

:D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 19, 2021, 07:06:16 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 06:59:41 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 19, 2021, 06:35:28 AM
I wonder if this will help the development of better National teams. Especially for England.

Unlikely.

What should be is a European Super League A, B, with promotions and relegations. Below these the national leagues. So if you stayed in one of the Super Leagues you don't play your national league next season, but if you got relegated from SL B you do play the national league to get back into it.

Would also strengthen a European identity instead of this nation state nonsense.

The problem with that is you'll end up with a top division made up of teams coming from the rich leagues, which are naturally stronger, and probably nobody from east of the Elbe.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 19, 2021, 07:07:32 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 06:59:41 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 19, 2021, 06:35:28 AM
I wonder if this will help the development of better National teams. Especially for England.

Unlikely.

What should be is a European Super League A, B, with promotions and relegations. Below these the national leagues. So if you stayed in one of the Super Leagues you don't play your national league next season, but if you got relegated from SL B you do play the national league to get back into it.

This sounds absolutely horrible.  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 07:08:00 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 19, 2021, 07:06:16 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 06:59:41 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 19, 2021, 06:35:28 AM
I wonder if this will help the development of better National teams. Especially for England.

Unlikely.

What should be is a European Super League A, B, with promotions and relegations. Below these the national leagues. So if you stayed in one of the Super Leagues you don't play your national league next season, but if you got relegated from SL B you do play the national league to get back into it.

Would also strengthen a European identity instead of this nation state nonsense.

The problem with that is you'll end up with a top division made up of teams coming from the rich leagues, which are naturally stronger, and probably nobody from east of the Elbe.

Which is only different from the present on a theoretical level. Every 5 years we have an upsetof a poor team getting halfway in CL and we think its a thing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 19, 2021, 07:08:34 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 05:24:15 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on April 19, 2021, 05:22:34 AM
So club owners complain about having too many games to play, yet want to play more.  :hmm:

The umpteenth reform of the Champions' League was bad enough as in appeasing top clubs, yet the ESL came.

Too many games against the "wrong" kind of teams. Not too many games in general.

Yeah, for the Juve that would be games vs Ajax, Lyon or Porto.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 19, 2021, 07:09:35 AM
I agree that there's a lot of cringe takes though  :lol:

Quote
fergal
@fergalkiernan
·
3h
Ian Holloway has just said this Super league business is a betrayal to the memory of Prince Philip.

:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 19, 2021, 07:10:26 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on April 19, 2021, 07:08:34 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 05:24:15 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on April 19, 2021, 05:22:34 AM
So club owners complain about having too many games to play, yet want to play more.  :hmm:

The umpteenth reform of the Champions' League was bad enough as in appeasing top clubs, yet the ESL came.

Too many games against the "wrong" kind of teams. Not too many games in general.

Yeah, for the Juve that would games vs Ajax, Lyon or Porto.  :D

And for us Bayern and Liverpool.

Oh wai--
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 07:10:46 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 19, 2021, 07:07:32 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 06:59:41 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 19, 2021, 06:35:28 AM
I wonder if this will help the development of better National teams. Especially for England.

Unlikely.

What should be is a European Super League A, B, with promotions and relegations. Below these the national leagues. So if you stayed in one of the Super Leagues you don't play your national league next season, but if you got relegated from SL B you do play the national league to get back into it.

This sounds absolutely horrible.  :(

It is the exact same model applied within each country individually, raised to a European level. We could still have national cup competitions to have those thrilling Liverpool vs. FC Bumfuckshire lineups
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 07:11:01 AM
More developments:

- The German clubs that were expected to participate as founders (Bayer Munich and Borussia Dortmund) have issued a joint statement refusing to take part on it.
- Two clubs that were apparently approached to be invited but refused were RB Leipzig and Porto.
- There seems to have been a certain level of bandwagon effect in some of the ESL founders, with some that are not super convinced about it but feel it's a somehow inevitable development and don't want to be left out from it. The two clubs named in this group were Man City and Chelsea.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 19, 2021, 07:11:54 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 05:59:48 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 19, 2021, 05:52:12 AM
I've heard with spurs the reason Jose was sacked was opposition to the super league stuff and refusal to take the team out for training due to it?

Which doesn't sound like Mourinio but hope it's true.
I think the source of that was Chico Azul who is an Everton shitposter who, every transfer window, starts the most absurd rumours that then end up getting picked up (especially about Newcastle for some reason :lol:

I think this is just mid season fun for him.

QuoteIsn't it the other way?
The champions league reform was to meet the concerns of the clubs who did this, but since they were arguing in bad faith they've gone ahead and done it anyway (kind of like Camerons pre brexit negotiations with the EU)
Also - and I have as many issues with UEFA as the next man - but UEFA and the Champions League are at least in theory open to all of Europe. I hate the "big six" in this country and I hate the "big five" leagues dominating and getting their way. It may be the misty-eyed romantic in me, but I want a European competition with Ajax and Benfica and Dynamo Kyiv etc - and despite the controversies and how much English clubs hate playing them also for champions like Slavia Prague to be playing. If it's a European league it should be European - not the five richest/most dominant leagues and invited guests <_<

Big Five does not exist sport-wise, it's Big 4 + PSG (Qatari-fueled). Lyon, as a well managed club could join PSG, as it used, at least until the round of 16.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 07:12:44 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 19, 2021, 07:09:35 AM
I agree that there's a lot of cringe takes though  :lol:

Quote
fergal
@fergalkiernan
·
3h
Ian Holloway has just said this Super league business is a betrayal to the memory of Prince Philip.

:lol:

:lol:

When people encounter change in their treasured little safeplaces, be it football, computer games, or whatever, it can get quite shrill.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 19, 2021, 07:13:28 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 07:10:46 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 19, 2021, 07:07:32 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 06:59:41 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 19, 2021, 06:35:28 AM
I wonder if this will help the development of better National teams. Especially for England.

Unlikely.

What should be is a European Super League A, B, with promotions and relegations. Below these the national leagues. So if you stayed in one of the Super Leagues you don't play your national league next season, but if you got relegated from SL B you do play the national league to get back into it.

This sounds absolutely horrible.  :(

It is the exact same model applied within each country individually, raised to a European level.

Yes, that's why it's horrible.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 19, 2021, 07:15:23 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 07:01:45 AM
I like the socialist / anti-capitalist spin the Guardian live commentary is attempting.  :lol: As if the People's Sport is being overtaken by Evil Capitalists, as if that has not happened 70 years ago.

Definitively wrong in the case of football. It's in the '90s with the beginning of the CL and the Bosman ruling. Not that Bosman was not unfairly treated, but the way the ruling opened doors.

Pre-90s C1 means draws without seeded teams and national champion clubs only. 4th of a league playing the Champions' League?  :nelson:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 07:16:49 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 19, 2021, 07:13:28 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 07:10:46 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 19, 2021, 07:07:32 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 06:59:41 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 19, 2021, 06:35:28 AM
I wonder if this will help the development of better National teams. Especially for England.

Unlikely.

What should be is a European Super League A, B, with promotions and relegations. Below these the national leagues. So if you stayed in one of the Super Leagues you don't play your national league next season, but if you got relegated from SL B you do play the national league to get back into it.

This sounds absolutely horrible.  :(

It is the exact same model applied within each country individually, raised to a European level.

Yes, that's why it's horrible.

Ok, boomer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 19, 2021, 07:17:33 AM
Yeah, I think the origin point of all this was when Russian oligarchs, oil sheikhs, and American investors began buying up clubs, so more like early 2000s.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 07:17:39 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 07:01:45 AM
I like the socialist / anti-capitalist spin the Guardian live commentary is attempting.  :lol: As if the People's Sport is being overtaken by Evil Capitalists, as if that has not happened 70 years ago.
I love that you, perhaps subconsciously, mark the decline of football from the end of the magical Magyars era :P

This is fairly consistent with the Guardian's line on football - both English and international though. David Conn is for my money one of the best football reporters out there especially on the financial side and has really (in the English press) been peerless on covering FIFA, Hillsborough and the Premier League. But looking at the Guardian's reporting on the National League and Bury for example it's not as if this line is new - their podcast has also done (very interesting) specials on football's relationship with gambling companies and football and climate.

QuoteWould also strengthen a European identity instead of this nation state nonsense.
Because if there's one thing we can learn from football leagues around the world, it's that it doesn't strengthen local identity? :hmm: :blink: (Also no-one supports a club in the Champion's League because they're English/Spanish/Italian or whatever - the fans of that club support them and everyone else hates them, unless they're playing PSG :P)

I'd personally have zero interest in a European league. Football has already become homogenous and global enough - there's an "elite" style now which can be very good to watch. But it's rarely surprising. I like the parochial in football - the local derbies (all over Europe and the world), the different stadiums and fanbases and atmospheres.

And I've no idea how it would work in relation to the pyramids of every country - is it just for the top or a European pyramid presumably on a regional basis like the National League?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 07:20:07 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 19, 2021, 07:17:33 AM
Yeah, I think the origin point of all this was when Russian oligarchs, oil sheikhs, and American investors began buying up clubs, so more like early 2000s.
Yeah or the breakaway of the Premier League - which was not unlike this.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 19, 2021, 07:21:16 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 07:16:49 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 19, 2021, 07:13:28 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 07:10:46 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 19, 2021, 07:07:32 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 06:59:41 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 19, 2021, 06:35:28 AM
I wonder if this will help the development of better National teams. Especially for England.

Unlikely.

What should be is a European Super League A, B, with promotions and relegations. Below these the national leagues. So if you stayed in one of the Super Leagues you don't play your national league next season, but if you got relegated from SL B you do play the national league to get back into it.

This sounds absolutely horrible.  :(

It is the exact same model applied within each country individually, raised to a European level.

Yes, that's why it's horrible.

Ok, boomer.

I need my nationalism channeled into sports, not nuclear war  :cool:  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 19, 2021, 07:22:04 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 07:11:01 AM
More developments:

- The German clubs that were expected to participate as founders (Bayer Munich and Borussia Dortmund) have issued a joint statement refusing to take part on it.
- Two clubs that were apparently approached to be invited but refused were RB Leipzig and Porto.
- There seems to have been a certain level of bandwagon effect in some of the ESL founders, with some that are not super convinced about it but feel it's a somehow inevitable development and don't want to be left out from it. The two clubs named in this group were Man City and Chelsea.

Indeed, Pinto da Costa, FC Porto "president", as in elected by sócios, says contacts were informal, through other clubs.

I wonder what the Sócios of Real Madrid, Barça or Atlético (they seem less powerful in Atlético though) think or would think about the ESL, assuming a yes or no vote would be organized.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 07:23:11 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 07:20:07 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 19, 2021, 07:17:33 AM
Yeah, I think the origin point of all this was when Russian oligarchs, oil sheikhs, and American investors began buying up clubs, so more like early 2000s.
Yeah or the breakaway of the Premier League - which was not unlike this.

But did the formation of the Premier League really change competition so much? I'd say that the creation of the Champions League is a more relevant development for that "globalization" trend.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 07:26:03 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on April 19, 2021, 07:22:04 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 07:11:01 AM
More developments:

- The German clubs that were expected to participate as founders (Bayer Munich and Borussia Dortmund) have issued a joint statement refusing to take part on it.
- Two clubs that were apparently approached to be invited but refused were RB Leipzig and Porto.
- There seems to have been a certain level of bandwagon effect in some of the ESL founders, with some that are not super convinced about it but feel it's a somehow inevitable development and don't want to be left out from it. The two clubs named in this group were Man City and Chelsea.

Indeed, Pinto da Costa, FC Porto "president", as in elected by sócios, says contacts were informal, through other clubs.

I wonder what the Sócios of Real Madrid, Barça or Atlético (they seem less powerful in Atlético though) think or would think about the ESL, assuming a yes or no vote would be organized.

Atlético is not owned by it's "socios", only Real Madrid and Barcelona retain that ownership model (as well as Athletic Bilbao and Osasuna, but they're besides the point), but it's increasingly shown to be a façade. Real Madrid will do whatever Florentino Pérez wants, as he has accumulated so much power that whatever the socios want is irrelevant. Barcelona is a different case, as cel mentioned, but in their case the economic argument could be the one that makes them go ahead with this.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 19, 2021, 07:26:44 AM
https://twitter.com/Orbinho/status/1384063188216414212?s=19

QuoteMajor Honours in the Last 30 years (League, main cup, Europe)

🇮🇹 AC Milan 15
🇮🇹 Inter 13
🇮🇹 Juventus 23

🇪🇸 Atletico 11
🇪🇸 Barcelona 38
🇪🇸 Real Madrid 29

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Arsenal 13
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Liverpool 11
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Man City 6
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Man Utd 23
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Chelsea 17
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Tottenham 0

:bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 19, 2021, 07:31:21 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 07:26:03 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on April 19, 2021, 07:22:04 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 07:11:01 AM
More developments:

- The German clubs that were expected to participate as founders (Bayer Munich and Borussia Dortmund) have issued a joint statement refusing to take part on it.
- Two clubs that were apparently approached to be invited but refused were RB Leipzig and Porto.
- There seems to have been a certain level of bandwagon effect in some of the ESL founders, with some that are not super convinced about it but feel it's a somehow inevitable development and don't want to be left out from it. The two clubs named in this group were Man City and Chelsea.

Indeed, Pinto da Costa, FC Porto "president", as in elected by sócios, says contacts were informal, through other clubs.

I wonder what the Sócios of Real Madrid, Barça or Atlético (they seem less powerful in Atlético though) think or would think about the ESL, assuming a yes or no vote would be organized.

Atlético is not owned by it's "socios", only Real Madrid and Barcelona retain that ownership model (as well as Athletic Bilbao and Osasuna, but they're besides the point), but it's increasingly shown to be a façade. Real Madrid will do whatever Florentino Pérez wants, as he has accumulated so much power that whatever the socios want is irrelevant. Barcelona is a different case, as cel mentioned, but in their case the economic argument could be the one that makes them go ahead with this.

Yeah, I just saw that sócios only owned 2 % of Atlético, so it's basically nothing.

So basically, the ESL referendum would be a yes, if needed, given Barça's dire financial situation and the end of the Messi era.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 07:33:27 AM
Atlético has shareholders, not socios. They're established as a private sports company. Real Madrid and Barcelona retain the old sports club model.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 07:35:48 AM
Rumours about Ajax being in the running for one of the still to be filled spots.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 19, 2021, 07:39:27 AM
I do wonder where this will leave the Premier League.
Will it weaken the top teams? Or will they become rich enough to just buy two title winning teams?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 07:40:30 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 07:23:11 AM
But did the formation of the Premier League really change competition so much? I'd say that the creation of the Champions League is a more relevant development for that "globalization" trend.
Maybe - from an English perspective it's the start of the hyper-commercialisation.

But I think the Premier League provides a model - and was also linked to the emergence of satellite TV which I think is transformative - which hugely increased the money in English football which is why the lesson clubs maybe took from that was it's worth the short-term pain and outrage that we're seeing now. But I also think the satellite TV boom actually just increased football which was huge for globalisation.

Growing up in the 90s my generation all watched Football Italia which was on terrestrial TV, but I think with satellite TV you get the start of all the teams watching each other and not just needing to do lots of scouting ahead of games. Once satellite TV starts, it's the end of some team from behind the Iron Curtain popping up in European competition and surprising everyone. But also it's the start of football clubs realising, based on the broadcasters, that the game itself isn't the product it's the spectacle - there's all of the rules post-Heysel/Hillsborough/Bradford and stadium improvements in England and across Europe. Even down to simple things like I read from the NYT that one thing broadcasters did in the Premier League was make the mics face the crowd to capture the "spectacle" of the fans, Serie A point into the pitch to hear the players but this apparently makes for a less marketable product from a TV perspective.

But I think it all connects basically in that early 90s period - you have satellite TV, money starting to flood into English football leading to its Europeanisation (Gullit, Vialli, Zola, Ravanelli, Cantona), broadcasters starting to work out what this football "product" they're selling is, clubs breaking away/realising their leverage against national football associations, the Bosman ruling, the Champions League, the collapse of communism etc. That would be the point I'd look to for football's "loss of innocence" for the Guardian to bemoan :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 07:41:31 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 19, 2021, 07:39:27 AM
I do wonder where this will leave the Premier League.
Will it weaken the top teams? Or will they become rich enough to just buy two title winning teams?

That depends on whether the war over who controls what % of football profits ends up with these teams booted from the PL. Which it probably won't.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 07:41:58 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 19, 2021, 07:26:44 AM
https://twitter.com/Orbinho/status/1384063188216414212?s=19

QuoteMajor Honours in the Last 30 years (League, main cup, Europe)

🇮🇹 AC Milan 15
🇮🇹 Inter 13
🇮🇹 Juventus 23

🇪🇸 Atletico 11
🇪🇸 Barcelona 38
🇪🇸 Real Madrid 29

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Arsenal 13
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Liverpool 11
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Man City 6
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Man Utd 23
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Chelsea 17
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Tottenham 0

:bowler:
End this League Cup erasure :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 07:46:27 AM
Most of the things you guys are listing just sounds like rallying against continued growth and modernisation of a form of entertainment.

If you want local stuff and you claim you don't care about the fluff and commercialisation, I am sure there are Sunday leagues and amateur clubs in your area to switch your attention to. :P

Maybe the Super League will be an aborted attempt in the way out of nation-state era boomer football, but progress out of it won't stop.

Previous steps like the Bossman-rule (sp?) resulted in similar outcries but the overall changes they resulted in have raised the quality of the game. This line of progress (again, not necessarily this attempt at it) will have the same result.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 07:48:28 AM
Apparently not even the founding clubs will split money equitatively amongst them. It seems that the 3.5 billion € that they'll split each year will be in the following basis:

- 6 teams would get 350 millions.
- 4 teams would get 225 millions.
- 2 teams would get 112.5 millions.
- 3 teams would get 100 millions.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 07:52:35 AM
Ceferin, UEFA's president, has just stated that players taking part in the ESL would not be allowed to play for their national teams.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 07:55:45 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 07:46:27 AM
Most of the things you guys are listing just sounds like rallying against continued growth and modernisation of a form of entertainment.
If you can't be romantic and misty-eyed about sport, what's the point :P

QuoteIf you want local stuff and you claim you don't care about the fluff and commercialisation, I am sure there are Sunday leagues and amateur clubs in your area to switch your attention to. :P
:lol: My local non-league club is very prominent as a hipster club - even had a Guardian article or two about them. They're frankly probably more commercially savvy than Everton :ph34r: :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 07:58:21 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 07:52:35 AM
Ceferin, UEFA's president, has just stated that players taking part in the ESL would not be allowed to play for their national teams.
Unrelated to this but Ander Herrera has come out against this which I think is the first statement by a current player - and good to see, always like him :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 07:58:38 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 07:52:35 AM
Ceferin, UEFA's president, has just stated that players taking part in the ESL would not be allowed to play for their national teams.

Players in ESL:

(https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/001/881/867/6f6.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 08:00:12 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 07:55:45 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 07:46:27 AM
Most of the things you guys are listing just sounds like rallying against continued growth and modernisation of a form of entertainment.
If you can't be romantic and misty-eyed about sport, what's the point :P

You're talking with a Chelsea supporter, after all.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 19, 2021, 08:01:05 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 06:28:14 AM
Quote from: Josephus on April 19, 2021, 06:20:44 AMYou should also have a preliminary round, so that the, say, Latvian champions aren't playing Real Madrid in the first round. Weed out the minnows to 3-4 teams.

There are already several preliminary rounds in the Champions League. There are 3 or 4 qualification rounds before the group stage.

Yes. I'm talking about how if you are restructuring to only have just one team from each country; to keep preliminary rounds in place.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 08:03:03 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 08:00:12 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 07:55:45 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 07:46:27 AM
Most of the things you guys are listing just sounds like rallying against continued growth and modernisation of a form of entertainment.
If you can't be romantic and misty-eyed about sport, what's the point :P

You're talking with a Chelsea supporter, after all.  :P

2004 called, they want their shtick back :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 19, 2021, 08:03:17 AM
The other problem, I have, with the ESL replacing the Champions League is that there will be no more point in fighting on if you're out of league contention. For instance, Liverpool this year. What's the rush to get fourth place. I know there's some prize money, but getting to the ECL is key.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 08:04:22 AM
Quote from: Josephus on April 19, 2021, 08:01:05 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 06:28:14 AM
Quote from: Josephus on April 19, 2021, 06:20:44 AMYou should also have a preliminary round, so that the, say, Latvian champions aren't playing Real Madrid in the first round. Weed out the minnows to 3-4 teams.

There are already several preliminary rounds in the Champions League. There are 3 or 4 qualification rounds before the group stage.

Yes. I'm talking about how if you only have just one team from each country.

Ah, ok, didn't get that part. In any case minnows should still have the chance to play against the top clubs and even get an upset.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 08:05:51 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 07:58:38 AM
Players in ESL:
Flipside - if you took away players from the ESL clubs. Who would in a World Cup or the Euros? :hmm: Given the German clubs' stance Germany would probably do very well even given their current issues. Off the top of my head France, England and maybe Brazil would be pretty badly hurt.

I'm also not sure that players would choose a new competition with no heritage v the Euros or World Cup. It might depend on country as well but there are definitely players and countries where playing for the national team is the biggest thing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 08:06:41 AM
Quote from: Josephus on April 19, 2021, 08:03:17 AM
The other problem, I have, with the ESL replacing the Champions League is that there will be no more point in fighting on if you're out of league contention. For instance, Liverpool this year. What's the rush to get fourth place. I know there's some prize money, but getting to the ECL is key.

Well, nothing has been said about the Europa League...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 08:07:18 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 08:05:51 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 07:58:38 AM
Players in ESL:
Flipside - if you took away players from the ESL clubs. Who would in a World Cup or the Euros? :hmm: Given the German clubs' stance Germany would probably do very well even given their current issues. Off the top of my head France, England and maybe Brazil would be pretty badly hurt.

I'm also not sure that players would choose a new competition with no heritage v the Euros or World Cup. It might depend on country as well but there are definitely players and countries where playing for the national team is the biggest thing.

The players would have to choose between their lucrative contracts and bi-annual competitions. Doesn't seem like a tough choie.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 08:10:41 AM
Ceferin not exactly mincing his words:

QuoteAlexander Ceferin, the president of Uefa, takes ESL clubs and execs to task

"If I start with Ed Woodward, he called me last Thursday evening saying he's very satisfied with and fully supports the reforms [to the Champions League]. The only thing he want to talk about was FFP, when obviously he had already signed something else ... Andrea Agnelli is the biggest disappointment of all, I've never seen a person that would lie so many times, so persistently as he did. It's unbelievable ... We didn't know we had snakes so close to us, now we know."

He also said that the clubs are using Covid as an excuse, as this has been a long time in the making, spearheaded by Florentino Pérez and Andrea Agnelli.

Edit: More stuff from the press conference:

QuoteMore from Ceferin
Here's Sean Ingle: "Uefa president Aleksander Čeferin is currently giving a press conference in which he has confirmed that it will stage a revamped 36-club Champions League from 2024 - even if a rival European Super League is established.

He has also confirmed that Uefa is taking legal advice but says he hopes that "as soon as possible .. clubs will be banned from all our competitions - and the players from all our competitons". He was asked whether that meant players from the 12 European Super League clubs would miss Euro 2020 but said it was too early to say.

Čeferin also condemned what he called a "disgraceful and self-serving proposal from clubs motivated by greed", he said. "We are all united against this nonsense of a project."

"I don't want to call them the Dirty Dozen but ..." he added.

QuoteStill more from Ceferin
Sean Ingle again: "Čeferin admits that he was blindsided by the European Super League. "I've seen many things in my life, I was a criminal lawyer for 24 years, so I've seen different people, but I've never ever seen people like that," he says. "If I start with Ed Woodward," he adds." I didn't have much contact with him but he called me last Thursday in the evening, saying that he's very satisfied with the reforms, that he fully supports the reforms, and that the only thing he would like to speak about is financial fair play. And obviously he already signed something else."

And the full line on Agnelli: "He's probably the biggest disappointment of all, I don't want to be too personal. But the fact is I've never seen a person lie so many times, so persistently. That he did was unbelievable. I spoke with him on Saturday afternoon. He says, 'These are only rumours. Don't worry, nothing is going on.' And then he said, 'I'll call you in one hour. And he turned off the phone. Next day, we get the announcement.' I've seen many things in my life but not a situation like that. Obviously, greediness is so strong that all the human values evaporate."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 08:16:51 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 08:07:18 AM
The players would have to choose between their lucrative contracts and bi-annual competitions. Doesn't seem like a tough choie.
But that's not the choice.

I mean if Germany stays out they've got all of those options - the other leagues may lose money overall (which would hit the Premier League) but that may make for richer clubs (possibly in Spain?) but it's not like they'd not have other lucrative contracts available. The Champions League would carry on and, in fact, I think UEFA and the remaining clubs would have very strong incentives to make it as good a product as possible.

So you can choose between going to PSG and Bayern, or Napoli, Roma, Lazio or even English clubs that pay over £100k a week like Everton or Leicester or West Ham plus the ability to play for your nation. Or a probably more lucrative contract (and it's unclear how this would impact image rights, commercial endorsements etc). I'm not sure it's entirely obvious which would win out with most players.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 08:19:54 AM
Re. the player ban, that puts players currently under contract with the 12 ESL teams between a rock and a hard place. It's not their fault that their boards have joined this adventure, and they can't break their contracts unilaterally. What are they to do if they want to keep playing for their national teams? Request a transfer?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 08:22:05 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 08:10:41 AM
Ceferin not exactly mincing his words:

QuoteAlexander Ceferin, the president of Uefa, takes ESL clubs and execs to task

"If I start with Ed Woodward, he called me last Thursday evening saying he's very satisfied with and fully supports the reforms [to the Champions League]. The only thing he want to talk about was FFP, when obviously he had already signed something else ... Andrea Agnelli is the biggest disappointment of all, I've never seen a person that would lie so many times, so persistently as he did. It's unbelievable ... We didn't know we had snakes so close to us, now we know."

He also said that the clubs are using Covid as an excuse, as this has been a long time in the making, spearheaded by Florentino Pérez and Andrea Agnelli.

I have exactly zero symphathy for UEFA and FIFA in this (the same amount I have for the ESL teams). Of course they are going to cry, they stand to lose a LOT of money.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 08:23:47 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 08:16:51 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 08:07:18 AM
The players would have to choose between their lucrative contracts and bi-annual competitions. Doesn't seem like a tough choie.
But that's not the choice.

I mean if Germany stays out they've got all of those options - the other leagues may lose money overall (which would hit the Premier League) but that may make for richer clubs (possibly in Spain?) but it's not like they'd not have other lucrative contracts available. The Champions League would carry on and, in fact, I think UEFA and the remaining clubs would have very strong incentives to make it as good a product as possible.

So you can choose between going to PSG and Bayern, or Napoli, Roma, Lazio or even English clubs that pay over £100k a week like Everton or Leicester or West Ham plus the ability to play for your nation. Or a probably more lucrative contract (and it's unclear how this would impact image rights, commercial endorsements etc). I'm not sure it's entirely obvious which would win out with most players.

But they can't just walk out on their current contracts can they, especially not if they want to be similarly gainfully employed in the future?

I don't think FIFA should make most of the world's star players choose between their gargantuan paychecks and playing for the national teams, they won't like the choices they'll make.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 08:24:05 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 08:22:05 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 08:10:41 AM
Ceferin not exactly mincing his words:

QuoteAlexander Ceferin, the president of Uefa, takes ESL clubs and execs to task

"If I start with Ed Woodward, he called me last Thursday evening saying he's very satisfied with and fully supports the reforms [to the Champions League]. The only thing he want to talk about was FFP, when obviously he had already signed something else ... Andrea Agnelli is the biggest disappointment of all, I've never seen a person that would lie so many times, so persistently as he did. It's unbelievable ... We didn't know we had snakes so close to us, now we know."

He also said that the clubs are using Covid as an excuse, as this has been a long time in the making, spearheaded by Florentino Pérez and Andrea Agnelli.

I have exactly zero symphathy for UEFA and FIFA in this (the same amount I have for the ESL teams). Of course they are going to cry, they stand to lose a LOT of money.

As cel said, it's an Alien Vs. Predator kind of scenario. In any case he can still be right about some stuff, and if team officials were still behaving normally until last week, why wouldn't he say it?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on April 19, 2021, 08:32:30 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 08:07:18 AM

The players would have to choose between their lucrative contracts and bi-annual competitions. Doesn't seem like a tough choie.

South American players will have to choose between breaking their contracts and getting killed back home. Not a tough choice at all  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 08:32:55 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 08:19:54 AM
Re. the player ban, that puts players currently under contract with the 12 ESL teams between a rock and a hard place. It's not their fault that their boards have joined this adventure, and they can't break their contracts unilaterally. What are they to do if they want to keep playing for their national teams? Request a transfer?
Yeah. I think it would be fairer to grandfather them out. Of course I imagine there'll be very little wriggle room in their contracts which will have been written with a new league in mind. But there might be some things they can do - see what the players' unions and FAs say.

QuoteBut they can't just walk out on their current contracts can they, especially not if they want to be similarly gainfully employed in the future?
If they're good enough to play for those clubs they won't be short of suitors if they could walk out.

But this does get to a bigger of sports being about the only industry where employees can't just move on - you need to buy them out in specified transfer windows - and there's always been special pleading about that because of the need for competitive integrity and how these are valuable assets for the club etc. That may end up being another Americanisation that we end up with out of this that clubs are permanently trading players and free agents matter a lot more.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 19, 2021, 08:36:52 AM
I always wondered how that works legally. I can just quit my job and go to a competitor or to a new industry. How come footballers can't just decide to quit. Draws mighty close to (uber well paid) indentured service with the tied in contracts.

Quote from: Josephus on April 19, 2021, 08:03:17 AM
The other problem, I have, with the ESL replacing the Champions League is that there will be no more point in fighting on if you're out of league contention. For instance, Liverpool this year. What's the rush to get fourth place. I know there's some prize money, but getting to the ECL is key.
From what I gather they are going for an American style playoff model where the winner of the league has to go into playoffs to actually win the league, and the positions below that having qualification for other European tournaments.
Or so the BBC says
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 08:44:24 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 19, 2021, 08:36:52 AM
I always wondered how that works legally. I can just quit my job and go to a competitor or to a new industry. How come footballers can't just decide to quit. Draws mighty close to (uber well paid) indentured service with the tied in contracts.
My understanding is that no player really wants to challenge it (look what happened to Bosman after his ruling) so I don't think it's ever got in front of the courts but it's one of those things that probably isn't legal if it was properly challenged. The argument against it is basically just special pleading for football - of which there is a lot and a lot of tolerance from governments/regulators that might evaporate if they perceive football as just a business like any other.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on April 19, 2021, 08:52:10 AM
Quote from: Maladict on April 19, 2021, 08:32:30 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 08:07:18 AM

The players would have to choose between their lucrative contracts and bi-annual competitions. Doesn't seem like a tough choie.

South American players will have to choose between breaking their contracts and getting killed back home. Not a tough choice at all  :P

Can UEFA really control which player CONMEBOL lets members use on their National team?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 19, 2021, 09:17:36 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 08:44:24 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 19, 2021, 08:36:52 AM
I always wondered how that works legally. I can just quit my job and go to a competitor or to a new industry. How come footballers can't just decide to quit. Draws mighty close to (uber well paid) indentured service with the tied in contracts.
My understanding is that no player really wants to challenge it (look what happened to Bosman after his ruling) so I don't think it's ever got in front of the courts but it's one of those things that probably isn't legal if it was properly challenged. The argument against it is basically just special pleading for football - of which there is a lot and a lot of tolerance from governments/regulators that might evaporate if they perceive football as just a business like any other.

They can buy out their contracts, it's just very rarely done because of what you say - a gentleman's agreement among clubs not to upset the apple cart.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Webster_ruling
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 19, 2021, 09:57:06 AM
https://twitter.com/FootballManager/status/1384080217401028610?s=19
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 09:59:08 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 19, 2021, 09:57:06 AM
https://twitter.com/FootballManager/status/1384080217401028610?s=19

:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 19, 2021, 10:05:21 AM
The nice thing is those of us who have hundreds or thousands of hours in FM have something else to complain about other than the match engine and Brexit in future versions.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 19, 2021, 10:11:20 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 19, 2021, 09:17:36 AM
They can buy out their contracts, it's just very rarely done because of what you say - a gentleman's agreement among clubs not to upset the apple cart.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Webster_ruling

What's the difference between a gentleman's agreement and collusion in this case?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 10:19:29 AM
Quote from: Jacob on April 19, 2021, 10:11:20 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 19, 2021, 09:17:36 AM
They can buy out their contracts, it's just very rarely done because of what you say - a gentleman's agreement among clubs not to upset the apple cart.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Webster_ruling

What's the difference between a gentleman's agreement and collusion in this case?

Whether you have the power and influence to avoid being prosecuted for it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 10:22:58 AM
One thought given that I understand football executives are very enamoured of the NBA/player-fans - it's kind of extraordinary that they've launched this with the very real possibility that they won't have Neymar, Mbappe or Haaland playing in the league.

I can't see PSG joining this season given that Bein Sports has paid a lot of money for Champions League rights around the world and Qatar will want to stay on the good side of the football associations. Haaland might move this summer - I would have guessed it was likely until now. But this is what I mean, if Norway qualify this winter may be his only chance to play in a World Cup and I don't know if you'd make the mega-bucks move to City or Chelsea now or hold off for one season? :hmm:

Meanwhile from a Sky reporter:
QuoteKaveh Solhekol
@SkyKaveh
Some owners of breakaway clubs "secretly delighted" if their players are banned from playing for their countries. They get "very little financial reward for releasing players and there's always the risk of injury"
:lol: I mean I never want Everton players to play internationals because they'll either get injured or perform well enough that we inevitably lose them - but I get that for a lot of the players it really matters.

Edit:
QuoteWhat's the difference between a gentleman's agreement and collusion in this case?
In Europe, competition regulators have looked the other way from a lot of oddities in football. That might end.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 19, 2021, 11:15:06 AM
I guess I can look forward to watching Arsenal home ESL games in DC.

Real Madrid home games in LA and Houston. Manchester United home games in Beijing and Shanghai. Interesting times.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 11:32:36 AM
BTW I give you one reason why perhaps the English should dial down the morale outrage:

Six Nations.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 11:33:31 AM
UEFA apparently wants to kick out Real Madrid, Man City and Chelsea from this year's Champions League.  :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 11:34:01 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 11:32:36 AM
BTW I give you one reason why perhaps the English should dial down the morale outrage:

Six Nations.

What does that have to do with anything?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 19, 2021, 11:39:28 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 07:58:21 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 07:52:35 AM
Ceferin, UEFA's president, has just stated that players taking part in the ESL would not be allowed to play for their national teams.
Unrelated to this but Ander Herrera has come out against this which I think is the first statement by a current player - and good to see, always like him :)

PSG player, a club owned by Qatar (hello World Cup 2022 ), a country owning Beinsports which has currently a lot contracts with UEFA and FIFA.

Maybe after 2022.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 19, 2021, 11:40:30 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 08:03:03 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 08:00:12 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 07:55:45 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 07:46:27 AM
Most of the things you guys are listing just sounds like rallying against continued growth and modernisation of a form of entertainment.
If you can't be romantic and misty-eyed about sport, what's the point :P

You're talking with a Chelsea supporter, after all.  :P

2004 called, they want their shtick back :P

Shtick back? All right, Chel$ky then.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 11:42:24 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 08:03:03 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 08:00:12 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 07:55:45 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 07:46:27 AM
Most of the things you guys are listing just sounds like rallying against continued growth and modernisation of a form of entertainment.
If you can't be romantic and misty-eyed about sport, what's the point :P

You're talking with a Chelsea supporter, after all.  :P

2004 called, they want their shtick back :P

It still applies, it will always apply.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 19, 2021, 11:48:58 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 11:32:36 AM
BTW I give you one reason why perhaps the English should dial down the morale outrage:

Six Nations.

That's nonsense.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 19, 2021, 11:52:22 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 08:05:51 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 07:58:38 AM
Players in ESL:
Flipside - if you took away players from the ESL clubs. Who would in a World Cup or the Euros? :hmm: Given the German clubs' stance Germany would probably do very well even given their current issues. Off the top of my head France, England and maybe Brazil would be pretty badly hurt.

I'm also not sure that players would choose a new competition with no heritage v the Euros or World Cup. It might depend on country as well but there are definitely players and countries where playing for the national team is the biggest thing.


Add Portugal to your list, 7 players:

Ruben Dias, João Cancelo, Cedric Soares, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, CR7, Diogo Jota et João Felix.

Thinking a bit more about it:

France, 14:

Lloris, Varane, Lenglet, Zouma, Digne, Mendy, Pogba, Ndombele, Rabiot, Sissoko, Lemar, Griezman, Giroud, Dembele and Martial.

Germany, 6:

Ter Stegen, Leno, Rudiger, Havertz, Gundogan et Werner

Spain, 12 of which 8 have most selections:

Ramos, Busquets, Alba, Koke, De Gea, Thiago, Morata and Rodri. (all right Spain can survive without De Gea  :P)

Italy, 8

England, 13 out of 24, including Kane, Foden, Mount and Stones.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 19, 2021, 11:55:56 AM
Quote from: Jacob on April 19, 2021, 11:48:58 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 11:32:36 AM
BTW I give you one reason why perhaps the English should dial down the morale outrage:

Six Nations.

That's nonsense.

Model of the ESL is the NBA and the like, without salary caps and draft, not to mention a completely different sport culture.

In rugby union, Six Nations was opened to Italy to recognize its improving status and keep on improving, so yes I don't see the point as well. Plus national vs club sport.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 19, 2021, 11:57:00 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 10:22:58 AM
Meanwhile from a Sky reporter:
QuoteKaveh Solhekol
@SkyKaveh
Some owners of breakaway clubs "secretly delighted" if their players are banned from playing for their countries. They get "very little financial reward for releasing players and there's always the risk of injury"
:lol: I mean I never want Everton players to play internationals because they'll either get injured or perform well enough that we inevitably lose them - but I get that for a lot of the players it really matters.

If you're excited about moving towards "fans of players" rather than "fans of teams" you'll be foregoing opportunities to increase player profiles if they can't compete in the World Cup and Euros.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 19, 2021, 11:58:23 AM
I appreciate Tamas' great performance playing the villain in the last few pages. He's probably the best suited to it as a Chelsea fan born abroad :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 19, 2021, 12:12:05 PM
Danish news are reporting that there's going to be an extraordinary board meeting at UEFA on Friday. The head of the Danish FA expects that instigator clubs will be removed from the Champions league (including  Real Madrid, Chelsea, and Man. City in the semi-finals). Furthermore, he says there's one interpretation that says that player contracts are automatically nullified if the clubs leave. He also says that he expects that UEFA will give players the choice between continuing in the breakaway clubs or being released from their contracts.

That's an interesting point, actually. To what degree are the player contracts predicated on being part of national leagues and UEFA?

Fun times ahead.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 12:12:28 PM
Quote from: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 11:34:01 AM
What does that have to do with anything?
Yeah I don't get it :mellow:

Quote from: celedhring on April 19, 2021, 11:58:23 AM
I appreciate Tamas' great performance playing the villain in the last few pages. He's probably the best suited to it as a Chelsea fan born abroad :P
:lol: Tamas's take is very appreciated for diversity of thought/bit of disagreement in the thread.

Very classic Chelsea:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EeE6pwrUEAoVv9e.jpg)
:P

QuoteIn rugby union, Six Nations was opened to Italy to recognize its improving status and keep on improving, so yes I don't see the point as well. Plus national vs club sport.
The better comparison is probably actually rugby league which has a closed Anglo-French league system (in the Northern hemisphere) with franchises.

QuoteAdd Portugal to your list, 7 players:
Yeah - although you'd always have Wolves :P

I'd love to see Brazil without players from the dirty dozen just for the utter carnage of their defence :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 12:15:18 PM
Quote from: Jacob on April 19, 2021, 12:12:05 PM
Danish news are reporting that there's going to be an extraordinary board meeting at UEFA on Friday. The head of the Danish FA expects that instigator clubs will be removed from the Champions league (including  Real Madrid, Chelsea, and Man. City in the semi-finals). Furthermore, he says there's one interpretation that says that player contracts are automatically nullified if the clubs leave. He also says that he expects that UEFA will give players the choice between continuing in the breakaway clubs or being released from their contracts.

That's an interesting point, actually. To what degree are the player contracts predicated on being part of national leagues and UEFA?

Fun times ahead.
Lots of players' contracts have things around being able to leave if they don't qualify for Champions League - but I always assumed these clubs would include language to cover a super league given that they've always been planning this. If they don't then that could be utter carnage.

I have no idea but I wonder if the best comparison is actually some English clubs that have gone bust/into administration and been removed from the league because there's arguably something similar there if the clubs basically get disqualified/expelled from certain leagues. Thinking about it I think City were concerned about the consequences if they were banned from the Champions League for FFP breach because it does impact on whether players can leave or not.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 12:19:00 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on April 19, 2021, 11:55:56 AMModel of the ESL is the NBA and the like, without salary caps and draft, not to mention a completely different sport culture.

It's not really the NBA, even if it makes for an easy analogy. It's closer to the basketball EuroLeague, which also created a controversy with FIBA (and for a couple of seasons there were even competing top continental competitions).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 12:20:24 PM
So what, you can relegate from the Six Nations competition? You can get promoted into it?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 12:21:37 PM
Also: Abramovich for years have been small potatoes compared to other third world and American owners in the Premier League.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 12:23:19 PM
One further point: unless UEFA manages to coerce the clubs to back down this is going to be like other big outrages in football, be it VAR, offside rule changes, etc. People cry foul then the season starts and they watch it regardless and in a couple of years it will be the new normal to be defended against the forces of consumerism.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 19, 2021, 12:23:27 PM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 12:20:24 PM
So what, you can relegate from the Six Nations competition? You can get promoted into it?

Do you understand the difference between a Nation and a club?

Do you understand that Rugby and Association Football are two different sports?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 12:30:25 PM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 12:21:37 PM
Also: Abramovich for years have been small potatoes compared to other third world and American owners in the Premier League.
How is he small beer compared to the Yanks? They treat it as a pure investment and expect a return - FSG, Kroenke and the Glazers have put lots of debt on their companies and make lots of money out of them.

I agree on nation state owners.

Government here says they'll do "whatever it takes" to stop this. So far they're just giving full backing to football associations and will see what they can do:
QuoteFootball authorities had "a wide range of sanctions and measures", and the full backing of ministers, Dowden told MPs in the Commons.

He said: "But be in no doubt: if they can't act, we will. We will put everything on the table to prevent this from happening. We are examining every option from governance reform to competition law, and mechanisms that allow football to take place."

Apparently there was no consultation or warning with the government or the FA before this was announced which has probably particularly pissed everyone off - especially after the last year. The Tories did promise reform of football to give fans a stronger voice in the last election - they've announced that review will be moved forward and launched now.

Edit: So the scope of the review includes:
- Financial sustainability of game
- Governance
- Regulation
- Merits of an independent regulator
- Fans having greater say over game

The government are explicitly considering a German style 50%+1 reserved for fans - Tim Farron suggests that fans have a veto on moving to a new league like this and the minister doesn't disagree that might be an option. MPs on all sides are furious about this (and I think that will reflect what they're hearing from voters). The government also won't rule out changing the law to stop English clubs joining a super league possibly in the next few months if football associations can't stop it.

Culture Secretary also pointed out that football clubs "benefited enormously" from state support during covid and should think very carefully of the duty they owe to taxpayers.

A Labour MP asked if football could be referred to the competition authority, denied any further public funds and if the tax status of image rights could be reviewed - the Culture Secretary said all of those are under consideration.

I think the "big six" may regret this because if nothing else it looks likely to prompt quite a sweeping look at how football operates after years of self-regulation and after decades of these owners not finding a red-line, they might have crossed one :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 19, 2021, 12:33:44 PM
So reading, it seems like UEFA has the following potential actions under consideration:


My questions right now are:

Can UEFA implement all of these (they're consulting with their lawyers ATM)?

If they can, is this going to be enough to deter the super friends?

Is the potential revenue gain from the Super League enough to make up for the revenue loss from other areas?

Will the prestige of the new Super League - if they can't have national players and they can't play regular league games - be enough to sustain the projected revenue streams?

Is it enough to make some of the clubs back down, but not all? What's the level of solidarity between the twelve super friends? Will the Super League survive if one, two, or four of the clubs withdraw?

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on April 19, 2021, 12:38:43 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 19, 2021, 07:17:33 AM
Yeah, I think the origin point of all this was when Russian oligarchs, oil sheikhs, and American investors began buying up clubs, so more like early 2000s.

I'm curious, do you know what the ownership profile of these clubs was when the evil foreigners bought them out?  The members?  Local big men?

It seems only natural that there was going to be a divergence of interests between the ownership and the local fan base.

The local fans of big teams are a little delusional in that their side wouldn't be able to afford the same level of mercenary on field talent if ownership wasn't selling lots of jersies and broadcast rights internationally.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 19, 2021, 12:39:13 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 12:12:28 PM

QuoteIn rugby union, Six Nations was opened to Italy to recognize its improving status and keep on improving, so yes I don't see the point as well. Plus national vs club sport.
The better comparison is probably actually rugby league which has a closed Anglo-French league system (in the Northern hemisphere) with franchises.

Rugby league is nowhere near popular in France as it is in England, or part of it (™Norf™?), except the Catalonian part (for celedhring).

QuoteAdd Portugal to your list, 7 players:
Yeah - although you'd always have Wolves :P

Yay, praise Mendes' FC! Of those, not all are regulars in the Selecção though.

Quote
I'd love to see Brazil without players from the dirty dozen just for the utter carnage of their defence :lol:

As if it would change anything versus Germany.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 12:40:17 PM
Quote from: Jacob on April 19, 2021, 12:23:27 PM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 12:20:24 PM
So what, you can relegate from the Six Nations competition? You can get promoted into it?

Do you understand the difference between a Nation and a club?

Do you understand that Rugby and Association Football are two different sports?

So it's not against the spirit of sport to restrict who can participate if its done to nations?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 19, 2021, 12:40:37 PM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 12:20:24 PM
So what, you can relegate from the Six Nations competition? You can get promoted into it?

:secret:

It used to be the Five Nations Tournament. Italy got promoted, following lots of test matches vs the Big 5.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 19, 2021, 12:41:00 PM
As an aside, when I did my MBA we had an interesting corporate finance case study (which we had to do in 24 hours, because time pressure and sleep deprivation makes everything better) for a Premiership club analysing their finances. The question on the table was whether to invest in a top tier striker, in building a new stadium, neither, or both - based on the finances of the club. After we analyzed and made the recommendation (my group said yes to both), we learned that it was based on the Spurs.

Was fascinating.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 12:45:56 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 19, 2021, 12:38:43 PM
I'm curious, do you know what the ownership profile of these clubs was when the evil foreigners bought them out?  The members?  Local big men?
In England normally the big local businessman. You know the classic old school English club owner was sort of the local sausage magnate who employed half the town.

QuoteIt seems only natural that there was going to be a divergence of interests between the ownership and the local fan base.
I think this is it. The clubs have genuine community associations and history in all of these countries - unlike, I think, an American sports franchise (maybe like college teams?). But they are run by oligarchs of varying types - literal Russian oligarchs, US sports businesses, hedge funds and nation states wanting to launder their reputation through sport.

This sort of rips off the mask.

QuoteRugby league is nowhere near popular in France as it is England (™Norf™?), except the Catalonian part (for celedhring).
League = Northern and working class (and more exciting). Union = Southern and middle class (and more boring). In England at least and neither is anywhere near as popular as football. Rugby league is the bigger sport in a few towns in the North-West: Wigan, St Helens, Warrington.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 12:46:13 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on April 19, 2021, 12:40:37 PM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 12:20:24 PM
So what, you can relegate from the Six Nations competition? You can get promoted into it?

:secret:

It used to be the Five Nations Tournament. Italy got promoted, following lots of test matches vs the Big 5.  :P

So are there actual written rules on how nations can promote and relegate into the tournament? Never mind then!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 12:47:42 PM
Quote from: Jacob on April 19, 2021, 12:41:00 PM
As an aside, when I did my MBA we had an interesting corporate finance case study (which we had to do in 24 hours, because time pressure and sleep deprivation makes everything better) for a Premiership club analysing their finances. The question on the table was whether to invest in a top tier striker, in building a new stadium, neither, or both - based on the finances of the club. After we analyzed and made the recommendation (my group said yes to both), we learned that it was based on the Spurs.

Was fascinating.
One of the best tasks I ever had as a trainee lawyer was for a corporate partner who's worked on lots of football club takeovers/sales/attempted takeovers and was just updating his spreadsheet of clubs and their current situation based on their company books etc. It was very interesting :blush:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 19, 2021, 12:49:51 PM
Yeah, I don't think the 6 nations is a good example.
I do believe there is a set system in place for ranking nations into tiers with the tier 1 European nations being in the 6 nations?
I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure there are written criteria for what makes a nation part of each of the tiers.

Quote from: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 12:45:56 PM

League = Northern and working class (and more exciting). Union = Southern and middle class (and more boring). In England at least and neither is anywhere near as popular as football. Rugby league is the bigger sport in a few towns in the North-West: Wigan, St Helens, Warrington.
South-north. Not north-north.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 19, 2021, 12:51:41 PM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 12:40:17 PM
So it's not against the spirit of sport to restrict who can participate if its done to nations?

Whatever they do in Rugby is not against the spirit of Association Football, no.

And yeah, ad hoc or semi-organized national tournaments are not against the spirt of football.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 12:54:06 PM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 12:46:13 PM
So are there actual written rules on how nations can promote and relegate into the tournament? Never mind then!
But there's nothing necessarily wrong with a closed system/franchise model - it works in America, it works for Rugby League, it works in cricket for the Indian Premier League. But that's not the system that football has had for the past 100+ years and, possibly, that's part of the reason it's been so successful?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 19, 2021, 12:55:10 PM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 12:46:13 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on April 19, 2021, 12:40:37 PM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 12:20:24 PM
So what, you can relegate from the Six Nations competition? You can get promoted into it?

:secret:

It used to be the Five Nations Tournament. Italy got promoted, following lots of test matches vs the Big 5.  :P

So are there actual written rules on how nations can promote and relegate into the tournament? Never mind then!

Remember, you are a new subject of a queen in a country which does not even have a written constitution.  :P
They should have asked for the differences and origins and rugby union and league on one hand and association football in your citizenship test.  :thumbsdown:

This just in, France was not always in the Five Nations tournament as well, though I strongly doubt someone in this forum was old enough to remember it.
Rules where modified, unshockingly.

But then, as Jacob and others keep repeating, association football and rugby union are different sports.

Not to mention that rugby union only became an officially professional sport in the '90s in the northern hemisphere. I still remember rugby fans criticizing the professional aspect of football as a kid.

Mind you, in France, Rugby union is second only to Association Football in popular, if well far behind, and having a stronger base in the south, with Paris the one exception north of the Loire.

Tyr is right, there is some kind of tier system in Rugby Union and access to the World Cup was restricted. So no longer Portuguese (bourgeois) amateurs in the World Cup getting thrashed by the All Blacks.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 12:59:13 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 12:54:06 PM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 12:46:13 PM
So are there actual written rules on how nations can promote and relegate into the tournament? Never mind then!
But there's nothing necessarily wrong with a closed system/franchise model - it works in America, it works for Rugby League, it works in cricket for the Indian Premier League. But that's not the system that football has had for the past 100+ years and, possibly, that's part of the reason it's been so successful?

So what you are saying there's nothing wrong with this except that it is unusual?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 12:59:34 PM
With Rugby Union I think there is talk of changing up the international competition but it's more on the basis of timezones than anything else - so South Africa would join the Six Nations (making it seven - I think Georgia should be invited too) and Japan will replace them in the Championship so that'll be Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Argentina.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 01:04:27 PM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 12:59:13 PM
So what you are saying there's nothing wrong with this except that it is unusual?
Yes - and new. If we were setting up football now and building a European league then this might be what we'd do. I have no issue with having closed franchise based systems, but I've got a lot of a problem moving to that from an open, competitive system. So I have as much of a problem with this as I would if, say, Liverpool decided to re-locate to Boston.

And I'd add that the reason a lot of these clubs are included - Arsenal, Milan, United, argualy Inter (though as with Milan this might change) - is based on their historic performance and legacy from those competitions and now they want to pull up the drawbridge.

Edit: And the other point is that I think the closed/franchise models normally have some system to promote competition and keep things interesting - so the draft, a wage cap etc in the US. This just combines the least competitive bit of American sports (mostly closed system/no relegation) with the least competitive bits of football (the richest can just buy the best players plus transfer limits tied to revenue so an Abramovich now couldn't break in the way Chelsea did).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 19, 2021, 01:12:09 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 12:59:34 PM
With Rugby Union I think there is talk of changing up the international competition but it's more on the basis of timezones than anything else - so South Africa would join the Six Nations (making it seven - I think Georgia should be invited too) and Japan will replace them in the Championship so that'll be Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Argentina.
Cant imagine that is going down well. Wrecking the old 3 nations like so.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 19, 2021, 01:45:04 PM
I for one cannot wait for the Los Angeles Royals play the Boston Reds to a stale 0-0 draw in the Budweiser-Huawei Super League brought to you by Netflix.

The derby between the Beijing Blues and Barcelona will be a final to remember, I can tell you all that much.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on April 19, 2021, 01:58:41 PM
:lol:

Having X numbers of teams employing the X best players in the world competing against each other is hopefully something that comes out of this.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 02:05:25 PM
A reason why I remembered the Six Nations was that one criticism levelled against this ESL that it is going to be dull with always the same teams automatically taking part, and that was just the thing I was thinking about the Six Nations. Seemingly every couple of months TV goes all "NATION 1 AGAINST NATION 2 IN THE SIX NATIONS OMG!". yeah, once in a quarter event, awesome!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 02:24:46 PM
:lol: It's an annual tournament for six weekends - so I suppose what I'm getting from this is you're not a rugby fan :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on April 19, 2021, 03:09:56 PM
Okay, so not really a soccer fan, but this kind of off-the-field drama is fascinating to watch.  :popcorn:

So right now it's 12 teams: 6 from England, and 3 each from Spain and Italy.  So no French or German teams, or anywhere else.

The plan had been for those teams to continue to play in their home leagues, but UEFA/FIFA are trying to stop that - so a team either plays for its national league / Champions League, or the ESL, but not both.  Correct me if I have these details wrong.

Sounds like some of the German teams were invited but declined.  Same with Paris-SG.

You know there's a lot of potential reasons why such a league could be a success, but it kind of feels like just 12 teams isn't enough variety.  I'm going to draw a hockey analogy, because I'm sure you guys all follow the NHL closely. :P  Because of the global pandemic in hockey all the Canadian teams are all grouped together in the North Division, and only play each other.  Now those all-Canadian matchups are always a huge hit with the fans - but after a whole season of playing the same 7 teams it's getting kind of boring.  At this point I'd like to see Columbus Blue Jackets come into town just for some variety. 

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 03:22:46 PM
Yes, but: The idea is that these clubs would continue to compete in their national leagues, and just replace the Champions League with this format. I'd much prefer the CL format over the same 12 teams round-robining, but I guess this is going to be a war between these clubs and UEFA and if the clubs win the Super League will take over what the Champions League is now, much like how the Premier League has taken over what the previous first division of English football was.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 19, 2021, 03:37:46 PM
Hoping that we'll get to see as many commercial breaks as possible in every ESL match. Maybe cut to commercial with every VAR call. Then make every possible referee decision subject to VAR.

Hell yes, my body is ready for NFL 2.0
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 03:45:39 PM
Quote from: Barrister on April 19, 2021, 03:09:56 PM
The plan had been for those teams to continue to play in their home leagues, but UEFA/FIFA are trying to stop that - so a team either plays for its national league / Champions League, or the ESL, but not both.  Correct me if I have these details wrong.
Yeah - I think that's it. I think this bit is a little more complicated because of national/international competitions but is basically right.

UEFA especially is trying to stop it because one of their big cash-cows is the Champions League. It's why it reminds me of the Premier League when the twenty clubs at the top of the pyramid in England broke away from the League (I think at the time run by the FA) because they thought they could negotiate their own TV deals/commercialise it better than the League could - they were right. It's expected that there'll be an emergency meeting of UEFA tomorrow that will expel these clubs from the Champions/Europa League this year.

UEFA has also said that players who play for the ESL would not be allowed to play in UEFA national teams - so in the Euros or the World Cup. FIFA are a bit more equivocal (and I'm sure their support can be acquired) but have suggested they might not let players in the ESL compete in FIFA competitions - so the World Cup.

The national situation is more complicated but in England the Premier League is owned by all 20 clubs in the Premier League who have an equal stake as shareholders. They're having a meeting I think later this week and there is talk - though it seems very unlikely - of expelling these clubs from the Premier League. The reason for this is that there's a clause in PL rulebook/shareholders' agreement that clubs can't sign up for a new competition (other than the PL, FA Cup, League Cup, CL, EL etc) without the prior written consent of the PL. So basically you can choose - the PL or the ESL if that rule is followed. If they're kicked out they can re-join the league system - but they'd have to start at the non-professional level. Obviously that would hurt the PL as well because they'd lose a lot of their biggest draws in terms of broadcasting. But the rules will be different in each country, I think Serie A have had a meeting and La Liga intend to have one too.

The other angle is the broadcasters - that's probably been a part of PSG's decision making. The PL grew a conscience and stopped the Saudi crown prince taking over Newcastle primarily because of Qatar-Saudi relations. Qatar's Bein Sports have paid a lot of money for PL broadcasting rights, which are being pirated by the Saudi BeOut Sports (:lol:). The PL have done everything they can to get and enforce judgments against BeOut, but they can't do anything because they're protected in Saudi. BeIn have also paid for Champions League broadcasting rights through 2024 as have a number of other companies who will, I imagine, be furious if their product has just lost value and now has a competitor - they will be putting pressure on whoever they can to get the ESL shut down. And if that's a big enough threat to make the PL rule that someone isn't "fit and proper"....

The really striking thing today is the number of clubs who were rumoured to be other founder members who have publicly denied it - Porto, Ajax, the German clubs, PSG, Sevilla. I might be wrong but this feels like an idea that needed enough momentum to basically be a fait accompli. And that's stalled on day one where these clubs can't even get to the 15 "founder members" they envisaged - plus it's opened several cans of worms like reform of football governance in England, that they might regret.

QuoteHoping that we'll get to see as many commercial breaks as possible in every ESL match. Maybe cut to commercial with every VAR call. Then make every possible referee decision subject to VAR.
I did see that the Guardian got hold of the proposal which included this detail:
QuoteIt also reveals that the clubs are considering intriguing new ideas, including "technology-enhanced rule implementation" that are not backed by the authorities, although it does not go into details.
So that maybe on the way :lol: :bleeding:

Honestly if these clubs disappeared into this ESL and took VAR with them, I wouldn't be unhappy with them :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 04:56:51 PM
Come on now, I have seen a LOT of corrected calls thanks to VAR and I seldom watch football nowadays.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 05:07:30 PM
Yeah - I thought it'd be good, I think it has gotten a little better but I don't think the net number of decisions it gets right are worth the disruption. And it is the disruption/speed/mystery that annoys me.

So everyone should be miced up (as they are in rugby or American sports) so it's clear what they're looking at and why decisions are being made because sometimes it is very obscure. I'd put a time limit on how long VAR has to consider a subjective/"clear and obvious" call because if it takes more than a minute, say, then defer to the on-field ref.

And with off-side I just don't think the technology is there yet. If it was like hawkseye and able to give a more or less instantaneous decision then I'd be fine with it going down to milimetres. But having to wait while they draw the lines on the software is, in my view, not worth it. Either get the tech to a position where it can work out the correct decision to a milimetre quickly, or accept some will be wrong but it's quick.

I think some referee body did stats and found that overall it's impact was improving correct decisions from 95% to 98% - and I just don't think it's worth it for 3% more correct decisions.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 05:40:48 PM
It also should be noted that Premier league referees on average are attrocious and this has translated to their level of VAR usage.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 05:45:18 PM
Quote from: Tamas on April 19, 2021, 05:40:48 PM
It also should be noted that Premier league referees on average are attrocious and this has translated to their level of VAR usage.
Agreed. And I've seen a lot of disparaging comments about the levels of fitness of Premier League referees just being nowhere near the level it should be - which I can well believe.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 19, 2021, 05:50:17 PM
I do wonder what will happen if no other team makes the leap with them, judging this as likely to end badly.
They go full American style and create their own United de Paris et al to fill the 5 remaining slots?


On refs - I guess it's the big crisis with a referee shortage due to bullying and other mistreatment at the lower levels showing its tip at the top?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 05:50:51 PM
Florentino is getting interviewed in the most god-awful sports show in our media in order to defend the ESL, and every single soundbite makes me want ot puke.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 05:54:25 PM
Quote from: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 05:50:51 PM
Florentino is getting interviewed in the most god-awful sports show in our media in order to defend the ESL, and every single soundbite makes me want ot puke.
:lol:

Fair play to Perez and Agnelli who are at least partially facing up to this. All the owners here are away from the camera leading to it being for managers and players to speak about it. And in another sign of how bad the consultation/keeping people informed has been all of them have said they found out at the same time as everyone else. Both Klopp and Milner have said they don't like the idea and Milner said he hopes it doesn't happen.

Which isn't great from your club captain.

I think Tuchel's also commented on it and it feels likely that all of these clubs will just let their managers and players deal with it in press conferences instead.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 19, 2021, 05:54:59 PM
Quote from: Tyr on April 19, 2021, 05:50:17 PM
I do wonder what will happen if no other team makes the leap with them, judging this as likely to end badly.
They go full American style and create their own United de Paris et al to fill the 5 remaining slots?

Yeah, the :popcorn: potential is massive with this. Who knows where it will go?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 19, 2021, 05:56:21 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 05:54:25 PM
:lol:

Fair play to Perez and Agnelli who are at least partially facing up to this. All the owners here are away from the camera leading to it being for managers and players to speak about it. And in another sign of how bad the consultation/keeping people informed has been all of them have said they found out at the same time as everyone else. Both Klopp and Milner have said they don't like the idea and Milner said he hopes it doesn't happen.

Which isn't great from your club captain.

I think Tuchel's also commented on it and it feels likely that all of these clubs will just let their managers and players deal with it in press conferences instead.

The stakeholder engagement has been atrocious so far.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 05:58:08 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 05:54:25 PM
Quote from: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 05:50:51 PM
Florentino is getting interviewed in the most god-awful sports show in our media in order to defend the ESL, and every single soundbite makes me want ot puke.
:lol:

Fair play to Perez and Agnelli who are at least partially facing up to this. All the owners here are away from the camera leading to it being for managers and players to speak about it. And in another sign of how bad the consultation/keeping people informed has been all of them have said they found out at the same time as everyone else. Both Klopp and Milner have said they don't like the idea and Milner said he hopes it doesn't happen.

Which isn't great from your club captain.

I think Tuchel's also commented on it and it feels likely that all of these clubs will just let their managers and players deal with it in press conferences instead.

It's pretty clear that this is something that has been brewed in boardrooms with no communication whatsoever with any other department of each club.

And Florentino has been proposing something similar to this for more thna a decade to anyone who would listen, so it's only natural that he has no problem at all defending it publicly.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 19, 2021, 06:06:29 PM
Quote from: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 05:58:08 PM
It's pretty clear that this is something that has been brewed in boardrooms with no communication whatsoever with any other department of each club.

And Florentino has been proposing something similar to this for more thna a decade to anyone who would listen, so it's only natural that he has no problem at all defending it publicly.

From what I've read the conversations have been around - I don't think the concept was a big surprise to UEFA and others. The surprise was that they decided to go ahead with it, without giving much warning and right as the CL agreement (which they were at the table for) was being announced.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 06:07:26 PM
It's absolutely crazy. I get that they know this would leak but to not even roll the pitch with governments for this announcement is the height of arrogance.

It's clearly a bunch of very rich men who've never been told "no" when dealing with football authorities, so assume they will never be told "no".

And in fairness they've been right so far.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 19, 2021, 06:10:32 PM
But I mean... the UK government have said they'll do what they can to stop it. Given fan reactions, it's probably a pretty good vote getter for them I'd imagine.

On a different tack, it sounds like JP Morgan are the initial sponsors.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 06:13:08 PM
Quote from: Jacob on April 19, 2021, 06:06:29 PM
Quote from: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 05:58:08 PM
It's pretty clear that this is something that has been brewed in boardrooms with no communication whatsoever with any other department of each club.

And Florentino has been proposing something similar to this for more thna a decade to anyone who would listen, so it's only natural that he has no problem at all defending it publicly.

From what I've read the conversations have been around - I don't think the concept was a big surprise to UEFA and others. The surprise was that they decided to go ahead with it, without giving much warning and right as the CL agreement (which they were at the table for) was being announced.

This kind of idea has been floating around football's high spheres for years already, it used to resurface each 3-4 years or so, the only difference is that this time they seem to have pulled the trigger on it rather than just keep floating the idea.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 06:21:55 PM
Quote from: Jacob on April 19, 2021, 06:10:32 PM
But I mean... the UK government have said they'll do what they can to stop it. Given fan reactions, it's probably a pretty good vote getter for them I'd imagine.
Yeah - sorry I just mean so far. I mean even now this is in the context of UEFA adjusting these teams demands for more games between big clubs (and I'm not keen on those changes either). In England they didn't get "Project Big Picture" (transfer all voting rights to the "big 6" plus Everton and West Ham - and six clubs need to agree anything to pass it), but they did get the Premier League and FA considering lots of changes to make it easier for them to play more European games, and to look at playing a game overseas etc.

People have talked about it a lot as more or less inevitable, they've just actually done it. What I find astonishing is that they didn't try and engage other key stakeholders - like government - or even get the full 15 founder members agreed before announcing it. I feel like it's either incredible arrogance or the story was about to break and they just decided to get it out.

But yeah I think they may have accidentally prompted a serious overhaul of the way football is governed in this country - it's very early days but DCMS seem quite taken by the idea of imposing the German model, at least on decision making, which is probably a nightmare for these clubs. Today was one of those days in the Commons when everyone on all sides was more or less united in anger - basically the Lib Dems and Labour were throwing out ideas of other measures the government can take and the government thanked them for their suggestions :lol:

QuoteFlorentino is getting interviewed in the most god-awful sports show in our media in order to defend the ESL, and every single soundbite makes me want ot puke.
I see he's suggested that there could be a second division to the European Super League. It's like he's invented the Champions League and the Europa League :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 06:29:17 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 06:21:55 PMPeople have talked about it a lot as more or less inevitable, they've just actually done it. What I find astonishing is that they didn't try and engage other key stakeholders - like government - or even get the full 15 founder members agreed before announcing it. I feel like it's either incredible arrogance or the story was about to break and they just decided to get it out.

I'd put my money on the news having leaked and having to rush it all. On sunday it was known already pretty early that an announcement would take place, and UEFA even put out a press release in coordination with the top leagues ahead of the official announcement, which had to be done ignominiously in the middle of the night. As a friend of mine who happens to be a sports journo just said on Twitter, if you want to pull this off you'd do a mega announcement with all 12 teams' presidents doing it in person in a lavish event (probably once the season is finished, as well), not publishing it past midnight on a sunday and having to explain yourself next day in a late night show.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 19, 2021, 06:30:04 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 06:21:55 PMBut yeah I think they may have accidentally prompted a serious overhaul of the way football is governed in this country - it's very early days but DCMS seem quite taken by the idea of imposing the German model, at least on decision making, which is probably a nightmare for these clubs.

I think that sounds delicious, but I don't actually know what the German model is.

QuoteToday was one of those days in the Commons when everyone on all sides was more or less united in anger - basically the Lib Dems and Labour were throwing out ideas of other measures the government can take and the government thanked them for their suggestions :lol

Yeah how could they not have lined up a few Tory mover and shakers behind this? Did they try and were they rejected? Or did they just figure they didn't need to?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 06:31:12 PM
Get a load of this guy's hubris:

"It doesn't make sense that in La Liga most modest teams can turn a profit yet Barcelona ends up loosing lots of money"
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 19, 2021, 06:31:59 PM
Quote from: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 06:29:17 PM
I'd put my money on the news having leaked and having to rush it all. On sunday it was known already pretty early that an announcement would take place, and UEFA even put out a press release in coordination with the top leagues ahead of the official announcement, which had to be done ignominiously in the middle of the night. As a friend of mine who happens to be a sports journo just said on Twitter, if you want to pull this off you'd do a mega announcement with all 12 teams' presidents doing it in person in a lavish event (probably once the season is finished, as well), not publishing it past midnight on a sunday and having to explain yourself next day in a late night show.

Yeah, that makes sense. I hope we one day get to find out what prompted the announcement now, rather than at a more opportune time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 19, 2021, 06:32:35 PM
Quote from: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 06:31:12 PM
Get a load of this guy's hubris:

"It doesn't make sense that in La Liga most modest teams can turn a profit yet Barcelona ends up loosing lots of money"

:lol:

... maybe you should manage your club better?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 06:37:15 PM
Quote from: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 06:31:12 PM
Get a load of this guy's hubris:

"It doesn't make sense that in La Liga most modest teams can turn a profit yet Barcelona ends up loosing lots of money"
Okay - this is the thing that fucks me off the most. Almost all of these clubs have been hurt by covid - so has everyone else. But they're clubs with enormous riches which generally they have all mismanaged (Barca's the biggest example probably - but I think the decision making at United, Arsenal, Juve, Real and others has been pretty questionable for the best part of a decade).  And I just don't know if there's any reason to think that they'll manage more immense riches any better :lol:

QuoteI'd put my money on the news having leaked and having to rush it all. On sunday it was known already pretty early that an announcement would take place, and UEFA even put out a press release in coordination with the top leagues ahead of the official announcement, which had to be done ignominiously in the middle of the night. As a friend of mine who happens to be a sports journo just said on Twitter, if you want to pull this off you'd do a mega announcement with all 12 teams' presidents doing it in person in a lavish event (probably once the season is finished, as well), not publishing it past midnight on a sunday and having to explain yourself next day in a late night show.
That makes sense - and you probably announce it with 15 team presidents not 12 and [3 clubs tbc] :blink:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 19, 2021, 06:40:09 PM
As a garbage American Arsenal fan who is responsible for what is transpiring, someone tell me what club I should support now that my horribly-run, has-been club has finally jumped the shark.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 06:41:32 PM
Quote from: Jacob on April 19, 2021, 06:30:04 PM
I think that sounds delicious, but I don't actually know what the German model is.
I think German clubs are owned by (with a couple of exceptions like Leverkeusen which are company clubs) by the fans and their stake cannot go below 50%+1. In the UK I don't think it would go that way in terms of ownership of shares, but I think they might look at basically a fans having 50%+1 voting rights on big decisions like this.

QuoteYeah how could they not have lined up a few Tory mover and shakers behind this? Did they try and were they rejected? Or did they just figure they didn't need to?
Yeah. I can't think who they could get behind it but the fact it (from what I've read) didn't leak in the UK I don't think they even tried. I think it broke in the NYT which, to me, suggests the bank or one of the American ownership groups.

I think Larch's point is probably right. The details were breaking so they wanted to get ahead of it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 06:44:34 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 19, 2021, 06:40:09 PM
As a garbage American Arsenal fan who is responsible for what is transpiring, someone tell me what club I should support now that my horribly-run, has-been club has finally jumped the shark.
I'd recommend Villa. Playing nice football at the minute, bit of classy heritage, similar-ish colours on their strip.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 19, 2021, 06:47:30 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 06:44:34 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 19, 2021, 06:40:09 PM
As a garbage American Arsenal fan who is responsible for what is transpiring, someone tell me what club I should support now that my horribly-run, has-been club has finally jumped the shark.
I'd recommend Villa. Playing nice football at the minute, bit of classy heritage, similar-ish colours on their strip.

Hmm good idea. And Emi Martinez was an Arsenal man for many years. Some fans thought the club should have kept him and let Leno go.  :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 07:09:41 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 19, 2021, 06:47:30 PM
Hmm good idea. And Emi Martinez was an Arsenal man for many years. Some fans thought the club should have kept him and let Leno go.  :ph34r:
Yeah -strong shout for signing of the season. And I am really pleased for him just because of how emotional he was at the FA Cup last year and then I felt got kind of done dirty by Arsenal (like Gunnersaurus).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: garbon on April 20, 2021, 02:09:23 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 06:21:55 PM
Today was one of those days in the Commons when everyone on all sides was more or less united in anger - basically the Lib Dems and Labour were throwing out ideas of other measures the government can take and the government thanked them for their suggestions :lol:

It must be nice for the government to have something they can join in on the moral outrage about. I saw this is a top priority for Boris Johnson now.

I also noticed that coverage of the fan in-person protests don't seem to be covering any angles about the police needing to enforce social distancing rules/rules against large gatherings. Rule of 6 is over? :hmm:  Though actually perhaps allowed as most of the protests look rather...anemic. :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 20, 2021, 02:28:15 AM
Quote from: garbon on April 20, 2021, 02:09:23 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 06:21:55 PM
Today was one of those days in the Commons when everyone on all sides was more or less united in anger - basically the Lib Dems and Labour were throwing out ideas of other measures the government can take and the government thanked them for their suggestions :lol:

It must be nice for the government to have something they can join in on the moral outrage about. I saw this is a top priority for Boris Johnson now.

I also noticed that coverage of the fan in-person protests don't seem to be covering any angles about the police needing to enforce social distancing rules/rules against large gatherings. Rule of 6 is over? :hmm:  Though actually perhaps allowed as most of the protests look rather...anemic. :D

This is excellent luck for them with the whole Cameron thing going on.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 20, 2021, 02:28:30 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 19, 2021, 06:31:12 PM
Get a load of this guy's hubris:

"It doesn't make sense that in La Liga most modest teams can turn a profit yet Barcelona ends up loosing lots of money"

OMG  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 20, 2021, 02:30:06 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 19, 2021, 06:40:09 PM
As a garbage American Arsenal fan who is responsible for what is transpiring, someone tell me what club I should support now that my horribly-run, has-been club has finally jumped the shark.

:rolleyes: This time next year we'll be discussing Arsenal's chances of whether they can beat Barcelona away to get the 3 points necessary for the ESL playoffs.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 20, 2021, 02:30:48 AM
BTW since the British government will be sending in the gunboats, could they also get rid of the freshly announced CL rules while they are at it? They sounded awful.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: garbon on April 20, 2021, 02:32:47 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 20, 2021, 02:28:15 AM
Quote from: garbon on April 20, 2021, 02:09:23 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 06:21:55 PM
Today was one of those days in the Commons when everyone on all sides was more or less united in anger - basically the Lib Dems and Labour were throwing out ideas of other measures the government can take and the government thanked them for their suggestions :lol:

It must be nice for the government to have something they can join in on the moral outrage about. I saw this is a top priority for Boris Johnson now.

I also noticed that coverage of the fan in-person protests don't seem to be covering any angles about the police needing to enforce social distancing rules/rules against large gatherings. Rule of 6 is over? :hmm:  Though actually perhaps allowed as most of the protests look rather...anemic. :D

This is excellent luck for them with the whole Cameron thing going on.

Yes a lot more sexy than boring corruption.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 20, 2021, 02:44:15 AM
Quote from: garbon on April 20, 2021, 02:32:47 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 20, 2021, 02:28:15 AM
Quote from: garbon on April 20, 2021, 02:09:23 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 19, 2021, 06:21:55 PM
Today was one of those days in the Commons when everyone on all sides was more or less united in anger - basically the Lib Dems and Labour were throwing out ideas of other measures the government can take and the government thanked them for their suggestions :lol:

It must be nice for the government to have something they can join in on the moral outrage about. I saw this is a top priority for Boris Johnson now.

I also noticed that coverage of the fan in-person protests don't seem to be covering any angles about the police needing to enforce social distancing rules/rules against large gatherings. Rule of 6 is over? :hmm:  Though actually perhaps allowed as most of the protests look rather...anemic. :D

This is excellent luck for them with the whole Cameron thing going on.

Yes a lot more sexy than boring corruption.

This might be the beginning of a beautiful friendship: I would not put past this bunch to pay a billion or two of "aid" to the 6 clubs to "enable" them to stay in the CL.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: jimmy olsen on April 20, 2021, 02:49:23 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 19, 2021, 05:44:12 AM
Tottenham have sacked Mourinho after he's secured them a permanent place in the Super League. Shameful stuff, game's gone.



Seriously though,  :nelson:  :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson: :nelson:
Tottenham is in because they have a Korean star player and the people here will demand that Korean broadcasters buy the broadcasting rights for the league.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 20, 2021, 03:15:52 AM
Florentino Pérez seems certain that the Super League will start up and that UEFA can't throw out any teams from the Champions League or any players from the Euro Cup.

"We will not get into legal issues. It is impossible. The players should remain calm because the threats won't happen. "This is not a league for the rich, it's a league to save football."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 04:13:25 AM
Quote from: Liep on April 20, 2021, 03:15:52 AM
Florentino Pérez seems certain that the Super League will start up and that UEFA can't throw out any teams from the Champions League or any players from the Euro Cup.

"We will not get into legal issues. It is impossible. The players should remain calm because the threats won't happen. "This is not a league for the rich, it's a league to save football."

That's always been his m.o., treating what he personally wants as inevitable and without any negative consequences whatsoever. The whole reasoning is always "because I say so".

I'm looking at an English language source for last night's interview, let's see if I can come back with more stuff from it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 04:46:18 AM
Quote from: Liep on April 20, 2021, 03:15:52 AM
Florentino Pérez seems certain that the Super League will start up and that UEFA can't throw out any teams from the Champions League or any players from the Euro Cup.

"We will not get into legal issues. It is impossible. The players should remain calm because the threats won't happen. "This is not a league for the rich, it's a league to save football."
He also said that Johnson's threat to block the English clubs was because he'd been misinformed that this would destroy the Premier League, but it won't so it'll all be fine. I'm not convinced that's quite right.

I feel like there's a fair bit of motivated reasoning with his lines last night :lol:

He also said they'd signed commitments so can't back out which'll be interesting because I think some of the English clubs might crack soon-ish.

Edit: Eg from Sky Sports reporter:
QuoteSky's Kaveh Solhekol reports that among the six ESL clubs, there are differing opinions, with some unhappy with how this has been handled and saying "this isn't what we signed up for". They were expecting a controlled media policy, is "shocked and taken aback" at the lack of a media policy, and unhappy at players, managers, and some board members being kept in the dark. Clubs involved aren't close to pulling the plan ... "not yet".
He's also reported that some clubs were very bullish about setting this up ASAP while other clubs, apparently, have formed a European Super League by mistake and just wanted to explore the idea :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 20, 2021, 04:50:11 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 04:46:18 AM
Quote from: Liep on April 20, 2021, 03:15:52 AM
Florentino Pérez seems certain that the Super League will start up and that UEFA can't throw out any teams from the Champions League or any players from the Euro Cup.

"We will not get into legal issues. It is impossible. The players should remain calm because the threats won't happen. "This is not a league for the rich, it's a league to save football."
He also said that Johnson's threat to block the English clubs was because he'd been misinformed that this would destroy the Premier League, but it won't so it'll all be fine. I'm not convinced that's quite right.

I feel like there's a fair bit of motivated reasoning with his lines last night :lol:

He also said they'd signed commitments so can't back out which'll be interesting because I think some of the English clubs might crack soon-ish.

I'd be surprised if they danced back at this stage.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 04:53:04 AM
Ok, found an English language article about the interview at Sky Sports (https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12280860/florentino-perez-real-madrid-president-insists-european-super-league-will-save-football-at-this-critical-moment (https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12280860/florentino-perez-real-madrid-president-insists-european-super-league-will-save-football-at-this-critical-moment)), I'll just post some straight quotes from it:

Quote"Whenever there is a change, there are always people who oppose it. We are doing this to save football at this critical moment"

Quote"Audiences are decreasing and rights are decreasing and something had to be done. We are all ruined. Television has to change so we can adapt."

Quote"Young people are no longer interested in football. Why not? Because there are a lot of poor quality games and they are not interested, they have other platforms on which to distract themselves."

Quote"If we continue with the Champions League there is less and less interest and then it's over"

Quote"Together we have lost €5billion," he said of the top clubs' alleged losses. "In two seasons Madrid have lost €400m."

Quote"When you have no income other than television, you say that the solution is to make more attractive matches that fans from all over the world can see with all the big clubs, and we came to the conclusion that if instead of having a Champions League we have a Super League we would be able to alleviate what we have lost."

Quote"What's so attractive? That we play among the big teams, the competitiveness, to generate more resources?"

Quote"This is not a league for the rich, it's a league to save football."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 05:08:48 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 20, 2021, 04:50:11 AM
I'd be surprised if they danced back at this stage.
Mail are reporting two English clubs are on the edge of pulling out - my guess would be City or Chelsea because they were apparently the last to sign up. They also need it the least because the Americans run these clubs as businesses so want a bigger return and Spurs are just thrilled to be invited.

Or possibly Liverpool who've spent years on a very successful branding project around "this means more" and connections between fans and club and team. But, in the last season they've had Project Big Picture, furloughing fans and some other covid mis-steps and now announced this which both their manager and a very senior player have said they don't agree with. It feels like something might have broken between Liverpool and their fanbase over the last year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 20, 2021, 05:12:38 AM
Feels like folding before getting even any UEFA concessions is the worst possible thing they can do.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 05:13:19 AM
City and/or Chelsea pulling out also makes sense if the risk of being disqualified from this year's Champions League is real.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 20, 2021, 05:45:06 AM
So, if we created a Languish SuperLeague, who would be in it?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 05:51:02 AM
Things definitely falling apart in England :lol:

PM meeting with UEFA, the FA and fan groups now - the Premier League are holding a meeting now too.

Separately one journalist quoting a source that one of the big clubs is on the verge of pulling out and accusing Liverpool and United of lying to them and "fucking up" :lol:

The one positive of this whole story is the popcorn of the collapse will be as fun as the popcorn of the rest of it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on April 20, 2021, 05:54:54 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 20, 2021, 05:45:06 AM
So, if we created a Languish SuperLeague, who would be in it?

Do the British get 6 spots for no reason? :bowler:  :P

Quote from: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 05:51:02 AM
Things definitely falling apart in England :lol:

PM meeting with UEFA, the FA and fan groups now - the Premier League are holding a meeting now too.

Separately one journalist quoting a source that one of the big clubs is on the verge of pulling out and accusing Liverpool and United of lying to them and "fucking up" :lol:

The one positive of this whole story is the popcorn of the collapse will be as fun as the popcorn of the rest of it.

:yes:

Blame the Americans!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on April 20, 2021, 05:58:02 AM
Bunch of chokers. Get a chance to change European soccer for the better & choke on the start line.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 06:00:59 AM
Btw, another thing that Florentino mentioned during last night's interview that was not covered in the article I quoted was the possibility of making games shorter, as he thinks that modern audiences are not keen to watch 90 minutes games. He even said that he himself can't really stand many matches.

This kind of stuff sort of reinforces my belief that the guy doesn't really like football at all to begin with, he just wants a tool to be rich and powerful.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 20, 2021, 06:01:05 AM
Quote from: Liep on April 20, 2021, 05:54:54 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 20, 2021, 05:45:06 AM
So, if we created a Languish SuperLeague, who would be in it?

Do the British get 6 spots for no reason? :bowler:  :P


I suppose North-American lawyers are the Languish equivalent of the PL.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 06:04:53 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 20, 2021, 05:58:02 AM
Bunch of chokers. Get a chance to change European soccer for the better & choke on the start line.

If you think that'd be a change for the better...  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 06:09:16 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 06:00:59 AM
Btw, another thing that Florentino mentioned during last night's interview that was not covered in the article I quoted was the possibility of making games shorter, as he thinks that modern audiences are not keen to watch 90 minutes games. He even said that he himself can't really stand many matches.

This kind of stuff sort of reinforces my belief that the guy doesn't really like football at all to begin with, he just wants a tool to be rich and powerful.
I've heard this a lot from Agnelli as well and that football executives in general are panicked about younger viewers not watching (perhaps because they can't afford subscriptions to sporting channels :hmm:) and instead preferring to watch clips etc. I think Agnelli suggested a different package where you could just watch the last 15 minutes of a game :blink:

I think it's Jonathan Liew's article - only someone who doesn't really like football would come up with this as a solution.

There's some truth to it about streaming and social media clips etc. But it feels very much like they're spitballing ideas and accidentally launched a breakaway league. And if I ever feel imposter syndrome again I'll think of this moment and the fact that apparently no-one thought to hire a PR firm.

Meanwhile David Squires is every bit as good as I'd hoped:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2021/apr/20/david-squires-on-the-plans-for-a-european-super-league
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 20, 2021, 06:10:44 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 06:04:53 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 20, 2021, 05:58:02 AM
Bunch of chokers. Get a chance to change European soccer for the better & choke on the start line.

If you think that'd be a change for the better...  :rolleyes:

Worst case scenario that it will force the other leagues to adapt and become more interesting. This outrage is silly. If it's a boring format nobody will bother and the clubs will Canossa themselves back under UEFA's wings. If it is a good format, we will have more entertaining European club competitions. Can't see how a fan can lose out.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 20, 2021, 06:34:46 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 20, 2021, 05:45:06 AM
So, if we created a Languish SuperLeague, who would be in it?

Tamas.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 20, 2021, 06:36:00 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 19, 2021, 06:40:09 PM
As a garbage American Arsenal fan who is responsible for what is transpiring, someone tell me what club I should support now that my horribly-run, has-been club has finally jumped the shark.

Nottingham Forest. Two C1s, that's more than Chelsea, Arsenal, Man City or Tottenham.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 20, 2021, 06:41:45 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 06:00:59 AM
Btw, another thing that Florentino mentioned during last night's interview that was not covered in the article I quoted was the possibility of making games shorter, as he thinks that modern audiences are not keen to watch 90 minutes games. He even said that he himself can't really stand many matches.

This kind of stuff sort of reinforces my belief that the guy doesn't really like football at all to begin with, he just wants a tool to be rich and powerful.

4 20-minutes periods? 11 substitutions while we are it. Stoppage time not included so the clock stops and goes as in basket-ball. :P

As for the games shorter, it's a variant of the youth can't follow "long" 90 minutes games, with their short attention spans, ©Agnelli. Both are already rich and powerful, but obviously never enough, in their own opinions.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 20, 2021, 06:43:01 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 06:00:59 AM
Btw, another thing that Florentino mentioned during last night's interview that was not covered in the article I quoted was the possibility of making games shorter, as he thinks that modern audiences are not keen to watch 90 minutes games. He even said that he himself can't really stand many matches.

This kind of stuff sort of reinforces my belief that the guy doesn't really like football at all to begin with, he just wants a tool to be rich and powerful.

That's the thing. He's an idiot. A soccer game is actually shorter in real time than most, if not all, major American sports. I mean, man, a baseball game never ends. A hockey (ice) game may be sixty minutes but takes two and a half hours to play.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 06:52:28 AM
Other clubs are already having fun with a Premier League where these teams are expelled :lol:
QuoteSouthampton FC
@SouthamptonFC
On behalf of the 2014/15 champions, we would like to extend our congratulations to you 🤝
QuoteWolves
@Wolves
It's probably too late for a parade
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzaCVFSXsAA6qgv?format=jpg&name=small)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 20, 2021, 06:57:04 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 20, 2021, 02:30:06 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 19, 2021, 06:40:09 PM
As a garbage American Arsenal fan who is responsible for what is transpiring, someone tell me what club I should support now that my horribly-run, has-been club has finally jumped the shark.

:rolleyes: This time next year we'll be discussing Arsenal's chances of whether they can beat Barcelona away to get the 3 points necessary for the ESL playoffs.

Relax bro, just joking. I'm an Arsenal man through and through. This time next year Arsenal will be smashing Chelsea 10-0 in the FA Cup and I'll be hooting and hollering while my wife wonders whether I've gone mad.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on April 20, 2021, 07:03:17 AM
If we are really thinking about changing the sport. I suggest adding referees on the pitch.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 20, 2021, 07:05:26 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 06:52:28 AM
Other clubs are already having fun with a Premier League where these teams are expelled :lol:
QuoteSouthampton FC
@SouthamptonFC
On behalf of the 2014/15 champions, we would like to extend our congratulations to you 🤝
QuoteWolves
@Wolves
It's probably too late for a parade
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzaCVFSXsAA6qgv?format=jpg&name=small)

The Big Six are laughing stocks and should be roundly mocked forever. Never let them forget this.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 07:06:48 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 06:09:16 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 06:00:59 AM
Btw, another thing that Florentino mentioned during last night's interview that was not covered in the article I quoted was the possibility of making games shorter, as he thinks that modern audiences are not keen to watch 90 minutes games. He even said that he himself can't really stand many matches.

This kind of stuff sort of reinforces my belief that the guy doesn't really like football at all to begin with, he just wants a tool to be rich and powerful.
I've heard this a lot from Agnelli as well and that football executives in general are panicked about younger viewers not watching (perhaps because they can't afford subscriptions to sporting channels :hmm:) and instead preferring to watch clips etc. I think Agnelli suggested a different package where you could just watch the last 15 minutes of a game :blink:

A radical thought might be not putting competitions behind a paywall, or making tickets affordable, but no, the fault is on videogames and social media...

QuoteMeanwhile David Squires is every bit as good as I'd hoped:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2021/apr/20/david-squires-on-the-plans-for-a-european-super-league

"Glory be, rampant free market economics!"  :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 20, 2021, 07:20:31 AM
I'm enjoying the fact that some in the media are referring to these clubs as 'rebels' who have formed a 'rebel alliance.'  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 07:21:16 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 07:06:48 AM
A radical thought might be not putting competitions behind a paywall, or making tickets affordable, but no, the fault is on videogames and social media...
Or even just a clips show on free TV. The reason my generation of English fans have a very soft spot for Serie A is partly because it was in its pomp when we were growing up, but also there was a Sunday morning magazine show on Channel 4 called Football Italia which was just highlights of Serie A games, plus James Richardson running through the latest stories from the Italian sports press with a coffee and doing interviews with Baggio or Ravanelli or whatever. Similarly there used to be a Champions League Goals show on ITV which had great viewing figures which was just highlights. They talk about kids not watching football games like they used - I barely ever watched a football game because we didn't have Sky and lived 500 miles away from Liverpool, but I saw a lot of highlights.

I understand the big reason that type of show doesn't exist is because the leagues have chosen to focus on the higher fees for selling whole matches and not even allowing clips to be used. Which I basically get if for the domestic league and the Champions League - but I think if they're worried about people's attention span and you're wanting to build your market share you could do a lot worse than getting back into the free highlights business.

Quote
"Glory be, rampant free market economics!"  :lmfao:
I also love Emo Mourinho's return :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Richard Hakluyt on April 20, 2021, 07:25:27 AM
Meanwhile Johnson is planning some sort of populist authoritarianism :

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/apr/20/uk-government-may-legislate-to-stop-european-super-league-says-minister
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on April 20, 2021, 07:40:43 AM
Compare the quick action of the UK government over this with Brexit :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on April 20, 2021, 07:45:28 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 06:04:53 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 20, 2021, 05:58:02 AM
Bunch of chokers. Get a chance to change European soccer for the better & choke on the start line.

If you think that'd be a change for the better...  :rolleyes:

Yes. I am always amazed how FIFA lets the top of Association Football be so diluted.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 20, 2021, 07:46:05 AM
Quote from: HVC on April 20, 2021, 07:40:43 AM
Compare the quick action of the UK government over this with Brexit :D

Or the pandemic.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 20, 2021, 07:46:45 AM
It's less of an issue nowadays but if they want some drastic changes they might want to look at reducing team sizes to 10 or even 9. Less chance to park the bus.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 07:50:39 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 20, 2021, 07:45:28 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 06:04:53 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 20, 2021, 05:58:02 AM
Bunch of chokers. Get a chance to change European soccer for the better & choke on the start line.

If you think that'd be a change for the better...  :rolleyes:

Yes. I am always amazed how FIFA lets the top of Association Football be so diluted.

Others would consider that to be something favourable rather than a handicap.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on April 20, 2021, 07:54:27 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 07:50:39 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 20, 2021, 07:45:28 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 06:04:53 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 20, 2021, 05:58:02 AM
Bunch of chokers. Get a chance to change European soccer for the better & choke on the start line.

If you think that'd be a change for the better...  :rolleyes:

Yes. I am always amazed how FIFA lets the top of Association Football be so diluted.

Others would consider that to be something favourable rather than a handicap.

If so, I better never hear anything bad about the MLS level of play ever again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 07:57:31 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 20, 2021, 07:54:27 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 07:50:39 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 20, 2021, 07:45:28 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 06:04:53 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 20, 2021, 05:58:02 AM
Bunch of chokers. Get a chance to change European soccer for the better & choke on the start line.

If you think that'd be a change for the better...  :rolleyes:

Yes. I am always amazed how FIFA lets the top of Association Football be so diluted.

Others would consider that to be something favourable rather than a handicap.

If so, I better never hear anything bad about the MLS level of play ever again.

What does that have to do with anything?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 07:57:51 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 20, 2021, 07:54:27 AM
If so, I better never hear anything bad about the MLS level of play ever again.
I think the MLS is pretty good now, no?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 20, 2021, 07:58:00 AM
So once this moral outrage will be settled, perhaps the world can turn this energy toward FIFA and the Qatar world cup where more than 6000 workers have died building the stuff we'll be watching on the telly while eating takeaway?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 20, 2021, 08:00:39 AM
Always willing to be the odd man out, the Catalan government has defended the right of the breakaway clubs to form their own competition  :lol:

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 20, 2021, 08:08:08 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 07:57:51 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 20, 2021, 07:54:27 AM
If so, I better never hear anything bad about the MLS level of play ever again.
I think the MLS is pretty good now, no?

Still below Mx Liga though, judging by the Champions League (CONCACAF).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 08:10:15 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 20, 2021, 07:58:00 AM
So once this moral outrage will be settled, perhaps the world can turn this energy toward FIFA and the Qatar world cup where more than 6000 workers have died building the stuff we'll be watching on the telly while eating takeaway?
Agreed. I have zero interest in watching the World Cup - and I think it's a disgrace that this is another thing that's now on players to decide if they want to participate or not or wear shirts like the Norwegian team did. When the authorities and the national teams should be protecting those players from these choice and not allowing it to happen.

But I wouldn't mistake opposition to this for love of FIFA. It just so happens that these teams have been so greedy and self-interested that they've somehow conspired to make PSG (:blink:), UEFA and FIFA (:blink: :blink: :blink:) the good guys :lol:

QuoteAlways willing to be the odd man out, the Catalan government has defended the right of the breakaway clubs to form their own competition  :lol:
:lol: Admirable.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 08:13:28 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on April 20, 2021, 08:08:08 AM
Still below Mx Liga though, judging by the Champions League (CONCACAF).
I think that's fair, but I think the Mexican League still has more money than MLS so it's only to be expected and I've really enjoyed the Mexican games I've watched - I don't think it's shown in the UK which is a shame.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 20, 2021, 08:27:38 AM
Hasn't FIFA been pushing for Liga MX and MLS to merge or form their own Super League recently ? :lol:

But yeah, when people are praising FIFA and UEFA over you then you know you've gone way too far.


Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 20, 2021, 08:31:49 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 08:10:15 AM
QuoteAlways willing to be the odd man out, the Catalan government has defended the right of the breakaway clubs to form their own competition  :lol:
:lol: Admirable.

Well, they *do* have a thing for unilateral secession.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 08:34:28 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 20, 2021, 08:31:49 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 08:10:15 AM
QuoteAlways willing to be the odd man out, the Catalan government has defended the right of the breakaway clubs to form their own competition  :lol:
:lol: Admirable.

The ruling coalition can survive a failed independence bid and 4 years of very public infighting and political failure, but publicly opposing Barça? That would be the death of them. And I'm not even joking  :lol:
What's the fan mood with Barcelona? And is it always the way or could a government position themselves against an unpopular Barca board (difficult as it is to imagine :P)?

Edit: I find the team owners v literally everyone dynamic really interesting - and indicative of how arrogant they've been in not even informing players/managers and just letting them take questions on it. Apparently Harry Maguire "confronted" Ed Woodward about the plan yesterday, Jordan Henderson is organising a group call of Premier League captains from all clubs tomorrow, Guardiola and Klopp have been relatively forthright - Marcas Rashford (:wub:) who is only 23 so has his career ahead of him has made his view on this clear by posting a "football is nothing without the fans" image.

The mood is febrile at the minute but it feels like by doing this the six English clubs may accidentally have provoked government into basically giving fans a veto right and into their players organising like a union :lol: :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 20, 2021, 08:42:36 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 08:34:28 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 20, 2021, 08:31:49 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 08:10:15 AM
QuoteAlways willing to be the odd man out, the Catalan government has defended the right of the breakaway clubs to form their own competition  :lol:
:lol: Admirable.

The ruling coalition can survive a failed independence bid and 4 years of very public infighting and political failure, but publicly opposing Barça? That would be the death of them. And I'm not even joking  :lol:
What's the fan mood with Barcelona? And is it always the way or could a government position themselves against an unpopular Barca board (difficult as it is to imagine :P)?

Most Barça fans I know are embarrassed by the idea. Spanish media in general are going through the motions though, certainly not the levels of outrage seen in England. Other teams' fans (the 2 or 3 of them in the whole country) are livid though. Pretty much begging us to fuck off and never return, which is fair enough.

The nadir of Barça - Catalan government relations was when the board refused to boycott a home game on the day of the independence referendum. And even then they handled the matter with kids' gloves.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 20, 2021, 09:11:03 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 20, 2021, 08:31:49 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 08:10:15 AM
QuoteAlways willing to be the odd man out, the Catalan government has defended the right of the breakaway clubs to form their own competition  :lol:
:lol: Admirable.

Well, they *do* have a thing for unilateral secession.  :P

In the French press, there has been talk of a Guerre de sécession du football européen. Guerre de Sécession being the ACW in French.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on April 20, 2021, 09:25:36 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 07:57:31 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 20, 2021, 07:54:27 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 07:50:39 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 20, 2021, 07:45:28 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 06:04:53 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 20, 2021, 05:58:02 AM
Bunch of chokers. Get a chance to change European soccer for the better & choke on the start line.

If you think that'd be a change for the better...  :rolleyes:

Yes. I am always amazed how FIFA lets the top of Association Football be so diluted.

Others would consider that to be something favourable rather than a handicap.

If so, I better never hear anything bad about the MLS level of play ever again.

What does that have to do with anything?

You tell me some think it's good that the top level of the sports dilute it's talent pool! While the MLS gets laughed at for not being great enough!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on April 20, 2021, 09:26:32 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 20, 2021, 08:27:38 AM
Hasn't FIFA been pushing for Liga MX and MLS to merge or form their own Super League recently ? :lol:

But yeah, when people are praising FIFA and UEFA over you then you know you've gone way too far.

Yes but FIFA's aim seems to force MLS to get out of the summer schedule more than creating a super american league.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 09:28:09 AM
Amazon Prime issued a statement disassociating themselves from this project and saying they weren't involved in discussions about it. Adding broadcasters (who will generate the revenue JP Morgan are projecting :blink:) to the list of unconsulted stakeholders.

It's crazy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 09:30:43 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 20, 2021, 09:25:36 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 07:57:31 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 20, 2021, 07:54:27 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 07:50:39 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 20, 2021, 07:45:28 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 06:04:53 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 20, 2021, 05:58:02 AM
Bunch of chokers. Get a chance to change European soccer for the better & choke on the start line.

If you think that'd be a change for the better...  :rolleyes:

Yes. I am always amazed how FIFA lets the top of Association Football be so diluted.

Others would consider that to be something favourable rather than a handicap.

If so, I better never hear anything bad about the MLS level of play ever again.

What does that have to do with anything?

You tell me some think it's good that the top level of the sports dilute it's talent pool! While the MLS gets laughed at for not being great enough!

I sincerely have no idea about how your thought process goes in this issue.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 20, 2021, 09:31:52 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 09:28:09 AM
Amazon Prime issued a statement disassociating themselves from this project and saying they weren't involved in discussions about it. Adding broadcasters (who will generate the revenue JP Morgan are projecting :blink:) to the list of unconsulted stakeholders.

It's crazy.

Some of these owners (the Glazers and Stan Kroenke) are utterly clueless and disconnected. Amazing but not surprising.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 20, 2021, 09:31:57 AM
I hope man City are made the scapegoat here.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 20, 2021, 09:43:05 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 20, 2021, 09:31:57 AM
I hope man City are made the scapegoat here.

Back in the 80s I really enjoyed playing Man. City in Football Manager on the Commodore 64. Taking them up from the 4th division to the top of the first, and beating Man. Utd was very satisfying.

Alas, the shine has worn off :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 09:47:52 AM
The Guardian is quoting a rule from the Premier League rulebook that might prevent the 6 English teams from participating in the ESL without the approval of at least part of the rest of the Premier League teams:

Quote"Except with the prior written approval of the board, during the season a club shall not enter or play its senior men's first team in any competition other than:

L.9.1 - The UEFA Champions League
L.9.2 - The UEFA Europa League
L.9.3 - The FA Cup
L.9.4 - The FA Community Shield
L.9.5 - The Football League Cup or
L.9.6 - Competitions sanctioned by the County Association of which it is a member."

It doesn't include the Club World Cup, though...  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 09:50:36 AM
I think that's sanctioned by the FA as a member of FIFA so is caught by L.9.6.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 20, 2021, 09:50:43 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 09:28:09 AM
Amazon Prime issued a statement disassociating themselves from this project and saying they weren't involved in discussions about it. Adding broadcasters (who will generate the revenue JP Morgan are projecting :blink:) to the list of unconsulted stakeholders.

It's crazy.

Heh, that's interesting. This morning somebody very well connected told me he had been told they were involved.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 20, 2021, 10:06:48 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 09:47:52 AM
The Guardian is quoting a rule from the Premier League rulebook that might prevent the 6 English teams from participating in the ESL without the approval of at least part of the rest of the Premier League teams:

Quote"Except with the prior written approval of the board, during the season a club shall not enter or play its senior men's first team in any competition other than:

L.9.1 - The UEFA Champions League
L.9.2 - The UEFA Europa League
L.9.3 - The FA Cup
L.9.4 - The FA Community Shield
L.9.5 - The Football League Cup or
L.9.6 - Competitions sanctioned by the County Association of which it is a member."

It doesn't include the Club World Cup, though...  :hmm:

What does "during the season" mean though? They can just sign the ESL joining contract in the summer and not be "during the season".
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 10:09:18 AM
I think it means the games can't happen during the season - so clubs can do whatever they want off-season over the summer, but during the Premier League season (so August-May) they can't play in other competitions.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 20, 2021, 10:15:13 AM
Really enjoying Pérez and Agnelli embracing their role as supervillains  :lol:

Quote
Tancredi Palmeri @tancredipalmeri
·
4h
Andrea Agnelli at Serie A board meeting - when others were protesting that with #SuperLeague money they would always win domestic title - replied:

"Same that as happened in last 80 years".

Followed various insults from others presidents, including Torino's calling him 'Judas'
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on April 20, 2021, 10:40:32 AM
i mean he has a point. hard to argue that big money will skew the game when big money has always meant winning.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on April 20, 2021, 11:25:26 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 09:30:43 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 20, 2021, 09:25:36 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 07:57:31 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 20, 2021, 07:54:27 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 07:50:39 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 20, 2021, 07:45:28 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 06:04:53 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 20, 2021, 05:58:02 AM
Bunch of chokers. Get a chance to change European soccer for the better & choke on the start line.

If you think that'd be a change for the better...  :rolleyes:

Yes. I am always amazed how FIFA lets the top of Association Football be so diluted.

Others would consider that to be something favourable rather than a handicap.

If so, I better never hear anything bad about the MLS level of play ever again.

What does that have to do with anything?

You tell me some think it's good that the top level of the sports dilute it's talent pool! While the MLS gets laughed at for not being great enough!

I sincerely have no idea about how your thought process goes in this issue.

  :lol:

It's ok. We don't need to talk about the MLS. It's ELS time.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 20, 2021, 11:37:17 AM
Quote from: HVC on April 20, 2021, 10:40:32 AM
i mean he has a point. hard to argue that big money will skew the game when big money has always meant winning.

It's Italy, not Portugal  :P, so there is a bit more of variety, with Lazio, Roma, Napoli and Sampdoria winning in recent years.

OTOH, the decline of the Serie since the early 2000's meant less variety.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 11:39:57 AM
One of the journos at Johnson's covid press conference snuck in a question on the Super League :lol: :bleeding:

Edit: Correction - every journalist is asking questions about the Super League.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 11:40:44 AM
Quote from: HVC on April 20, 2021, 10:40:32 AM
i mean he has a point. hard to argue that big money will skew the game when big money has always meant winning.

In Italy you need money *and* underhanded tactics (and Juventus is an expert in both parts), just ask Luciano Moggi.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 20, 2021, 11:45:27 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 11:40:44 AM
Quote from: HVC on April 20, 2021, 10:40:32 AM
i mean he has a point. hard to argue that big money will skew the game when big money has always meant winning.

In Italy you need money *and* underhanded tactics (and Juventus is an expert in both parts), just ask Luciano Moggi.  :P


So is Inter, though they managed to shift most of the blame to Juventus. Calciopoli ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 11:46:21 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on April 20, 2021, 11:45:27 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 11:40:44 AM
Quote from: HVC on April 20, 2021, 10:40:32 AM
i mean he has a point. hard to argue that big money will skew the game when big money has always meant winning.

In Italy you need money *and* underhanded tactics (and Juventus is an expert in both parts), just ask Luciano Moggi.  :P

So is Inter, though they managed to shift most of the blame to Juventus. Calciopoli ;)

Nah, Inter are legendary chokers. Definitely behind Juve and Milan in that area.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 11:50:35 AM
And in response to the football/covid questions Johnson doesn't want to pre-empt the governance review, but he knows that Tracey Crouch (the MP chairing the review) is very impressed with the German model.

Launch a Super League, accidentally lose a controlling stake in our company :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 20, 2021, 11:55:53 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 11:46:21 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on April 20, 2021, 11:45:27 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 11:40:44 AM
Quote from: HVC on April 20, 2021, 10:40:32 AM
i mean he has a point. hard to argue that big money will skew the game when big money has always meant winning.

In Italy you need money *and* underhanded tactics (and Juventus is an expert in both parts), just ask Luciano Moggi.  :P

So is Inter, though they managed to shift most of the blame to Juventus. Calciopoli ;)

Nah, Inter are legendary chokers. Definitely behind Juve and Milan in that area.

Silver medal back in the day at least, in Berlusconi times bronze, yes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 20, 2021, 11:56:10 AM
I'll believe it when I see it, but it would be delicious.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 12:03:20 PM
Quote from: Jacob on April 20, 2021, 11:56:10 AM
I'll believe it when I see it, but it would be delicious.
I know :lol:

And I'd love to see the prep docs for this and what risks they flagged. From the leak the Guardian got it warned there might be "some opposition" as there would be to any change which may have underestimated things.

I haven't seen British public opinion and press in this much of a unified, outraged indignation since the MP expenses scandal. I can't think of anything else that's had the Guardian to the Sun basically as one - plus open editorialising by broadcast news which isn't really allowed but is letting slide especially on Sky Sports News.

Edit: Also, obviously the protests are bad and break the rules - but I have found some of them very funny like the guy in Leeds with a saxophone playing Money Money Money when the Liverpool team coach arrived. And this sign at Chelsea tonight:
(https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/4d45e42e7554f090f237c7e64800490a132ac30d/0_5_4000_2401/master/4000.jpg?width=620&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=76980a11d79dcd2179801f17bfebef71)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on April 20, 2021, 12:13:12 PM
I realize this is a really long term threat to top European clubs, but...

The general set up of a couple wealthy and successful teams in leagues of shit teams is not maximizing revenue. The best players going against mid tier clubs is not must watch (in person or on television).

In the US, soccer is now probably approaching the levels of popularity of baseball (and has probably passed hockey by). MLS has a salary structure that doesn't make it competitive with european leagues, but the salaries the top baseball players get would be. You could end up with european players getting lured to the US while in their prime, and over time the US having the top domestic league. While the fans in the US lack the passion of europeans (by a long shot), it is a wealthier market overall, and has a bigger population than western europe.

We already have this dynamic in hockey: some of the top hockey players are in US cities that don't care about hockey, but the economics work out that they are the most lucrative markets.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on April 20, 2021, 12:17:13 PM
has salary caps ever been a possibility in football in Europe?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 12:49:19 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on April 20, 2021, 12:13:12 PM
I realize this is a really long term threat to top European clubs, but...

The general set up of a couple wealthy and successful teams in leagues of shit teams is not maximizing revenue. The best players going against mid tier clubs is not must watch (in person or on television).

In the US, soccer is now probably approaching the levels of popularity of baseball (and has probably passed hockey by). MLS has a salary structure that doesn't make it competitive with european leagues, but the salaries the top baseball players get would be. You could end up with european players getting lured to the US while in their prime, and over time the US having the top domestic league. While the fans in the US lack the passion of europeans (by a long shot), it is a wealthier market overall, and has a bigger population than western europe.

We already have this dynamic in hockey: some of the top hockey players are in US cities that don't care about hockey, but the economics work out that they are the most lucrative markets.
Agreed - and at some point China too will catch up. I think they've changed from paying insane fees and wages to European players to trying to develop a stronger domestic league. But there was a sense that might be starting to happen when Shanghai bought Oscar from Chelsea for £60million when he was only 24. But China's changed strategy.

And I don't entirely oppose the idea of multi-nation leagues - I think they need to be part of an open competitive system and a bit of thinking. But, like Rory Smith in the NYT, I think the idea of an African super league makes a lot of sense, same for a Scandinavian and Benelux league. In the future a European league might make more sense too but as I say this seems to include the worst elements of both American and European sport - so there's no salary structure or real wage control or draft to create competition within a closed system, and there's no relegation or promotion so there's no competition within an open system. I think there's principled reasons to not like it, but I also think it's not an interesting sporting idea.

In the long term I think it's clear that, especially American owners, want to impose some form of wage control in some way. But we're nowhere near there yet.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 20, 2021, 12:51:59 PM
Quote from: HVC on April 20, 2021, 12:17:13 PM
has salary caps ever been a possibility in football in Europe?

La Liga has salary caps, but not in the sense american sports do. The cap is based on your revenue, so richer clubs can pay higher wages. It's a mechanism to avoid clubs overspending.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on April 20, 2021, 12:55:31 PM
Yeah a truly European super-league could be quite interesting.  Throw in teams from Germany, France, the low countries, eastern europe, scandinavia - Russia even.

But this ESL isn't that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 20, 2021, 12:58:24 PM
Chels are pulling out.

Victory. Victory at all costs

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 01:13:13 PM
Quote from: celedhring on April 20, 2021, 12:51:59 PM
Quote from: HVC on April 20, 2021, 12:17:13 PM
has salary caps ever been a possibility in football in Europe?

La Liga has salary caps, but not in the sense american sports do. The cap is based on your revenue, so richer clubs can pay higher wages. It's a mechanism to avoid clubs overspending.
I think a maximum salary is illegal in Europe - used to exist in England back in the day. Jimmy Hill campaigned to get rid of it.

QuoteYeah a truly European super-league could be quite interesting.  Throw in teams from Germany, France, the low countries, eastern europe, scandinavia - Russia even.
I mean that's not a million miles away from what the Champions League/Europea League is :lol:

QuoteChels are pulling out.

Victory. Victory at all costs
:w00t: Now smash them so this never happens again.

Also as you said earlier an issue with PSG, UEFA, FIFA and now Chelsea as the goodies - it's like the reverse of that Mitchell and Webb sketch :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 20, 2021, 01:15:07 PM
I'm waiting patiently for Arsenal to announce they are pulling out but Stan is a huge POS so I suspect they will be the last English club to pull out.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 01:15:26 PM
Man City also pulling out - the two last in, who need the money least.

I imagine all the other clubs will rush to pull out now - I suspect Agnelli and Perez will be the last holdouts but maybe not.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 20, 2021, 01:16:39 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 01:13:13 PM
Also as you said earlier an issue with PSG, UEFA, FIFA and now Chelsea as the goodies - it's like the reverse of that Mitchell and Webb sketch :lol:

They will never be good, just less bad than the rest   :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 01:21:02 PM
Petr Cech talking to the protesters:
https://twitter.com/phillipjames4/status/1384557485680480259?s=20

As this continues the cross from just sports to politics (see also Keir Starmer tweeting that this is great news but we need to keep going to change the game so fans are first). But that Cech video has real old regime collapsing vibes :o

Also apparently Chelsea players were very unhappy with this and especially the risk of being banned from internationals - and if nothing else Abramovich listens to the dressing room.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on April 20, 2021, 01:23:20 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 12:49:19 PM
In the future a European league might make more sense too but as I say this seems to include the worst elements of both American and European sport - so there's no salary structure or real wage control or draft to create competition within a closed system, and there's no relegation or promotion so there's no competition within an open system. I think there's principled reasons to not like it, but I also think it's not an interesting sporting idea.

In the long term I think it's clear that, especially American owners, want to impose some form of wage control in some way. But we're nowhere near there yet.

The US system isn't just wage controls: there are salary caps combined with salary minimums and extensive revenue sharing (NFL being the best example, MLB being a poor one). You don't need a truly closed system to generate this: but it doesn't work if Barcelona and Real Madrid are in a league with a team from a shit town in the countryside. Which effectively means you would need to stop promotion and relegation and you need some sort of pan european league: else shit teams from the countryside are going to be included.

The top players and the owners should be financially aligned in wanting to maximize revenue.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 01:41:24 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on April 20, 2021, 01:23:20 PM
The US system isn't just wage controls: there are salary caps combined with salary minimums and extensive revenue sharing (NFL being the best example, MLB being a poor one). You don't need a truly closed system to generate this: but it doesn't work if Barcelona and Real Madrid are in a league with a team from a shit town in the countryside. Which effectively means you would need to stop promotion and relegation and you need some sort of pan european league: else shit teams from the countryside are going to be included.

The top players and the owners should be financially aligned in wanting to maximize revenue.
Yeah but I think one of the big drivers for this is that the Americans, the Spanish Clubs and generally the Italian clubs are real businesses who want to maximise revenue and turn a profit. They are competing in European leagues and domestically with clubs that are not primarily businesses to make a profit. They're owned by nation states for reputation laundering or oligarchs as an expensive hobby.

I'm not really sure the shit country team makes that much difference in terms of lost revenue compared to the amount you have to spend to keep up with clubs who are willing and able to drop €50-60 million on squad players.

Atletico and Barca apparently backing out - the Americans are holding firm. All 12 clubs are having a call tonight which I imagine will be explosive :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 20, 2021, 01:42:53 PM
Queue Chelsea being non-English jokes... oh wait, no, they have been the first to listen to their fans!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 01:45:09 PM
Quote from: Tamas on April 20, 2021, 01:42:53 PM
Queue Chelsea being non-English jokes... oh wait, no, they have been the first to listen to their fans!
Who makes Chelsea being non-English jokes? :blink:

I thought that was aimed at Arsenal - weren't they first to field an entirely non-English team?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on April 20, 2021, 01:49:47 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 01:45:09 PM
Quote from: Tamas on April 20, 2021, 01:42:53 PM
Queue Chelsea being non-English jokes... oh wait, no, they have been the first to listen to their fans!
Who makes Chelsea being non-English jokes? :blink:

I thought that was aimed at Arsenal - weren't they first to field an entirely non-English team?

You know how much I follow the EPL but I seem to recall people making fun of Tamas for being a fan of "Chelski".
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 20, 2021, 01:53:45 PM
Sheilbh, do you have links to the various clubs backing out? I'd like to savour the collapse in detail  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on April 20, 2021, 01:55:21 PM
https://www.espn.com/soccer/chelsea/story/4365271/sources-chelseaman-city-to-ask-out-of-super-league-in-shock-reversal
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 01:56:56 PM
Yeah but that's because they're owned by a Russian oligarch - and were the first to bought by someone with masses of money. It just changed the game when Abramovich came in. Then Man City were bought by Abu Dhabi :lol:

English football is not particularly English owned :P

Arsenal, Manchester United, Burnley, Fulham and Liverpool are owned by Yanks. Wolves are owned by a Chinese company who've also invested in an agents' company (he often represents the selling club, buying club and the player in engineering some unusual transfers :lol:). Sheffield are owned by a Saudi Prince and Man City by Abu Dhabi. My club are owned by a British-Iranian accountant who is close personal friends with another Russian oligarch. Leicester are owned by a Thai company - it's crazy how much Leicester advertising you see in Bangkok. And that's just off the top of my head.

According to TalkSport the Super League is off :lol: :w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 01:58:16 PM
Quote from: Jacob on April 20, 2021, 01:53:45 PM
Sheilbh, do you have links to the various clubs backing out? I'd like to savour the collapse in detail  :)
Largely just following the Guardian liveblog.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2021/apr/20/european-super-league-backlash-builds-against-breakaway-plan-live

Ed Woodward has also stepped down as chairman of Man United - this must be a failure bigger than Moyes, van Gaal, Mourinho and the hundreds of millions of transfer fees he's spent on players who've disappointed :o :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 01:58:48 PM
It is now being rumoured that all 6 English teams are pulling out and that Woodward is stepping down as chairman from Man United.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 02:01:14 PM
Quote from: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 01:58:48 PM
It is now being rumoured that all 6 English teams are pulling out and that Woodward is stepping down as chairman from Man United.
A Spurs supporting fan just said they'll stay until the end so they can claim the Super League trophy :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 20, 2021, 02:03:30 PM
Incredible scenes now that the attempted coup has failed.

Woodward resigning. Rumors the Glazers want to cash out. Angelli resigning. Seismic event happening now.

Meanwhile Stan Kroenke sits on the toilet.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 20, 2021, 02:06:15 PM
Some point somewhere that it was the oligarchs pulling out first, which would make sense, for them it's always been a prestige ticket to civilised society. The Americans are actually in it to make money, so they want(ed) to stick with the profit-making option.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 02:08:52 PM
Quote from: Tamas on April 20, 2021, 02:06:15 PM
Some point somewhere that it was the oligarchs pulling out first, which would make sense, for them it's always been a prestige ticket to civilised society. The Americans are actually in it to make money, so they want(ed) to stick with the profit-making option.
Yeah - the yanks, Spurs, the Spanish clubs and the Italians generally want to make money so were first in and last out. Chelsea and Man City don't care and were last in, first out.

God I'd pay good money to read the "risks" section of the proposal for this :lol:

Edit: Also this tweet is very fair:
QuoteRaphael Honigstein
@honigstein
Earlier, I've put it to a German club official that the Super League 12 must have some really clever ideas to get around all the obstacles, relative to the huge reputational risk they're facing.

Answer: "Never underestimate the incompetence of people."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on April 20, 2021, 02:25:08 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 01:41:24 PM
Yeah but I think one of the big drivers for this is that the Americans, the Spanish Clubs and generally the Italian clubs are real businesses who want to maximise revenue and turn a profit. They are competing in European leagues and domestically with clubs that are not primarily businesses to make a profit. They're owned by nation states for reputation laundering or oligarchs as an expensive hobby.

I'm not really sure the shit country team makes that much difference in terms of lost revenue compared to the amount you have to spend to keep up with clubs who are willing and able to drop €50-60 million on squad players.

Atletico and Barca apparently backing out - the Americans are holding firm. All 12 clubs are having a call tonight which I imagine will be explosive :lol:

Sheilbh, you are thinking about this from the wrong perspective.

There are 32 teams in the NFL playing 16 games a season - 256 games. Total TV revenue is over $8 billion.

There are 20 teams in the EPL, playing 38 matches a season - 380 matches. Total TV revenue is just over $5 billion.

There is almost certainly more passion in the EPL in the UK than for the NFL in America (which has multiple competing sports), but if you own a major team in the EPL your TV product is diluted by having to play shit teams (not must see TV) AND by having audiences distracted by other leagues. What do you think the TV rights would be for a league of the top 20 teams across all of Europe? I assume it would be several times what the EPL contract is worth.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 20, 2021, 02:30:42 PM
For sure the position of the super-leaguers are not entirely without merit. But, it's all moot at this point.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 20, 2021, 02:35:37 PM
Quote from: Tamas on April 20, 2021, 02:30:42 PM
For sure the position of the super-leaguers are not entirely without merit. But, it's all moot at this point.

Yeah, a super league will eventually happen. With the input of everyone with a stake in European club football, it could be successful and well-received. Someday.

This episode was an arrogant powerplay by outsiders so far up their own asses that they managed to destroy their own project within 2 days. It's quite remarkable.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 02:41:08 PM
No I totally agree with that. My point was some of the clubs aren't businesses in the normal sense - so they've got other motivations which aren't always aligned with business sense.

The top 4 in England also play in the Champions League so they get their share of the, I think, $3.5 billion revenues in that competition - then there's a smaller pot for teams 5-7 in other European competitions. But there's more games. One of the reasons for this Super League is that a number of those top clubs haven't been regularly getting into the Champions League so they're not getting that money.

The American sports are the best at maximising revenue and there's a huge amount European can learn from them and there's no doubt that a Super League makes business sense for those clubs. I don't think anyone's saying otherwise.

The flipside of the increased revenue is they want more financial controls because there's been huge inflation in transfers in the last few years - even 6-7 years ago record transfer fees were around £80-100 million. Then PSG (Qatar) spent over £200 million on Neymar. If that's now the top-end of fees then normal business clubs like Madrid, Barca etc can't compete. So the Super League also included I think a 55% of revenue salary cap and limits on transfer spending. It's perfect business sense, again - minimise risk, maximise revenue and place controls on cost for you and your competitors (who are, occasionally, nation states).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on April 20, 2021, 02:54:31 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 02:41:08 PM
Then PSG (Qatar) spent over £200 million on Neymar. If that's now the top-end of fees then normal business clubs like Madrid, Barca etc can't compete. So the Super League also included I think a 55% of revenue salary cap and limits on transfer spending. It's perfect business sense, again - minimise risk, maximise revenue and place controls on cost for you and your competitors (who are, occasionally, nation states).

But then when you compare to the US, baseball players have large salaries in a sport that isn't even the most popular in the country and individual contributions to victory are really limited. A few sample contracts:

Mike Trout: $426.5 million over 12 years
Gerrit Cole: $324 million over 9 years
Max Scherzer: $210 million over 7 years
Stephen Strasburg: $245 million over 7 years
Nolan Arenado: $260 million over 8 years
Manny Machado: $300 million over 10 years

https://www.mlb.com/news/highest-paid-baseball-players-in-2020

None of those guys play for teams owned by Qatar. The point being: £200 million for Neymar isn't that much considering the popularity of soccer in Europe.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 20, 2021, 03:00:10 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 02:41:08 PM

The flipside of the increased revenue is they want more financial controls because there's been huge inflation in transfers in the last few years - even 6-7 years ago record transfer fees were around £80-100 million. Then PSG (Qatar) spent over £200 million on Neymar. If that's now the top-end of fees then normal business clubs like Madrid, Barca etc can't compete. So the Super League also included I think a 55% of revenue salary cap and limits on transfer spending. It's perfect business sense, again - minimise risk, maximise revenue and place controls on cost for you and your competitors (who are, occasionally, nation states).

Butbutbut... the spirit of sport omg!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 20, 2021, 03:03:15 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 01:13:13 PM
Quote from: celedhring on April 20, 2021, 12:51:59 PM
Quote from: HVC on April 20, 2021, 12:17:13 PM
has salary caps ever been a possibility in football in Europe?

La Liga has salary caps, but not in the sense american sports do. The cap is based on your revenue, so richer clubs can pay higher wages. It's a mechanism to avoid clubs overspending.
I think a maximum salary is illegal in Europe - used to exist in England back in the day. Jimmy Hill campaigned to get rid of it.


You can pay individual players whatever you want, as long as you don't exceed the team cap.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 20, 2021, 03:07:52 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on April 20, 2021, 02:54:31 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 02:41:08 PM
Then PSG (Qatar) spent over £200 million on Neymar. If that's now the top-end of fees then normal business clubs like Madrid, Barca etc can't compete. So the Super League also included I think a 55% of revenue salary cap and limits on transfer spending. It's perfect business sense, again - minimise risk, maximise revenue and place controls on cost for you and your competitors (who are, occasionally, nation states).

But then when you compare to the US, baseball players have large salaries in a sport that isn't even the most popular in the country and individual contributions to victory are really limited. A few sample contracts:

Mike Trout: $426.5 million over 12 years
Gerrit Cole: $324 million over 9 years
Max Scherzer: $210 million over 7 years
Stephen Strasburg: $245 million over 7 years
Nolan Arenado: $260 million over 8 years
Manny Machado: $300 million over 10 years

https://www.mlb.com/news/highest-paid-baseball-players-in-2020

None of those guys play for teams owned by Qatar. The point being: £200 million for Neymar isn't that much considering the popularity of soccer in Europe.

Yeah, never quite understood the baseball pay structure. I'm not an expert but AFAIK individual players have much less influence on the outcome of matches compared to the other major team sports, yet you still get all the massively paid big stars and ESPN cutting to Bonds every time he's at bat*. I guess every sport is going to have star players, it's human nature.

*before the roids.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 20, 2021, 03:08:19 PM
The problem with doing a super league right that I can't wrap my head around is how to do promotion and relegation.

Swedish team in bottom 3 means Swedish champions get promoted? Sucks to be an awesome English team.

Annual playoff on the lowest finisher from each nation? So... You could win the super league and be relegated in one?

Eliminate how strictly national leagues work so it can operate much like the lower divisions of regular football? Good luck with that one... A top European super league is one thing but you'd need a bunch of buffers here and just be passing the problem down the chain.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 20, 2021, 03:09:46 PM
Now that this is done, I eagerly await the summer when these same Sky pundits are criticizing Arsenal for not spending enough money and therefore show a lack of ambition compared to Manchester City or Manchester United spending hundreds of millions in a single transfer window.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 03:10:32 PM
Yeah - absolutely and you're looking at baseball but the sport European football team owners and league administrators and players are most interested in is the basketball. They are all obsessed with the NBA - that's the model they aspire to and think they can learn from. And again the US sports are the best at this stuff.

£200 million isn't how much they paid Neymar (I think he's on £35 million a year) that's how much they paid to sign him. Right now everyone wants Erling Haaland - he has apparently has a release clause that triggers in summer 2022 for £115 million, but the oligarch/nation state clubs are sniffing around now but obviously to sign him you'd need to pay a lot more than £115 million. Again that's just not viable for a lot of the elite clubs in the current market.

One reason I suspect US athletes earn more is because they have a union and from my understanding details are published - in Europe the union is useless and all player contracts and transfers are super-confidential (not least because you get weird clauses like paying someone's dad or paying for private plane travel every month for family from Brazil or whatever). 90% of transfer fees and wages are just based on reports - they are almost always "undisclosed" publicly.

Having said that and just doing a quick search for the average squad player - so not superstars - do pretty well in Premier League (less so in other European leagues). The average wage is apparently about $4 million which is the same as baseball - but only half of basketball.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on April 20, 2021, 03:15:14 PM
Regional super leagues perhaps? Feeding into a European super duper league with 4 pan-European levels perhaps? One Scandinavia league, one German, one Balkan and so on feeding into the lowest rung. Shouldn't be very much different than how it's divided nowadays in lower leagues within one nation. Would also have most nations having at least one or two teams in the top 4 divisions.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on April 20, 2021, 03:20:33 PM
Quote from: Tyr on April 20, 2021, 03:08:19 PM
The problem with doing a super league right that I can't wrap my head around is how to do promotion and relegation.

Swedish team in bottom 3 means Swedish champions get promoted? Sucks to be an awesome English team.

Annual playoff on the lowest finisher from each nation? So... You could win the super league and be relegated in one?

Eliminate how strictly national leagues work so it can operate much like the lower divisions of regular football? Good luck with that one... A top European super league is one thing but you'd need a bunch of buffers here and just be passing the problem down the chain.

You... don't.  You just play in the Super League.  If you suck in the Super League you suck in the Super League.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 03:21:08 PM
Yeah I think especially with say Benelux or Scandinavia where the leagues themselves aren't super competitive it'd make a lot of sense to have a regional super league. Also if it was possible I think a Yugoslav league would make a lot of sense.

Similarly I think an African super league makes a lot of sense and in each case would likely increase the revenue and allow those clubs to keep players for a little while longer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 20, 2021, 03:22:31 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 03:21:08 PM
Also if it was possible I think a Yugoslav league would make a lot of sense.

That certainly would make it to the news regularly.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 20, 2021, 03:27:47 PM
Watching Chelsea-Brighton I kinda' wish I could watch Chelsea play one of the other 11 every week instead of this thing. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on April 20, 2021, 03:28:15 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 03:10:32 PM

£200 million isn't how much they paid Neymar (I think he's on £35 million a year) that's how much they paid to sign him. Right now everyone wants Erling Haaland - he has apparently has a release clause that triggers in summer 2022 for £115 million, but the oligarch/nation state clubs are sniffing around now but obviously to sign him you'd need to pay a lot more than £115 million. Again that's just not viable for a lot of the elite clubs in the current market.


Imagine you are running Barca. You are getting priced out of these guys. What is the winning move:

-move to a model where your revenues are significantly higher so Neymar is again affordable?
-try to stop oligarchs from paying their players so much?

Without doing a ton of analysis, it seems that the market for Neymar should be able to bear a whole lot more than for any baseball guy. Ominously, maybe even just in the US.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 20, 2021, 03:32:30 PM
Quote from: Barrister on April 20, 2021, 03:20:33 PM
You... don't.  You just play in the Super League.  If you suck in the Super League you suck in the Super League.

Yeah that's the thing that's currently not flying. It's unlikely to fly in the near or medium term.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 03:33:51 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on April 20, 2021, 03:28:15 PM
Imagine you are running Barca. You are getting priced out of these guys. What is the winning move:

-move to a model where your revenues are significantly higher so Neymar is again affordable?
-try to stop oligarchs from paying their players so much?

Without doing a ton of analysis, it seems that the market for Neymar should be able to bear a whole lot more than for any baseball guy. Ominously, maybe even just in the US.
Yeah - again I don't think anyone is disputing the business cae for those clubs doing it :mellow:

Interesting to see the players on this. This message was posted by Henderson and several other Liverpool players:
Quote

We don't like it and we don't want it to happen.

This is our collective position.

Our commitment to this football club and its supporters is absolute and unconditional.

You'll Never Walk Alone

Plus Bellerin joining Rashford and others in making their opposition to the plan very clear - such as Kevin de Bruyne:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ezb9j3_WYAg-UnP?format=jpg&name=small)

And from an ESPN reporter on possible changes to the Champions League now they're in a position of weakness:
QuoteDale Johnson
@DaleJohnsonESPN
When UEFA announced the new UCL format it said "potential adjustments to the format approved could still be made if necessary".

#SuperLeague Dirty Dozen are toothless.

Remove the +2 places for clubs with highest coefficient not to qualify IMMEDIATELY, give to actual champions.

If this doesn't end with the return of the Cup Winners' Cup I will be furious :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 20, 2021, 03:34:39 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 03:21:08 PM
Yeah I think especially with say Benelux or Scandinavia where the leagues themselves aren't super competitive it'd make a lot of sense to have a regional super league. Also if it was possible I think a Yugoslav league would make a lot of sense.

Similarly I think an African super league makes a lot of sense and in each case would likely increase the revenue and allow those clubs to keep players for a little while longer.

There has been talk on and off about a pan-Scandinavian top tier.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 20, 2021, 03:37:03 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 03:21:08 PM
Also if it was possible I think a Yugoslav league would make a lot of sense.

If that were to happen in a few years Tamas, Bogh and Habs would have a sequel for the game they are playing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on April 20, 2021, 03:39:37 PM
Quote from: Jacob on April 20, 2021, 03:32:30 PM
Quote from: Barrister on April 20, 2021, 03:20:33 PM
You... don't.  You just play in the Super League.  If you suck in the Super League you suck in the Super League.

Yeah that's the thing that's currently not flying. It's unlikely to fly in the near or medium term.

The whole promotion / relegation system sounds kind of cool, but I can see all kinds of problems too.

Your players are a rather fixed cost.  That's fine when your revenues are mostly from gate receipts, which should be fairly steady.  But once your revenues come increasingly from cable / streaming then having one bad year and being relegated would have a devastating effect on your bottom line.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 03:46:38 PM
Quote from: Barrister on April 20, 2021, 03:39:37 PM
Your players are a rather fixed cost.  That's fine when your revenues are mostly from gate receipts, which should be fairly steady.  But once your revenues come increasingly from cable / streaming then having one bad year and being relegated would have a devastating effect on your bottom line.
Yeah. I don't know in all the leagues but in England you get parachute payments for I think 5 years after relegation to help with the adjustment but it can be catastrophic and there are clubs that plummet down the league pyramid because of their high Premier League cost base. On the other hand there are quite canny clubs that operate on the basis that they're basically a top 15-25 club - so their entire business model is based on the fact that they will probably yo-yo. They tend to be quite resilient.

The craziest thing is there are overseas buyers taking over clubs in the lower leagues and spending huge sums of money gambling on promotion (such is the value of getting into the Premier League) which influences the rest of the lower leagues. There is a strong need for some form of regulator to step in and enforce some sustainable financing - clubs go bust (especially after covid when they rely on gates).

This even goes down to the amateur level. There's a really good book about football in the North-West and the author visits loads of local clubs up and down the pyramid. And I think it's Fylde where a local fish food millionaire bought the club and they basically became the Man City of the Northern Premier League so he started signing players on semi-pro contracts, he built a new stadium (and from memory he had a huge BREXIT MEANS BREXIT sign on it :lol:) and got promotion to the National League and then into the professional Leagues. I think they've been relegated since but he's planning to build a new bigger stadium as part of a £20 million sports village. It's crazy.

Edit: :lol: Liverpool's global "watch and timekeeping" commercial partner have pulled their sponsorship over this as Liverpool's behaviour no longer matches their corporate values.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 20, 2021, 04:21:08 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 03:33:51 PM
Yeah - again I don't think anyone is disputing the business cae for those clubs doing it :mellow:
Quote

Yeah, it makes perfect sense as a means to increase shareholder value of the Super Friends ownership groups, and as a means to create and/ or entrench market leading positions.

Conversely, it also makes sense for the teams (and thus the leagues) outside the Super Friends groups to move against the creation of additional barriers to reach market leading positions themselves.

And from the point of view of the vast majority of fans, it seems the drama of qualifiying for promotion and the CL is valued higher than consistently seeing the same top tier clubs clash.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 04:56:35 PM
I can only assume City's hospitality is outstanding :lol:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ezco62nXsAALXGt?format=jpg&name=900x900)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 20, 2021, 04:59:05 PM
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzclzunWYAEX0NX?format=jpg&name=small)

I notice the lack of policemen manhandling the fans and pushing them to the ground to arrest them, unlike that vigil in London. Then again, these don't appear to be mourning ladies so there's that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 20, 2021, 04:59:57 PM
And "saving of football" give me a break.  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 05:00:27 PM
Yeah.

Although there was a police presence I think it was mainly aimed at protecting the team coaches (why the match was delayed) and Stamford Bridge. See in the photo of Cech:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ezb59EuVEAMJfDR?format=jpg&name=small)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 05:04:37 PM
The club statements are ridiculous and make it very clear they'd all do the exact same thing again :bleeding:

Liverpool:
QuoteLiverpool Football Club can confirm that our involvement in proposed plans to form a European Super League has been discontinued. In recent days, the club has received representations from various key stakeholders, both internally and externally, and we would like to thank them for their valuable contributions.
United:
QuoteManchester United will not be participating in the European Super League.

We have listened carefully to the reaction from our fans, the UK government and other key stakeholders.

We remain committed to working with others across the football community to come up with sustainable solutions to the long-term challenges facing the game.

Arsenal and Spurs at least expressed some regret - and Arsenal even apologised.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 20, 2021, 05:05:18 PM
I find it disgusting. When they faced peaceful women they went in guns blazing and knees in spines. Replace women with angry teenage boys and suddenly that thirst for decisive action is gone.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 20, 2021, 05:09:28 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 05:04:37 PM
The club statements are ridiculous and make it very clear they'd all do the exact same thing again :bleeding:

Liverpool:
QuoteLiverpool Football Club can confirm that our involvement in proposed plans to form a European Super League has been discontinued. In recent days, the club has received representations from various key stakeholders, both internally and externally, and we would like to thank them for their valuable contributions.
United:
QuoteManchester United will not be participating in the European Super League.

We have listened carefully to the reaction from our fans, the UK government and other key stakeholders.

We remain committed to working with others across the football community to come up with sustainable solutions to the long-term challenges facing the game.

Arsenal and Spurs at least expressed some regret - and Arsenal even apologised.

Well, I mean, what do you expect? Public pressure made them retreat and re-accept UEFA skimming their milk but there was slim chance they'd suddenly buy the sanctimonious "omg sport is ruinered" shrilling, especially it coming from corrupt bastards like UEFA and FIFA.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 05:14:47 PM
Quote from: Tamas on April 20, 2021, 05:05:18 PM
I find it disgusting. When they faced peaceful women they went in guns blazing and knees in spines. Replace women with angry teenage boys and suddenly that thirst for decisive action is gone.
As I said about the vigil - I think the Met's basic approach is if they think they can disperse you without receiving much violence they will, if they don't they won't. Which I'm not sure is a great public order policing strategy.

QuoteWell, I mean, what do you expect? Public pressure made them retreat and re-accept UEFA skimming their milk but there was slim chance they'd suddenly buy the sanctimonious "omg sport is ruinered" shrilling, especially it coming from corrupt bastards like UEFA and FIFA.
And their fans, their players and their managers. Given that you'd expect some sort of pro forma "we've listened to what you said and we got this wrong. We'll work to re-engage with our supporters yadda yadda" - the sort of statement they all issued when they were furloughing staff or whatever.

Although as the Guardian pointed out the Spurs line "we should like to thank all those supporters who presented their considered opinions" is great :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 20, 2021, 05:25:30 PM
Arsenal actually apologized which was quite nice of them.

Kroenke still needs to go immediately.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 20, 2021, 05:50:21 PM
Mint Barney Ronay in the Guardian:

QuoteAs the sun dipped below the roof-line of Stamford Bridge something strange began to happen. The birds flew backwards through the sky, the cats barked, the trees turned a tangerine hue, and Roman Abramovich became, at a stroke, the protector of the people's game, enemy of the elites, the oligarch of the masses.

What world is this we have now entered? How far have we travelled through the looking glass? What powerful hallucinogenic drugs have been administered to lead us in the space of three days to a place where the hordes of football supporters on the Fulham Road can proclaim English football's original – and most dizzyingly transformative oligarch – as their white knight, tender of the grass roots, pharaoh of pyramid and all the rest of it?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 06:07:13 PM
So FA threatened a domestic competition ban and withdraw the "governing body endorsements" granted by the FA which are basically necessary to get a work visa. From what I understand that would mean the "big six" would be in a European Super League and no English competitions but, after Brexit, only able to sign British players :lol:

Apparently the FA was emboldened by strong support from government:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/apr/20/chelsea-and-manchester-city-quit-super-league-after-fa-ban-warning
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 20, 2021, 06:10:01 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 06:07:13 PM
So FA threatened a domestic competition ban and withdraw the "governing body endorsements" granted by the FA which are basically necessary to get a work visa. From what I understand that would mean the "big six" would be in a European Super League and no English competitions but, after Brexit, only able to sign British players :lol:

Apparently the FA was emboldened by strong support from government:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/apr/20/chelsea-and-manchester-city-quit-super-league-after-fa-ban-warning

Yeah, it'd probably be hard to sell the TV rights for that for billions of dollars.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 20, 2021, 06:15:17 PM
I mean I'd have morbid curiousity in watching England's sixth best centre back partnership going up against Juventus and Inter - but probably not every week.

I feel like this could be seismic. For the last 30 years these mega-clubs have held all the cards in negotiations with domestic leagues and with UEFA because they've threatened to leave and form a super league. And they've got loads of changes because of that threat, but I'm not sure that leverage works now they've gone and done it :lol:

Edit: Amazing - Agnelli gave an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport which is in Wednesday's edition printed before tonight's decisions. In it he clamed the Super League was "a blood pact" and has a "100% chance of success" :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 20, 2021, 06:44:18 PM
Inter pulls out, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Barely one hour ago they were saying that all 3 Italian clubs would act together about staying or leaving.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Richard Hakluyt on April 21, 2021, 01:49:39 AM
I find it interesting that the rich men behind this scheme seem to have had no idea how the average football fan would react. These ultra-rich are on a different planet these days. I feel that if inequality continues to increase there may be unpleasant solutions as the ruling class loses touch and does not make the necessary adjustments to maintain civic order.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: garbon on April 21, 2021, 01:53:44 AM
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on April 21, 2021, 01:49:39 AM
I find it interesting that the rich men behind this scheme seem to have had no idea how the average football fan would react. These ultra-rich are on a different planet these days. I feel that if inequality continues to increase there may be unpleasant solutions as the ruling class loses touch and does not make the necessary adjustments to maintain civic order.


I mean I agree with your general point but I feel it may be a tad grandiose to link this as an example supporting the demise of civilization.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Richard Hakluyt on April 21, 2021, 01:58:46 AM
yes and no  :P

The working class are already exceedingly pissed-off here in the UK and now there was an attempt to take their game from them; it has turned out to be a damp squib but it is also an entry on a long list.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 21, 2021, 02:20:41 AM
Yeah they certainly had that feeling once all the people deeply interested in maintaining the status quo have told them so but was it really in danger? UEFA's Champions League was certainly in mortal danger, but any risk to the domestic competitions came from UEFA and the FA's threats of retribution if UEFA's financial interests are not considered.

I just can't see this as a "seismic moment". I never like when stagnation wins over change, as stagnation inevitably leads to decay. I think the seismic change would have been this Super League and even if it eventually would have flopped it would have triggered positive changes overall.

Couple of user comments in the Guardian which largely match how I am feeling:

QuoteAt least we can all go back to the warm embrace of football's true custodians, champions of the fans and of the people's game: Sky and UEFA. Can't wait to go back to quietly paying £45 a month for TV and lobbying for a ticket as part of a 10% allocation in a European final held in whichever state handed over the biggest backhander

QuoteSo where are we now? The ridiculous European Super League has gone, six English clubs have revealed themselves to be selfish, greedy bastards (and who is shocked by that?), our opportunistic Prime Minister seized on an absolute gift and gained some personal pride and credit, and the damn Champions League - already a bloated, often tedious, usually predictable tournament that's very bloody close to a closed shop already - has forced through changes that will make it even worse.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 21, 2021, 02:35:07 AM
I do wonder to what extent EUROPE in the name pissed off the fuckwits
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 21, 2021, 02:40:04 AM
The live-commentary running journos at the Guardian do not bother with an objective stance on this one. e.g.

QuoteNone of you seem particularly impressed with [Liverpool owner] Henry's effort. His words are particularly jarring when you think about the last few days. He calls it "disruption". It was a betrayal.

:lol:

Got to hand it to the press, they very quickly turned a betrayal of UEFA execs into a betrayal of all people.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 21, 2021, 02:50:06 AM
Oh. And as to where we are now.
We continue living in our neo liberal late stage capitalist hellscape. As who knows. Maybe one day you will be a millionaire!
Rather than the authoritarian dictatorship where you know your place and shut up that the ESL presented.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: garbon on April 21, 2021, 02:57:15 AM
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on April 21, 2021, 01:58:46 AM
yes and no  :P

The working class are already exceedingly pissed-off here in the UK and now there was an attempt to take their game from them; it has turned out to be a damp squib but it is also an entry on a long list.


Part of the game being taken away narrative was because people in positions of power and influence found it in their interests to promote the narrative that the game was being taken from them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 21, 2021, 03:01:57 AM
The UK government consult with the UEFA on how to regulate things going forward with the Guardian cheering on:

QuoteThis is more like it.

Oliver Dowden, the UK's Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, has been speaking this morning.

"It's very important that we don't see this as the end of the process. What this is highlighting, more than ever, is the need to look at the wider governance of football ... I met with the president of Uefa on Monday and I'll be ... speaking to him again later today. We've been absolutely resolute in saying that we will not have our national game taken away from us for profit."

:x
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on April 21, 2021, 04:14:17 AM
Quote from: garbon on April 21, 2021, 02:57:15 AM
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on April 21, 2021, 01:58:46 AM
yes and no  :P

The working class are already exceedingly pissed-off here in the UK and now there was an attempt to take their game from them; it has turned out to be a damp squib but it is also an entry on a long list.


Part of the game being taken away narrative was because people in positions of power and influence found it in their interests to promote the narrative that the game was being taken from them.

No. It was because the game was being taken away from them. No narrative was needed, it was bleeding obvious.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 21, 2021, 04:54:08 AM
Yeah, there's no need to get all super cynical and snide eyed about it, it was really fucking blatant.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 21, 2021, 04:57:34 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 21, 2021, 02:35:07 AM
I do wonder to what extent EUROPE in the name pissed off the fuckwits
It didn't - it was called "The Super League". Therre's no doubt in my mind that was so it wouldn't be limited to Europe as other media markets develop and I expect that some of those owners would have looked at moving those clubs away from their "legacy fans" and legacy location.

I think in the press and statements by the clubs it was described as a European Super League to make it more palatable.

QuoteI just can't see this as a "seismic moment". I never like when stagnation wins over change, as stagnation inevitably leads to decay. I think the seismic change would have been this Super League and even if it eventually would have flopped it would have triggered positive changes overall.
There's always been an inevitability about a European Super League and it's been the big threat from the big clubs to get their way.

They wanted more games, they wanted ways to make sure they can qualify for the CL even if they didn't do very well in the league, they wanted a bigger share of the money. And generally they got those things because they are a huge attraction for people to watch the leagues they're in - and if they didn't get at least some of what they want they'd walk away and set up their own league. When this launched most football journalists I saw thought this was another bit of posturing so the clubs would stay in the CL but get more money and more games and more security. But it was serious and it failed.

So that threat's gone. It's like the Emperor's new clothes - next time they say they need x, y and z changes or they'll form a Super League I think other parties will be comfortable with calling their bluff.

Now I hope fans move on - I hope agitate for lower ticket prices at these clubs, for more of a say from the government.

QuoteGot to hand it to the press, they very quickly turned a betrayal of UEFA execs into a betrayal of all people.
Isn't it that, by accident, UEFA found itself on the same side as the vast majority of football fans (including the fans of those clubs)?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 21, 2021, 04:58:17 AM
In what way do the fans currently exercise control over the game that was about to be taken from them, even in the long run?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 21, 2021, 04:58:42 AM
Atlético announce they're withdrawing, and Agnelli (which apparently hasn't resigned as had been reported yesterday) has admitted that the Super League can't go on with the remaining teams.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 21, 2021, 04:59:32 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 21, 2021, 04:57:34 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 21, 2021, 02:35:07 AM
I do wonder to what extent EUROPE in the name pissed off the fuckwits
It didn't - it was called "The Super League". Therre's no doubt in my mind that was so it wouldn't be limited to Europe as other media markets develop and I expect that some of those owners would have looked at moving those clubs away from their "legacy fans" and legacy location.

I think in the press and statements by the clubs it was described as a European Super League to make it more palatable.

QuoteI just can't see this as a "seismic moment". I never like when stagnation wins over change, as stagnation inevitably leads to decay. I think the seismic change would have been this Super League and even if it eventually would have flopped it would have triggered positive changes overall.
There's always been an inevitability about a European Super League and it's been the big threat from the big clubs to get their way.

They wanted more games, they wanted ways to make sure they can qualify for the CL even if they didn't do very well in the league, they wanted a bigger share of the money. And generally they got those things because they are a huge attraction for people to watch the leagues they're in - and if they didn't get at least some of what they want they'd walk away and set up their own league. When this launched most football journalists I saw thought this was another bit of posturing so the clubs would stay in the CL but get more money and more games and more security. But it was serious and it failed.

So that threat's gone. It's like the Emperor's new clothes - next time they say they need x, y and z changes or they'll form a Super League I think other parties will be comfortable with calling their bluff.

Now I hope fans move on - I hope agitate for lower ticket prices at these clubs, for more of a say from the government.

QuoteGot to hand it to the press, they very quickly turned a betrayal of UEFA execs into a betrayal of all people.
Isn't it that, by accident, UEFA found itself on the same side as the vast majority of football fans (including the fans of those clubs)?

Trust me you don't wan the government meddling in sports.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 21, 2021, 05:11:21 AM
I thought David Conn's column was good on this - I think the reforms by this review might be quite strong especially if the FSA is going to be involved:
QuotePM sides with fans in Super League outcry – but will he stay with them?
Analysis: Mindful of 'red wall' voters, Johnson protested, but the question remains whether he can give the game long-term help
David Conn
Wed 21 Apr 2021 00.00 BST

The spectacle of Boris Johnson, acme of an old Etonian rugby man, weighing in on the side of football fans against the breakaway European Super League, is a collision of political and sporting cultures that has been brewing for 30 years.

The abortive participation in the venture of England's "big six" clubs, all owned by investors from overseas, is the culmination of a financial carve-up that began with English football's own breakaway, the 1992 formation of the Premier League. The then big First Division clubs were determined not to share the new pay-TV riches with the clubs in the Football League's other three divisions. As their fortunes subsequently boomed, British owners made multimillions by selling their shares.

As the Premier League roared to unprecedented wealth and global popularity, supporters' groups warned successive governments that the cherished heart of the game and clubs' beloved character were at risk from the ruthless imperatives of mega-commercialisation. Many fans alarmed by the acquisition of their clubs as financial investments educated themselves, and came to admire the German sporting model, which embeds football's social role, keeps match tickets affordable and blocks corporate takeovers by requiring clubs to be more than 50% controlled by their supporters. It has been striking that while England's six clubs – three, Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal, owned by US investors, Manchester City by Sheikh Mansour of Abu Dhabi, Chelsea by the Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich and Tottenham by the Bahamas-based currency trader Joe Lewis – signed up to the Super League, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, great German clubs still formally controlled by their fans, refused.

This exact scenario was explicitly predicted for years if the commercial juggernaut were not slowed: a tiny group of clubs would grow much richer than the rest and irresistibly dominate, with a European breakaway a logical final destination.

Yet while UK governments have dabbled, prompted by a string of select committee inquiries, none has been prepared to decisively intervene. New Labour came closest with a "task force" that produced some progressive reforms, but that was as long ago as 1998; its administrator was a young Andy Burnham, now mayor of Greater Manchester. As governments held off, insufficiently concerned and generally dazzled by the game's reinvention, the big clubs' demands escalated to this point where Johnson threatened a "legislative bomb" to stop them.

His sudden discovery of football as turf for the Conservatives to park on clearly falls within the Tories' strategy of appealing to their new voters in the north and Midlands former "red wall" seats, taken from Labour in 2019 in the fallout from the Brexit referendum. The Tories do not need their relentless focus groups conducted with these voters to understand that many of them are football fans. Hence Johnson leaping immediately into action after the clubs dropped their own Super League bomb, the Conservative prime minister writing in the Sun that although, he acknowledged, he is "far from an expert on the beautiful game", he would give the breakaway "a straight red".

The appeal to red wall voters is apparent in his and other ministers' language, similar to that in which the promises of "levelling up" come wrapped, funds to make small-scale improvements in selected provincial towns.

"Football clubs in every town and city and at every tier of the pyramid have a unique place at the heart of their communities, and are an unrivalled source of passionate local pride," Johnson's piece propounded.

This championing of football's traditional values has come just days after Johnson was revealed to have wanted a takeover of Newcastle United by a Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund to go ahead last year. Yet the apparent contradiction between that support for a Saudi takeover and his condemnation of the "ludicrous" Super League plan does not mean his threats of legislation are necessarily empty talk.

The view that football needs regulation has been hardening among Conservative politicians, particularly after the culture, media and sport select committee, chaired by Damian Collins and now Julian Knight, inquired into the truly grim 2019 collapse of Bury, a Football League member club since 1894. Tracey Crouch, the former sports minister newly appointed to lead yet another inquiry, the government's promised "fan-led review," is thought to be prepared for it to recommend meaningful reform this time. The Football Supporters' Association, which has campaigned against corporate takeover and over-commercialisation all these years, is to have a central role in the review.

Whether Johnson's government will produce legislation for football given the outcry against the Super League remains to be seen, but the clubs have certainly been jolted by the volume of opposition, and a prime minister exercising himself about it.

Seasoned campaigners are rolling their sleeves up now for another round, while also lamenting the missed opportunities and warnings, that the heritage heart of the people's game needed to be preserved while its top clubs were enjoying the fruits of their modern bonanza.

Edit: And I think in England - this is the second time these clubs have done this in a year. There was also Project Big Picture which was similarly cooked up behind closed doors then leaked/launched on an unsuspecting public and eventually withdrawn.

If these clubs really think this change is necessary - then win the argument. Convince a broadcaster, find your three other "founder clubs", get Klopp and Guardiola on board, get buy-in from the players and their agents, sell it to fans so they want it to happen etc.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 21, 2021, 05:12:00 AM
Apparently Juventus' shares in the Italian stock exchange are plumetting.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on April 21, 2021, 05:15:46 AM
If your action leads to UEFA and FIFA being seen as the good guys, you should reevaluate your action.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 21, 2021, 05:16:09 AM
Quote from: Zanza on April 21, 2021, 05:15:46 AM
If your action leads to UEFA and FIFA being seen as the good guys, you should reevaluate your action.
And PSG! :lol: :o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on April 21, 2021, 05:18:10 AM
And Bayern.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 21, 2021, 05:45:21 AM
Agnelli:

Quote"I don't think our industry is a particularly sincere, trustworthy or reliable one in general."

:lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 21, 2021, 05:48:02 AM
(https://i.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/mobile/000/023/397/C-658VsXoAo3ovC.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 21, 2021, 06:13:00 AM
Doesn't seem to be too much rage from Italy and Spain?
Or am I just missing something?
Maybe a Spanish-Italian league could be a halfway compromise?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on April 21, 2021, 06:28:47 AM
So close. Yet so far.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 21, 2021, 06:34:37 AM
Milan withdraws, they're down to 3 (R. Madrid, Barcelona & Juve).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 21, 2021, 07:02:41 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 21, 2021, 06:13:00 AM
Doesn't seem to be too much rage from Italy and Spain?
Or am I just missing something?
Maybe a Spanish-Italian league could be a halfway compromise?

Sports media over here are overwhelmingly pro-Madrid/Barça, so they won't really criticize them very harshly. The Madrid press also happens to be absolutely infatuated by Florentino Pérez.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 21, 2021, 07:03:33 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 21, 2021, 06:34:37 AM
Milan withdraws, they're down to 3 (R. Madrid, Barcelona & Juve).

I think our line is that "we were never officially in" (since fans had to vote on it next month).  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: garbon on April 21, 2021, 07:11:29 AM
Quote from: Gups on April 21, 2021, 04:14:17 AM
Quote from: garbon on April 21, 2021, 02:57:15 AM
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on April 21, 2021, 01:58:46 AM
yes and no  :P

The working class are already exceedingly pissed-off here in the UK and now there was an attempt to take their game from them; it has turned out to be a damp squib but it is also an entry on a long list.


Part of the game being taken away narrative was because people in positions of power and influence found it in their interests to promote the narrative that the game was being taken from them.

No. It was because the game was being taken away from them. No narrative was needed, it was bleeding obvious.

Can you clarify how so?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 21, 2021, 07:26:59 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 21, 2021, 07:03:33 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 21, 2021, 06:34:37 AM
Milan withdraws, they're down to 3 (R. Madrid, Barcelona & Juve).

I think our line is that "we were never officially in" (since fans had to vote on it next month).  :P

He's still conspicuously silent about the whole thing, when he could easily spin it all away as a shit bomb that Bartomeu left for him to clean away.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 21, 2021, 07:32:31 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 21, 2021, 07:02:41 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 21, 2021, 06:13:00 AM
Doesn't seem to be too much rage from Italy and Spain?
Or am I just missing something?
Maybe a Spanish-Italian league could be a halfway compromise?

Sports media over here are overwhelmingly pro-Madrid/Barça, so they won't really criticize them very harshly. The Madrid press also happens to be absolutely infatuated by Florentino Pérez.

Also there's a not insignificant amount of big club fans (mostly Real Madrid, I'd say) that would indeed want such a competition and arrogantly think that the national league is kinda sorta beneath them because they're really meant to only play in the biggest events. I see lots of online comments from Real Madrid fans lionizing Florentino as a champion against UEFA corruption, trying to spin the whole thing as a rebellion against the establishment (which couldn't be more disingenious, but it's there) and taking a stand against the oil sheiks and so on.

On top of that in Spanish football fans there's an ingrained sense of resignation about big clubs always getting things their way and inequality being inherent to the game. I mean, R. Madrid and Barcelona had to be arm-twisted by law into a fairer split of TV revenues, for Hod's sake.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 21, 2021, 07:34:02 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 21, 2021, 07:26:59 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 21, 2021, 07:03:33 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 21, 2021, 06:34:37 AM
Milan withdraws, they're down to 3 (R. Madrid, Barcelona & Juve).

I think our line is that "we were never officially in" (since fans had to vote on it next month).  :P

He's still conspicuously silent about the whole thing, when he could easily spin it all away as a shit bomb that Bartomeu left for him to clean away.

He had a talk with the players that has been innocently leaked to the press.

QuoteEl presidente azulgrana tiene claro que en este caso de la Superliga el Barça debe defender sus intereses, en un contexto de fuerte crisis económica del fútbol, en buena parte motivada por la pandemia, y en el que los estamentos futbolísticos se llevan la parte más grande de los ingresos que generan las competiciones organizadas por UEFA y FIFA, en especial la Champions League. En paralelo con esta defensa de los intereses del club, el Barça con Laporta a la cabeza se mantiene en permanente contacto con todas las partes, es decir, con los otros clubs que participaban del proyecto y con los organismos futbolísticos nacionales e internacionales para lograr una entente que mejore las condiciones de los clubs que hacen posibles las diferentes competiciones.

For our languishite friends. The gist of it is that he agreed to this in order to defend the club's interests, because UEFA/FIFA keep most of the money for themselves, but he is in touch with all the parts to try to reach an accord.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 21, 2021, 07:44:04 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 21, 2021, 07:32:31 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 21, 2021, 07:02:41 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 21, 2021, 06:13:00 AM
Doesn't seem to be too much rage from Italy and Spain?
Or am I just missing something?
Maybe a Spanish-Italian league could be a halfway compromise?

Sports media over here are overwhelmingly pro-Madrid/Barça, so they won't really criticize them very harshly. The Madrid press also happens to be absolutely infatuated by Florentino Pérez.

Also there's a not insignificant amount of big club fans (mostly Real Madrid, I'd say) that would indeed want such a competition and arrogantly think that the national league is kinda sorta beneath them because they're really meant to only play in the biggest events. I see lots of online comments from Real Madrid fans lionizing Florentino as a champion against UEFA corruption, trying to spin the whole thing as a rebellion against the establishment (which couldn't be more disingenious, but it's there) and taking a stand against the oil sheiks and so on.

On top of that in Spanish football fans there's an ingrained sense of resignation about big clubs always getting things their way and inequality being inherent to the game. I mean, R. Madrid and Barcelona had to be arm-twisted by law into a fairer split of TV revenues, for Hod's sake.

I loved Pérez's interview where he constantly reminded people that "they" (Real Madrid) founded the European Cup, and now they were doing it again. Incidentally, one of the most hilarious provisions of the SuperLeague was that the CL record would be transferred to it, so they would be record holders since day 1.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 21, 2021, 07:49:12 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 21, 2021, 07:44:04 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 21, 2021, 07:32:31 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 21, 2021, 07:02:41 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 21, 2021, 06:13:00 AM
Doesn't seem to be too much rage from Italy and Spain?
Or am I just missing something?
Maybe a Spanish-Italian league could be a halfway compromise?

Sports media over here are overwhelmingly pro-Madrid/Barça, so they won't really criticize them very harshly. The Madrid press also happens to be absolutely infatuated by Florentino Pérez.

Also there's a not insignificant amount of big club fans (mostly Real Madrid, I'd say) that would indeed want such a competition and arrogantly think that the national league is kinda sorta beneath them because they're really meant to only play in the biggest events. I see lots of online comments from Real Madrid fans lionizing Florentino as a champion against UEFA corruption, trying to spin the whole thing as a rebellion against the establishment (which couldn't be more disingenious, but it's there) and taking a stand against the oil sheiks and so on.

On top of that in Spanish football fans there's an ingrained sense of resignation about big clubs always getting things their way and inequality being inherent to the game. I mean, R. Madrid and Barcelona had to be arm-twisted by law into a fairer split of TV revenues, for Hod's sake.

I loved Pérez's interview where he constantly reminded people that "they" (Real Madrid) founded the European Cup, and now they were doing it again. Incidentally, one of the most hilarious provisions of the SuperLeague was that the CL record would be transferred to it, so they would be record holders since day 1.

I'm still kinda surprised about how little fallout has been regarding some of the stuff he said during the interview. He admitted that Real Madrid has lost hundreds of millions during the last couple of years when Real Madrid was still presenting a profit in their official accounts until last december and is always boasting about their flawless economic management that allows them to have record earnings year after year. You can't have both things, either he was lying in the interview or he has been lying for years about their creative book-keeping, and nobody bats an eyelid.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on April 21, 2021, 07:52:04 AM
Quote from: garbon on April 21, 2021, 07:11:29 AM
Quote from: Gups on April 21, 2021, 04:14:17 AM
Quote from: garbon on April 21, 2021, 02:57:15 AM
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on April 21, 2021, 01:58:46 AM
yes and no  :P

The working class are already exceedingly pissed-off here in the UK and now there was an attempt to take their game from them; it has turned out to be a damp squib but it is also an entry on a long list.




Part of the game being taken away narrative was because people in positions of power and influence found it in their interests to promote the narrative that the game was being taken from them.

No. It was because the game was being taken away from them. No narrative was needed, it was bleeding obvious.

Can you clarify how so?

So many reasons. The removal of any power from clubs outside the six and from the national associations. The ability to make their own rules including playing games at venues around the world. The removal of promotion and relegation. It would be a completely different game, no longer connected to English football, its rivalries and its history. In fact no longer a game, just a form of entertainment in which "legacy fans" might provide a little local colour to a worldwide market. That's why the fans of Chelsea, Liverpool etc hated the idea so much. They would no longer have a connection to their club, the one their fathers and grandfathers supported. 

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 21, 2021, 07:58:23 AM
QuoteWith reference to the press release issued by Juventus Football Club on 19 April 2021, relating to the project to create the Super League, and the subsequent public debate, the Issuer specifies that it is aware of the request and intentions otherwise expressed by some clubs to withdraw from this project, although the necessary procedures under the agreement between the clubs have not been completed. In this context, Juventus, while remaining convinced of the validity of the sporting, commercial and legal assumptions of the project, believes that it currently has limited possibilities of being completed in the form in which it was initially conceived. Juventus remains committed to building long-term value for the club and for the entire football movement.
"Limited possibilities of being completed" is up there with "the war situation has developed not necessarily to Japan's advantage" in euphemisms :lol:

Quote from: celedhring on April 21, 2021, 07:02:41 AM
Sports media over here are overwhelmingly pro-Madrid/Barça, so they won't really criticize them very harshly. The Madrid press also happens to be absolutely infatuated by Florentino Pérez.
Is there not a similar culture of fan media? A lot of it is just purely tribal/partisan/"the world's against us" stuff (I think especially with the more successful/bigger clubs because entitlement) - but a lot of it goes against club ownership if they think they're betraying the values of the club - so Liverpool and Spurs fan media both reacted furiously and forced a reversal on some of those clubs cutting costs during covid etc. That's been a big thing here - it's not the fans of the other 14 v the 6. All the fan groups of the 6 and their fan media like the Anfield Wrap were against this proposal - and have now moved to full-blown FSG out positions.

Maybe because there's less politics/engagement by ownership in the UK there is a stronger separation of the club from the owners here? This is the latest in a long line of owners being perceived as taking advantage of/just ripping off fans using their club. Abramovich and Sheikh Mansour are fairly insulated from that because they're very popular - but there's a huge amount of resentment of the Glazers, ENIC, Kroenke, increasingly FSG which isn't a million miles away from the sort of resentment of Mike Ashley that you see with Newcastle fans. It doesn't necessarily change anything (all of those owners are still in place) but maybe changes the culture a little?

QuoteAlso there's a not insignificant amount of big club fans (mostly Real Madrid, I'd say) that would indeed want such a competition and arrogantly think that the national league is kinda sorta beneath them because they're really meant to only play in the biggest events.
So I think this is a key difference - and here I think Madrid and Barcelona are arguably victims of their own success. They get so much money from their broadcast deal and there's so little revenue sharing that La Liga has been relatively less competitive, which means it's a less attractive prospect for broadcasters, which means they earn less money for European competitions.

I think the sense that the Premier League is still quite competitive, especially for the top 6-7 positions probably strengthens opposition here. I almost wonder if "big 6" fans would be more supportive of this if City had won the league last season? If it became clear City were establishing a dynasty and even an exellent Liverpool team couldn't topple them I wonder if there'd be a bit more support of breaking away and going into this wage controlled Super League?

QuoteI'm still kinda surprised about how little fallout has been regarding some of the stuff he said during the interview. He admitted that Real Madrid has lost hundreds of millions during the last couple of years when Real Madrid was still presenting a profit in their official accounts until last december and is always boasting about their flawless economic management that allows them to have record earnings year after year. You can't have both things, either he was lying in the interview or he has been lying for years about their creative book-keeping, and nobody bats an eyelid.
I can't remember who it ws who pointed it out - but it's not exactly surprising that this really half-arsed plan was in part a big project of two men whose previous big business plans have been spending €200 million between them on a 33 year old Ronaldo and 29 year old Hazard :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 21, 2021, 08:05:07 AM
But this wasn't meant as a breakaway from the national leagues.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 21, 2021, 08:09:09 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 21, 2021, 07:58:23 AM
Is there not a similar culture of fan media? A lot of it is just purely tribal/partisan/"the world's against us" stuff (I think especially with the more successful/bigger clubs because entitlement) - but a lot of it goes against club ownership if they think they're betraying the values of the club - so Liverpool and Spurs fan media both reacted furiously and forced a reversal on some of those clubs cutting costs during covid etc. That's been a big thing here - it's not the fans of the other 14 v the 6. All the fan groups of the 6 and their fan media like the Anfield Wrap were against this proposal - and have now moved to full-blown FSG out positions.

Maybe because there's less politics/engagement by ownership in the UK there is a stronger separation of the club from the owners here? This is the latest in a long line of owners being perceived as taking advantage of/just ripping off fans using their club. Abramovich and Sheikh Mansour are fairly insulated from that because they're very popular - but there's a huge amount of resentment of the Glazers, ENIC, Kroenke, increasingly FSG which isn't a million miles away from the sort of resentment of Mike Ashley that you see with Newcastle fans. It doesn't necessarily change anything (all of those owners are still in place) but maybe changes the culture a little?

There has never been a strong culture of football fan media in Spain - at least in Catalonia. One of the reasons, imho, is how partisan and tribal our sports media are, so they kinda substitute it up to a point. So Barcelona has a couple of sports newspapers that are pro-Barça, Madrid have their two which are pro-Madrid. These clubs' boards always try to cultivate a relationship with them, so they tend to be complacent, in particular if the board is in a strong position. Access is a very strong weapon when these newspapers are absolutely dependent on reporting about one single club.

I also think the fact that - at least for Barça - unpopular boards have a limited shelf life prevents the kind of culture around persistent, organized opposition to ownership from developing. The few organized opposition groups we have had, have never made it past an election cycle.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 21, 2021, 08:15:10 AM
Excellent Miguel Delaney piece which touches on some of the fall-out from Perez's interview and really captures how amateur this was.

I listened to a podcast recorded before it fell apart and they thought it would go ahead and were talking about what happens next which also drove home how badly planned this was. If you were planning a new league as Larch said you'd probably have all the club presidents/chairs/owners making the announcement together; you'd have lined up your broadcasters for the first few seasons; you'd probably already have sponsors ready to announce; you'd have given your players and managers PR lines and tried to win them over. That's aside from lining up support from government and regulators. And literally none of that appears to have been done in advance of this - it was like Super League of dreams - you know, if we announce it they will come :blink:

Quote'A toxic endeavour': How Super League went from breakaway to breakdown

A staggering 72 hours for the game has seen clubs try to force a move to a new competition only to see fan backlash and outcry see it stutter and stumble towards collapse
Miguel Delaney
Chief Football Writer
@MiguelDelaney

As the news spread around boardrooms, and some ashen-faced officials realised the European Super League project was starting to collapse, the true meaning of it all could - fittingly - be seen on the streets and among the people.

Thousands of Chelsea supporters had gathered around Stamford Bridge to vociferously protest the plans when it suddenly went quiet. Shortly before 7pm, the word came through that the club were preparing to withdraw from the project.

The reaction was a moment to behold. It was celebrated as joyously as any goal, but it was really so much more. It was a victory.

It was a testament to the power of fans, given Manchester City and Chelsea were so convinced by the emotion of their own supporters.

It was also the start of one of the most remarkable single hours the game has ever known, a whirlwind of sensational developments that brought a staggering three days to a head.

City very quickly followed Chelsea out of the project, with the rest of the English clubs following four hours later. Ed Woodward resigned as executive vice-chairman of Manchester United, and many other figures from the Super League were considering what next. There is now huge pressure on some of the individuals, not least primary agitators like Andrea Agnelli and Florentino Perez.

A greedy power grab, that had caused more unifying fury than the game had ever known, instead became an embarrassing collapse. Some of the most oppressively big clubs in football, as well as some of its most obnoxious and reviled figures, have faced a humiliation of huge proportions. It is worse than any on-pitch defeat, any "6-1". The big clubs, this time, didn't get their way.

The tumultuous route from breakaway to breaking point really started the previous evening.

Some officials were genuinely taken aback by the scale and vociferousness of what was near total condemnation of the project. It had even been a rare issue that had "100 per cent united the UK parliament".

The obvious question is what exactly did they expect? That alone reflects many of the follies and misjudgements at the very core of this project.

"I thought it would be bad," one source said, "but this is off the charts".

Later on Monday, what was no doubt intended as a victory lap of a TV appearance by Mr Perez further sowed the seeds of defeat.

Some officials among the Super League 12 were aghast at the tone of the Real Madrid president, and even some of the things he said. Among a few untruths, Mr Perez claimed Paris Saint-Germain had not been invited. A series of sources insist they were not just invited, but "cajoled", "lobbied" and "pressured".

It was the same with Bayern Munich, and the fact they issued a second statement on Tuesday to more strongly reiterate their rejection of the project was just another mounting problem for the Super League.

The absence of "European" in that description is pointed. This was really a three-country league, and the 12 involved were becoming increasingly isolated. Many involved knew a "conciliatory" tone was needed, far removed from the typical abrasiveness of Mr Perez. Because an absolutely crucial point was missing in much of the narrative.

The Super League - regardless of anything else - was ultimately going to need sanctioning from either Fifa or Uefa. That was an inescapable reality, that was properly dawning on some of the involved clubs. It was why Uefa were always fully confident this would fail.

The 48 hours since the announcement hadn't exactly made that long path for the Super League any easier. Some involved in the plan began to realise the need for more positive public relations, but the key figures weren't interested in speaking publicly.

It was one grand act of cowardice to go with everything else.

Concerns were growing, though, and not just in England. Officials at Atletico Madrid and Barcelona had also been wondering about the worth of all this.

Word of this got back to Uefa, and sources maintain it was this that caused a hugely distinctive change of tone on Tuesday morning.

Aleksander Ceferin offered an olive branch, and a way back. It was conspicuously far removed from the fire and brimstone of Monday. "What matters is that there is still time to change your mind," the Uefa president said.

It was around this point that the media began to report all of these doubts, which prompted some Super League sources to absolutely insist that, no, nobody was changing their mind.

They were strident that everyone was 100 per cent committed, "full steam ahead", "they'd prepared for this", all the rest. There was even bullish talk of how it might be legally impossible for clubs to leave, because of the existing contracts, and how punitive any damages might be.

The preliminary legal ruling in Madrid, "prohibiting Uefa and Fifa from stopping the launch", was also referenced.

There was a development in London, though, that was potentially much more relevant from a legal perspective.

Boris Johnson, emboldened by his typical populist opportunism and - more significantly - the support of his entire parliament, told the English football authorities he would give them full backing in terms of legislation. Mr Johnson asked the Premier League and EFL what sanctions were available to them. When they said everything up to and including banishing the six from the Premier League, he asked would they use it.

The answer at that point was "no" because the legal proceedings could be opened according to competition law. Mr Johnson's response was to say he would drop a "legislative bomb". Many sources take that to mean that, if there was a clause in competition law that would prevent the clubs being thrown out, he would use full power to have it removed.

The potential banishment of the six biggest clubs in England from the Premier League was at this point seriously being considered. It would have scuppered many new financial plans before they even started. Some sources from within the English big six say that the speed and strength of government intervention was immensely influential. "That's when it really changed." It was also why there was a sense of confidence at the Premier League's 11am meeting, a landmark in itself in that it only featured 14 of the stakeholders. That would previously have been seen as unbelievable, but here fostered trust between that group.

While fan protest only continued, adding more and more pressure, there was increasing unrest among the players.

The possibility of being banned from the World Cup was a much more serious issue than some club officials had anticipated. Players were hugely distressed by this. That again only showed how out of touch the whole project was with the reality of the game.

Club administration and legal teams were meanwhile poring over sponsorship contracts, trying to work out the implication of it all. This was no way clear and proving hugely complicated, which only added to the difficulties. Sponsors were getting unnerved.

Within the boardrooms and internet meetings, then, debate was growing. Talks were getting more feverish. Figures at Chelsea began to talk of a "toxic endeavour", that was at odds with their community work as a club, as well as the immense potential for irrevocable reputational damage.

Super League sources had insisted upon the "robustness" of the body of work behind the plan, but others were talking about the lack of substance behind it. The fact it has utterly imploded in just 48 hours is as hilarious as it is indicative of that. The entire "launch" ended up feeling amateurish. There were supposedly 15 founding members yet only 12 were named. The level of detail was pitiful. Some people referred to it as little more than a "mass refinancing for about five clubs". Many pointed to the problems of Real Madrid.

"Why is the rest of football financing this," one source at a Premier League club complained, "when one of the leading figures has his club hundreds of millions of pounds in debt?"

Chelsea and City were beginning to come to the only logical conclusion. This was unviable, and just not worth the needless strife. The other clubs should have realised the same, but City and Chelsea going made their withdrawal an inevitability. The Super League's spectacular collapse could yet take others with it.

Mr Perez has been publicly humiliated, with that all the worse because a moment of televised hubris saw him essentially admit Madrid are in huge financial trouble. Another self-inflicted defeat. His position at the club is said to be unassailable, but pressure outside is growing. His authority has been demolished. Mr Agnelli's big hand was meanwhile no more than a bluff.

Other people in football are openly talking about whether it will lead to the sales of Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

The Super League was after all a long-term ambition, always hovering over the game, always on the horizon. Many long believed it was the ultimate aim of some owners. The threat of a Super League conditioned the game in subtle and significant ways for decades, as so many crunch meetings bent to it. Its power has now gone. That is an immensely significant development in itself. A long-held threat can never be used in the same way again. That card has been played, to little effect other than laughter by the end. The idea has lost its credibility for some time to come - although maybe not forever

This is another reality of the situation. The structural inequality that led to the growth of these super clubs, and the path to the Super League, hasn't been changed.

The reformatting of the Champions League that was done at their behest will only make the problem worse.

But that isn't the only development amid all this. The financial cost for the 12 will be expensive, given the JP Morgan commitment fees. There might well be Premier League sanctions, since the six did break Rule L9, that prohibits members from entering unsanctioned competitions. The other 14 have meanwhile been emboldened, and also found common cause with the EFL and the wider football pyramid. At the top of it all, the breakaway 12 no longer have the same influence in the European Club Association, or Uefa. Positions have been resigned. Clout has been lost. Authority has been shattered.

That points to perhaps the most significant change.

Some of football's more selfless figures are talking about how this might have finally released the huge impetus for reform. There is now a political will for a German system in England alone.

"A Super League is terrible for football and could have led to the wreckage of the game," one source said. "From the point of view of the reform agenda, though, it's great."

Something has been tapped into. The crisis has made people realise the deep problems that almost brought the game to the brink of irrevocable transformation. Politicians - for now - properly realise the need to protect clubs as social institutions and prevent the scope for this in future.

That was one of the fundamental problems here. A laissez-faire embrace of ultra-capitalism had allowed a group of clubs to grow to such a size, that they were appealing to interests - both political and financial - that had little concern for the playing of the game or the social role of clubs.

That was what led to the history and future of the game potentially being obliterated by a small group of owners, that left everyone else feeling utterly powerless.

At Stamford Bridge, the wider game took its power back. There was the feel of a revolution, even if some say it might prove to be an Arab Spring.

Whatever the future, it fully displayed the true spirit of the sport, and the communal power that really drives it. The pyramid, the sport, has stayed unified.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 21, 2021, 08:25:28 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 21, 2021, 08:09:09 AMThere has never been a strong culture of football fan media in Spain - at least in Catalonia. One of the reasons, imho, is how partisan and tribal our sports media are, so they kinda substitute it up to a point. So Barcelona has a couple of sports newspapers that are pro-Barça, Madrid have their two which are pro-Madrid. These clubs' boards always try to cultivate a relationship with them, so they tend to be complacent, in particular if the board is in a strong position. Access is a very strong weapon when these newspapers are absolutely dependent on reporting about one single club.
Interesting and that makes sense. In England historically there was obviously a huge football zine culture but there's now hundreds of podcasts and Youtube channels for the top clubs - and the clubs actually engage with some of them to get their message out, unfiltered by biased/objective reporting.

Maybe that's because England doesn't have sports papers like Marca, L'Equipe etc. I've heard that that's part of the reason that the English media's only really started covering tactics and things like that in the last 20 years is because they only have a few pages in a general newspaper so there was less space for that sort of thing, but maybe also not enough coverage for a lot of fans.

QuoteI also think the fact that - at least for Barça - unpopular boards have a limited shelf life prevents the kind of culture around persistent, organized opposition to ownership from developing. The few organized opposition groups we have had, have never made it past an election cycle.
Yeah I think that's probably key. I think it's striking that most clubs in the Premier League have probably had some form of organised fan opposition at some point: the green and gold protests about the Glazer, the Spirit of Shankly v Hicks and Gillette, all Newcastle fans, Keep Everton In Our City against an old stadium plan.

Interesting thing is that the social side of football fandom - so things like Fans Supporting Foodbanks and also trying to move against racism/sexism/homophobia - have often grown out of those campaigns. I know FSF started in Liverpool from a collaboration of Blue Union and Spirit of Shankly.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 21, 2021, 08:36:55 AM
Football support - again I'm talking of my first hand experience as a Barça fan living in Catalonia - has never had the social dimension that it has in the UK. Now, we have many fan associations, some of them very old, but their activities are usually limited to gathering to watch games and organizing the occasional away travel. So football is nearly everywhere, but it's always football. Just football.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 21, 2021, 09:25:04 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 21, 2021, 02:20:41 AM
Yeah they certainly had that feeling once all the people deeply interested in maintaining the status quo have told them so but was it really in danger? UEFA's Champions League was certainly in mortal danger, but any risk to the domestic competitions came from UEFA and the FA's threats of retribution if UEFA's financial interests are not considered.

I don't think that's true. The danger to the domestic competition came from making it impossible to challenge the status of "the big six" as they were guaranteed a position of financial supremacy - and thus sporting supremacy. In the current system, it is still theoretically possible for other clubs to play their way into the top and receive the big cash windfalls that allows for competing in the top tier.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 21, 2021, 09:38:18 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 21, 2021, 05:16:09 AM
Quote from: Zanza on April 21, 2021, 05:15:46 AM
If your action leads to UEFA and FIFA being seen as the good guys, you should reevaluate your action.
And QSG! :lol: :o

Fixed! QSI works as well, more precise.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qatar_Sports_Investments
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qatar_Sports_Investments)

Man Blue is owned by Abu Dhabi United Group, so it's hardly a unique case.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 21, 2021, 09:49:32 AM
Quote from: Jacob on April 21, 2021, 09:25:04 AM
I don't think that's true. The danger to the domestic competition came from making it impossible to challenge the status of "the big six" as they were guaranteed a position of financial supremacy - and thus sporting supremacy. In the current system, it is still theoretically possible for other clubs to play their way into the top and receive the big cash windfalls that allows for competing in the top tier.
Yeah - and the reason this happened is obviously money but also these clubs can't get a big enough cut of football's riches on merits alone. Arsenal haven't qualified for the Champions League in the last 4-5 years. The six English clubs by definition can't all get into the Champions League (which is why they've changed the rules to get in) and a number of these clubs have been knocked out at early stages in recent years - Inter, Juve, Atletico, Spurs.

So in addition to the financial supremacy - what's are Everton, Leicester, West Ham etc playing for? Most clubs aren't playing to win the League any more, but a lot are hoping and aspiring to qualify for Europe. If that's gone as well what's the point of the League? It would just for teams to avoid relegation and for the "big 6" to play for the championship but it would be utterly meaningless for the teams in say 7th - 15th.

I find Italy the msot annoying of the countries with clubs signing up for the SL because England (absurdly) got 6 clubs in - but the idea that you'd have a European league without Roma, Lazio, Napoli who are big iconic clubs - far less Atalanta who are more successful lately - is just crazy. Especially in a league that includes Spurs :P :blush:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 21, 2021, 09:51:39 AM
Fair enough.

I guess I was just hoping for something to steer up the stale waters of football and move us toward a pan-European league. The round-robin CL will have to do now for that, I guess.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 21, 2021, 09:52:56 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 21, 2021, 07:32:31 AM
On top of that in Spanish football fans there's an ingrained sense of resignation about big clubs always getting things their way and inequality being inherent to the game. I mean, R. Madrid and Barcelona had to be arm-twisted by law into a fairer split of TV revenues, for Hod's sake.

It's comparable to what happens in Portugal with the big three: Porto, Benfica and Sporting.

Still no centralisation and mutualisation of TV rights, till 2027 (!) with 90% of the meagre rights going to those three, with Benfica insisting on showing its game on their TV. Commentary during games vs Porto or Sporting is hilariously one-sided.

But then, the three sports diaries are more or less aligned or focused on each of the three:
- O Jogo for Porto
- Record for Sporting
- A Bola for Benfica

Mind you, L'Équipe monopoly in France is not exactly great. They also have a free-to-air TV channel where you can see EC and WC qualifier, plus the odd Cup game from Spain or Portugal for instance.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 21, 2021, 09:55:05 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 21, 2021, 09:49:32 AM

I find Italy the msot annoying of the countries with clubs signing up for the SL because England (absurdly) got 6 clubs in - but the idea that you'd have a European league without Roma, Lazio, Napoli who are big iconic clubs - far less Atalanta who are more successful lately - is just crazy. Especially in a league that includes Spurs :P :blush:

Replace Spurs by Nottingham Forest?  :P

2 European Champion Clubs' Cup, so more titles in Europe than in England, that has to count for something.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 21, 2021, 10:10:21 AM
I think Pique made my point better on what it would mean for domestic leagues if this had gone ahead:
QuoteFrom a player's point of view, I would say it's not a positive decision for football in the long-term. Do we want this for football? That Sevilla, Valencia, Everton, Leicester, Napoli etc disappear? Because those clubs are, moving forward, going to be worth nothing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on April 21, 2021, 10:13:24 AM
Why do they need to disappear? They can be in a 2nd tier development league.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 21, 2021, 10:17:20 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 21, 2021, 10:13:24 AM
Why do they need to disappear? They can be in a 2nd tier development league.

No thank you.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 21, 2021, 10:19:53 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 21, 2021, 07:58:23 AM
QuoteI'm still kinda surprised about how little fallout has been regarding some of the stuff he said during the interview. He admitted that Real Madrid has lost hundreds of millions during the last couple of years when Real Madrid was still presenting a profit in their official accounts until last december and is always boasting about their flawless economic management that allows them to have record earnings year after year. You can't have both things, either he was lying in the interview or he has been lying for years about their creative book-keeping, and nobody bats an eyelid.
I can't remember who it ws who pointed it out - but it's not exactly surprising that this really half-arsed plan was in part a big project of two men whose previous big business plans have been spending €200 million between them on a 33 year old Ronaldo and 29 year old Hazard :ph34r:

It took me a while, but I managed to find amongst these days' maelstrom of Twitter activity the following thread about a FT journo's perspective on the business abilities of football's top dogs.

QuoteWe say in Soccernomics: "Anyone who spends any time inside football soon discovers that just as oil is part of the oil business, stupidity is part of the football business."

Related to this: a fellow football writer once told me he'd tried and failed to do business with a legendary English football institution. He said, "I can work with crooks, and I can work with stupid people. But I can't work with stupid people who think they are crooks." It's that uniquely football mixture of stupidity plus greed that we saw in action this week.

Related: football is an industry where practically everyone in a boardroom is a white man, so the talent pool they are drawing from is not large. There's also a fast track for ex-players, sons of senior officials, people's mates etc where intelligence is not a criterion.

More on the football/stupidity thread: one club president told me that ex-players who get executive jobs don't understand office work, e.g. even the basic concept of working 8-hour days. My response would be: 'So don't hire ex-players.' But fans and media love it when you do.

That's the basic weirdness of the football industry. On the field, it's pure meritocracy. There are no bad professional footballers. (I hear your jokes, but really, there aren't.) But off the field: zero quality control, many mediocrities in top jobs (including some coaches)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 21, 2021, 10:23:45 AM
More possible unintended consequences:

QuoteEuropean Super League: Uefa under pressure to ditch Champions League coefficient safety net

Uefa is set to be hit with a concerted campaign to drop its plan for two Champions League places awarded on the basis of historical performances in Europe.

The collapse of the Super League has led to a power shift away from Europe's elite clubs and now the European Leagues and figures in the European Club Association — which is now without any representatives from the 12 clubs who joined the Super League — are poised to launch an effort to change the access system planned for 2024.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 21, 2021, 10:26:00 AM
That is both hilarious and exciting, the Larch :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on April 21, 2021, 10:28:26 AM
Quote from: Jacob on April 21, 2021, 10:17:20 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 21, 2021, 10:13:24 AM
Why do they need to disappear? They can be in a 2nd tier development league.

No thank you.

:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on April 21, 2021, 11:04:04 AM
What amazes me is just how incompetently this has been handled. Feels like they rushed into it without any real groundwork and its blown up in their faces completely. There will now be sustained pressure on the owners of the English clubs at least together with a real threat of regulation. The super league was a great bargaining chip for them against UEFA but it's been thrown away. The CL is now the only game in town. UEFA can now run it as tehy please without reference to anyone but the national associations and the ECA (which the six have all left).

All of the other EPL clubs now hate them and will do what they can to screw them up. Their players and staff are embarrassed and a lot of their fans will be completely disillusioned.

There's a great book in this for a journalist who can get inside sources.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 21, 2021, 11:07:29 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 21, 2021, 10:23:45 AM
More possible unintended consequences:

QuoteEuropean Super League: Uefa under pressure to ditch Champions League coefficient safety net

Uefa is set to be hit with a concerted campaign to drop its plan for two Champions League places awarded on the basis of historical performances in Europe.

The collapse of the Super League has led to a power shift away from Europe's elite clubs and now the European Leagues and figures in the European Club Association — which is now without any representatives from the 12 clubs who joined the Super League — are poised to launch an effort to change the access system planned for 2024.

Arsenal, whose only real hope to qualify for the CL within the next few years is a favorable historical coefficient, may now have inadvertently denied themselves such a place because they participated in this travesty. They've Arsenaled it up.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 21, 2021, 11:09:40 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 21, 2021, 11:07:29 AM
Arsenal, whose only real hope to qualify for the CL within the next few years is a favorable historical coefficient, may now have inadvertently denied themselves such a place because they participated in this travesty. They've Arsenaled it up.
Maybe Gunnersaurus moved to JP Morgan :o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 21, 2021, 11:10:44 AM
Heh, Southampton and Wolves had a nice reaction to this.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzaxMUSVIAki3Hk.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on April 21, 2021, 11:18:54 AM
i don't get it. can you explain to the non-european?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 21, 2021, 11:23:40 AM
Quote from: HVC on April 21, 2021, 11:18:54 AM
i don't get it. can you explain to the non-european?
They finished 7th those years. The 6 English teams involved in the super league stuff being above them. So take them away and...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on April 21, 2021, 11:24:04 AM
If the six ESL teams are stripped out, Wolves woudl have won in 2018/19 (actually not true if you also strip out everyone's results against those six)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 21, 2021, 11:50:37 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 21, 2021, 10:23:45 AM
More possible unintended consequences:

QuoteEuropean Super League: Uefa under pressure to ditch Champions League coefficient safety net

Uefa is set to be hit with a concerted campaign to drop its plan for two Champions League places awarded on the basis of historical performances in Europe.

The collapse of the Super League has led to a power shift away from Europe's elite clubs and now the European Leagues and figures in the European Club Association — which is now without any representatives from the 12 clubs who joined the Super League — are poised to launch an effort to change the access system planned for 2024.

Let's see if it works.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 21, 2021, 11:52:00 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 21, 2021, 11:09:40 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 21, 2021, 11:07:29 AM
Arsenal, whose only real hope to qualify for the CL within the next few years is a favorable historical coefficient, may now have inadvertently denied themselves such a place because they participated in this travesty. They've Arsenaled it up.
Maybe Gunnersaurus moved to JP Morgan :o

:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 21, 2021, 11:56:58 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 21, 2021, 10:23:45 AM
More possible unintended consequences:

QuoteEuropean Super League: Uefa under pressure to ditch Champions League coefficient safety net

Uefa is set to be hit with a concerted campaign to drop its plan for two Champions League places awarded on the basis of historical performances in Europe.

The collapse of the Super League has led to a power shift away from Europe's elite clubs and now the European Leagues and figures in the European Club Association — which is now without any representatives from the 12 clubs who joined the Super League — are poised to launch an effort to change the access system planned for 2024.
Apparently all the 6 in England have been told they can either step down or be dismissed from various Premier League working groups. I think there's a sense that executives probably shouldn't be helping develop the Premier League's broadcasting strategy when they've spent the last few months secretly trying to launch a competitor or other league that would damage the value of the Premier League.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 21, 2021, 12:01:20 PM
Apparently the SuperLeague broke Real Madrid's own bylaws  :lol:

They are barred from participating in tournaments unsanctioned by the Spanish FA.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 21, 2021, 12:07:12 PM
Quote from: celedhring on April 21, 2021, 12:01:20 PM
Apparently the SuperLeague broke Real Madrid's own bylaws  :lol:

They are barred from participating in tournaments unsanctioned by the Spanish FA.

Oopsies!

Will that have any consequences within the Real Madrid organization?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 21, 2021, 12:13:37 PM
Quote from: Jacob on April 21, 2021, 12:07:12 PM
Quote from: celedhring on April 21, 2021, 12:01:20 PM
Apparently the SuperLeague broke Real Madrid's own bylaws  :lol:

They are barred from participating in tournaments unsanctioned by the Spanish FA.

Oopsies!

Will that have any consequences within the Real Madrid organization?

Doubtful, Florentino is supposed to be fully entrenched in the presidency and there's no significant opposition to his rule (he won the latest elections quite recently after running unopposed).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 21, 2021, 12:14:36 PM
Btw, the Spanish league seems to be taking the piss about the whole thing in tonight's game, according to the TV feed:

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ezg1KfpXoAMT3kJ?format=jpg&name=large)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 21, 2021, 12:15:40 PM
Quote from: The Larch on April 21, 2021, 12:13:37 PM
Quote from: Jacob on April 21, 2021, 12:07:12 PM
Quote from: celedhring on April 21, 2021, 12:01:20 PM
Apparently the SuperLeague broke Real Madrid's own bylaws  :lol:

They are barred from participating in tournaments unsanctioned by the Spanish FA.

Oopsies!

Will that have any consequences within the Real Madrid organization?

Doubtful, Florentino is supposed to be fully entrenched in the presidency and there's no significant opposition to his rule (he won the latest elections quite recently after running unopposed).

He ran unopposed because he changed the bylaws so only him and probably 2-3 people in the entire fucking world meet the requisites to stand for the presidency.  :lol:

But I agree he'd have won in a landslide anyway. But I find telling that he went public with the ESL immediately after securing another term.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 21, 2021, 12:16:04 PM
Leeds also trained in "earn it" t-shirts before the game with Liverpool - and left the t-shirts for Liverpool in the visitors' dressing room if they wanted to wear them too :lol:

Also while I don't like the crowds at the minute - I did find the guy at Elland Road with a saxophone playing Money Money Money very funny.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 21, 2021, 12:18:50 PM
Quote from: celedhring on April 21, 2021, 12:15:40 PM
He ran unopposed because he changed the bylaws so only him and probably 2-3 people in the entire fucking world meet the requisites to stand for the presidency.  :lol:

We all know that already.  :P

Wasn't he supposedly grooming Rafael Nadal to take over as president when he retires?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 21, 2021, 12:21:07 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 21, 2021, 12:16:04 PM
Leeds also trained in "earn it" t-shirts before the game with Liverpool - and left the t-shirts for Liverpool in the visitors' dressing room if they wanted to wear them too :lol:

Also while I don't like the crowds at the minute - I did find the guy at Elland Road with a saxophone playing Money Money Money very funny.

Valencia and Osasuna players took a joint picture ahead of their match with "Earn it" t-shirts as well.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ezg2b7CXEAElxS1?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)

If there were crowds in the stadiums at the moment all these teams would be getting booed for 90 minutes straight in away matches.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 21, 2021, 12:31:22 PM
Quote from: The Larch on April 21, 2021, 12:18:50 PM
Quote from: celedhring on April 21, 2021, 12:15:40 PM
He ran unopposed because he changed the bylaws so only him and probably 2-3 people in the entire fucking world meet the requisites to stand for the presidency.  :lol:

We all know that already.  :P

Wasn't he supposedly grooming Rafael Nadal to take over as president when he retires?

Which would require changing the bylaws since Nadal isn't wealthy enough  :lol:

Pérez is healthy, but he's 74. I swear I'm not sure which succession is going to be more problematic, Putin's or his.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 21, 2021, 12:46:26 PM
Quote from: celedhring on April 21, 2021, 12:31:22 PM
Quote from: The Larch on April 21, 2021, 12:18:50 PM
Quote from: celedhring on April 21, 2021, 12:15:40 PM
He ran unopposed because he changed the bylaws so only him and probably 2-3 people in the entire fucking world meet the requisites to stand for the presidency.  :lol:

We all know that already.  :P

Wasn't he supposedly grooming Rafael Nadal to take over as president when he retires?

Which would require changing the bylaws since Nadal isn't wealthy enough  :lol:

Pérez is healthy, but he's 74. I swear I'm not sure which succession is going to be more problematic, Putin's or his.

It wouldn't surprise me if he actually eased the requiriments to stand for president upon his retirement.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on April 21, 2021, 01:47:52 PM
I do love the fan reckoning happening tho. It's pretty hilarious.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 21, 2021, 01:58:04 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 21, 2021, 01:47:52 PM
I do love the fan reckoning happening tho. It's pretty hilarious.

What do you mean?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on April 21, 2021, 02:42:04 PM
Quote from: Jacob on April 21, 2021, 01:58:04 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 21, 2021, 01:47:52 PM
I do love the fan reckoning happening tho. It's pretty hilarious.

What do you mean?

Earn t-shirts, the protests. It's quite funny especially in the face of how unprepared the teams actually were. I think I thought about the hows more then them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 21, 2021, 02:58:24 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 21, 2021, 02:42:04 PM
Earn t-shirts, the protests. It's quite funny especially in the face of how unprepared the teams actually were. I think I thought about the hows more then them.

Hah, yeah. It's pretty entertaining.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 21, 2021, 05:20:06 PM
Florentino is doing another interview right now on the radio, and quite ashtoundingly is repeating exactly the same arguments as if nothing had happened. It's really amazing how teflon-skinned he is.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 21, 2021, 06:17:47 PM
Quote from: The Larch on April 21, 2021, 05:20:06 PM
Florentino is doing another interview right now on the radio, and quite ashtoundingly is repeating exactly the same arguments as if nothing had happened. It's really amazing how teflon-skinned he is.
Some of his lines tonight are crazy - Japanese soldier in the jungle territory from him at the minute.

I think the biggest thing this has revealed is that Madrid, Barcelona and possibly Juve are in far bigger financial trouble than people had perhaps realised.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 21, 2021, 06:21:08 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 21, 2021, 06:17:47 PM
Quote from: The Larch on April 21, 2021, 05:20:06 PM
Florentino is doing another interview right now on the radio, and quite ashtoundingly is repeating exactly the same arguments as if nothing had happened. It's really amazing how teflon-skinned he is.
Some of his lines tonight are crazy - Japanese soldier in the jungle territory from him at the minute.

I think the biggest thing this has revealed is that Madrid, Barcelona and possibly Juve are in far bigger financial trouble than people had perhaps realised.

It's also showing a lot of his arrogance and his warped thinking. What he thinks is so obviously right (to him) that it's crazy that anyone thinks differently.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 21, 2021, 06:22:56 PM
And that any opposition must be a conspiracy of some sort - the stuff about things being orchestrated and he can tell us who was behind the Chelsea fan protests. It's quite something.

Edit: Also - again - if they spent three years planning this and they didn't have a PR strategy, broadcasters lined up, sponsors lined up etc - what were they doing? The only thing that I can see was lined up was a loan from JP Morgan (secured against future TV revenues) and a website.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 21, 2021, 06:37:54 PM
He also revealed quite a few traits very common amongst old, powerful people in Spain (which is exactly what he is). My decisions are not up for debate, be exceedingly polite and deferential in every single interaction with me or I'll avoid any interaction whatsoever with you in order to stiffle debate... those two things are very old-school Spanish company boss attitudes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on April 21, 2021, 06:47:24 PM
Quote from: The Larch on April 21, 2021, 06:21:08 PM

It's also showing a lot of his arrogance and his warped thinking. What he thinks is so obviously right (to him) that it's crazy that anyone thinks differently.

He should join languish :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 21, 2021, 06:48:19 PM
CLEAR THE AIR!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 22, 2021, 02:12:28 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 21, 2021, 06:17:47 PM
Quote from: The Larch on April 21, 2021, 05:20:06 PM
Florentino is doing another interview right now on the radio, and quite ashtoundingly is repeating exactly the same arguments as if nothing had happened. It's really amazing how teflon-skinned he is.
Some of his lines tonight are crazy - Japanese soldier in the jungle territory from him at the minute.

I think the biggest thing this has revealed is that Madrid, Barcelona and possibly Juve are in far bigger financial trouble than people had perhaps realised.

Oh, we've realised a lot on that regard. Shit's looking really grim over here, given the perfect storm of pandemic+Bartomeu's mismanagement. The fact that the wealthiest of Laporta's board members (a banker) resigned a few days into the presidency after the accounts were audited sent a chill down my spine.

From Pérez's second interview, I loved his quote claiming that 40% of young people don't watch football... which would mean that 60% do watch football, which to me... seems pretty good?  :huh: You aren't getting 100% of any audience these days.

I mean, I'm sure he pulled that number from his behind, but I don't think it means what he thinks it means.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on April 22, 2021, 04:48:33 AM
I'm slightly amused by the co-option of Marxist rhetoric on those tshirts.

"The fans" by denotation means all fans, whether they're in Barcelona or Shanghai, but by connotation everyone knows it only means the former.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 22, 2021, 05:51:15 AM
I don't think marxism is relevant for the socio model of Osasuna, a model shared by Barcelona and, in theory, by Real Madrid.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 22, 2021, 06:15:20 AM
So, Ceferin gave another interview and it looks like we're back under UEFA's good graces after Laporta told him it was all Bartomeu's fault  :lol:

He's such a weasel  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 22, 2021, 06:22:03 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 22, 2021, 02:12:28 AMFrom Pérez's second interview, I loved his quote claiming that 40% of young people don't watch football... which would mean that 60% do watch football, which to me... seems pretty good?  :huh: You aren't getting 100% of any audience these days.

I mean, I'm sure he pulled that number from his behind, but I don't think it means what he thinks it means.

Yeah, he said that too back on monday and people were saying the same thing, that having a potential audience of 60% of a certain group is actually a huge success, you can't aspire to universal acclaim. But as we saw, Floren doesn't play by the same rules as anybody else.

Btw, another gem from last night that we missed, that the American owners of some of the English teams "are not in it for the money, but because they love sport".  :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 22, 2021, 06:32:04 AM
:lol: FSG literally tried to trademark the word "Liverpool".
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on April 22, 2021, 07:49:55 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 22, 2021, 06:22:03 AM
Btw, another gem from last night that we missed, that the American owners of some of the English teams "are not in it for the money, but because they love sport".  :lmfao:

:lol:

That's gold. Stan Kroenke owns 8 sports teams. He love sports! and the money it brings.  ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 22, 2021, 08:10:41 AM
Open question.

From the perspective of "legacy fans" ( :lol:) who is worse (or best): the American owner-investors, the Russian oligarchs, or the oil states/sheikhs?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 22, 2021, 08:12:59 AM
There's a fourth group that is much worse, the shady Chinese businessmen. Each of the other three have their drawbacks:

- American owner-investors will load the club with unsurmountable debt and treat the club as just another investment to add to their portfolio, you'll possibly never see them in the stadium actually watching a match there.
- Russian oligarchs and oil sheiks will prop up the club while they enjoy the new toy, but if they stop having fun they'll discard it. Also, the "moral" problem of knowing that your club is being the beneficiary of massive corruption abroad and possibly blood soaked money.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 22, 2021, 08:17:16 AM
50 shades of plutocrat territory.

Even russian oligarchs may vary from year to year such as for Monaco with Rybolovlev owning 2/3 of the club with the rest owned by the tax-haven ruling family of Monaco.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 22, 2021, 08:22:25 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 22, 2021, 04:48:33 AM
I'm slightly amused by the co-option of Marxist rhetoric on those tshirts.
I'm not entirely sure about what's Marxist about this :hmm:

Quote"The fans" by denotation means all fans, whether they're in Barcelona or Shanghai, but by connotation everyone knows it only means the former.
So there's two sides to this.

I think it is generally true that there is an implied hierarchy of fans which I don't like and is often a little bit xenophobic - but also frankly has class and generational issues. Very often the fans who are involved in fan activism and are perceived as the real fans are the ones who live close to the stadium and can afford season tickets. This is particularly an issue with the six English clubs involved where it's pretty expensive - so it's broadly middle-aged men. I'm not sure those fans are necessarily "better" fans than people from overseas who build entire holidays about going to see their team. In my club there was a particularly famous example of a Malaysian guy who made an entire holiday to the UK about going to see Everton only for the game to be called off due to bad weather :lol: (Obviously he's now a local legend and the club paid for him to come to another holiday and watch a game that actually happened)

Having said that I think the flipside of that is that a lot of these elderly and middle-aged executives as well as having an insane set of opinions about "the youth" also have incredibly basic and patronising views of foreign fans. So fans in Shanghai have no discernment, no interest in the background to the clubs they support and will almost mindlessly devour Liverpool v Barcelona seven times a year - and pay for the privilege. I don't think that's true. I think actually global fans often are as, if not more, committed to their clubs and sometimes support them because of their heritage/traditions. Also my experience just being online is that if anything they mirror the local fans because that's almost the way of showing credibility as a real fan - so I don't know that they'd necessarily be into a tournament entirely opposed by the local fanbase. And I also think European - or at least English football - markets itself around the fanbase. I keep mentioning it but the thing about pitchside mics, the emphasis on the derbies etc etc. AR earlier in the thread said maybe the English fanbase is more passionate than in some US sports - I don't think they are, I think that view is a consequence of really successful branding by the Premier League.

The effect of that is you can't pivot on a dime and say actually the USP of English/Spanish/Italian football isn't the passionate fanbases - it isn't the Manchester derby, the Curva Nord etc - actually it's just about the quality of football which is the (self-appointed) best teams always playing. That's a different product. So if you can't bring the domestic/"legacy" fans along to create the atmosphere and a product that plays into the existing brand, then I wonder if you actually have a global audience who want this. Given how badly planned everything else about the Super League was - I'm not convinced these executives have done loads of research and I think they made a lot of assumptions that there'd be widespread interest in it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 22, 2021, 08:32:25 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on April 22, 2021, 08:17:16 AM
50 shades of plutocrat territory.

Even russian oligarchs may vary from year to year such as for Monaco with Rybolovlev owning 2/3 of the club with the rest owned by the tax-haven ruling family of Monaco.

Didn't he buy the team and talked about making Monaco an European powerhouse only to basically quit on the team after a couple of years?

Another example of a bad owner of this kind is Sheikh Abdullah al Thani, a minor member of the Qatari royal house who in 2010 bought Málaga and pumped it up to the point that it was starting to appear as a serious contender for the top spots in Spain. After a couple of years Málaga managed to reach the QF of the Champions League, but setbacks in the sports side (they got banned from European competitions by UEFA due to financial irregularities) and the Sheikh's own business side (several side projects that he had around Málaga failed around the same time) made him basically discard the football club as a broken toy, and he basically put up a figurehead to run the club and forgot about it in a rather negligent way (several times the players went unpaid because the figurehead president had to chase the Sheikh around in order to get him to sign off on the salary expenses), to the point that courts had to formally remove him from the running of the club, and it now languishes in the 2nd division.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 22, 2021, 08:44:47 AM
So, Laporta has finally spoken and... he just said that the Super League is absolutely necessary.  :wacko:

These people just can't read the room...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 22, 2021, 08:45:09 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 22, 2021, 08:10:41 AM
Open question.

From the perspective of "legacy fans" ( :lol:) who is worse (or best): the American owner-investors, the Russian oligarchs, or the oil states/sheikhs?
Americans.

Oil states are in it for reputational laundering purposes so they tend to be quite committed to their "project". They tend to build flashy infrastructure. They normally keep things like ticket prices affordable and in the case of City they still have loads of heavily discounted tickets/increased availability for young fans and for people who were fans when City were not in the Premier League. And, again, from just looking at City they have poured money into some of the poorer areas of Manchester and really helped renovate the areas. There are a huge number of moral issues with it and I think there are moral lines that each fan probably has so they might be okay with Abu Dhabi or Dubai but draw the line at the Saudi Crown Prince. But from a purely fan based perspective I think they're probably the best.

With Duque's qualifier about Russian oligarchs actually having the funds, then I think they will spend a lot of money on the club. They will build it up and again normally make improvements to the infrastructure. But there is a risk they will get bored/not allowed to enter the country and the money taps turn off.

The Americans fundamentally want to run it as a business. So - in English sport experience - they tend to buy the clubs in a leveraged buy-out so load them up with huge amounts of debt. They want to make money so they will try and increase ticket prices. They have form for not running clubs well - I think FSG are good at the football/sports side of that, but I don't think the Glazers, Kroenke, Lerner, Khan, Short or Hicks and Gillett experience has been great from a football/sports side of running a club. And I think they understand relegation in theory but don't get it in practice - that's something I've read about Lerner and Short that they both thought there would be some way of somehow getting out of it. But because they ran the club badly on the sports side - especially overpaying for players - they got relegated and in enormous financial trouble and their asset lost a huge amount of its value - so I think Randy Lerner got Aston Villa for £65 million in 2006, ten years later after relegation and a firesale of over-paid players he sold it for £75 million. We're still waiting for the end game with FSG, Glazers, Kroenke etc - but I can't think of many American ownership groups that have left their club in a better place than when they took over.

And obviously the most dodgy/one to avoid is Chinese ownership at the minute - because of a combination of capital controls meaning they sometimes literally don't pay the bills and other times do some very dodgy accounting/company law tricks. So Wigan had this last season and I still don't fully understand what happened. They were 13th in the Championship. The club owner was a Hong Kong holding company. They then sold their entire shares to another Hong Kong holding company who put the club into administration. This meant that even though they had been 8 points clear of relegation because they were now insolvent they got a 12 point deduction and were relegated - I think they've now been bought by Bahraini business group. But the whole administration is really bizarre and it was not an insolvent club, they were put into voluntary administration and apparently the owner of the buying Hong Kong fund had been asking about the administration process in England before buying the club - so I can only assume there was some strange accounting ticks going on in the background.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on April 22, 2021, 08:46:48 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 22, 2021, 08:32:25 AM
Another example of a bad owner of this kind is Sheikh Abdullah al Thani, a minor member of the Qatari royal house who in 2010 bought Málaga and pumped it up to the point that it was starting to appear as a serious contender for the top spots in Spain. After a couple of years Málaga managed to reach the QF of the Champions League, but setbacks in the sports side (they got banned from European competitions by UEFA due to financial irregularities) and the Sheikh's own business side (several side projects that he had around Málaga failed around the same time) made him basically discard the football club as a broken toy, and he basically put up a figurehead to run the club and forgot about it in a rather negligent way (several times the players went unpaid because the figurehead president had to chase the Sheikh around in order to get him to sign off on the salary expenses), to the point that courts had to formally remove him from the running of the club, and it now languishes in the 2nd division.

Wait, why is being in 2nd division bad? Isn't this the exact thing you guys like so much?!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 22, 2021, 08:48:33 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 22, 2021, 08:32:25 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on April 22, 2021, 08:17:16 AM
50 shades of plutocrat territory.

Even russian oligarchs may vary from year to year such as for Monaco with Rybolovlev owning 2/3 of the club with the rest owned by the tax-haven ruling family of Monaco.

Didn't he buy the team and talked about making Monaco an European powerhouse only to basically quit on the team after a couple of years?

Yep, he actually made a profit, despite the hilarious firing and re-firing of Leonardo Jardim.
So very far from the soft power/influence goals of Qatar or Abu Dhabi.

Quote
Another example of a bad owner of this kind is Sheikh Abdullah al Thani, a minor member of the Qatari royal house who in 2010 bought Málaga and pumped it up to the point that it was starting to appear as a serious contender for the top spots in Spain. After a couple of years Málaga managed to reach the QF of the Champions League, but setbacks in the sports side (they got banned from European competitions by UEFA due to financial irregularities) and the Sheikh's own business side (several side projects that he had around Málaga failed around the same time) made him basically discard the football club as a broken toy, and he basically put up a figurehead to run the club and forgot about it in a rather negligent way (several times the players went unpaid because the figurehead president had to chase the Sheikh around in order to get him to sign off on the salary expenses), to the point that courts had to formally remove him from the running of the club, and it now languishes in the 2nd division.

Quite the contrast to QSI.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 22, 2021, 09:01:28 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 22, 2021, 08:46:48 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 22, 2021, 08:32:25 AM
Another example of a bad owner of this kind is Sheikh Abdullah al Thani, a minor member of the Qatari royal house who in 2010 bought Málaga and pumped it up to the point that it was starting to appear as a serious contender for the top spots in Spain. After a couple of years Málaga managed to reach the QF of the Champions League, but setbacks in the sports side (they got banned from European competitions by UEFA due to financial irregularities) and the Sheikh's own business side (several side projects that he had around Málaga failed around the same time) made him basically discard the football club as a broken toy, and he basically put up a figurehead to run the club and forgot about it in a rather negligent way (several times the players went unpaid because the figurehead president had to chase the Sheikh around in order to get him to sign off on the salary expenses), to the point that courts had to formally remove him from the running of the club, and it now languishes in the 2nd division.

Wait, why is being in 2nd division bad? Isn't this the exact thing you guys like so much?!

Not sure if serious...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 22, 2021, 09:04:42 AM
Incidentally on UK government anger about this - City were always the most reluctant - but apparently a very trusted Johnson aide (previously worked for him in City Hall) who is now the UK special envoy to the Gulf informed government figures in the UAE that the Super League would hurt relations between the Emirates (because of Abu Dhabi) and the UK :ph34r:

Also reports now that Ed Woodward resigned from his Man United role because he disagreed with the Super League plans/thought they were a bad idea but the owners, especially Joel Glazer, were really pushing for them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 22, 2021, 09:06:56 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 22, 2021, 08:45:09 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 22, 2021, 08:10:41 AM
Open question.

From the perspective of "legacy fans" ( :lol:) who is worse (or best): the American owner-investors, the Russian oligarchs, or the oil states/sheikhs?
Americans.

Oil states are in it for reputational laundering purposes so they tend to be quite committed to their "project". They tend to build flashy infrastructure. They normally keep things like ticket prices affordable and in the case of City they still have loads of heavily discounted tickets/increased availability for young fans and for people who were fans when City were not in the Premier League. And, again, from just looking at City they have poured money into some of the poorer areas of Manchester and really helped renovate the areas. There are a huge number of moral issues with it and I think there are moral lines that each fan probably has so they might be okay with Abu Dhabi or Dubai but draw the line at the Saudi Crown Prince. But from a purely fan based perspective I think they're probably the best.

With Duque's qualifier about Russian oligarchs actually having the funds, then I think they will spend a lot of money on the club. They will build it up and again normally make improvements to the infrastructure. But there is a risk they will get bored/not allowed to enter the country and the money taps turn off.

The Americans fundamentally want to run it as a business. So - in English sport experience - they tend to buy the clubs in a leveraged buy-out so load them up with huge amounts of debt. They want to make money so they will try and increase ticket prices. They have form for not running clubs well - I think FSG are good at the football/sports side of that, but I don't think the Glazers, Kroenke, Lerner, Khan, Short or Hicks and Gillett experience has been great from a football/sports side of running a club. And I think they understand relegation in theory but don't get it in practice - that's something I've read about Lerner and Short that they both thought there would be some way of somehow getting out of it. But because they ran the club badly on the sports side - especially overpaying for players - they got relegated and in enormous financial trouble and their asset lost a huge amount of its value - so I think Randy Lerner got Aston Villa for £65 million in 2006, ten years later after relegation and a firesale of over-paid players he sold it for £75 million. We're still waiting for the end game with FSG, Glazers, Kroenke etc - but I can't think of many American ownership groups that have left their club in a better place than when they took over.

And obviously the most dodgy/one to avoid is Chinese ownership at the minute - because of a combination of capital controls meaning they sometimes literally don't pay the bills and other times do some very dodgy accounting/company law tricks. So Wigan had this last season and I still don't fully understand what happened. They were 13th in the Championship. The club owner was a Hong Kong holding company. They then sold their entire shares to another Hong Kong holding company who put the club into administration. This meant that even though they had been 8 points clear of relegation because they were now insolvent they got a 12 point deduction and were relegated - I think they've now been bought by Bahraini business group. But the whole administration is really bizarre and it was not an insolvent club, they were put into voluntary administration and apparently the owner of the buying Hong Kong fund had been asking about the administration process in England before buying the club - so I can only assume there was some strange accounting ticks going on in the background.

This is all true but also a matter of perspective.

Because the third-worlder owners (well, not the Russian one(s) as they are small potatoes nowadays) pour insane money into the European system, causing runaway inflation other clubs literally go bankrupt trying to keep up with. This is in part due to how the European system is different from the American sports.

In this sense, the Americans are the reasonable long-term actors and the third-worlders the locust swarm.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 22, 2021, 09:08:58 AM
https://www.economist.com/business/2021/04/22/europes-super-league-scores-a-spectacular-own-goal


QuoteThey promised to "deliver excitement and drama never before seen in football", and for a few short days they succeeded—just not in the way they had hoped. On April 18th a dozen of Europe's top football clubs announced plans to disrupt the game with a breakaway "Super League". Investors cheered. But fans revolted, broadcasters turned up their noses and governments vowed to block the plan. Within 48 hours half of its founding members dropped out. It was soon declared dead.

What began as a daring bid to seize control of elite football now looks like a damaging own goal. The Super League promised its members financial security and sporting prestige. Instead the "dirty dozen" rebels have been forced to grovel to supporters and in some cases jettison their bosses. Their bargaining power over rival teams and league organisers has been weakened. They may face tighter regulation by governments responding to furious fans.


The plan was for 20 clubs to compete in a Europe-wide league, kicking off in August. Fifteen "founding" clubs would be guaranteed a spot every year, with the remaining five places awarded competitively. The 12 clubs that broke cover comprised England's "Big Six" (Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham), plus three from Spain (Barcelona, Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid) and three from Italy (ac Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus, whose part-owner, Exor, also owns a stake in The Economist's parent company). JPMorgan Chase was to stump up €3.3bn ($4bn) of financing to get the league off the ground. An equivalent women's competition was planned.

The venture's stated aim was to give the world's best clubs more chances to play each other than Europe's main existing club competition, the Champions League. Barcelona and Bayern Munich have faced each other fewer than a dozen times in their history. Big clashes would bring in more viewers and more money: the Super League's organisers had hoped that broadcasting rights might generate €4bn a year, nearly double the €2.4bn brought in by the Champions League in the 2018-19 season.


Automatic qualification looked even more appealing. Unlike American teams, European sides play in open leagues, where poor performers get demoted to a lower tier, with stingier broadcasting and sponsorship deals. Club owners thus gamble on making it to the top, investing generously at the expense of profits. In closed contests like America's National Football League (no relation to what Americans insist on calling soccer), clubs face no risk of relegation and so co-operate more. "Draft" systems allocate talent more equally and wages are often capped—something that the Super League hinted it might do, via an agreed "spending framework". Clubs in closed leagues must worry only about economic competition from rival leagues, which require more upfront investment to start than an individual club.

The combination of less risk and less competition for talent produces higher profits for owners. Forty-three of the world's 50 most valuable sports teams are American, according to a ranking last year by Forbes magazine. By contrast, European sport is a dicey business: between 1992 and 2014 there were 45 insolvencies in the top three tiers of English football, 40 in France and 30 in Germany. "Football is essentially insolvent," notes Stefan Szymanski, a sports economist at the University of Michigan. Without their deep-pocketed owners, most clubs would not be going concerns. The American owners of teams such as Manchester United and Liverpool look at the European system and wonder, "Why this insecurity?" says François Godard of Enders Analysis, a research firm. That explains why investors liked the Super League. United's share price rose by as much as 10% the day after it was announced and that of Juventus by 19%.

Fans saw it differently. "Created by the poor, stolen by the rich", read one of the banners displayed outside Manchester United's ground. A poll by YouGov found that 79% of British football fans opposed the Super League, 68% of them "strongly"; opposition was fiercer still among fans of clubs outside the "Big Six". Sensing the mood, broadcasters including Sky and Amazon hurried to distance themselves from the league. Boris Johnson, Britain's prime minister, vowed to "do everything I can to give this ludicrous plan a straight red". All six British teams pulled out on April 20th, followed by Atlético Madrid and the two Milanese teams. At that point the league's organisers pronounced it dead.

Some of the clubs involved are thought to have seen the idea as, at worst, a bargaining chip to negotiate better terms with their existing league. The top clubs have long argued that, as the main attraction, they deserve a bigger slice of revenues and a bigger say in how leagues are run. Breaking away has always been used as a threat—and has often worked. In 1998, the last time the idea of an elite European competition was raised, Europe's football association responded by enlarging the Champions League, as the big teams had requested.

The Super League's implosion shows the threat was empty, says a director of another top-flight Premier League club. The debacle presents "an opportunity for the wider community to drive a harder bargain", he says. A new round of Premier League broadcasting rights is to be auctioned soon. The Big Six are in a weaker position than before to negotiate their cut.

Another threat comes in the form of regulation. Britain's sports minister, Oliver Dowden, promised to "put everything on the table" to stop the new league, from competition law to governance reform. On April 19th the government launched a wide-ranging review into how football is run. British fans have noted that no German club joined the rebels, which they attribute to Germany's community-ownership model (though ownership by fans did not dissuade Barcelona and Real Madrid from joining). The French, Spanish and Italian leagues, which are in poorer financial health than England's, will be watching the outcome closely. "Owners should remember that they are only temporary custodians of their clubs; they forget fans at their peril," Mr Dowden declared. Spectators who enjoy a sporting upset could be in for an exciting season. ■

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Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 22, 2021, 09:21:13 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 22, 2021, 08:44:47 AM
So, Laporta has finally spoken and... he just said that the Super League is absolutely necessary.  :wacko:

These people just can't read the room...

Oh I think he can read the room pretty well, but we're so fucked that it's probably Superleague or death  :lol: :(

He's couched it with a lot of language about finding a good compromise for all parts, etc...

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 22, 2021, 09:22:56 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 22, 2021, 04:48:33 AM
I'm slightly amused by the co-option of Marxist rhetoric on those tshirts.

"The fans" by denotation means all fans, whether they're in Barcelona or Shanghai, but by connotation everyone knows it only means the former.

You amusement seems predicated on the assumption that the fans in Shanghai want substantially different things than the fans in Barcelona. I'm not sure there's evidence for that assumption.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 22, 2021, 09:28:49 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 22, 2021, 09:06:56 AM
This is all true but also a matter of perspective.

Because the third-worlder owners (well, not the Russian one(s) as they are small potatoes nowadays) pour insane money into the European system, causing runaway inflation other clubs literally go bankrupt trying to keep up with. This is in part due to how the European system is different from the American sports.

In this sense, the Americans are the reasonable long-term actors and the third-worlders the locust swarm.
I think all of that is true - and I think one of the issues driving Madrid, Barcelona and Juve has been the failure of UEFA to successfully enforce any real financial controls (not for want of trying v Man City at least). I think a really, really important part of the Super League for these clubs was the salary and transfer limits. Although I would query if you're a reasonable long-term investor if you need to make money and you're investing in football, while if you're a nation state or someone who, for example, owns Russia aluminium you can probably take the hit.

Abramovich taking over Chelsea in 2004 changed the game for club owners, Abu Dhabi changed it again - and even the richest men and clubs will struggle to compete with literal nation states.

But having said that I do slightly if it has ever been thus - so in the 30s I think Sunderland were called the Bank of England because their local backer was richer than the rest of the owners of clubs in the League. In the 60s (there's a recent - really interesting book about this that argues the 60 is  the start of "modern" football) it was Everton who were backed by Sir John Moores who were the Mersey Millionaires and paid record-breaking fees to bring the best players to the club (he also tried to start an English baseball league - again, plus ca change).

Just as the game has expanded from being a domestic interest the owners have moved from local magnates to oligarchs, sovereign wealth funds, shady Hong Kong listed shell companies, American vulture funds and everyone in between. And of them all very, very few people make money out of investing in football (I think this is, again, a disappointment for American owners - I am very curious, for example, to see what the new American owners of Burnley plan to do).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 22, 2021, 11:14:01 AM
Interesting from one of the Guardian reporters on their podcast taht apparently they've heard some clubs were surprised at the push-back and lack of support from global fans.

I still wonder if they have any basis for the idea that "legacy fans" hate this but global fans are actually desperate for it - I think the global fans in part took an interest in various European clubs because of the brand they had already established with their "legacy fans". It just all feels a bit New Coke that because you like Coke you must really, really want New Coke :hmm:

Also Josh Kroenke is taking questions at the Arsenal Fan Forum - after the customary apology the first question was more of a comment than a question "do you not understand English football, you do not interact with fans, you have no clue, English football is clearly not for you, you should leave." So it's not going well :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on April 22, 2021, 11:32:26 AM
Is it because they think the global fans would like to see his team in person?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 22, 2021, 11:40:53 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 22, 2021, 11:32:26 AM
Is it because they think the global fans would like to see his team in person?
Maybe and I do think the end goal is either moving clubs as franchises to new markets or playing in a permanently travelling almost exhibition style league. This was something the Copa del Rey have done and the Premier League have considered (a 39th game in a neutral international venue).

Now again the issue is that to a lot of these teams have iconic grounds that are part of their branding - especially Anfield, Old Trafford and Nou Camp. So the global fan might want to see real competitive games with their team, but they really want to see them at Anfield - they want to see the Kop.

But I think this does sort of get to the point made by Stephen Bush - those tournaments do sort of exist in pre-season. So Arsenal have the "Emirates Cup", there's the International Champions Cup - they're pre-season and they don't mind because they're just purely exhibition tournaments played in Europe and Singapore and the US and China. They don't make a massive amount of money because they don't mean anything - and I'm not sure there's enough peril or reward in the proposed Super League for it to be that different. I feel like if there was a big demand for this - instead of the Champions League - that those pre-season tournaments would be more popular.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 22, 2021, 01:01:38 PM
The Americans are the most morally OK but worst for running your club.
The Russians the most immoral.
The Arabs probably a balance of being not quite as shifty as the Russians and getting better results.

Sunderland had an American owner who was absolutely shite. He put a decent mid table premier league amount of money in but didn't understand football and kept making terrible hiring decisions on rapid fire.
Newcastle fans were pretty excited about the Saudi take over and seemed thoroughly non plussed about the morals.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on April 22, 2021, 01:12:38 PM
I know I am not the most sophisticated financial mind on these boards but the whole concept of leveraged buyouts, and how they devastate otherwise very well run and profitable companies, just pisses me off as a consumer. Yes thanks for buying a business whose products and services I enjoy for no money and ruining the business trying to pay your debts. It is terrible for the company and not good for its customers. I wish it was illegal or at least highly restricted.

Like maybe buy a company if you actually have the money? Or at least you shouldn't be able to use what you are buying as your means of paying back what you borrowed, you should be able to demonstrate you have the capital to pay off the debt without putting the company you bought into bankruptcy.

But as for other aspects of American sports franchise owners being shit...believe me I know  :(

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on April 22, 2021, 01:59:59 PM
Quote from: Jacob on April 22, 2021, 09:22:56 AM
You amusement seems predicated on the assumption that the fans in Shanghai want substantially different things than the fans in Barcelona. I'm not sure there's evidence for that assumption.

My amusement is based on language use.  I don't assume fans in Shanghai want to watch only BIG MATCHES ALL THE TIME.  That's the assumption of the super league proponents, and that assumption is mirrored in the writing on the tshirts.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 22, 2021, 02:02:20 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 22, 2021, 01:59:59 PM
My amusement is based on language use.  I don't assume fans in Shanghai want to watch only BIG MATCHES ALL THE TIME.  That's the assumption of the super league proponents, and that assumption is mirrored in the writing on the tshirts.

I see. Well, I'm glad you're amused :hug:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on April 22, 2021, 02:05:54 PM
Thanks.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on April 22, 2021, 02:08:59 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 22, 2021, 08:22:25 AM
I'm not entirely sure about what's Marxist about this :hmm:

"The people."  Same concept.  Only this subset is "people."  Everyone else is something different.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 22, 2021, 02:20:37 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 22, 2021, 02:08:59 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 22, 2021, 08:22:25 AM
I'm not entirely sure about what's Marxist about this :hmm:

"The people."  Same concept.  Only this subset is "people."  Everyone else is something different.
Marxism's about the workers though - in this case you have some of the workers wearing shirts extolling their consumers now. On the other hand I think the fans create part of the value of European football - it's a bit like how do you get a Marxist analysis of Facebook :hmm:

Incidentally on ownership there are some impacts from fans. So Chelsea is a really interesting example sold the freehold their stadium is built on - the new buyers went bust and basically a company that is non-profit and sells shares to fans now owns the freehold that Chelsea's stadium is on. They charge Chelsea a peppercorn rent but can stop the sale of the stadium name, they can stop any proposed changes to the stadium including redevelopment which basically means Chelsea can't move stadium without fan consent.

Far less important, but quite emotionally relevant to why fans are angry was the Arsenal shares - they issued shares to fans. And often those shares were the only ones someone owned and were literally passed down in the family. Kroenke got to over 75% shareholding by buying out Alisher Usmanov, that means from a corporate law perspective he could basically do anything but he had the right to compulsorily buy the 10% of historic shares owned by fans. And he did - it still causes a lot of anger with Arsenal fans because, unlike with Chelsea, they had no power as a 10% bloc, but despite having no power he chose to wipe out that little stake of personal ownership those thousands of fans had with their club.

Edit: Obviously again that privileges a certain type of fan.

Edit: Incidentally great Sid Lowe piece (as ever) about Perez:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/apr/22/florentino-perez-the-emperor-who-wanted-more-but-lost-for-once

Edit: And, incidentally, the question of why won't you leave for Josh Kroenke came from the chair of the Danish Arsenal Supporters' Trust.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 22, 2021, 03:33:12 PM
In the Arsenal podsphere and social media, Stan and Josh Kroenke are basically the devil incarnate, and I'm totally on board with that sentiment.

I remember when Stan first bought into Arsenal. Wenger was still around and my immediate assessment was that Stan saw Arsene consistently making Top 4 with the barest transfer budget available and thought "Yeah, that's the kind of club I want." Of course, that gravy train stopped and Stan still doesn't want to invest in the team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 22, 2021, 03:46:12 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 22, 2021, 03:33:12 PM
In the Arsenal podsphere and social media, Stan and Josh Kroenke are basically the devil incarnate, and I'm totally on board with that sentiment.

I remember when Stan first bought into Arsenal. Wenger was still around and my immediate assessment was that Stan saw Arsene consistently making Top 4 with the barest transfer budget available and thought "Yeah, that's the kind of club I want." Of course, that gravy train stopped and Stan still doesn't want to invest in the team.
I kind of get the Glazers/FSG/Kroenke - they are taking over big established brands. They can probably turn a profit on lots of commercial sponsorship deals plus broadcast, plus stadium expansions and expensive seats etc. If they make smart sporting decisions they'll even occasionally win things. I think FSG are good at that. I think Glazers were good at that as long as the decision could be: let Sir Alex run things. The Kroenkes are less good at it :P

But it will be a nice constant stream of revenue. It's the guys taking over Burnley that I find slightly baffling because I think they want more the revenue those clubs are currently delivering but perhaps underestimate the risk/expense of building Burnley, or Fulham into global brands. And otherwise football clubs normally lose money.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 23, 2021, 03:53:07 AM
:lol: Even JP Morgan is now disowning the Super League:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzpXeB9XoAcpvUU?format=jpg&name=small)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 23, 2021, 04:16:21 AM
I believe they even got downgraded from some kind of rating over their support for the project.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 23, 2021, 04:23:14 AM
Yeah their sustainability rating - which I think matters for sustainable investment funds etc - was downgraded because you are meant to consult with stakeholders.

Similarly technically under UK law there is an obligation on directors to consider long-term factors and stakeholders when deciding what's in the best interests of a company. I think that's normally pro-forma/not really enforced. But there is a lot of anger so who knows :hmm:

Edit: Also fair play to Ilkay Gundogan for coming out against the Champions League changes too - I agree with him (always had a soft spot for him because I read an interview where he came across really well :lol:)
QuoteIlkay Gündogan
@IlkayGuendogan
15h
With all the Super League stuff going on... can we please also speak about the new Champions League format?  More and more and more games, is no one thinking about us players?
The new UCL format is just the lesser of the two evils in comparison to the Super League...
The UCL format right now works great and that is why it's the most popular club competition in the world - for us players and for the fans.

I also think there is a particular player welfare issue going on here. The players didn't get a proper pre-season break this season because of covid. There's been more games crammed together this season because of covid. The Euros are this summer so many won't get a proper pre-season again. I think there'll be more Champions League games next season and, in January, there's the Qatar World Cup.

I get that they are highly paid but I really suspect at some point we will see even more injury crises than this season. At a certain point the employers have a duty of care not to rinse their athletes - plus some of those injury crises are going to hit big players/clubs/highly prized assets.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 23, 2021, 04:54:40 AM
Koeman also called for less matches when he came out agains the Super League. Sadly I don't think it's something that will ever take place, even though it'd be quite positive in many ways.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 23, 2021, 05:58:20 AM
Venue reshuffle for the Euros this summer. The Spanish venue will finally be Seville instead of Bilbao, after the Basque regional government's requiriments for fans to be at the stands were deemed excessive. Also Dublin has been removed and games meant to be played there will be moved to St. Petersburg and London.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 23, 2021, 07:50:14 AM
So it's a mini-Euro for London, they already got the games once scheduled for Brussels and its new stadium, which has yet to be built.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 23, 2021, 07:59:25 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 23, 2021, 04:54:40 AM
Koeman also called for less matches when he came out agains the Super League. Sadly I don't think it's something that will ever take place, even though it'd be quite positive in many ways.
Klopp too:
"They showed it to me, I spent one hour with UEFA, I told them I don't like it.

"It has 10 more games in, I don't know how we fit them in.

"The only people who never get asked are the coaches, players and supporters.

"We are already on the edge"

"UEFA didn't ask us, the Super League didn't ask us. It's just always 'play more games' - that's not possible."

Again the people who wanted the changes to the CL are the owners of these clubs so they can sell the rights to more matches, earn more money and protect their ability to get into the CL even if they fail domestically (based on historic coefficients). You know it's not like someone is forcing these extra games on Liverpool or FSG or whatever other owner group you look at.

I think it's a particular issue right now because so many clubs are under financial pressure due to covid and empty stadiums they are all trying to increase their revenue through more broadcast games, but at the same time UEFA and FIFA and the other national team authorities are trying to catch-up with the international games for their tournaments/qualifications and because of all of that the domestic leagues are weirdly compressed. Again, I get they're very richly rewarded for playing but I think this is going to have an injury impact on a number of players.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 23, 2021, 09:56:46 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 23, 2021, 03:53:07 AM
:lol: Even JP Morgan is now disowning the Super League:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzpXeB9XoAcpvUU?format=jpg&name=small)

Well yeah, it might be a challenge meeting the revenue projections (which were what, double that of the Champions League?) if the vast majority of your potential customers hate your new league intensely.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on April 23, 2021, 10:50:18 AM
In my experience sports fans hate any changes until the games start and then we get tempted by the sweet siren call of athletic competition and make our peace with it. Sort of like how the lead up to every World Cup is nothing but people being enraged by all the corrupt FIFA shenanigans going on...and then the first match starts and we promptly forget about all of that.

The problem with this super league is that they are not even close to playing any games.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 23, 2021, 11:01:59 AM
Potential twist in the tail for British politics

https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/labour-demands-minutes-of-meeting-between-num-10-and-ed-woodward-held-days-before-launch-of-super-league-265959/?fbclid=IwAR1d5npfRe7ImvrSyLECdKEfBR_7J163yeBwy9DSW9jfCFQ0x8rY3f_2lsY

Seems Johnson met one of the people behind the super league plans just days before it was launched...Potentially with support...
And no doubt in typical Boris fashion quickly flipped when he realised it was politically expedient.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 23, 2021, 11:06:56 AM
Quote from: Valmy on April 23, 2021, 10:50:18 AM
In my experience sports fans hate any changes until the games start and then we get tempted by the sweet siren call of athletic competition and make our peace with it. Sort of like how the lead up to every World Cup is nothing but people being enraged by all the corrupt FIFA shenanigans going on...and then the first match starts and we promptly forget about all of that.

The problem with this super league is that they are not even close to playing any games.



Barça playing Tottenham half a dozen times every season is hardly my idea of an irresistible sport proposition  :hmm:

More seriously, what makes big games among great sides such a thrilling event is the stakes. This superleague's goal seemed to be reducing the stakes and guaranteing a bunch of games among big sides.

The World Cup features quite possibly the highest-stakes series of games in any football tournament. The format (although FIFA, true to form, is trying to ruin it) makes it that every single game matters.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 23, 2021, 11:09:01 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 23, 2021, 11:01:59 AM
Potential twist in the tail for British politics

https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/labour-demands-minutes-of-meeting-between-num-10-and-ed-woodward-held-days-before-launch-of-super-league-265959/?fbclid=IwAR1d5npfRe7ImvrSyLECdKEfBR_7J163yeBwy9DSW9jfCFQ0x8rY3f_2lsY

Seems Johnson met one of the people behind the super league plans just days before it was launched...Potentially with support...
And no doubt in typical Boris fashion quickly flipped when he realised it was politically expedient.

Duplicity by BoJo?!  :o

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 23, 2021, 11:10:05 AM
Well - also they didn't have a broadcaster to sell the games.

There was a really good Grace Robertson piece about this and one angle was on the branding issues with sponsorship, but the other was the broadcasting. In England in 1992 there was a narrative and a brand reason for why the Premier League launched. There were significant investments in stadiums and infrastructure, Sky was this disruprtive new broadcaster putting huge resources into what the Premier League would look like which was all a lot more modern than the existing offer by BBC and ITV. It was generally a move from the late 80s nadir of English football (hooliganism, Heysel, Hillsborough, Bradford - "a slum game watched in slum stadiums by slum people") and Sky promised "a whole new ball game". Their advertising was literally of football going from black and white to colour plus perky 90s aspirational consumerism.

There is a pitch I can see Super League clubs making - they just felt they were above it and above needing customers. So for example that pitch would definitely involve a broadcaster - I think it would involve a streaming broadcaster specifically, with more emphasis on consumers/fans being able to choose how and what football they watch. Instead to the extent they made a pitch it just leaned into what many people have a problem with already - nothing exemplified that more than their decision to have more VAR in the Super League (probably to sell adverts) despite the fact that until this came along the big narrative for the English clubs at least has been the way VAR's ruining the game and managers, players and fans hate it :lol:

Apparently the Premier League is going to change their rules that if a club breaks away to form another non-authorised league then they will automatically be expelled from the Premier League. Which means you need to be pretty confident that the income from the new Super League can replace both your income from the Champions League and the Premier League.

Quote from: Jacob on April 23, 2021, 09:56:46 AM
Well yeah, it might be a challenge meeting the revenue projections (which were what, double that of the Champions League?) if the vast majority of your potential customers hate your new league intensely.
I think it was based on them being able to get 3 times the revenue of the Champions League. For fewer games :mellow: :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 23, 2021, 11:16:32 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 23, 2021, 11:01:59 AM
Potential twist in the tail for British politics

https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/labour-demands-minutes-of-meeting-between-num-10-and-ed-woodward-held-days-before-launch-of-super-league-265959/?fbclid=IwAR1d5npfRe7ImvrSyLECdKEfBR_7J163yeBwy9DSW9jfCFQ0x8rY3f_2lsY

Seems Johnson met one of the people behind the super league plans just days before it was launched...Potentially with support...
And no doubt in typical Boris fashion quickly flipped when he realised it was politically expedient.
I mean we'll see if that comes out. But the Number 10 line that it was a breakfast meeting about lifting covid restrictions and a return to fans in stadiums doesn't seem that implausible - especially given that it came a day before new broke that the Premier League were planning to adjust the schedule so every team would get one game home and away with fans.

Maybe it was about the Super League but I can't see any reason to suspect that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on April 23, 2021, 02:04:47 PM
Quote from: Tyr on April 23, 2021, 11:01:59 AM
Potential twist in the tail for British politics

https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/labour-demands-minutes-of-meeting-between-num-10-and-ed-woodward-held-days-before-launch-of-super-league-265959/?fbclid=IwAR1d5npfRe7ImvrSyLECdKEfBR_7J163yeBwy9DSW9jfCFQ0x8rY3f_2lsY

Seems Johnson met one of the people behind the super league plans just days before it was launched...Potentially with support...
And no doubt in typical Boris fashion quickly flipped when he realised it was politically expedient.

Woodward didn't even know about the plan then
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 23, 2021, 03:18:48 PM
QuoteFlorentino Perez: "We're considering new steps for the Super League. Perhaps the proper way would be that the top 4 teams in the domestic leagues each season would qualify for it."
That's the Champions League. You've invented the competition you're trying to replace :hmm: :blink:

Edit: Also from the Arsenal protest - I think I even prefer this meme use to the "We want our cold nights in Stoke" :lol:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzrNlj4WUAAG0nA?format=jpg&name=medium)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 24, 2021, 08:27:09 AM
Shaping up to be another great weekend for the Super League clubs :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: garbon on April 24, 2021, 09:11:14 AM
I know we've already said it before but infuriating the crackdown on women wanting to feel safe while this nonsense gets a pass.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 24, 2021, 10:08:42 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 24, 2021, 08:27:09 AM
Shaping up to be another great weekend for the Super League clubs :lol:

Any new developments? Any links.

I'm really enjoying this whole debacle and you're one of my primary news sources :cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 24, 2021, 10:09:54 AM
I think he just means they've had bad sporting results so far this weekend.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 24, 2021, 10:12:32 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 24, 2021, 10:09:54 AM
I think he just means they've had bad sporting results so far this weekend.

Still satisfying :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 24, 2021, 10:33:39 AM
Quote from: Jacob on April 24, 2021, 10:08:42 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 24, 2021, 08:27:09 AM
Shaping up to be another great weekend for the Super League clubs :lol:

Any new developments? Any links.

I'm really enjoying this whole debacle and you're one of my primary news sources :cheers:
:lol: Thanks - glad you're enjoying this debacle as much as I am.

I only have a couple of friends who are that in to football and one of us is a permanent expat. But we've booked in a Zoom tonight just to run through this.

QuoteI think he just means they've had bad sporting results so far this weekend.
Yeah obviously I enjoyed Leno's flumpf last night, but Newcastle scoring two goals (one written off for handball) in the last two minutes of extra time against Liverpool was a joy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 24, 2021, 11:32:28 AM
Quote from: garbon on April 24, 2021, 09:11:14 AM
I know we've already said it before but infuriating the crackdown on women wanting to feel safe while this nonsense gets a pass.

And now this:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/apr/24/law-firm-takes-up-case-of-nurse-fined-10000-for-1-pay-protest
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 24, 2021, 12:00:55 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 24, 2021, 08:27:09 AM
Shaping up to be another great weekend for the Super League clubs :lol:

Indeed  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 24, 2021, 12:14:19 PM
One thing I find slightly fascinating about this is the American influence - because it's clearly been huge on the owners in terms of seeing from American sports better ways of commercialising sport and maximising revenue (which - unlike in the US, players don't get a share of).

But it also strikes me that there's a shift in younger players which I think is because younger players are also exposed to American sports and the NBA is particularly popular. In my mind the NBA is the ultimate in athlete activism and we've seen a slight generational thing of Ibahimovic having a go at LeBron for his activism. But with younger players you have them commenting on issue beyond football in a way that is quite new and I think shaped by them watching American athletes (off the top of my head Marcus Rashford, Raheem Sterling, Patrick Bamford, Richarlison, James Maddison, Mesut Ozil). I wouldn't be surprised to see more player activism out of this and even a players' union starting to demand more of an input on big issues in the game. In European sports players are incredibly weak compared to the owners and clubs in comparison to the US.

As I say I think it was trying to bring in the bits that Europeans don't like about American sports (closed league) with all the worst bits of European sports where there'd be no player control mechanisms, no real cost control measures, no controls over what owners do or financial limits (e.g. I understand that there's strict debt limits in the NFL - there is nothing in European football which is why some of these clubs are so keen for this proposal).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: garbon on April 24, 2021, 01:16:37 PM
Quote from: Tamas on April 24, 2021, 11:32:28 AM
Quote from: garbon on April 24, 2021, 09:11:14 AM
I know we've already said it before but infuriating the crackdown on women wanting to feel safe while this nonsense gets a pass.

And now this:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/apr/24/law-firm-takes-up-case-of-nurse-fined-10000-for-1-pay-protest

The mind boggles.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on April 25, 2021, 01:10:55 AM
From a longer Economist article about fodbol clubs performing above or below their talent.

Performace is ranked by prestige points awarded:

Champions League--10 points

Premier League--9 points

Europa League--5.5 points

FA Cup--4.5 points

League Cup (never even heard of this one)--2.5 points

Agree?  Disagree?  Don't care?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Richard Hakluyt on April 25, 2021, 02:19:33 AM
Quote from: garbon on April 24, 2021, 01:16:37 PM
Quote from: Tamas on April 24, 2021, 11:32:28 AM
Quote from: garbon on April 24, 2021, 09:11:14 AM
I know we've already said it before but infuriating the crackdown on women wanting to feel safe while this nonsense gets a pass.

And now this:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/apr/24/law-firm-takes-up-case-of-nurse-fined-10000-for-1-pay-protest

The mind boggles.

The public is funding her legal campaign to prove that her protest was not illegal https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/support-nhs-nurse-karen/

The old bill doesn't like taking on men but seems to like bullying women  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 25, 2021, 03:37:51 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 25, 2021, 01:10:55 AM
From a longer Economist article about fodbol clubs performing above or below their talent.

Performace is ranked by prestige points awarded:

Champions League--10 points

Premier League--9 points

Europa League--5.5 points

FA Cup--4.5 points

League Cup (never even heard of this one)--2.5 points

Agree?  Disagree?  Don't care?

An English newspaper rating the PL as just 10% less prestigious than the Champions League  :lol:

I think that's all the commentary I need to provide.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 25, 2021, 04:09:19 AM
With the latter stages of the champions league it's fair to laugh. But the group stages?
I think even the lowest Premier league teams are better than Dynamo Riga.

This is one thing that is noticeable in the English vs Spanish league. It's competitive between the top teams of both but the lower la liga teams are second division in England at best.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 25, 2021, 04:34:40 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 25, 2021, 04:09:19 AM

This is one thing that is noticeable in the English vs Spanish league. It's competitive between the top teams of both but the lower la liga teams are second division in England at best.

:yeahright:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 25, 2021, 06:39:33 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 25, 2021, 04:34:40 AM
:yeahright:
What I think is true, and I think it's the PL's pitch - is it's not the best football but it is the most exciting/unpredictable: anyone can beat anyone on their day. But I think that's just because the Premier League has quite a lot of revenue sharing compared to La Liga or Serie A where the money is far more tilted towards the top teams. So in terms of TV money alone in England the champion earns about 1.5x what the bottom club earns, I think in the other European leagues it's between 2.5-3.5 more.

Obviously the PL also has a very big TV deal so there's a lot of money to distribute (I think the Spanish clubs and Juve - and maybe the Milan clubs - would leave their domestic leagues for a Super League, at the minute the PL is still the golden goose for English clubs) so I think the club that gets relegated in England gets more TV money than a club in the European places in Italy. But it means there's huge distortions in the lower leagues.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on April 25, 2021, 06:39:55 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 25, 2021, 04:34:40 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 25, 2021, 04:09:19 AM

This is one thing that is noticeable in the English vs Spanish league. It's competitive between the top teams of both but the lower la liga teams are second division in England at best.

:yeahright:

Proof that tyr's a brexiter at heart :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 25, 2021, 06:43:53 AM
What lower table teams in the Premier League have that La Liga teams in the same situation lack is money, as even the team that places last in the Premier League gets more money than most Spanish teams. Besides that, a Sheffield Utd - Eibar is not really a match I'd enjoy watching.  :lol:

Edit: I did a quick check and if I'm not wrong the last team in the Premier gets more in TV money than the 4th placed team in Spain.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 25, 2021, 06:53:19 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 25, 2021, 06:43:53 AM
What lower table teams in the Premier League have that La Liga teams in the same situation lack is money, as even the team that places last in the Premier League gets more money than most Spanish teams. Besides that, a Sheffield Utd - Eibar is not really a match I'd enjoy watching.  :lol:
:lol: Fair. Sometimes lower teams are doing something interesting - I've got a soft spot for Brighton and Southampton.

Although I don't understand quite what happened with Sheffield United this season v last season. And I was speaking to a friend in South Sudan about this and it is the genius of the Premier League marketing team - people in Juba know about the score of West Brom v West Ham :blink: :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 25, 2021, 06:59:19 AM
The PL market is massively inflated though, English teams end up overpaying mediocrity since there's so much money to go around, and these players are difficult to move to other leagues once they have a PL-level contract. Furthermore, Brexit will make it harder to import low-tier, cheaper, foreign talent.

So, imho, there's not that much of a difference between English and Spanish bottom-feeders as their relative incomes might suggest. Sheffield Utd has a roster made up of a majority of very well paid mediocre British players, compared to Eibar's roster of low-paid mediocre Spanish players.

As Larchie points out, though, this is not a theory I'm particularly looking forward to test  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 25, 2021, 07:03:38 AM
That said, I'm old enough to have watched games of the Anglo-Italian cup, and that was one little cool tournament.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 25, 2021, 07:15:06 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 25, 2021, 06:59:19 AM
The PL market is massively inflated though, English teams end up overpaying mediocrity since there's so much money to go around, and these players are difficult to move to other leagues once they have a PL-level contract.
Yeah this is fair - and can be disastrous if you get relegated. See the Sunderland documentary where they were trying to convince Jack Rodwell to accept a pay cut (I think he was still on £50k a week even though they were now in League 1 :ph34r:).

Quote
So, imho, there's not that much of a difference between English and Spanish bottom-feeders as their relative incomes might suggest. Sheffield Utd has a roster made up of a majority of very well paid mediocre British players, compared to Eibar's roster of low-paid mediocre Spanish players.
Although Sheffield United haven't made many signings - that's broadly speaking the team they were promoted from the Championship with. This was one of the sources of tension between the manager and the board. But them (and Burnley) are a little bit of outliers. Other clubs around them are more likely to be made up of mediocre players from around the world :lol: :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 25, 2021, 07:51:47 AM
It's actually quite a miracle that Eibar has managed to stay in La Liga for so long, it's a tiny team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 25, 2021, 08:00:44 AM
Aren't lots of the classic bigger teams in Spain still lower down due to catastrophic financial decisions during the boom, while well-run but traditionally smaller teams are generally doing a lot better - or is that over?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 25, 2021, 08:26:55 AM
It's still a thing. Lots of classic La Liga teams are still in Segunda or lower: Zaragoza, Racing, Depor, Málaga, Oviedo, Sporting, Mallorca, Las Palmas...

Espanyol is also down, but that's looking like a one-season blip.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 25, 2021, 08:59:29 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 25, 2021, 08:26:55 AM
It's still a thing. Lots of classic La Liga teams are still in Segunda or lower: Zaragoza, Racing, Depor, Málaga, Oviedo, Sporting, Mallorca, Las Palmas...

Espanyol is also down, but that's looking like a one-season blip.

And at the same time (the last 15-20 years, give or take) we've had the creation of a new batch of mid-lower table clubs like Eibar, Alavés, Getafe, Levante and others who have managed to get promoted and stay in the first division far longer than expected, and even challenge for honors in the case of Villarreal.

Something relatively similar has happened in Italy too
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 25, 2021, 09:16:57 AM
There's been a bit of churn in England with some of the classic clubs going down and some, like Leeds, finally coming back up.

But it is interesting - Bournemouth stayed up for far longer than anyone expeced, as did Burnley similarly Brighton are doing well with an interesting model and Brentford are a small club but routinely fighting for promotion from the Championship - and that's just the Bs :P But I think all of them have been clubs that came up with very small stadiums, normally they have a fairly defined identity and way of playing/approach in the transfer market and are run intelligently.

On the other hand you know classic big teams like Middlesborough, Stoke, Sunderland - Leeds for 16 years - have spent a lot of time outside of the top division, normally as a consequence of bad financial decisions and overpaying for poor/older players. Chopping and changing managers/styles/strategies every couple of years so constantly spending on a re-build and despite their far bigger support that has a cost.

That's part of why I find the Madrid-Barcelona push on this so frustrating. They are not the first clubs to have made a series of bad decisions that really hurts them financially. Other clubs when faced with that issue have had to sell players to get out of it and re-build - we see that in Spanish football with some of those clubs cel mentioned. It's the arrogance of them not doing that but instead trying to re-engineer the entire game so they can still buy Haaland <_<

It's also why I find the pushback about punishments like points deductions so frustrating - with people saying that would just punish the fans not the owners. Wigan were relegated because of financial shenanigans from their owners. Similarly I was speaking last night to a friend who's a Southampton fan - because of their owners' decisions they got a 15 point deduction for two seasons running and were relegated both seasons.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 25, 2021, 10:24:58 AM
8,000 fans in the stadium for the League Cup final - weird but a very positive sign.

Edit: On the other hand I don't think I was emotionally prepared for a football manager being younger than me :weep: :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 25, 2021, 05:10:22 PM
I think it's notable in the Premier league when you get a team like Moyes Sunderland you see they are clearly way below the others and absolutely not performing ons premier league level. It really highlights the gulf there.

And yep. The wealth sharing will definitely be a key part of this. The direct income of the teams too will play a part. A lot more 10k stadiums and small fan bases to be found in Spain than the Premier league.

Deviating elsewhere but things are really weird in England now with it often being the case the top 6 of the championship are better than the bottom 6 of the premiership. Of course this is heavily built on unsustainable spending to run up to the Premier league.

Also flipping topics again... Very interesting to see parallels between the rise and form of clubs and their cities in general. Note the modern massive success of London teams whilst Sunderland, formerly one of the country's richer cities....
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 25, 2021, 05:23:03 PM
Quote from: Tyr on April 25, 2021, 05:10:22 PM
Deviating elsewhere but things are really weird in England now with it often being the case the top 6 of the championship are better than the bottom 6 of the premiership. Of course this is heavily built on unsustainable spending to run up to the Premier league.
I'm not sure if it is built on unsustainable spending any more. Just looking at the top six in the Championship now there's a few clubs that have quite a fixed way of doing things and are kind of comfortable being yo-yo clubs (Norwich, Watford - who'll not overspend in the Premier League, back on umbrella payments and bounce back up and down) and others are noted for having very smart owners with a very clear identity/strategy (Swansea, Brentford, Barnsley) - striking that a few of those are American owned and quite canny.

It definitely used to be a thing - Championship clubs massively overspending/betting it all on promotion. But I think it might be declining.

QuoteAlso flipping topics again... Very interesting to see parallels between the rise and form of clubs and their cities in general. Note the modern massive success of London teams whilst Sunderland, formerly one of the country's richer cities....
Not just London but the South - it is easier to convince players to sign for Bournemouth or Brighton or Watford, because they can live around London. It's slightly mitigated in the North-West.

And I'd add Middlesbrough to Sunderland in lists of clubs. I think they probably have to either pay a little bit more or miss out on targets to less traditionally prominent clubs in the South.

Although this is also a thing at lower levels - just thinking in that On the Brink book and one of the issues cited by Carlisle is attracting players because they're so far/disconnected from Liverpool or Manchester. They normally have better luck getting players from Glasgow.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 26, 2021, 05:37:42 AM
A similar thing has happened in Spain, with rising clubs around Madrid (Getafe, Leganés), the Basque Country (Eibar, Alavés) and the Mediterranean coast (Villarreal, Levante, Elche this year), at the expense of clubs in poorer Northern regions like Asturias (Oviedo, Sporting Gijón) or Cantabria (Racing Santander) and the country's hinterland (Valladolid being the only team this year, together with Huesca, which is an oddity).

Quote from: Tyr on April 25, 2021, 05:10:22 PMA lot more 10k stadiums and small fan bases to be found in Spain than the Premier league.

Tyr's weirdly reasoned and ill-informed take of the day (Tm).  :P It's not as if stadium size matters this year with no fans in attendance, but there are only two La Liga teams with such small pitches, Eibar (which as we said has been quite a miracle for them to stay up all these years and will most probably go down this year) and Huesca (which is also an oddity and battling relegation this year too). What happens in La Liga is the usual inequality that gets repeated in some many stats, the big teams have far larger stadiums while the rest of the teams have an average capacity that is much lower than their respective Premier League equivalents (half La Liga teams have stadiums with less than 30k capacity, while a Premier League average stadium is around 40k).

Smaller teams in La Liga have had TV rights as their main source of income for years already, with match day earnings being smaller and smaller as a share of revenues over the years. There are lots of interesting graphs in the following Twitter thread: https://twitter.com/SwissRamble/status/1386562133702414337 (https://twitter.com/SwissRamble/status/1386562133702414337)

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ez4PAZIX0AQCAZu?format=jpg&name=small)

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ez4R7NIXsAQwrXO?format=jpg&name=large)

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ez4R7N0WQAEgH6N?format=jpg&name=large)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on April 26, 2021, 10:12:13 AM
"Mins?"
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 26, 2021, 10:12:47 AM
Mlns, no? :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on April 26, 2021, 10:13:18 AM
oops.  eyes going
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 26, 2021, 06:15:46 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 25, 2021, 10:24:58 AM
8,000 fans in the stadium for the League Cup final - weird but a very positive sign.

Edit: On the other hand I don't think I was emotionally prepared for a football manager being younger than me :weep: :ph34r:
I honestly just heard fan noise which was different from the sound on TV for empty stadiums. It was more responsive - ironic cheers and that sort of thing.

However, I missed the Spurs fans chanting "we want Levy out!" :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 27, 2021, 05:16:56 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 26, 2021, 05:37:42 AM

Smaller teams in La Liga have had TV rights as their main source of income for years already, with match day earnings being smaller and smaller as a share of revenues over the years. There are lots of interesting graphs in the following Twitter thread: https://twitter.com/SwissRamble/status/1386562133702414337 (https://twitter.com/SwissRamble/status/1386562133702414337)

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ez4PAZIX0AQCAZu?format=jpg&name=small)



Thanks for the charts. I'll ad the French League miserably failed this year when trying to gain more money from TV rights, blinded by the billion or so offered by Jaume Roure's Mediapro, so they had to settle for a pittance only slightly superior to the Turkish League, the true Super League/Süper Lig.  :D

https://www.france24.com/en/sport/20201211-mediapro-seals-agreement-over-french-football-rights-dispute (https://www.france24.com/en/sport/20201211-mediapro-seals-agreement-over-french-football-rights-dispute)


As for Portugal, Primeira Liga, 80-90 % goes to the big three, so it's probably the most imbalanced.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 27, 2021, 06:05:17 AM
It also has to be mentioned as a sign that maybe the revenue potential of TV rights has already been maxed out or is close to it that both the Premier League and League 1 had issues with lack of payment of TV rights this season, League 1 with the Mediapro fiasco and the Premier League with the non-payment of their Chinese TV rights for this season. That also gives more ammo to those that thought that the ESL was vastly overrating the potential TV deal they could get.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 27, 2021, 06:22:44 AM
Yes.

Though I read, I think in the Athletic, about some streaming service that is owned by a number of the SL clubs and there was reference to content basically being club exclusives. I suspect that was where they were thinking of going - basically matches streamed by their service, plus interviews with club employed "journalists" etc all available on MUFC TV or whatever. Again I think the American sports are ahead of us here.

This was one of the big ideas of Project Big Picture was basically that I think each club would be given the rights to 8 of their games which they could then sell themselves - obviously that would massively increase the money the "big 6" earned v the rest.

But I think that is the model those clubs see as the future - no more omnibus big multi-billion rights deals for all 38 or whatever games, but rather the clubs themselves taking charge and becoming the channels to watch games plus all other football-adjacent content.

On the other hand the Women's Super League in England has just signed their first proper TV deal which is great news and massively increases the money in the women's game. Their games are free to watch at the minute on the FA's streaming service but it's a bit of a faff and it will be a lot better next year when the BBC will be playing games and also Sky has bought some games. I feel a little torn because I do think they'll benefit from the higher production values of proper broadcasters and more money while thinking things have gone too far in the men's game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 29, 2021, 02:55:26 PM
Looking forward to Arsenal Fan TV tonight :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on April 29, 2021, 03:33:59 PM
I guess I should mention that my city finally has a team and they got their first match win last Saturday. So soon you can expect to hear about how Austin FC doesn't always win but it sure is a lot cooler when they do.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on April 29, 2021, 03:36:12 PM
Over the winter my team died. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on April 29, 2021, 03:52:35 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 29, 2021, 03:36:12 PM
Over the winter my team died. :(

Your team is not CF Montréal?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 29, 2021, 04:04:59 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 29, 2021, 02:55:26 PM
Looking forward to Arsenal Fan TV tonight :lol:

I don't watch AFTV but I can tell you that the fans aren't having this dross  :lol: :Embarrass:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 29, 2021, 04:44:36 PM
Yeah - I can imagine. And I love Arteta - if anything I hate the Arteta appropriation that I think's happened with Arsenal v his time at Everton <_< - but I feel like I've never seen a coach people are so willing to excuse with commentators literally saying "of course it's a long term project and we need to have patience".

Not sure when that patience will run out.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 29, 2021, 06:04:11 PM
I've always liked him even when he was at Everton and I was actually stoked when Wenger panic-bought him 10 years ago or whenever it was after Arsenal lost 8-2 at Old Trafford ( :Embarrass:)

But results are what matter most in management I think and while he did win an FA Cup, his management since then has been utterly average at best. He's completely new at this and it shows.

Arteta might be great in 10 years but Arsenal need a great manager now, before they slide even further into mediocrity.

I'm not convinced by Edu as technical director either. That said, if the Kroenkes sack Arteta then Edu probably goes too. Personally, I don't think they'll sack either of them and we'll still be talking about if Arteta is THE ONE a year from now when Arsenal are sitting 8th in the league.

Anyway, even if Arsenal manage to get past Villareal, watching them get completely embarrassed by United in the final is going to be really demoralizing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 29, 2021, 06:36:11 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 29, 2021, 06:04:11 PM
I've always liked him even when he was at Everton and I was actually stoked when Wenger panic-bought him 10 years ago or whenever it was after Arsenal lost 8-2 at Old Trafford ( :Embarrass:)
That was the saddest transfer for me because it was so late. However as a silver lining we did get the Everton chant: "where's the Arteta money, Bill?" until we found our friendly billionaire :lol:

QuoteBut results are what matter most in management I think and while he did win an FA Cup, his management since then has been utterly average at best. He's completely new at this and it shows.
Yeah. I liked Ryan Hunn's take that he's possibly doing the things new managers do of picking teams that you think could work and be really good, rather than the ones that are less interesting but you know will work and be more middling. As he put it, it's very post-Pep - like the whole Xhaka at left-back experiment - but it's more likely to be a moment of genius when you've got Pep's teams to play with.

QuoteI'm not convinced by Edu as technical director either. That said, if the Kroenkes sack Arteta then Edu probably goes too. Personally, I don't think they'll sack either of them and we'll still be talking about if Arteta is THE ONE a year from now when Arsenal are sitting 8th in the league.
I don't know why but I do have this perception of Arsenal being the most consistently messy club - especially since Moyes has calmed things down at West Ham.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 29, 2021, 07:18:27 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 29, 2021, 06:36:11 PM
I don't know why but I do have this perception of Arsenal being the most consistently messy club - especially since Moyes has calmed things down at West Ham.

It definitely feels like that. The club managing structure has been a merry-go-round since Wenger got pushed out.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 29, 2021, 08:01:50 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 29, 2021, 06:36:11 PM

Yeah. I liked Ryan Hunn's take that he's possibly doing the things new managers do of picking teams that you think could work and be really good, rather than the ones that are less interesting but you know will work and be more middling. As he put it, it's very post-Pep - like the whole Xhaka at left-back experiment - but it's more likely to be a moment of genius when you've got Pep's teams to play with.

On this, I think right after Arteta got appointed he was really good at doing just this. He restructured a fragmented team, played players in positions they were good at, and let an in-form Aubameyang be himself. The back half of last season and the FA Cup victory are testaments to his ability to get a broken team working again.

This season I think he's gone a bit up his own ass, so to speak, and he doesn't have anyone there to really tell him he's overthinking things. Again, like Pep, except Pep's players are manifestly better than Arteta's.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on April 30, 2021, 06:02:18 AM
Quote from: Valmy on April 29, 2021, 03:52:35 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 29, 2021, 03:36:12 PM
Over the winter my team died. :(

Your team is not CF Montréal?

Fuck that team. My team was the Impact de Montréal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on April 30, 2021, 11:12:33 AM
Isn't that exactly the same club?  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on April 30, 2021, 12:35:02 PM
It's not a club, it has never been a club. They had the decency to not call it a club.

Now, not only do they call it a club they are also using football to describe the sport. It's too much, I've left them behind.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on April 30, 2021, 12:38:52 PM
Well that's true. The Yankees are a club and they are evil.

(https://www.everythingdoormats.com/images/products/newyork-yankees-mlb-baseball-club-starter-doormat-carpet-and-vinyl-19x30.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 30, 2021, 04:57:27 PM
Top 40 football clubs by average salary of their players.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0P4lgYXsAUF_Bg?format=jpg&name=large)

Damn Barcelona, no wonder you're broke. It's one thing paying Messi through the nose, but I doubt that he can single-handedly propel you to 1st place.

Also, noticeable the top 3 Spanish clubs are in the top 10 of the list. Where's the 4th Spanish club? Down at 39th. Another thing, out of the 40 clubs, 19 are English, basically the entire Premier League. The one left out must be feeling quite bad.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 01, 2021, 06:38:46 AM
That is gross, I suppose? According to my math, take Messi out and we fall to 7th place  :P

He's on 100/year. He single-handedly contributes roughly 4 million of that average.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 01, 2021, 06:42:22 AM
And I certainly wouldn't have expected to see Fiore on that list.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on May 01, 2021, 10:42:20 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 30, 2021, 04:57:27 PM
The one left out must be feeling quite bad.  :P

It's Sheffield. They've already been relegated, as they clearly don't belong.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 02, 2021, 08:23:55 AM
Protestors invaded Old Trafford  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 02, 2021, 11:39:17 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 02, 2021, 08:23:55 AM
Protestors invaded Old Trafford  :lol:

The Guardian live commenter guy is very happy.

It can remind us of the golden age of football now lost under the weight of commercialism, I get that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 02, 2021, 11:59:37 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 02, 2021, 08:23:55 AM
Protestors invaded Old Trafford  :lol:
It's crazy - because Sky Sports now don't have a game to show we've just got Souness, Keane, Neville and Carragher laying in to the Glazers :lol:

Now obviously fan protests, like poetry, makes nothing happen. Mike Ashley is still the owner of Newcastle. Despite the Green and Gold protests the Glazers still took over United. But there is a lot of anger at the owners now.

Edit: And it's crazy because the host is saying stuff like "we all support peaceful protests but this went too far" and all of the pundits are pushing back against that line :lol:

Or rather a little more nuanced - obviously they all condemn violence but Carragher made the very good point that football fans have been demonised in this country before ("slum games watched by slum people in slum stadiums") and in part that led to Hillsborough and Bradford. But most fans were there for peaceful protests and they need to separate the United fans and the protests from the violence of a few idiots.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 02, 2021, 12:16:30 PM
The NBC commentary and talking heads were all horrified that this happened.  :lol:

I must admit this gave me a good laugh this morning.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 02, 2021, 12:22:48 PM
I mean the Guardian made a good point that it is astonishing how unprepared Manchester United (and posibbly the police) were for something like this given that there's already been a fan invasion of their training ground and fans have been planning this protest on social media for the last couple of weeks.

But it is really fascinating to see the narrative being shaped live. The Sky Sports host is emphasising the bits that "went too far" while Neville and Carragher are very strongly defending the general protests and the right of fans to protest, and emphasising that it's really important not to focus on the minority who "went too far".

I think Souness's cynicism is right - that ultimately this won't have any impact on the Glazers or their ownership.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 02, 2021, 01:14:04 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 02, 2021, 12:22:48 PM
I mean the Guardian made a good point that it is astonishing how unprepared Manchester United (and posibbly the police) were for something like this given that there's already been a fan invasion of their training ground and fans have been planning this protest on social media for the last couple of weeks.

But it is really fascinating to see the narrative being shaped live. The Sky Sports host is emphasising the bits that "went too far" while Neville and Carragher are very strongly defending the general protests and the right of fans to protest, and emphasising that it's really important not to focus on the minority who "went too far".

I think Souness's cynicism is right - that ultimately this won't have any impact on the Glazers or their ownership.

Aren't the stadium and its facilities private property? If somebody has been a fan of the local grocery store and doesn't like the planned changes on which candies to sell, can they just break into the store and run amok in protest?

It's nice they feel strongly about the game of foot to ball but let's reserve religious deference to religions, please.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 02, 2021, 01:31:51 PM
Quote from: Tamas on May 02, 2021, 01:14:04 PM
Aren't the stadium and its facilities private property? If somebody has been a fan of the local grocery store and doesn't like the planned changes on which candies to sell, can they just break into the store and run amok in protest?

It's nice they feel strongly about the game of foot to ball but let's reserve religious deference to religions, please.
Do grocery stores have over a hundred years of history in a community? Do parents excitedly look forward to taking their kids on the first trip to the grocery store, just as they were taken by their parents?

I mean my club, for 20 years, allowed people to bury ashes of their family under and around the pitch because that part of their life mattered so much to them - it's been stopped now but they've been moved to a remembrance garden at the church next to the stadium where people can and do bury ashes. But there are plaques at one part of stadium in memory of loved ones - so there's always flowers and wreaths and memorials around the statue of Dixie Dean. That doesn't tend to happen with grocery stores or other purely consumer businesses. Similarly I think lower down the leagues - hearing the football results is probably the only time you ever hear about your town or community in the media ("Walsall 1 - Mansfield Town 2").

I think Johnson's line on this is fair that football clubs are a part of the community and cultural life of this country. And this goes across the game - from the owners trying to set up this Super League to lower down in the league where bad ownership leads to clubs with over a hundred years of heritage going into administration. It's why phoenix clubs keep happening in a way phoenix grocery stores don't.

On a purely consumer level - I can't think of many consumer/brand loyalties that are more sticky than football club. I could be wrong but I think it's probably even stickier than religious faith :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 05, 2021, 04:03:56 PM
All English CL final this season. Will City finally win it?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on May 05, 2021, 05:20:12 PM
Yes, but I would have liked to see Madrid in the final.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 05, 2021, 06:38:06 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on May 05, 2021, 05:20:12 PM
Yes, but I would have liked to see Madrid in the final.

Not me, fuck Madrid and the Super League.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 05, 2021, 06:48:56 PM
Quote from: Jacob on May 05, 2021, 06:38:06 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on May 05, 2021, 05:20:12 PM
Yes, but I would have liked to see Madrid in the final.

Not me, fuck Madrid and the Super League.
Although Man City v Chelsea :lol:

I suspect City will finally win. But I wouldn't write off Chelsea - they've been so impressive since Tuchel came in. And I can't ignore the very real possibility of Pep over-thinking things and fucking it all up again :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on May 05, 2021, 06:53:53 PM
Quote from: Jacob on May 05, 2021, 06:38:06 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on May 05, 2021, 05:20:12 PM
Yes, but I would have liked to see Madrid in the final.

Not me, fuck Madrid and the Super League.

We are choosing between Madrid and Chelsea here....
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 05, 2021, 07:03:13 PM
Shit, is my team in the Champion's League final?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 05, 2021, 07:07:05 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on May 05, 2021, 07:03:13 PM
Shit, is my team in the Champion's League final?
Pulisic even scored a key goal (last week).

Edit: And looked good this week.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 05, 2021, 08:12:31 PM
Poolisick is quite good but since he's with the Chels I cannot support him.

Man City I'm quite indifferent on. They've always been a "Meh" team for me, although they did have that absolutely incredible first league title back in 2012 to pip United at the last minute that I'll always remember.

"AGUEROOOOOOOO!!!"
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 05, 2021, 08:18:39 PM
I love Man City's Opie-looking dude, de Breugel.  Dude turned up the caucasian to 11.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 05, 2021, 08:25:15 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on May 05, 2021, 08:18:39 PM
I love Man City's Opie-looking dude, de Breugel.  Dude turned up the caucasian to 11.

De Bruyne? He used to be a Chelsea player  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 05, 2021, 08:30:36 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 05, 2021, 08:25:15 PM
De Bruyne? He used to be a Chelsea player  :D

I was just fucking around on the name.

Didn't know that.

I also love Phil Phoden's constant expression of concern. 

"Are me ma and da a'right?  Did I remember to feed the cat?  I hope I'm wearing clean underwear."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 05, 2021, 08:39:42 PM
 :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 06, 2021, 03:33:51 AM
Quote from: crazy canuck on May 05, 2021, 05:20:12 PM
Yes, but I would have liked to see Madrid in the final.

Franco approves.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 06, 2021, 04:11:28 AM
I rooted for Chelski yesterday, the things I'm forced to do  <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 06, 2021, 06:37:20 AM
Quote from: celedhring on May 06, 2021, 04:11:28 AM
I rooted for Chelski yesterday, the things I'm forced to do  <_<
The weirdest thing about this Chelsea team is it's actually quite likeable - especially compared to the Chelsea teams of the past :ph34r:

I think they will give City a better challenge. Madrid looked tired.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 06, 2021, 06:55:11 AM
It seems that Hazard's behaviour after the match (joking around with the Chelsea players) has not really been appreciated by Madrid's big wigs. I guess they'll try to offload him this summer, but I doubt that anyone is willing to pay much for him at the moment.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 06, 2021, 07:07:42 AM
Quote from: The Larch on May 06, 2021, 06:55:11 AM
It seems that Hazard's behaviour after the match (joking around with the Chelsea players) has not really been appreciated by Madrid's big wigs. I guess they'll try to offload him this summer, but I doubt that anyone is willing to pay much for him at the moment.
This is one of those things where I think we forget footbalers are human. I get the anger in normal circumstances. But I swear I've seen more rival players joking about after European or international games this year - and I think a lot of it is because of how weird and uncomfortable this season must be for players. In part because they're playing more or less every 2-3 days, but also because they have the same covid issues and rules we all have so they can't see these friends from previous clubs or internationally except in the context of these games.

Similarly I think any transfer who's moved to a club in th last year deserves basically a free hit (so half of Chelsea's increasingly ominous team). They've had no chance to have a social life with their teammates or any normal settling in, they may not even be able to see their family. They're very well paid - but they are still people.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 06, 2021, 07:47:34 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 06, 2021, 07:07:42 AM
Quote from: The Larch on May 06, 2021, 06:55:11 AM
It seems that Hazard's behaviour after the match (joking around with the Chelsea players) has not really been appreciated by Madrid's big wigs. I guess they'll try to offload him this summer, but I doubt that anyone is willing to pay much for him at the moment.
This is one of those things where I think we forget footbalers are human. I get the anger in normal circumstances. But I swear I've seen more rival players joking about after European or international games this year - and I think a lot of it is because of how weird and uncomfortable this season must be for players. In part because they're playing more or less every 2-3 days, but also because they have the same covid issues and rules we all have so they can't see these friends from previous clubs or internationally except in the context of these games.

Similarly I think any transfer who's moved to a club in th last year deserves basically a free hit (so half of Chelsea's increasingly ominous team). They've had no chance to have a social life with their teammates or any normal settling in, they may not even be able to see their family. They're very well paid - but they are still people.

I don't think the club would have begrudged him if he only had a chat and a hug with them, but he seemed to be enjoying himself way too much after just having been eliminated from the CL, and in a season in which he hasn't been exactly making heads turn for the right reasons. I mean, I can see the optics are not really good, even after getting your point.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 06, 2021, 07:55:16 AM
Yeah I get that. And if I was a Madrid fan I would be fuming :lol:

Although I also suspect the focus on one player like this is probably quite helpful at avoiding questions about the performance or team in general.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 06, 2021, 09:01:53 AM
Anyone remember this?
https://youtu.be/LurJvgQD0Sw
:D

I always did wonder about relations between footballers on different teams.
I mean, you're a filthy rich young sportsman from say Nigeria playing for one of the Manchesters. One of your international team mates plays for the other. Surely you're going to hang out on your time off?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 06, 2021, 09:09:38 AM
Quote from: Tyr on May 06, 2021, 09:01:53 AM
Anyone remember this?
https://youtu.be/LurJvgQD0Sw
:D
:lol:

I like Vainly - mainly because he always calls Harry Maguire "slabhead" which is fair.

QuoteI always did wonder about relations between footballers on different teams.
I mean, you're a filthy rich young sportsman from say Nigeria playing for one of the Manchesters. One of your international team mates plays for the other. Surely you're going to hang out on your time off?
Yeah it's definitely a thing - I wonder if that's another slight reason for relative decline of North-Eastern football v London/South and North-West?

I know in the North-West there have been friendships between Spanish or Brazilian players in different clubs - and often they may know each other from the international team so there is a bit of a support network when footballers move - often for them and their partners and kids (although, having said that, Angel di Maria's wife's hatred of Manchester is one of my favourite football-adjacent things :lol:). The same definitely exists in and around London. I wonder if because the North-East doesn't quite have that density it's another slight reason why it's a slightly less attractive area for international footballers and you need to pay a little more to convince someone to move?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 06, 2021, 09:57:37 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 06, 2021, 07:55:16 AM
Yeah I get that. And if I was a Madrid fan I would be fuming :lol:

Although I also suspect the focus on one player like this is probably quite helpful at avoiding questions about the performance or team in general.

Ultimately it's a tempest in a teacup, but it's some really tasty red meat for the zealots and the sensationalistic sports media that surrounds Real Madrid. I mean, take a look at this: https://twitter.com/James_Dart/status/1390183225692147712 (https://twitter.com/James_Dart/status/1390183225692147712)

The team's performance has been questioned all season long, and plenty of changes are needed and acknowledged (it is not even known if Zidane will continue coaching them, for instance), but they might still end up winning the league and making the CL semis, which is no small feat, even more with the amount of player shortages they've had during the season
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 06, 2021, 10:07:23 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 06, 2021, 09:09:38 AMI know in the North-West there have been friendships between Spanish or Brazilian players in different clubs - and often they may know each other from the international team so there is a bit of a support network when footballers move - often for them and their partners and kids (although, having said that, Angel di Maria's wife's hatred of Manchester is one of my favourite football-adjacent things :lol:). The same definitely exists in and around London. I wonder if because the North-East doesn't quite have that density it's another slight reason why it's a slightly less attractive area for international footballers and you need to pay a little more to convince someone to move?

At least in London all Spanish players tend to hang out together no matter what team they play for, AFAIK. It started out as a bit of a solidarity network back in the day when it was still somehow unusual but over the years I guess it ended up being a proper pseudo-family.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 06, 2021, 10:13:20 AM
Quote from: The Larch on May 06, 2021, 09:57:37 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 06, 2021, 07:55:16 AM
Yeah I get that. And if I was a Madrid fan I would be fuming :lol:

Although I also suspect the focus on one player like this is probably quite helpful at avoiding questions about the performance or team in general.

Ultimately it's a tempest in a teacup, but it's some really tasty red meat for the zealots and the sensationalistic sports media that surrounds Real Madrid. I mean, take a look at this: https://twitter.com/James_Dart/status/1390183225692147712 (https://twitter.com/James_Dart/status/1390183225692147712)

El Chiringuito is Real Madrid's Fox News, except more crass  :lol:

Our media can be unbearably shrill too, but we don't quite reach those levels of toxicity. It peaked during the Guardiola years.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 06, 2021, 10:16:27 AM
Quote from: celedhring on May 06, 2021, 10:13:20 AM
El Chiringuito is Real Madrid's Fox News, except more crass  :lol:
:lol:

That clip has done the rounds in the UK today. I think my favourite was when someone said it looked like the start of an episode of CrimeWatch.

It also emphasises how weird Perez's Super League PR was that he turned up on that show to defend it. I think Rory Smith from the NYT said it was like if the Prime Minister went on daytime TV to declare war :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 06, 2021, 10:17:43 AM
Quote from: celedhring on May 06, 2021, 10:13:20 AM
Quote from: The Larch on May 06, 2021, 09:57:37 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 06, 2021, 07:55:16 AM
Yeah I get that. And if I was a Madrid fan I would be fuming :lol:

Although I also suspect the focus on one player like this is probably quite helpful at avoiding questions about the performance or team in general.

Ultimately it's a tempest in a teacup, but it's some really tasty red meat for the zealots and the sensationalistic sports media that surrounds Real Madrid. I mean, take a look at this: https://twitter.com/James_Dart/status/1390183225692147712 (https://twitter.com/James_Dart/status/1390183225692147712)

El Chiringuito is Real Madrid's Fox News, except more crass  :lol:

And that's why Florentino going to them to explain the Super League was a sign that it'd end up really badly.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 06, 2021, 10:19:02 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 05, 2021, 06:48:56 PM
Quote from: Jacob on May 05, 2021, 06:38:06 PM
Not me, fuck Madrid and the Super League.
Although Man City v Chelsea :lol:

Yeah, all the 12 super friends deserve bad karma and I will laugh at any misfortunes they suffer, but Real Madrid - at least as long as Perez is the owner - is one tier worse than the others. At least the English clubs had the decency (hah) to fold a little bit faster.

As every football fan knows, there's a hierarchy of hatred - and Real Madrid just claimed the top spot as far as I'm concerned.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 06, 2021, 10:27:58 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 06, 2021, 10:16:27 AM
Quote from: celedhring on May 06, 2021, 10:13:20 AM
El Chiringuito is Real Madrid's Fox News, except more crass  :lol:
:lol:

That clip has done the rounds in the UK today. I think my favourite was when someone said it looked like the start of an episode of CrimeWatch.

It also emphasises how weird Perez's Super League PR was that he turned up on that show to defend it. I think Rory Smith from the NYT said it was like if the Prime Minister went on daytime TV to declare war :lol:

Dude has a Trumpian obsession with what the Madrid media bubble says about him. He never displays it openly, but the way the club reacts to media stories and tries to push his grandiose narratives is compulsive.

Spanish sports media is in general really really shitty (there are exceptions) and I have this pet theory that they have come to fill the same space that British tabloids do (for men, at least).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 06, 2021, 10:30:34 AM
Quote from: celedhring on May 06, 2021, 10:27:58 AMOur sports media is in general really really shitty (there are exceptions) and I have this pet theory that they have come to fill the same space that British tabloids do.

They most definitely do, it's our gutter press, together with part of gossip media (that is more tv focused). In fact "El Chiringuito" is the "Sálvame-ization" of sports media.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 06, 2021, 10:46:07 AM
Quote from: celedhring on May 06, 2021, 10:27:58 AM
Spanish sports media is in general really really shitty (there are exceptions) and I have this pet theory that they have come to fill the same space that British tabloids do (for men, at least).
I can believe that - and seems in contrast to the Italian and French sports media :hmm:

Although interestingly the Daily Mail is the only paper in the country with a majority female readership - apparently their supplements are a big driver.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 06, 2021, 10:54:09 AM
It happened in the 1980s-1990s, Marca and Mundo Deportivo used to be "neutral" and more akin in tone to your general press, but they had new local rivals emerge (As and Sport) that competed with them by being crass, partisan, and tribal. And they were very successful, forcing a race to the bottom.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 06, 2021, 10:54:45 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 06, 2021, 09:09:38 AM
Quote from: Tyr on May 06, 2021, 09:01:53 AM
Anyone remember this?
https://youtu.be/LurJvgQD0Sw
:D
:lol:

I like Vainly - mainly because he always calls Harry Maguire "slabhead" which is fair.

QuoteI always did wonder about relations between footballers on different teams.
I mean, you're a filthy rich young sportsman from say Nigeria playing for one of the Manchesters. One of your international team mates plays for the other. Surely you're going to hang out on your time off?
Yeah it's definitely a thing - I wonder if that's another slight reason for relative decline of North-Eastern football v London/South and North-West?

I know in the North-West there have been friendships between Spanish or Brazilian players in different clubs - and often they may know each other from the international team so there is a bit of a support network when footballers move - often for them and their partners and kids (although, having said that, Angel di Maria's wife's hatred of Manchester is one of my favourite football-adjacent things :lol:). The same definitely exists in and around London. I wonder if because the North-East doesn't quite have that density it's another slight reason why it's a slightly less attractive area for international footballers and you need to pay a little more to convince someone to move?

Definitely a thing for the north east.
Back in the latter years of short there were rumblings of moving Sunderland to London and only playing games in the north to try and fix this.

I have noticed we tended to get lots of Scandinavians however. The climate and more rural setup seems a fit for them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 06, 2021, 11:16:20 AM
If Wolverhampton can have a "Little Lisbon" I don't think it's such a big deal nowadays to have players from anywhere in any Premier League team.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 06, 2021, 11:40:57 AM
Quote from: The Larch on May 06, 2021, 11:16:20 AM
If Wolverhampton can have a "Little Lisbon" I don't think it's such a big deal nowadays to have players from anywhere in any Premier League team.  :P
I don't know. I think we underestimate the impact on players - especially if they have a family - and being the only Brazilian on Teesside :lol:

Wolves are a unique project in that respect. But it's not that the clubs can't sign these players I think it's more that actually they are more likely to succeed if there's some type of support network/community around them in that area or that club.

As I say I know for a fact that in the North-West it's easier because you have four relatively big-spending clubs - and players from those clubs hang-out by nationality/language group more than team affiliation. If you're signing for a club that's a bit isolated (Newcastle) then there's less of that there - so those clubs may have to pay more, or create a job for your mates or whatever to help the player adjust.

I always think this with Latin American players especially (and I suspect they'll become more of a thing in the Premier League following Brexit) - moving very far away to a different timezone, language and culture, sometimes without family or friends. It is easier if there's some lads from the national team or who also played in the Brazilian league or whatever in the neighbourhood. I understand that Premier League clubs actually now spend a lot of time thinking about this stuff to make their clubs appealing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on May 06, 2021, 12:01:44 PM
Quote from: Jacob on May 06, 2021, 10:19:02 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 05, 2021, 06:48:56 PM
Quote from: Jacob on May 05, 2021, 06:38:06 PM
Not me, fuck Madrid and the Super League.
Although Man City v Chelsea :lol:

Yeah, all the 12 super friends deserve bad karma and I will laugh at any misfortunes they suffer, but Real Madrid - at least as long as Perez is the owner - is one tier worse than the others. At least the English clubs had the decency (hah) to fold a little bit faster.

As every football fan knows, there's a hierarchy of hatred - and Real Madrid just claimed the top spot as far as I'm concerned.


I think Chelsea will always be on the top of my hierarchy of hatred, well since 2003 anyway.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 06, 2021, 12:31:14 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 06, 2021, 11:40:57 AM
Quote from: The Larch on May 06, 2021, 11:16:20 AM
If Wolverhampton can have a "Little Lisbon" I don't think it's such a big deal nowadays to have players from anywhere in any Premier League team.  :P
I don't know. I think we underestimate the impact on players - especially if they have a family - and being the only Brazilian on Teesside :lol:

Wolves are a unique project in that respect. But it's not that the clubs can't sign these players I think it's more that actually they are more likely to succeed if there's some type of support network/community around them in that area or that club.

As I say I know for a fact that in the North-West it's easier because you have four relatively big-spending clubs - and players from those clubs hang-out by nationality/language group more than team affiliation. If you're signing for a club that's a bit isolated (Newcastle) then there's less of that there - so those clubs may have to pay more, or create a job for your mates or whatever to help the player adjust.

I always think this with Latin American players especially (and I suspect they'll become more of a thing in the Premier League following Brexit) - moving very far away to a different timezone, language and culture, sometimes without family or friends. It is easier if there's some lads from the national team or who also played in the Brazilian league or whatever in the neighbourhood. I understand that Premier League clubs actually now spend a lot of time thinking about this stuff to make their clubs appealing.

Currently Newcastle has one Spanish player, one Argentinian, one Brazilian and one Paraguayan. It can be done, Premier League teams have the power of monies, so they can outbid almost any other team they fight for a player with. Location can be in the list of criteria, but most of the time it's nowhere near the top.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 06, 2021, 12:54:38 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on May 06, 2021, 12:01:44 PM
I think Chelsea will always be on the top of my hierarchy of hatred, well since 2003 anyway.

Yeah that's reasonable. Personally, they've been eclipsed by other "throw money at everything" clubs, but they still rate.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 06, 2021, 12:58:50 PM
Quote from: Jacob on May 06, 2021, 12:54:38 PM
Yeah that's reasonable. Personally, they've been eclipsed by other "throw money at everything" clubs, but they still rate.
Somehow they've assembled a likeable team though - although I acknowledge this may just be the halo effect of having N'Golo Kante in your team :lol:

It's quite the change from the John Terry, Ashley Cole and Mourinho years :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 06, 2021, 01:02:07 PM
I'll always have a hatred for Chelsea primarily because of the original Mourinho years. God I hate John Terry  :lol:

Like you said they have quite a likeable team right now though, so my hatred is somewhat lessened  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 06, 2021, 01:30:47 PM
I refuse to vicariously root for City like a lot of my fellow Barça fans are doing. Fuck that shit.

Then again, the alternative is Chelsea.  :bash:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 06, 2021, 01:54:19 PM
Quote from: celedhring on May 06, 2021, 01:30:47 PM
I refuse to vicariously root for City like a lot of my fellow Barça fans are doing. Fuck that shit.

Then again, the alternative is Chelsea.  :bash:

Enjoy the detached aloofness of the truly neutral.

Me, I have a weakness for teams with sky blue shirts.   :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 06, 2021, 03:03:41 PM
Quote from: The Larch on May 06, 2021, 11:16:20 AM
If Wolverhampton can have a "Little Lisbon" I don't think it's such a big deal nowadays to have players from anywhere in any Premier League team.  :P
Playing for Wolverhampton you can live an hour from London. It's a southern team. Not quite London, but it still has a huge advantage over the north.

Quote

Currently Newcastle has one Spanish player, one Argentinian, one Brazilian and one Paraguayan. It can be done, Premier League teams have the power of monies, so they can outbid almost any other team they fight for a player with. Location can be in the list of criteria, but most of the time it's nowhere near the top.

Nobody thinks it's a top critieria but to get people up here you do have to pay more.
All else being equal, given a choice between Newcastle or West Ham a huge chunk of players will go for the latter.
Sunderland lost the hunt for many players to less traditional southern teams due to this. As said it was recognised at a board room level and they were seriously looking into massive and horrible changes to tackle it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 06, 2021, 04:19:03 PM
 :bleeding: :bleeding: :bleeding: :bleeding: :bleeding:

I miss Wenger
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 07, 2021, 03:45:43 PM
Quote from: The Larch on May 06, 2021, 06:55:11 AM
It seems that Hazard's behaviour after the match (joking around with the Chelsea players) has not really been appreciated by Madrid's big wigs. I guess they'll try to offload him this summer, but I doubt that anyone is willing to pay much for him at the moment.

And apparently he's now been officially transfer listed.


On a separate note, the Super League still lingers around. It seems that UEFA is planning hefty fines for the promoters, while "forgiving" those clubs that repented. Numbers being quoted mention a possible 100 million € fine for Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus and a collective 15 million € fine for the other 9 teams.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 07, 2021, 04:48:41 PM
Quote from: The Larch on May 07, 2021, 03:45:43 PM
And apparently he's now been officially transfer listed.
Semi-related piece from Rory Smith's newsletter:
QuoteReal Friends Ask Questions

The music was funereal. Josep Pedrerol, the host, sat behind a desk, cast in silhouette. When he spoke, his tone was somber, his cadence grave. A non-Spanish speaker might have assumed that he was pronouncing on some national sorrow, some unthinkable loss, or that he had just learned a close friend had recently eaten a beloved pet.

He was, instead, telling his viewers that Real Madrid had been eliminated from the Champions League, and that they might like to blame Eden Hazard — overweight, apparently, and unforgivably caught smiling with some of his former Chelsea teammates. Hazard, Pedrerol said, had "laughed in the face of the Madrid fans." After this brazen transgression, Hazard "could not play another second for Madrid."

It would be easy to laugh off the show that Pedrerol fronts — El Chiringuito, a gaudy staple of Spain's late-night television schedule, the place that Florentino Pérez bafflingly chose to pitch his European Super League to the public at large — as a bombastic and overblown outrage factory. It is, in fact, not much of an outlier.

This sort of thing does not happen only in Spain, of course; let those who are in glass houses cast the first accusation of underperformance and all that. But there has long been a strand of coverage of Real Madrid in general, and the Real Madrid of Pérez in particular, that adopts this sort of tone: utterly jubilant in victory, a toddler's temper tantrum in defeat, with the blame always, reliably, directed away from the man who runs the club.

Pedrerol knows his audience, of course. He is doubtless sincere in his views. There is an appeal, too, for fans to see their own disappointment reflected back to them. On Wednesday night, Pedrerol was manifesting what many of them were probably feeling. But if these outlets have Real Madrid's best interests at heart, it is difficult to see how, exactly, they are helping.

Is demanding Hazard be sold at the first opportunity the best way to encourage him to give his best to Real Madrid? Is treating every defeat as some sort of crime against nature likely to foster the sort of environment that allows a team to be built smartly and sensibly?

And, most of all, is refusing to suggest that Pérez might in some way be accountable — given that he is more than happy to take the glory when times are good — really going to address Real Madrid's issues at their roots? It feels unfair to describe the journalists who work at these outlets as little more than Madrid's "friendly" news media, but there are times when it goes beyond that. They give the impression of being mere clients. Real friends, after all, ask questions.

QuoteOn a separate note, the Super League still lingers around. It seems that UEFA is planning hefty fines for the promoters, while "forgiving" those clubs that repented. Numbers being quoted mention a possible 100 million € fine for Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus and a collective 15 million € fine for the other 9 teams.
Plus 5% of revenue if they compete in UEFA competitions next year. It seems like the bare minimum, if that <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 07, 2021, 05:38:54 PM
Quote from: The Larch on May 07, 2021, 03:45:43 PM
On a separate note, the Super League still lingers around. It seems that UEFA is planning hefty fines for the promoters, while "forgiving" those clubs that repented. Numbers being quoted mention a possible 100 million € fine for Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus and a collective 15 million € fine for the other 9 teams.

That seems like non-trivial consequences. I guess super league v2 needs a plan where they can go completely without UEFA and the national leagues, whenever that is.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 08, 2021, 01:43:00 AM
Real Madrid is a disgusting piece of crap club. News at 11.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 08, 2021, 08:11:08 AM
Hey Tyr, check out Sunderland's latest recruiting campaign.  :P

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E03VoepXoAENvi5?format=jpg&name=large)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 08, 2021, 08:36:18 AM
That... Seems a few years late. :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 08, 2021, 08:47:14 AM
Quote from: Tyr on May 08, 2021, 08:36:18 AM
That... Seems a few years late. :hmm:

You must always look up to the future, my man.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 08, 2021, 04:33:20 PM
 :w00t:

When is the CL final?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 08, 2021, 04:49:16 PM
Three weeks, got it.

Question: if a dude who's offside gets passed the ball, and instead of shooting or passing forward, he passes back to another dude is on *on* side, is that still offside?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 08, 2021, 04:51:11 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on May 08, 2021, 04:33:20 PM
:w00t:

When is the CL final?

May 29th, it's traditionally the last game in every season.

There's a bit of an issue because the game is expected to be played in Istanbul, but Turkey is not in the list of countries that the UK has given the green light for travel yet, so fans will be subjected to travel restrictions. The idea of playing the game in England (Birmingham was offered as a neutral venue) was floated, but AFAIK it is still expected to take place in Turkey.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 08, 2021, 04:52:05 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on May 08, 2021, 04:49:16 PM
Three weeks, got it.

Question: if a dude who's offside gets passed the ball, and instead of shooting or passing forward, he passes back to another dude is on *on* side, is that still offside?

As soon as an offside player interacts with the ball then the play is stopped.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 08, 2021, 04:57:21 PM
Except when he's running unimpeded at the goal. I still don't get that.   :hmm:

Why wait to make the off side call?  I understand the advantage no-call but this makes no sense to me.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 08, 2021, 05:00:06 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on May 08, 2021, 04:57:21 PM
Except when he's running unimpeded at the goal. I still don't get that.   :hmm:

Uhm, no?

Quote
Why wait to make the off side call?  I understand the advantage no-call but this makes no sense to me.

This is not how it used to be but it's been deemed it help keeps the game flow better. e.g. a guy is offside and being passed to, but actually doesn't connect with the ball and the goalkeeper retrieves it - no harm done with the offside so the game isn't stopped.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 08, 2021, 05:02:32 PM
Um no, yes here's why they do that?  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 08, 2021, 05:24:03 PM
Quote from: Jacob on May 07, 2021, 05:38:54 PM
Quote from: The Larch on May 07, 2021, 03:45:43 PM
On a separate note, the Super League still lingers around. It seems that UEFA is planning hefty fines for the promoters, while "forgiving" those clubs that repented. Numbers being quoted mention a possible 100 million € fine for Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus and a collective 15 million € fine for the other 9 teams.

That seems like non-trivial consequences. I guess super league v2 needs a plan where they can go completely without UEFA and the national leagues, whenever that is.

It seems it might be even tougher. It is being rumoured that UEFA will propose punishing the 3 remaining promoters (Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus) with aa additional 2 year CL ban on top of the 100 million € fine.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 08, 2021, 06:52:42 PM
Quote from: The Larch on May 08, 2021, 04:51:11 PM
There's a bit of an issue because the game is expected to be played in Istanbul, but Turkey is not in the list of countries that the UK has given the green light for travel yet, so fans will be subjected to travel restrictions. The idea of playing the game in England (Birmingham was offered as a neutral venue) was floated, but AFAIK it is still expected to take place in Turkey.
It's a little worse than that. Turkey is on the red list which means fans will only be allowed back in the country if they're citizens or have residency, they'll need to quarantine in one of the government managed hotels when they return for 11 nights (at a cost of £1,750). It's not even the quarantine at home option.

Also it's not like last year where the government basically said travel is allowed if you want to take the risk of restrictions when you come back. This time they're saying you should not travel for leisure to anywhere but the green list.

QuoteIt seems it might be even tougher. It is being rumoured that UEFA will propose punishing the 3 remaining promoters (Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus) with aa additional 2 year CL ban on top of the 100 million € fine.
I feel like even the fine for Real Madrid and Barcelona will outweigh the benefits of remaining technically "in" the Super League to get potential penalty payments from the other 9.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 08, 2021, 09:30:21 PM
In more substantial hits - and again I imagine this wouldn't be an issue if opposition was limited to "legacy fans":
QuoteManchester United lose £200m training kit deal over fans' anti-Glazers campaign
    The Hut Group pulls out of contract starting in July, sources say
    Fans are campaigning for boycott of club's commercial partners

Exclusive by Jamie Jackson
@JamieJackson___
Sat 8 May 2021 21.48 BST

Manchester United have missed out on a proposed new training kit deal worth £200m over 10 years after the Manchester-based company The Hut Group had concerns about the supporters' campaign to boycott the club's commercial partners in protest at the Glazers' ownership, the Observer understands.

Richard Arnold, United's group managing director, was told on Friday that THG had pulled out of a contract which was due to start on 1 July.

The branding of Myprotein, a Cheshire firm owned by THG, was due to appear on United's training kit and replace the branding of AON, sponsors of the club's Carrington training centre.

Last Sunday's supporter protest against the Glazers outside Old Trafford led to United's game with Liverpool being postponed until the coming Thursday. THG, it is understood, was taken aback by the subsequent social media and online backlash against United's partners.

An anonymous United fans group with the hashtag NOTAPENNYMORE launched an online campaign to boycott the club's major partners, which include Adidas, TAG Heuer and Cadbury, and wrote an open letter to them vowing to target their products.

It is understood THG, a multibillion pound company with offices near Manchester Airport, was concerned that as a local business it would be targeted by disaffected fans in Greater Manchester.

AON's agreement expires on 30 June, which means United may struggle to strike a new deal of similar value to that proposed with THG.

The Glazers' move to join the now defunct European Super League heightened the supporter opposition towards the American family. There was also some disillusionment and embarrassment within the club at senior level about how the ESL breakaway was presented.

Both THG and United declined to comment, with those familiar with the deal at Old Trafford confirming there are no ongoing talks.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 09, 2021, 07:11:47 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 08, 2021, 06:52:42 PM
I feel like even the fine for Real Madrid and Barcelona will outweigh the benefits of remaining technically "in" the Super League to get potential penalty payments from the other 9.

Do we know what the scale is for those potential penalty payments?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 09, 2021, 07:28:08 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on May 08, 2021, 04:57:21 PM
Except when he's running unimpeded at the goal. I still don't get that.   :hmm:

Why wait to make the off side call?  I understand the advantage no-call but this makes no sense to me.

They tend to call offsides these days after the fact, in case Video Review rules the officials got it wrong. So, in this case, if a guy in an offside position receives the ball and continues towards the goal, the ref, or linesman, won't raise his flag until the play is dead.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 09, 2021, 07:34:02 PM
That makes perfect sense.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 09, 2021, 07:41:16 PM
Quote from: Jacob on May 09, 2021, 07:11:47 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 08, 2021, 06:52:42 PM
I feel like even the fine for Real Madrid and Barcelona will outweigh the benefits of remaining technically "in" the Super League to get potential penalty payments from the other 9.

Do we know what the scale is for those potential penalty payments?
Depending on who you listen to under €10 million to €150 million :lol:

But I've also read there's a clause that basically by June or July this year if 75% of the SL decide not to go ahead it's cancelled without any penalty clause - so who knows :hmm:

My guess would be it's on the lower end of the scale given that the project never actually launched.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 10, 2021, 03:07:11 PM
QuoteJuventus will be kicked out of Serie A if they do not withdraw from the 'European Super League'
:lol: :mmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 10, 2021, 03:32:36 PM
Who are you quoting, Sheilbh? Is this the Guardian feed again?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 11, 2021, 12:14:26 AM
Quote from: Jacob on May 10, 2021, 03:32:36 PM
Who are you quoting, Sheilbh? Is this the Guardian feed again?
Can't remember sorry - I think it only applies if they haven't left by the time Serie A is ready to start their new season which is unlikely. But funny nonetheless.

It also makes Spain/La Liga seem even more of an outlier.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 11, 2021, 07:22:23 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 11, 2021, 12:14:26 AM
Quote from: Jacob on May 10, 2021, 03:32:36 PM
Who are you quoting, Sheilbh? Is this the Guardian feed again?
Can't remember sorry - I think it only applies if they haven't left by the time Serie A is ready to start their new season which is unlikely. But funny nonetheless.

It also makes Spain/La Liga seem even more of an outlier.

Yeah, things have been pretty quiet on that front over here, as if it was already a closed topic, when the fallout is still unclear. La Liga might be wanting to be quiet during these weeks as we're in the final stretch and all three Spanish teams involved in the Super League are in an incredibly tight race for the title, but once the league is over I expect that the possibility of repercussions will be undoubtly brought up. I mean, Florentino and Tebas (La Liga's president) basically hate each other, and Real Madrid and La Liga take each other to court once or twice every season, so anything is possible.

The last thing I read on the topic over here was a rather whiny press release last week (I think) from the remaining 3 teams involved (Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus), about how intolerable the pressures by UEFA and others they were being subjected to since the Super League was announced were, and how the 9 clubs that left the initiative were "putting themselves in a contradictory position". It's actually quite amazing how adamant they are on following this through.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 11, 2021, 08:14:35 AM
Apparently City's Laporte is going to be given Spanish citizenship by decree tomorrow and might play for Spain at the Euros.  :blink:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 11, 2021, 08:26:26 AM
So he will have to choose between la Roja and les Bleus this time?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 11, 2021, 09:15:31 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on May 11, 2021, 08:26:26 AM
So he will have to choose between la Roja and les Bleus this time?

The whole thing is specifically done so he'll be eligible for Spain for the Euros, so he must have chosen already.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 11, 2021, 09:25:20 AM
I know France has an embarassment of riches, but I'm surprised that Laporte has never been called up.

EDIT: reading his wikipedia entry it seems he's been called up twice but in the first he wasn't selected to play, and in the second he had to pull out because of injury.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 11, 2021, 09:33:08 AM
Quote from: celedhring on May 11, 2021, 09:25:20 AM
I know France has an embarassment of riches, but I'm surprised that Laporte has never been called up.

EDIT: reading his wikipedia entry it seems he's been called up twice but in the first he wasn't selected to play, and in the second he had to pull out because of injury.

And the second time he was called up was because he had actually started the process to get Spanish citizenship, after Lopetegui became the coach for the national team and stated that he'd like him to play for Spain, so France called him up and he stopped the process.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 11, 2021, 09:46:16 AM
Reading up on him I do wonder if there's ever been an attempt at separate catalan and basque national teams?
Outside of those amateur unrecognised nation contests of course.
Seems it'd make for a smaller step than actual independence and if its good enough for the uk (yeah yeah history) then why not.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 11, 2021, 09:47:39 AM
Quote from: Tyr on May 11, 2021, 09:46:16 AM
Reading up on him I do wonder if there's ever been an attempt at separate catalan and basque national teams?
Outside of those amateur unrecognised nation contests of course.
Seems it'd make for a smaller step than actual independence and if its good enough for the uk (yeah yeah history) then why not.

Constantly, but they're never approved.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 11, 2021, 09:50:10 AM
Heh, I rather have a team that can actually win stuff and compete than 3 mini-teams.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 11, 2021, 09:58:44 AM
Quote from: Tyr on May 11, 2021, 09:46:16 AM
Reading up on him I do wonder if there's ever been an attempt at separate catalan and basque national teams?
Outside of those amateur unrecognised nation contests of course.
Seems it'd make for a smaller step than actual independence and if its good enough for the uk (yeah yeah history) then why not.
I have read talk of replacing the League Cup with a British Cup which I think would be a good idea. Though I imagine English clubs are still super-wary of getting anywhere near the sectarianism of the Old Firm.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on May 11, 2021, 02:32:50 PM
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210510/593ab3328fcc9ea7df4dcba6627cfc25.jpg)

So what does everybody think of our new field? Pretty nice right?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 11, 2021, 02:33:56 PM
Needs more green.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 11, 2021, 02:51:34 PM
Looks cute, what's the capacity?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on May 11, 2021, 02:53:43 PM
Quote from: The Larch on May 11, 2021, 02:51:34 PM
Looks cute, what's the capacity?

20,000
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 11, 2021, 03:08:08 PM
Btw, City just won the Premier League. Inter and Bayern already won the Italian and German leagues as well, so amongst the big ones only the Spanish (3 way race between Atlético, Barcelona and Real Madrid with 3 matches to go) and the French (Lille and PSG battling it out with 2 matches to go) remain to be decided.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 11, 2021, 03:08:57 PM
Quote from: Valmy on May 11, 2021, 02:53:43 PM
Quote from: The Larch on May 11, 2021, 02:51:34 PM
Looks cute, what's the capacity?

20,000

Nice, I'd have thought it was less than that from the picture.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 11, 2021, 04:33:17 PM
Quote from: The Larch on May 11, 2021, 03:08:08 PM
Btw, City just won the Premier League. Inter and Bayern already won the Italian and German leagues as well, so amongst the big ones only the Spanish (3 way race between Atlético, Barcelona and Real Madrid with 3 matches to go) and the French (Lille and PSG battling it out with 2 matches to go) remain to be decided.

Since there is only the Big 4 + PSG this is an embarrassment for PSG (QSI version) to even dispute the title to the very end with Lille.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 11, 2021, 05:14:39 PM
Quote from: Valmy on May 11, 2021, 02:32:50 PM
[img]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210510/593ab3328fcc9ea7df4dcba6627cfc25.jimg]

So what does everybody think of our new field? Pretty nice right?

A team wearing green. How odd.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on May 11, 2021, 05:32:17 PM
Why? Lots of famous teams wear green. The Oakland As, the Boston Celtics, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Dallas Stars...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 11, 2021, 05:48:44 PM
Quote from: Valmy on May 11, 2021, 05:32:17 PM
Why? Lots of famous teams wear green. The Oakland As, the Boston Celtics, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Dallas Stars...

It's not usual in football, I guess because unless it's pretty bright it might get players cammouflaged with the pitch.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 11, 2021, 08:11:14 PM
I'm reminded of a picture I saw on Twitter once that showed a team playing in white on a completely snowed in pitch  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on May 11, 2021, 08:12:51 PM
Hockey has white uniform on white ice all the time. It's fine.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 11, 2021, 08:43:50 PM
When a young player comes up through a club's training program, how tightly bound to the team is he?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 12, 2021, 01:22:28 AM
As in, contractually? They are treated as any other player. Some competitions demand a minimum of club-trained players in a squad, so even if they aren't starts a lot of clubs will try to retain them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 12, 2021, 02:26:36 AM
Quote from: The Larch on May 11, 2021, 05:48:44 PM
Quote from: Valmy on May 11, 2021, 05:32:17 PM
Why? Lots of famous teams wear green. The Oakland As, the Boston Celtics, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Dallas Stars...

It's not usual in football, I guess because unless it's pretty bright it might get players cammouflaged with the pitch.

The main reason is probably that goal keepers traditionally wear green.

You don't get any teams in all black either due to the referee.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 12, 2021, 03:54:21 AM
Quote from: Tyr on May 12, 2021, 02:26:36 AM
Quote from: The Larch on May 11, 2021, 05:48:44 PM
Quote from: Valmy on May 11, 2021, 05:32:17 PM
Why? Lots of famous teams wear green. The Oakland As, the Boston Celtics, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Dallas Stars...

It's not usual in football, I guess because unless it's pretty bright it might get players cammouflaged with the pitch.

The main reason is probably that goal keepers traditionally wear green.

That's not always been so, though. Goalies wearing green seems to be an 80s thing to me, in my vague recollection.

QuoteYou don't get any teams in all black either due to the referee.

Yup, even the NZ national team plays in white because of this.  :P Although I remember when refs ditched the all black look and started wearing brighter colours, I believe it was in the '94 WC.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 12, 2021, 03:55:16 AM
I low-key love a green kit. Nigeria and Mexico have both brought it at World Cups :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 12, 2021, 04:01:04 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 12, 2021, 03:55:16 AM
I low-key love a green kit. Nigeria and Mexico have both brought it at World Cups :wub:

And in the case of Mexico there was no chance of getting mistaken with their goalie when Jorge Campos started for them in the 90s.  :lol:

(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/96/23/62/962362283b5f367b3e913d4af65c2b83.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 12, 2021, 07:55:36 AM
The world needs more 5'6" goalkeeper-strikers.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 12, 2021, 10:02:02 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 12, 2021, 07:55:36 AM
The world needs more 5'6" goalkeeper-strikers.

The world needs more flamboyant latin american keepers.

(https://i.makeagif.com/media/2-28-2017/vwXtum.gif)

(https://thumbs.gfycat.com/OpulentVapidGerenuk-max-1mb.gif)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 12, 2021, 10:05:30 AM
It is being rumoured that the Champions League final will be moved (again) from Turkey to Portugal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 12, 2021, 10:40:00 AM
The referee is Lahoz - aka Guardiola's archnemesis  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 12, 2021, 12:06:34 PM
I have to hand it to Manchester United. After their fans fucked up the fixture schedule by rioting in the streets and invading their own stadium, they then proceed to play their retirement home residents and children and lose to Leicester, Liverpool's Top-4 rival, so United can play their full-strength squad two days later and end any chance Liverpool qualify for the Champions League.

I hate United but man, game recognize game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on May 12, 2021, 01:54:38 PM
I was looking to get tickets to see Austin FC play and...well...wow soccer is expensive as fuck. I guess I will just watch on TV. My respect for the vast wealth of football hooligans is increased.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 12, 2021, 02:00:40 PM
It used to be a working class sport.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 12, 2021, 03:11:45 PM

Quote from: Jacob on May 12, 2021, 02:00:40 PM
It used to be a working class sport.

Game's gone
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 12, 2021, 03:15:56 PM
Quote from: Valmy on May 12, 2021, 01:54:38 PM
I was looking to get tickets to see Austin FC play and...well...wow soccer is expensive as fuck. I guess I will just watch on TV. My respect for the vast wealth of football hooligans is increased.

How much they asking?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on May 12, 2021, 03:25:46 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on May 12, 2021, 03:15:56 PM
Quote from: Valmy on May 12, 2021, 01:54:38 PM
I was looking to get tickets to see Austin FC play and...well...wow soccer is expensive as fuck. I guess I will just watch on TV. My respect for the vast wealth of football hooligans is increased.

How much they asking?

The very cheapest I could find was $60 per ticket and that was for road sites. At home I am looking at $150. Crazy. I mean if they have the Vince Young of soccer out there maybe...but last I checked this was just an expansion team on a middling soccer league.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on May 12, 2021, 03:52:22 PM
Quote from: Valmy on May 12, 2021, 03:25:46 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on May 12, 2021, 03:15:56 PM
Quote from: Valmy on May 12, 2021, 01:54:38 PM
I was looking to get tickets to see Austin FC play and...well...wow soccer is expensive as fuck. I guess I will just watch on TV. My respect for the vast wealth of football hooligans is increased.

How much they asking?

The very cheapest I could find was $60 per ticket and that was for road sites. At home I am looking at $150. Crazy. I mean if they have the Vince Young of soccer out there maybe...but last I checked this was just an expansion team on a middling soccer league.

I love how you're trying to name a super-star at a different sport... and you name-drop Vince Young. :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 12, 2021, 03:54:15 PM
word :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 12, 2021, 04:08:37 PM
Those are stupid expensive prices.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on May 12, 2021, 04:11:32 PM
Quote from: Barrister on May 12, 2021, 03:52:22 PM
I love how you're trying to name a super-star at a different sport... and you name-drop Vince Young. :lol:

Well that was an athlete I actually did pay a premium to see in person :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on May 12, 2021, 04:23:04 PM
Quote from: Valmy on May 12, 2021, 04:11:32 PM
Quote from: Barrister on May 12, 2021, 03:52:22 PM
I love how you're trying to name a super-star at a different sport... and you name-drop Vince Young. :lol:

Well that was an athlete I actually did pay a premium to see in person :P

But really, I loved it. :hug:

It was such a Valmy thing to say. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 12, 2021, 04:34:25 PM
Quote from: The Larch on May 12, 2021, 04:08:37 PM
Those are stupid expensive prices.
Crazy :blink:

I think the most expensive normal ticket at Spurs is £80 and they're in London in a brand new stadium with a cheese room!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on May 12, 2021, 06:49:58 PM
MLS needs high tickets. It's a gate driven league that has a salary scheme that makes up to 3 players per team pay come directly from the owners.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 13, 2021, 01:31:23 AM
Before the pandemic I could go and watch Messi play for as low as €30. I don't know guys...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 13, 2021, 03:49:17 AM
It is weird that American footy teams are charging so much.
I guess they purposefully want small crowds of rich people rather than being a mainstream sport.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 13, 2021, 08:35:43 AM
Looks like I could get tickets for DC United home games for $35-$40 so MLS ticket prices vary. Austin FC is a brand new team so they might be jacking up the prices to extract maximum profit from uberhyped fans?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 13, 2021, 08:54:33 AM
I wonder if it'll be possible to get tickets for the CL final, Porto is pretty close to my hometown and if not many people can travel for the game there might be some unsold tickets around...  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on May 13, 2021, 09:10:13 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 13, 2021, 08:35:43 AM
Looks like I could get tickets for DC United home games for $35-$40 so MLS ticket prices vary. Austin FC is a brand new team so they might be jacking up the prices to extract maximum profit from uberhyped fans?

Well that isn't too bad. I probably just need to wait a few years.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 13, 2021, 09:36:53 AM
Quote from: The Larch on May 13, 2021, 08:54:33 AM
I wonder if it'll be possible to get tickets for the CL final, Porto is pretty close to my hometown and if not many people can travel for the game there might be some unsold tickets around...  :hmm:
Maybe :hmm:

English fans can travel overseas for fun now and Portugal is on the green list (just booked my own holiday :blush:) and I imagine, given the lack of live football for a while, that fans will take the opportunity to get those tickets. Not sure about the wider release though?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 14, 2021, 04:26:28 AM
The surviving Superleague clubs brought an antitrust action against UEFA/FIFA on a Madrid court. Now, that court has brought the issue to the ECJ, to see if UEFA's powers in football conform with EU's antitrust/abuse of dominant position legislation. We'll see if the ECJ takes it up.

Wouldn't mind UEFA be taken down a peg or a dozen. But this is certainly a "whoever wins we lose" scenario.  :sleep:

EDIT: or maybe a whoever loses we win? Always look on the bright side of life...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 14, 2021, 05:15:41 AM
Do you have a link? I did a quick check and couldn't find anything.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 14, 2021, 06:22:08 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 13, 2021, 08:35:43 AM
Looks like I could get tickets for DC United home games for $35-$40 so MLS ticket prices vary. Austin FC is a brand new team so they might be jacking up the prices to extract maximum profit from uberhyped fans?

Toronto FC tickets have always cost me upwards of $100 and they pretty much always sell out the 23K plus stadium; though around half are Season Ticket Holders. There is a cheaper zone, the fan zone, but that's mostly sold to the supporters clubs and if you do snag a ticket you have to stand up the whole game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 14, 2021, 09:23:10 AM
Quote from: The Larch on May 14, 2021, 05:15:41 AM
Do you have a link? I did a quick check and couldn't find anything.

Not in English.

https://elpais.com/deportes/2021-05-12/la-demanda-de-la-superliga-contra-la-uefa-llega-a-la-justicia-europea.html
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on May 14, 2021, 10:20:12 AM
Quote from: Josephus on May 14, 2021, 06:22:08 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 13, 2021, 08:35:43 AM
Looks like I could get tickets for DC United home games for $35-$40 so MLS ticket prices vary. Austin FC is a brand new team so they might be jacking up the prices to extract maximum profit from uberhyped fans?

Toronto FC tickets have always cost me upwards of $100 and they pretty much always sell out the 23K plus stadium; though around half are Season Ticket Holders. There is a cheaper zone, the fan zone, but that's mostly sold to the supporters clubs and if you do snag a ticket you have to stand up the whole game.

*sigh*

I bet Argonaut games cost a lot less than $100 and don't sell out... :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 14, 2021, 12:53:34 PM
Quote from: celedhring on May 14, 2021, 09:23:10 AM
Quote from: The Larch on May 14, 2021, 05:15:41 AM
Do you have a link? I did a quick check and couldn't find anything.

Not in English.

https://elpais.com/deportes/2021-05-12/la-demanda-de-la-superliga-contra-la-uefa-llega-a-la-justicia-europea.html

Works for me, I couldn't even find anything on Marca.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 14, 2021, 02:48:45 PM
Quote from: The Larch on May 13, 2021, 08:54:33 AM
I wonder if it'll be possible to get tickets for the CL final, Porto is pretty close to my hometown and if not many people can travel for the game there might be some unsold tickets around...  :hmm:

6,000 tickets for each club fans, 24-hour bubbles, PCR tests if not vaccines, leaving by charter planes almost as soon as the game is finished... So probably not.

Reason Porto was chosen was because there was not quarantine for the UEFA VIPs, unllike the UK.

I hope this does bring the Indian variant to Portugal, the English strain was bad enough.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 14, 2021, 05:30:42 PM
So apparently Inter Milan are now partially owned by the Chinese state...  :ph34r:

Article is from march, but I just became aware of this situation now.

QuoteInter Milan owner Suning sells 23% stake to state-owned investors
Embattled retailer reportedly looking to move away from sports

SHANGHAI -- Chinese retailer Suning.com, the owner of Italian Serie A leader Inter Milan, will sell 23% of its shares to several state-owned investors including Shenzhen International Holdings, hoping to tap the logistic company's expertise to escape a downturn exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.

Suning will unload part of the 40% stake held by founder Zhang Jindong and group companies for 14.8 billion yuan ($2.29 billion), according to a company statement. Zhang will continue to lead operations as it works toward recovery.

Originally a seller of household appliances, Suning has grown into one of China's largest retailers, operating department stores, convenience stores and more. E-commerce heavyweight Alibaba Group Holding holds a roughly 20% stake in Suning.

Suning has expanded aggressively, such as by acquiring Japanese duty-free store operator Laox and buying the Chinese operations of French supermarket chain Carrefour in 2019.

But its dogged pursuit of scale has backfired in recent years, with the pandemic exacerbating its woes. Suning is currently shutting down a large portion of its brick-and-mortar appliance stores. Preliminary results announced Saturday placed the company's net loss for 2020 at 3.9 billion yuan, a stark turnaround from a 9.8 billion yuan profit the year before.

The retailer also announced Sunday that it will cease the operations of Jiangsu Football Club, the defending champions of the Super League, China's top professional soccer league.

Suning bought the team in December 2015, several months before it purchased a majority stake in Inter Milan.

Jiangsu Football Club is 500 million yuan in debt, local news outlets report.

Suning is looking to sell the team, but wants the new owners to take over its debt as well. Jiangsu may be forced to disband if no buyer can be found.

Speculation is also growing over the fate of Inter Milan, the prestigious Italian soccer club that Suning paid around 270 million euros for.

China's official Xinhua News Agency quoted sources in a Monday report saying Sunning "is in financial trouble and it will pivot its business away from sports."

That those guys, also owners of Jiangsu, the current Chinese champions, could just "cease operations" of that team is somehow flabbergasting. And we're not talking of a brand new franchise style team, but one with more than 60 years of history (albeit only professional since the 90s).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 15, 2021, 12:17:26 PM
Barney Ronay had a very good piece on this:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2021/may/14/china-investment-inter-scrutinise-owners
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 15, 2021, 04:33:11 PM
I actually realized this situation through that article.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 15, 2021, 05:29:17 PM
Fascinating that a company can make just shy of 10 billion one year, lose 4 billion the next, and then be on the verge of bankruptcy.
A core problem with modern capitalism right there.

In football...
Apparently it was the FA Cup final and Leicester won. They're very happy about this. Which is nice. Too often it's won by teams who don't much care.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 15, 2021, 05:39:30 PM
Good to see a nicely run club like Leicester City win against noted corrupt super league fraud and Russian plaything club Chelsea.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 15, 2021, 05:54:53 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 15, 2021, 05:39:30 PM
Good to see a nicely run club like Leicester City win against noted corrupt super league fraud and Russian plaything club Chelsea.

:cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 15, 2021, 06:46:20 PM
Thai oligarch defeats Russian oligarch :cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 15, 2021, 08:13:41 PM
Quote from: Tamas on May 15, 2021, 06:46:20 PM
Thai oligarch defeats Russian oligarch :cheers:

If you hate both teams, you can always celebrate that at least one side lost :D

But in this case, only one side were in the despicable Super League.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 15, 2021, 09:12:04 PM
Yeah - also Leicester were the under-dogs so obviously you should prefer them unless you're a Chelsea fan :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 15, 2021, 10:43:02 PM
Quote from: Tamas on May 15, 2021, 06:46:20 PM
Thai oligarch defeats Russian oligarch :cheers:

https://twitter.com/sportbible/status/1393636363002593291

Leicester's oligarch gets a few plusses for this celebration.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 15, 2021, 11:09:57 PM
Quote from: Liep on May 15, 2021, 10:43:02 PM
https://twitter.com/sportbible/status/1393636363002593291

Leicester's oligarch gets a few plusses for this celebration.
Yeah - fans normally like their oligarch (I'm as guilty as anyone of this).

But I think there is a slightly deeper emotional connection at Leicester given the death of his father and, obviously, the incredible league win (and now cup win).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 16, 2021, 06:54:56 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 15, 2021, 09:12:04 PM
Yeah - also Leicester were the under-dogs

They are 3rd in the league 2 points clear of Chelsea for crying out loud.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 16, 2021, 08:22:55 AM
Tamas, are you pumped for the Women's Champions' League final today between Barça and Chelsea?

I've decided this is the most important trophy that will be awarded in 2021.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 16, 2021, 08:24:22 AM
Quote from: celedhring on May 16, 2021, 08:22:55 AM
Tamas, are you pumped for the Women's Champions' League final today between Barça and Chelsea?

I've decided this is the most important trophy that will be awarded in 2021.
:blink:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 16, 2021, 10:37:18 AM
Quote from: celedhring on May 16, 2021, 08:22:55 AM
Tamas, are you pumped for the Women's Champions' League final today between Barça and Chelsea?

I've decided this is the most important trophy that will be awarded in 2021.

I agree and I'm rooting for Chelsea primarily if not only because of Pernille Harder. :rødgrødmedfløde:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 16, 2021, 10:43:00 AM
I honestly admire your undying loyalty to Danish sportsmen  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 16, 2021, 10:50:52 AM
Quote from: celedhring on May 16, 2021, 08:22:55 AM
Tamas, are you pumped for the Women's Champions' League final today between Barça and Chelsea?

I've decided this is the most important trophy that will be awarded in 2021.

Hah, had no idea it's today!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 16, 2021, 01:46:01 PM
Sorry Cel. :console:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 16, 2021, 01:48:47 PM
It's ok, we were out of it weeks ago. Horrid finish to the season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 16, 2021, 01:53:14 PM
:console:

I think neutrals sadly turned against you as soon as Koeman turned up in sockless loafers :x
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 16, 2021, 01:56:42 PM
Quote from: celedhring on May 16, 2021, 08:22:55 AM
Tamas, are you pumped for the Women's Champions' League final today between Barça and Chelsea?

I've decided this is the most important trophy that will be awarded in 2021.

Man, you are desperate.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 16, 2021, 02:00:58 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 16, 2021, 01:53:14 PM
:console:

I think neutrals sadly turned against you as soon as Koeman turned up in sockless loafers :x

Agree, if they had to bring back a legend at least choose one with style.

(https://i.guim.co.uk/img/static/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2014/7/1/1404213076866/Michael-Laudrup-014.jpg?width=445&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=71462601292540d21bf9cbdb0f3f150f)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 16, 2021, 03:15:06 PM
Laudrup seems to pick a fight with everybody after 1-2 in every club he manages  :D

Seems we'll go with Xavi as the next in the "when in doubt, appoint a legend" list.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 16, 2021, 04:09:46 PM
Where is Laudrup coaching nowadays anyway? He kinda fell off the face of the earth lately.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 16, 2021, 04:14:44 PM
And we won the women's CL  :cheers:

Probably the first CL final Chelsea will lose this year  :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 16, 2021, 09:44:39 PM
Everything about that Alisson goal is incredible. The timing. The technique. The player. The circumstance. Holy crap  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 17, 2021, 02:38:13 AM
Quote from: celedhring on May 16, 2021, 04:14:44 PM
And we won the women's CL  :cheers:

Probably the first CL final Chelsea will lose this year  :ph34r:

And the last.  :P

The lads have been half their brains off the pitch since they got into the CL final. It's  massive deal for that young squad, they are going beat the Emir's team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on May 17, 2021, 05:25:13 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 15, 2021, 11:09:57 PM
Quote from: Liep on May 15, 2021, 10:43:02 PM
https://twitter.com/sportbible/status/1393636363002593291

Leicester's oligarch gets a few plusses for this celebration.
Yeah - fans normally like their oligarch (I'm as guilty as anyone of this).

But I think there is a slightly deeper emotional connection at Leicester given the death of his father and, obviously, the incredible league win (and now cup win).

They have also put a lot of money and effort into the community and have done loads of things for fams free scarves, free beer). Abramovich, not so much. And of course, every right thinking football fan hated Chelsea even before they had any money.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 17, 2021, 05:59:59 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 16, 2021, 09:44:39 PM
Everything about that Alisson goal is incredible. The timing. The technique. The player. The circumstance. Holy crap  :lol:

Apparently he's the only 'keeper to score a goal for Liverpool in its club history.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 17, 2021, 08:46:26 AM
The Chelsea video - Long Good Friday crossover I never knew I needed :lol:
https://twitter.com/duncanm/status/1394257011374796801?s=20
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 17, 2021, 03:45:38 PM
All clubs need owners with this degree of involvement with the team:

Photos of Football (@photosofootball) Tweeted:
Chinese businessman bought Zibo Cuju, second tier Chinese side, and told the coach to play his 126kg son.

(via @TUDNUSA) https://t.co/ylJehD0BAf https://twitter.com/photosofootball/status/1394355369296764928?s=20

QuoteChinese businessman bought Zibo Cuju, second tier Chinese side, and told the coach to play his 126kg son.

(via @TUDNUSA) https://t.co/ylJehD0BAf

Genuine love and concern for the team and its players.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 18, 2021, 05:50:48 AM
Apparently Harry Kane has asked to leave Tottenham this summer.  :ph34r:

Possible destinations? He's chosen a rather bad time for a blockbuster transfer...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 18, 2021, 06:03:31 AM
Quote from: The Larch on May 18, 2021, 05:50:48 AM
Apparently Harry Kane has asked to leave Tottenham this summer.  :ph34r:

Possible destinations? He's chosen a rather bad time for a blockbuster transfer...
Yeah it's bad timing. I think he'll want to stay in the Premier League because he is on course to overtake Alan Shearer as the top scorer - which is a hell of an achievement given that he's been playing for Tottenham.

I'd assume one of the Manchester clubs - but I think it slightly depends if they decide to go all out for Haaland either this summer or next. I'm slightly concerned Spurs might look at DCL as a potential replacement :ph34r:

But you're right - I think it'll be challenging. Levy is a famously tough negotiator and wants clubs to meet his valuation, plus English clubs hate selling to each other. On the other hand I slightly wonder if Spurs want to avoid becoming seen as a bit of a Hotel California club - I wonder if it would make it difficult for them to get players in if players think that getting out is going to be very difficult if you add Kane to Eriksen. I also wonder if this leads to a few other players, especially Son, having a think?

Also I think there was talk of trying to convince Kane by involving him in the next manager decision - to show him he could win things at Spurs. But I wonder if that would ever have had an impact or it's a sign of how badly things are going on that front - every name I've seen linked to Spurs seems to have just been using the link to drive a new contract/bigger deal. I think the latest I've heard are Inzaghi, Gasperini or Gattuso - all of which I think would be good - but maybe aren't enough to inspire someone like Kane.

I'm not even a Spurs fan but I'll never forgive Levy for not backing and then firing Pochettino - and replacing him with Mourinho :weep: :( <_<

Edit: In other English football news Roy Hodgson will be stepping down from Crystal Palace and retiring from management - which is a very nice end of four years at his boyhood club, ending on their best League season in years. Also the end of one of the most fascinating careers of any English manager.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 18, 2021, 07:08:57 AM
Apparently he's said that he'd like to either stay in the Premier League (in which case his only realistic options are both Manchester clubs and Chelsea, I think, or maybe also Liverpool?) or Spain, but I really doubt that either Real Madrid or Barcelona have the money for such a transfer. If Dortmund sells Haaland this summer (which I think is unlikely unless an eye-watering offer is produced) maybe he could take a gamble and go to Germany instead, it'd be a bit of a left field option, or maybe replacing Lewandowski at Bayern? Either of those two could be interesting options and would help diversify European football a bit. In any case what he seems to want is silverware, so theoretically he'd only go to a club with ambitions for the top.

Another white elephant that might hit the market this summer is Cristiano Ronaldo. It seems that Juve is really eager to offload him (and his massive salary) in order to rebuild next season, but it might be difficult to get him to exit the club as I doubt he'd have many suitors. He seemed to want a return to Real Madrid, but Florentino Pérez ruled that out in one of his ESL interviews.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 18, 2021, 07:30:00 AM
Quote from: The Larch on May 18, 2021, 07:08:57 AM
Apparently he's said that he'd like to either stay in the Premier League (in which case his only realistic options are both Manchester clubs and Chelsea, I think, or maybe also Liverpool?) or Spain, but I really doubt that either Real Madrid or Barcelona have the money for such a transfer. If Dortmund sells Haaland this summer (which I think is unlikely unless an eye-watering offer is produced) maybe he could take a gamble and go to Germany instead, it'd be a bit of a left field option, or maybe replacing Lewandowski at Bayern? Either of those two could be interesting options and would help diversify European football a bit. In any case what he seems to want is silverware, so theoretically he'd only go to a club with ambitions for the top.
Yeah from what I've read Levy will want something like £150 million plus - and Spurs are difficult to escape (see Eriksen, Bale, Modric). It tends to get quite contentious between the player, Levy and any potential buyers. So it might be difficult given everything.

I can't see Liverpool being able to spend anywhere near that type of money on one player it doesn't seem to fit the general FSG approach (with the possible exception of van Dijk). From everything I've read he might fancy Spain but I don't think that's a realistic option given their finances. Maybe Bayern, though :hmm:

I think City or Chelsea are probably the only clubs that could afford to pry Haaland out of Dortmund (and I can see the attraction for City - steal a march on everyone else and have a long-term replacement for Aguero), and I think that will have a big impact on where, if anywhere, Kane goes.

QuoteAnother white elephant that might hit the market this summer is Cristiano Ronaldo. It seems that Juve is really eager to offload him (and his massive salary) in order to rebuild next season, but it might be difficult to get him to exit the club as I doubt he'd have many suitors. He seemed to want a return to Real Madrid, but Florentino Pérez ruled that out in one of his ESL interviews.
Yeah - and you imagine Ronaldo stands in the way of Juve re-freshing. It has seemed crazy that there's been talk in previous seasons of them wanting to sell younger players like Dybala to make sense for Ronaldo :blink:

The other big question I think is what happens with Inter given their ownership situation? If Lukaku's available (affordably) that would also probably have a big impact on the European market.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 18, 2021, 07:37:41 AM
Another option for Haaland could be PSG if Mbappe leaves, which I'm not sure if it'll happen but has been rumoured. Haaland for City I'm not sure if it could work, as I don't think he fits what Guardiola wants from a forward, as crazy as it might sound.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 18, 2021, 08:45:24 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 17, 2021, 08:46:26 AM
The Chelsea video - Long Good Friday crossover I never knew I needed :lol:
https://twitter.com/duncanm/status/1394257011374796801?s=20

With the detailed look VAR allows (which I support) the offside rule should change to say the entirety of the attacker's body must be pass the last defender otherwise utterly ridiculous rulings like this will continue. Sure, legally speaking it was offside. In practice, though, it was a perfectly time attack ruined by milimeters of shirt material.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 18, 2021, 03:07:37 PM
The Premier League referees are such incompetent self-serving bastards it beggars belief. Most obvious of penalties is not spotted by the ref, and god forbid this gets admitted, they don't even invoke VAR.

Have no VAR qualms about disallowing Chelsea's goal though. Bloody bastards.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 18, 2021, 03:53:36 PM
I was thinking fodbal might be the last place on earth free of selfie sticks.  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 18, 2021, 04:14:44 PM
Properly football-spirited Thai oligarch will be sad. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 19, 2021, 01:51:11 AM
Barça have said they won't pursue the signing of Haaland, which is a bit like me saying I've decided I won't marry Scarlett Johansson.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 19, 2021, 09:06:47 AM
Quote from: celedhring on May 19, 2021, 01:51:11 AM
Barça have said they won't pursue the signing of Haaland, which is a bit like me saying I've decided I won't marry Scarlett Johansson.

Why would you make such a decision?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 19, 2021, 10:12:25 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbRQgqXX07U

Can anyone tell me what kind of accent the play by play guy has?  Sounds like a Brit trying to sound American.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 19, 2021, 10:14:30 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on May 19, 2021, 10:12:25 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbRQgqXX07U

Can anyone tell me what kind of accent the play by play guy has?  Sounds like a Brit trying to sound American.
Not available in this country. So I'll just ask, is it possibly Madonna?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 19, 2021, 10:15:17 PM
def not
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 20, 2021, 04:21:48 AM
Quite an amazing story took place in the Libertadores Cup last night. Argentina's River Plate played against Colombia's Independiente Santa Fe, but the game was in jeopardy as River Plate had 20 players out with Covid, including its 4 goalkeepers. They requested COMMEBOL for the game to be delayed but were refused, then they asked to be allowed emergency registration for their U18 team GK to be registered for the competition to be able to have a proper goalie for the match and were refused again.

So yesterday they played the game, with just 11 players, an empty bench and an injured 35 yo midfielder deputising as goalie for the match... and they won 2-1.

Edit: And the midfielder turned goalkeeper won the game's MVP award.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 20, 2021, 06:38:04 AM
Quite certainly the most successful football-related Hungarian since Puskas (except for that coach in Romania but he wasn't a citizen), 4-times Best Referee and main official of the 1994 WC Final, Sandor Puhl has passed away, aged 65.

(https://4cdn.hu/kraken/image/upload/s--o2uFmov2--/w_1160/7bUca6KrP7agC66os.jpeg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on May 20, 2021, 06:40:35 AM
:( I liked him.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 20, 2021, 07:17:03 AM
I didn't, he robbed us in 1994, scarring an entire generation of Spanish fooball fans  :P

RIP.  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on May 20, 2021, 11:56:21 AM
Not sure of the source for this, but this map of stadiums for the Euro 2020 2021, among other things, reunites Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia, gives the Kaliningrad area to Poland and it gave Moldova a bit of the Black Sea?

(https://i.redd.it/fxflq3ruv9071.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on May 20, 2021, 11:59:24 AM
It will be a cold day in hell before they recognize Slovenia.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 20, 2021, 12:08:01 PM
Keep politics out of football!!!!111233
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 20, 2021, 12:29:18 PM
Island crimea is convenient too.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on May 21, 2021, 02:06:33 AM
Someone found the likely original:

(https://images.all-free-download.com/images/graphiclarge/europe_map_silhouettes_design_vector_546956.jpg)

BeNeLux area looks ... off? :unsure:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 21, 2021, 03:17:40 AM
True. They've filled in the frisian sea and I think knocked down a few polders in West Friesland.
Zealand is not there of course.
I think they've given Belgium and NL some extra lands in the east too?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on May 21, 2021, 06:05:20 AM
I don't recall Denmark looking quite so much like an upraised fist either.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 21, 2021, 08:01:59 AM
Nuno leaving Wolves at the end of the season :o :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 21, 2021, 10:17:09 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 21, 2021, 08:01:59 AM
Nuno leaving Wolves at the end of the season :o :hmm:

Gotta be headed to Spurs I think.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on May 21, 2021, 11:59:44 AM
Quote from: Syt on May 21, 2021, 02:06:33 AM
Someone found the likely original:

(https://images.all-free-download.com/images/graphiclarge/europe_map_silhouettes_design_vector_546956.jpg)

BeNeLux area looks ... off? :unsure:

I think that map was only accurate for about two months in 1992.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 22, 2021, 12:44:30 PM
Sigh. Double standards in emergency loans are Sunderlands undoing. We always get the raw end of everything.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on May 22, 2021, 02:56:52 PM
In 1971/72 Bayern Munich's Gerd Müller scored 40 goals in one season. This record was broken today when Robert Lewandowski scored his 41st goal (and there's 5 matches to go in the season).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on May 22, 2021, 03:03:42 PM
Quote from: Syt on May 22, 2021, 02:56:52 PM
In 1971/72 Bayern Munich's Gerd Müller scored 40 goals in one season. This record was broken today when Robert Lewandowski scored his 41st goal (and there's 5 matches to go in the season).

Looking at the Wikipedia article for that year, were any goals he scored against the team that had their record that year expunged counted?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 22, 2021, 03:05:38 PM
It's a crazy record for a 34 games league. Waited for the 90th minute too.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on May 22, 2021, 03:14:20 PM
Quote from: Agelastus on May 22, 2021, 03:03:42 PM
Quote from: Syt on May 22, 2021, 02:56:52 PM
In 1971/72 Bayern Munich's Gerd Müller scored 40 goals in one season. This record was broken today when Robert Lewandowski scored his 41st goal (and there's 5 matches to go in the season).

Looking at the Wikipedia article for that year, were any goals he scored against the team that had their record that year expunged counted?

Not sure. Bayern Munich played them to a 1-1 draw and won the second match 1-0. Müller scored in both matches. The scores are pretty low for Bayern's season, though (they beat Dortmund 11-1, won 7-0 against Oberhausen, 5-1 against Bochum and Schalke, 6-2 against Bremen, etc.).

This article has a summary of the scandal, including the manipulated matches: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1971_Bundesliga_scandal
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 23, 2021, 09:49:26 PM
Not crazy about the pro wrestling style public address announcer for Sergio Aguero's substitution.  :yuk:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 26, 2021, 05:14:17 PM
EMERY MASTERCLASS

FUCK UNITED

:lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 26, 2021, 05:18:24 PM
I was torn on who to support in that one. The northern team or the underdog.
I guess in light of the European super league stuff it's good that villareal won.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 26, 2021, 05:37:27 PM
If you search 'Villarreal' in Google fireworks appear  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 27, 2021, 02:09:05 AM
I imagine a lot of people are doing this just to find out where that place is.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 27, 2021, 04:11:56 AM
Our big teams might be a bunch of entitled bastards who are currently underperforming massively, but our 2nd tier teams just own the Europa League at this point.  :cool:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 27, 2021, 05:33:23 AM
Quote from: Tyr on May 27, 2021, 02:09:05 AM
I imagine a lot of people are doing this just to find out where that place is.

I've seen it claimed it's the smallest town to ever win a trophy.

Now, they are owned by a Spanish billionaire and although they don't have sheik-level cash or anything close to it, he has bankrolled them when needed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 27, 2021, 05:44:12 AM
Previous smallest town winner was probably FC Malines/Mechelen (80,000 people) in 1988 (C2). Pre-Bosman era though.

PS: Villareal winning means Porto ends up in Pot 3 of the next CL. Still, since it was against Man U...
Also, the oligarchic club of Monaco (1/3 still owned by the principality) will have to go through CL play-offs as well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 27, 2021, 10:51:15 AM
Looking the place up it does seem to be pretty much a suburb of the bigger city next door too. I know nothing of the actual situation there but it seems a weird record.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 27, 2021, 10:59:17 AM
Quote from: Tyr on May 27, 2021, 10:51:15 AM
Looking the place up it does seem to be pretty much a suburb of the bigger city next door too. I know nothing of the actual situation there but it seems a weird record.

That city (Castellón) has its own team, and used to be the #1 team in the region until the 2000s.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 27, 2021, 02:50:28 PM
Quote from: celedhring on May 27, 2021, 10:59:17 AM
Quote from: Tyr on May 27, 2021, 10:51:15 AM
Looking the place up it does seem to be pretty much a suburb of the bigger city next door too. I know nothing of the actual situation there but it seems a weird record.

That city (Castellón) has its own team, and used to be the #1 team in the region until the 2000s.

To complete the background, Castellón, the larger nearby city (170k inhabitants), is the province's capital, and its football team used to be in the 1st division as late as the 90-91 season, while Villarreal, their historical minnow neighbours (51k inhabitants), only reached the 1st division for the first time in their history in 98-99 after quickly rising from the lower leagues.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 29, 2021, 07:34:00 AM
The away goals rule was one of the things that made late stage Champions League games exciting.
This is going to produce a lot more extra time and penalties instead.

Why? :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 29, 2021, 11:00:07 AM
Brentford is the first Danish club ever to be promoted to the Premier League! :yeah: :w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 29, 2021, 06:45:01 PM
Huzzah Chelsea!  Huzzah!

Congratulations Pulisic, first US male to appear in CL final. :cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on May 29, 2021, 06:47:14 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on May 29, 2021, 06:45:01 PM
Huzzah Chelsea!  Huzzah!

Congratulations Pulisic, first US male to appear in CL final. :cheers:

Tamas will be drunk this evening.  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on May 29, 2021, 11:20:25 PM
Quote from: Liep on May 29, 2021, 11:00:07 AM
Brentford is the first Danish club ever to be promoted to the Premier League! :yeah: :w00t:

:hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 30, 2021, 06:07:33 AM
In good English fashion, clashes between "fans" of Chel$ky and the Emirati team in Porto.

So much for the Covid-free "bubble"...

PS: great decisions by the Portuguese govt (Costa's clique) and Porto City Hall as well...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 30, 2021, 06:14:04 AM
Great game. I saw Mendy was crying after the final whistle, what a story his is.

Harvetz's first CL goal is in the final, age, what, 21?

Also Tuchel's assistant coach is a Hungarian ex-footballer  :cool:

Clearly the right team won.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 30, 2021, 06:15:31 AM
Yeah - I enjoyed that game a lot.

Kind of plays into the narrative of Pep always overthinking big games. And Chelsea look ominous for the next few years :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 30, 2021, 06:48:33 AM
It was a "whoever wins we lose" scenario for me, which also meant that whoever lost, we won, so I'll take that in stride.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 30, 2021, 08:18:00 AM
Quote from: celedhring on May 30, 2021, 06:48:33 AM
It was a "whoever wins we lose" scenario for me, which also meant that whoever lost, we won, so I'll take that in stride.  :P

No residual Guardiola goodwill?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 30, 2021, 08:26:17 AM
I'm the dumped ex that doesn't want the other to be happy unless he comes back to me.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 30, 2021, 09:09:48 AM
Fraudiola has only gone and done it again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 31, 2021, 09:49:29 AM
CONMEBOL: Sorry Argentina, no hosting Copa America for you. Too much Covid.

CONMEBOL: CONGRATS BRAZIL, HERE YOU GO.

:hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 01, 2021, 10:38:54 AM
Ancelotti breaking Everton hearts :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 01, 2021, 11:03:24 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on June 01, 2021, 10:38:54 AM
Ancelotti breaking Everton hearts :weep:

If he leaves for Madrid he's a masochist (or is being paid millions upon millions).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 01, 2021, 12:08:16 PM
And he's gone. A brutal reminder of the football food chain.

But a grim day - it just felt like we were pleasantly, peacefully going about our business this morning and now this :(

No idea who we'll get in - I hope we have a look at Potter.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on June 01, 2021, 12:37:19 PM
Ancelotti destroying football! Time for a protest!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on June 01, 2021, 12:40:42 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on June 01, 2021, 12:08:16 PM
And he's gone. A brutal reminder of the football food chain.

But a grim day - it just felt like we were pleasantly, peacefully going about our business this morning and now this :(

No idea who we'll get in - I hope we have a look at Potter.

He didn't do that well, did he? I mean, you started great but eventually it was yet another midtable finish for Everton.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 01, 2021, 12:45:25 PM
Quote from: Tamas on June 01, 2021, 12:37:19 PM
Ancelotti destroying football! Time for a protest!
If anything he is reasserting the most precious thing: the pyramid :(

QuoteHe didn't do that well, did he? I mean, you started great but eventually it was yet another midtable finish for Everton.
Yeah. And I had some doubts about his performance/style especially in 2021 - but I liked him and thought he would overall improve us.

Plus my fears that we are Sunderland 2.0 are increasing at a pace.

My hope now is that Marcel Brands seizes power as Director of Football and actually runs that side - he picks a manager to fit an identity and buys players for that etc etc. But who knows :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on June 01, 2021, 12:58:34 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on June 01, 2021, 12:45:25 PM

Plus my fears that we are Sunderland 2.0 are increasing at a pace.


Fear that you'll get your own TV show?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 01, 2021, 01:36:49 PM
Sorry to hear that Sheilbh.

The managerial churn in Europe is crazy this year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 01, 2021, 01:38:07 PM
Quote from: celedhring on June 01, 2021, 12:58:34 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on June 01, 2021, 12:45:25 PM

Plus my fears that we are Sunderland 2.0 are increasing at a pace.


Fear that you'll get your own TV show?
And that we'll deserve one :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on June 01, 2021, 01:38:41 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on June 01, 2021, 01:36:49 PM
Sorry to hear that Sheilbh.

The managerial churn in Europe is crazy this year.

Except for us, which will keep a manager the board obviously doesn't like because we can't afford firing him and pay anyone else.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 02, 2021, 12:59:32 PM
Quote from: celedhring on June 01, 2021, 01:38:41 PM
Except for us, which will keep a manager the board obviously doesn't like because we can't afford firing him and pay anyone else.
:lol: If you'd told me 10 years ago that one of the best national teams in Europe, Barcelona and Real Madrid were all managed by ex-Everton managers I would have assumed that at some point things would've gone well for us. But here we are :weep:

Unrelated but between this announcement video:
https://twitter.com/PartickThistle/status/1400123999493967877?s=20

And their always joyously terrifying mascot (an appropriately Scottish vision of the sun - seen here pursuing children):
(https://i2-prod.dailyrecord.co.uk/incoming/article5975543.ece/ALTERNATES/s1200c/JS67210186.jpg)

I really feel like Partick Thistle is a rare club that understands how to get the most out of social media :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on June 02, 2021, 01:03:22 PM
i don't think i ever imagined what a pedophile Scottish sun would look like, but by god they nailed it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on June 02, 2021, 01:04:58 PM
Looks like the asshole version of the "Nuclear no thanks" logo.

(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/519DaP3snqL._AC_.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 02, 2021, 01:12:52 PM
The sun is a rarely seen but terrifying thing for Scots.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 03, 2021, 06:17:15 AM
Quote from: HVC on June 02, 2021, 01:03:22 PM
i don't think i ever imagined what a pedophile Scottish sun would look like, but by god they nailed it.

:lmfao:

I've been debating what team to start my next FM run. Think I'm gonna go with Patrick Thistle
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on June 04, 2021, 06:32:52 AM
The Austrian team with the Austrian president, chancellor, and vice chancellor:

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E3CPOoaXoAIVJn4?format=jpg&name=medium)

(This seems to be the only photo of the event without masks)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 06, 2021, 11:37:40 PM
The most Concacaf game ever just ended in US victory over Mexico in extra time.

Constant fighting.
Homophobic chants.
GK injury.
Red card for coach.
Shocking refereeing.
Bad penalty given.
Second bad penalty given.
Saved penalty.
Players being pelted with projectiles from the fans.
Pitch invaders.
10 minutes of stoppage time.

A true classic.  :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 18, 2021, 06:57:01 PM
Working out how I can watch Serie B in the UK to see Buffon leading Parma hopefully back to Serie A :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on June 23, 2021, 03:01:23 AM
Well... this is super random.

(https://forumcontent.paradoxplaza.com/public/720963/662x372a_20173414paradox-2.jpg)

Fredrik has bought shares in Gimnàstic (a third-tier Spanish club) and Paradox will sponsor their training shirts.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Richard Hakluyt on June 23, 2021, 03:09:22 AM
I suppose it is just a few miles down the road from their Med studio.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 23, 2021, 03:09:31 AM
:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 23, 2021, 03:10:06 AM
Your life is reaching singularity Celery.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 25, 2021, 06:11:30 AM
The Spurs, Everton, Crystal Palace search for a manager is the biggest game of "hold my beer" I've ever seen :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on June 25, 2021, 09:32:11 AM
They're not making good choices, then?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 25, 2021, 04:59:49 PM
Quote from: Jacob on June 25, 2021, 09:32:11 AM
They're not making good choices, then?
Not even bad choices - yet.

From an Everton perspective it's like the board is leaking ever less popular options - gauging fan reaction and then choosing the worst. So we've had suggestions of getting back with Moyes or Roberto Martinez, then we had links with Graham Potter (which would be my choice) before swerving into Nuno Espirito Santos. He wasn't universally popular but I think most people had reconciled themselves to it before, at the last minute, apparently deciding to go with Raphael Benitez - the mere rumour of which has already caused protest banners and grafitti at Goodison :lol: :weep: :bleeding:

Similarly Spurs started off being interested in Ten Haag who then extended his contract with Ajax. Apparently Poch was keen to come back but then PSG made it clear they'd require a huge pay-out. But either of those options excited people - then they moved on so Spurs also turned to Graham Potter before one day of links with Gattuso (as TV writer Joe Barton described him: "violent Serie A headbutt gnome") which caused lots of fan unrest on social media. So they've now turned to Nuno Espirito Santos causing the number one trend in the UK at one point to be #notonuno :lol:

Meanwhile Palace are trying to replace Roy Hodgson. They were absolutely thrilled to be really close to getting Nuno Espirito Santo - until he pulled out for talks with Everton. But they moved on and were again, absolutely, thrilled to get Lucien Favre - until he decided he needed a longer break from football. The day after he told Palace this they received news that his work permit had been approved :lol: :weep:

It's just been incredible. Spurs and Everton appear to be in chaos, dismaying their fans more and more with each decision they make - while Palace are apparently making really good decisions that get their fans really excited only for them to collapse at the last minute in really unfortunate ways. It's been kind of crazy watching it all develop.

In part it's possibly because there's just not many good/exciting managers out there at the minute - and I sympathise with Everton who were let down by Ancelotti. But Spurs fired Mourinho in April and Hodgson announced he'd be retiring in May - so I feel like they should have planned ahead a little more than this shambles.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 25, 2021, 07:26:34 PM
I can't even imagine Rafa at Everton  :lol: :lol:

Would you take Arteta?  :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 26, 2021, 07:57:08 PM
I would love Arteta :wub:

But that's because Arteta is probably one of my favourite Everton players and I actually before we got Ancelotti really hoped he'd come here :ph34r:

We do not have the players to do what he wants to do though. God help the next manager who tries to introduce Gylfi to the concept of pressing. Or running. But I think there'd be a bit of patience for him because he's still very popular - and part of Everton folklore because we sold him on the last day of the window for £15 million and didn't bring anyone in so any time there's a controversy about transfers you'll hear someone in Goodison shouting "WHERE'S THE ARTETA MONEY, BILL?" :lol:

Plus I think the mood I am sensing is very much a year zero approach. The only person who wants to short-cut their way to success by spaffing cash on players from bigger clubs and looking for a manager like Rafa :weep: :bleeding:

And on Rafa - I just can't see a scenario where it goes well. There are already more banners at Goodison over this and the fans will have zero patience with him so I think unless we win every game for the first couple of months people won't get behind him and the atmosphere will be toxic: Allardyce and late-era Martinez toxic. It'll take a loss of form in one (1) game before I think there'll be chants against him and protests. But I think even if he does well it's likely that lots of fans will credit the players and give him nothing.

I wouldn't be surprised if there's protests against the owner before this season's finished (unless we win a trophy :lol:) and it feels like billionaires don't like being challenged and I worry we'll go the way of Villa (optimistically) or Sunderland (less optimistically). Except we're massively in debt (to him) with a large expensive stadium project on the horizon so nothing could possibly go wrong if our billionaire owner turns against us :ph34r:

Also weird is that apparently Usmanov is deciding/very strongly advising on who takes over. I know that him and Moshiri are close but technically he's only a sponsor and I wonder if the rumours that Moshiri's just a front for him are true :hmm:

Edit: And another thing - at this point I feel like Rafa must have some weird kink for highly unpleasant work environments because except for China, all of his recent jobs have either involved significant fan opposition (Everton, Chelsea, Madrid) or difficult owners (Newcastle, Inter, Napoli). Why do you keep doing this? :blink:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 26, 2021, 09:17:52 PM
I'm not clued in on the ownership structure at Everton, but can the club "splash the cash" every season? Obviously not Man City/United/Chelsea levels but Everton is not a poor club, right? Because any manager is going to ask for decent funds to bring in their players, which is exactly what Arteta (and Edu to am extent) is doing at Arsenal right now.

There's a lot of questioning amongst Arsenal fans I've seen on the internet about Arsenal's recruitment strategy, since a number of links have gone quiet (Neves, Onana) or Arsenal got beaten to (Buendía). Now with Ben White, fans are asking why spend 50m on a defender when Saliba looked impressive enough on loan at Nice. So I guess what I'm saying is, Arteta is trying to build something but no one is quite sure what it is yet, and spending 50m on a CB when midfield is woefully lacking right now seems kinda dumb. And Arsenal, while rich, don't have infinite money like United or Chelsea. Arsenal might spend 100m this entire window while City buy Kane and Grealish for 100m each  :lol:

I remember Usmanov trying to buy Kroenke out of his shares of Arsenal years ago. I guess he's turning Everton into his thing now?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 27, 2021, 10:11:46 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on June 26, 2021, 09:17:52 PM
I'm not clued in on the ownership structure at Everton, but can the club "splash the cash" every season? Obviously not Man City/United/Chelsea levels but Everton is not a poor club, right? Because any manager is going to ask for decent funds to bring in their players, which is exactly what Arteta (and Edu to am extent) is doing at Arsenal right now.
I think we are at the edges of financial fair play - but I think the view of the owner now after stuff with Man City is that FFP is meaningless. But he has spent £500 million in the last 5 years or so - and not improved the team :bleeding: But he has definitely backed all of the managers he's hired - Koeman, Allardyce, Silva and Ancelotti. He'll back whoever comes in. The issue is all of those managers are trying to do a different thing so the players are bought for different types and it just keeps getting more dysfunctional like a Frankenstein's squad.

QuoteThere's a lot of questioning amongst Arsenal fans I've seen on the internet about Arsenal's recruitment strategy, since a number of links have gone quiet (Neves, Onana) or Arsenal got beaten to (Buendía). Now with Ben White, fans are asking why spend 50m on a defender when Saliba looked impressive enough on loan at Nice. So I guess what I'm saying is, Arteta is trying to build something but no one is quite sure what it is yet, and spending 50m on a CB when midfield is woefully lacking right now seems kinda dumb. And Arsenal, while rich, don't have infinite money like United or Chelsea. Arsenal might spend 100m this entire window while City buy Kane and Grealish for 100m each  :lol:
Well, quite. City are other level with cash - I read that they're motivated to get those two because of a "middling season". They won the League and the League Cup, were semi-finalists for the FA Cup and runners up for the Champions League :blink: :lol:

I listen to the David Ornstein podcast and don't fully understand what's going on at Arsenal ever. I'm still baffled by that head of recruitment who was fired very quickly and so abruptly that it makes me suspect he must have had his had in the till.

QuoteI remember Usmanov trying to buy Kroenke out of his shares of Arsenal years ago. I guess he's turning Everton into his thing now?
Yeah so Moshiri and Usmanov collectively owned that 30% stake in Arsenal. Moshiri then bought Everton. There's been loads of rumours about Usmanov's involvement, but he's never formally bought any shares - he's not formally involved with the club. But he basically gives Everton lots of money through sponsorship - I think he sponsors the training ground and has bought an option on naming the new stadium etc.

What's got slightly weird this time is apparently he has been involved in appointing a new manager and the reason Moshiri is so keen on Benitez is because Usmanov backs him (after getting a very good reference from Abramovich).

But basically there are a lot of decisions makers at Everton with different styles/agendas - I think most fans back Marcel Brands the director of football because he appears to know about football. But Moshiri pays the bills - so makes the decisions he wants but he is known to really like talking to agents etc so I'm not convinced he's actually good at making footballing decisions based on the last 5 years :bleeding:

Weirdly I suspect Arsenal may have dodged a bullet with avoiding them taking over :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on June 28, 2021, 06:50:11 AM
If it makes you feel more at peace about Ancelotti, Sheilbh, the Spanish tax office has just released their yearly "people that owe the most taxes" list and Ancelotti makes it to the tune of €1.4 million.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 28, 2021, 08:47:11 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on June 27, 2021, 10:11:46 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on June 26, 2021, 09:17:52 PM
I'm not clued in on the ownership structure at Everton, but can the club "splash the cash" every season? Obviously not Man City/United/Chelsea levels but Everton is not a poor club, right? Because any manager is going to ask for decent funds to bring in their players, which is exactly what Arteta (and Edu to am extent) is doing at Arsenal right now.
I think we are at the edges of financial fair play - but I think the view of the owner now after stuff with Man City is that FFP is meaningless. But he has spent £500 million in the last 5 years or so - and not improved the team :bleeding: But he has definitely backed all of the managers he's hired - Koeman, Allardyce, Silva and Ancelotti. He'll back whoever comes in. The issue is all of those managers are trying to do a different thing so the players are bought for different types and it just keeps getting more dysfunctional like a Frankenstein's squad.

QuoteThere's a lot of questioning amongst Arsenal fans I've seen on the internet about Arsenal's recruitment strategy, since a number of links have gone quiet (Neves, Onana) or Arsenal got beaten to (Buendía). Now with Ben White, fans are asking why spend 50m on a defender when Saliba looked impressive enough on loan at Nice. So I guess what I'm saying is, Arteta is trying to build something but no one is quite sure what it is yet, and spending 50m on a CB when midfield is woefully lacking right now seems kinda dumb. And Arsenal, while rich, don't have infinite money like United or Chelsea. Arsenal might spend 100m this entire window while City buy Kane and Grealish for 100m each  :lol:
Well, quite. City are other level with cash - I read that they're motivated to get those two because of a "middling season". They won the League and the League Cup, were semi-finalists for the FA Cup and runners up for the Champions League :blink: :lol:

I listen to the David Ornstein podcast and don't fully understand what's going on at Arsenal ever. I'm still baffled by that head of recruitment who was fired very quickly and so abruptly that it makes me suspect he must have had his had in the till.

QuoteI remember Usmanov trying to buy Kroenke out of his shares of Arsenal years ago. I guess he's turning Everton into his thing now?
Yeah so Moshiri and Usmanov collectively owned that 30% stake in Arsenal. Moshiri then bought Everton. There's been loads of rumours about Usmanov's involvement, but he's never formally bought any shares - he's not formally involved with the club. But he basically gives Everton lots of money through sponsorship - I think he sponsors the training ground and has bought an option on naming the new stadium etc.

What's got slightly weird this time is apparently he has been involved in appointing a new manager and the reason Moshiri is so keen on Benitez is because Usmanov backs him (after getting a very good reference from Abramovich).

But basically there are a lot of decisions makers at Everton with different styles/agendas - I think most fans back Marcel Brands the director of football because he appears to know about football. But Moshiri pays the bills - so makes the decisions he wants but he is known to really like talking to agents etc so I'm not convinced he's actually good at making footballing decisions based on the last 5 years :bleeding:

Weirdly I suspect Arsenal may have dodged a bullet with avoiding them taking over :ph34r:

As far as dodging a bullet, it's like Arsenal stepped out of the way of the bullet but then fell off the cliff   :lol:

As far as recruitment, Sven Mslintat is I think who you're referencing. From what I understand, he got pushed out because Raul Sanllehi was making power plays and Sven didn't want any of it. Raul was fired last season, I believe largely because of some shady dealings ("overpaying" for Pepe and Saliba, and some quick deals with his mates/agents).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 29, 2021, 04:50:39 AM
Spain has just released their call-up for the Olympics, and 6 players repeat from the Euros (Unai Simón, Pau Torres, Eric García, Pedri, Dani Olmo & Oyarzábal). Don't know if that's very wise, those players are going to start the league all knackered.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 29, 2021, 04:58:10 AM
And again - I get no one in football cares about the welfare of millionaires - but there's a World Cup in six months :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 29, 2021, 05:06:01 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on June 29, 2021, 04:58:10 AM
And again - I get no one in football cares about the welfare of millionaires - but there's a World Cup in six months :bleeding:

Yeah, moving the Euros and Olympics to 2021 because of Covid and Qatar's WC to winter because of the heat has created quite the glut of top international football competitions. Some of those players are going to end up ragged.

I wouldn't be surprised it right after the Euros Pedri and others have "injuries" and have to withdraw from the Olympic squad.  :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: clandestino on June 29, 2021, 05:09:32 AM
The wiki mentions 21 november and 18 december 2022 as the opening and final game dates. Is it outdated?

Neverthless a hectic schedule given the reduced time used to play previous (and next?) season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on June 29, 2021, 05:18:00 AM
FIFA's official website says the Tournament is in 509 days.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 29, 2021, 10:05:17 AM
Quote from: clandestino on June 29, 2021, 05:09:32 AM
The wiki mentions 21 november and 18 december 2022 as the opening and final game dates. Is it outdated?

Neverthless a hectic schedule given the reduced time used to play previous (and next?) season.
Sorry you're quite right - but yeah I'm thinking there are extra games for Champions League next season. It won't be as concertina-ed as the last season. But I just worry that there's going to be a huge amount of games for players - especially peak players - over the course of 4-5 years without anywhere near the amount of recovery that they probably need.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 29, 2021, 10:17:05 AM
Quote from: The Larch on June 29, 2021, 04:50:39 AM
Spain has just released their call-up for the Olympics, and 6 players repeat from the Euros (Unai Simón, Pau Torres, Eric García, Pedri, Dani Olmo & Oyarzábal). Don't know if that's very wise, those players are going to start the league all knackered.

One of the Portuguese U21 players, who reached the U21 Euro final just before the Euro 2020/21, played in this Euro as well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on June 30, 2021, 12:54:42 AM
Messi's contract expires today and he hasn't resigned yet  :ph34r:

Both parts have been locked in talks for weeks now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 30, 2021, 02:23:34 AM
Time for Barça to save on player wages.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: clandestino on June 30, 2021, 11:30:14 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on June 26, 2021, 07:57:08 PM
And on Rafa - I just can't see a scenario where it goes well. There are already more banners at Goodison over this and the fans will have zero patience with him so I think unless we win every game for the first couple of months people won't get behind him and the atmosphere will be toxic: Allardyce and late-era Martinez toxic. It'll take a loss of form in one (1) game before I think there'll be chants against him and protests. But I think even if he does well it's likely that lots of fans will credit the players and give him nothing.

It seems it's a done deal.

So what do you feel is the plan now? Try to best Ancelloti with the current squad plus some minor tweaks or a complete overhaul of the squad?

I'm not a huge Benitez fan but kind of warmed up to his work in his Newcastle stint (such a though job).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on June 30, 2021, 11:31:17 AM
I think Benitez will lead Everton to its manifest destiny of a glorious upper midtable finish.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 30, 2021, 11:57:34 AM
Quote from: clandestino on June 30, 2021, 11:30:14 AMIt seems it's a done deal.

So what do you feel is the plan now? Try to best Ancelloti with the current squad plus some minor tweaks or a complete overhaul of the squad?
Something between the two I think. He seems a lot like Ancelotti but instead of being universally liked by Everton fans.... :ph34r:

I imagine James Rodriguez is phoning his agent even more regularly now :lol: And there is nothing more Everton than getting a superbly gifted player, who did well for us and literally no fans ever seeing him play.

One of the big disconnects between fans and owners I think is that I think a lot of fans feel disconnected from the team and want a sense of identity again. I think they want some sense of who we are and how we play and try to build on that - which has been missing since Martinez. I think the owner wants instant success and so will keep chopping and changing his managers. He likes to make the decision on hiring managers and he will back them in the transfer market. But there is no consistency in what he wants when you look at Koeman, Silva, Allardyce, Ancelotti and Benitez. He'll players that Benitez wants - I don't know what that'll be, hopefully some pace on the wings and we've been linked to Dumfries but I don't know if that'll happen because he had a good Euros (<_<).

We don't necessarily need an overhaul, I don't think. But we need a few seasons of stability and consistency in the players that we bring in.

There's been a lot of talk this time about what manager we want. The general view, I think, was we basically want the sort of manager we got in Moyes in 2002 - someone who's up and coming and a bit of a risk, he was in the Championship. I think that's also the type of player we want. I think fans generally want people to come here with something to prove. But the owner likes "Hollywood names" and he likes chatting to agents and I worry we'll end up with more people perhaps on their way down instead :(

Although I am listening to a podcast with Jamie Carragher (who was an Everton and knows Everton very well) and it is calming me down a bit.

QuoteI'm not a huge Benitez fan but kind of warmed up to his work in his Newcastle stint (such a though job).
I'm not anti-Benitez and before Ancelotti became available I wanted him in 2019 (and I think fans would have accepted him then). He's very well-liked as a man in Liverpool by all sides because he does a lot of charity work, is very involved with the Hillsborough families etc which everyone in Liverpool supports.

But his past means he'll have very little space and I think Goodison will turn very quickly. And I think I'm not disappointed by Benitez (I'm not convinced he's still a great manager - I'm not sure he's done enough in the last decade to indicate that) as much as already resigned/feeling like I know how this will end: a run of bad form, increasingly hostile and restive Goodison (plus Liverpool fans winding up Everton fans at home), players downing tools and then we're back into the same nonsense as the last month.

If it wasn't for the Liverpool past - if this was a blind CV it would make a lot of sense. But it's not and that means he's got very little space for anything but winning.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 30, 2021, 11:58:01 AM
Quote from: celedhring on June 30, 2021, 11:31:17 AM
I think Benitez will lead Everton to its manifest destiny of a glorious upper midtable finish.
:lol: We will return to 7th place!

Edit: Oh and thoughts and prayers to the people managing the club's social media accounts right now :ph34r: :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on June 30, 2021, 12:07:33 PM
I think he did really well at Newcastle, to be frank. He's not spectacular but his teams always seems to deliver. But it's true that he needs time (which he might not get) because he's very tactically demanding.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 30, 2021, 12:11:41 PM
The counter is that his record at Newcastle is basically the same as two seasons of Steve Bruce which isn't a wild success. And particularly in the last season that's an achievement because Newcastle were particularly badly hit by covid.

I think the other side of that is that Ashley spent more money in the last couple of seasons, but I'm not sure.

The derby is going to be very important. If Liverpool go up and there's Liverpool fans chanting his name - things will get moody quickly :ph34r:

Edit: And I think - as Carragher pointed out - a lot of this is particular to Benitez. He wasn't just Liverpool manager, but successful there and really loved by the fans - there is (was?) a very close bond between him and Liverpool fans. I think if we were hiring, say, Brendan Rodgers, I don't think the Liverpool connection would matter because he's not loved by Liverpool fans and wasn't that succesful.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on June 30, 2021, 12:21:50 PM
Yeah, Ashley gave Bruce much more money. It was a bit ridiculous after he was so stingy with Benítez.

But I watched a lot of NUFC under Benítez, they were a solid team. He also got himself involved a lot with the city.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: clandestino on June 30, 2021, 04:41:28 PM
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jun/30/tottenham-appoint-nuno-espirito-santo-as-manager-on-two-year-deal (https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jun/30/tottenham-appoint-nuno-espirito-santo-as-manager-on-two-year-deal)

It seems Spurs have finally signed a new manager.

I like NES, he's a beard aficionado like one should. :osama:

Seriously, not quite sure how he'll be received by the fans. Do we have someone around here?

Thinking about it, even if the fans are ok with it, not sure what kind of authority a 10th pick will have on that team. Is he the guy that is supposed to convince Kane to stay?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 01, 2021, 08:41:27 AM
From what I see they're not wildly thrilled about it - but I think a big part of that is that after about three months of searching for a new coach and being linked with everyone, they've ended up with someone who was talked as a likely candidate on day one.

I think there's also a slight question of how it matches what Levy said they were looking for. I think Levy said something like they'd be getting a coach who was going to get the "Tottenham DNA" which is, apparently, quick attacking play and bringing in sort of home-grown talent like Kane and Dele. None of which naturally matches Nuno.

Plus with Spurs and when he was linked with Everton - I think there is a fear in clubs of becoming part of a Jorge Mendes operation. I think it works for clubs at a certain level and can offer a quick route to improvement, but I think this season's transfers at Wolves especially have raised the question of whether these transfers are actually good for the clubs or just a way of keeping Mendes' assets on the move. I think that's a slight fear for Spurs - but I can't imagine Levy giving into that given his reputation on transfers.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 01, 2021, 08:55:10 AM
Sheilbh, you've never come across as a vindictive fellow, but it might please you to know that the Spanish taxman has embargoed Ancelotti's wages since he owed a lot of money from his last stint as Real Madrid manager.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 01, 2021, 08:57:45 AM
Quote from: celedhring on July 01, 2021, 08:55:10 AM
Sheilbh, you've never come across as a vindictive fellow, but it might please you to know that the Spanish taxman has embargoed Ancelotti's wages since he owed a lot of money from his last stint as Real Madrid manager.
:nelson: :blush:

This seems to happen a lot in Spain....why? :hmm:

Also I'm sure the Spanish posters will be glad to know that since the Hazard moment and the Super League - in the UK we are now aware of El Chiringuito and the bit on Messi's contract expiring has gone very viral.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 01, 2021, 09:27:44 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on July 01, 2021, 08:57:45 AM
Quote from: celedhring on July 01, 2021, 08:55:10 AM
Sheilbh, you've never come across as a vindictive fellow, but it might please you to know that the Spanish taxman has embargoed Ancelotti's wages since he owed a lot of money from his last stint as Real Madrid manager.
:nelson: :blush:

This seems to happen a lot in Spain....why? :hmm:

Also I'm sure the Spanish posters will be glad to know that since the Hazard moment and the Super League - in the UK we are now aware of El Chiringuito and the bit on Messi's contract expiring has gone very viral.

He used a tax avoidance scheme (half his wages were paid to an overseas company that then paid him) that is very common among footballers, and which the Spanish taxman declared non-kosher years ago.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: clandestino on July 01, 2021, 09:47:56 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on July 01, 2021, 08:41:27 AM
I think there's also a slight question of how it matches what Levy said they were looking for. I think Levy said something like they'd be getting a coach who was going to get the "Tottenham DNA" which is, apparently, quick attacking play and bringing in sort of home-grown talent like Kane and Dele. None of which naturally matches Nuno.

That was my exact thought in the beginning, but then I'm not sure if it's a good idea to use Wolves stats as a reference, maybe we should look to his previous stints. Valencia seems the most similar club to Spurs (strong 2nd tier club in top league), where he finished 4th (in 2014/15), managed 1,81 points per game, 1,68 goals for and 0,97 against average. Poch, the archetypal Spurs DNA manager got the roughly the same ppg in 1,84, although with better offence (1,91) and worst defence (1,10). For comparison, Mourinho at Spurs got 1,77/2,01/1,28 which seems odd and against common sense. :hmm:

About home grown talent I think he's a good choice, having given plenty of time to youngsters to play, either from the cantera or from outside. If those outside youngsters are overpriced flops...

Quote
Plus with Spurs and when he was linked with Everton - I think there is a fear in clubs of becoming part of a Jorge Mendes operation. I think it works for clubs at a certain level and can offer a quick route to improvement, but I think this season's transfers at Wolves especially have raised the question of whether these transfers are actually good for the clubs or just a way of keeping Mendes' assets on the move. I think that's a slight fear for Spurs - but I can't imagine Levy giving into that given his reputation on transfers.

Yes, this is a problem, but from what I can see from his time at Porto (where the board is similarly ruthless in transfers) Mendes didn't seem to play a great role that season. But yes, it's best to avoid the Mendes carousel (unless buying players from Sporting :P)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 01, 2021, 02:12:46 PM
Quote from: clandestino on July 01, 2021, 09:47:56 AM
That was my exact thought in the beginning, but then I'm not sure if it's a good idea to use Wolves stats as a reference, maybe we should look to his previous stints. Valencia seems the most similar club to Spurs (strong 2nd tier club in top league), where he finished 4th (in 2014/15), managed 1,81 points per game, 1,68 goals for and 0,97 against average. Poch, the archetypal Spurs DNA manager got the roughly the same ppg in 1,84, although with better offence (1,91) and worst defence (1,10). For comparison, Mourinho at Spurs got 1,77/2,01/1,28 which seems odd and against common sense. :hmm:

About home grown talent I think he's a good choice, having given plenty of time to youngsters to play, either from the cantera or from outside. If those outside youngsters are overpriced flops...
:hmm:

That's fair - and I also think there is huge recency bias in views on Nuno at Wolves. I think his first seasons in the Premier League they were excellent and enjoyable to watch - if primarily a counter-attacking team. That only stopped when the sold Jota, then had a season long injury to Jimenez etc (plus some dodgy Mendes signings) - but last season they were pretty torrid.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 02, 2021, 06:23:18 AM
Real Madrid has just poached an U-12 player from my team.  :glare: Gotta get them younger each time, I guess...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 03, 2021, 03:17:44 PM
I've only just become aware lazio and Rome share a stadium.
It's well known the Milans also do this.
Anyone know, just why is that so common in Italy?
It's only really seen in very exceptional and dire circumstances over here.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on July 03, 2021, 03:21:59 PM
Quote from: Tyr on July 03, 2021, 03:17:44 PM
I've only just become aware lazio and Rome share a stadium.
It's well known the Milans also do this.
Anyone know, just why is that so common in Italy?
It's only really seen in very exceptional and dire circumstances over here.

Genoa and Sampdoria share one too I think
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 03, 2021, 03:27:44 PM
Italian teams don't tend to own their stadiums, they're usually public, belonging to the municipality.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on July 04, 2021, 12:13:45 PM
Quote from: Liep on July 03, 2021, 03:21:59 PM
Quote from: Tyr on July 03, 2021, 03:17:44 PM
I've only just become aware lazio and Rome share a stadium.
It's well known the Milans also do this.
Anyone know, just why is that so common in Italy?
It's only really seen in very exceptional and dire circumstances over here.

Genoa and Sampdoria share one too I think

As Roma has had plans for quite a while to build their own stadium and leave the old Olimpico to Lazio. New excuse for going forward is the Covid crisis.
So far, only Juventus got its own stadium, leaving the old one to Torino.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 05, 2021, 11:19:58 AM
I recall Languish being a fan of roster unveiling videos. Here's Germany for the Olympics:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxlitKZAaYk&ab_channel=GermanFootball

No Karl-Heinz Schneider  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 05, 2021, 12:32:10 PM
Love that :lol:

Not football specific - but I am a big fan of the BBC ad for the Olympics :blush:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qrym1Lk3c1Q
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 06, 2021, 12:56:54 PM
Cel - reading the chaos of Barca's finances.

The comparison being made in England is Leeds - are things really that bad? :o :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 06, 2021, 01:09:00 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on July 06, 2021, 12:56:54 PM
Cel - reading the chaos of Barca's finances.

The comparison being made in England is Leeds - are things really that bad? :o :ph34r:

I feel like Leeds has become the lazy go-to English journo comparison whenever a club is in financial dire straits.

It's bad, but not "get relegated and effectively disappear from football for two decades" bad. Worst case scenario right now is that we spend a few years struggling to remain in the Spanish Top 4.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 06, 2021, 01:15:42 PM
Okay - and the Leeds thing in this case was actually one of those shaking hands memes. Leeds and Barcelona: one man from Rosario away from disaster :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 06, 2021, 01:19:49 PM
Right now the issue is that with our depressed revenue we're wildly over La Liga's wage cap. This means that without getting rid of several high earners (which we should do anyway) we can't resign Messi. And make no mistake, without Messi this team doesn't finish in the top 4 this past season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 06, 2021, 02:28:03 PM
Did they make any adjustments for covid?

There are allegedly regulations like FFP in English football tied to commercial revenue but I think all of them have been suspended during covid. But lower down the leagues there are fixed caps and I think they are also frozen through covid so none of them look anything like sustainable now, but (in theory) covid is temporary...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: clandestino on July 07, 2021, 11:49:35 AM
It seems that the president of Benfica was arrested today along with his son and a couple of friends/"businessmen".

A happy day at Duque's home for sure.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 07, 2021, 12:38:10 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on July 06, 2021, 02:28:03 PM
Did they make any adjustments for covid?

There are allegedly regulations like FFP in English football tied to commercial revenue but I think all of them have been suspended during covid. But lower down the leagues there are fixed caps and I think they are also frozen through covid so none of them look anything like sustainable now, but (in theory) covid is temporary...

No, they didn't. That's what prompted a lot of clubs (Barça included) to defer salaries (which will be an issue in the upcoming seasons).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: clandestino on July 08, 2021, 03:40:30 AM
QuoteBenfica ‘boss’ Luís Filipe Vieira arrested in massive swoop on homes, businesses, banking and law offices
By Natasha Donn -7th July 2021

Benfica president Luís Filipe Vieira was arrested today as part of an investigation into suspicions of fraud, abuse of trust and money laundering.

He is being held overnight at the PSP police station in Moscavide (Lisbon), to be presented before judge Carlos Alexandre tomorrow (Thursday) morning.

Also arrested with him were Tiago Vieira (his son), sports promoter Bruno Macedo and multimillionaire Benfica shareholder José dos Santos – popularly known as “Rei dos Frangos” (The Chicken King).

Say reports, the arrests came as Public Ministry investigators and tax inspectors led multiple searches related to the purchase of shares in Benfica “and other financial operations”.

A communiqué issued by DCIAP (the department of criminal investigation and penal action) has said the case centres on business and finance totalling in excess of €100 million “which may have resulted in elevated losses for the State and some companies”.

The case focuses on activities “from 2014 to the present day”.

In all 45 search warrants were exercised in Lisbon, Torres Vedras and Braga.

Premises searched included a banking institution (Novo Banco), law offices, various companies and homes.

According to Jornal de Notícias the Public Ministry has insisted on Mr Vieira being held in preventive custody, and is seeking that he remains so on the basis that he could pose a flight risk and compromise evidence.

Says the paper, the inquiry is covered by Portugal’s Secrecy of Justice rule.

So, a little more information about yesterday's breaking news.

I always believed that football club presidents would only be arrested once they left the club. They seemed even more protected than politicians so this come as a shock.

I don't believe anyone, even die-hard supporters, are surprised about the allegations being made.

Regarding this thread, the most interesting thing is how the club will react to this situation, Vieira is a very hands-on administrator and he has been the president for almost 20 years now. Last year results were not great (3rd place after a huge investment) and I'll be surprised if no one will appear trying to take the presidency from him sooner rather than later. Not sure how supporters will react since he won last year elections with 2/3 of the votes.

Turmoil ahead it seems.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 08, 2021, 04:05:09 AM
I'm curious about why that dos Santos guy is called "Rei dos frangos".  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: clandestino on July 08, 2021, 04:14:07 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 08, 2021, 04:05:09 AM
I'm curious about why that dos Santos guy is called "Rei dos frangos".  :lol:

He should have an empire of either chicken meat facilities or churrasqueiras (chicken barbecue shops). Let me check.

Ok, it seems it's the former or some other agro business.

And it seems there's a barbecue chain called also Rei dos Frangos (like predicted) and are having some problems. :lol:

Article bellow in Portuguese:

QuoteApós a detenção de Luís Filipe Vieira e José dos Santos, conhecido como o "rei dos frangos", a empresa Churrasqueiras Rei dos Frangos, Lda, com sede em Leiria, veio a público demarcar-se do caso.

Num comunicado publicado no seu site, a empresa viu-se obrigada a esclarecer que nenhuma das lojas - há 19 em Portugal - nem a sede foi alvo de buscas e que não está relacionada "com o Sr. Luís Filipe Vieira ou com qualquer uma das empresas que dá origem às diversas peças jornalísticas".

A empresa afirma ainda que um dos gerentes chama-se João Carlos Paiva Santos, mas não está relacionada com as pessoas sob investigação pelo Ministério Público. "Entre João e José vai todo um nome diferente, que deveria servir para inúmeras peças jornalísticas o conseguirem discernir, mas inúmeras vezes deixaram de o fazer", lê-se na nota.

"O indivíduo José António dos Santos (...) nunca é tratado pelo nome nem pelas empresas que gere, mas por uma metáfora bem mais curta e elegante, o "rei dos frangos". E é aqui que, infelizmente, somos chamados «à baila»". Hoje, temos clientes, fornecedores e amigos a perguntar, a ligar e a comentar consecutivamente, sem já conseguirem distinguir uma metáfora demasiadamente disseminada, estupefactos sobre o que (não) está a acontecer", continua a nota.

A empresa sublinha ainda que "é de assar frango que nós percebemos, de ações e SADs... nem tanto" e termina o comunicado com uma nota final: "Os nossos gerentes até são simpatizantes do Sporting!".

O empresário José dos Santos, conhecido por "rei dos frangos", ganhou esta alcunha que liderar o grupo Valouro, que detém várias empresas relacionadas com a produção de aves, como a Avibom, Kilom e Rações Valouro.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 08, 2021, 05:09:25 AM
I could swear there's a chicken joint with that name in almost every Portuguese city, town and village, that's why I was wondering. Now I see there's even a restaurant chain with that name.  :lol:

(https://www.franchisings.pt/images/reidosfrangos01.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on July 08, 2021, 07:46:38 AM
Quote from: clandestino on July 07, 2021, 11:49:35 AM
It seems that the president of Benfica was arrested today along with his son and a couple of friends/"businessmen".

A happy day at Duque's home for sure.

Well, let's just say it partially mitigates a sad day since England is diving home.  :P

FYI, for the non-lusophones who like to misconstrue, "frangos" also means flukes in Portuguese, specially in football.  :P King of Flukes may be too hard to resist.
As for Luis Filipe Vieira a.k.a Tyre Kadhaffi or less charitably Dumbo, he is involved in the Banco Espírito Santo scandal, through firms he funded and/or managed.
Secondary figure, compared to Ricardo Salgado former BES CeO, but that is just an example of bad debts the bank had collected, among money laundering and corruption practices which led to to the split of the bank with one of the two structures just for "toxic" assets.

This ended in a costly bailout by the Bank of Portugal, i.e 4.4 billion €.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 09, 2021, 07:22:42 PM
Just reading about the chaos of the French TV deal and the issue that's causing Ligue 1 clubs (with an obvious exception). It's really grim :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on July 09, 2021, 07:29:05 PM
Ligue 1 had it coming with the ludicrous deal they made with Jaume Roure's Mediapro (Spanish-Chinese), which had earlier been rejected by the Italians in a comparable deal. It was way too much, leaving their historical partner Canal + (pay TV) and even BeIn in the cold.

Nobody expected the pandemic obviously.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 09, 2021, 07:34:20 PM
Yeah - the fact that Serie A looked at the same deal and rejected it because it didn't look right does make you think they maybe should have looked a little harder at the numbers etc.

It reminds me of the time that my football club were apparently in negotiations with a very wealthy Singaporean businessman and then on due diligence discovered he was a student living in a flat in Manchester :lol: :weep: It got embarrassingly far before anyone realised.

Edit: But still - from what I've read it's looking like their TV money will be 1/3 of what they'd agreed with Mediapro - plus the impact of covid. Together that is just catastrophic for the league and, I imagine, most clubs will really struggle.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on July 09, 2021, 07:40:34 PM
No question about that. It was oversold and now it's firesale prices. It's not as if things were perfect before. And still no live audiences in the near future. Ticketing was not as big as in other comparable countries, but it will still hurt.

:lol: for the student living in a Mancunian flat about to buy the club of his dreams, obviously.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 09, 2021, 07:45:33 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on July 09, 2021, 07:34:20 PMEdit: But still - from what I've read it's looking like their TV money will be 1/3 of what they'd agreed with Mediapro - plus the impact of covid. Together that is just catastrophic for the league and, I imagine, most clubs will really struggle.

In fact Girondins Bordeaux entered administration at the end of the season because of this.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on July 09, 2021, 08:31:34 PM
La Liga has a new broadcasting partner in Canada. ESPN's Canadian adventure TSN/RDS.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on July 09, 2021, 09:33:25 PM
Speaking of Canada I never got to congratulate your national team on its thorough annihilation of all comers in 2022 Qualifiers so far. 6 wins in 6 matches with an aggregate of 31 goals to 1.

Well done. The United States will welcome you warmly in September.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on July 10, 2021, 02:04:03 AM
This Euro has really re-ignited my passion for football. I was traditionally a Marseille fan but Ligue 1 has become too disjointed.

Would you folks say that the EPL is the most balanced of the European Leagues?

Who should I follow? I've always been partial to Tottenham.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on July 10, 2021, 03:48:29 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on July 10, 2021, 02:04:03 AM
Who should I follow? I've always been partial to Tottenham.

Tottenham is a good choice, I've also had a soft spot for them ever since Allan Nielsen played there in the 90's.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on July 10, 2021, 06:59:03 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on July 10, 2021, 02:04:03 AM
This Euro has really re-ignited my passion for football. I was traditionally a Marseille fan but Ligue 1 has become too disjointed.

Would you folks say that the EPL is the most balanced of the European Leagues?

Who should I follow? I've always been partial to Tottenham.

Tottenham are lame. Chelsea, on the other hand, are full of young players, play attractive football, with a great nerd-ish manager. They are at the beginnings of a great generation for the team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on July 10, 2021, 07:50:43 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 09, 2021, 07:45:33 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on July 09, 2021, 07:34:20 PMEdit: But still - from what I've read it's looking like their TV money will be 1/3 of what they'd agreed with Mediapro - plus the impact of covid. Together that is just catastrophic for the league and, I imagine, most clubs will really struggle.

In fact Girondins Bordeaux entered administration at the end of the season because of this.

Girondins de Bordeaux were already pretty much mismanaged by a US hedge/investment fund looking for a quick buck (?!) before that, the Mediapro deal was the icing on the cake or the last nail on the coffin, depending on your viewpoint.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 10, 2021, 08:05:37 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on July 10, 2021, 02:04:03 AM
This Euro has really re-ignited my passion for football. I was traditionally a Marseille fan but Ligue 1 has become too disjointed.

Would you folks say that the EPL is the most balanced of the European Leagues?

Who should I follow? I've always been partial to Tottenham.
Lloris?

I think Tottenham are a good side to support if you're happy with not winning anything but doing pretty well so getting regular European football. After a long time when they flattered to deceive they were actually brilliant under Poch - and not under Mourinho. Not sure what they'll be like under Nuno, but I still think they have the players to be fun.

All of the other big-ish sides are problematic in some way or other and I wouldn't wish the misery of mid-table achieving nothing on anyone - except, maybe, Leeds.

Historically the nastiest and probably most hated team in England but after a long time away from the top they're now back under Bielsa who seems to have formed quite a tight bond with the club, fans, community - I think he did similar at Marweille and there were boardroom issues? They are the most fun team in the league to watch and if you can only watch one game at the weekend, it should be Leeds. Just constant running and pressing and energy and managed chaos - the game against City was exhausting. They might achieve something again like getting into Europe or winning a cup, they probably won't given the power of money - but at the minute they're incredibly fun to watch.

Everyone I know who supports a team hates Leeds as a club, but sort of shamefacedly we all love watching this Leeds and admit it like it's a support group :lol: :blush:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 10, 2021, 08:12:51 AM
Don't choose Tottenham :bleeding: :bleeding:

I'm an Arsenal fan btw  :P

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 10, 2021, 08:14:40 AM
A propos of nothing - I cannot wait for the Arsenal All or Nothing they've announced :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 10, 2021, 08:25:09 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on July 10, 2021, 08:14:40 AM
A propos of nothing - I cannot wait for the Arsenal All or Nothing they've announced :lol:

Neither can I  :D

The club has been run so terribly for the last few years I'm wondering if we'll see any of that in the documentary. I haven't watched the previous episodes so I'm unsure how revealing it will end up.

Fully expecting something like this happening though: https://twitter.com/MichaelKeshani/status/1413435488468443138?s=20
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on July 11, 2021, 05:58:02 PM
I'm hoping one of our resident TSN watchers can help me out here....

I subscribed to TSN direct to watch the Euros and I'm thinking of keeping it to keep watching soccer. But I can't seem to find a good overview of what they actually show. Is there a good list or schedule of the games they show? Do they have any programming where they do highlights from specific leagues (and what are they, and where do I find it)?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 11, 2021, 06:27:42 PM
Quote from: Jacob on July 11, 2021, 05:58:02 PM
I'm hoping one of our resident TSN watchers can help me out here....

I subscribed to TSN direct to watch the Euros and I'm thinking of keeping it to keep watching soccer. But I can't seem to find a good overview of what they actually show. Is there a good list or schedule of the games they show? Do they have any programming where they do highlights from specific leagues (and what are they, and where do I find it)?

If you're talking football.. as GF said they just bought the rights to La Liga. And they show MLS. Unfortunately that's it. However they have the FIFA World Cup next year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on July 11, 2021, 07:21:24 PM
Thanks.

La Liga = Spain, right?

Whose got the rights for the English, German, and Italian top tiers (I know no one is going to stream the Danish top tier :lol: )?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 12, 2021, 07:36:24 AM
Quote from: Jacob on July 11, 2021, 07:21:24 PM
Thanks.

La Liga = Spain, right?

Whose got the rights for the English, German, and Italian top tiers (I know no one is going to stream the Danish top tier :lol: )?

Yes, La Liga is Spain.

English league is DAZN, a streaming service. they also have Champions League.

German is on Sportsnet.

Italian is DAZN. But Telelatino (TLN) is carrying that too.

Sorry, no Danish.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on July 12, 2021, 08:15:49 AM
Quote from: Jacob on July 11, 2021, 07:21:24 PM
Whose got the rights for the English, German, and Italian top tiers (I know no one is going to stream the Danish top tier :lol: )?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Danish_Superliga_broadcasters (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Danish_Superliga_broadcasters)

There is a broadcaster mentioned for the US (close but not good enough).

QuoteAll games can be watched internationally on Bet365 betting platform.

Source needs to be checked, sounds too good to be true.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on July 12, 2021, 10:16:22 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on July 12, 2021, 08:15:49 AM
Source needs to be checked, sounds too good to be true.

Yeah, found that too... and yes, it does sound too good to be true. But I'll probably still try it out.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 12, 2021, 10:41:51 AM
I think they offer it for any league anywhere in the world but I assume it's if you've made a bet on that game :hmm:

I've certainly heard adverts for it on podcasts.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on July 12, 2021, 10:56:18 AM
Quote from: Valmy on July 09, 2021, 09:33:25 PM
Speaking of Canada I never got to congratulate your national team on its thorough annihilation of all comers in 2022 Qualifiers so far. 6 wins in 6 matches with an aggregate of 31 goals to 1.

Well done. The United States will welcome you warmly in September.

Yeah it's kind of cool.  The furthest the Canadian Men have made it in decades (should note the Canadian women kick ass in soccer).  But qualifying will still be tough since only 3 (or 4) CONCACAF teams can make it, and surely Mexico and the US will be two of those spots.  So we're left fighting off Honduras, El Salvador, Cosa Rica et al.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 12, 2021, 10:59:02 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on July 12, 2021, 10:41:51 AM
I think they offer it for any league anywhere in the world but I assume it's if you've made a bet on that game :hmm:

I've certainly heard adverts for it on podcasts.
So pay £1 to watch any game?

That does sound suspect though may need exploiting if so.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on July 12, 2021, 11:06:39 AM
Quote from: Barrister on July 12, 2021, 10:56:18 AM
and surely Mexico and the US will be two of those spots.

Well the last two rounds of WC qualifiers have been adventures for both of us :lol: We'll see.

QuoteThe furthest the Canadian Men have made it in decades (should note the Canadian women kick ass in soccer).

Both the US and Canada can take a lot of pride in our commitment to women's physical education both in High School and University...at least in the last 50 years or so anyway. It really pays off in these international competitions.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on July 12, 2021, 11:38:01 AM
Quote from: Valmy on July 12, 2021, 11:06:39 AM
Quote from: Barrister on July 12, 2021, 10:56:18 AM
and surely Mexico and the US will be two of those spots.

Well the last two rounds of WC qualifiers have been adventures for both of us :lol: We'll see.

QuoteThe furthest the Canadian Men have made it in decades (should note the Canadian women kick ass in soccer).

Both the US and Canada can take a lot of pride in our commitment to women's physical education both in High School and University...at least in the last 50 years or so anyway. It really pays off in these international competitions.

Don't be modest - now that the qualifiers really matter I can't imagine the US (and Mexico) bringing anything less than their A game.

And yes - while there's plenty to fault our countries about, sometimes it's nice to recognize just how far we've come in terms of women's equality.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 17, 2021, 01:44:27 AM
So... the current big football news in Spain are a bunch of leaked audios from 10+ years ago where Florentino Pérez *colorfully* disparages then-Real Madrid players, media, and everything under the sun. :lol: He talks like a schmo in a pub in them, which kinda goes against his carefully cultivated image as a serious businessman, and given that he's obsessed by the media perception of him, he's probably taking it pretty badly.

Rumor is that this leaking is a reprisal for the Superleague business.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on July 17, 2021, 06:47:18 AM
No insults against Zidane yet? Disappointed.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 17, 2021, 08:40:45 AM
Quote from: celedhring on July 17, 2021, 01:44:27 AM
So... the current big football news in Spain are a bunch of leaked audios from 10+ years ago where Florentino Pérez *colorfully* disparages then-Real Madrid players, media, and everything under the sun. :lol: He talks like a schmo in a pub in them, which kinda goes against his carefully cultivated image as a serious businessman, and given that he's obsessed by the media perception of him, he's probably taking it pretty badly.

Rumor is that this leaking is a reprisal for the Superleague business.
I am vicariously furious over what he said about Raul :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 20, 2021, 05:14:38 PM
QuoteEverton footballer arrested on suspicion of child sex offences and is suspended by club
Everton released a statement on Monday night confirming they will assist the police with any enquiries following the suspension of their player

An Everton footballer has been arrested on suspicion of committing child sex offences and released on bail pending further investigation.

The player had his home raided by police and was arrested on Friday.

Everton released an official statement on Monday evening confirming they had suspended a footballer and will assist the police with any enquiries.

The statement on the club's official site read: "Everton can confirm it has suspended a player pending a police investigation.

"The Club will continue to support the authorities with their inquiries and will not be making any further statement at this time."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 21, 2021, 02:24:20 AM
Only a matter of time to before he is named. When I read about this it gave zero details other than greater Manchester police arresting.
Glad they're doing a bit better keeping things under wraps than usual.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on July 21, 2021, 03:41:36 AM
Quote from: Tyr on July 21, 2021, 02:24:20 AM
Only a matter of time to before he is named. When I read about this it gave zero details other than greater Manchester police arresting.
Glad they're doing a bit better keeping things under wraps than usual.

Not really. Everton suspending Sigurdsson has rather given the game away.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 21, 2021, 03:59:40 AM
Yeah and the rumours were already out on Friday night.

Everton only have two 31 year old players. One was playing in a friendly on Saturday, the other wasn't in the squad.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 21, 2021, 04:03:46 AM
I'm not an Everton fan and this is genuinely the first I've heard of it being him.
I remember back when it was Johnson it was all over the mainstream press from the off.
Ultimately he was guilty so no foul, but if he had been innocent....
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 21, 2021, 04:13:06 AM
Yeah. I think police forces have probably learned from the Cliff Richards case.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on July 21, 2021, 08:25:41 AM
Quote from: Tyr on July 21, 2021, 02:24:20 AM
Only a matter of time to before he is named. When I read about this it gave zero details other than greater Manchester police arresting.
Glad they're doing a bit better keeping things under wraps than usual.

Well, the web-page I looked at first when I saw the story on the red-button text last night didn't mention him by name in its reporting.

It's a shame his name was in the URL for the page though so it didn't exactly take me long to work out who it was.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 21, 2021, 08:29:35 AM
And of course the Sun has been particularly shitty.

There are legal restrictions which mean he can't be named (in the UK). Everton only have two 31 year old players - Fabian Delph and Gylfi Sigurdsson.

So the Sun ran a story getting outrated about Delph being falsely named online (naming Sigurdsson by a very simple process of elimination - and they had a go at Everton saying that Delph was getting unfair abuse online because Everton hadn't named the player (which they legally can't) <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on July 21, 2021, 08:52:27 AM
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E6zXYJ-XMAAJpE8?format=jpg&name=900x900)

Front page and with a picture as well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 21, 2021, 08:55:02 AM
Interesting they've got the word SEX next to Davina striking a pose.

The Sun is still banned in Liverpool?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 21, 2021, 08:58:29 AM
Yeah. No one buys it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 27, 2021, 01:31:06 PM
Varane to Man United confirmed. I really wonder what Real Madrid's defence is going to look like next year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on July 27, 2021, 01:40:24 PM
The best defense is a good offense.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on August 03, 2021, 12:39:33 PM
So this happened this weekend: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpPazeqrD8U

Hail to the champions!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 03, 2021, 12:51:38 PM
Heh, running tournaments simultaneously to the Olympics. Mexico lost the semifinal today on pens.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on August 03, 2021, 01:03:42 PM
Quote from: celedhring on August 03, 2021, 12:51:38 PM
Heh, running tournaments simultaneously to the Olympics. Mexico lost the semifinal today on pens.

Can't keep delaying everything. Especially for the Gold Cup and a Asia base Olympic.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 03, 2021, 01:15:20 PM
They should have run it in parallel with the Euros and Copa America. That would've been kinda fun.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: garbon on August 03, 2021, 01:30:28 PM
Quote from: Tyr on July 21, 2021, 08:55:02 AM
Interesting they've got the word SEX next to Davina striking a pose.

The Sun is still banned in Liverpool?

Is that what they think about Davina? Sex?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 03, 2021, 02:42:51 PM
Quote from: Valmy on August 03, 2021, 12:39:33 PM
So this happened this weekend: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpPazeqrD8U

Hail to the champions!

It's odd to see the Men's side actually win things (Gold Cup, Nation's League) while the Women's side is losing its steam, losing in the semifinal at the Olympics.

Of course the men's junior team didn't even qualify for the Olympics  :lol: but the point is, one cycle is building up while the other is winding down.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 05, 2021, 01:02:04 PM
Messi's leaving  :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 05, 2021, 04:07:42 PM
Quote from: celedhring on August 05, 2021, 01:02:04 PM
Messi's leaving  :cry:

:console:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on August 05, 2021, 05:22:17 PM
Quote from: celedhring on August 05, 2021, 01:02:04 PM
Messi's leaving  :cry:

You should try to get Ronaldo :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on August 05, 2021, 05:25:08 PM
Get his non-union Mexican equivalent!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 06, 2021, 03:42:05 AM
Quote from: celedhring on August 05, 2021, 01:02:04 PM
Messi's leaving  :cry:

It's been such a strange day yesterday. One moment they were reporting that they were really close to announcing that they'd come to an arrangement for registering him and the league announces their big deal that'd give the clubs a ton of free money to clean up house, and then they swerve and almost a month before player registration closes they announce that a deal is impossible and basically cut ties and wash their hands. I'm really curious about what Laporta will say today in his press conference.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 06, 2021, 04:50:41 AM
Well, so Laporta has spoken. Don't know if there's a point by point summary somewhere, but apparently it all boils down to:

- The club's financial situation is ruinous at the moment, due to the previous board mismanagement and living above their means for several years.
- The league's operation to give the clubs some last minute economic relief would imply a long term mortgaging of the club's income. (This would normally deserve some further clarification, but not much info has been made public about that deal)
- He does not want to keep giving false hopes and, despite all the efforts by all sides, an arrangement to fit Messi in the club's league imposed wage structure is impossible.
- Their intention was to keep Messi for a further two years and defer those payments to five years further into the future, but this was not accepted by the league.
- They regret that the league is not more flexible with the wage cap, but understand that those are the rules and they have to abide by them.

Cel, what is being reported over there? Am I missing something?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on August 06, 2021, 07:49:35 AM
So, in essence it's La Ligas fault because they won't bend enough backwards and they don't want to give Barcelona free money?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 06, 2021, 07:52:23 AM
Blaming Tebas is a tempting option indeed.  :P

Time for the QSG jokes with Messi now!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 06, 2021, 08:06:40 AM
Quote from: Threviel on August 06, 2021, 07:49:35 AM
So, in essence it's La Ligas fault because they won't bend enough backwards and they don't want to give Barcelona free money?

No, the current board blames mostly the previous board for leaving such a financial wasteland behind. The comment about the league is mostly of the "we'd wish they were more flexible, but what can you do, it's the rules" variety, and saying that the money from the deal they just reached came with too many strings attached, but they don't blame the league for Messi leaving. There's still tension between the League and the club, but it predates this situation.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 06, 2021, 08:12:02 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on August 06, 2021, 07:52:23 AM
Blaming Tebas is a tempting option indeed.  :P

Time for the QSG jokes with Messi now!

Tebas didn't waste any time in poking Laporta as soon as he finished his press conference, as apparently one of the reasons why Barcelona (and Real Madrid) dislike the League deal that had been recently announced was because it conflicted with the Super League project (that flabbergastingly has not yet been fully abandoned by RM and Barça).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 06, 2021, 08:16:35 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 06, 2021, 08:12:02 AM
Tebas didn't waste any time in poking Laporta as soon as he finished his press conference, as apparently one of the reasons why Barcelona (and Real Madrid) dislike the League deal that had been recently announced was because it conflicted with the Super League project (that flabbergastingly has not yet been fully abandoned by RM and Barça).
Their business reason to need the ESL is even more present now: they're in a difficult financial position and at the same time Man City have broken the Premier League record to sign Jack Grealish and may break it again to sign Harry Kane. That rationale for wanting a super league with lots of money for the clubs in it and really strict controls on spending is still there and getting more urgent.

I've seen tinfoil stuff in the UK about whether this is all an attempt by Barcelona to convince La Liga to drop the salary cap or fudge the rules for Barcelona or lose the biggest star. But from what you guys are saying it seems a lot more serious/real.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 06, 2021, 08:18:26 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 06, 2021, 08:16:35 AMI've seen tinfoil stuff in the UK about whether this is all an attempt by Barcelona to convince La Liga to drop the salary cap or fudge the rules for Barcelona or lose the biggest star. But from what you guys are saying it seems a lot more serious/real.

Yeah, I've seen lots of journos highlighting how this is not a power move or a negotiation tactic, but the cold, bleak reality of the horrible financial situation Barcelona is in at the moment.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on August 06, 2021, 08:59:08 AM
how'd the mess up their financial situation so bad? i thought money was rolling in for them in the last decade?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on August 06, 2021, 09:10:50 AM
Quote from: HVC on August 06, 2021, 08:59:08 AM
how'd the mess up their financial situation so bad? i thought money was rolling in for them in the last decade?

As countless countries can attest through history, there is no amount of wealth you can't burn through if you put your mind to it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 06, 2021, 10:44:24 AM
This is doing the rounds and explains some of their issues:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E8GVQpiWQAIUCCy?format=jpg&name=small)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 06, 2021, 01:47:31 PM
Could it finally see the bubble pop?
If Barcelona can get into such a financial mess... A team which is practically a money printing machine....
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 06, 2021, 02:22:03 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 06, 2021, 10:44:24 AM
This is doing the rounds and explains some of their issues:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E8GVQpiWQAIUCCy?format=jpg&name=small)

I believe those numbers have already been disputed by people in the known about these matters.

Quote from: Tyr on August 06, 2021, 01:47:31 PM
Could it finally see the bubble pop?
If Barcelona can get into such a financial mess... A team which is practically a money printing machine....

No matter how much money you make, if you spend more than that you're screwed.

IMO something good that might come from this is that the economics and accounting of football clubs are examined more critically. It has been my impression for a long time that the reporting around a football club's economy is highly fantastic (second only to Hollywood accounting, IMO) when not directly sensationalistic, due in part by the really low level of oversight that tends to go around it, and in Spain this is compounded in the traditional model of supporter-owned teams, when the external oversight is negligible and almost nobody outside the board really knows what's the real situation.

A silly example of this is something that used to happen regularly to Atlético de Madrid and had to do with how transfers were reported. Every time they bought a player from Portugal they'd make an official announcement saying that they paid, say, 15 million € for the player, and if you contrasted that with the official announcement from, say, Benfica, they'd actually file financial paperwork with the Portuguese financial regulators (because the club's shares would feature in the Portuguese stock exchange) saying that they actually got 25 million € for the same player. In the same vein, Real Madrid would usually announce record breaking earnings basically every year to their supporter-owners, with nobody doubting their official book keeping (audited by big name firms and everything), only for the club to desperately try to form the Super League because after one year of Covid related dire straits they feared for their economic survival.

I'm also reminded to a throaway line I read once about Italian football. It said that, without fail, every single season almost all Serie A teams would miss their deadlines to have their accounting ok'ed by the league. The only club that would have their books properly made and on time every year would be Juventus, and of course we all know the kind of shenanigans they were into.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 08, 2021, 04:41:20 AM
I haven't posted in this thread because I'm still mourning. Bear with me.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 08, 2021, 05:11:23 AM
Messi is doing a press conference now to say his part and apparently he's already crying before starting it.

They've set up all the silverware he's won for Barcelona and it's frankly ridiculous:

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E8QlrJrWUAYE7Aw?format=jpg&name=large)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 08, 2021, 05:23:47 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 08, 2021, 05:11:23 AM
Messi is doing a press conference now to say his part and apparently he's already crying before starting it.

He's not the only one  :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 08, 2021, 05:30:02 AM
:weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on August 08, 2021, 05:49:54 AM
If he wanted to stay that badly he could have, right? I mean, it's not like he needs another 100 million to survive.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 08, 2021, 06:58:15 AM
AFAIK he can't even be registered even if he played basically for free, as Barcelona is so far above the salary cap threshold even without him. They'd need to offload a bunch of their higher earners and/or have them agree really steep salary cuts (that they have already agreed to because of Covid in the last season, IIRC).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 08, 2021, 07:00:36 AM
The emerging picture is that we indeed could have registered him, but Laporta's board blocked it, since it would have compromised our finances.

Laporta had to agree to give up some control on the finance area in order to get enough funds to be appointed president (boards have to provide a monetary guarantee for the club's budget).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 08, 2021, 08:30:33 AM
Seeing him break down crying was something else. Wow.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 09, 2021, 04:45:03 AM
To add insult to injury, it seems that Aguero has injured himself during training and won't be able to play until November.

Maybe they should just not register him now and wait for the Winter transfer window?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 09, 2021, 12:41:47 PM
The English season started last weekend.
Strange to see fans in stadiums again....
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 10, 2021, 06:06:54 AM
So PSG is looking like a decent squad this year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 10, 2021, 06:16:19 AM
So Real Madrid are pursuing "civil and criminal" claims against La Liga and Tebas? What's happening/the issue here? :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 10, 2021, 08:38:50 AM
Quote from: Liep on August 10, 2021, 06:06:54 AM
So PSG is looking like a decent squad this year.

Neymar, Messi and Mbappé only makes for a decent squad?! Goalkeepers are not too bad as well cf. Donnarumma or Navas. Midfield ?
Or is it the coach ?  : :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 10, 2021, 09:01:31 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on August 10, 2021, 08:38:50 AM
Quote from: Liep on August 10, 2021, 06:06:54 AM
So PSG is looking like a decent squad this year.

Neymar, Messi and Mbappé only makes for a decent squad?! Goalkeepers are not too bad as well cf. Donnarumma or Navas. Midfield ?
Or is it the coach ?  : :D

Unrelated, what cities are worth a visit in Northern Portugal?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 10, 2021, 09:26:40 AM
Still seems crazy to me that club football is basically imploding except for the Petro-clubs and the English Premier league.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 10, 2021, 10:05:13 AM
Quote from: Liep on August 10, 2021, 09:01:31 AM
Unrelated, what cities are worth a visit in Northern Portugal?

Porto, Braga, Guimarães in the NW for starters. Can watch a Portuguese league there  :P though the gauge is narrow, specially for Porto i.e 1/3.

Can be followed by Aveiro and Coimbra, but still in the North (stretching it).

The NE (Bragança!) is somewhat less accessible, depending on your means of transportation, but worthy of a detour. Less people, though throngs of tourists in the NW are unlikely due to the current situation.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 10, 2021, 10:08:47 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 10, 2021, 09:26:40 AM
Still seems crazy to me that club football is basically imploding except for the Petro-clubs and the English Premier league.
And even here it's mainly the petro-clubs plus the genuine commercial juggernaut of United. You feel like given the carnage across other leagues more clubs would be able to take advantage but haven't and I think that can only be because they're struggling themselves.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 10, 2021, 10:21:01 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 10, 2021, 06:16:19 AM
So Real Madrid are pursuing "civil and criminal" claims against La Liga and Tebas? What's happening/the issue here? :hmm:

La Liga announced a deal with an investment fund, where the fund will take 10% of TV revenue for 50 years in exchange of €2.7 billion. Barça didn't like it but it was a way to resign Messi (but Laporta couldn't convince his board), Real Madrid downright hate it. However, the rest of clubs are mostly in favor, and can outvote them. So Florentino has now deployed the legal artillery. I think they claim that transferring La Liga's assets to a privately held company (part of the deal) violates their contracts.

It looks like a bad deal to me, but most clubs need the money.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: clandestino on August 12, 2021, 01:12:44 PM
Quote from: Liep on August 10, 2021, 09:01:31 AM
Unrelated, what cities are worth a visit in Northern Portugal?

I guess it depends, a few questions:

How long are you staying?
Where is your entry point?
How are you moving around?
What are your main interests?
Around here, North usually means north of the Douro/Duero river. Do you have the same boundaries in mind?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 13, 2021, 03:31:43 PM
Lovely reception for Saka coming on at Brentford v Arsenal - everyone gave him a standing ovation :)

Also lovely first episode of the upcoming Amazon series - at this stage - Arsenal are currently trailing a newly promoted team who haven't been in the top division for 70 years :ph34r: :lol:

I feel like Arsenal inviting Amazon in just guarantees chaos.

Edit: Brentford fans cheering Saka:
https://twitter.com/SkySportsPL/status/1426296334429085697?s=20
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 13, 2021, 04:30:42 PM
As soon as I saw the fixture list a month ago or whenever it came out I knew Arsenal would lose this match. It was inevitable. Written in the stars. Of course Arsenal will lose to a newly-promoted team who hasn't played top flight football since World War 2 or whatever their history is, in the very first game of the season with fans filling the stadiums so every single camera in the world is pointed directly at history in the making.

Ffs :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 13, 2021, 06:32:11 PM
Also this game has forced me to admit I am officially "Arteta OUT" now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 13, 2021, 06:42:52 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 13, 2021, 06:32:11 PM
Also this game has forced me to admit I am officially "Arteta OUT" now.
:( :console:

Current mood:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E8r49agWYAEHSm2?format=jpg&name=small)

Edit: God - imagine watching football and actually liking your team :o :blink:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 13, 2021, 07:05:15 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 13, 2021, 06:42:52 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 13, 2021, 06:32:11 PM
Also this game has forced me to admit I am officially "Arteta OUT" now.
:( :console:

Current mood:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E8r49agWYAEHSm2?format=jpg&name=small)

Edit: God - imagine watching football and actually liking your team :o :blink:

:lol:

Damn game ruined my Friday  :mad:

Thankfully I won't have to watch Arsenal play again until next week.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on August 15, 2021, 10:03:30 AM
RIP Gerd Müller. 75 years old. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 15, 2021, 11:28:39 AM
One of the first players I remember well. the 74 world cup was the first I remember watching.

After, i remember playing pickup soccer with kids on the street, scoring a goal and yelling "M-u-u-u-u-u-lller"

:(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on August 15, 2021, 09:38:05 PM
This will be my weekly report on Tottenham, my newly adopted club. I still have a soft spot for OM (Olympique de Marseille), but Ligue 1 is kind of a joke now so whatever.

Much attention before the game on the Harry Kane situation and his desire to move to ManCity. Just looking at the line-up, it seems like ManCity started the game with about 300 millions sitting on the bench, plus they just signed Grealish for 100... Not sure how Kane would fit into that squad, they certainly don't need him.

Then again, do the Spurs? That kid Bergwin is a lesser Mbappé (in terms of speed and power), the korean dude (Sun? Sung? Son?) is quite good although he made a few mistakes in the first half. Dele seems to want to play this year, made a few key takeaways.

Spurs started poorly but started being a threat about 20 minutes in. This is City after all, I think they finished above the Spurs by over 20 points last season. Grealish was ok, not worth the price.

There's a kid in defense for the Spurs that played great, Tanganga I think. Manhandled Sterling all game, loved it.

That's it for this week. Come on you Spurs!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 16, 2021, 01:46:22 AM
We won the season opener 4-2, while playing actually well (Liep will be pleased that Braithwaite had a brace). Real Sociedad are a good team, too.

We'll see, this has been the most chaotic/awful offseason since 2000, and without Messi I still think it will be an uphill battle to make the CL. We do have a good team all things considered, but there's too much upheaval around the club so starting with a win was a very good thing. Right now we have to survive, then once the desert is crossed we'll see if we can contend for trophies again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on August 16, 2021, 05:16:30 AM
Quote from: celedhring on August 16, 2021, 01:46:22 AM
We won the season opener 4-2, while playing actually well (Liep will be pleased that Braithwaite had a brace). Real Sociedad are a good team, too.

Danish media is already speculating that he might get the number 10 now that he lost the 9. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 16, 2021, 05:37:35 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on August 15, 2021, 09:38:05 PM
Much attention before the game on the Harry Kane situation and his desire to move to ManCity. Just looking at the line-up, it seems like ManCity started the game with about 300 millions sitting on the bench, plus they just signed Grealish for 100... Not sure how Kane would fit into that squad, they certainly don't need him.
Because they can? I think they want someone to replace Aguero for the next 4-5 years. But yeah, it is always slightly sickening watching City.

I couldn't watch the Everton game (though we won - I watched the highlights), which was very weird. We are back to the media blackout and it's very strange after being able to watch all the games you wanted for the last 18 months.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 16, 2021, 06:39:25 AM
Quote from: Liep on August 16, 2021, 05:16:30 AM
Quote from: celedhring on August 16, 2021, 01:46:22 AM
We won the season opener 4-2, while playing actually well (Liep will be pleased that Braithwaite had a brace). Real Sociedad are a good team, too.

Danish media is already speculating that he might get the number 10 now that he lost the 9. :P

Nah, most probably we're still going to sell him, because right now we're trying to sell everything that's not nailed on, and he's a positive asset.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on August 16, 2021, 09:03:17 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on August 15, 2021, 09:38:05 PM
This will be my weekly report on Tottenham, my newly adopted club. I still have a soft spot for OM (Olympique de Marseille), but Ligue 1 is kind of a joke now so whatever.

Much attention before the game on the Harry Kane situation and his desire to move to ManCity. Just looking at the line-up, it seems like ManCity started the game with about 300 millions sitting on the bench, plus they just signed Grealish for 100... Not sure how Kane would fit into that squad, they certainly don't need him.

Then again, do the Spurs? That kid Bergwin is a lesser Mbappé (in terms of speed and power), the korean dude (Sun? Sung? Son?) is quite good although he made a few mistakes in the first half. Dele seems to want to play this year, made a few key takeaways.

Spurs started poorly but started being a threat about 20 minutes in. This is City after all, I think they finished above the Spurs by over 20 points last season. Grealish was ok, not worth the price.

There's a kid in defense for the Spurs that played great, Tanganga I think. Manhandled Sterling all game, loved it.

That's it for this week. Come on you Spurs!

I was at this game. Stadium is the best I've been to (and I've been to quite a few), great design, superb acoustics. Both these sides need Kane. The lack of a good striker was really telling in a game that should have had 5 or more goals given the chances created. I like Bergwin a lot and thought he was great yesterday but he's terrible at finishing. Son missed having his partner with him, especially in the first half.  Man City desperately need a top class striker. Neither Torres or Jesus are the answer.

City looked really, really vulnerable to the counter-attack. If they play like that against Man Unt and Pogba and Fernedes are on form, they will get thrashed. Agree that Tangaga looked really good. I'd not heard of him before, except that quite a lot of the Spurs fans had his name on the back of their revolting looking new away short.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on August 16, 2021, 07:23:47 PM
Yes agreed. I'm not sure why City was so slooooow and static in their build-up, especially apparent in the 2nd half. Although you can see how De Bruyne is world class. They were instantly more threatening when he came on.

You might be right about Kane and the need of a real striker for Tottenham. I haven't watched enough PL games to know him that well. A strong target man could do wonders. Too bad Lukaku or even Giroud went elsewhere.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 17, 2021, 02:35:19 AM
(https://forumcontent.paradoxplaza.com/public/735945/f65e837d-2359-4d82-8b0c-861eb4bb261d.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 17, 2021, 02:48:24 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on August 15, 2021, 09:38:05 PM
This will be my weekly report on Tottenham, my newly adopted club. I still have a soft spot for OM (Olympique de Marseille), but Ligue 1 is kind of a joke now so whatever.!

Why Spurs?
That most London of London teams....
Surely a Manchester or Liverpool team would be a better calque for Marseille? :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on August 17, 2021, 03:18:39 AM
Chelsea is an awesome mix of young talent and veterans, and a great German coach. Choose Chelsea.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on August 17, 2021, 03:39:24 AM
Quote from: Tyr on August 17, 2021, 02:48:24 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on August 15, 2021, 09:38:05 PM
This will be my weekly report on Tottenham, my newly adopted club. I still have a soft spot for OM (Olympique de Marseille), but Ligue 1 is kind of a joke now so whatever.!

Why Spurs?
That most London of London teams....
Surely a Manchester or Liverpool team would be a better calque for Marseille? :hmm:

I hesitated between Spurs and Everton. To be honest it came down to Sissoko and Aurier. My sister lives in Toulouse, so I had a few opportunities to see them play live and they were so impressive.

I don't understand why Everton don't seem interested in Moise Kean btw. That kid is amazing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on August 17, 2021, 07:10:19 AM
Quote from: Tyr on August 17, 2021, 02:48:24 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on August 15, 2021, 09:38:05 PM
This will be my weekly report on Tottenham, my newly adopted club. I still have a soft spot for OM (Olympique de Marseille), but Ligue 1 is kind of a joke now so whatever.!

Why Spurs?
That most London of London teams....


Mystified by this. Why are Spurs more London than any other London team?

In other London footbal news, Gunnersaurus is back with a classy Inbetweeners mash up

https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2021/aug/17/david-squires-on-premier-league-opening-weekend


Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 17, 2021, 07:58:26 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on August 17, 2021, 03:39:24 AM
I don't understand why Everton don't seem interested in Moise Kean btw. That kid is amazing.
It's so annoying because I agree and think he's a really exciting player.

But basically Everton were trying to sign another player from Juve - and they said no, but Moise Kean is available. So the director of football snapped their hand off, but the manager didn't want Kean and basically didn't play him for six months. Then he got fired and Ancelotti came in and Calvert-Lewin went on a streak of about a goal a game and Richarlison was playing well too.

Understandably Kean wanted to play so he was then loaned for a season to PSG. He wants to move - especially to PSG, apparently PSG are interested in him but will only go for a loan and Everton (not unreasonably I don't think) is saying, you're the richest club in the world so you need to pay instead of another loan. And it's not that expensive I've read £40 million is the asking price - I suspect PSG might have moved on now, but I'm not sure.

I think Kean either moves, or just won't play during the transfer window because I think he is looking to leave.

It's all such a waste though :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on August 17, 2021, 03:45:50 PM
Son looked lost playing the point.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 19, 2021, 07:49:48 AM
Obviously I'm not a Liverpool fan but this is very good from them. Liverpool away fans were singing about "Chelsea rent boys" at Norwich, because I think they have Billy Gilmour on loan from Chelsea. Liverpool obviously condemned the homophobic chant but have now followed up with this conversation between Klopp and the founder of the Liverpool LGBT+ fan group, Kop Outs:
https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1428310909760462862?s=20

I've said before and it may not be everywhere - it seems to mainly be most pronounced in England and Germany - but I think the last year and particularly Euro 2020 has seen something shift in the men's game in starting to properly confront homophobia. Slightly separately but Everton and Southampton both get their kits from Hummel and this year's World Pride is in Copenhagen so their training gear ahead of the game was specially designed rainbow kit, there's the rainbow laces and armbands. I think Jordan Henderson in particular has been excellent in being vocal as a player about it.

Still a lot to do - and we know there are still racist and anti-semitic chants at games despite years of effort against that. But I think it is really striking and does feel like something has been moving - I'd add the Athletic has probably a role in this as well because they actually cover the problem more than most of the media (I think possibly because they're originally a US/North American sports outlet).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 19, 2021, 09:27:23 AM
All totally besides the point but I've never heard of this Billy Gilmour before. Is he gay? Quite a first there in the premiership if so.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 19, 2021, 09:28:36 AM
Quote from: Tyr on August 19, 2021, 09:27:23 AM
All totally besides the point but I've never heard of this Billy Gilmour before. Is he gay? Quite a first there in the premiership if so.
No. He's just a Chelsea player.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on August 22, 2021, 05:27:51 PM
Zoupa's Spurs report, matchday 2: Tottenham at Wolverhampton.

1st half: Smart play by Dele to get the penalty. Wolves are all over Tottenham. That Wolves player Adama Traore is a fucking beast of a man, and surprisingly fast for his size. Tanganga has his work cut out for him containing him, he's certainly no Sterling like last week. Skipp and Lucas are horrible in midfield. Lucas gave away the ball a zillion times. Wolves are not a good fit for him to play against. I'd much rather see Sissoko on that right side. I'd also replace Skipp with Winks but hey I'm not in charge. I've seen a game and a half out of Skipp and am not impressed at all. Still, Spurs up 1-0 at half time.

2nd half: Wolves still dominate play but really lack a good finisher in the box. Adama less dominant. Overall a better half from Spurs, especially as Wolves can't keep up the level of pressure for 90 minutes. Nuno brings on Lo Celso, Winks and Kane for Lucas, Bergwijn and Sun (wtf). Bergwijn showed his class on the left side with exquisite skill to bypass 2 players, led to two good shots at goal.

We'll take the 3 points but Wolverhampton will feel like they deserved better.

"Oh when the Spurs
Go marching in..."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on August 22, 2021, 06:25:47 PM
Are Arsenal fans really booing Saka? Wtf
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on August 22, 2021, 07:28:14 PM
Chelsea 2-0!  woot!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 22, 2021, 07:32:19 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on August 22, 2021, 06:25:47 PM
Are Arsenal fans really booing Saka? Wtf

No, they were booing Arteta, the club's mismanagement, and the poor result. Saka is our golden boy and basically untouchable.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on August 22, 2021, 08:12:56 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 22, 2021, 07:32:19 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on August 22, 2021, 06:25:47 PM
Are Arsenal fans really booing Saka? Wtf

No, they were booing Arteta, the club's mismanagement, and the poor result. Saka is our golden boy and basically untouchable.

The boos were were very clearly when Saka touched the ball.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 22, 2021, 08:35:29 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on August 22, 2021, 08:12:56 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 22, 2021, 07:32:19 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on August 22, 2021, 06:25:47 PM
Are Arsenal fans really booing Saka? Wtf

No, they were booing Arteta, the club's mismanagement, and the poor result. Saka is our golden boy and basically untouchable.

The boos were were very clearly when Saka touched the ball.

I'll have to watch the replay because I was taking care of baby while watching the game but I'm certain there weren't Arsenal fans booing the one player every Arsenal fan is in love with. Are you sure it wasn't Chelsea fans booing him every time he touched the ball? Arsenal fans at the Emirates have a tendency to be quiet when Arsenal are poor and the visiting fans usually fill the void.

That would make sense because Saka went down in the penality area after getting clipped by a Chelsea defender. Chelsea fans probably thought he was diving, hence the boos.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on August 22, 2021, 09:09:50 PM
Quite possible, and it mainly happened in the 1st half.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 22, 2021, 09:39:08 PM
Not unusual for Arsenal fans to boo their own players by the way, just ask Granit Xhaka. He was booed off the pitch at the Emirates and threw the Captain's armband down in disgust and told the fans to fuck off :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on August 23, 2021, 10:25:36 AM
I appreciate the updates Zoupa :cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 25, 2021, 06:00:12 AM
I wonder if there'll be a clash between FIFA and the Premier League because of this...  :hmm:

QuotePremier League clubs will not release players for matches on UK's red list
Clubs 'reluctantly' refuse to release international players
Premier League backs stance in defiance of Fifa

Premier League clubs have united in defiance of Fifa and refused to release players for international duty in countries on the UK's red list.

The escalating row over quarantine restrictions, and the lack of exemptions for players returning from red‑zone countries, led to Premier League clubs "reluctantly but unanimously" deciding to take action at a meeting on Tuesday. The Premier League, which has backed the clubs' stance, has also registered its concern at Fifa's decision to allow Conmebol teams to play three fixtures in the next two international breaks.

On Monday the Egypt FA revealed it had received a letter from Liverpool explaining why Mohamed Salah would not be released for the World Cup qualifier against Angola in Cairo next week. Liverpool have also informed the Brazilian FA that Alisson, Fabinho and Roberto Firmino would not be released for their World Cup qualifiers against Chile, Argentina and Peru as they, and Salah, would need to quarantine for 10 days on their return. Manchester City had adopted the same stance with Ederson and Gabriel Jesus.

Nearly 60 players from 19 Premier League clubs were due to travel to 26 red-zone countries in the September international window.

In a statement the Premier League confirmed the decision "follows Fifa's current position not to extend its temporary release exception for players required to quarantine on their return from international duty", adding: "Extensive discussions have taken place with both the FA and the government to find a solution, but due to ongoing public health concerns relating to incoming travellers from red-list countries, no exemption has been granted.

"If required to quarantine on return from red list countries, not only would players' welfare and fitness be significantly impacted but they would also be unavailable to prepare for and play in two Premier League match rounds, a Uefa club competition match-day and the third round of the EFL Cup. This period takes into consideration 10 days of hotel quarantine on return to England but does not include any additional time that would be required for players to regain match fitness."

The Premier League chief executive, Richard Masters, said: "Premier League clubs have always supported their players' desires to represent their countries – this is a matter of pride for all concerned. However, clubs have reluctantly but rightly come to the conclusion that it would be entirely unreasonable to release players under these new circumstances. We understand the challenges that exist in the international match calendar and remain open to workable solutions."

Clubs also discussed their "dissatisfaction" with Fifa's decision to extend Conmebol's international window in September and October from nine to 11 days. "This places additional international obligations on players from that region, to the detriment of their availability to represent their clubs," the Premier League statement read. "Fifa was urged to work with all stakeholders to ensure an agreeable conclusion can be reached on the issue."

Edit: Apparently La Liga has stated that it'd support any Spanish club that wishes to do the same as Premier League clubs and refuse to allow international South American players to join their national teams for the next international windows in September and October.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 25, 2021, 06:11:36 AM
It's also being reported that Real Madrid has made an official and astronomical offer to PSG for Mbappe, of 160 million € or something like that, and that either it is being ignored or it has been refused.

This might be the culmination of the current summer soap opera of Spanish football (once Messi left Barcelona the press needed a new toy, and Real Madrid's chase of Mbappe it was), as it is being interpreted that the offer is more "performative" than real, and it won't likely be increased, and is meant more as a sign that Real Madrid are "back in business" of chasing the biggest stars after a couple of austerity years of no transfers and as a show of interest to Mbappe as part of their courtship of the player towards next season, when his contract will be over and he can sign on a free transfer, which is more or less being taken for granted, as he's refusing to sign a new contract with PSG.

The whole thing is quite head scratching to me, as it is basically a return to old big team customs that lead them to financial dire straits, but I guess you can't teach an old dog (Florentino Pérez, in this case) any new tricks. It is also being reported that if Real Madrid are going after Mbappe for real this season they could increase the offer to somewhere around 200 million €, as Florentino would be very keen on "stealing" PSG's star player after what Florentino saw as a betrayal for PSG's refusal to join the European Super League. That sounds quite ridiculous and petty to me, which might make it the most truthful of the pieces of info out there.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 25, 2021, 09:17:58 AM
My mood today:

QuoteAfter talking with a team of medical professionals, I have decided to watch Arsenal today.
https://twitter.com/cantdrawarsenal/status/1430524462617747460?s=19
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 25, 2021, 05:09:37 PM
Last leg of the Champions League play-off and for the first time a Moldavian club, Sheriff Tiraspol, made it to the group phase.

As the first casualty of the end of the away goal counting double, in case of a tie, it's A.S Monaco which won 2-1 in ordinary time, which would have qualified them last season, but had to play extra time since they were tied without the away goal rule. 2-2 by the end of extra time.
Of course, Monaco could have killed the game with way more chances than Shaktar Donetsk on this second leg. First leg was the other way around.

That means among other things the UEFA rating of Portugal for clubs (coefficients) is now higher than France. All hail the new 5th top league in Europe!  :D

https://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/uefarankings/country/#/yr/2022 (https://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/uefarankings/country/#/yr/2022)

Quote
Pos   Country   17/18   18/19   19/20   20/21   21/22    Pts     Clubs


1    England 20.071   22.642   18.571   24.357   2.285   87.926   7/7

2    Spain 19.714   19.571   18.928   19.500   2.857   80.570   7/7

3    Italy 17.333   12.642   14.928   16.285   2.428   63.616   7/7

4    Germany 9.857   15.214   18.714   15.214   2.428   61.427   7/7

5    Portugal 9.666   10.900   10.300   9.600   3.750   44.216   6/6

6    France 11.500   10.583   11.666   7.916   1.916   43.581   6/6

7    Netherlands 2.900   8.600   9.400   9.200   3.000   33.100   5/5

8    Scotland 4.000   6.750   9.750   8.500   2.200   31.200   4/5

9    Austria 9.750   6.200   5.800   6.700   2.600   31.050   4/5

10    Russia 12.600   7.583   4.666   4.333   1.500   30.682   3/5

QSG notwithstanding.

Still, plenty of time and occasions to screw up later in the group phase with say, Benfica and Sporting, though Sporting has not played the CL for a while. Porto not being seeded (pot 3...) as Benfica, means the drawing of the groups will be as important, if not more, than usual.

PS: spectacular fall for the Russian league, the money injected before the 2018 World Cup is no longer there I guess.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on August 25, 2021, 05:11:42 PM
QSG = Qatar St. Germain?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 25, 2021, 05:12:19 PM
Yep.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on August 25, 2021, 05:12:41 PM
:cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 25, 2021, 07:05:17 PM
Arsenal nabbed a 6-0 win over what was effectively West Brom's U23 squad today in the League Cup.

After a torrid first two Matches in the league Arsenal really needed to make a statement, if just to lift the sour mood that seems to always permeate the club nowadays. Arteta fielded an almost full strength squad to face a West Brom side that has seen success in the Championship but was rotated for this match, with their coach fielding a squad consisting mainly of their reserves and some Academy kids. He must have groaned after he saw Arsenal's team sheet.

Saka had a PotM performance but Aubameyang showed echoes of his old form by scoring a hat trick. Pepe was lively while new signing Nuno Tavares looked extremely raw but eager to contribute. He looks like he'll be a fan favorite.

Another potential fan favorite is Aaron Ramsdale, Arsenal's new signing and ostensible number 2 goalkeeper but it is apparent he'll step up to be number 1 after Leno leaves next summer.

Martin Odegaard had a stellar game after signing on a permanent deal. He helped Arsenal immensely in the back half of last season on a loan from Real Madrid so his skill is much appreciated.

All in all, a much needed splash of happiness and excitement for an otherwise depressing month for Arsenal FC.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 26, 2021, 07:43:42 AM
It's just been reported that after the Champions League qualification matches that have been taking place the French league has actually been surpassed by the Portuguese one. Messi really went to PSG in the best possible moment, now it can't be said that he's competing in a Top 5 league, which used to be a big deal in other times.  :lmfao:

Nowadays the ranking goes like this:

1) Premier League
2) La Liga
3) Serie A
4) Bundesliga
5) Liga NOS
6) Ligue 1
7) Eredivisie
8) Scottish Premier League
9) Austrian Bundesliga
10) Russian Premier League

Next year the Bundesliga is meant to take over the Serie A as Europe's 3rd best league, but that won't change much in terms in number of teams qualifying for European competitions, which is what this is all about.

Quite surprised about the Scottish Premier League being so high, as well as the Austrian Bundesliga. I also assumed that the Russian league would be higher.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 26, 2021, 08:12:14 AM
Just said that in the previous page but it's nice to have people not primarily interested by the Primeira Liga repeating it.  :P
Liga NOS is not the current name, it's Liga Bwin now (sponsor naming) so Primeira Liga both more neutral and more accurate.

As for me, the big 5 leagues was always a big joke, a top 4 being more accurate, with the Premier League and Liga being a notch ahead of 1.Bundesliga and Serie A.

Mind you, Primeira Liga was already in the fifth spot in the 2010's following good performances with Porto, Braga and Benfica in the first half of the decade.

It's still very early in the season, a bad draw (Porto and Benfica are in pot 3...) and a good PSG season, almost a given, would return the Ligue des Tas Lents/Ligue Uber Eats (sponsor naming) to the fifth spot. Plus, the 3 French clubs now in the Europa League could fare well, or at least one of them (semi-finals or more).

PS: nice potshot at Messi indeed, Larch.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 26, 2021, 08:34:22 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 26, 2021, 07:43:42 AM
It's just been reported that after the Champions League qualification matches that have been taking place the French league has actually been surpassed by the Portuguese one. Messi really went to PSG in the best possible moment, now it can't be said that he's competing in a Top 5 league, which used to be a big deal in other times.  :lmfao:

Nowadays the ranking goes like this:

1) Premier League
2) La Liga
3) Serie A
4) Bundesliga
5) Liga NOS
6) Ligue 1
7) Eredivisie
8) Scottish Premier League
9) Austrian Bundesliga
10) Russian Premier League

Next year the Bundesliga is meant to take over the Serie A as Europe's 3rd best league, but that won't change much in terms in number of teams qualifying for European competitions, which is what this is all about.

Quite surprised about the Scottish Premier League being so high, as well as the Austrian Bundesliga. I also assumed that the Russian league would be higher.
Agreed, very surprised Scotland is so high.
I guess what they're measuring here is less the quality of the league and rather how well teams from the league do in Europe?
On that Scotland's model of only two good teams and two teams in Europe sort of works.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on August 26, 2021, 08:45:11 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 26, 2021, 07:43:42 AM
It's just been reported that after the Champions League qualification matches that have been taking place the French league has actually been surpassed by the Portuguese one. Messi really went to PSG in the best possible moment, now it can't be said that he's competing in a Top 5 league, which used to be a big deal in other times.  :lmfao:

Nowadays the ranking goes like this:

1) Premier League
2) La Liga
3) Serie A
4) Bundesliga
5) Liga NOS
6) Ligue 1
7) Eredivisie
8) Scottish Premier League
9) Austrian Bundesliga
10) Russian Premier League

Next year the Bundesliga is meant to take over the Serie A as Europe's 3rd best league, but that won't change much in terms in number of teams qualifying for European competitions, which is what this is all about.

Quite surprised about the Scottish Premier League being so high, as well as the Austrian Bundesliga. I also assumed that the Russian league would be higher.

Seems Red Bull Salzburg is doing some heavy lifting there for Austria
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on August 26, 2021, 08:46:30 AM
Quote from: Tyr on August 26, 2021, 08:34:22 AM
On that Scotland's model of only two good teams and two teams in Europe sort of works.

Which more or less is the same model that Portugal and the Netherlands uses, but with three teams in those cases.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 26, 2021, 08:46:55 AM
Quote from: Tyr on August 26, 2021, 08:34:22 AMAgreed, very surprised Scotland is so high.
I guess what they're measuring here is less the quality of the league and rather how well teams from the league do in Europe?
On that Scotland's model of only two good teams and two teams in Europe sort of works.
I think Celtic and Rangers both have pretty decent records in recent years in the Europa so it sort of makes sense - a bit like RB Salzburg and Austria as Syt says.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 26, 2021, 08:50:20 AM
Being reported among football twitterati that Ronaldo is going to Manchester City  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 26, 2021, 08:51:48 AM
Jesus. Competing against literal countries is tough - the one valid point in the whole ESL saga.

Also - penny for Harry Kane's thoughts :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 26, 2021, 10:54:52 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on August 26, 2021, 08:12:14 AMJust said that in the previous page but it's nice to have people not primarily interested by the Primeira Liga repeating it.  :P

I remember reading your post about the game and the CL qualifiers, but don't remember the part about the UEFA rankings, did you edit that later?  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 26, 2021, 10:55:48 AM
Quote from: Tyr on August 26, 2021, 08:34:22 AMI guess what they're measuring here is less the quality of the league and rather how well teams from the league do in Europe?

That ranking is done indeed by measuring the performance in European competitions of teams from each league.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 26, 2021, 10:57:09 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 26, 2021, 08:50:20 AM
Being reported among football twitterati that Ronaldo is going to Manchester City  :lol:

CR under Guardiola? Somehow I can't really see it...

Edit: Just heard Jonathan Wilson absolutely roasting City for considering CR's signing. It's really funny, if you want to hear it, and it's a bit of a death sentence on that cohort of big name forwards (CR, Messi, Neymar...), and how they basically ruin any club they play for with their astronomical wage demands, forcing the team's tactics to play to their advantage and not doing anything at all on defence.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 26, 2021, 11:50:47 AM
Oh dear, Man City and PSG will be in the same CL group.  :lmfao:

Edit: And now also RB Leipzig, all the "plastic" teams in the same group.  :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 26, 2021, 12:03:19 PM
Truly the Iran-Iraq war of the Champion's League :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 26, 2021, 12:14:49 PM
Club Brugge gets to be Kuwait.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 26, 2021, 12:15:12 PM
Final CL Groups:

- Group A

Man City
PSG
RB Leipzig
Brugge

- Group B

Atlético Madrid
Liverpool
Oporto
Milan

- Group C

Sporting Portugal
Borussia Dortmund
Ajax
Besiktas

- Group D

Inter
R. Madrid
Shakhtar Donetsk
Sheriff Tiraspol

- Group E

Bayern
Barcelona
Benfica
Dinamo Kiev

- Group F

Villarreal
Man Utd
Atalanta
Young Boys

- Group G

Lille
Sevilla
RB Salzburg
Wolfsburg

- Group H

Chelsea
Juventus
Zenit St. Petersburg
Malmoe
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 26, 2021, 12:17:59 PM
Really though grup for us, particularly given our sorry state.

As usual, Real Madrid get a joke.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 26, 2021, 12:21:00 PM
Quote from: celedhring on August 26, 2021, 12:17:59 PMReally though grup for us, particularly given our sorry state.

Come on, you should still have more than enough to get over Benfica and Dinamo Kiev.

QuoteAs usual, Real Madrid get a joke.

That is true, their figurative flower in the ass is evergreen.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 26, 2021, 12:30:59 PM
Quote from: The Larch on August 26, 2021, 10:54:52 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on August 26, 2021, 08:12:14 AMJust said that in the previous page but it's nice to have people not primarily interested by the Primeira Liga repeating it.  :P

I remember reading your post about the game and the CL qualifiers, but don't remember the part about the UEFA rankings, did you edit that later?  :hmm:

:contract:

QuoteThat means among other things the UEFA rating of Portugal for clubs (coefficients) is now higher than France. All hail the new 5th top league in Europe!  :D

I added the detailed rankings later.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 26, 2021, 12:43:58 PM
Group of Death for Porto?  :hmm: The only one with no CL titles is Franco FC n°2 Atlético Madrid, the third biggest in Spain, with plenty of other European cups to compensate.
It's true Milan is only a shadow of what it was but they are back to the top. Liverpool needs no introduction.

Well, I guess Ligue des Tas lents gets to be the Fifth Top League again, possibly even before the round of 16. :( Given Porto has been the heavy lifter for Portugal in the CL for the past years.
Benfica even managed to get no points in 6 games some years ago, equalling the feat of the Olympitre of Marseille.  :P
Sporting has not played the CL for a while, and I can't remember them qualifying for the round of 16. Not even getting relegated to Europa League would be still a disappointment.

Lille got an easy draw but I would not be surprised if they got thrashed given the coach and many key players left. Still, PSG will blast his way through quarters at the very least. Short of semi-finals it would be a disappointment with Neymar and Messi.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 26, 2021, 12:46:28 PM
Quote from: The Larch on August 26, 2021, 12:21:00 PM


QuoteAs usual, Real Madrid get a joke.

That is true, their figurative flower in the ass is evergreen.

Shaktar Donetsk beat them twice last year however during the group phase, but yeah Sheriff Tiraspol...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 26, 2021, 12:47:27 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on August 26, 2021, 12:46:28 PM
Quote from: The Larch on August 26, 2021, 12:21:00 PM


QuoteAs usual, Real Madrid get a joke.

That is true, their figurative flower in the ass is evergreen.

Shaktar Donetsk beat them twice last year however during the group phase, but yeah Sheriff Tiraspol...

For me the true luck for them was getting Inter as their A cup team, as it's much weaker than the team that won Serie A last year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on August 26, 2021, 12:48:05 PM
Young Boys? :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 26, 2021, 12:49:32 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 26, 2021, 12:48:05 PM
Young Boys? :lol:

Swiss team, from Bern.  :P

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BSC_Young_Boys (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BSC_Young_Boys)

QuoteGround:   Wankdorf Stadium

:lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 26, 2021, 12:52:07 PM
Needless to say they always cause much hilarity here :blush:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 26, 2021, 12:59:48 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 26, 2021, 12:52:07 PM
Needless to say they always cause much hilarity here :blush:

Still eager to prove Edith Cresson was right about Anglo-Saxon people or what?  :lol:

QuoteShe also said, discussing the sexual activities of Anglo-Saxon males, "Homosexuality seems strange to me. It's different and marginal. It exists more in the Anglo-Saxon tradition than the Latin one."[3]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Édith_Cresson (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89dith_Cresson)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 26, 2021, 01:04:00 PM
I mean "Wankdorf" sounds like the Queen swearing :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 26, 2021, 01:05:41 PM
Quote from: The Larch on August 26, 2021, 12:47:27 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on August 26, 2021, 12:46:28 PM
Quote from: The Larch on August 26, 2021, 12:21:00 PM


QuoteAs usual, Real Madrid get a joke.

That is true, their figurative flower in the ass is evergreen.

Shaktar Donetsk beat them twice last year however during the group phase, but yeah Sheriff Tiraspol...

For me the true luck for them was getting Inter as their A cup team, as it's much weaker than the team that won Serie A last year.

Real luck (no pun intended) would have be drawing Lille. Much weaker than the team that won the much weaker Ligue des Tas Lents last year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 26, 2021, 01:16:25 PM
Quote from: Threviel on August 26, 2021, 08:46:30 AM
Quote from: Tyr on August 26, 2021, 08:34:22 AM
On that Scotland's model of only two good teams and two teams in Europe sort of works.

Which more or less is the same model that Portugal and the Netherlands uses, but with three teams in those cases.

Portugal is not just the big three since one or two of the big three (*cough* Benfica *cough or Sporting) would fail spectacularly. It's true Braga does what it can in the Europa League and I can't blame Vitoria Guimarães for not going farther, at least they are trying and still caused problems to Arsenal last year.
France with only the PSG performing very strongly regularly, whereas in previous years Monaco, Lyon or even Marseille would join the fun once in a while, is not enough. Smaller clubs just seem to don't care about European cups such as Europa League and I'm not too optimistic for the new Conference League, of even lower standing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: clandestino on August 26, 2021, 01:22:12 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on August 26, 2021, 12:43:58 PM
Sporting has not played the CL for a while, and I can't remember them qualifying for the round of 16. Not even getting relegated to Europa League would be still a disappointment.

I believe they did it once before being trashed 12-1 aggregate by Bayern. Moutinho was still at Sporting. It seems it was in 2009.

Not a bad draw I believe, got one of the best possible draws from pot 2, a reasonable one from 3 (at least it's not Atalanta or Leipzig) and one of the worst from 4, but hey at least it's from the last pot.

I believe it will be an even group and Sporting has around 30% chance to pass the group and maybe 50% to finish in 3rd. Not bad.

On the other end, both Porto and Benfica groups seem terrible.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 26, 2021, 01:56:52 PM
Quote from: clandestino on August 26, 2021, 01:22:12 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on August 26, 2021, 12:43:58 PM
Sporting has not played the CL for a while, and I can't remember them qualifying for the round of 16. Not even getting relegated to Europa League would be still a disappointment.

I believe they did it once before being trashed 12-1 aggregate by Bayern. Moutinho was still at Sporting. It seems it was in 2009.

Not a bad draw I believe, got one of the best possible draws from pot 2, a reasonable one from 3 (at least it's not Atalanta or Leipzig) and one of the worst from 4, but hey at least it's from the last pot.

I believe it will be an even group and Sporting has around 30% chance to pass the group and maybe 50% to finish in 3rd. Not bad.

On the other end, both Porto and Benfica groups seem terrible.

Ah yes, 2009, I remember now. Same year Porto, after getting rid of Atlético Madrid, was eliminated by Man U in quarters following a terrific goal by Ronaldo. Back then, he would never score those kind of goals with the Selecção.
Benfica got thrashed some years later 5-0 by the likes of FC Basileia/Basel during the group phase and lost the game at home as well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 26, 2021, 03:24:21 PM
RM: we need super league or football will diee

RM: hi qatar here is 170,000,000 for mbappe!!

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 26, 2021, 03:31:42 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 26, 2021, 03:24:21 PM
RM: we need super league or football will diee

RM: hi qatar here is 170,000,000 for mbappe!!
Didn't Perez explicitly say part of the reason for the ESL was because it's impossible for Madrid to get players like Mbappe? :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 26, 2021, 04:43:26 PM
For Florentino that kind of expenses are part of routine operating costs, basically overhead.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 26, 2021, 05:35:05 PM
Saw this on Twitter but it's basically like a few clubs sending themselves into space because they don't know what else to do with all their money.  :lol:

Why not spend 200m on one or two players? Maybe next summer spend 300m for good measure, and 400m after that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 26, 2021, 05:39:48 PM
I mean, I hated the idea of the Super League, but I remember football pundits completely spazzing out over it saying how it would destroy the egalitarian ideas of football, and now these same people are jerking off over Sancho for 80m to United and City buying Jack fucking Grealish for 100m  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on August 27, 2021, 04:31:21 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 26, 2021, 05:39:48 PM
I mean, I hated the idea of the Super League, but I remember football pundits completely spazzing out over it saying how it would destroy the egalitarian ideas of football, and now these same people are jerking off over Sancho for 80m to United and City buying Jack fucking Grealish for 100m  :lol:

No, people were complaining that it would destroy the meritocratic basis of football (promotion/relegation). Nobody claims that football is egalitarian - that ship sailed a long time ago.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 27, 2021, 05:53:08 AM
Europa League groups (blatantly copy/pasted from a Spanish site, so sorry for the lack of translation, although I think it's quite easily understandable):

Grupo A: Olympique de Lyon, Rangers, Sparta de Praga, Brondby

Grupo B: Mónaco, PSV, Real Sociedad, Sturm Graz

Grupo C: Nápoles, Leicester Cty, Spartak de Moscú, Legia de Varsovia

Grupo D: Olympiakos, Eintracht de Frankurt, Fenerbache, Royal Antwerp

Grupo E: Lazio, Lokomotiv de Moscú, Marsella, Galatasaray

Grupo F: SC Braga, Estrella Roja, Ludogorets, Midtjylland

Grupo G: Bayer Leverkusen, Celtic FC, Real Betis, Ferencvaros

Grupo H: Dinamo de Zagreb, Genk, West Ham, Rapid de Viena
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 27, 2021, 06:02:37 AM
What the fuck is a Moscuuuuu
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 27, 2021, 06:12:03 AM
Quote from: Tyr on August 27, 2021, 06:02:37 AM
What the fuck is a Moscuuuuu

It's a city with teams called Spartak and Lokomotiv, take a guess.  :P

In different topics, matches in Group E could pass for a Europe wide crash course on hooliganism.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: clandestino on August 27, 2021, 07:06:00 AM
Portuguese press says that Ronaldo is about to sign for City.

It's relevant since it's being related by serious people not the usual guys (Record, A Bola).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 27, 2021, 07:46:50 AM
Quote from: clandestino on August 27, 2021, 07:06:00 AM
Portuguese press says that Ronaldo is about to sign for City.

It's relevant since it's being related by serious people not the usual guys (Record, A Bola).

It is being reported in many different sources, so I guess it can be taken almost for granted.

I can't really see it working out.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 27, 2021, 08:35:30 AM
Apparently United are or are trying to hijack it :lol:

As Jonathan Wilson put it - the Alexis Sanchez Protocol.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 27, 2021, 08:36:09 AM
Twitter pundits saying City's off and now United are planning to sign him  :lol: :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 27, 2021, 08:40:37 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 27, 2021, 08:35:30 AM
Apparently United are or are trying to hijack it :lol:

As Jonathan Wilson put it - the Alexis Sanchez Protocol.

Don't get that reference, what's the Alexis Sánchez Protocol?  :huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 27, 2021, 08:46:44 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 27, 2021, 08:40:37 AM
Don't get that reference, what's the Alexis Sánchez Protocol?  :huh:
Sanchez was going to Man City, Man United hijacked the transfer largely to stop Man City from getting him rather than because they needed him or he fixed a gap in the team. They ended up with him on massive wages (even for United) so couldn't shift him despite a profoundly underwhelming 2-3 seasons where he played something like 30 games and only scored a couple of goals :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 27, 2021, 08:54:47 AM
Ok, thanks, I was not aware of that side of the transfer.  :lol:

If they pull it out then City will be popping champagne bottles.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: clandestino on August 27, 2021, 09:00:24 AM
He seems to fit better in United, it seems.

Good news as well for the national team, since Bruno-Ronaldo link was not optimal in the last Euro.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 27, 2021, 09:28:38 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 27, 2021, 05:53:08 AM
Europa League groups (blatantly copy/pasted from a Spanish site, so sorry for the lack of translation, although I think it's quite easily understandable):

Grupo A: Olympique de Lyon, Rangers, Sparta de Praga, Brondby

Grupo B: Mónaco, PSV, Real Sociedad, Sturm Graz

Grupo C: Nápoles, Leicester Cty, Spartak de Moscú, Legia de Varsovia

Grupo D: Olympiakos, Eintracht de Frankurt, Fenerbache, Royal Antwerp

Grupo E: Lazio, Lokomotiv de Moscú, Marsella, Galatasaray

Grupo F: SC Braga, Estrella Roja, Ludogorets, Midtjylland

Grupo G: Bayer Leverkusen, Celtic FC, Real Betis, Ferencvaros

Grupo H: Dinamo de Zagreb, Genk, West Ham, Rapid de Viena

So Castilian gave up on Amberes and/or Antuerpia? That's worse than in the 17th century.  :P

We need someday an Italian translation of a CL group with Monaco and Bayern München.   :D
Pretty straightforward for most cases, not even a Francoforte for fun. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 27, 2021, 09:30:08 AM
Quote from: clandestino on August 27, 2021, 07:06:00 AM
Portuguese press says that Ronaldo is about to sign for City.

It's relevant since it's being related by serious people not the usual guys (Record, A Bola).

Please don't tell it's being related by Correio da Manhã, or worse, their TV channel.
So O Jogo gets a pass? Interesting.  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 27, 2021, 09:30:59 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 27, 2021, 07:46:50 AM
Quote from: clandestino on August 27, 2021, 07:06:00 AM
Portuguese press says that Ronaldo is about to sign for City.

It's relevant since it's being related by serious people not the usual guys (Record, A Bola).

It is being reported in many different sources, so I guess it can be taken almost for granted.

I can't really see it working out.

Unlike Mbappé to Real from PSG, and then Ronaldo to PSG from Juventus?  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: clandestino on August 27, 2021, 09:49:23 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on August 27, 2021, 09:30:08 AM
Quote from: clandestino on August 27, 2021, 07:06:00 AM
Portuguese press says that Ronaldo is about to sign for City.

It's relevant since it's being related by serious people not the usual guys (Record, A Bola).

Please don't tell it's being related by Correio da Manhã, or worse, their TV channel.
So O Jogo gets a pass? Interesting.  :hmm:

It was TSF at the time. Yes, O Jogo is a more serious paper than those two.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 27, 2021, 11:03:02 AM
Pogba and Fernandes pinging balls onto Ronaldo's head is gonna be spicy this season  :glare:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 27, 2021, 11:06:55 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on August 27, 2021, 09:28:38 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 27, 2021, 05:53:08 AM
Europa League groups (blatantly copy/pasted from a Spanish site, so sorry for the lack of translation, although I think it's quite easily understandable):

Grupo A: Olympique de Lyon, Rangers, Sparta de Praga, Brondby

Grupo B: Mónaco, PSV, Real Sociedad, Sturm Graz

Grupo C: Nápoles, Leicester Cty, Spartak de Moscú, Legia de Varsovia

Grupo D: Olympiakos, Eintracht de Frankurt, Fenerbache, Royal Antwerp

Grupo E: Lazio, Lokomotiv de Moscú, Marsella, Galatasaray

Grupo F: SC Braga, Estrella Roja, Ludogorets, Midtjylland

Grupo G: Bayer Leverkusen, Celtic FC, Real Betis, Ferencvaros

Grupo H: Dinamo de Zagreb, Genk, West Ham, Rapid de Viena

So Castilian gave up on Amberes and/or Antuerpia? That's worse than in the 17th century.  :P

We need someday an Italian translation of a CL group with Monaco and Bayern München.   :D
Pretty straightforward for most cases, not even a Francoforte for fun. :(

It's Amberes in Spanish, in that case they didn't change the original name of the team in the draw.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 27, 2021, 11:10:27 AM
Quote from: clandestino on August 27, 2021, 09:49:23 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on August 27, 2021, 09:30:08 AM
Quote from: clandestino on August 27, 2021, 07:06:00 AM
Portuguese press says that Ronaldo is about to sign for City.

It's relevant since it's being related by serious people not the usual guys (Record, A Bola).

Please don't tell it's being related by Correio da Manhã, or worse, their TV channel.
So O Jogo gets a pass? Interesting.  :hmm:

It was TSF at the time. Yes, O Jogo is a more serious paper than those two.

:)

I don't think I ever managed to get my hands on a relevant "southern" edition of O Jogo, Euro 2016 Final commemorative does not count.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 27, 2021, 11:15:56 AM
God is playing a wacky game of FM right now lol
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 27, 2021, 11:19:00 AM
It seems that CR to Man Utd has been confirmed as official.

That was unexpected, certainly.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 27, 2021, 11:21:23 AM
Today was also the draw for the new UEFA Conference League trophy. It's a pretty weird mix of teams for sure:

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E9zVkrBXMAIR5-3?format=jpg&name=small)

There's a team from Gibraltar in there!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 27, 2021, 11:27:14 AM
What's this shit?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 27, 2021, 11:30:10 AM
Quote from: celedhring on August 27, 2021, 11:27:14 AM
What's this shit?

The Conference League? The brand new UEFA competition below the Europa League, it starts this year. Villarreal would have played on it if they hadn't won the Europa League last season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 27, 2021, 11:38:21 AM
I totally had no idea this existed. I would say it's UEFA once again being greedy but I'm not sure there's much money to be made off Garabag - Omonoia games.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 27, 2021, 11:38:41 AM
Quote from: celedhring on August 27, 2021, 11:27:14 AM
What's this shit?
The greatest football competition in Europe.

I say that solely because in the run-offs a Portuguese team (I forget who) beat Spurs in the first round and posted a Tik Tok of their mascot screwing the Spurs' mascot :lol:

Also, realistically it's the only European competition Everton might get into in the next few years and I think it could make for fun travel/trips for fans. I, for one, would be very excited to be travelling to *checks notes* Murska Sobota.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 27, 2021, 11:42:31 AM
It seems to be quite heavy on Eastern European teams, that's for sure, so plenty of exotic matches will take place thanks to it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 27, 2021, 11:45:29 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 27, 2021, 11:42:31 AM
It seems to be quite heavy on Eastern European teams, that's for sure, so plenty of exotic matches will take place thanks to it.
Yeah - and I'm of an age that gets nostalgic about Red Star popping up in the Champion's League, or Steuau Bucharest or Dynamo (Kyiv or Split or Zagreb) going on a run.

I do kind of hate that the other UEFA competitions are basically the same(ish) teams from the same(ish) 4-5 leagues. I think it's ridiculous when the continent swoons for Ajax as the romantic team having a deep run in a European competition :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 27, 2021, 11:46:21 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 27, 2021, 11:38:41 AM
Quote from: celedhring on August 27, 2021, 11:27:14 AM
What's this shit?
The greatest football competition in Europe.

I say that solely because in the run-offs a Portuguese team (I forget who) beat Spurs in the first round and posted a Tik Tok of their mascot screwing the Spurs' mascot :lol:

Paços de Ferreira! Their mascot is a beaver because the town's main industry is furniture making.  :lol:

(https://www.zerozero.pt/wimg/p565141g/ledman-ligapro-pacos-de-ferreira-x-ac-viseu.jpg)

QuoteAlso, realistically it's the only European competition Everton might get into in the next few years and I think it could make for fun travel/trips for fans. I, for one, would be very excited to be travelling to *checks notes* Murska Sobota.

Same for my team, proud winners of the Intertoto Cup.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 27, 2021, 11:48:21 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 27, 2021, 11:46:21 AM
Same for my team, proud winners of the Intertoto Cup.
:lol: :hug:

We won the Cup Winners' Cup (if I could change one thing in football - I'd bring it back :wub:) the year before I was born.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 27, 2021, 11:50:03 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 27, 2021, 11:45:29 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 27, 2021, 11:42:31 AM
It seems to be quite heavy on Eastern European teams, that's for sure, so plenty of exotic matches will take place thanks to it.
Yeah - and I'm of an age that gets nostalgic about Red Star popping up in the Champion's League, or Steuau Bucharest or Dynamo (Kyiv or Split or Zagreb) going on a run.

The team from Split is Hajduk, not Dinamo.  :P If Arkestra was here he'd get pretty mad if you mixed them up.  :lol:

Red Star almost qualified for the CL Group Stage, but was kicked out by Sheriff Tiraspol, the Transdnistrian team and champions of the mighty Moldavian league.  :lol:

QuoteI do kind of hate that the other UEFA competitions are basically the same(ish) teams from the same(ish) 4-5 leagues. I think it's ridiculous when the continent swoons for Ajax as the romantic team having a deep run in a European competition :(

Yeah, the Champions League is quite monotonous that way, its the same teams over and over and over in different combinations, with the odd new team for colour and a happy surprise of a deep run by an unexpected team like Ajax a couple of years ago.

The Europa League is slightly more varied.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 27, 2021, 11:55:07 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 27, 2021, 11:50:03 AM
The team from Split is Hajduk, not Dinamo.  :P If Arkestra was here he'd get pretty mad if you mixed them up.  :lol:
You're right - God, I'm embarassed  :Embarrass:

QuoteRed Star almost qualified for the CL Group Stage, but was kicked out by Sheriff Tiraspol, the Transdnistrian team and champions of the mighty Moldavian league.  :lol:
Yeah - and then I read a piece about how I really should support Sheriff even if they are the East European minnow because they're actually a sort of Transdnistrian state team and mainly used for money laundering.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 27, 2021, 12:02:00 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 27, 2021, 11:55:07 AM
QuoteRed Star almost qualified for the CL Group Stage, but was kicked out by Sheriff Tiraspol, the Transdnistrian team and champions of the mighty Moldavian league.  :lol:
Yeah - and then I read a piece about how I really should support Sheriff even if they are the East European minnow because they're actually a sort of Transdnistrian state team and mainly used for money laundering.

Yeah, apparently the company that owns the club (Sheriff) are the monopolistic masters of Transdnistria, and they own from supermarkets and gas stations to a TV station and the mobile phone network.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 27, 2021, 12:17:49 PM
Quote from: The Larch on August 27, 2021, 11:30:10 AM
Quote from: celedhring on August 27, 2021, 11:27:14 AM
What's this shit?

The Conference League? The brand new UEFA competition below the Europa League, it starts this year. Villarreal would have played on it if they hadn't won the Europa League last season.

Back to three European Cups, as before the '90s, though it is still very unbalanced and more of a bone for third-tier teams or big ones who flopped in their respective leagues.
In good news for the Ligue des Tas Lents, Paços de Ferreira was beaten by Tottenham (thanks Harry Kane) and Santa Clara lost 2-0 to Partizan Belgrade, after winning 2-1 in Portugal so no Portuguese team in the Conference League.

Tottenham and AS Roma are the biggest teams.

If Intertoto Cup wins count, I guess Braga is one of the big Portuguese teams as well.  :hmm:
It's the one Cup French clubs took very seriously leading with 12 wins.  :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 27, 2021, 12:23:34 PM
I think Tottenham played a team in the conference league that had a railroad track running on the pitch  :lol:

*On the sidelines to be exact, not within the actual legal pitch
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 27, 2021, 12:24:37 PM
And it's exactly that glamour that I want Everton to aspire to :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 27, 2021, 12:25:30 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 27, 2021, 12:23:34 PM
I think Tottenham played a team in the conference league that had a railroad track running on the pitch  :lol:

*On the sidelines to be exact, not within the actual legal pitch

Disappointing.  :thumbsdown:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 27, 2021, 12:26:41 PM
Out of curiosity, I've been checking which teams go to the Conference League and it seems to have a clear bias towards medium and small leagues. Top 5 leagues (England, Spain, Germany, Italy and France) send only one team in theory (Spain doesn't send any team in this edition because Villarreal, the team that should go, won the Europa League and thus will be playing the Champions League instead), while the next 11 leagues (Portugal, Russia, Belgium, Ukraine, Netherlands, Turkey, Austria, Denmark, Scotland, Czech Republic and Cyprus) send 2 teams, and almost every other league in the continent send 3 teams (except Liechenstein, that only sends 1, and the bottom 5 leagues [Estonia, Kosovo, Faroe Islands, Andorra and San Marino] that send only 2).

Those ranks are increased by Europa League drop-downs, that's why for instance this year there are 3 Dutch teams, when theoretically they'd only send 2.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 27, 2021, 12:32:40 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 27, 2021, 12:23:34 PM
I think Tottenham played a team in the conference league that had a railroad track running on the pitch  :lol:

*On the sidelines to be exact, not within the actual legal pitch

I think that was a joke, Tottenham only played the aforementioned Paços de Ferreira, and they don't have a train running through their pitch. They do have a horny beaver mascot that pretended to bugger the Tottenham mascot after they won at home 1 - 0.  :lol:

(https://nitter.net/pic/ext_tw_video_thumb%2F1428486356481753092%2Fpu%2Fimg%2FZ2FmdVlcc7DPVoir.jpg%3Asmall)

The ones that have the train through their pitch is an amateur Slovakian team called Tartan Cierny Balog. Quite picturesque, I must say.

(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-84ar0ROD9o4/XOPD4VDNC0I/AAAAAAAAfQA/uREQIX3C-NQnkyIHY6SfuEdm-NwdemI8QCLcBGAs/w1200-h630-p-k-no-nu/cierny-balog-stadium-7.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 27, 2021, 12:58:36 PM
Doing a quick review of the Man Utd squad after getting CR, they have the following forwards:

Cavani, Martial, Rashford, Greenwood, Sancho, Mata, Lingard, Elanga and Shoretire, plus now CR as well. Except for Elanga and Shoretire, that are newly promoted academy graduates, the rest are established first team players.

Quite the crowded situation there.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 27, 2021, 03:00:25 PM
Quote from: The Larch on August 27, 2021, 12:32:40 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 27, 2021, 12:23:34 PM
I think Tottenham played a team in the conference league that had a railroad track running on the pitch  :lol:

*On the sidelines to be exact, not within the actual legal pitch

I think that was a joke, Tottenham only played the aforementioned Paços de Ferreira, and they don't have a train running through their pitch. They do have a horny beaver mascot that pretended to bugger the Tottenham mascot after they won at home 1 - 0.  :lol:

(https://nitter.net/pic/ext_tw_video_thumb%2F1428486356481753092%2Fpu%2Fimg%2FZ2FmdVlcc7DPVoir.jpg%3Asmall)

The ones that have the train through their pitch is an amateur Slovakian team called Tartan Cierny Balog. Quite picturesque, I must say.

(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-84ar0ROD9o4/XOPD4VDNC0I/AAAAAAAAfQA/uREQIX3C-NQnkyIHY6SfuEdm-NwdemI8QCLcBGAs/w1200-h630-p-k-no-nu/cierny-balog-stadium-7.jpg)

This is amazing  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 27, 2021, 03:01:33 PM
Yeah. The Sanchez Protocol - from a Man United fan online :lol:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E9zetcyXEAoCBP4?format=png&name=small)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 27, 2021, 03:07:28 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 27, 2021, 03:01:33 PM
Yeah. The Sanchez Protocol - from a Man United fan online :lol:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E9zetcyXEAoCBP4?format=png&name=small)

Score All The Goals while hoping Varane and Maguire make enough last ditch tackles that the opponent's goals don't matter?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 28, 2021, 07:22:57 AM
QuoteI'm convinced Arsenal FC is one big psychological experiment. Right now there's a professor leaning over a TV screen muttering into a headset 'increase the misery' while an underling with shaking hands presses a button crossing himself as he does it.
https://twitter.com/paul_c_watson/status/1431591790323412997?s=19
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on August 28, 2021, 02:21:01 PM
I for one am thoroughly enjoying Arsenal's season so far  :frog:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on August 28, 2021, 02:38:56 PM
Although I disagree with the 2 red cards I saw today. Xhaka barely made contact and Chelsea's James' handball bounced off his leg first. How can he intentionally handball it afterwards...

Some strange decisions IMO.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 28, 2021, 03:13:08 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on August 28, 2021, 02:21:01 PM
I for one am thoroughly enjoying Arsenal's season so far  :frog:
I cannot wait for All or Nothing: Arsenal :lol:

Hell, I'd watch a documentary about the board meeting where they decided that was a good idea :blink:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 28, 2021, 03:28:55 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on August 28, 2021, 02:21:01 PM
I for one am thoroughly enjoying Arsenal's season so far  :frog:

ugh
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 28, 2021, 03:42:28 PM
No Arsenal fan was surprised at the result today. The writing has been on the wall for a long time. Its just made it so bare that things I feel are starting to bubble over. At least in the 8-2 Arsenal ( exactly 10 years ago ) showed some fight and scored a couple goals :lol:

I can't see Arteta surviving this season. Even if he picks up some points in the short term he'll get the team into another funk and lose 5 straight or something and he'll be out. I honestly think the executive board have no idea what to do right now. They've hitched their wagon to Arteta's project and he supposedly has Wenger-like authority at the club. When he gets fired then management have to fill that gigantic hole. I'm convinced that they'll literally beg Wenger to come back as caretaker manager until the end of the season. In a normal club this would galvanize everyone at the club and Arsenal will storm into 5th place and Wenger will bequeath a patched-up project to his designated successor but this is Arsenal Football Club, so Arsene's rescue project will get relegated in the last game of the season  :lol:

Seriously though, after Arteta (and Edu) gets the sack they just need to find someone experienced and throw money at them, but I'm of the belief that the club had been so terribly managed for the last 5 or 6 years that only being bought by a petrostate/oligarch would save this club from eternal midtable mediocrity. Arsenal has actually become the meme.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 28, 2021, 03:55:21 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 28, 2021, 03:13:08 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on August 28, 2021, 02:21:01 PM
I for one am thoroughly enjoying Arsenal's season so far  :frog:
I cannot wait for All or Nothing: Arsenal :lol:

Hell, I'd watch a documentary about the board meeting where they decided that was a good idea :blink:

It will be literally the only good thing coming out of Arsenal this season.

The board gave Arteta a lot of power and it's been obvious for a while now he's in way over his head. He and Edu have created a team that can't attack, can't defend, and have no recognizable style except hoof it to Tierney who crosses it into an empty box. Squad building has been absurd. Arsenal played 3 at the back today, none of whom are Premier League-level and one who has actively tried to leave the club and who the club has been begging other teams to take. Another center half was sitting on the bench after Lukaku completely destroyed him last week. Yet Arsenal loaned a highly-rated William Saliba to Marseille for the season.

Granit Xhaka was horrid today but I don't actually blame him. He's been at Arsenal for a long time now and everyone knows his limitations. He's proven he's a decent player. He had a great season last year and was arguably Switzerland's best player at the Euros. But he needs a decent partner beside him. Leaving him as your lone holding midfielder is suicide because he inevitably tries too hard to cover too much space and hr ends up doing really stupid things, like going two-footed into a player. But this is what Arteta decided to do today against MANCHESTER CITY'S midfield  :lol:

I could go on and on but I'll stop here for now. Sorry about all that :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 28, 2021, 04:04:06 PM
To be honest it's Edu's position I find weirdest.

With Arteta there was huge hype in coaching circles, lots of talk about him being Pep's natrual successor etc. So I get why the board goes for him (especially given the connection) and they don't want to get caught in the cycle of replacing managers every eighteen months (All or Nothing: Everton). I can see how they got here with Arteta even if they need to get rid.

But I don't really get how Edu ended up in such a strong position - or what else went on with other senior-ish people in Arsenal like Sanlehi. From the outside it just all seems very weird and difficult to understand.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 28, 2021, 04:18:56 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 28, 2021, 04:04:06 PM
To be honest it's Edu's position I find weirdest.

With Arteta there was huge hype in coaching circles, lots of talk about him being Pep's natrual successor etc. So I get why the board goes for him (especially given the connection) and they don't want to get caught in the cycle of replacing managers every eighteen months (All or Nothing: Everton). I can see how they got here with Arteta even if they need to get rid.

But I don't really get how Edu ended up in such a strong position - or what else went on with other senior-ish people in Arsenal like Sanlehi. From the outside it just all seems very weird and difficult to understand.

I think he came in because he was buds with Sanllehi and they were hooked into the same agent network. He's learning on the job too. So the Kroenkes saw fit to have two novices helm the club during the most important transition in the club's history  :lol: :cry:

I actually think Arteta is a decent coach and will be a top manager one day. But a dysfunctional Arsenal as your first real job is too much for someone completely new to the job. They needed to bring in someone recognized and experienced. But that ship has sailed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on August 29, 2021, 03:03:56 AM
I knew it.  Richarlison is poison.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 29, 2021, 03:15:10 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 28, 2021, 04:04:06 PM
To be honest it's Edu's position I find weirdest.

With Arteta there was huge hype in coaching circles, lots of talk about him being Pep's natrual successor etc. So I get why the board goes for him (especially given the connection) and they don't want to get caught in the cycle of replacing managers every eighteen months (All or Nothing: Everton). I can see how they got here with Arteta even if they need to get rid.

But I don't really get how Edu ended up in such a strong position - or what else went on with other senior-ish people in Arsenal like Sanlehi. From the outside it just all seems very weird and difficult to understand.

Ah, Raül Sanllehí. Because hiring anybody connected to Barça's transfer policy in the past 10 years is such a brilliant idea.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on August 29, 2021, 03:47:09 AM
And excellent penalty killing Chelsea.  :smoke:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 29, 2021, 08:04:28 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 29, 2021, 03:03:56 AM
I knew it.  Richarlison is poison.
Leave Richarlison alone! :ultra:

He's fine :P

My suspicion - even before the recent arrest - is that Sigurdsson is poison :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on August 29, 2021, 04:45:29 PM
Zoupa's Spurs report, matchday 3: Watford at Tottenham.

1st half: Watford starts on the right foot, they're the more threatening side for the first 15 minutes or so. After that, Spurs monopolize the ball and Watford plays ULTRA defensive. Literally 11 players behind the ball, 11 players in the box for corners (which I don't think I've ever seen). The game becomes a puzzle that Spurs need to unlock, basically pressing on the wings, trying some long balls to Son or Bergwjin. The latter gets a free kick thanks to his quick feet and speed, opposition GK totally misjudges the ball and Son scores.

Won't be goal of the week but we'll take it.

2nd half: Not much to report. Dele is playing well, creates a nice occasion with Kane, Dele misses the goal by a foot. Lucas for Bergwjin ( :wacko:). Bryan Gil for Son ( :huh:). Kane misses an open net, tries a few things but nothing memorable. Watford is newly promoted I think and it shows. Apart from Sarr on the right side, they don't threaten Spurs at all. I think Lloris made one save.

Reguillon sucked, Skipp continues to be invisible. I would play Aurier and Winks, but then again you can't argue with 3 wins and being at the top of the league, so what do I know.

They traded my Sissoko to Watford a couple of days before the game  :(

Good feeling to head into the intl break on 3 wins and no goals conceded. COYS.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 30, 2021, 01:19:50 PM
I feel like this is the fourth time that Mbappé signs for Real Madrid.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 30, 2021, 06:17:30 PM
Quote from: celedhring on August 30, 2021, 01:19:50 PM
I feel like this is the fourth time that Mbappé signs for Real Madrid.
El Chiringuito is now a source for a lot of memes on English football twitter (ever since that Eden Hazard night :lol:) - and this is outstanding:
https://twitter.com/ElChiringuitoEN/status/1432126072317952000?s=20
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 31, 2021, 03:34:14 PM
Checking the background of one of the players that has moved in this transfer deadline has turned out a rather fascinating story.

There's this Brazilian guy called Junior Messias, that plays in Italy as an attacking midfielder. The guy used to play as a kid in Brazil for Cruzeiro, but seems to have never amounted to much, and in 2011 at 20 he moved to Italy to go live with his brother, who was already living in Turin, and started working there as a delivery boy for an appliances factory, and keeps playing in his spare time for sunday league teams.

At 24 he is spotted in one of these amateur tournaments and is signed by a local 5th division team. The next year he's signed by a Serie D team. The following year he's signed by another Serie D team, that gets promoted to Serie C. After one year in Serie C, at 28 he is signed by Crotone, at that point in Serie B, and they get promoted to Serie A. He plays for a year for them in Serie A and this summer, at 30, he has been signed by Milan, and will play in this season's Champions League.

So, in barely 6 years, this guy has gone from playing for basically pub teams in sunday leagues to the Champions League. Quite the career!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 31, 2021, 09:44:28 PM
One of my favorite Arsenal players, Hector Bellerin, went off on loan to Spain. I think the loan will run through the remainder of his contract so we've likely seen the end of his playing days for Arsenal. His last game for the club was the second league win over Chelsea last season.

So long Hector.  :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 01, 2021, 04:13:04 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 31, 2021, 03:34:14 PM
Checking the background of one of the players that has moved in this transfer deadline has turned out a rather fascinating story.

There's this Brazilian guy called Junior Messias, that plays in Italy as an attacking midfielder. The guy used to play as a kid in Brazil for Cruzeiro, but seems to have never amounted to much, and in 2011 at 20 he moved to Italy to go live with his brother, who was already living in Turin, and started working there as a delivery boy for an appliances factory, and keeps playing in his spare time for sunday league teams.

At 24 he is spotted in one of these amateur tournaments and is signed by a local 5th division team. The next year he's signed by a Serie D team. The following year he's signed by another Serie D team, that gets promoted to Serie C. After one year in Serie C, at 28 he is signed by Crotone, at that point in Serie B, and they get promoted to Serie A. He plays for a year for them in Serie A and this summer, at 30, he has been signed by Milan, and will play in this season's Champions League.

So, in barely 6 years, this guy has gone from playing for basically pub teams in sunday leagues to the Champions League. Quite the career!

Awesome. Never give up etc...
Big Jamie Vardy vibes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 01, 2021, 04:18:39 AM
Yeah - that's amazing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on September 01, 2021, 04:23:08 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 31, 2021, 03:34:14 PMJunior Messias

What a humble name!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 01, 2021, 05:24:39 AM
Quote from: Syt on September 01, 2021, 04:23:08 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 31, 2021, 03:34:14 PMJunior Messias

What a humble name!

Well, it's his real name, not even a nickname as it's common with Brazilians.  :lol:

Quote from: Tyr on September 01, 2021, 04:13:04 AMAwesome. Never give up etc...
Big Jamie Vardy vibes.

One has to think at which point he thought he could really make it. I don't think he expected to have a proper football career when he moved to Italy, and at first he was playing for lower leagues teams, so he might have thought that he could at least have a lower league career, but I don't know when he might have thought that he had what it took to play at the top level of the game as he'll be doing now, at 30. I don't know if he's a guy who fell through the cracks of football scouting when he was starting out or quite the late bloomer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 01, 2021, 05:48:46 AM
It is a wonder; just what is the psychology of lower-league football players?
In terms of ability they are drastically closer to premier league quality than they are to the average sunday league player. Is it that a case that only once you reach a certain level you become aware of quite how much further you have to go? Or do they all think they just have to make that one tweak to remove the flaw in their playing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 01, 2021, 06:10:03 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 31, 2021, 03:34:14 PM
Checking the background of one of the players that has moved in this transfer deadline has turned out a rather fascinating story.

There's this Brazilian guy called Junior Messias, that plays in Italy as an attacking midfielder. The guy used to play as a kid in Brazil for Cruzeiro, but seems to have never amounted to much, and in 2011 at 20 he moved to Italy to go live with his brother, who was already living in Turin, and started working there as a delivery boy for an appliances factory, and keeps playing in his spare time for sunday league teams.

At 24 he is spotted in one of these amateur tournaments and is signed by a local 5th division team. The next year he's signed by a Serie D team. The following year he's signed by another Serie D team, that gets promoted to Serie C. After one year in Serie C, at 28 he is signed by Crotone, at that point in Serie B, and they get promoted to Serie A. He plays for a year for them in Serie A and this summer, at 30, he has been signed by Milan, and will play in this season's Champions League.

So, in barely 6 years, this guy has gone from playing for basically pub teams in sunday leagues to the Champions League. Quite the career!

There's still hope for me yet.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 01, 2021, 06:14:06 AM
Quote from: Tyr on September 01, 2021, 05:48:46 AM
It is a wonder; just what is the psychology of lower-league football players?
In terms of ability they are drastically closer to premier league quality than they are to the average sunday league player. Is it that a case that only once you reach a certain level you become aware of quite how much further you have to go? Or do they all think they just have to make that one tweak to remove the flaw in their playing.

I guess it depends on how you perform at each level. If you're playing at, say, the 5th division, and you have amazing performances day in, day out, maybe you think you can cut it one or two levels about it. If you go up in level and keep performing well then maybe you can make it one more level above that, until you kind of hit a wall and assume that you've reached your ceiling. In lower leagues it's not as if there's a massive abyss of playing level between them, but at some point the difference is big enough to be difficult to overcome for most players.

This particular guy, as an attacking midfielder, had the following numbers.

- At 5th division, 21 goals in 32 games. Obviously he was very good and could play in a better team.
- In his first 4th division team, 15 goals in 34 games. Again he was good, so he could play at a higher level.
- In his second 4th division team, 5 goals in 23 teams. Quite a performance drop, but we don't know what could have happened there, what is not shown in those numbers, and the team got promoted anyway, and the following year he played for them in 3rd division, in which he scored 5 goals in 35 games. He must have been doing things well, because he's then signed by Crotone (newly relegated from Serie A) for the 2nd division.
- In his first year in Crotone in Serie B he scored 6 goals in 36 matches, so he's doing roughly the same numbers he was doing in lower leagues, but in an even increasing level of competition. Crotone get promoted to Serie A, and in his debut at top level he scores 9 goals in 37 games, which as a midfielder is pretty good, and enough for Milan to come knocking.

So, seeing his numbers, I guess that at first he might have thought that he was too good for the 5th and 4th division teams, given how well he performed there at first, but maybe his career could have floundered in the 3rd division if he didn't have one of his lucky breaks, which he seems to have had a few.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 01, 2021, 07:10:49 AM
Interesting to see media grapple and work through how to report on Ronaldo given the sexual assault allegations. I think this wasn't an issue when he was playing overseas (except when the story broke) because he would come up in the context of CL or Serie A round up, while this time United are making a big deal of him re-signing, there are lots of fans and he will be part of the "domestic game" narrative.

It's also a really good example of something I think applies beyond sport that I think journalism should explain itself and why and how it reaches the decisions it does in how things are covered because I think that would actually increase trust but also just explain their thinking. So the Guardian podcast they did talk about this and how often they should mention these allegations - the conclusions was that they had a duty to mention them but that it would (I think this Jonathan Wilson's point) be defamatory to do it every time you report on Ronaldo even if it is reporting a fact (because repeating "Ronaldo, who has been accused of sexual assualt" in every article creates an impression that goes beyond what it's saying). Similarly with some of the United reporters for the Athletic who are torn between having to flag this and the Athletic has done a big piece on the allegations to almost temper the partisan, club reporter excitement. I don't know what's the right level of talking about the allegations - I think the Guardian podcast broadly struck the right note but it's not easy :hmm:

Generally the UK has really strict reporting restrictions once someone's been arrested or charged in the interests of getting a fair trial - so I know the Icelandic press have revealed more about Sigurdsson, I don't know if there'll be similar coverage in France about Mendy. But I don't think that applies to Ronaldo. So with Sigurdsson and Mendy the media are very limited in what they can say until there's a trial, while with Ronaldo they're not (I think because it's overseas and it's a civil suit now).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 01, 2021, 07:31:08 AM
I don't know how true this is but supposedly Ronaldo hasn't been to the United States in years because of these allegations?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 01, 2021, 07:34:04 AM
QuoteI guess it depends on how you perform at each level. If you're playing at, say, the 5th division, and you have amazing performances day in, day out, maybe you think you can cut it one or two levels about it. If you go up in level and keep performing well then maybe you can make it one more level above that, until you kind of hit a wall and assume that you've reached your ceiling. In lower leagues it's not as if there's a massive abyss of playing level between them, but at some point the difference is big enough to be difficult to overcome for most players.
I'm not so sure there is in the English system at least. Things are obviously quite different in Spain- didn't we discuss this a few months back?
These days in England there's pretty clear levels from the top of the premier league all the way down with only slight differences between them. Top Championship teams are easily the quality of bottom Premier League teams for instance.

The big difference in quality between the lower leagues and premier league players IMO tends to be less in what they can produce and more in consistency. A League 1 goal keeper can be great.... but 2, 3, 4, times a game almost guaranteed he will fuck up and make a mistake- against League 1 strikers they can fuck up at the same time and not score, against premier league strikers on the other hand whose errors tend to be more once every few games....
You do get skill differences too of course. The ability to put the ball within a certain radius of where you want to put it. But far more important than that is how often they roll a one.

For your analysis of this guy...I note he's an attacking midfielder/forward. Goals scored may not be the best measure for him as for an out and out poacher.

Coming to mind right now...I can't remember his name but I'm sure I recall a player a year or two back from a league 1 or 2 team decided to quit football altogether and go onto a normal career as he realised he was never going to crack the big time and didn't see sacrificing more years in the lower leagues with a guaranteed retirement in his 30s as worth it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on September 01, 2021, 03:38:58 PM
Dutch national team blowing their chances of qualifying for the WC. Film at 11  :rolleyes:


edit: nevermind, Turkey manages to squander their lead in the 97th minute
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 01, 2021, 03:56:38 PM
So now I want to see the last minutes of Portugal - Ireland :o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 01, 2021, 04:03:58 PM
I'm shocked that there are wc qualifiers going on today. The euros seem to be just a week or two ago still.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 02, 2021, 04:04:37 AM
The team is continuing the good play from the Euros and won 2-0 over Scotland. The last goal was like seeing Laudrup passing to Sand in 1998. Damsgaard and Mæhle are quickly becoming favorites. :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 02, 2021, 06:30:51 AM
Malta won. :huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 02, 2021, 07:45:37 AM
Quote from: Liep on September 01, 2021, 03:56:38 PM
So now I want to see the last minutes of Portugal - Ireland :o

Seems pretty much on the Euro 2020 pattern. Coach is too stubborn to make changes, Fernandes sucks in the national squad as in Bernardo Silva and Fernandes can't play in the same midfield. Once João Moutinho entered, play improved.
Some good early 20 minutes with a post hit by Jota and a penalty not scored by Ronaldo, but then not much and Ireland scored on their one opportunity.
Thankfully for the Selecção, late changes and a highly motivated Ronaldo gave a hard fought victory after countless crosses and shots.
Game will be shown on a free-to-air terrestrial sports channel in France Friday night.  :lol: It was shown live on their website but the quality was not that great.

Upset of the night was Bosnia tieing with France in Strasbourg, with France playing shorthanded for most of the second half. I suppose Bosnia could have even won but they seemed happy with the result yet they are at 2 points. Ukraine at 4, which lost a great opportunity to get closer to les Bleus, by tieing again with Kazakhstan.

Josephus

Against Cyprus? That's not exactly an upset.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 02, 2021, 03:09:16 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on September 02, 2021, 07:45:37 AM
Josephus

Against Cyprus? That's not exactly an upset.  :P

Um.....Yes. It is.


Cyprus ranked 99. Malta 177.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on September 03, 2021, 12:10:33 AM
Apparently last night Spain lost it's first WC qualifier since '93 when it lost against Denmark, 66 straight games without a loss. That was a good run, let's hope nothing like it ever happens again. Ever.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on September 03, 2021, 04:49:25 AM
It's nice and sort of symbolic how (I think) Kane is calling in the team for a group hug so they can stand together in the shower of beer and missiles hurled by the Hungarian fans nazis after Sterling's goal.

https://streamable.com/1jrv5p

While there are less and less racist/thugist incidents even on the bloody Balkans, Hungary is happily regressing under Orban. It's a shame.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 03, 2021, 05:00:01 AM
Its amazing really how it is such a big thing in Hungary, a place with about 10 black people in the entire country. Logically they should be completely indifferent to BLM, anti-racism gestures, etc....
Alas the politics of fear and culture wars finds fertile ground in ignorant minds.

Incidentally- I noticed in one of the photos from last night a Hungarian hooligan had a t-shirt with a green cross flag on it. Whats that about? Some alternative flag to spin Hungary as christian (in the far right sense)?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 03, 2021, 05:25:21 AM
Quote from: Tamas on September 03, 2021, 04:49:25 AM
It's nice and sort of symbolic how (I think) Kane is calling in the team for a group hug so they can stand together in the shower of beer and missiles hurled by the Hungarian fans nazis after Sterling's goal.

https://streamable.com/1jrv5p

While there are less and less racist/thugist incidents even on the bloody Balkans, Hungary is happily regressing under Orban. It's a shame.
Although it may have been a piss-cup and it's unsafe in covid times I did love Declan Rice's response:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-TlQ6lUUAQrIeH?format=jpg&name=small)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-TlQ6_VcA4EW-z?format=jpg&name=small)

:lol:

Huge boos when England players took the knee as well - and I get they're separate organisations but I sort of feel like if a country has been banned from having fans by UEFA for racist and homophobic behaviour, then that should probably also apply to FIFA games as well. I don't know - maybe that's not right but it seems strange that Hungary won't be allowed fans because of behaviour at the Euros for European games (so Nations League?), so instead FIFA will do their own investigation and own punishment for whether the fans banned for racism in a tournament literally two months ago might be racist.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on September 03, 2021, 05:40:21 AM
Truly, the flowers of Hungarian manhood
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 03, 2021, 02:36:13 PM
Quote from: Josephus on September 02, 2021, 03:09:16 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on September 02, 2021, 07:45:37 AM
Josephus

Against Cyprus? That's not exactly an upset.  :P

Um.....Yes. It is.


Cyprus ranked 99. Malta 177.

That's true but it's a bit misleading. Cyprus is not that much a bigger team than Malta. Cyprus was able to play some tricks on bigger teams such as France or Portugal, in their home turf withs some ties
That 78 gap would be more meaningful between the 21st and 99th.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 03, 2021, 02:39:38 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 03, 2021, 05:25:21 AM


Huge boos when England players took the knee as well - and I get they're separate organisations but I sort of feel like if a country has been banned from having fans by UEFA for racist and homophobic behaviour, then that should probably also apply to FIFA games as well. I don't know - maybe that's not right but it seems strange that Hungary won't be allowed fans because of behaviour at the Euros for European games (so Nations League?), so instead FIFA will do their own investigation and own punishment for whether the fans banned for racism in a tournament literally two months ago might be racist.

The knee feel good comedy, often used by casual racists such as Neymar or real ones such as Demba Ba to divert attentions from their own racism, was also booed in England for that matter. At least Hungarians are not racist language-wise, cf. Cavani forbidden to use his language because it might offend some Anglo ignoramus.

As for stupid supporters, it's a tie between England and Hungary but no contest on the pitch.  :P England won, that was the best possible answer.
For the objects thrown into the pitch and illegal pyrotechnics I guess the stadium or part of it should get some sanctions anyways such as a partial closure.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 03, 2021, 03:04:55 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on September 03, 2021, 02:39:38 PM
The knee feel good comedy, often used by casual racists such as Neymar or real ones such as Demba Ba to divert attentions from their own racism, was also booed in England for that matter.
Sure in one friendly before the Euros. All the way through the Euros applause drowned out any boos at players taking the knee and started as soon as they did to stop any booers. And it's got broad approval given the racist abuse black players face - and, in this game, faced.

It does happen at certain clubs - everyone is stunned to discover Millwall fans don't like an anti-racist gesture - but is also broadly applauded in the club game here with fans back.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 03, 2021, 03:07:15 PM
Booing the knee farce is ok in England but not in Hungary. Verstanden!

Given all the incidents in the Euro Final, not just knee booing (still no answer about the racist abuse at Cavani for daring to use his language), this is comical.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 03, 2021, 03:25:16 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on September 03, 2021, 03:07:15 PM
Booing the knee farce is ok in England but not in Hungary. Verstanden!
No it was wrong in England and it's Hungary. But I think it's wrong to characterise the response as the same.

But I think there is a difference between games in England (of which there were many during the Euros :lol:) where taking the knee wasn't booed at any game, but was in a pre-tournament friendly, v games in Hungary (and Russia for that matter) where it was booed at every game. In Hungary that far-right ultra group also had homophobic banners etc - they are the reason UEFA's making Hungary play behind closed doors (and I still find it crazy that UEFA and FIFA don't sort of mirror penalties for this sort of thing). I think there is a difference between the two.

English football has a problem with racism - English football has a problem with a significant proportion of fans. I wouldn't deny that for a second and there was a lot of coverage of it. But this game wasn't in England, these weren't English fans and I think it's probably reasonable to say that the process seems a bit further along in England (and I think it started in the club game). I'm not going to sit here and lecture Hungary fans on how to fix it or pretend England's a model - but I think it is okay for English people to call it out. The fact that English racists exist does not mean English people should therefore just silently pretend not to notice racism elsewhere - I think call it out but don't hold ourselves up as a model.

QuoteGiven all the incidents in the Euro Final, not just knee booing (still no answer about the racist abuse at Cavani for daring to use his language), this is comical.
I agree on the Euro final and especially the racist abuse that those players received. I have also flagged the far stronger outpouring of support they received. I'd be happy to do the same for any opposition from other Hungary fans against this far-right group - from that image it looks like the Carpathian Brigade. Not least because I think it is primarily an issue that football sort of needs to address within itself. But I think on a club level fines don't work - the €30k fine for monkey chants at a player is not going to cause clubs or other fans to respond - so I generally support banning fans for games after racist or homophobic incidents and I fully back players who walk off the pitch if they're subject to abuse (again that goes within the English game, European club games and international football).

We just disagree on Cavani - so I'm not sure there's much to add :P

Edit: The whole argument on this reminds me of this "Yet you participate in society. Curious!" meme to be honest.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 03, 2021, 03:38:54 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 03, 2021, 03:25:16 PM

No it was wrong in England and it's Hungary. But I think it's wrong to characterise the response as the same.

But I think there is a difference between games in England (of which there were many during the Euros :lol:) where taking the knee wasn't booed at any game, but was in a pre-tournament friendly, v games in Hungary (and Russia for that matter) where it was booed at every game. In Hungary that far-right ultra group also had homophobic banners etc - they are the reason UEFA's making Hungary play behind closed doors (and I still find it crazy that UEFA and FIFA don't sort of mirror penalties for this sort of thing). I think there is a difference between the two.

There is a difference indeed, as booing an empty feel good PR move (not gracious I'll grant you that) is far from yelling racist insults at people.

Quote
English football has a problem with racism - English football has a problem with a significant proportion of fans. I wouldn't deny that for a second and there was a lot of coverage of it. But this game wasn't in England, these weren't English fans and I think it's probably reasonable to say that the process seems a bit further along in England (and I think it started in the club game). I'm not going to sit here and lecture Hungary fans on how to fix it or pretend England's a model - but I think it is okay for English people to call it out. The fact that English racists exist does not mean English people should therefore just silently pretend not to notice racism elsewhere - I think call it out but don't hold ourselves up as a model.

Yet Cavani gets lectured by people clueless about his language, or rather specific dialect, not just by English people but by the FA, so people with more clout than black t-shirt clad brain dead Hungarian hooligans.

Quote
I agree on the Euro final and especially the racist abuse that those players received. I have also flagged the far stronger outpouring of support they received. I'd be happy to do the same for any opposition from other Hungary fans against this far-right group - from that image it looks like the Carpathian Brigade. Not least because I think it is primarily an issue that football sort of needs to address within itself. But I think on a club level fines don't work - the €30k fine for monkey chants at a player is not going to cause clubs or other fans to respond - so I generally support banning fans for games after racist or homophobic incidents and I fully back players who walk off the pitch if they're subject to abuse (again that goes within the English game, European club games and international football).

Let's just say England with his recent history of abuse and "racism" at Central and European people (on good days on bad days other mainlanders might get it) does not get a pass easily on the Continent. Hello Brexit!

Quote
We just disagree on Cavani - so I'm not sure there's much to add :P

Your disagreement is based on ignorance, that's all that can be added indeed. His mate (meaning of negrito in context) did not imply he was black.
I guess it's too much to ask for you take a look at a dictionary and taking into account of the context. Given the sorry state of language learning in the UK, even English e.g the lack of grammar teaching, OTOH, I should not be surprised.

Explanation does not work for casual racism à la Neymar (he was jussed pissed off at a Japanese so yelling Chinoca/whatever Portuguese ethnic slur at Eastern Asian people at Sakai is ok I guess) or real à la Demba Da (take a look at his pro-wahhabist, conspiracy minded, dog whistling politics-rich twitter. It's in French, but I can provide translations, free of charge, if needed! :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 03, 2021, 03:52:39 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on September 03, 2021, 03:38:54 PMThere is a difference indeed as booing an empty feel good PR move is far from yelling racist insults at people.
I think that's probably the crux of our difference of views on this.

QuoteYet Cavani gets lectured by people clueless about his language, or rather specific dialect, not just by English people but by the FA, so people with more clout than black t-shirt clad brain dead Hungarian hooligans.
He wasn't lectured - he was given a suspension and everyone's moved on. This wasn't like the Suarez incident with United coming out in "Free Cavani" t-shirts.

QuoteLet's just say England with his recent history of abuse and "racism" at Central and European people (on good days on bad days other mainlanders might get it) does not get a pass easily on the Continent. Hello Brexit!
Again - I'm happy to also call that out. But I just don't really see the relevance.

QuoteYour disagreement is based on ignorance, that's all that can be added indeed. His mate (meaning of negrito in context) did not imply he was black.
I guess it's too much to ask for you take a look at a dictionary and taking into account of the context. Given the sorry state of language learning in the UK, even English e.g the lack of grammar teaching, OTOH, I should not be surprised.
Sure - I get that.

If I was famous and employed by an American brand and living and working in the US - I would not post a social media message to a friend about fancying a fag despite it having a different meaning. I don't blame Cavani for that or think he's a bad person or a racist, but he used language that in the context of Manchester United is unacceptable because in that context and in England it can be interepreted and read as racist - and if a bunch of Manc kids started saying it in the schoolyard it would clearly be racist.

I blame the club - I know players in that type of club get guidelines and explanations on social media. I think that should have been included, especially after the Suarez the word and it's context/use by Uruguayans is quite well known because of that.

What you can say if you are employed by a Chinese brand and working in China is different than in Russia, which is different than the US, which is different than the UK.

Edit: And also obviously posting something on Instagram when you have 8.7 million followers is different from a WhatsApp to a mate.

QuoteExplanation does not work for casual racism à la Neymar (he was jussed pissed off at a Japanese so yelling Chinoca/whatever Portuguese ethnic slur at Eastern Asian people at Sakai is ok I guess) or real à la Demba Da (take a look at his pro-wahhabist, conspiracy minded, dog whistling politics-rich twitter. It's in French, but I can provide translations, free of charge, if needed! :)
I don't know about Demba Ba or Neymar - but I've no issue saying Griezmanm has done some questionable stuff (especially for someone who aspires to play in the MLS) and the Dembele-Griezmann video was a disgrace.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 03, 2021, 04:27:24 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 03, 2021, 03:52:39 PM

I think that's probably the crux of our difference of views on this.

Not being able to spot the difference between real racism and a empty feel good PR move irrelevant to the European situation (UK included  :P) is indeed a crux. European polices and gendarmeries don't kill blacks as in the US.

Quote
He wasn't lectured - he was given a suspension and everyone's moved on. This wasn't like the Suarez incident with United coming out in "Free Cavani" t-shirts.
Right, he was more than lectured, sanctioned, and was quietly ordered to take up one for the team despite being right. Plain injustice.

Quote
Again - I'm happy to also call that out. But I just don't really see the relevance.

Because it goes against your narrative. Hardly surprising. Racism is only relevant against non-whites or so it appears.

QuoteYour disagreement is based on ignorance, that's all that can be added indeed. His mate (meaning of negrito in context) did not imply he was black.
I guess it's too much to ask for you take a look at a dictionary and taking into account of the context. Given the sorry state of language learning in the UK, even English e.g the lack of grammar teaching, OTOH, I should not be surprised.
Quote
Sure - I get that.

Quote
If I was famous and employed by an American brand and living and working in the US - I would not post a social media message to a friend about fancying a fag despite it having a different meaning. I don't blame Cavani for that or think he's a bad person or a racist, but he used language that in the context of Manchester United is unacceptable because in that context and in England it can be interepreted and read as racist - and if a bunch of Manc kids started saying it in the schoolyard it would clearly be racist.

I blame the club - I know players in that type of club get guidelines and explanations on social media. I think that should have been included, especially after the Suarez the word and it's context/use by Uruguayans is quite well known because of that.

Suarez and Cavani, apples and oranges. Even if French journos unsurprisingly translated negro by négro, without giving the context, it was not the same. Suarez I could almost agree with you, since he hardly has a sterling reputation (no pun intended), not because is a friend of Griezmann before you ask (he described Griezmann as almost Uruguayan). Negro is still neutral in Spanish and in Portuguese however, so not enough per se though it may be with context.

Apples and oranges again between fag and negrito
Replacing negrito by fag would not work as well in this context even if the child was black:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06tUDUzsnYw
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06tUDUzsnYw)
The US again, the one and only standard.  :lol: Hardly a reference. I know the owners of Man U are Yanks but I am not convinced.
Just because Anglos like to hide their ignorance based on xenophobia, bordering on racism, diverting attention by fueling the racism hysteria does not make it an excuse. It's even worse with the boy crying wolf effect when there is real racism.

Quote
What you can say if you are employed by a Chinese brand and working in China is different than in Russia, which is different than the US, which is different than the UK.

Ask Griezmann and Dembélé and replace Chinese by Japanese.  :D Irrelevant to this case, since they clearly used insulting language and attitudes (Dembélé) while Griezmann was smiling and laughing in a very dumb and approving way. IT RemindED me of the casually patronizing dubs and titles of 70's kung fu movies. But then dubbing is an infamy as famously said by Renoir.
Griezmann, even if he is no shining beacon of light that's still bad for him. Dembélé is even dumber.

Quote
I don't know about Demba Ba or Neymar - but I've no issue saying Griezmanm has done some questionable stuff (especially for someone who aspires to play in the MLS) and the Dembele-Griezmann video was a disgrace.

Neymar also has an history of anti-homo insults (viadinho sic) though in one case it was directed at some kind of boytoy banging his mom so I am willing to forget that one since I can understand why he was pissed, though avoid social networks in that case would be a good idea
Don't forget Achille Wembo doing his best anglo impression by mixing up negru with négro (négro insulting as it is in French yet okay for hip-hoppers go figure) and the slurs against Romanians by the Erdogan puppet club during the game. It's an Erdogan-supported club so not that surprising.
At least, we agree on something though I hope you are not referring to the black make-up Griezmann video in tribute to the Harlem Globetrotters but just the disparaging video against the Japanese.
OTOH, I reluctantly agree that Griezmann so in love with US pop culture, basket ball hip hop whatever Hollywood crap (no not Casablanca and Citizen Kane),  should pay attention or not plan to play there.
Maybe he could end playing in Uruguay with Suarez or Portugal since his mother is Portuguese after all. He threatened to play for Portugal back in the day when caught in an unauthorized party night some 8 years ago, involving a cab ride between Paris and Le Havre (Normandy). Other players involved who did not have the same possibilities as him, got a harsher sanction.
He lost the Euro and League of Nations but won a World Cup. Not too bad I guess.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 04, 2021, 02:43:55 AM
QuoteThe knee feel good comedy, often used by casual racists such as Neymar or real ones such as Demba Ba to divert attentions from their own racism, was also booed in England for that matter

What is being referred to here?
:unsure:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on September 05, 2021, 03:21:25 AM
(https://preview.redd.it/mtw3n3vebkl71.jpg?width=640&height=827&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=c5ebd49dcc6b35863eb06b9be5ced2e2e6152fb8)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 05, 2021, 03:57:04 AM
Why the crossed out 4?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on September 05, 2021, 04:10:39 AM
Quote from: Tyr on September 05, 2021, 03:57:04 AM
Why the crossed out 4?

I guess someone made the meme when the score was 4-2 and then had to update it when it changed to 5-2.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 05, 2021, 07:10:10 AM
5th tie in a row for les Bleus, yet Dédé being THE lucky bastard (™La chatte à Dédé™) he is, they are still the first of their group with 9 points while the other teams follow at 5 points i.e Suomi Finland (Perkele ?) and Ukraine.
Thanks to Ukraine not being able to beat Kazakhstan twice, among other ties. Some players were missing but this looks like another tedious and uninspiring qualifying campaign.

The Selecção had a meaningless friendly game vs Qatar (!) in Hungary (!) on their way to the real game vs Azerbaijan (stop laughing they don't get thrashed as they used to be). Still managed to tie Ireland, the weakest Irish team as far as I remember. Yet, they almost won against Portugal last time.  :hmm:
Plus unlike the previous group, Serbia offers a decent challenge.
3-1 for the Portuguese B-Team with Qatar playing half of the game at 10 due to some amateur defending.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 05, 2021, 03:04:46 PM
Oh, the shambles that is South American football.  :lol: The Brazil - Argentina match has been stopped by the Brazilian health authorities, as they're seeking to deport 4 Argentinian players coming from the UK that have evaded the country's quarantine rules.

Apparently the reaction of the Argentinian team has been to close themselves in their dressing room.  :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on September 05, 2021, 09:22:58 PM
Bresil really looked inept in that saga. They knew for days about the 4 players coming in from the UK, yet they let them start the game, play 5 minutes then call it off?

Should have banned those players way before that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 06, 2021, 03:20:43 AM
Also those players have been in Brazil for several days. It's not like the plane landed and the players were driven to the stadium :blink: :huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 06, 2021, 06:29:15 AM
Local Brazilian health authorities, game was in São Paulo. No Health Maracanaço this time, sorry.
I wonder what is Mijairzinho Bolsonaro's take on the events.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 06, 2021, 11:23:25 AM
Semi-related but just seeing tweets about it and the World Cup every 2 years is going to happen, isn't it? :bleeding: :weep:

Or if not FIFA will use it for leverage for - something, probably something corrupt.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 06, 2021, 11:33:39 AM
It would certainly help reduce the already declining importance of the world cup.
Could maybe see a step away from the world cup as an event countries spend billions on building new stadiums for too?- already we're hopefully seeing the end of the big event era of sport with the next Olympics being in a already well developed city using pre-existing infrastructure.
But yes. Dumb.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 06, 2021, 12:04:27 PM
Declining importance of the world cup? Don't be ridiculous.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 06, 2021, 12:16:52 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 06, 2021, 11:23:25 AM
Semi-related but just seeing tweets about it and the World Cup every 2 years is going to happen, isn't it? :bleeding: :weep:

Or if not FIFA will use it for leverage for - something, probably something corrupt.

Say merci to Arsène Wenger.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 06, 2021, 12:19:34 PM
Quote from: The Larch on September 06, 2021, 12:04:27 PM
Declining importance of the world cup? Don't be ridiculous.

:lol:

If it were declining, countries would not waste bilions to organise it, better spent elsewhere (hello South Africa and Brazil).
OTOH, the once best continental tournament Copa América has taken a serious hit with tournaments every two years or more in recent years.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 06, 2021, 12:40:35 PM
The vast sums being spent on it are down to the era of big money sports business rather than the world Cup in particular.
As said however this seems to be waning. Qatar was the last straw with taking things to too high a ridiculous extreme. The future seems to be one of more moderate spending.

Once upon a time the world Cup was the top tournament in world football. All the top players from each country against each other? Yes please
Now though with the champions league you get all the best players in teams not limited by geography against each other. The quality is far higher and the world Cup is no longer indisputably the top tournament.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on September 06, 2021, 01:56:04 PM
Personally I don't give a shit about the Champions League, but do care about the World Cup... though every two years is going to lower my interest a bit.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 07, 2021, 07:33:17 AM
So apparently the four Argentinian players involved in the other day's fracas ended up being officially deported from Brazil. Two of them, the Aston Villa ones (Buendía and Martínez) have been released from national team duty so they can go back to Europe, as agreed with the club (Villa asked for them to be released for the last game of the tour) but they are not going back to the UK, but to Croatia, where they'll quarantine before going back to the UK, as apparently if they went straight back to the UK they'd have to quarantine for two weeks in a hotel, while if they come from Croatia they're not subject to that.

It also seems that at least the two Tottenham players (Lo Celso and Romero) will be fined by the club, as Tottenham consider that they left without the club's permission and ignoring warnings, giving as an example that Brazilian players in the Premier League didn't travel for the game, even if FIFA and COMMEBOL had given their ok.

What a weird situation.

Edit: Today's Squires' cartoon ends up... unexpectedly.  :lmfao:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2021/sep/07/david-squires-on-wenger-revenge-fifa-world-cup-qualifiers-cr7-england-hungary-brazil-football (https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2021/sep/07/david-squires-on-wenger-revenge-fifa-world-cup-qualifiers-cr7-england-hungary-brazil-football)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 07, 2021, 02:36:52 PM
Not watching the game but every time I look at Twitter the Netherlands have scored another goal about Turkey - and now Soyuncu's got a red card. I don't think the first half is over yet :ph34r:

Do not fully understand how Turkey got the exciting young team/dark horses hype at the Euros because they seem to be having problems...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 07, 2021, 03:07:50 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 07, 2021, 02:36:52 PM
Not watching the game but every time I look at Twitter the Netherlands have scored another goal about Turkey

Denmark is following along quite well, also on 4 - 0 now.

This is quite the team, definitely giving the Danish Dynamite of the 80's a run for the title of best ever.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on September 07, 2021, 03:33:14 PM
Kind of demoralized after the USMNT uninspired performance.

I hope that helps Canada qualify.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 07, 2021, 03:41:06 PM
They kept the 0 and scored 5. I think that's some kind of record, 6 games played and won with 22-0 goal score.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 08, 2021, 06:26:30 AM
the World Cup is larger than the Champions League.
Yes, for football fans, the Champions League is the more interesting one.
But worldwide, for casual fans, the World Cup generates far more interest and media attention. And ask any player, their dream is to hold that golden trophy.

That said, for the football fan in me, it is getting watered down a bit by the sheer number of teams involved. I'm old enough to remember when it was a 16 team tournament.

And no, to a two-year cycle.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 08, 2021, 06:42:50 AM
Quote from: Josephus on September 08, 2021, 06:26:30 AM
the World Cup is larger than the Champions League.
Yes, for football fans, the Champions League is the more interesting one.
But worldwide, for casual fans, the World Cup generates far more interest and media attention. And ask any player, their dream is to hold that golden trophy.

That said, for the football fan in me, it is getting watered down a bit by the sheer number of teams involved. I'm old enough to remember when it was a 16 team tournament.

And no, to a two-year cycle.



I think it depends where you come from.
If you're from a country that actually gets into the world cup and has a shot its a lot more even.
But in Africa for instance its the champions league all the way- no born and raised African is going to lift the world cup any time soon, however they do have a good shot at the champions league.

Even putting aside which is the more important of the two- this just wouldn't be a discussion 30 years ago. There was no contest at all. That its even a question these days says something.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 08, 2021, 07:23:35 AM
Champions League has got boring in the last 15 years if not more, with more or less the top 6-8 teams, repeatedly offering the same match-ups from the group phase.

Tactically and technically, the best play level is there but if judging by the passion around, not so.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on September 09, 2021, 01:44:50 PM
Nice win against Honduras. That is more like it.

I hope they get their heads on straight or they will be watching the World Cup on TV again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on September 09, 2021, 01:50:04 PM
Denmark - Israel was a nice match from a Danish perspective :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on September 09, 2021, 01:52:23 PM
On the World-Cup-Every-Two-Years, it seems it's mostly been endorsed by the African FA, as well as the FAs of Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Thailand, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Nepal.

Makes me feel like this is a case of "hey we typically don't qualify, but we make money on the World Cup so sure - let's have more World Cups."

Personally I think if FIFA institutes a biannual World Cup the European and South American FAs should boycott every other one.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on September 09, 2021, 02:03:57 PM
I agree. If we had biannual World Cups the tournament would quickly take over soccer and I feel that would be overall very bad for the sport.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 09, 2021, 02:07:08 PM
Worth noting that FIFA has actually basically taken over the African federation and is stuffing it with Infantino loyalists - so not a wild suprise there. Philippe Auclair's been in excellent outraged form on this especially on the Guardian podcast.

And I don't think you're being cynical enough. I think this isn't even about qualifying it's because the World Cup is FIFA's money-maker so if they have more they make more money which FIFA can then distribute to member federations (like Nepal and Sri Lanka) to develop the game. The idea of using global competitions to pay for the development of football around the world is a really, really good one but this version of it is the worst.

Apparently FIFA's goal is WC every other year and in between a Club World Cup (there's a lot of rumours that FIFA is mainly using this plan to get leverage on especially UEFA to get behind an expanded Club World Cup). Again there is a player welfare issue here - if they're a European player in a big club they'd do the money-spinning pre-season tour of the US/China, the regular season, the expanded Champions' League, the Club World Cup (and the Euros) or the World Cup. That's not sustainable or healthy no matter how much money they're paid.

My understanding is that sadly it might actually hit African football the worst because the African Cup of Nations is growing in popularity and revenue and allowing runs for countries who are sort of Africa's middle-ranked football countries. Those countries would be unlikely to qualify even for an expanded World Cup. At least according to journalists they'd probably lose the most money with this plus a Club World Cup.

It's amazing - are FIFA even worse post Blatter? :ph34r: :blink:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 09, 2021, 02:46:44 PM
The fifa /uefa thing is truly bizzare this past few years.
You'd think logically uefa would simply be a sub-division of fifa. But no. Its a completely different organisation with overlapping areas of interest and a pretty nasty rivalry.

Sounds interesting about fifa conquering Africa. Shall have to read about this.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 09, 2021, 02:50:29 PM
I'm going to go out on a limb and be supportive of biannual World Cups. The current system is just going to get expanded on forever. 2 tournaments every 4 years is a good compromise between having 64-team tournaments and expanding the possibilities to qualify to play in the World Cup. The continental tournaments are basically meaningless outside of Europe and South America and should honestly be gotten rid of, and those two are terrible football associations anyway. FIFA is not any better, of course, but I think this proposal is better for the global game in the long run. Also, Arsene Knows.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 09, 2021, 02:57:22 PM
You'll get 2 WC tournaments every 4 years, 2 EC every four years and the 64-team for the WC eventually. Just be patient.  :D
You may get a yearly Copa América though, who knows.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 09, 2021, 02:58:08 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on September 09, 2021, 02:57:22 PM
You'll get 2 WC tournaments every 4 years, 2 EC every four years and the 64-team for the WC eventually. Just be patient.  :D
You may get a yearly Copa América though, who knows.  :P

Trust Arsene. Wenger knows.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 09, 2021, 03:06:44 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on September 09, 2021, 02:58:08 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on September 09, 2021, 02:57:22 PM
You'll get 2 WC tournaments every 4 years, 2 EC every four years and the 64-team for the WC eventually. Just be patient.  :D
You may get a yearly Copa América though, who knows.  :P

Trust Arsene. Wenger knows.

(https://i.imgflip.com/h2sep.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 09, 2021, 07:28:53 PM
 :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on September 09, 2021, 11:32:07 PM
I recently listened to a football history podcast on the Greeks in 2004. Apparently Arsene Wenger was the only big soccer profile that warned of the Greeks before the tournament.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on September 10, 2021, 10:05:17 AM
Quote from: Threviel on September 09, 2021, 11:32:07 PM
Apparently Arsene Wenger was the only big soccer profile that warned of the Greeks before the tournament.

Laocoon was an underrated striker. Always trying to get into the box like his life depended on it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 10, 2021, 10:06:05 AM
Quote from: Threviel on September 09, 2021, 11:32:07 PM
I recently listened to a football history podcast on the Greeks in 2004. Apparently Arsene Wenger was the only big soccer profile that warned of the Greeks before the tournament.
Is this a bit like how he almost signed every great player before they became big? :lol:

I love Wenger though :blush:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 10, 2021, 10:17:06 AM
(https://d3vlf99qeg6bpx.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/2018/04/27151447/Arsene.Wenger.Old_.Trafford.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on September 10, 2021, 10:31:34 AM
So many international commitments will lead to club teams not releasing the players.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 10, 2021, 10:50:06 AM
Wenger's late career as a FIFA toadie is weird.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 10, 2021, 11:23:50 AM
Quote from: celedhring on September 10, 2021, 10:50:06 AM
Wenger's late career as a FIFA toadie is weird.

I think the man loves football so much he is trying to save it from within the belly of the beast, but in the end it'll eat him too.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 10, 2021, 12:24:50 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on September 10, 2021, 10:31:34 AM
So many international commitments will lead to club teams not releasing the players.

We've seen a first show of concerted resistance this time with the South American players due to the Covid measures, if commitments keep increasing stiffer resistance from clubs can be expected.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 10, 2021, 12:38:35 PM
Quote from: The Larch on September 10, 2021, 12:24:50 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on September 10, 2021, 10:31:34 AM
So many international commitments will lead to club teams not releasing the players.

We've seen a first show of concerted resistance this time with the South American players due to the Covid measures, if commitments keep increasing stiffer resistance from clubs can be expected.
Yes but that also just feels like FIFA not considering or acknowledging the existence of a global pandemic and the possibility that (unlike in financial matters) in terms of public health they're not above the law and can't just go to CAS.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 10, 2021, 01:06:14 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 10, 2021, 10:06:05 AM
Quote from: Threviel on September 09, 2021, 11:32:07 PM
I recently listened to a football history podcast on the Greeks in 2004. Apparently Arsene Wenger was the only big soccer profile that warned of the Greeks before the tournament.
Is this a bit like how he almost signed every great player before they became big? :lol:

I love Wenger though :blush:

One of the best French coaches, no discussion. One of the few who had a brilliant career abroad.
He used to deliver some good if laconical analysis as a commentator on French TV. I still remember when he hinted at a PSG takeover, well before 2011 (QSI), by stating that sooner a later, a club such as PSG, with the Île-de-France population pool, would be very attractive to foreign buyers.

La vieillesse est un (lent) naufrage. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 10, 2021, 05:19:32 PM
I don't think he was saying anything too novel with psg there. Soccernomics and probably books long before have talked up the coming rise of capital city teams to dominance for a while before that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 11, 2021, 08:06:18 AM
Quote from: Tyr on September 10, 2021, 05:19:32 PM
I don't think he was saying anything too novel with psg there. Soccernomics and probably books long before have talked up the coming rise of capital city teams to dominance for a while before that.

Not back then in France, and nobody in the UK was paying much attention to the PSG potential in Albion as well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 11, 2021, 08:50:30 AM
Nice to see PV continuing to humiliate Spurs as a manager now  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 11, 2021, 05:47:44 PM
So. Ronaldo. Seems to have been a good idea after all.
Amazing he and Messi remain so good at their age.
I wonder how long they'll continue. Even once they're no longer world class (when?) will love of the game have them playing at lower divisions? - unlikely with Ronaldo I reckon.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 11, 2021, 05:48:13 PM
Disheartening to see Manchester United are actually genuinely really good now and I'd say are favorites for the league and the Champions League. Pretty disgusting.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 11, 2021, 05:51:13 PM
Something none of us want to see - but possibly the lesser evil than my expectation that Chelsea win the League :ph34r:

No idea about Europe
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 11, 2021, 05:55:52 PM
I dunno. Man Utd winning the league again would make it seem like the past decade hasn't happened and all is right with the world again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 11, 2021, 05:56:42 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 11, 2021, 05:51:13 PM
Something none of us want to see - but possibly the lesser evil than my expectation that Chelsea win the League :ph34r:

No idea about Europe

United and Chelsea winning everything again. Dark days ahead of us  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 11, 2021, 05:58:26 PM
Quote from: Tyr on September 11, 2021, 05:47:44 PM
So. Ronaldo. Seems to have been a good idea after all.
Amazing he and Messi remain so good at their age.
I wonder how long they'll continue. Even once they're no longer world class (when?) will love of the game have them playing at lower divisions? - unlikely with Ronaldo I reckon.

They're both inhuman so I'd expect to see them playing until their 70s  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on September 11, 2021, 06:10:49 PM
Chelsea!

Pulisic is out of the rotation again. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on September 12, 2021, 01:52:36 AM
Tottenham report, match day 4.

There will be no report today, as no Tottenham players showed up.

Join us next week, as maybe Nuno wakes up and decides to do some coaching.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 12, 2021, 06:32:43 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on September 11, 2021, 06:10:49 PM
Chelsea!

Pulisic is out of the rotation again. :(

Maybe because he flew back from the USA just a couple days earlier?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 14, 2021, 06:00:26 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on September 12, 2021, 01:52:36 AM
Tottenham report, match day 4.

There will be no report today, as no Tottenham players showed up.

Join us next week, as maybe Nuno wakes up and decides to do some coaching.
Flipside - Tanganga telling Zaha "I'll fuck you up, bruv. Pussio!" deserves an end of season award of some sort.

I wasn't delighted with the Benitez appointment but I am being won round and the, I think, 6 minutes when we went from 0-1 down to 3-1 up were very, very fun. Townsend scored his goal and it's always very good. More fun though is that Benitez has somehow got us playing like an old school throwback Premier League team (pre-Klopp, pre-Guardiola) and I'm quite enjoying it.

We are still very light in a few positions, but as someone who has wanted us to please sign a winger who can run for about five years I am thrilled that Townsend and Gray are working out so well. I'm a simple man and genuinely think there's nothing in football I enjoy watching more than someone with the ball just running at a defence :ph34r: :blush:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on September 14, 2021, 06:11:35 AM
That Townsend goal was magnificent. Didn't see Richarlison all game, so that was an extra bonus. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 14, 2021, 10:52:06 AM
Languish Pepe fans will be happy to know that Pepe seems back to his Real shenanigans in a very tense game ending in a 1-1 with Sporting.

https://www.besoccer.com/new/pepe-punches-coates-in-the-jaw-and-no-foul-was-given-1042348 (https://www.besoccer.com/new/pepe-punches-coates-in-the-jaw-and-no-foul-was-given-1042348)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 16, 2021, 07:48:30 AM
More Pepe for you, Languish fans:

Atlético Madrid 0 F.C Porto 0

injured in the last game vs Franco FC n°2 (Atlético Madrid for the not so football-savvy). Not a great game by any means, very defensive, with both squads not willing to risk, goalless draw with a goal refused to Porto since there was an unintended and undecisive handball.
Porto seemed on an equal footing with Atlético, so the third place, leading to Europa League is attainable. Liverpool and Milan AC, 3-2 for the English club btw, seem to be on a different level.

Sporting 1 Ajax Amsterdam 5

4 goals by Haller, no less. I guess not playing the Champions' League for years has its cost for Sporting, specially without a key player (Coates). Still, Sporting could have equalized, following 2 early goals (in the first 10 minutes), but the goal was deemed offside. Clandestino, just an accident or should we expect more of this?

Earlier on, Tuesday, Benfica tied with Dynamo Kiev, 0-0, in a game more or less dominated by Benfica, but with some late scares by Kiev.

Upset of the Night:

Bruges 1 PSG 1

Bringing Messi was not enough, Neymar was not very active and the best Qatari Parisian player was Ander Herrera.  :hmm:

Other games as well, but I did not watch them, even the highlights, so feel free to comment about them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: clandestino on September 16, 2021, 08:58:34 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on September 16, 2021, 07:48:30 AM
Sporting 1 Ajax Amsterdam 5

4 goals by Haller, no less. I guess not playing the Champions' League for years has its cost for Sporting, specially without a key player (Coates). Still, Sporting could have equalized, following 2 early goals (in the first 10 minutes), but the goal was deemed offside. Clandestino, just an accident or should we expect more of this?

No idea Duque, I'm turning Scandinavian in that sense, following the English Premier League. Go Wolves!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 16, 2021, 09:57:27 AM
I've been a Club Brugge fan since I was a wee kid.

In other news, Barça's shit.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on September 16, 2021, 10:11:15 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on September 16, 2021, 07:48:30 AMBruges 1 PSG 1

Bringing Messi was not enough, Neymar was not very active and the best Qatari Parisian player was Ander Herrera.  :hmm:

Surprising to see that they didn't really have a response for high pressure, you'd think with Mbappe on the team they would have options.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 16, 2021, 10:59:18 AM
Quote from: clandestino on September 16, 2021, 08:58:34 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on September 16, 2021, 07:48:30 AM
Sporting 1 Ajax Amsterdam 5

4 goals by Haller, no less. I guess not playing the Champions' League for years has its cost for Sporting, specially without a key player (Coates). Still, Sporting could have equalized, following 2 early goals (in the first 10 minutes), but the goal was deemed offside. Clandestino, just an accident or should we expect more of this?

No idea Duque, I'm turning Scandinavian in that sense, following the English Premier League. Go Wolves!

:thumbsdown:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: clandestino on September 16, 2021, 11:09:24 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on September 16, 2021, 10:59:18 AM
:thumbsdown:

I know, who would pass upon the chance of seeing more Tondela games or participate in endless conversations about refereeing at local cafes. :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 16, 2021, 11:31:59 AM
Quote from: clandestino on September 16, 2021, 11:09:24 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on September 16, 2021, 10:59:18 AM
:thumbsdown:

I know, who would pass upon the chance of seeing more Tondela games or participate in endless conversations about refereeing at local cafes. :)

:yes:

Last domestic game was not vs Tondela.  :P Not to mention this was about the Champions League.  :contract:

I still run into people of the "Portuguese" school years and it invariably ends about this way, specially with a benfiquista acquaintance of mine.
Lately, French and Portuguese politics have crept up in these homeric debates, however.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 17, 2021, 07:28:17 AM
™Ligue des Tas Lents™ is now back in the top 5. Messi back in a top league!  :D

Portuguese clubs could not win their Champions League game (2 ties 1 defeat) and the single one in Europa League lost (Red Star Belgrade 2 Braga 1).
French clubs behaved better in the Europa League with 2 victories and one tie, so they're back in the top 5 (Champions League was lackluster with PSG tieing with Bruges and Lille 0-0 withWolfsburg).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on September 19, 2021, 03:58:09 PM
Chelsea at Tottenham, matchday 5 report.

1st half: Nuno does some coaching :O Spurs are playing actually exciting football :O High press, possession, tackles left and right, they are a joy to watch and the players seem to fit this type of play way more than the usual parking of the bus and playing counter. It helps not playing like 3 defensive midfielders...
Nuno is playing Hojberg, Dele and Ndombele, who seems to be thoroughly enjoying himself. He's very strong on the ball and technically brilliant. Not sure why Mourinho and Pocchetino hated his guts.

Lukaku is invisible, Havertz is having an off day and Mount flails about. The only note of concern is Alonso, who seems to have a lot of room down that flank. For some reason Spurs fans boo him at every touch, what's the story there?

Still nil-nil at the half though, domination without a shot on target.

2nd half: well there ya go. Chelsea turns it on for the 1st 10 minutes and Spurs are down 2-0... You can tell they drop their shoulders after that, and the rest of the half they barely touch the ball. They really don't have an answer to what Chelsea is offering. It doesn't help that Nuno changes Ndombele for Skipp... Real vote of confidence in your attacking power there coach  :rolleyes:

3-nil final score. A little harsh for Spurs, as they were so dominant in the first. Then again you can't win if you don't score and Chelsea trashed them around in the second half.

Maybe I should have gone with Everton  :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on September 19, 2021, 04:13:03 PM
 :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 19, 2021, 04:28:47 PM
Just sitting here lolling at Spurs.

Levy should have taken 100 mil for Kane and used it hire an actual good manager and to rebuild his decrepit team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 19, 2021, 05:16:08 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on September 19, 2021, 03:58:09 PM
Maybe I should have gone with Everton  :cry:
It's not that bad yet :console:

And we lost 3-0 to Villa. In Rafa's defence (:x) Coleman, Pickford, DCL and Richarlison were all out injured and we didn't have enough players to have a full subs bench so....

Quote from: FunkMonk on September 19, 2021, 04:28:47 PM
Levy should have taken 100 mil for Kane and used it hire an actual good manager and to rebuild his decrepit team.
PSG lost - maybe Poch can come home :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on September 19, 2021, 05:27:39 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on September 19, 2021, 04:28:47 PM
Just sitting here lolling at Spurs.

Levy should have taken 100 mil for Kane and used it hire an actual good manager and to rebuild his decrepit team.

Agreed. I know Kane is top scorer last year etc, but he just never seems like a clutch player. He plays way too low, is slow , I just don't like him lol.

Yi are you a Chelsea fan?

Sheilbh what's going on with James Rodriguez? Injured?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 19, 2021, 05:39:05 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on September 19, 2021, 05:27:39 PM
Sheilbh what's going on with James Rodriguez? Injured?
I think Rafa just hates him :ph34r:

I don't think Rafa used him much at Madrid because he is all about a strict structure and everyone doing their job and he thinks James doesn't. Obviously the difference is we are not Madrid and it is crazy that we are not even having our most talented player on the bench. We look better with Gray and Townsend providing a bit of width, good crosses, pace etc - but we're not creative enough to turn up our nose at his talent.

I think the club tried to move him on over the summer because he's on huge wages, but couldn't (see: wages). I think in the last week Rafa was asked about him and basically said "the transfer window in the Middle East is still open".

QuoteAgreed. I know Kane is top scorer last year etc, but he just never seems like a clutch player. He plays way too low, is slow , I just don't like him lol.
I can't stand Kane - but I think that's on the purely subjective/aesthetic grounds that I think he's probably a Tory and he looks like an English junior officer about to go over the top at the Somme. It's just not what I think a footballer should be :blush:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on September 19, 2021, 06:02:37 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on September 19, 2021, 05:27:39 PM
Yi are you a Chelsea fan?

I act like one because I want to see an American do well at the highest level and so I can take part in conversations.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 19, 2021, 06:12:08 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 19, 2021, 05:16:08 PM

PSG lost - maybe Poch can come home :wub:

Nope, won 2-1 vs Olympitre Lyonnais. Tie in the Champions League against Bruges.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on September 19, 2021, 07:13:08 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 19, 2021, 05:39:05 PM
QuoteAgreed. I know Kane is top scorer last year etc, but he just never seems like a clutch player. He plays way too low, is slow , I just don't like him lol.
I can't stand Kane - but I think that's on the purely subjective/aesthetic grounds that I think he's probably a Tory and he looks like an English junior officer about to go over the top at the Somme. It's just not what I think a footballer should be :blush:

Oh I agree 100%. He looks quintessentially English, at least to a Frenchman. His lisp and general speech make him sound dumber than a bag of bricks too...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 19, 2021, 08:32:00 PM
I've said this before but as an Arsenal fan I've always felt Kane has a very punchable face  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on September 19, 2021, 08:39:11 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on September 19, 2021, 08:32:00 PM
I've said this before but as an Arsenal fan I've always felt Kane has a very punchable face  :D

Pretty obvious you're not the first person to think this.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 20, 2021, 06:27:06 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 19, 2021, 05:39:05 PM
I think the club tried to move him on over the summer because he's on huge wages, but couldn't (see: wages). I think in the last week Rafa was asked about him and basically said "the transfer window in the Middle East is still open".

He is apparently on his way to Qatar, according to the news this morning.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 20, 2021, 07:20:04 AM
Quote from: The Larch on September 20, 2021, 06:27:06 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 19, 2021, 05:39:05 PM
I think the club tried to move him on over the summer because he's on huge wages, but couldn't (see: wages). I think in the last week Rafa was asked about him and basically said "the transfer window in the Middle East is still open".

He is apparently on his way to Qatar, according to the news this morning.

Nothing reported about his arrival to PSG in the French press.   :o  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on September 22, 2021, 05:38:56 PM
What the hell is the Carabao Cup? :huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 22, 2021, 06:10:14 PM
English League Cup. Open to the first four echelons of English pro football.

One tournament that should be dropped.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 22, 2021, 07:12:45 PM
The Mickey Mouse Cup
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on September 22, 2021, 07:23:51 PM
So no relation to Princess Caraboo.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 23, 2021, 03:13:08 AM
I don't mind the league cup. Gives teams outside the big 5 a shot at silverware. And reserve players across the league system a competitive run out.
Fixture congestion for the big teams with European commitments should be heightened by design.

Rather than killing the league cup (and fa cup) more money needs putting into them to make winning games more worthwhile for poorer teams
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on September 23, 2021, 03:20:26 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on September 22, 2021, 07:23:51 PM
So no relation to Princess Caraboo.

It's the League Cup. The League Cup is always named after its sponsor i.e. the organisation paying the most money for it. The FA Cup is different, as it is named after the organisation earning the most money from it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on September 23, 2021, 11:35:53 AM
Quote from: Tyr on September 23, 2021, 03:13:08 AM
I don't mind the league cup. Gives teams outside the big 5 a shot at silverware. And reserve players across the league system a competitive run out.
Fixture congestion for the big teams with European commitments should be heightened by design.

Rather than killing the league cup (and fa cup) more money needs putting into them to make winning games more worthwhile for poorer teams

Cups are great. It's super satisfying to see a lower tier team beat one of the top teams as happens occasionally.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 26, 2021, 11:27:41 AM
Only half time but up 3 goals in the NLD and, uh, I'm very very happy.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 26, 2021, 11:36:45 AM
Also kind of nice for Saka and Smith-Rowe to be getting goals and assists galore - love a local boy done good story :blush:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 26, 2021, 01:05:09 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 26, 2021, 11:36:45 AM
Also kind of nice for Saka and Smith-Rowe to be getting goals and assists galore - love a local boy done good story :blush:

Smith-Rowe in the post match interview said it was the greatest day of his life  :D.

Funny how the mood around Arsenal is so different now after 4 consecutive wins and a big statement win against Tottenham.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 26, 2021, 01:09:47 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on September 26, 2021, 01:05:09 PM
Funny how the mood around Arsenal is so different now after 4 consecutive wins and a big statement win against Tottenham.
I cannot believe that the club that produced Arsenal Fan TV could be volatile and prone to violent moodswings :o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 26, 2021, 01:10:15 PM
Can't see Nuno surviving past Christmas. Spurs look horrible and letting in 3 goals in each of the last 3 league matches is well deserved tbh.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 26, 2021, 01:12:38 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on September 26, 2021, 01:10:15 PM
Can't see Nuno surviving past Christmas. Spurs look horrible and letting in 3 goals in each of the last 3 league matches is well deserved tbh.
From Bankrupt Spurs (always a joy):
QuoteJohn Brewin
@JohnBrewin_
Sam Allardyce was just about to take his HGV licence but now he's waiting for a call from Daniel Levy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 26, 2021, 01:15:21 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 26, 2021, 01:09:47 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on September 26, 2021, 01:05:09 PM
Funny how the mood around Arsenal is so different now after 4 consecutive wins and a big statement win against Tottenham.
I cannot believe that the club that produced Arsenal Fan TV could be volatile and prone to violent moodswings :o

The Arsenal fandom is insane  :lol:

But as long as the team is playing well and scoring victories everything is hunky dory.

The fans have really been waiting for today though, so I think the expression of sheer joy today is dialed up to 11. That first half was insane.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 26, 2021, 01:18:21 PM
I'll add to Smith-Rowe that he has a bit of Jack Grealish about him in the way he advances with the ball. And of course the socks.  :lol:

I think he's going to go supernova soon and he'll be the second player Arsenal sells for over 100mil after Saka leaves to Man City  :Embarrass: :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 26, 2021, 01:48:06 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on September 26, 2021, 01:10:15 PM
Can't see Nuno surviving past Christmas. Spurs look horrible and letting in 3 goals in each of the last 3 league matches is well deserved tbh.

:hmm:

Too early to come back to Porto, and his first stint was not exactly a success.
I am sure Mendes would find him another position however.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on September 26, 2021, 02:47:34 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on September 26, 2021, 01:10:15 PM
Can't see Nuno surviving past Christmas. Spurs look horrible and letting in 3 goals in each of the last 3 league matches is well deserved tbh.

Sacking the coach is always the easiest decision, but just in the match today you could tell which side wanted it more, and it clearly was NOT the Spurs.

The team's shape is terrible which is surprising since Wolves under Nuno were very structured. Either whip Dele into shape or bench him. Lucas Moura looked terrible out there, very ineffective. Kane missed 2 opportunities that he would put in any other day.

You have to win the midfield, and the Arsenal ran laps around ours for most of the game. Spurs are now 3 W 3L. 4 goals scored in 6 games is shameful. Just play a 4-4-2 or even a 5-4-1 until you get a few clean sheets.

This Spurs team is being very Spursy. I'm pissed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 26, 2021, 04:06:27 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on September 26, 2021, 02:47:34 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on September 26, 2021, 01:10:15 PM
Can't see Nuno surviving past Christmas. Spurs look horrible and letting in 3 goals in each of the last 3 league matches is well deserved tbh.

Sacking the coach is always the easiest decision, but just in the match today you could tell which side wanted it more, and it clearly was NOT the Spurs.

The team's shape is terrible which is surprising since Wolves under Nuno were very structured. Either whip Dele into shape or bench him. Lucas Moura looked terrible out there, very ineffective. Kane missed 2 opportunities that he would put in any other day.

You have to win the midfield, and the Arsenal ran laps around ours for most of the game. Spurs are now 3 W 3L. 4 goals scored in 6 games is shameful. Just play a 4-4-2 or even a 5-4-1 until you get a few clean sheets.

This Spurs team is being very Spursy. I'm pissed.

I agree. I don't know how well Spurs' players have taken to Nuno, but for Arsenal, these players have now clearly bought into Arteta and his system. The difference between the sides was stark.

Spurs have relied a lot on Kane and or Son to pull goals out of thin air and now that they've floated back down to earth they seem bereft. Something similar happened to Arsenal last year when Auba couldn't buy a goal and he seemed totally out of sorts. It took some of the supporting cast, including the youth stars like Saka and Smith-Rowe, to salvage something from the season. I don't know who steps up for Spurs this season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 28, 2021, 04:17:47 PM
Real Madrid have been defeated at home by Sheriff Tiraspol.  :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 28, 2021, 07:24:08 PM
Nice of Real Madrid to make such a diversion, possibly explaining the drive for a Superleague  :P, for the thrashing received at home by Porto from Liverpool.
No Pepe (injured at the very last minute in the warm-up to the game), Porto goalkeeper not in a good day vs Liverpool again and 5-1 for Liverpool. Losing is not a surprise but by so many goals is turning into an habit. Last decent result was 0-0 in 2018.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 29, 2021, 09:55:42 AM
Quote from: The Larch on September 28, 2021, 04:17:47 PM
Real Madrid have been defeated at home by Sheriff Tiraspol.  :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao:

All the Western movie puns in today's press are the nadir of Spanish culture.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 29, 2021, 10:44:12 AM
Any commendable Western movie puns?  :P

Preferably those not relying on weird Spanish adaptations of movie titles.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 30, 2021, 12:51:36 PM
Barça's descent into hell continues. How long before Koeman gets the boot?
For the first time in almost 60 years, Benfica beat Barça 3-0, in Lisbon.
The last time Benfica beat Barça in 1961, Final of the European Champion Clubs' Cup. Eusébio times for those who know.

First victory of a Portuguese club in the Champions League this season. Sporting lost again, this time 1-0 vs Dortmund.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 30, 2021, 01:00:54 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on September 30, 2021, 12:51:36 PM
Barça's descent into hell continues. How long before Koeman gets the boot?
As someone with no warm feelings to Koeman or Ancelotti I have enjoyed this week :blush:

Also it feels like Ajax might be back to being good for a bit :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on October 01, 2021, 02:33:52 PM
I heard on the radio that Canada is going to play World Cup qualifying matches against Mexico and Costa Rica right here in Edmonton.

In mid-November.

With an forecasted temperature of -10c.

Bwahahahaha.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 01, 2021, 03:45:20 PM
Quote from: Barrister on October 01, 2021, 02:33:52 PM
I heard on the radio that Canada is going to play World Cup qualifying matches against Mexico and Costa Rica right here in Edmonton.

In mid-November.

With an forecasted temperature of -10c.

Bwahahahaha.

Yeah, brutal. It's intentional though.

You should go? Soccer's loved among many liberals.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 01, 2021, 04:06:43 PM
Chile has long profited from its high altitude stadium. Canada really should have more games in the frozen North.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on October 01, 2021, 04:21:41 PM
Quote from: Josephus on October 01, 2021, 03:45:20 PM
Yeah, brutal. It's intentional though.

You should go? Soccer's loved among many liberals.

I thought Beeb was a socialist now?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on October 01, 2021, 04:29:53 PM
Quote from: Josephus on October 01, 2021, 03:45:20 PM
Quote from: Barrister on October 01, 2021, 02:33:52 PM
I heard on the radio that Canada is going to play World Cup qualifying matches against Mexico and Costa Rica right here in Edmonton.

In mid-November.

With an forecasted temperature of -10c.

Bwahahahaha.

Yeah, brutal. It's intentional though.

You should go? Soccer's loved among many liberals.

Of course it's intentional!  That's why the "Bwahahahaha"!

It would be a cool experience (forgive the pun).  Maybe.

I mean - I'm firmly in the "hockey guy" camp, not soccer, but I'm a patriot too, so there is always something to be said for supporting the national team...


That being said by the way, Edmonton does have a lovely stadium and is set to host World Cup matches (and has hosted Women's World Cup matches in the past), so putting the games here isn't entirely just about cruelty to the latin americans...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on October 01, 2021, 04:35:08 PM
I'm pretty sure the Canadian team doesn't train in these conditions either, so there's no added benefit.

It's nonsense. Players are going to get hurt.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on October 01, 2021, 04:51:32 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on October 01, 2021, 04:35:08 PM
I'm pretty sure the Canadian team doesn't train in these conditions either, so there's no added benefit.

It's nonsense. Players are going to get hurt.

I love going to the outdoor rink in winter.  As long as it's not too cold the players will be fine - they get to move around and keep warm.  And at least for football games they typically have these huge outdoor heaters for players not on the field.

The Canadians may not train in these conditions, but they are at least used to them.  I think there's a benefit.

The risk is -10c is like an average expected temperature.  I remember going to the Grey Cup in 2003 here in Edmonton - it was a lot colder than that.  I wonder if the games will be in the afternoon or evening - makes a big difference that time of year...


Oh - it's also Alphonso Davies homecoming.   :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on October 01, 2021, 05:05:07 PM
The big difference between soccer and the other sports you mentioned is obvious. Soccer players barely have any gear or equipment apart from shinpads.

I'm telling you, there will be injuries. It's just not s sport meant to be played at sub zero temps.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 01, 2021, 06:50:04 PM
Quote from: Tyr on October 01, 2021, 04:06:43 PM
Chile has long profited from its high altitude stadium. Canada really should have more games in the frozen North.

Bolivia, not Chile.
National Stadium of Santiago is known for other sinister reasons.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on October 02, 2021, 12:17:54 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on October 01, 2021, 05:05:07 PM
The big difference between soccer and the other sports you mentioned is obvious. Soccer players barely have any gear or equipment apart from shinpads.

I'm telling you, there will be injuries. It's just not s sport meant to be played at sub zero temps.

Just wear a thermal layer underneath.  It's not the equipment that keeps you warm.

Unless there's some rule that requires bare arms and legs in international soccer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 02, 2021, 06:04:30 AM
In cold climates, some kind of heating under the grass is also needed. Probably the case for Edmonton though?

Russian stadia often have it for instance.

PS: or is it a synthetic grass pitch?  :x
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 02, 2021, 08:25:18 AM
Can I just shock you? I like Rafa Benitez. Despite what I just said earlier.

Edit: Also I love Townsend which I never expected :blush: (I always thought Gray would be decent - but I'm very happy he's being decent for us).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 02, 2021, 08:53:51 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on October 02, 2021, 08:25:18 AM
Can I just shock you? I like Rafa Benitez. Despite what I just said earlier.

Edit: Also I love Townsend which I never expected :blush: (I always thought Gray would be decent - but I'm very happy he's being decent for us).

Love it  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 02, 2021, 10:59:00 AM
Football is mad.
Mid week game - Sunderland whop mid table team 5-0 and look on a totally different level.
Today... Looks like we are losing 4-0 against another mediocre team.
Sigh.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 02, 2021, 02:39:06 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on October 01, 2021, 06:50:04 PM
Quote from: Tyr on October 01, 2021, 04:06:43 PM
Chile has long profited from its high altitude stadium. Canada really should have more games in the frozen North.

Bolivia, not Chile.
National Stadium of Santiago is known for other sinister reasons.

And Mexico.  Azteca Stadium is some 2200m above sea level.

This can definatetly be an advantage for Canada. As Beeb said, they may not train in those conditions, but, they will be used to the biting cold. MLS games are sometimes played in freezing cold so it's not unusual. There was a notorious Toronto game in Colorado some three years ago when the temp was 3F.(-16C). So it's doable. It will be fucking cold in the stands, though. But go for it, Beeb, it will be fun if nothing else.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 05, 2021, 05:28:07 AM
Really interesting reporting/issues on implementing a vaccine mandate in the Premier League - apparently (which is not surprising) there's a lot of conspiracy theory stuff circulating in dressing rooms. From what I've read these are often spread by older/senior players, at Everton Delph had some questionable Instagram posts about the vaccine (to go along with his questionable performances <_<).

I also think there is a thing of very fit people especially fitness freaks being a bit resistant to the very idea of getting jabbed. But apparently only about 50% of Premier League players have been vaccinated which is causing issues in terms of bubbles and the league's protocols on covid. I assume that's why they're considering mandating it.

I was just wondering has this been an issue in other countries' leagues or other sports - there's a lot that doesn't surprise me about it but it is still very weird. It seems important, especially as we're heading into another FIFA-mandated covid mixer/international break.

Having said that - Klopp was very good when asked about the vaccine.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on October 05, 2021, 01:24:30 PM
So the NBA mandated vaccines, and some people were holding out. Canadian star Andrew Wiggins was taking a public stand - but stood to lose pay and ability to play a number of games - and eventually relented. In the NHL, Josh Archibald of the Edmonton Oilers refused to get his vaccination and is now out with Covid (which could be career ending).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 05, 2021, 01:30:57 PM
We've had several players out with covid - generally they've been okay as you'd expect with young people.

But Newcastle had a really bad outbreak last year, several games had to be postponed, and a number of players like Saint-Maximin and Lascelles took a long time to recover. I think Karl Darlow who's their backup keeper was hospitallised and has since done things encouraging people to get the vaccine.

I think that was all pre-vaccine, but I can't remember exactly when it was.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 06, 2021, 04:16:17 PM
Looks like the Saudi effort at sportswashing via Newcastle is back on.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 06, 2021, 04:25:39 PM
QuoteI also think there is a thing of very fit people especially fitness freaks being a bit resistant to the very idea of getting jabbed. But apparently only about 50% of Premier League players have been vaccinated which is causing issues in terms of bubbles and the league's protocols on covid. I assume that's why they're considering mandating it.

Yeah. Saw this a few months ago with my cousin.
Really surprised and sad it's with footballers too. Their health obsession being managed by actual experts and being about actual health rather than looking the way they want.
Wonder if the anti vaxers got into the heads of some sports science types in football? - does seem a good tactic to try, crack them to crack the footballers to crack vast swathes of the country.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on October 06, 2021, 04:40:18 PM
Quote from: Jacob on October 05, 2021, 01:24:30 PM
So the NBA mandated vaccines, and some people were holding out. Canadian star Andrew Wiggins was taking a public stand - but stood to lose pay and ability to play a number of games - and eventually relented. In the NHL, Josh Archibald of the Edmonton Oilers refused to get his vaccination and is now out with Covid (which could be career ending).

Archibald doesn't have Covid - rather that the start-of-season testing revealed he previously had Covid, and that he has myocarditis (inflammation of the heart tissue) which is a known risk of Covid.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on October 06, 2021, 04:48:51 PM
Quote from: Barrister on October 06, 2021, 04:40:18 PM
Archibald doesn't have Covid - rather that the start-of-season testing revealed he previously had Covid, and that he has myocarditis (inflammation of the heart tissue) which is a known risk of Covid.

Right-o.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 07, 2021, 11:57:58 AM
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/07/newcastle-confirm-300m-saudi-backed-takeover-to-end-mike-ashley-era

Looks like it's done now.

It took Manchester City several years from oil sheikh takeover to winning the league. How long will it take Newcastle? :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 07, 2021, 12:06:38 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 07, 2021, 11:57:58 AM
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/07/newcastle-confirm-300m-saudi-backed-takeover-to-end-mike-ashley-era

Looks like it's done now.

It took Manchester City several years from oil sheikh takeover to winning the league. How long will it take Newcastle? :hmm:

It's Newcastle, they will fuck it up somehow. Maybe take the House of Saud down with them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 07, 2021, 12:28:28 PM
Quote from: celedhring on October 07, 2021, 12:06:38 PM
It's Newcastle, they will fuck it up somehow. Maybe take the House of Saud down with them.
"Who put Steve Bruce in charge of OPEC?"
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on October 07, 2021, 12:29:08 PM
Quote from: celedhring on October 07, 2021, 12:06:38 PM
It's Newcastle, they will fuck it up somehow. Maybe take the House of Saud down with them.

Wouldn't that be nice :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on October 07, 2021, 12:40:16 PM
Canada plays Mexico, in Mexico City, tonight in an important World Cup qualifier.

Obviously Mexico is a pretty heavy favourite, but it sure would be nice to pull out a draw (or even eke out a win).  Canada can still qualify even with losing tonight, but even getting a single point would be huge.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 07, 2021, 12:56:23 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on October 07, 2021, 12:28:28 PM
Quote from: celedhring on October 07, 2021, 12:06:38 PM
It's Newcastle, they will fuck it up somehow. Maybe take the House of Saud down with them.
"Who put Steve Bruce in charge of OPEC?"

:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 07, 2021, 01:04:09 PM
"Always been a fan of the Magpies, me. Second club, etc etc."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 07, 2021, 01:31:28 PM
In the Nations League Final Four, Spain beat Italy 2-1.

Belgium-France follows, the revenge of the 2018 semi-final. Ça va se friter ! Pun intended.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 07, 2021, 02:33:05 PM
2-0 at half-time for Belgium, Carrasco and Lukaku. Diables Rouges dominated the first half, with the last 10 minutes painful to watch for les Bleus.
Where are the the Languish Bleus "fans" tonight?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 07, 2021, 03:26:08 PM
Nice game to watch. 2-2 now with less than 10 minutes to watch.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 07, 2021, 03:41:56 PM
3-2 for les Bleus with a VAR centimetric offside goal denied for Belgium just before the French goal. La chatte à Dédé is back!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 07, 2021, 04:21:57 PM
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2021/oct/07/premier-league-newcastle-saudi-arabia-takeover-morality-collapse

Barney Ronay's piece on Newcastle brought up an interesting point to me:

QuoteIt is surely worth factoring in why this is happening. It's not about sport. It's not even about money. English football is not a vast global industry or a good bet for a handsome return. Newcastle United's annual turnover is a relatively minuscule £170m. So why go through this mill?

It doesn't take an Icke-level conspiracy theory to see that the Premier League has become a soft power tool, that this is about reach, about using what were once community clubs as projector screens to the world. Is it really desirable, or a sensible long-term plan, to sell that capacity to whichever sovereign state happens to be passing?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 07, 2021, 04:31:12 PM
So. Yep. Shitty news on many many levels.
Newcastle were the original premier league new money club back in the 90s (Blackburn being the last of the old school) , though hopefully they have missed the boat on this one. The football bubble has to pop.
A lot of their fans are being insufferable-well why can't we knock down that beautiful 18th century terrace that keeps St James so wonky so we can have a 100,000 seater stadium?
Fecking horse punchers.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on October 08, 2021, 10:07:54 AM
Quote from: Barrister on October 07, 2021, 12:40:16 PM
Canada plays Mexico, in Mexico City, tonight in an important World Cup qualifier.

Obviously Mexico is a pretty heavy favourite, but it sure would be nice to pull out a draw (or even eke out a win).  Canada can still qualify even with losing tonight, but even getting a single point would be huge.

1-1 final.

:cool:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on October 08, 2021, 11:52:06 AM
I'm not a soccer guy, but I'm getting hyped for the Canadian men's team.  They could actually pull this off!  With a record of 1-0-3 they're undefeated.

They're sitting third in the CONCACAF standings - and top three automatically qualify.  Sitting in 4th is Panama (Mexico and USA sitting 1 and 2 respectively).

Canada has games coming up against Jamaica (which is winless), then Panama (which would be huge), then those games in Edmonton I mentioned against Costa Rica and Mexico in November, and finish up with games against Honduras, USA, El Salvador (x2), Panama and Jamaica.

Still lots of soccer left to play, but they're positioning themselves nicely.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on October 08, 2021, 12:04:41 PM
Quote from: Barrister on October 08, 2021, 11:52:06 AM
I'm not a soccer guy, but I'm getting hyped for the Canadian men's team.  They could actually pull this off!  With a record of 1-0-3 they're undefeated.

They're sitting third in the CONCACAF standings - and top three automatically qualify.  Sitting in 4th is Panama (Mexico and USA sitting 1 and 2 respectively).

Canada has games coming up against Jamaica (which is winless), then Panama (which would be huge), then those games in Edmonton I mentioned against Costa Rica and Mexico in November, and finish up with games against Honduras, USA, El Salvador (x2), Panama and Jamaica.

Still lots of soccer left to play, but they're positioning themselves nicely.

:hug:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 08, 2021, 12:38:05 PM
Canada look the real deal and I hope they qualify.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on October 08, 2021, 12:43:09 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 08, 2021, 12:38:05 PM
Canada look the real deal and I hope they qualify.

It would be the first time they qualified since 1986 (and even then they only qualified because Mexico got in as the host country, thus opening up another spot from CONCACAF).  Heck this is the furthest they've even gone in qualifications in something like 20 years.

Plus since we're supposed to co-host the thing in 2026 it would be nice to know the men's team can get in legitimately, and not just on the strength of being the co-host.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on October 08, 2021, 04:31:02 PM
The 19 other Premier League clubs want an emergency meeting because of the league approving the Newcastle takeover by Saud Arabia because the "brand could be damaged".  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on October 08, 2021, 05:17:56 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 08, 2021, 12:38:05 PM
Canada look the real deal and I hope they qualify.

They look not terrible.  For the first time in a long time they are scoring goals. I have fingers and toes crossed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 09, 2021, 07:27:51 AM
Quote from: Barrister on October 08, 2021, 11:52:06 AM
I'm not a soccer guy, but I'm getting hyped for the Canadian men's team.  They could actually pull this off!  With a record of 1-0-3 they're undefeated.

They're sitting third in the CONCACAF standings - and top three automatically qualify.  Sitting in 4th is Panama (Mexico and USA sitting 1 and 2 respectively).

Canada has games coming up against Jamaica (which is winless), then Panama (which would be huge), then those games in Edmonton I mentioned against Costa Rica and Mexico in November, and finish up with games against Honduras, USA, El Salvador (x2), Panama and Jamaica.

Still lots of soccer left to play, but they're positioning themselves nicely.

No doubt this is the best Canadian squad ever. they played well against Mexico and deserved to win. Will be watching them play Panama on Wednesday
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on October 09, 2021, 07:00:17 PM
Chelsea!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on October 09, 2021, 10:43:26 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on October 09, 2021, 07:00:17 PM
Chelsea!

:unsure:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 09, 2021, 10:45:37 PM
7-0-0 26-0

Just give us gold and cancel that December tournament.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on October 10, 2021, 12:33:46 AM
Moldova isn't exactly a powerhouse tho'.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 10, 2021, 01:47:22 PM
(UEFA) Nations League final starts now! Will the trophy stay in Iberia, that would be Spain winning or will go to les Bleus?

Earlier on, Belgium lost 1-2 to Italy. Both teams had changed line-ups to give substitutes a chance to play in this tournament.

Will Américo Lapuerta score a goal for la Roja?  :P

Eastern Iberians will be happy to know that I root for la Roja.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 10, 2021, 03:38:41 PM
The what? Eh? Who? Why? Que?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 10, 2021, 04:05:33 PM
France 2 Spain 1

Seems Spain scoring first, in the second half, was the worst thing to happen to them.  :D

Second French goal seemed off-side to me but was accepted nonetheless.
Even the French commentators seemed to see it as off-side in the beginning then claimed later on it was deflected by a Spaniard, so putting it back onside.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on October 11, 2021, 03:41:37 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on October 09, 2021, 10:43:26 PM
:unsure:

Just celebrating their position atop the leader board.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 12, 2021, 07:15:02 AM
The Newcastle/Saudi take I was waiting for - David Squires:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2021/oct/12/david-squires-on-newcastle-united-saudi-takeover
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 12, 2021, 05:38:08 PM
Yup
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 13, 2021, 03:50:48 AM
Quote from: Liep on October 09, 2021, 10:45:37 PM
7-0-0 26-0

Just give us gold and cancel that December tournament.

8-0-0 27-0
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on October 13, 2021, 11:35:22 AM
Quote from: Liep on October 13, 2021, 03:50:48 AM
8-0-0 27-0

I really appreciate the unselfish pass type of goal like that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on October 13, 2021, 11:49:38 AM
Other developments - Albanian fans throw stuff at Polish team. Hungarian fans fight with English police. A bit of a mess.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 13, 2021, 11:57:40 AM
Quote from: Jacob on October 13, 2021, 11:35:22 AM
Quote from: Liep on October 13, 2021, 03:50:48 AM
8-0-0 27-0

I really appreciate the unselfish pass type of goal like that.

I was out seeing Dune for a second time so can't really comment. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on October 13, 2021, 12:00:27 PM
You should find a highlight reel then.

... on the topic of highlight reels, I've noticed the trend of click-farmers positng fake highlight reels using EA FIFA footage. What a world we live in....
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on October 13, 2021, 01:42:28 PM
Big game today against Panama.  As it turns out Mrs. CC was in the same hotel as team Canada last night and wished them well - so they are bound to do well.  No one in their right mind would want to disappoint Mrs. CC.   :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 13, 2021, 08:07:29 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on October 13, 2021, 01:42:28 PM
Big game today against Panama.  As it turns out Mrs. CC was in the same hotel as team Canada last night and wished them well - so they are bound to do well.  No one in their right mind would want to disappoint Mrs. CC.   :D

Looks like they're smashing the Panamanians so good on her  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on October 13, 2021, 11:49:26 PM
Canada 4 - Panama 1.   :cool:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on October 14, 2021, 12:43:40 AM
Davies is the real deal. The rest of the team though... Even if Canada qualifies, they won't make it out of the group stage.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 14, 2021, 05:17:41 AM
Quote from: Jacob on October 13, 2021, 11:35:22 AM
Quote from: Liep on October 13, 2021, 03:50:48 AM
8-0-0 27-0

I really appreciate the unselfish pass type of goal like that.

Saying Denmark qualified early, second only to Germany, for the Qatar World Cup would have been too easy. An easy qualification group yes, but still quite a performance that winning streak.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on October 14, 2021, 11:49:48 AM
Yeah, it was a fairly easy group I think. Obviously it's a nice record, but I don't think it's necessarily indicative

Sort of related, there's been some discussions about boycotting the World Cup because it's in Qatar - something like 6,500 migrant workers have apparently died as part of the preparation work - but I don't think it's going to fly.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on October 14, 2021, 12:00:16 PM
Alphonso Davies game-winning goal in the win over Panama is a thing of beauty.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1448454617667358724
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 14, 2021, 01:54:43 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on October 14, 2021, 12:43:40 AM
Davies is the real deal. The rest of the team though... Even if Canada qualifies, they won't make it out of the group stage.

Given that they will be seeded fourth in any group they're in; it is very unlikely they would. You're right. But i don't think they'd expect to. I think they'd be happy with a point, or perhaps a win,
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on October 14, 2021, 02:06:25 PM
Quote from: Josephus on October 14, 2021, 01:54:43 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on October 14, 2021, 12:43:40 AM
Davies is the real deal. The rest of the team though... Even if Canada qualifies, they won't make it out of the group stage.

Given that they will be seeded fourth in any group they're in; it is very unlikely they would. You're right. But i don't think they'd expect to. I think they'd be happy with a point, or perhaps a win,

On the one hand, never say never.  You do see some upsets happen in the group stage from time to time.  It's not impossible for them to be something of a cinderella story.

But on the other hand, the Canadian Men have made it to exactly one World Cup ever, in 1986, where they failed to score a single game.  The team will very much be in the "just happy to be here" kind of mood.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 14, 2021, 05:04:10 PM
Yeah, also let's not count any chickens yet. Still a tough road to the cup. They have some tough road games to play in Costa Rica, Panama and El Salvador. Their last game is in Panama, which could end up being a key decider.
If we take for granted that Mexico and USA grab spots 1 and 2, and three teams qualify automatically, there's gonna be a lot of teams fighting for spot 3.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on October 14, 2021, 05:18:10 PM
In the highlight clips I've watched the US looks like crap.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on October 14, 2021, 06:59:06 PM
Oh jeez, I wanted to see the Candian goals and the CBC's story has a breakdown of Davie's goal and it is OBNOXIOUS... crappy cutting, flashing effects, jump editing, weird statistics overlay (top running speed?)... I just want to see the goal FFS.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on October 14, 2021, 07:01:30 PM
Thankfully Soccer Canada has a more regular highlight reel on youtube.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 14, 2021, 09:06:10 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on October 14, 2021, 05:18:10 PM
In the highlight clips I've watched the US looks like crap.

They're a young team that often runs hot and cold. They also have a couple key players who are out injured, Pulisic and Reyna, arguably the two best American players of this generation.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on October 14, 2021, 10:27:47 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on October 14, 2021, 05:18:10 PM
In the highlight clips I've watched the US looks like crap.

It's complicated.

But I am certainly very disappointed so far.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on October 14, 2021, 11:27:57 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 14, 2021, 09:06:10 PM
They're a young team that often runs hot and cold. They also have a couple key players who are out injured, Pulisic and Reyna, arguably the two best American players of this generation.

When have they run hot recently?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 15, 2021, 02:58:35 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on October 14, 2021, 05:18:10 PM
In the highlight clips I've watched the US looks like crap.

Yeah. But they and Mexico will still grab spots 1 and 2, because that's the way it is. Spot 3 is the one with all the competition.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on October 15, 2021, 03:07:02 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on October 14, 2021, 11:27:57 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 14, 2021, 09:06:10 PM
They're a young team that often runs hot and cold. They also have a couple key players who are out injured, Pulisic and Reyna, arguably the two best American players of this generation.

When have they run hot recently?

This summer they looked alright, the Nations League and the Gold Cup - not world beaters, but more coherent as a team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 16, 2021, 08:02:37 AM
Mo Salah is having a ridiculous season :o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on October 16, 2021, 02:01:57 PM
What's so special about "the top drawer?"  The top drawer of what?  The top drawer is where I put my socks.

"Top shelf" on the other hand is obvious.  That's where you display the most expensive booze.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 16, 2021, 02:12:17 PM
The top drawer is where jewelry is kept.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on October 16, 2021, 02:14:58 PM
Gotcha
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 16, 2021, 05:04:30 PM
Quote from: Tyr on October 16, 2021, 02:12:17 PM
The top drawer is where jewelry is kept.

I keep mine in my second drawer, that way thieves won't find them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 16, 2021, 05:14:57 PM
But imagine the embarrassment if a thief breaks into your house and finds no jewels.
It would be all over the society pages.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on October 18, 2021, 12:44:23 PM
Quote from: Tyr on October 16, 2021, 05:14:57 PM
But imagine the embarrassment if a thief breaks into your house and finds no jewels.
It would be all over the society pages.

True. Still, you could just claim someone had stolen them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on October 18, 2021, 12:53:30 PM
I thought the top drawer, aka the "sock drawer," was where my ex-wife used to hide my socks so I couldn't find them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 19, 2021, 04:06:43 PM
Well, Clandestino should be happy, Sporting won against Besiktas! 4-1

As for me, Porto played Milan AC and won at home 1-0. A game dominated by Porto, at least in the first half though the winning goal is not exactly stellar with a confused situation in the box.

I see PSG keeps on playing not so well and yet winning.  :hmm: This time 3-2 vs Rasenball Leipzig.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 20, 2021, 05:54:39 AM
Steve Bruce has, as expected, been fired by Newcastle. I was pretty sympathetic and thinking it's brutal and feeling for him when I was reading this - until the last bit when I was roaring with laughter :lol: :blush:
QuoteFabrizio Romano
@FabrizioRomano
Steve Bruce to @lukeedwardstele: "I think it might be my last job. It has been very, very tough. To never really be wanted, to feel that people wanted me to fail & saying I would fail, that I was useless, a fat waste of space, a tactically inept cabbage head".
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 20, 2021, 06:05:20 AM
By all accounts he is a complete arse hole.
Though hopefully he will have more time to work on his career as an author!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 20, 2021, 06:08:09 AM
What is Newcastle going to do now? Sign a big name coach to replace him and start their moneybags stage on stride?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 20, 2021, 06:40:43 AM
Quote from: Tyr on October 20, 2021, 06:05:20 AM
By all accounts he is a complete arse hole.
Though hopefully he will have more time to work on his career as an author!
:lol: I have an amazon alert on his novels. They're not easy to come by.

QuoteWhat is Newcastle going to do now? Sign a big name coach to replace him and start their moneybags stage on stride?
I'm not sure who the odds are is going to replace. I assume they've got someone lined up if they're firing him now - but big money doesn't always equal sensible decision making (see Everton for the last five years :lol: :weep:). I also don't think Newcastle is quite ready to do that - at the minute the job is making sure they don't get relegated this season and then spending the big money to start building a squad that can "challenge".

I could be wrong but I suspect they may appoint a manager who's probably better suited for the building a good team/going places stage of things rather than the "making sure we don't get relegated" stage which may cause problems.

We also don't know about structure. Like Chelsea have put a clear structure in place in terms of recruitment and who's in charge, similarly City brought in their structure that was designed around eventually getting Pep - it's not clear what Newcastle are going to do. But I think most clubs with a sudden load of money make a lot of mistakes and given Newcastle's inherent ability to make mistakes I am quite looking forward to it :blush: :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on October 20, 2021, 06:59:17 AM
It was far more sad to see Ranieri sacked after the Abramovich takeover.

Oh the good old days when a Russian oligarch was the worst person to use the Premier League as a fig leaf and money launder machine.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 20, 2021, 09:17:00 AM
Quote from: Tamas on October 20, 2021, 06:59:17 AM
It was far more sad to see Ranieri sacked after the Abramovich takeover.

Oh the good old days when a Russian oligarch was the worst person to use the Premier League as a fig leaf and money launder machine.

The football gods repaid him years later when Leicester won the league. What a story that was.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 20, 2021, 06:02:17 PM
Does anyone in FIFA like football? :blink: :weep:
QuoteRob Harris
@RobHarris
FIFA to explore proposal that teams can't play in consecutive World Cups if the event is held every 2 years
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on October 20, 2021, 06:38:30 PM
It's incredible, but FIFA is making UEFA, the club leagues, and even the Olympic Committee look good by comparison
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 21, 2021, 03:11:01 AM
Some wealthy corrupt shit at football nation REALLY wants to win the world Cup.

Though hey. That's an alternative.
Real world Cup remains every 4 years.
Special world Cup cripple fight evenly spaced between those.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 21, 2021, 03:38:19 AM
There's this really weird race in football where everybody tries to be the biggest villain. Project Big Picture, the Superleague, FIFA, UEFA...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 21, 2021, 03:39:18 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on October 20, 2021, 06:02:17 PM
Does anyone in FIFA like football? :blink: :weep:
QuoteRob Harris
@RobHarris
FIFA to explore proposal that teams can't play in consecutive World Cups if the event is held every 2 years

What a shit idea.

Quote from: Tyr on October 21, 2021, 03:11:01 AM
Some wealthy corrupt shit at football nation REALLY wants to win the world Cup.

Though hey. That's an alternative.
Real world Cup remains every 4 years.
Special world Cup cripple fight evenly spaced between those.

Except you'll be stuck in the cripple WC if you lose out of the real one once like Italy and Holland did last time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on October 21, 2021, 03:39:56 AM
I feel sorry for those having to do the doublethink of seeing all that FIFA and UEFA are doing but yet still attribute some moral value to football, as opposed to seeing it as a form of entertainment.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 21, 2021, 05:22:20 AM
Gianni Infantino really manages to out-Blatter Blatter.  :lol: João Havelange will in time be seen as virtuous.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 22, 2021, 09:00:15 PM
Nice to see Emile Smith Rowe receive more plaudits in the media after bossing today's game against Villa. Kid owns bones and is going to go far. Arsenal are really lucky to have two of their own playing at a high level with such huge potential going forward. Feels good to be a supporter.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on October 22, 2021, 09:48:52 PM
Aren't you folks like 14th?  You were before the game anyways  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 23, 2021, 10:14:23 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on October 22, 2021, 09:48:52 PM
Aren't you folks like 14th?  You were before the game anyways  :P

Early days for league standings still  :D

Realistically I think most Arsenal supporters think 6th is the absolute ceiling this season. Sad compared to the old days but it's a beginning of a really nice project full of young and likeable players. Whatever happens with Arteta, the team I think is in a good place.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 23, 2021, 04:54:09 PM
[spoiler]Rafa out[/spoiler] :ph34r: :blush:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 23, 2021, 08:54:14 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on October 23, 2021, 04:54:09 PM
[spoiler]Rafa out[/spoiler] :ph34r: :blush:

:lol:  :hug:

I didn't see the game but I saw the score and, I mean, what else is there to say?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on October 23, 2021, 09:51:48 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on October 23, 2021, 04:54:09 PM
[spoiler]Rafa out[/spoiler] :ph34r: :blush:

I wish we could trade coaches, I'd give Nuno for Rafa any day of the week...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 24, 2021, 03:53:53 PM
It's fun hating Man Utd.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 24, 2021, 04:15:13 PM
Only thing left to do is laugh.

Hahahahahahaha  :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on October 24, 2021, 05:38:35 PM
Spurs being Spursy again today. What a bore this game was. The whole system is meant to feed Kane, but then Kane is invisible 75% of the games he plays. I don't know if he's not trying or if he plateau-ed a couple of years ago and he's on the decline. Trade him for Bernardo Silva and some cash and be done with it.

Without a move during the winter window, I see Tottenham finishing 8-10th.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on October 25, 2021, 12:15:18 AM
Nice defending by Kane.  :lol:

Chelsea!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 25, 2021, 01:53:19 AM
I've been thinking with the Newcastle take over.

Its interesting they become the most hated team in the world, in the hands of a brutal dictator, right as it starts to become notable that top level footballers are taking an interest in progressive issues.

I wonder whether they'll have any would-be signings turn them down for moral reasons?

I can just see the makeup of their future team now....not a Brit amongst them, just a gaggle of foreign mercenaries on big wages.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 25, 2021, 08:58:30 AM
Solksjaer is going to be sacked and United are going to get Conte, aren't they? Fffffffffuuuu
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 26, 2021, 06:15:05 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 25, 2021, 08:58:30 AM
Solksjaer is going to be sacked and United are going to get Conte, aren't they? Fffffffffuuuu

Yes, it'll be interesting to see who they hire in 2023 though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 26, 2021, 07:22:35 AM
Quote from: Liep on October 26, 2021, 06:15:05 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 25, 2021, 08:58:30 AM
Solksjaer is going to be sacked and United are going to get Conte, aren't they? Fffffffffuuuu

Yes, it'll be interesting to see who they hire in 2023 though.
As we're in the banter timeline, surely the return of the Moyesiah after he gets West Ham into the Champions League :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 27, 2021, 07:22:25 AM
21 year old Aussie footballer Josh Cavallo comes out:
https://twitter.com/JoshuaCavallo/status/1453240548404367370?s=20

I think that makes him the only professional footballer in the men's game globally who is openly gay. Lots of messages of solidarity and support from clubs and famous players around the world which is nice to see.

When Spurs were playing Newcastle a lot of fans were wearing the scarf of the Spurs LGBT fans group - and I suspect that's something we will start seeing at a lot of clubs. In part because they want to beat up on Newcasle/Saudi which is fair enough, but it's also I think quite a smart and positive way to make that protest.

I've said it before - and we are miles from where we should be (which is what the women's game is like) but I think the Euros shifted things in terms of men's football and LGBT rights. I don't know if it happened everywhere and with every country, but I got that sense from at least Germany, England and the Netherlands where there were quite prominent displays of solidarity at ifferent points plus the normalisation of things like the rainbow armband. Still baby steps but something that I think is really positive.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 27, 2021, 12:56:21 PM
It's hard to compare the women's game with the men's game.

I mean, it's hard not to recognize LGBT + in the women's game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 27, 2021, 05:19:23 PM
So, Barcelona have finally fired Koeman after today's defeat against Rayo Vallecano. I really wonder who they're going to get now, it's kind of a poisoned position at the moment, albeit with lots of potential if you can manage to turn the team around.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on October 27, 2021, 05:29:35 PM
I think that with my past FM experience I could run Barcelona into the ground even faster were I to be chosen.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 27, 2021, 09:16:02 PM
I will gladly offer my services. I have extensive experience in management, mainly my hundreds of hours in FM. I also captained and managed my college intramural soccer team and I was my team's top scorer in my U16 youth club side.

Thank you for your time, Barcelona. I await your decision.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on October 28, 2021, 01:10:39 AM
So it's Xavi. It might work, he has a lot of coaching experience from a similar league.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 28, 2021, 01:19:58 AM
Quote from: Liep on October 28, 2021, 01:10:39 AM
So it's Xavi. It might work, he has a lot of coaching experience from a similar league.

:lol:

I love Xavi, but winning a bunch of trophies in Qatar is barely a cut above FunkMonk's qualifications for the job.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 28, 2021, 04:38:12 AM
Quote from: celedhring on October 28, 2021, 01:19:58 AM
Quote from: Liep on October 28, 2021, 01:10:39 AM
So it's Xavi. It might work, he has a lot of coaching experience from a similar league.

:lol:

I love Xavi, but winning a bunch of trophies in Qatar is barely a cut above FunkMonk's qualifications for the job.

Yet he's basically the anointed one that will come down from the heavens to pull the team for its misery.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 28, 2021, 04:41:24 AM
When a team is in the shitter the smart move is not to bring in a thoughtful manager for the long term but to bring in a people-person who can smack some heads together and get the team's moral up and make the best of the existing players.
I know nothing of Xavi as a manager but this is something where managers from lower leagues can often shine. Being a former star in the recent past for the club in question doesn't hurt either.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 28, 2021, 05:26:56 AM
Quote from: Tyr on October 28, 2021, 04:41:24 AM
When a team is in the shitter the smart move is not to bring in a thoughtful manager for the long term but to bring in a people-person who can smack some heads together and get the team's moral up and make the best of the existing players.
I know nothing of Xavi as a manager but this is something where managers from lower leagues can often shine. Being a former star in the recent past for the club in question doesn't hurt either.

The thing is that, due to Barcelona's situation, it's not really clear what their short term objective should be. Clearly you can't ask them to challenge for big titles (League and Champions League), but you at least need the team to be competitive and ensure CL qualification (otherwise the economic situation would deteriorate even further).

Koeman was already meant to be a transitional coach in some way, and given his personality he was the right guy to be a hatchet man and clear the dressing room a bit. He was underwhelming but not terrible last year (won the cup, ended up 3rd in the league, round of 16 in the CL), and he was getting some of the younger players ready for regular 1st team play (Pedri being the brightest case, but also Mingueza, Dest & Moriba last season and Gavi, Nico González & Demir this season), but this season so far has been a disaster and he seemed to have completely lost the team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 28, 2021, 05:31:55 AM
Yeah. I think there is something about managing the big clubs with the big players that is generally closer to being an international manager. A large part of the job is dealing with players with big entourages and lots of people around them and convincing them to do roughly what you want and the man management etc.

But Ronaldo is not going to listen to Rafa on how to do his job; Neymar, Mbappe and Messi are not going to be the type of hard-running, pressing attack that Poch likes. So I think for those clubs it often makes sense as Tyr says to get a man manager in, which is why Ancelotti still does very well at this level.

With Barca at the minute though - I'm not sure that's where they are, that those are the players they have or that's what they need.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 28, 2021, 06:06:57 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on October 28, 2021, 05:31:55 AM
Yeah. I think there is something about managing the big clubs with the big players that is generally closer to being an international manager. A large part of the job is dealing with players with big entourages and lots of people around them and convincing them to do roughly what you want and the man management etc.

But Ronaldo is not going to listen to Rafa on how to do his job; Neymar, Mbappe and Messi are not going to be the type of hard-running, pressing attack that Poch likes. So I think for those clubs it often makes sense as Tyr says to get a man manager in, which is why Ancelotti still does very well at this level.

Yeah, managing big egos is a huge part of coaching at the top, as you say some coaches like Ancelotti have made their entire careers based on that, as it's not as if they're exactly tactical wizards. Zidane as well, in a way, due to his stature as a legend of the game, he has the respect of his players (and also the media, not to forget about them) basically by default, and he gets away with stuff that coaches with a lower profile can't.

There are a couple of anecdotes about the season in which Zidane replaced Benítez at Real Madrid that reflected on that different status between the coaches. One of the changes that Zidane established was starting Casemiro every single game to give the team a defensive balance, something that Benítez was lambasted for when he tried to do the same as he was accused of being too conservative. Zidane got away with a basic change that Benítez just couldn't implement due to his lesser status (and it's not as if Benítez is a nobody).

QuoteWith Barca at the minute though - I'm not sure that's where they are, that those are the players they have or that's what they need.

That's the pickle about Barcelona at the moment. What is it that they want short term? I assume that the mandate of any new coach, be it Xavi or anybody else, will be: Get the team into the CL next season, try to be as competitive as possible within the circumstances, avoid the club any huge embarrassments, try to rehabilitate the club's big names if possible (ie, get Coutinho to be a reasonable player again to see if he gets any offers), and get as many kids as possible to establish themselves as part of the 1st team or to become transfer assets.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 28, 2021, 06:07:28 AM
It's not a problem of having superstars buy in - we no longer have superstars  :P

We do need somebody that embodies a bit of a winning culture though, Koeman was terrible at this. We are already defeated before taking the pitch. His tactics were always really conservative, too, and even in our diminished status we don't really have the mentality or the players to get away with that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 28, 2021, 06:17:52 AM
Quote from: celedhring on October 28, 2021, 06:07:28 AM
It's not a problem of having superstars buy in - we no longer have superstars  :P

You might not need Messi's go ahead anymore for a new coach, but it's not as if the team is a bunch of nobodies.  :P At the very least you need somebody being able to see people like Piqué, Busquets or Alba face to face, something that Xavi, for instance, can do by default.

I wonder how this will affect players like Memphis, for instance, which was a very personal bet by Koeman as they had a good relationship from the Netherlands national team. It might also mean the end for Luuk de Jong's Barcelona tenure as well, I doubt that he'll be wanted by any possible new coach.

QuoteWe do need somebody that embodies a bit of a winning culture though, Koeman was terrible at this. We are already defeated before taking the pitch. His tactics were always really conservative, too, and even in our diminished status we don't really have the mentality or the players to get away with that.

Yeah, that feeling was already there since the beginning of the season, with Koeman saying that the team couldn't compete for titles right now and players, even the new kids, saying that Barcelona has to always be competitive and aim for the top. The disconnect between coach and players was pretty clear.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 28, 2021, 06:22:23 AM
Quote from: celedhring on October 28, 2021, 06:07:28 AM
We do need somebody that embodies a bit of a winning culture though, Koeman was terrible at this. We are already defeated before taking the pitch. His tactics were always really conservative, too, and even in our diminished status we don't really have the mentality or the players to get away with that.
As Alan Ball famously said, "once Everton has touched you nothing will be the same.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 28, 2021, 06:22:59 AM
By the way, the necessary stature of a possible new coach is also something that I've seen discussed for however replaces Solskjaer at Man United. I heard one of the possible names being discussed for a replacement was Brighton's Graham Potter, who apparently has a growing reputation in the UK, but his name was immediately followed by a "good luck getting Ronaldo to listen to him" kind of sentence. This was contrasted with guys like Conte, who could get away with, for instance, benching him.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 28, 2021, 06:30:38 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 28, 2021, 06:22:59 AM
By the way, the necessary stature of a possible new coach is also something that I've seen discussed for however replaces Solskjaer at Man United. I heard one of the possible names being discussed for a replacement was Brighton's Graham Potter, who apparently has a growing reputation in the UK, but his name was immediately followed by a "good luck getting Ronaldo to listen to him" kind of sentence. This was contrasted with guys like Conte, who could get away with, for instance, benching him.
Yeah - I think it's an issue for the "super-clubs". Either you hire some form of club legend or you hire someone who has already managed a super-club/been on that merry-go-round. With the possible exception of Germany/Bayern - but look at City, Chelsea, Liverpool, United, PSG, Juve, Real and Barcelona. They're all fishing in a very shallow pool - and the last few years were particularly extreme with Solskjaer, Lampard, Zidane, Koeman, Pirlo. In terms of managerial experience I don't think any of them would get the job - but in terms of getting respect from players and working in that context, it works.

There's maybe a couple of liminal clubs that are considered big enough to provide the right type of experience for you to be considered for one of those jobs - the other big Italian teams, Dortmund, Atletico.

Edit: Incidentally I really rate Graham Potter - Spurs or Everton should have gone for him. But I think even there the managerial pipeline has slightly broken down. I'm not sure that doing well at, say, Brighton, or Burnley or Norwich is now necessarily enough for aspirational upper-mid-table clubs like West Ham, Everton or Spurs to go for you/it may be perceived as too high risk.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 28, 2021, 06:30:48 AM
Quote from: celedhring on October 28, 2021, 01:19:58 AM
Quote from: Liep on October 28, 2021, 01:10:39 AM
So it's Xavi. It might work, he has a lot of coaching experience from a similar league.

:lol:

I love Xavi, but winning a bunch of trophies in Qatar is barely a cut above FunkMonk's qualifications for the job.

:lol:

Barca you will regret this!!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 28, 2021, 06:47:43 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on October 28, 2021, 06:30:38 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 28, 2021, 06:22:59 AM
By the way, the necessary stature of a possible new coach is also something that I've seen discussed for however replaces Solskjaer at Man United. I heard one of the possible names being discussed for a replacement was Brighton's Graham Potter, who apparently has a growing reputation in the UK, but his name was immediately followed by a "good luck getting Ronaldo to listen to him" kind of sentence. This was contrasted with guys like Conte, who could get away with, for instance, benching him.
Yeah - I think it's an issue for the "super-clubs". Either you hire some form of club legend or you hire someone who has already managed a super-club/been on that merry-go-round. With the possible exception of Germany/Bayern - but look at City, Chelsea, Liverpool, United, PSG, Juve, Real and Barcelona. They're all fishing in a very shallow pool - and the last few years were particularly extreme with Solskjaer, Lampard, Zidane, Koeman, Pirlo. In terms of managerial experience I don't think any of them would get the job - but in terms of getting respect from players and working in that context, it works.

There's maybe a couple of liminal clubs that are considered big enough to provide the right type of experience for you to be considered for one of those jobs - the other big Italian teams, Dortmund, Atletico.

Edit: Incidentally I really rate Graham Potter - Spurs or Everton should have gone for him. But I think even there the managerial pipeline has slightly broken down. I'm not sure that doing well at, say, Brighton, or Burnley or Norwich is now necessarily enough for aspirational upper-mid-table clubs like West Ham, Everton or Spurs to go for you/it may be perceived as too high risk.

I also have the feeling that tis is exacerbated in England because so many former players go into punditry/business rather than become coaches, something that other countries have no problem about, as there's a continuous pipeline from players to coaches almost as soon as they retire from their playing careers. Lampard and Gerrard might be the exceptions to the rule. Also Rooney, but that's more a maybe than anything.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 28, 2021, 06:57:08 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 28, 2021, 06:47:43 AM
I also have the feeling that tis is exacerbated in England because so many former players go into punditry/business rather than become coaches, something that other countries have no problem about, as there's a continuous pipeline from players to coaches almost as soon as they retire from their playing careers. Lampard and Gerrard might be the exceptions to the rule. Also Rooney, but that's more a maybe than anything.
I think for English players becoming managers maybe, but the club legend appointment doesn't need to be English. So there's also Vieira (who, if he does well at Palace, will end up at Arsenal), Arteta etc - plus other club roles like Cech at Chelsea. I think there's already talk about de Bruyne doing his coaching badges and if he's at all competent he'll be moved through the City system. I feel like Henry is moving to permanent pundit-dom and was maybe a bit like Hoddle - he was too talented and it came too naturally for him to actually be a coach.

I'd expect John Terry eventually ends up at Chelsea - I think the perception is he's done well as an assistant at Villa so will probably get a job at a club lower down the league like Rooney and Lampard. Of them Gerrard is the most interesting because Rangers is a genuinely big job, just in a smaller market. But he has experience of hot house media and fan pressure, a real budget, competing in Europe etc.

Also a lot of the pundits have tried management varying degrees of success - Neville, Souness, Keane all had time as a manager (to varying degrees).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on October 28, 2021, 07:16:17 AM
I can't say I envied Lampard when offered the Chelsea job. I mean, maybe he is just not self-aware and genuinely was 100% confident he was up for it in which case this doesn't apply, but I imagine it's the kind of thing where you know you may very well not measure up to it, but would regret for the rest of your life if you turned it down.

In all honesty I think he got lucky with his first season, and the basic idea he had for tactics was decent enough, but he seemed incapable of adapting it as circumstances required. Once the players realised this morale fell and he was done.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 28, 2021, 07:23:16 AM
Arteta is interesting because he became Pep's protege at Man City and was presumably in the pipeline there until Arsenal came in for him (the second time  :lol:). Pep still bigs him up every chance he gets, which I'm not sure how much is genuinely because he thinks he's a future legendary manager, how much is because Arteta is his friend, and how much is mind game quackery  :D

The competition for scooping up the next big manager is really interesting in England.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 28, 2021, 07:28:59 AM
So, people are sharing a video of Xavi explaining his tactics and it's essentially copy-paste of peak 2010s Barça (which makes sense, that's the system he played in), and I'm already hard.  :blush:

Hopefully we aren't getting Catalan Solksjaer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 28, 2021, 07:43:01 AM
Quote from: Tamas on October 28, 2021, 07:16:17 AM
I can't say I envied Lampard when offered the Chelsea job. I mean, maybe he is just not self-aware and genuinely was 100% confident he was up for it in which case this doesn't apply, but I imagine it's the kind of thing where you know you may very well not measure up to it, but would regret for the rest of your life if you turned it down.

In all honesty I think he got lucky with his first season, and the basic idea he had for tactics was decent enough, but he seemed incapable of adapting it as circumstances required. Once the players realised this morale fell and he was done.
I agree with Jonathan Wilson - I think he is good at working with young players, I think he's a decent attacking coach but cannot set up a team to defend. Which obviously ties to your point about adaptability.

And I wonder if part of the "secret" of being a good manager is in part being able to know and admit your deficiencies and have people in your team who can deal with that? It's a different generation but Ferguson famously regularly re-freshed his assistant manager and coaching staff to build new tactics/identities for United. Similarly I think Poch and Klopp and Guardiola have a team that travels with them that comes as a package to deliver their style. On the other extreme, I don't think Martinez is capable defensively and I don't think he has the team with him to remedy that which leaves his teams exposed.

QuoteHopefully we aren't getting Catalan Solksjaer.
:ph34r: In Solskjaer's defence I think he has had a decent few years and United have improved. Admittedly improving morale after a team's entered the Mourinho death-spiral might not be that great of an achievement, but he deserves some credit for it.

I just don't think he's capable of moving beyond that point (or necessarily replicating it anywhere else). And I'll say it again Ronaldo is another Sanchez moment for United.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 28, 2021, 07:56:49 AM
The signing of Ronaldo was completely absurd, it was a knee jerk move by United just because they couldn't stand the idea of him ending up at City, and it completely ruined whatever project they had going on. Now they have a broken team, a prima donna striker who needs the team to play for him and won't help in defence and a glut of young attacking players who can't all play at the same time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 29, 2021, 07:47:02 PM
And speaking of John Terry the odds of him being appointed Newcastle manager have been slashed. Saw one Newcastle fan on Twitter reply: "Can't see it, Saudis ae trying to clean up their image. This would be a disastrous appointment on and off the pitch."

Imagine being such a toxic person that associating with you is a reputational risk for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on October 29, 2021, 09:20:30 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 28, 2021, 06:30:48 AM
Barca you will regret this!!

I was rooting for you, Funk.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 30, 2021, 08:39:08 AM
Arsenal mugging Leicester City away by 2 goals.

Life is good.  :bowler: :bowler: :bowler: :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 30, 2021, 12:54:18 PM
Ole got lucky United are playing Spurs after the Liverpool hiding
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on October 30, 2021, 08:35:48 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 30, 2021, 12:54:18 PM
Ole got lucky United are playing Spurs after the Liverpool hiding

:bash:

Another dreadful performance. 5 wins 5 losses, 9 goals scored in 10 games... Midfield is way too slow in the build up and Son is the only one trying runs. Kane has clearly given up on Spurs and the fans are turning on him, fast.

Nuno is clearly the wrong coach for a team that is not suited to defensive play.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 31, 2021, 05:11:27 AM
Football doesn't exist anymore. I have my fingers in my ears and eyes closed for the forseeable.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 01, 2021, 08:19:19 PM
Sorry Zoupa. :console:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 01, 2021, 09:30:02 PM
Pretty sure he is quite happy about getting Conte and ditching Nuno  :lol:

As an Arsenal fan this makes me uneasy but it is also hilarious: Manchester United, days after considering ditching their own mediocre coach and getting Conte, are now fucked  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on November 02, 2021, 05:30:12 AM
From what I read Conte is an aggressive fixer, so I'm more than happy. My main annoyance with Nuno was not that the team wasn't winning enough, it was his style. Defensive, but boringly defensive.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 02, 2021, 07:04:48 AM
Conte officially announced as Tottenham's new coach.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 02, 2021, 08:13:07 AM
Nuno getting paid millions for a few months of terrible work. Guy has it figured out.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 02, 2021, 08:20:30 AM
There are rumours over here today about Unai Emery leaving Villarreal in order to take over Newcastle.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 03, 2021, 06:20:56 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 01, 2021, 09:30:02 PM
As an Arsenal fan this makes me uneasy but it is also hilarious: Manchester United, days after considering ditching their own mediocre coach and getting Conte, are now fucked  :lol:

That win was an outstanding move from Solksjaer.   :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 03, 2021, 09:47:26 AM
Funny tidbit about Tottenham's coaches that I just saw on Twitter:

QuoteRichard Jolly
@RichJolly

Tottenham have given Mauricio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte contracts to manage them until 2023.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 03, 2021, 09:56:51 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 01, 2021, 09:30:02 PM
As an Arsenal fan this makes me uneasy but it is also hilarious: Manchester United, days after considering ditching their own mediocre coach and getting Conte, are now fucked  :lol:
Solskjaer masterclass :lol:

Also I loved the detail that Conte was "disturbed" by the faith United were showing hin Solskjaer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on November 03, 2021, 01:20:59 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 03, 2021, 09:47:26 AM
Funny tidbit about Tottenham's coaches that I just saw on Twitter:

QuoteRichard Jolly
@RichJolly

Tottenham have given Mauricio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte contracts to manage them until 2023.

All that money could have been used to get at least one dominating midfielder...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 03, 2021, 03:18:00 PM
What's happening in 2023? :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 05, 2021, 06:08:16 AM
It seems that, after quite a lot of wrangling with Al Sadd, Xavi will finally become Barcelona's new manager.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 05, 2021, 06:09:56 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 05, 2021, 06:08:16 AM
It seems that, after quite a lot of wrangling with Al Sadd, Xavi will finally become Barcelona's new manager.

And it's the first time Barça has a manager that's younger than me. The middle age crisis rubicon has been crossed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 05, 2021, 06:22:45 AM
Quote from: celedhring on November 05, 2021, 06:09:56 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 05, 2021, 06:08:16 AM
It seems that, after quite a lot of wrangling with Al Sadd, Xavi will finally become Barcelona's new manager.

And it's the first time Barça has a manager that's younger than me. The middle age crisis rubicon has been crossed.

Diego Martínez, Granada's coach last season, went to my same high school, one year after me. He was classmates with one of my best friends. I'm already beyond the "coaches younger than me in the 1st division" trauma.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 05, 2021, 01:05:55 PM
Quote from: celedhring on November 05, 2021, 06:09:56 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 05, 2021, 06:08:16 AM
It seems that, after quite a lot of wrangling with Al Sadd, Xavi will finally become Barcelona's new manager.

And it's the first time Barça has a manager that's younger than me. The middle age crisis rubicon has been crossed.

Less bitching than had Xavi not been selected though.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 06, 2021, 11:25:41 PM
Surely that Burnley goal was off side.

Bleh.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 07, 2021, 03:43:34 PM
Arsenal 5th in the table. Far cry from match week 3.  :bowler:

Of course I was 'Arteta Out' back then. I am very happy to have been proven a dumbass.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 11, 2021, 07:01:20 AM
Gerrard has been appointed as the new Aston Villa manager. Let's see how he does in the Premier.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on November 11, 2021, 09:15:31 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 11, 2021, 07:01:20 AM
Gerrard has been appointed as the new Aston Villa manager. Let's see how he does in the Premier.

Not a move I expected before the latest wave of rumours yesterday; I think he has made a serious mistake with his career. Better to stay in Scotland and try to rack up a couple more titles with Rangers to pad out his CV. There'll always be Premiership opportunities coming up - the average over the last 10 years is 44% of the clubs in the Premiership changing managers at least once during the season/year (roughly 9 of the 20 clubs.)

Even in the best years for managerial survival at least 8 of the clubs have changed their manager at least once.

Newcastle may be able to spend their way out of trouble in the Christmas transfer window; if they do so Aston Villa would be one of the favourites to replace them as relegation fodder.

Still, what do I know...I'm not a footballer or manager or even an avid fan so I could very well be wrong and this is simply the next step in what will be remembered as his illustrious career.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 11, 2021, 11:12:51 AM
Agreed. Swapping rangers for a relegation fight at this point of the season, for a generic Premier league team and not his dream job, is a weird move.
I can only guess/hope for his sake there were big promises for January and next summer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 11, 2021, 11:34:22 AM
Not the first time Gerrard made a strange move.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 11, 2021, 11:47:00 AM
Last international qualifiers before the Qatari farce tonight!

Pepe fans in the British Isles:Hiberno-British Archipelago, will be happy to know he is to play tonight in Dublin for the Selecção vs the football squad of Éire. :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 11, 2021, 12:03:15 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 11, 2021, 11:34:22 AM
Not the first time Gerrard made a strange move.

He always dived into awkward positions.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 11, 2021, 03:00:35 PM
There are three games shown at the same time, so no way to get a feeling about the game.

For Josephus:

Malta 0 Croatia 1 with one goal for both Croatia and Malta (!) offside rejected by video refereeing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 11, 2021, 03:49:02 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 11, 2021, 03:00:35 PM
There are three games shown at the same time, so no way to get a feeling about the game.

For Josephus:

Malta 0 Croatia 1 with one goal for both Croatia and Malta (!) offside rejected by video refereeing.

It got a lot worse after that  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 11, 2021, 04:01:59 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 11, 2021, 03:49:02 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 11, 2021, 03:00:35 PM
There are three games shown at the same time, so no way to get a feeling about the game.

For Josephus:

Malta 0 Croatia 1 with one goal for both Croatia and Malta (!) offside rejected by video refereeing.

It got a lot worse after that  :(

Yeah, the coverage decreased dramatically after the later Croatian goals. I understand why they showed parts of Spain-Greece, still not decided (1-0 for Spain) but Croatia vs Malta puzzles me.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 11, 2021, 04:12:25 PM
Still 0-0 for Ireland-Portugal with a bit more than 20 minutes to play. Not a great display by Portugal though the last 2 subs improved a bit (Moutinho and Leão) but Irish fighting spirit is more than alive.

Danilo as central back is sad to watch, just got booked. Fernandes does nothing, as usual, in important Selecção games.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 11, 2021, 04:15:50 PM
Pepe just got booked. For a handball, sorry.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 11, 2021, 04:26:15 PM
Red for Pepe. He could have just shot the ball for a throw-in but that's un-Pepe.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 11, 2021, 04:41:15 PM
Worst game of the Selecção in a while and not just because Ireland was more than up for the challenge.
No Pepe for the decisive game vs Serbia in Lisbon which may be a bad thing, or not would say his haters.  :P

Spain 1 Greece 0

Spain more or less dominated the game and is first of the group thanks to an unexpected defeat of Sweden vs Georgia (!). Threviel jinxed them I guess.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 12, 2021, 04:16:55 AM
Doctors have told Agüero that he'll probably have to retire from football.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 12, 2021, 06:35:41 AM
Also, superb bottle job from Sweden yesterday, I wasn't expecting that.

Nonetheless, this Sunday's Spain-Sweden will still decide who gets to the WC, but now Spain goes ahead with just a draw (and we can't really score at the moment, so...).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on November 12, 2021, 06:39:29 AM
All we'll have to do is whip the Dons, that match shouldn't be much of a problem unless the Swedes get bored to death.   :smoke:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 12, 2021, 08:58:17 AM
Apparently Xavi's 1st signing as Barcelona coach is going to be... Dani Alves.  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on November 12, 2021, 12:13:36 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 12, 2021, 08:58:17 AM
Apparently Xavi's 1st signing as Barcelona coach is going to be... Dani Alves.  :hmm:

Isn't he retired lol. He must be 40 by now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 12, 2021, 12:30:56 PM
Costa Rica at Canada in World Cup qualifiers tonight.  In Edmonton.  They estimate the crowd will be 45-50,000.  Temperature forecast to be a balmy +3c (37F).

It's also the "homecoming" game for Alphonso Davies.  Although he largely grew up here and his parents still live here, he's never played a meaningful game here in Edmonton in his life.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 12, 2021, 12:39:24 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on November 12, 2021, 12:13:36 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 12, 2021, 08:58:17 AM
Apparently Xavi's 1st signing as Barcelona coach is going to be... Dani Alves.  :hmm:

Isn't he retired lol. He must be 40 by now.

38.

Right now we're playing makeshift RBs because we only have one in the squad (Dest), which often plays as a winger because we have NO right wingers  :lol: :wacko:. But I hope there's better options than to bring him back...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on November 12, 2021, 10:28:45 PM
What's up with Wembley's surface? It looked like shit today.

Kane scoring 3 for England while doing fuck all at Spurs:  :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 12, 2021, 10:38:08 PM
Canada is all over Costa Rica. 1-0 good guys.

1-0 final.  :cool:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 13, 2021, 07:21:57 AM
Quote from: Barrister on November 12, 2021, 10:38:08 PM
Canada is all over Costa Rica. 1-0 good guys.

1-0 final.  :cool:

Terrific atmosphere ruined by a few jerks who ran onto the field with a minute left in the game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 13, 2021, 02:35:02 PM
Quote from: celedhring on November 12, 2021, 06:35:41 AM
Also, superb bottle job from Sweden yesterday, I wasn't expecting that.


And now Norway.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 13, 2021, 03:12:10 PM
Quote from: Maladict on November 13, 2021, 02:35:02 PM
Quote from: celedhring on November 12, 2021, 06:35:41 AM
Also, superb bottle job from Sweden yesterday, I wasn't expecting that.


And now Norway.

Netherlands leading 1-0 after playing not so well, thanks a penalty offerred by a Montenegrine back. I guess there won't be any Qatar WC boycott from the Batavians.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 13, 2021, 04:38:18 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 13, 2021, 03:12:10 PM
Quote from: Maladict on November 13, 2021, 02:35:02 PM
Quote from: celedhring on November 12, 2021, 06:35:41 AM
Also, superb bottle job from Sweden yesterday, I wasn't expecting that.


And now Norway.

Netherlands leading 1-0 after playing not so well, thanks a penalty offerred by a Montenegrine back. I guess there won't be any Qatar WC boycott from the Batavians.

No, we fucked it up too  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 13, 2021, 04:39:04 PM
After leading 2-0, the Dutch suffered 2 goals in 5 minutes in the end from Montenegro. So a boycott is still possible but they just need a tie vs Norway which is still in the race for qualification.

Maladict beat me to it.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 14, 2021, 01:43:57 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 13, 2021, 07:21:57 AM
Quote from: Barrister on November 12, 2021, 10:38:08 PM
Canada is all over Costa Rica. 1-0 good guys.

1-0 final.  :cool:

Terrific atmosphere ruined by a few jerks who ran onto the field with a minute left in the game.

Jerks are gonna be jerks.  I don't think anything was ruined.

Sets up an absolutely huge game on Tuesday with Mexico.  They were just beaten by the US on Friday.  That means the US and Mexico each have 14 points, while Canada has 13.  They managed a draw against Mexico in Mexico City - any chance they can pull off a win in Edmonton?  Forecast that day is a high of -2c, low of -10c.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 14, 2021, 01:56:32 AM
Why was Pulisic on the bench until 68 in?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 14, 2021, 06:42:17 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on November 14, 2021, 01:56:32 AM
Why was Pulisic on the bench until 68 in?

He's had a recent injury which meant he was likely deemed not fit enough to play more than 30 minutes or so by the coaching staff.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 14, 2021, 07:24:39 AM
Quote from: Barrister on November 14, 2021, 01:43:57 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 13, 2021, 07:21:57 AM
Quote from: Barrister on November 12, 2021, 10:38:08 PM
Canada is all over Costa Rica. 1-0 good guys.

1-0 final.  :cool:

Terrific atmosphere ruined by a few jerks who ran onto the field with a minute left in the game.

Jerks are gonna be jerks.  I don't think anything was ruined.

Yeah...any chance of Edmonton hosting the next set of games.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on November 14, 2021, 11:07:24 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 14, 2021, 07:24:39 AM
Quote from: Barrister on November 14, 2021, 01:43:57 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 13, 2021, 07:21:57 AM
Quote from: Barrister on November 12, 2021, 10:38:08 PM
Canada is all over Costa Rica. 1-0 good guys.

1-0 final.  :cool:

Terrific atmosphere ruined by a few jerks who ran onto the field with a minute left in the game.

Jerks are gonna be jerks.  I don't think anything was ruined.

Yeah...any chance of Edmonton hosting the next set of games.

I think it will have solidified those chances actually.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 14, 2021, 11:14:52 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 14, 2021, 07:24:39 AM
Quote from: Barrister on November 14, 2021, 01:43:57 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 13, 2021, 07:21:57 AM
Quote from: Barrister on November 12, 2021, 10:38:08 PM
Canada is all over Costa Rica. 1-0 good guys.

1-0 final.  :cool:

Terrific atmosphere ruined by a few jerks who ran onto the field with a minute left in the game.

Jerks are gonna be jerks.  I don't think anything was ruined.

Yeah...any chance of Edmonton hosting the next set of games.

I think that'd be short-sighted.  It was a great crowd, lots of people in town were talking about the game (who never talk about soccer).  We still have the Mexico game coming up.

I took a look at the schedule - Canada's next home game is Jan 30 vs USA.  So... an outdoor game in November is one thing, but January?  Taking a quick look - for 2026 World Cup the only stadiums being used are Commonwealth and BMO Field.  So are those the only options for Jan 30?  Brr...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 14, 2021, 11:30:17 AM
Quote from: Barrister on November 14, 2021, 11:14:52 AM

I took a look at the schedule - Canada's next home game is Jan 30 vs USA.  So... an outdoor game in November is one thing, but January?  Taking a quick look - for 2026 World Cup the only stadiums being used are Commonwealth and BMO Field.  So are those the only options for Jan 30?  Brr...

I don't see why those should be the only options? Canada has had WC qualification matches at indoor stadiums before.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on November 14, 2021, 11:37:53 AM
Any game in Canada in January will be hell - timbits and coffees being thrown on the field, canadian tires burning in the stands, naked (yet polite) people wearing snowshoes and holding curling brooms chanting over and over...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on November 14, 2021, 03:58:22 PM
Hump me sideways, it seems that Sweden is actually standing up to Spain. Would have thought it would be 5-0 by now...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 14, 2021, 04:37:19 PM
Well, that cancelled goal in Belgrade was really important with the defeat of a bad Selecção in Lisbon.

Off to play-offs for Portugal. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 14, 2021, 04:51:56 PM
Quote from: Threviel on November 14, 2021, 03:58:22 PM
Hump me sideways, it seems that Sweden is actually standing up to Spain. Would have thought it would be 5-0 by now...

We're theologically uncapable of scoring 5 goals in a game.

Good luck in the playoff.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 14, 2021, 05:17:39 PM
Also, Sweden's got to have something better than 40-year-old Ibrahimovic, as great as he was.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on November 14, 2021, 05:25:46 PM
Quote from: celedhring on November 14, 2021, 05:17:39 PM
Also, Sweden's got to have something better than 40-year-old Ibrahimovic, as great as he was.

Sweden's actually got a few ok players, but the average Swedish player is on a far too low level. I'm impressed that they actually gave Spain something over the qualifiers.

Anyhow, they play what a colleague of mine called grave digger football, boring and uninteresting.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 15, 2021, 02:54:11 PM
So not sure how much in advance Team Mexico would get to Edmonton, but there's a heavy snowfall warning for tonight and into tomorrow.  Game is tomorrow night, and here's the forecast for tomorrow:

Tue, 16 Nov   Snow at times heavy ending in the afternoon then mainly cloudy with 30 percent chance of flurries. Blowing snow in outlying areas in the morning and early in the afternoon. Amount 2 to 4 cm. Wind northwest 40 km/h gusting to 70. Temperature falling to minus 5 in the afternoon. Wind chill near minus 14. UV index 1 or low.
Night   Clear. Low minus 11.

:menace:

That wind in particular will be nasty...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 15, 2021, 05:46:13 PM
Per Giove! Italy in the play-offs (tie with Northern Ireland), after Portugal. Switzerland qualified (victory vs Bulgaria).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on November 15, 2021, 06:13:44 PM
Quote from: Barrister on November 15, 2021, 02:54:11 PM
That wind in particular will be nasty...

USA Soccer had an infamous snow game 8 or 9 years ago vs Costa Rica (in Denver?).  One of the Costa Rican recounts of the game said something like "It was a game for 14 minutes then it became a snowfight."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on November 15, 2021, 07:29:53 PM
I'm getting into supporting Canada too. Nice to see us having a nice run at qualifying :Canuck:

Denmark lost against Scotland. It doesn't change anything, except the ridiculous (and rather nerve wracking) sheen of perfection has come off. I think it's for the best. Humility is important.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 16, 2021, 06:13:05 AM
It would be cool if Canada qualifies, and Italy and Portugal don't. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 16, 2021, 12:22:28 PM
Quote from: Barrister on November 15, 2021, 02:54:11 PM
So not sure how much in advance Team Mexico would get to Edmonton, but there's a heavy snowfall warning for tonight and into tomorrow.  Game is tomorrow night, and here's the forecast for tomorrow:

Tue, 16 Nov   Snow at times heavy ending in the afternoon then mainly cloudy with 30 percent chance of flurries. Blowing snow in outlying areas in the morning and early in the afternoon. Amount 2 to 4 cm. Wind northwest 40 km/h gusting to 70. Temperature falling to minus 5 in the afternoon. Wind chill near minus 14. UV index 1 or low.
Night   Clear. Low minus 11.

:menace:

That wind in particular will be nasty...

The snow has indeed arrived, and continues to fall.  Forecast for kickoff is -8, with winds 20kph gusting to 40 kph, for a windchill of -15c.  Snow itself is forecast to stop before game time though.

Apparently Team Mexico only arrived in Edmonton yesterday.  The turf at Commonwealth is covered up due to the snow, so the first time the Mexicans get on the field will be for the game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 16, 2021, 01:42:03 PM
Good to see the Canadians take home field advantage seriously :lol:

Mexico does similar of course. The elevation at Estadio Azteca can be quite a factor in away sides' performances. And whenever the US plays a competitive home game vs Mexico they try to schedule it in a place with as few Hispanics as possible :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 16, 2021, 02:22:48 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 16, 2021, 06:13:05 AM
It would be cool if Canada qualifies, and Italy and Portugal don't. :P

Torontonian inter-ethnic relations are really worse than I thought.  :P
FIFA corruption is as expected. :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 16, 2021, 03:10:34 PM
Any of you guys following the drama/ruckus taking place in the female PSG team?

QuotePSG Women
PSG player arrested after assault on teammate

Paris Saint-Germain women's player Aminata Diallo has been arrested in relation to an assault on her teammate Kheira Hamraoui.

Hamraoui was "violently assaulted" on November 4 on her way home from a team dinner, hence why she was absent from PSG's Champions League win over Real Madrid on Tuesday.

As per reports in L'Equipe, the player was allegedly set up and ambushed, being dragged from Diallo's car by two strangers when she was close to her home. She was then attacked with an iron bar, resulting in injuries which required hospital treatment.

Although there is currently no solid case against Diallo, police are said to be exploring a lead related to her. It has been noted that the two players are rivals for the same position for their club and the French national team.

QuotePSG assault case: Police turn attention to Hamraoui's former partner

Police in France are continuing to investigate the assault on Paris Saint-Germain player Kheira Hamraoui on November 4 and a new line of inquiry is exploring whether a former partner may have been involved.

Initially, the Versailles police had detained teammate Aminata Diallo, who was in the car taking Hamraoui home when the vehicle was attacked, but she has since been released without charge and it seems they are no longer entertaining the idea that she may have been involved in an assault motivated by rivalry.

With the testimonies of Diallo and Hamraoui corroborating each other, the authorities now believe the motive for the attack was a private matter, according to L'Équipe. This is partly being considered after both players agreed that one of the aggressors used the words "married man".

Questioned about this, Hamraoui maintains she has "never had a romantic relationship" with someone who was already in a relationship.

Police have also linked this new development to calls received by other PSG players in the days leading up to the incident. Along with Diallo, Marie-Antoinette Katoto, Grace Geyoro and Sakina Karchaoui received calls from a supposed former partner of Hamraoui from her days in Barcelona, where she played between 2018 and 2021.

The caller told them that their teammate had ruined his life and that he would get revenge by doing the same to her.

As for the night of the attack, police also believe that the car in which Hamraoui, Diallo and Karchaoui were travelling may have been bugged with a tracking device, a common tactic used by organised criminals.

QuotePSG attack investigation: Eric Abidal to be questioned by French police

Former France and Barcelona defender Eric Abidal will be questioned by the police in the next few days over the alleged attack on Paris Saint-Germain's Kheira Hamraoui.

Prosecutor Maryvonne Caillibotte told the media on Monday that the 42-year-old will be "quizzed soon" as part of the investigation. Sources have told ESPN that Abidal's wife, Hayet, could also be questioned by the police.

According to sources, police have explored the links between Hamraoui and Abidal during the investigation. Abidal was Barcelona's sporting director when Hamraoui signed for the Spanish champions in 2018.

Abidal was sacked from his role at Camp Nou days after the men's team suffered a humiliating 8-2 Champions League defeat against Bayern Munich last year.

Sources have told ESPN that while investigating the player's phone calls, police noticed Hamraoui had called Abidal on the morning of her attack.

The news comes after fellow PSG teammate Aminata Diallo was released from custody on Thursday without charge for her involvement in the alleged attack.

According to sources, Hamraoui was in Diallo's car with two other PSG teammates after leaving a club dinner in Paris last week. When the car pulled out in front of her home, two men wearing balaclavas armed with iron bars dragged Hamraoui out of the car and started hitting her on the legs.

Diallo and one other person were detained for questioning last week about the attack. The second person was not identified and although no charges have been filed, the investigation will continue.

Hamraoui, who needed stitches in both her legs and hands, is still recovering from her injuries after the attack, while sources have said Diallo is in shock over her arrest.

Speaking on Tuesday, Hamraoui's lawyer Said Harir said: "Ms Hamraoui is asking for her private life to be respected, like her choice to stay silent during this difficult ordeal.

"The attackers attacked Ms Hamraoui by surprise, hitting her with a rare violence, primarily in the area of the lower limb, clearly showing a desire to harm her professional career. She suffered an important fiscal and psychological damage.

"Ms Hamraoui has all faith in the investigators who should be able to lead their investigation serenely so they can catch the culprits in the best of time. This is not the time for Ms Hamraoui to comment or repeat the information published in the media, despite being supposedly covered by the secret [of the investigation]. She is determined, eventually, to regain her place to continue representing the colours of her team with pride."

Both players missed PSG's 6-1 defeat against title rivals Lyon on Sunday, and sources added that Diallo is a major doubt to feature in the Champions League clash at Real Madrid on Thursday.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 16, 2021, 03:14:41 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 16, 2021, 01:42:03 PM
Mexico does similar of course. The elevation at Estadio Azteca can be quite a factor in away sides' performances. And whenever the US plays a competitive home game vs Mexico they try to schedule it in a place with as few Hispanics as possible :lol:

Hawaii?  :unsure:

I'm wondering where in the US there are few Hispanics.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 16, 2021, 03:18:41 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on November 16, 2021, 03:14:41 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 16, 2021, 01:42:03 PM
Mexico does similar of course. The elevation at Estadio Azteca can be quite a factor in away sides' performances. And whenever the US plays a competitive home game vs Mexico they try to schedule it in a place with as few Hispanics as possible :lol:

Hawaii?  :unsure:

I'm wondering where in the US there are few Hispanics.

West Virginia seems to be the state with a lower % of latinos (1'9%), followed by Maine (2%) and Vermont (2.4%).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 16, 2021, 03:19:03 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on November 16, 2021, 03:14:41 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 16, 2021, 01:42:03 PM
Mexico does similar of course. The elevation at Estadio Azteca can be quite a factor in away sides' performances. And whenever the US plays a competitive home game vs Mexico they try to schedule it in a place with as few Hispanics as possible :lol:

Hawaii?  :unsure:

I'm wondering where in the US there are few Hispanics.

Cincinnati apparently. :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 16, 2021, 04:12:02 PM
Poor phrasing on my part.

There is a historical problem with US men's team home games where they would play Mexico in Dallas or Houston or LA or some big city with a large Mexican fan base and the Mexican fans would completely obliterate the few American supporters. It essentially turned US home games into away matches.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 16, 2021, 04:18:39 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 16, 2021, 04:12:02 PM
Poor phrasing on my part.

There is a historical problem with US men's team home games where they would play Mexico in Dallas or Houston or LA or some big city with a large Mexican fan base and the Mexican fans would completely obliterate the few American supporters. It essentially turned US home games into away matches.

I totally get that.  I was asking an honest question.  Most places in the US have *some* Hispanics.

But Larchie's data makes sense.  I figure the biggest concentrations are going to be 1) close to the border 2) urban or 3) meat packing, home construction, or fruit picking.  And West Virginia, Vermont, and Maine don't fit any of those.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 16, 2021, 04:34:14 PM
Be interesting to see if the Canada game gets played or postponed 24hrs.

It's not the cold that's the problem but field conditions at kick off. There will be a check, and game will be determined on the following conditions:

Pitch inspections for snow:
whether or not playing area is dangerous (ice/frost) KO time plays factor.
whether or not conditions are or could turn farcical.
existing playing condition in conjunction w/prevailing weather conditions.
Markings, ball can be seen at all times
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 16, 2021, 04:57:47 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 16, 2021, 04:34:14 PM
Be interesting to see if the Canada game gets played or postponed 24hrs.

It's not the cold that's the problem but field conditions at kick off. There will be a check, and game will be determined on the following conditions:

Pitch inspections for snow:
whether or not playing area is dangerous (ice/frost) KO time plays factor.
whether or not conditions are or could turn farcical.
existing playing condition in conjunction w/prevailing weather conditions.
Markings, ball can be seen at all times

I get that it all has to be approved by CONCACAF I guess, but Commonwealth Stadium is no stranger to live sports in November.  As I understand it the field has been tarped off this entire time.  It stopped snowing a couple of hours ago (I can literally see Commonwealth Stadium from my office right now) and I imagine they're already removing the tarp and snow.

It's going to be cold, but it'll be cold tomorrow.  The only difference would be that the wind should die down by tomorrow.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 16, 2021, 05:00:40 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on November 16, 2021, 04:18:39 PMBut Larchie's data makes sense.  I figure the biggest concentrations are going to be 1) close to the border 2) urban or 3) meat packing, home construction, or fruit picking.  And West Virginia, Vermont, and Maine don't fit any of those.

The only factor nowadays seems to be closeness to the border, given which states are at the top (New Mexico, California, Texas, Arizona & Nevada).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 16, 2021, 05:05:00 PM
I know that Canada has often had that problem in the past with international games.  We don't have a huge hispanic population, but with the men's team being so bad few Canadians cared about the games so the stadium would be full of fans for Honduras, or Jamaica, or wherever.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 16, 2021, 05:44:55 PM
Quote from: Barrister on November 16, 2021, 04:57:47 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 16, 2021, 04:34:14 PM
Be interesting to see if the Canada game gets played or postponed 24hrs.

It's not the cold that's the problem but field conditions at kick off. There will be a check, and game will be determined on the following conditions:

Pitch inspections for snow:
whether or not playing area is dangerous (ice/frost) KO time plays factor.
whether or not conditions are or could turn farcical.
existing playing condition in conjunction w/prevailing weather conditions.
Markings, ball can be seen at all times

I get that it all has to be approved by CONCACAF I guess, but Commonwealth Stadium is no stranger to live sports in November.  As I understand it the field has been tarped off this entire time.  It stopped snowing a couple of hours ago (I can literally see Commonwealth Stadium from my office right now) and I imagine they're already removing the tarp and snow.

It's going to be cold, but it'll be cold tomorrow.  The only difference would be that the wind should die down by tomorrow.

Can you watch the game from your office?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 16, 2021, 05:57:40 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 16, 2021, 04:12:02 PM
Poor phrasing on my part.

There is a historical problem with US men's team home games where they would play Mexico in Dallas or Houston or LA or some big city with a large Mexican fan base and the Mexican fans would completely obliterate the few American supporters. It essentially turned US home games into away matches.

Maybe avoiding Latinos isn't the goal so much as getting the right Latinos.
Surely if there were a lot of central Americans in a place they'd be interested enough in football to go and cheering against Mexico too?  :p
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 16, 2021, 06:03:43 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 16, 2021, 05:44:55 PM
Can you watch the game from your office?

I'm about 1km away, but my office is only on the 6th floor, so I can't really see "in" to the stadium.  I'd be able to see the fans in the upper bowl is about it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 16, 2021, 10:24:27 PM
Both gringo nations have destroyed Mexico. Rip Mexican soccer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 16, 2021, 11:18:19 PM
Holy crap - Canada is now in first place in the World Cup qualifying pool.

Canada.  Ahead of Mexico and the US.

Amazing game.  To my untrained eye it seemed like Canada has it fairly in hand most of the game up until that 89th minute goal plus injury time (which was a nail biter).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 16, 2021, 11:43:13 PM
Dang, i'm trying to watch canada mexico, but the announcer on my CBS highlight clip is killing me.

Youse guys have a clip with a canucklead announcer?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on November 17, 2021, 12:34:38 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on November 16, 2021, 11:43:13 PM
Dang, i'm trying to watch canada mexico, but the announcer on my CBS highlight clip is killing me.

Youse guys have a clip with a canucklead announcer?

When I google it I find OneSoccer... not sure if that's what they're showing on CBS or not. Here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBb-_oas-yg
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 17, 2021, 01:48:55 AM
Quote from: Jacob on November 17, 2021, 12:34:38 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on November 16, 2021, 11:43:13 PM
Dang, i'm trying to watch canada mexico, but the announcer on my CBS highlight clip is killing me.

Youse guys have a clip with a canucklead announcer?

When I google it I find OneSoccer... not sure if that's what they're showing on CBS or not. Here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBb-_oas-yg

Those are the announcers I saw when watching live on Sportsnet.  It was... workmanlike.  Definitely a Canadian broadcast team.  OneSoccer is apparently an online soccer broadcast company, who sold the rights to some of these games to Sportsnet.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 17, 2021, 02:29:34 AM
Much shorter than the one I watched, better announcing, and had the great advantage of taking place this year.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 17, 2021, 07:03:51 AM
Quote from: Barrister on November 16, 2021, 11:18:19 PM
Holy crap - Canada is now in first place in the World Cup qualifying pool.

Canada.  Ahead of Mexico and the US.

Amazing game.  To my untrained eye it seemed like Canada has it fairly in hand most of the game up until that 89th minute goal plus injury time (which was a nail biter).

Yeah, your untrained eye is correct. This wasn't a fluke win. Canada dominated, Mexico were disorganized. Tables turned at the very end, but it was too late.
Canada WILL qualify for Qatar 2022; and I think they will be tough to beat. No one's saying they'll bring home the World Cup but they can compete.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 17, 2021, 07:22:51 AM
It would be pretty funny if Canada wins a WC before any other CONCACAF nation.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on November 17, 2021, 08:20:43 AM
I think we should start by scoring a goal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 17, 2021, 09:27:03 AM
Canada is the best team in CONCACAF. The table doesn't lie, as they say.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 17, 2021, 09:52:05 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 17, 2021, 08:20:43 AM
I think we should start by scoring a goal.

I think we should start by qualifying. We're not there yet.
Canada has some tough road games in Central America which are always in brutal conditions. They play away v. Honduras, El Slavador, Costa Rica and their last game v. Panama could be a crucial decider.
They only have two home games left, one of them v. USA is not a sure thing.
Neither is Jamaica.

That home draw v. Honduras may come back to haunt them.

So chickens hatched and everything.

They're in first place, but fourth place Panama is only two points behind.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 17, 2021, 11:44:51 AM
No, nothing is guaranteed at this point.  It's nice that Canada is master of their own fate at this point, not having to hope for other teams to lose, but still lots of games to play.

I do want to see that January game vs USA to be played outside though.  Doesn't have to be in Edmonton - I'm sure BMO Field would be fine.  I just loved the atmosphere of last night's game, including the players diving into the snowbank at the end.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on November 17, 2021, 11:47:33 AM
Quote from: Barrister on November 17, 2021, 11:44:51 AM
No, nothing is guaranteed at this point.  It's nice that Canada is master of their own fate at this point, not having to hope for other teams to lose, but still lots of games to play.

I do want to see that January game vs USA to be played outside though.  Doesn't have to be in Edmonton - I'm sure BMO Field would be fine.  I just loved the atmosphere of last night's game, including the players diving into the snowbank at the end.

Does Vancouver have a outdoor field that is adequate?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 17, 2021, 11:58:14 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 17, 2021, 11:47:33 AM
Quote from: Barrister on November 17, 2021, 11:44:51 AM
No, nothing is guaranteed at this point.  It's nice that Canada is master of their own fate at this point, not having to hope for other teams to lose, but still lots of games to play.

I do want to see that January game vs USA to be played outside though.  Doesn't have to be in Edmonton - I'm sure BMO Field would be fine.  I just loved the atmosphere of last night's game, including the players diving into the snowbank at the end.

Does Vancouver have a outdoor field that is adequate?

Whitecaps play at BC Place, which has a retractable roof.  Which really isn't the same as being outdoors.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on November 17, 2021, 01:07:26 PM
I gotta say, I really enjoyed what I've seen of the Canadian team and the fans recently. That feels like proper soccer to me, which is just fantastic.

Proper soccer being doing your best, striving to latch on to every faint glimmer of hope, taking pride in the moments where you beat teams as an underdog and the moments where you came so close against superior opponents if not for a few unlucky breaks.

Playing in inclement conditions only adds to the whole thing too :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 17, 2021, 01:21:32 PM
Quote from: Jacob on November 17, 2021, 01:07:26 PM
I gotta say, I really enjoyed what I've seen of the Canadian team and the fans recently. That feels like proper soccer to me, which is just fantastic.

Proper soccer being doing your best, striving to latch on to every faint glimmer of hope, taking pride in the moments where you beat teams as an underdog and the moments where you came so close against superior opponents if not for a few unlucky breaks.

Playing in inclement conditions only adds to the whole thing too :D

There was a lot of diving too, which I guess counts as "proper soccer". <_<

I've been enjoying these games.  I'm clearly a fair-weather fan, but if you go back in this thread I was talking about the WC qualifiers months ago.  But that being said I'm still a hockey guy, not soccer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on November 17, 2021, 01:25:44 PM
Quote from: Barrister on November 17, 2021, 01:21:32 PM
There was a lot of diving too, which I guess counts as "proper soccer". <_<

The Canadians or their various opposing teams? I prefer it if my teams play sturdy a sturdy non-diving style for sure. What other teams do I don't care about.

QuoteI've been enjoying these games.  I'm clearly a fair-weather fan, but if you go back in this thread I was talking about the WC qualifiers months ago.  But that being said I'm still a hockey guy, not soccer.

Like most Canadians, I expect. But still nice to see.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 17, 2021, 01:34:38 PM
Quote from: Jacob on November 17, 2021, 01:25:44 PM
Quote from: Barrister on November 17, 2021, 01:21:32 PM
There was a lot of diving too, which I guess counts as "proper soccer". <_<

The Canadians or their various opposing teams? I prefer it if my teams play sturdy a sturdy non-diving style for sure. What other teams do I don't care about.

Canadians, last game, I thought.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 17, 2021, 02:44:15 PM
Quote from: Barrister on November 17, 2021, 11:44:51 AM
No, nothing is guaranteed at this point.  It's nice that Canada is master of their own fate at this point, not having to hope for other teams to lose, but still lots of games to play.

I do want to see that January game vs USA to be played outside though.  Doesn't have to be in Edmonton - I'm sure BMO Field would be fine.  I just loved the atmosphere of last night's game, including the players diving into the snowbank at the end.

Some of my "in the know" press buddies are whispering Hamilton, Ont. as a potential site.

The players jumping into the snowbank was priceless.

It will almost certainly be in Ontario or east of that. The trouble with Edmonton or B.C. is for a lot of the Euro-based players, it's a long haul. Toronto is very easy to get to.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on November 17, 2021, 05:44:48 PM
Quote from: Barrister on November 17, 2021, 01:34:38 PM
Canadians, last game, I thought.

Me too, from what I saw :)

... but perhaps I'm slightly biased.

... and of course, generally not diving makes the rare perfectly timed strategic dive even more effective  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 17, 2021, 08:40:57 PM
The best part of the Canada-Mexico game was all the shithousery in the second half. The Canadians gave the Mexicans as good as they got and that alone proves that they should qualify for the World Cup.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 18, 2021, 04:52:08 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 16, 2021, 03:10:34 PM
Any of you guys following the drama/ruckus taking place in the female PSG team?
From PopBitch:
Quote>> O.M.PSG <<
French football goes wild

Pardon our French, but what the fuck is going on at Paris Saint-Germain? News coming out at the moment reads like the plot of some sort of souped-up soap opera.

* Earlier this year, PSG started paying for round-the-clock security at their players' homes after Angel Di Maria and Marquinhos both fell prey to violent burglaries.

* Last month, Ander Herrara claims to have been robbed in his car by a prostitute who got in at a red light, nicked his phone and wallet – then demanded a lift.

* Power couple Mauro Icardi and Wanda Nara are on/off/on/off. Their relationship has been tabloid fodder from day one as Wanda was initially married to Mauro's teammate, Maxi López. Mauro's decision to get Maxi's kids' names tattooed on his arms caused friction; Maxi's refusal to shake hands with Mauro caused more. Wanda took over Mauro's career Spinal Tap-style as girlfriend-manager, posting lots of John-and-Yoko pictures of them near-naked in bed. Now she claims that he slept with an Argentinian model, which he is brushing off as just "slutty chat".

* Things are even crazier with the women's team. Midfielder Kheira Hamraoui was also carjacked recently, but by masked men who beat her legs with metal poles. Teammate Aminata Diallo (who'd been driving) was first accused of orchestrating it, as a sort of Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan inspired plot, but police have a new lead. Reports emerged that one of the attackers shouted "So you like to sleep with married men?" Hamraoui's mobile phone is registered in the name of Eric Abidal, Barcelona's (married) ex-Sporting Director, with whom she is rumoured to have had an affair. Which would help explain reports that four of her teammates received calls from a man in Barcelona saying she'd "broken his life" and he "wanted revenge"...
:o :blink:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 19, 2021, 05:20:38 AM
Abidal has an alarming knack for being involved with lots of shady shit. Let's not forget the allegations that he bought a liver in the black market to get a transplant.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 19, 2021, 06:20:50 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on November 18, 2021, 04:52:08 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 16, 2021, 03:10:34 PM
Any of you guys following the drama/ruckus taking place in the female PSG team?
From PopBitch:
Quote>> O.M.PSG <<
French football goes wild

Pardon our French, but what the fuck is going on at Paris Saint-Germain? News coming out at the moment reads like the plot of some sort of souped-up soap opera.

* Earlier this year, PSG started paying for round-the-clock security at their players' homes after Angel Di Maria and Marquinhos both fell prey to violent burglaries.

* Last month, Ander Herrara claims to have been robbed in his car by a prostitute who got in at a red light, nicked his phone and wallet – then demanded a lift.

* Power couple Mauro Icardi and Wanda Nara are on/off/on/off. Their relationship has been tabloid fodder from day one as Wanda was initially married to Mauro's teammate, Maxi López. Mauro's decision to get Maxi's kids' names tattooed on his arms caused friction; Maxi's refusal to shake hands with Mauro caused more. Wanda took over Mauro's career Spinal Tap-style as girlfriend-manager, posting lots of John-and-Yoko pictures of them near-naked in bed. Now she claims that he slept with an Argentinian model, which he is brushing off as just "slutty chat".

* Things are even crazier with the women's team. Midfielder Kheira Hamraoui was also carjacked recently, but by masked men who beat her legs with metal poles. Teammate Aminata Diallo (who'd been driving) was first accused of orchestrating it, as a sort of Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan inspired plot, but police have a new lead. Reports emerged that one of the attackers shouted "So you like to sleep with married men?" Hamraoui's mobile phone is registered in the name of Eric Abidal, Barcelona's (married) ex-Sporting Director, with whom she is rumoured to have had an affair. Which would help explain reports that four of her teammates received calls from a man in Barcelona saying she'd "broken his life" and he "wanted revenge"...
:o :blink:

I would have thought the misadventure of Ander Herrera would have attracted more attention in Spain.  :P
Given the place where it happened, it's more than likely it was a trans prostitute.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 20, 2021, 11:55:33 AM
Bye bye Ole. :nelson:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 20, 2021, 11:59:55 AM
Just lolling here at United losing 4-1 to relegation favorites Watford  :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 21, 2021, 10:47:11 AM
Stop the presses! Messi scored a goal in the Ligue des Tas Lents.  :P
PSG 3 Nantes 1
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 21, 2021, 11:39:03 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 20, 2021, 11:55:33 AM
Bye bye Ole. :nelson:
I'm not saying United's leadership are incompetent but it is crazy to me how they've managed to fire Solskjaer just a week or two after Conte got another job :blink: :lol:

Too late for Conte, too soon for Poch :hmm:

Edit: Also they did a farewell interview with him - this is a bit weird :blink:
https://twitter.com/ManUtd/status/1462468647759327238?s=20
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on November 21, 2021, 03:27:16 PM
6(?) of the 20 clubs pulling the trigger before Christmas...are we heading for a record season?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 22, 2021, 07:21:39 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on November 21, 2021, 11:39:03 AMToo late for Conte, too soon for Poch :hmm:

I'm seeing reports where they put Poch as one of the forerunners for the job. Why would he leave PSG for that? It seems a bit delusional. The other big name being touted around is Zidane, but I think he's smart enough not to get in a rickety ship. Other candidates being touted around are Ten Haag (has already said he won't leave Ajax hanging mid-season), Luís Enrique (laughed out as an answer when the press asked him about it) and Brendan Rogers (already coaching Leicester).

It seems to me that United think too highly of their own prestige when fishing for coaches mid-season, as if anyone would be willing to leave whatever it is they're doing, be it club or national team, for a chance to coach them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 22, 2021, 07:47:42 AM
Zidane has already said no.

So.... Ronaldo is the problem at Manchester right?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 22, 2021, 07:57:39 AM
Quote from: Tyr on November 22, 2021, 07:47:42 AMSo.... Ronaldo is the problem at Manchester right?

I don't know if he is *the* problem but he is certainly a problem, and possibly the biggest problem in the field itself.

On the issue, I absolutely love Jonathan Wilson's low intensity journalistic guerrilla warfare against Ronaldo since he signed for United.  :lol: He does think that Ronaldo is the problem, but more as a symbol of United's internal disfunction.

QuoteRonaldo is the biggest problem for Manchester United's next manager
Forward is seemingly impossible to fit into a modern system and his signing symbolises a flaw holding back the club

So, what next? Ole Gunnar Solskjær has gone, and with him perhaps Manchester United's most visible problem, but a sentimental appointment wasn't the only issue holding the club back. United are institutionally dysfunctional and it will take more than a change of personnel in the dugout to change that.

Solskjær was a fine appointment as caretaker, perhaps the last good decision Ed Woodward made as United CEO. The return of a popular club legend, the sunshine man whose rays of decency could dispel the acrimony of the latter days of José Mourinho's reign, made sense. The problem was that rather than waiting until his short-term contract expired, Woodward gave him the job on a permanent basis.

Even by the end of that season, as United won only two of their final 12 games, it was apparent a mistake had been made. Solskjær's teams lacked the sophisticated organisation that differentiates the very best from the rest. The board could have made an assessment with the benefit of as much evidence as possible; instead they allowed themselves to be carried by emotion.

That lack of organisation was never resolved. Solskjær could set up a team to defend deep and strike on the break, which brought a series of notable results in big games, but they struggled to break down well-organised defences. Of course, when you have a squad as loaded with talent as United's, you will score goals most of the time, but the draw at West Brom, the home defeat by Sheffield United, and perhaps most especially the draw against Villarreal in the Europa League final were indictments.

This season, the flaw was compounded by the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo, another nostalgia-driven investment, another reminder that United as a club see themselves as being less about the production of effective football than saleable content. This is a squad put together less for utility than celebrity.

Suddenly it was no longer possible to sit deep and counter because there was a chugging goal-machine who had to be selected up front. With a great midfield, as Real Madrid showed with Casemiro, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, it is (just about) possible to compensate for Ronaldo and his unwillingness or inability to press. Scott McTominay, Fred and Nemanja Matic do not constitute a great midfield.

The inertia of the United directors, their hope that everything would somehow come good, that a functioning team could somehow be constructed out of some famous people and some 1990s memes, means they have missed out on the best available candidate, Antonio Conte going the way of Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino (when he joined Paris Saint-Germain). United's statement said they will appoint an interim manager until the end of the season. But then who? Zinedine Zidane, Pochettino, Brendan Rodgers, Julen Lopetegui? Would Laurent Blanc be up for it? Could Ralf Rangnick be persuaded to leave Lokomotiv Moscow and take over as sporting director?

And that is probably the biggest issue. The United board might not be so susceptible to each passing tide if there were somebody there who grasped modern football. The most damaging aspect of the Solskjær appointment was probably that it meant plans for a high-profile sporting director were shelved. John Murtough was appointed as football director in March but his visible impact has been minimal. With a figure who could guide the overall outlook there might be a coherence to signings, rather than a series of half-baked half-theories vaguely pursued before the allure of nostalgia and glamour takes over again.

This is a squad that has been expensively assembled, but it lacks coherence and whoever is appointed will have to face that first of all – and that means sales as well as signings. Why was Paul Pogba not offloaded when he might have generated a fee? It's not necessarily a criticism of them as players, but why are Donny van de Beek, Eric Bailly, Juan Mata, Alex Telles and Diogo Dalot at the club if there was no place for them in Solskjær's plans? But the biggest problem is Ronaldo.

It's all very well him scoring late goals to salvage games against teams such as Villarreal and Atalanta, but why do those games need salvaging? Zidane left Real Madrid at the end of his final season there, since when Ronaldo has seen off Max Allegri, Maurizio Sarri and Andrea Pirlo before Solskjær: that's five coaches in three and a half years across three clubs. How can he be fitted into a modern system? The truth is that, for all his goals, he probably can't. While he remains at the club, whoever the manager is will be compensating for his presence and that militates against an integrated philosophy.

His status dwarfs all else and that leads to a compunction, not to use him as an impact sub or only in matches in which United are likely to dominate the ball, but to play him in the majority of games. And the effect of that ripples out, reducing opportunities for Jadon Sancho (a £73m signing this summer who has seemingly been sacrificed on the altar of Ronaldo), Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard and Edinson Cavani.

What United need, fairly obviously, is a coherent structure. They need to build a system that presses, that allows the team to function as a unit, both going forwards and backwards. But achieving that with this squad, with a board forever adding new gaudy accoutrements, is far from straightforward.

And while the present situation is clearly filtered through a modern lens, the sense of frustration, of stars never quite making a constellation, has been, beyond the Busby and Ferguson eras, fairly standard at Old Trafford since the second world war. Only three managers have won the league with United. Without major changes throughout the club, it may be a long time before there's a fourth.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 22, 2021, 08:38:56 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 22, 2021, 07:21:39 AM
I'm seeing reports where they put Poch as one of the forerunners for the job. Why would he leave PSG for that? It seems a bit delusional. The other big name being touted around is Zidane, but I think he's smart enough not to get in a rickety ship. Other candidates being touted around are Ten Haag (has already said he won't leave Ajax hanging mid-season), Luís Enrique (laughed out as an answer when the press asked him about it) and Brendan Rogers (already coaching Leicester).
I get the impression Poch is not very happy in PSG - and he is a coach with a really defined identity and way of playing that demands everything of his players, particularly that they run and press all the time. So I can see why working with Mbappe, Neymar and Messi which might be a dream for, say, an Ancelotti is frustrating for Poch. I just can't see why he'd want to swap that for coaching *checks notes* Ronaldo :blink: :lol:

Having said that - at the end of the season I can see the appeal for someone like Poch. There is a decent amount of young talent in United that I think he would work well with and they're willing to spend money so in my head it would be a good fit.

I think there's also a bit of doubt about Rodgers at the minute because something's wrong at Leicester right now and I don't think anyone can work it out - but Rodgers does have form for things going wrong quickly and not being able to find a solution. Ironically one of the best candidates for the job at the minute is probably David Moyes :lol: :ph34r:

QuoteIt seems to me that United think too highly of their own prestige when fishing for coaches mid-season, as if anyone would be willing to leave whatever it is they're doing, be it club or national team, for a chance to coach them.
Maybe. I think they're just incompetent - I think the comparison with Spurs is interesting. They obviously got burned this summer. But if you look at when they got rid of Poch they had lined up Mourinho already, when they got rid of Nuno I think they must have already been pretty far down the line with Conte because that moved very quickly. I think the post-Mourinho experience humiliated them a little bit but got the sense Levy learned the mistakes and fixed it.

United seem to just make a lot of decisions without thinking them through or putting them all together or working out what happens next. That goes for signing new players, appointing new managers, new contracts and firing managers. I used to think it was an Ed Woodward thing but it may be a bit wider. Can you run a football club on nostalgia and vibes? :hmm:

QuoteOn the issue, I absolutely love Jonathan Wilson's low intensity journalistic guerrilla warfare against Ronaldo since he signed for United.  :lol: He does think that Ronaldo is the problem, but more as a symbol of United's internal disfunction.
Yes! Wilson does this every now and then on a topic and I absolutely love it. I remember his as you sawy low intensity guerilla warfare against Frank Lampard as a manager and it was great - and he was right.

Edit: Re. managerial appointments - I feel really sorry for Eddie Howe having to self-isolate with a positive covid test on his first game as Newcastle manager. But also Eddie Howe strikes me as a very bold decision for Newcastle given they're fighting relegation :ph34r:

Edit: Also on United I loved the Succession memes with Fergie as Logan saying "he's just not a killer" and Solskjaer as Kendall :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 22, 2021, 10:01:18 AM
Seems to me, Ronaldo needs to be offloaded to a rich MLS club where nothing will be expected of him other than to entertain the crowd. Sort of like Beckham.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 22, 2021, 10:06:19 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 22, 2021, 10:01:18 AM
Seems to me, Ronaldo needs to be offloaded to a rich MLS club where nothing will be expected of him other than to entertain the crowd. Sort of like Beckham.

That should be the realistic stage of his career, given how unsuited he is to modern football at top level. In a certain way Messi is in the same boat, as they're both apathetic on defence and won't press even if their lives depended on it, which is a must at top clubs nowadays.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 22, 2021, 12:29:14 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 22, 2021, 10:06:19 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 22, 2021, 10:01:18 AM
Seems to me, Ronaldo needs to be offloaded to a rich MLS club where nothing will be expected of him other than to entertain the crowd. Sort of like Beckham.

That should be the realistic stage of his career, given how unsuited he is to modern football at top level. In a certain way Messi is in the same boat, as they're both apathetic on defence and won't press even if their lives depended on it, which is a must at top clubs nowadays.

MLS needs more Qatari, Saudi or Emirati owners who can affort the above mentioned two.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 22, 2021, 01:02:35 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 22, 2021, 12:29:14 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 22, 2021, 10:06:19 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 22, 2021, 10:01:18 AM
Seems to me, Ronaldo needs to be offloaded to a rich MLS club where nothing will be expected of him other than to entertain the crowd. Sort of like Beckham.

That should be the realistic stage of his career, given how unsuited he is to modern football at top level. In a certain way Messi is in the same boat, as they're both apathetic on defence and won't press even if their lives depended on it, which is a must at top clubs nowadays.

MLS needs more Qatari, Saudi or Emirati owners who can affort the above mentioned two.  :D

Several clubs in MLS have lots of money to burn. It's all corporate but it's still money.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 22, 2021, 01:14:39 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 22, 2021, 10:06:19 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 22, 2021, 10:01:18 AM
Seems to me, Ronaldo needs to be offloaded to a rich MLS club where nothing will be expected of him other than to entertain the crowd. Sort of like Beckham.

That should be the realistic stage of his career, given how unsuited he is to modern football at top level. In a certain way Messi is in the same boat, as they're both apathetic on defence and won't press even if their lives depended on it, which is a must at top clubs nowadays.
Aren't there legal issues with Ronaldo going to the US? Or is that not a thing?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 22, 2021, 02:30:25 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 22, 2021, 12:29:14 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 22, 2021, 10:06:19 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 22, 2021, 10:01:18 AM
Seems to me, Ronaldo needs to be offloaded to a rich MLS club where nothing will be expected of him other than to entertain the crowd. Sort of like Beckham.

That should be the realistic stage of his career, given how unsuited he is to modern football at top level. In a certain way Messi is in the same boat, as they're both apathetic on defence and won't press even if their lives depended on it, which is a must at top clubs nowadays.

MLS needs more Qatari, Saudi or Emirati owners who can affort the above mentioned two.  :D

I guess that for those two it is not really a matter of money, they've already made tons of it, and Messi gladly took paycheck cuts to be able to continue at Barcelona, but of them feeling that they are still first rate players that can cut it at top level. To move to a "retiree league", be it the MLS, Japan or Qatar, would be admitting that they're past it, and that's not something they're willing to accept. I mean, Ronaldo is only recently accepting being substituted without throwing a temper tantrum.

Quote from: Sheilbh on November 22, 2021, 01:14:39 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 22, 2021, 10:06:19 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 22, 2021, 10:01:18 AM
Seems to me, Ronaldo needs to be offloaded to a rich MLS club where nothing will be expected of him other than to entertain the crowd. Sort of like Beckham.

That should be the realistic stage of his career, given how unsuited he is to modern football at top level. In a certain way Messi is in the same boat, as they're both apathetic on defence and won't press even if their lives depended on it, which is a must at top clubs nowadays.
Aren't there legal issues with Ronaldo going to the US? Or is that not a thing?

There were rumours about that but I'm not really sure if they're based in anything solid or is just salacious hearsay.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on November 22, 2021, 02:33:30 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on November 22, 2021, 01:14:39 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 22, 2021, 10:06:19 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 22, 2021, 10:01:18 AM
Seems to me, Ronaldo needs to be offloaded to a rich MLS club where nothing will be expected of him other than to entertain the crowd. Sort of like Beckham.

That should be the realistic stage of his career, given how unsuited he is to modern football at top level. In a certain way Messi is in the same boat, as they're both apathetic on defence and won't press even if their lives depended on it, which is a must at top clubs nowadays.
Aren't there legal issues with Ronaldo going to the US? Or is that not a thing?

In 2018, he was avoiding going to the US because of a 2009 rape investigation that had been reopened.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 22, 2021, 02:38:52 PM
He was acquitted of those recently, wasn't he? so he's free to move to LA for over paid retirement.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 22, 2021, 03:15:24 PM
To be fair to the MLS, if any of you follow it, it is trying to get away from the retirement league stereotype by coming up with all sorts of incentives to sign younger <25 year old designated players over older players.
One of the last major old "retiree" signings is currently playing for a top Serie A side.  ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 22, 2021, 03:24:15 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 22, 2021, 03:15:24 PM
To be fair to the MLS, if any of you follow it, it is trying to get away from the retirement league stereotype by coming up with all sorts of incentives to sign younger <25 year old designated players over older players.
One of the last major old "retiree" signings is currently playing for a top Serie A side.  ;)

If you mean Ibrahimovic I don't think he's a player you can extrapolate much from.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on November 25, 2021, 11:44:24 PM
So today Spurs lost against NS Mura. You have no idea who the fuck NS Mura are, so let me enlighten you.

It's a Slovenian team, who as recently as 2013, were playing in Slovenia's fourth tier league.

They hail from Murska Sobota, a city of 11 000 people and their storied ground is Fazanerija. capacity 3 782 souls.

I am sure Antonio Conte is ecstatic with his career choices. I think a year ago he was playing in the Champions League, Milan vs Real Madrid.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 26, 2021, 08:19:29 AM
Inter (Milan), not Milan (AC) Plus his team played Barça, not Real, in the 2019-2020 CL and finished third of the group so off to Europa League where Inter lost the final eventually.

Antonio Conte, as a coach, always seemed to have a problem with the Champions League to be fair.

I guess motivation for the Conference League the new bottom European League is hard to come by for his players.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 26, 2021, 02:18:38 PM
Only one out of Italy, Portugal and Turkey will qualify. Or maybe even none of them :ph34r:
(https://cdn.nos.nl/image/2021/11/26/806525/2560x1440a.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 26, 2021, 02:21:35 PM
Erdogan isn't so bad.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 26, 2021, 02:24:50 PM
Quote from: celedhring on November 26, 2021, 02:21:35 PM
Erdogan isn't so bad.

I'd have liked to see North Maceodonia get an easier group. They did really well in the group phase.

And my sense of Schadenfreude would have enjoyed a Russia-Ukraine pairing.  :blush:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 26, 2021, 02:34:36 PM
Alarmng to see United making sensible seeming decisions :o :ph34r:

Separately, I quite like a lot of the ideas from the review of football - apparently government prepared to broadly support this:
QuoteGovernment's fan-led review calls for Premier League clubs to pay transfer tax
    Stamp duty-style levy would help support football pyramid
    Also call for independent regulator to oversee English game
Paul MacInnes
@PaulMac
Wed 24 Nov 2021 22.00 GMT

Premier League clubs should pay a stamp duty-style tax on every transfer fee to help support the English football pyramid, the government's fan-led review has said, in one of 47 recommendations to safeguard the future of the game.

The highly anticipated report, led by the Conservative MP Tracey Crouch, was commissioned this year in response to ongoing crises of governance. Its proposals, according to Crouch, set out "a long-term sustainable position for English football". The government will make a statement on the report in parliament on Thursday, with the possibility of legislation being announced next spring in the Queen's speech.

Confirmed in the review is the recommendation that an independent regulator should oversee the English game. Able to grant licences to compete in league football, the regulator would have oversight of a club's finances and decide whether owners and directors were fit to hold their role, including the application of a new integrity test.

Rules around owners' responsibilities and financial commitments would be beefed up under the report's recommendations, coming into line with practices more commonly applied to banks or media companies. The transfer levy, meanwhile, could see a tax of as much as 10% put on Premier League deals, with the money redistributed. The review calculated that in the past five years a 10% levy would have raised about £160m a year.

Other proposals include:
A golden share, held by supporters, that could veto certain key changes in a football club – from changing the name to selling the ground.
Shadow boards made up of fans who must be consulted by clubs on key decisions.
Limits on the amount of money owners can put into a club, to prevent unsustainable practices and stop the distortion of competition, set according to the size of a club's existing finances.
A reappraisal of parachute payments to be determined between the Premier League and Football League – and, if there is no solution, by the regulator.
Compulsory relegation and promotion clauses in players' contracts.
Compulsory equality, diversity and inclusion plans for every club, building on the success of the Football Association's leadership diversity code and the Premier League EDI standard.
A review into the future of the women's game.
Trials to allow the consumption of alcohol while watching a match.

"I genuinely think that what we've set out in the report is good for the game," Crouch said. "It will set out a long-term sustainable position for English football.

"I think it will encourage growth and investment and I think it will drive improvements across the game that have been required for many years, decades in fact."

It is understood the government supports the key recommendation of a regulator, but Crouch warned this change would not be enough. "I think it's really important to say that this is a whole package of reforms," she said. "An independent regulator is one thing but if you don't have proper prudential regulation, good corporate governance, supporter engagement and a golden share it's basically just a bunch of people issuing a licence."

The review was widely welcomed across football. "This is potentially a huge step forward for football governance," said Kevin Miles, the chief executive of the Football Supporters' Association. "The government committed to a fan-led review which has listened to the voice of fans. It's now up to the government to deliver upon the recommendations."

Rick Parry, the EFL chairman, said the review was a "really thorough piece of work" which had "comprehensively recognised the financial challenges" within the game. "We believe that reform in football should be about making clubs sustainable," he said. "We support both redistribution and regulation within the game".

The Premier League said it welcomed the review and commended Crouch and her expert panel for their work. "We recognise the vital importance of fans and the need to restore and retain their trust in football's governance," a statement said. "We also acknowledge the call for some form of independent regulation to protect English football's essential strengths.

"The Premier League, alongside English football as a whole, is a global success. We have an outstanding track record on and off the pitch, including the positive impact on youth development, communities and the wider game, of which we are proud. It is important to everyone that any reforms do not damage our game, its competitive balance or the levels of current investment."

The Football Association said it recognised the review's importance and would work with the government over the recommendations.

One Premier League chairman has already come out against it saying it would kill the golden goose :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on November 26, 2021, 04:14:13 PM
Quote from: Maladict on November 26, 2021, 02:24:50 PM
Quote from: celedhring on November 26, 2021, 02:21:35 PM
Erdogan isn't so bad.

I'd have liked to see North Maceodonia get an easier group. They did really well in the group phase.

And my sense of Schadenfreude would have enjoyed a Russia-Ukraine pairing.  :blush:

These groups aren't balanced at all. OTOH, Scotland has a real shot   :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 26, 2021, 04:35:00 PM
Quote from: Maladict on November 26, 2021, 02:24:50 PM
Quote from: celedhring on November 26, 2021, 02:21:35 PM
Erdogan isn't so bad.

I'd have liked to see North Maceodonia get an easier group. They did really well in the group phase.

And my sense of Schadenfreude would have enjoyed a Russia-Ukraine pairing.  :blush:

UEFA rules prevent a Russia-Ukraine pairing.
That messes up draws obviously.

As for Portugal, if the team gets eliminated by Italy, coach Fernando Santos might stay a bit longer. :(

The Wales Austria Ukraine Scotland group is a joke.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on November 26, 2021, 07:29:40 PM
Not sure Santos survives not qualifying. He did guarantee Portugal would be in Qatar.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 27, 2021, 04:20:04 PM
Shambles at the Portuguese league, with Os Belenenses, whose squad is ravaged by COVID, being forced to play against Benfica with just 9 players (2 of them goalkeepers), including youth teamers. They're not even at half time and Benfica is already up by 6 goals.

Edit: 0 - 7 at halftime.

Edit 2: For the 2nd half only 7 Belenenses players made it to the field, and as soon as the ref whistled for the game to be re-started, one of the Belenenses players claimed injury and left the game, thus the match was declared to be over as no team can have less than 7 players in the field.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 29, 2021, 07:36:22 AM
Belenenses SAD, not Os Belenenses (i.e the historical club re-started at the bottom Lisboete level following a buy-out by a wealthy investor and subsequent splinter), being an empty shell, it figures.

Benfica changed his tune compared to its last season Covid woes, though I would not blame them for this mess, just making the most of it in a shameful way (celebrations after each "brilliant" goal  :lol:).

Obviously, this does not look though sensationalist headlines by CMTV (who else) might be a tad exaggerated.

(https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/260811983_10220627217451152_3635397014011484515_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=dbeb18&_nc_ohc=4euA4UcmD0YAX9gQQJj&_nc_ht=scontent-cdg2-1.xx&oh=13f8a0f3c14d945630ef5533b8169a3a&oe=61AA5D21)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 29, 2021, 07:37:29 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on November 26, 2021, 07:29:40 PM
Not sure Santos survives not qualifying. He did guarantee Portugal would be in Qatar.

I'd rather have him stay and qualify the team, then get rid of him later obviously, but fear perhaps irrationally he could linger a bit more.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 29, 2021, 07:40:10 AM
Covid cases in B(elenenses)-SAD are Omicron variant related.  :frusty:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 29, 2021, 08:20:29 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 27, 2021, 04:20:04 PM
Shambles at the Portuguese league, with Os Belenenses, whose squad is ravaged by COVID, being forced to play against Benfica with just 9 players (2 of them goalkeepers), including youth teamers. They're not even at half time and Benfica is already up by 6 goals.

Edit: 0 - 7 at halftime.

Edit 2: For the 2nd half only 7 Belenenses players made it to the field, and as soon as the ref whistled for the game to be re-started, one of the Belenenses players claimed injury and left the game, thus the match was declared to be over as no team can have less than 7 players in the field.
Pretty shocking.
It's happened to Sunderland that we've been forced to play during corona outbreaks, albeit still with enough youth bodies to put out a team.
When it happens to other teams of course games are called off.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 29, 2021, 01:39:43 PM
I think there was a bit of that last year about the delaying games being very inconsistently applied.

Separately the Burnley v Spurs game was snowed off and I absolutely loved Sean Dyche playing Sean Dyche before the game. "Too much snow? It's not even jumper weather yet":
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FFSH0BvXwAklNla?format=jpg&name=small)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 30, 2021, 05:23:50 PM
In women's football England just beat Latvia 20-0.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on November 30, 2021, 05:30:50 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 30, 2021, 05:23:50 PM
In women's football England just beat Latvia 20-0.  :D

I don't think I've ever felt more sympathy for an opposing team; as a kid at school I was on the wrong side of a couple of drubbings like that (club/house competitions.) One infamous case ending with all the players who had started as forwards playing defence by the end* and vice versa**...and we still couldn't stop the goals.

Some days you just don't know what is wrong, what has gone wrong, or what is going wrong.


*all the best players of course...12 and 13 year old kids tend not to want to play defence.

**To anyone who remembers meeting me in London years ago there are no prizes for guessing where I normally played. No, I was not thinner as a kid, and lacked talent as well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 01, 2021, 04:59:35 PM
Seeing lots of full blown Benitez out calls now. Nothing has worked - we're not more solid, none of the players have improved and the fans don't like him :lol: :weep:

So we return to underwhelming-to-relegation :bleeding:
(https://media3.giphy.com/media/3o7WTqo27pLRYxRtg4/giphy.gif)

Genuinely think Moshiri might get us relegated, bankrupt - full spiral :ph34r:

Edit: True crisis club stuff tonight. A fan got onto the pitch and confronted the players. Fans were walking out after less than twenty minutes. A group stayed in the stands to the end and after the match were chanting "sack the board" at the CEO, Chair and Director of Football. Rumours the owner (who has loaned us a lot of money and is bankrolling a new stadium) is trying to sell the club. All very compustible :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 01, 2021, 08:25:50 PM
Caught some of the game. My condolences  :bowler:

You did score once, at least. For Arsenal's regularly-scheduled drubbing at Anfield they barely registered a shot on target.

Liverpool are just really really hot right now, but you never know what the season will look like after Christmas. Maybe Everton will turn it around and Liverpool lose Mane, Salah, and VdV to injury for 2 months  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 02, 2021, 04:16:05 AM
I can't see everton going down.
But this seems to be one of those years with half a dozen teams that would go down any other year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 06, 2021, 03:26:18 PM
Just spotted on Twitter that the weekend was the 100th anniversary of the English FA's 50 year ban on women's football.

And always a reminder that the "unpopularity" of women's football was created by the men who ran the game that Boxing Day 2020 was the hundredth anniversary of a game attended by 53,000 fans at Goodison Park between a team from Preston and a team from St Helen's. It wasn't unpopular so much as just wiped out.

But the FA were concerned that "the game of football is quite unsuitable for females and ought not to be encouraged" (or it might have an impact on the popularity and profitability of the men's game if both were allowed to compete equally).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 06, 2021, 04:59:18 PM
Always leave it to Arsenal to jump-start other teams' seasons and save another manager's job :bleeding:


Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 06, 2021, 06:38:49 PM
:lol: :console:

I'm going to miss Richarlison a lot when he goes to a good club :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on December 06, 2021, 07:39:52 PM
He's an insufferable prick, but you can't deny his talent. VAR can really kill the vibe of a game sometimes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 06, 2021, 09:20:33 PM
Scowly McCheapshot
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 06, 2021, 09:21:46 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on December 06, 2021, 07:39:52 PM
He's an insufferable prick, but you can't deny his talent. VAR can really kill the vibe of a game sometimes.
I love him - but I fully recognise he's one of those players that you love in your team but everyone else will hate. A bit like Erik Lamela :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 07, 2021, 02:06:43 AM
I was rooting for Scowly to get an offside hat trick.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 07, 2021, 04:37:11 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 06, 2021, 03:26:18 PM
Just spotted on Twitter that the weekend was the 100th anniversary of the English FA's 50 year ban on women's football.

And always a reminder that the "unpopularity" of women's football was created by the men who ran the game that Boxing Day 2020 was the hundredth anniversary of a game attended by 53,000 fans at Goodison Park between a team from Preston and a team from St Helen's. It wasn't unpopular so much as just wiped out.

But the FA were concerned that "the game of football is quite unsuitable for females and ought not to be encouraged" (or it might have an impact on the popularity and profitability of the men's game if both were allowed to compete equally).

This year I have decided for TOTALLY UNSELFISH REASONS that women's football matters more than men's.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 07, 2021, 05:17:33 AM
Quote from: celedhring on December 07, 2021, 04:37:11 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 06, 2021, 03:26:18 PM
Just spotted on Twitter that the weekend was the 100th anniversary of the English FA's 50 year ban on women's football.

And always a reminder that the "unpopularity" of women's football was created by the men who ran the game that Boxing Day 2020 was the hundredth anniversary of a game attended by 53,000 fans at Goodison Park between a team from Preston and a team from St Helen's. It wasn't unpopular so much as just wiped out.

But the FA were concerned that "the game of football is quite unsuitable for females and ought not to be encouraged" (or it might have an impact on the popularity and profitability of the men's game if both were allowed to compete equally).

This year I have decided for TOTALLY UNSELFISH REASONS that women's football matters more than men's.  :)

You celebrated the Ballon d'Or like crazy, then.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 07, 2021, 05:25:56 AM
At risk of sounding incelly, I do wonder to what extent the excuses for banning women's football and reasons it was popular around titillation were true. Opportunities to see women's knees weren't widespread at the time.
Zero excuse for banning it of course. But in the mindset of the time it puts the logic into perspective.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 07, 2021, 05:34:34 AM
Quote from: Tyr on December 07, 2021, 05:25:56 AMOpportunities to see women's knees weren't widespread at the time.

You underestimate how abundant and accessible porn has always been.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 07, 2021, 06:43:20 AM
Quote from: The Larch on December 07, 2021, 05:34:34 AM
Quote from: Tyr on December 07, 2021, 05:25:56 AMOpportunities to see women's knees weren't widespread at the time.

You underestimate how abundant and accessible porn has always been.

So is Crurophilia on the decline? Granted, it's more about legs than knees, but it still applies.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on December 07, 2021, 11:25:06 AM
Quote from: The Larch on December 07, 2021, 05:34:34 AM
Quote from: Tyr on December 07, 2021, 05:25:56 AMOpportunities to see women's knees weren't widespread at the time.

You underestimate how abundant and accessible porn has always been.

Porn and prostitution.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 07, 2021, 11:36:53 AM
Given the troubles Cameroon has in organising the tournament, the pandemic, the Maghrebi tensions between Morocco and Algeria, the next Africa Cup of Nations may very well be organised in Qatar.

:lol:

https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/2021-11-24-caf-considering-moving-2022-world-cup-playoffs-from-africa-to-qatar/ (https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/2021-11-24-caf-considering-moving-2022-world-cup-playoffs-from-africa-to-qatar/)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 07, 2021, 12:20:15 PM
Quote from: Tyr on December 07, 2021, 05:25:56 AM
At risk of sounding incelly, I do wonder to what extent the excuses for banning women's football and reasons it was popular around titillation were true. Opportunities to see women's knees weren't widespread at the time.
Zero excuse for banning it of course. But in the mindset of the time it puts the logic into perspective.
Sepp Blatter has entered the chat.

I think it's more the general reactionary re-assertion of social norms after war broke them down. My understanding is that women's football became popular because the men's game stopped while all those players were in the forces. But over four years people liked their team, enjoyed the game and kept going. By 1921 women's games were even sometimes beating top-flight men's games for attendance numbers (back when gates was the most important thing and a risk to the FA (which didn't cover women's football at that point). Apparently there were also medical concerns about what sport would do to women :lol: :bleeding:

So the FA banned any football ground affiliated with the FA or any member club from hosting anything, even training, to do with the women's game. A few clubs were able to survive for a bit but they were training in parks, playing on rugby pitches etc. It's a real shaming moment.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 07, 2021, 12:57:50 PM
Málaga, which for the last couple of seasons have been languishing mid-table in the 2nd division, have been banned from doing any transfers until 2023 by UEFA due to owing money to a former player. The club is alleging that they were not aware of the issue because the message was sent to an adress that didn't exist.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 08, 2021, 07:08:43 AM
Quote from: Tyr on December 07, 2021, 05:25:56 AM
At risk of sounding incelly, I do wonder to what extent the excuses for banning women's football and reasons it was popular around titillation were true. Opportunities to see women's knees weren't widespread at the time.
Zero excuse for banning it of course. But in the mindset of the time it puts the logic into perspective.

I imagine it was because it was deemed improper for women to be running around sweating and doing "man" stuff.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on December 08, 2021, 11:44:23 AM
I'm sure basic misogyny contributed, as you suggest, but Sheilbh makes a pretty compelling economic argument on part of the FA as well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 08, 2021, 11:54:32 AM
Quote from: Jacob on December 08, 2021, 11:44:23 AM
I'm sure basic misogyny contributed, as you suggest, but Sheilbh makes a pretty compelling economic argument on part of the FA as well.
Oh it was definitely basic misogyny too :lol:

It is the thing of war breaking down social barriers - so women working in factories for example, men's football shutting down for four years so the women's game takes its place. After war there is often a period of very reactionary enforcement of social norms to re-assert those barriers. Women's football is one example, but more widely after WW1 there was a concerted move to get women back out of the workplace etc so those jobs could go to returning men.

A similar forcing women out of the workforce happened after 1945. I think it also is reflected in wider culture - I don't think it's a coincidence that the highest number of prosecutions for homosexuality in the UK was in the post-1945-to-mid-50s period (I believe the same happened in the US too) or that it's also the period when the image of the perfect housewife emerges in US advertising etc. It's a similar process of re-erecting barriers that were breached by war/total mobilisation.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 08, 2021, 04:07:19 PM
Rosie starts riveting, turns into a dyke?  Not sure I follow.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 08, 2021, 04:57:25 PM
Barca  :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 08, 2021, 06:52:12 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 08, 2021, 04:07:19 PM
Rosie starts riveting, turns into a dyke?  Not sure I follow.
What? :mellow:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 08, 2021, 07:15:24 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 08, 2021, 06:52:12 PM
What? :mellow:

What's the connection between post war period and prosecutions for homosexuality?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 08, 2021, 07:42:18 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 08, 2021, 07:15:24 PM
What's the connection between post war period and prosecutions for homosexuality?
Huge amounts of gay shagging in the war - blackout was, according to that generation, the golden age of cruising all over London. Plus lots of sailors and soldiers all mixed up with no women around.

Followed by an enormous crackdown - especially on cruising and cottaging.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 08, 2021, 08:31:46 PM
Gotcha.  I thought it had something to do with women being pushed out of the work force.

What's cottaging? 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 08, 2021, 08:51:44 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 08, 2021, 08:31:46 PM
Gotcha.  I thought it had something to do with women being pushed out of the work force.
More total war breaks barriers and social norms - women in the workforce, children out of wedlock, gays shagging everywhere, class barriers in the forces. Then in the aftermath there's a reactionary re-imposition of those barriers/attempt to return to the status quo before the war (I imagine in the US there's also a big element of racial barriers in this).

QuoteWhat's cottaging?
Public toilets (cottages).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 12, 2021, 03:53:50 AM
In further "everything goes wrong for Barça" news, our new youth football director (hired this summer) is now facing allegations of child abuse when he was a physical ed. teacher 30-40 years ago.

Some media are reporting that the club was aware on some level that there were suspicions about him, which would be quite troubling. The club has denied this.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 12, 2021, 05:04:30 AM
There's been similar scandals here - I think Chelsea and Southampton among others - and it always seems like something where the clubs might not have known but should have known. Either there were lots of rumours, or strange behaviour lilke having some boys stay overnight with the coach/scout.

It's incredibly grim. Especially when you have stories of these men using the dreams of young boys to coerce them. It's that standard thing of lots of people who care more about the institution they want to protect/believe in than the victims :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 12, 2021, 05:15:23 AM
Yeah the way it's being reported is that he used his ascendancy as a Barça coach in the 1980s-1990s to molest children at the school he also worked in, the thing is pretty damn grim (apparently there are a shitload of accounts). The same newspaper that exposed him admits that so far they have been unable to confirm any case of molesting inside the Barça academy, though. He is apparently a super-charismatic dude, children idolized him. Xavi - who was a pupil of his - said that they loved him very much.

The guy then left the club 20 years ago (apparently unrelated, he was offered a shitload of cash to coach in Qatar), and was rehired this summer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 13, 2021, 08:36:46 AM
Shambles in the CL draw! They're going to repeat it this afternoon after messing up the pots this morning.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 13, 2021, 08:42:03 AM
It sounds like they forgot United we're still there, but then who hasn't :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 13, 2021, 09:58:55 AM
Quote from: The Larch on December 13, 2021, 08:36:46 AM
Shambles in the CL draw! They're going to repeat it this afternoon after messing up the pots this morning.  :lol:

Poor Real Madrid.  :P
PSG instead of Benfica.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 13, 2021, 10:02:41 AM
Sporting got Man City instead of Juve, not exactly blessed as well.

Still more than doable for Ajax since they got Benfica.

RB Salzburgo -  Bayern Munique
Sporting CP -  Manchester City
SL Benfica -  Ajax Amsterdão
Chelsea -  Lille OSC
Atlético -  Manchester United
Vilharreal -  Juventus
Inter Milan -  Liverpool
Paris SG -  Real Madrid
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 13, 2021, 10:34:58 AM
Previous draw for the lulz:

SL Benfica - Real Madrid
Vilharreal - Manchester City
Atlético de Madrid - Bayern Munique
RB Salzburgo - Liverpool
Inter Milão - Ajax 
Sporting CP - Juventus
Chelsea - Lille OSC
Paris SG - Manchester United
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on December 13, 2021, 10:46:26 AM
What was the issue of the 1st draw?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 13, 2021, 02:13:51 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on December 13, 2021, 10:46:26 AM
What was the issue of the 1st draw?

Clubs that could not meet in the knockout stage were drawn together or allowed to be potentially drawn together.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 13, 2021, 02:37:29 PM
Who? I'm not seeing any Manchester derbies or the like.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 13, 2021, 02:45:45 PM
Quote from: Tyr on December 13, 2021, 02:37:29 PM
Who? I'm not seeing any Manchester derbies or the like.

In the voided draw Man United and Villarreal (who were on the same group and thus couldn't meet in the 1st knockout stage) were drawn together.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 14, 2021, 02:36:21 PM
Curse of the Captain's armband strikes again at Arsenal. Aubameyang has been stripped of the captaincy.

Hard to see how Auba comes back into the squad from this. Lacazette is already going to be off after his contract fizzles out so Arsenal are supposedly poking around for a striker this winter window. With Auba out too there will be space for a new top-quality goal scorer in a team that is already short on goals.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on December 14, 2021, 03:02:52 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 14, 2021, 02:36:21 PM
Curse of the Captain's armband strikes again at Arsenal. Aubameyang has been stripped of the captaincy.

Hard to see how Auba comes back into the squad from this. Lacazette is already going to be off after his contract fizzles out so Arsenal are supposedly poking around for a striker this winter window. With Auba out too there will be space for a new top-quality goal scorer in a team that is already short on goals.

You guys want Kane? I'll trade ya for Odegaard and Smith-Rowe.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 14, 2021, 03:03:50 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 14, 2021, 02:36:21 PM
Curse of the Captain's armband strikes again at Arsenal. Aubameyang has been stripped of the captaincy.

Hard to see how Auba comes back into the squad from this. Lacazette is already going to be off after his contract fizzles out so Arsenal are supposedly poking around for a striker this winter window. With Auba out too there will be space for a new top-quality goal scorer in a team that is already short on goals.
Leave Calvert-Lewin alone :contract:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 14, 2021, 03:05:53 PM
What did Aubameyang do to deserve being stripped of the captaincy?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on December 14, 2021, 03:15:24 PM
Skipped practice I think I heard. Not sure why though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 14, 2021, 03:24:27 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on December 14, 2021, 03:15:24 PM
Skipped practice I think I heard. Not sure why though.

Allen Iverson has something to say about that:

(https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/attachments/off-topic/48076365d1490374745-2017-formula-1-official-thread-allen-iverson-practice-practice-you-wanna-talk-about-practice-were-not-talkin-about-an-actual-ga.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 14, 2021, 03:32:13 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on December 14, 2021, 03:02:52 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 14, 2021, 02:36:21 PM
Curse of the Captain's armband strikes again at Arsenal. Aubameyang has been stripped of the captaincy.

Hard to see how Auba comes back into the squad from this. Lacazette is already going to be off after his contract fizzles out so Arsenal are supposedly poking around for a striker this winter window. With Auba out too there will be space for a new top-quality goal scorer in a team that is already short on goals.

You guys want Kane? I'll trade ya for Odegaard and Smith-Rowe.

I said "top-quality"  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 14, 2021, 03:33:46 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 14, 2021, 03:03:50 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 14, 2021, 02:36:21 PM
Curse of the Captain's armband strikes again at Arsenal. Aubameyang has been stripped of the captaincy.

Hard to see how Auba comes back into the squad from this. Lacazette is already going to be off after his contract fizzles out so Arsenal are supposedly poking around for a striker this winter window. With Auba out too there will be space for a new top-quality goal scorer in a team that is already short on goals.
Leave Calvert-Lewin alone :contract:

I have a feeling he'll go to City, I'm afraid.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 14, 2021, 03:37:50 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 14, 2021, 03:05:53 PM
What did Aubameyang do to deserve being stripped of the captaincy?

Uh yeah the details are still a bit iffy but supposedly he went to France to see his Mum and came back too late because of COVID regulations. He's had a long history of being late to training and even games, and I sense there's been a lot of tension between him and Arteta the last few weeks. I have a feeling bridges have been burnt.

To be honest he is way past his best and getting his huge salary off the books to be used on a younger, keener striker will be a boon to this club.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on December 14, 2021, 04:31:18 PM
You'll be hard pressed to find a club willing to pay his weekly though. Maybe in Qatar or somewhere similar.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 15, 2021, 02:40:17 AM
We've been linked with him. We're *that* desperate.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 15, 2021, 03:55:54 AM
Quote from: celedhring on December 15, 2021, 02:40:17 AM
We've been linked with him. We're *that* desperate.

Well, you've just freed up an Aguero-sized amount of money in your payroll, so...  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 15, 2021, 10:00:50 AM
Please take him  :nelson:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on December 15, 2021, 02:37:44 PM
I'll trade Kane for Depay please, since we're shopping.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 15, 2021, 05:06:50 PM
Arsenal just battered West Ham (only 2-0 but honestly should have been more) in arguably their best and most complete performance of the season so I guess that answers the question of if Arteta has lost the dressing room  :lol:

4th place and positive goal difference :D :bowler: :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 15, 2021, 06:14:57 PM
Hearing conspiracy talk about that there's a unofficial transfer embargo on Newcastle with all Premier league clubs refusing to sell to them in January  except one (no prizes for guessing which one... Hint. Arabs.).
Would be nice if its true.
Doubly so for Newcastle being relegated and the Saudis/big money interests in general getting a kicking
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 16, 2021, 01:21:23 PM
Nations League groups in full:

Group A1: Austria, Croatia, Denmark, France.

Group A2: Czech Republic, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain.

Group A3: Hungary, England, Germany, Italy.

Group A4: Wales, Poland, Netherlands, Belgium.

Group B1: Ukraine, Scotland, Republic of Ireland, Armenia

Group B2: Iceland, Russia, Israel, Albania

Group B3: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Finland, Romania, Montenegro

Group B4: Sweden, Norway, Serbia, Slovenia

Group C1: Turkey, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Faroe Islands

Group C2: Northern Ireland, Greece, Kosovo, Cyprus/Estonia*

Group C3: Slovakia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan/Moldova*

Group C4: Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Georgia, Gibraltar

Group D1: Liechtenstein, Kazakhstan/Moldova*, Andorra, Latvia

Group D2: Malta, Cyprus/Estonia*, San Marino
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on December 16, 2021, 01:23:20 PM
Quote from: Maladict on December 16, 2021, 01:21:23 PM
Group A3: Hungary, England, Germany, Italy.

:ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 16, 2021, 01:51:01 PM
Damn.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 16, 2021, 01:54:47 PM
Quote from: Syt on December 16, 2021, 01:23:20 PM
Quote from: Maladict on December 16, 2021, 01:21:23 PM
Group A3: Hungary, England, Germany, Italy.

:ph34r:

Group of death! Obviously.

QuoteGroup A2: Czech Republic, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain.

Should not be too easy as well.

QuoteGroup A4: Wales, Poland, Netherlands, Belgium.

Two big, neighboring, countries as well, though more one-sided behind. Poor Poles led by Paulo Sousa.  :P

PS: assuming he is still coach then. ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on December 16, 2021, 01:59:04 PM
Quote from: Syt on December 16, 2021, 01:23:20 PM
Quote from: Maladict on December 16, 2021, 01:21:23 PM
Group A3: Hungary, England, Germany, Italy.

:ph34r:

:lol: wtf

But that should be good for Hungary. The current team is best when they can dig in and defend desperately for 90 minutes. If the opponent stops coming at them and they need to attack out it all falls apart.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 16, 2021, 03:08:16 PM
I guess Turkey will get out of the embarrassing group C now  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 16, 2021, 03:15:43 PM
I look at that group and not a single game stands out as one where the England fans are likely to behave. :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on December 16, 2021, 04:27:15 PM
Quote from: Tyr on December 16, 2021, 03:15:43 PM
I look at that group and not a single game stands out as one where the England fans are likely to behave. :lol:

They can re-fight WW2 in each match. :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 16, 2021, 04:28:54 PM
Well the British never did directly fight the Hungarians...though they probably dropped bombs on them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on December 16, 2021, 04:35:29 PM
Quote from: Valmy on December 16, 2021, 04:28:54 PM
Well the British never did directly fight the Hungarians...though they probably dropped bombs on them.

In all probability Hungarian units fought British ones in Italy in 1918.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on December 16, 2021, 05:16:03 PM
Quote from: Tyr on December 16, 2021, 03:15:43 PM
I look at that group and not a single game stands out as one where the England fans are likely to behave. :lol:

Given how England fans behaved when playing Denmark, I don't think it matters anymore.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 16, 2021, 05:20:54 PM
Quote from: Tamas on December 16, 2021, 04:35:29 PM
Quote from: Valmy on December 16, 2021, 04:28:54 PM
Well the British never did directly fight the Hungarians...though they probably dropped bombs on them.

In all probability Hungarian units fought British ones in Italy in 1918.

Not WW2 though. I mean when the British decided to back the evil Prussians in the Seven Years War they probably fought Hungarians a few times then as well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 16, 2021, 07:15:38 PM
England v Italy, 2020 Euro final rematch. That's going to be a standout--along with Malta v. San Marino.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 17, 2021, 07:55:29 AM
Quote from: Josephus on December 16, 2021, 07:15:38 PM
England v Italy, 2020 Euro final rematch. That's going to be a standout--along with Malta v. San Marino.

Malta will probably replace Gibraltar in the C groups (too high for Gibraltar).

San Marino v Gibraltar clash fans will have to wait the following edition.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 18, 2021, 10:11:26 PM
Arsenal slotted 4 past a weakened Leeds today. Martinelli with 2 excellent goals makes 3 in 2 games for him. Kid is refining his game and making better decisions on top of polishing up his technique. He is going to be another star. Odegaard bossed the game today, and Saka was Saka, always effecting the game and making things happen. And Smith-Rowe now has 7 league goals this season. He's tied with Ronaldo, but none of Smith-Rowe's are penalties  :lol:

The kids are alright. Really excited for the future. Assuming they don't get pinched by City  :yuk:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 19, 2021, 12:42:22 PM
In almost football news, Roman Abramovich, owner of Chel$ky, is a Portuguese citizen!  :lol:
Since April 2021, but news only came recently.

Naturalised under the Portuguese law of citizenship for Sepharadis.  He is as Ashkenazi as they come but he got it as Sephardi, go figure.  :lmfao: I'd be curious to get Siege's thoughts on the matter.

Already a Russian and Israeli citizen, Abramovich had trouble with this Russian visa, and his Israeli passport won't allow him to stay for extended periods in the UK. Plus, the deadline for Portuguese citizens to apply for settled status in the UK was last June. He probably has to invest some money in Portugal as well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on December 23, 2021, 12:09:10 PM
In an award I'd never heard of before today, but now consider deeply important, Canada' is named as FIFA's most improved team of 2021, having moved up from being ranked #78 to number #40 in just 12 months.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/article/canadian-mens-national-team-earn-fifas-improved-side-honour/
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 23, 2021, 12:12:47 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 19, 2021, 12:42:22 PM
In almost football news, Roman Abramovich, owner of Chel$ky, is a Portuguese citizen!  :lol:
Since April 2021, but news only came recently.

Naturalised under the Portuguese law of citizenship for Sepharadis.  He is as Ashkenazi as they come but he got it as Sephardi, go figure.  :lmfao: I'd be curious to get Siege's thoughts on the matter.

Already a Russian and Israeli citizen, Abramovich had trouble with this Russian visa, and his Israeli passport won't allow him to stay for extended periods in the UK. Plus, the deadline for Portuguese citizens to apply for settled status in the UK was last June. He probably has to invest some money in Portugal as well.

He could have got the same deal in Spain. Should I feel jealous?  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 24, 2021, 08:30:43 AM
Quote from: celedhring on December 23, 2021, 12:12:47 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 19, 2021, 12:42:22 PM
In almost football news, Roman Abramovich, owner of Chel$ky, is a Portuguese citizen!  :lol:
Since April 2021, but news only came recently.

Naturalised under the Portuguese law of citizenship for Sepharadis.  He is as Ashkenazi as they come but he got it as Sephardi, go figure.  :lmfao: I'd be curious to get Siege's thoughts on the matter.

Already a Russian and Israeli citizen, Abramovich had trouble with this Russian visa, and his Israeli passport won't allow him to stay for extended periods in the UK. Plus, the deadline for Portuguese citizens to apply for settled status in the UK was last June. He probably has to invest some money in Portugal as well.

He could have got the same deal in Spain. Should I feel jealous?  :(

Spain is too unstable for him I guess.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 27, 2021, 04:15:35 AM
Watching the highlights.
Crystal Palace is on.
Great comment from my gf "there's a team called Crystal Palace? Really? Ridiculous. That's like Unicorn Castle."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 28, 2021, 03:58:06 PM
Insigne to Toronto could be quite the coup
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 29, 2021, 10:13:04 AM
Watching England v. Scotland from 1972 at Hampden

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHYo0wdfLpo

Great game. Italian ref didn't call anything short of attempted murder. Fun days.

I mean watch this. Today this is a red card, guy didn't even get a yellow

https://youtu.be/IHYo0wdfLpo?t=1795
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on January 03, 2022, 03:36:50 PM
Spurs are to play Chelsea 3 times (twice in the carabao cup) and Arsenal once this month. We still have 2 games in hand, 2 points behind Arsenal for 4th place.

Exciting January 🙂.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 03, 2022, 07:57:54 PM
Yeah, with United in shambles the only teams vying for 4th are Arsenal, Spurs, and perhaps West Ham. The North London Derby in a couple weeks is very important.

Personally, I would like very much for Arsenal to win.  :P

Trying to be objective, though: I think Arsenal will finish the season in 4th. They have been playing scintillating football over the last month since the Everton loss, with the only hiccup being the City match that was stolen from them by terrible officiating. Spurs are accumulating points despite playing Conte's antifootball, though, so it will probably come down to the last couple of match weeks to decide the coveted 4th Place Trophy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on January 04, 2022, 03:40:30 PM
Christian Eriksen has given an inteview where he says he's ready to start playing again and that his goal is to play for Denmark in Qatar. Obviously he'll have to be playing matches at a top tier to get back to his old level, but he says he's confident he can get there.

I'm reading an article speculating on possible clubs (pure speculation) and they're suggesting Ajax, Spurs, Newcastle, PSG, and Barca as possible destinations (based primarily on old relationships with the clubs or their current trainers, but with a look on the economics as well). One interesting bit is that in his current situation there will be no transfer payment involved, the cost is purely in wages - which has some interesting implications for the financials.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on January 04, 2022, 04:01:51 PM
It strikes me as a very Newcastle/club wanting to move up with very rich new owners move.

Speaking as an Everton fan - as after we had a new rich owner we bought three number 10s in one transfer window and have also spent inordinate amounts of money on players in the late twenties and indeed signed players on a free which means their wages are so high that we can't get rid of them :lol: :weep:

Ajax would be a lovely move if he has any football romaticism.

I feel like there's very little chance of Spurs because I understood the relationship between him and Levy was pretty bad (Eriksen wouldn't sign renewals and more or less played his contract out; Levy's historically got all his players to sign a renewal every year meaning they're always 5-6 years from the end of their contract and the club has all the power) - but I could be wrong.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on January 04, 2022, 04:30:17 PM
No way we go for him, we're struggling to free up enough wages to get new transfers in, and midfield is the only position where we are positively loaded.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 04, 2022, 04:35:07 PM
Hopefully he has more morals than signing for Newcastle
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on January 04, 2022, 04:53:15 PM
Quote from: Jacob on January 04, 2022, 03:40:30 PMOne interesting bit is that in his current situation there will be no transfer payment involved, the cost is purely in wages - which has some interesting implications for the financials.

in normal circumstances that doesn't make a signing any cheaper, as players then request humongous signing bonuses and/or much higher wages, but Erikssen's situation is quite different and he is not in a position to ask for a lot of money in any case, as his signing would be quite a bet for the team willing to take him.

Apparently, with the heart device he has implanted, he is not allowed to play in Italy anymore, so Italian teams (including remaining at Inter) are out of the question.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on January 04, 2022, 05:38:29 PM
As a relatively recent Spurs fan, I'd take him back in a second.

I understand there's some bad blood there though, not only with management but also from the fans.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on January 04, 2022, 05:44:35 PM
These highlights from a semi-pro game are superb - a lot going on :lol:
https://twitter.com/maxrushden/status/1478326701759238146
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 04, 2022, 06:13:14 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on January 04, 2022, 05:44:35 PM
These highlights from a semi-pro game are superb - a lot going on :lol:
https://twitter.com/maxrushden/status/1478326701759238146

:wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on January 04, 2022, 07:42:21 PM
Jesus Christ  :huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 05, 2022, 09:44:19 AM
It reminds me of when as a kid I would sometimes play on my Dad's Sunday league team against grown men, mainly Mexicans and old dudes who would get crocked after 30 minutes  :D  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on January 08, 2022, 05:51:40 PM
Literally nothing can go wrong with an owner who goes into the dressing room to speak to the players like this :ph34r: :lol:
QuoteNewcastle chairman - plus bodyguards - makes surprise visit to home dressing room after FA Cup embarrassment

Yasir Al-Rumayyan and Amanda Staveley spoke to the players while Eddie Howe was doing media duties following defeat to Cambridge United
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 08, 2022, 06:12:04 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on January 04, 2022, 05:44:35 PM
These highlights from a semi-pro game are superb - a lot going on :lol:
https://twitter.com/maxrushden/status/1478326701759238146

I like that it has professional film quality and a proper looking stadium yet the action itself oscillates wildly between a casual kick about and an absolute hate match between two groups who hate each other.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on January 09, 2022, 11:55:46 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on January 08, 2022, 05:51:40 PM
Literally nothing can go wrong with an owner who goes into the dressing room to speak to the players like this :ph34r: :lol:
QuoteNewcastle chairman - plus bodyguards - makes surprise visit to home dressing room after FA Cup embarrassment

Yasir Al-Rumayyan and Amanda Staveley spoke to the players while Eddie Howe was doing media duties following defeat to Cambridge United

The bodyguards are an added quality touch to the whole scene.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on January 10, 2022, 04:52:47 PM
I thoroughly enjoyed watching Arsenal go out of the cup yesterday.  :blush:

That is all.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 10, 2022, 05:32:57 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on January 10, 2022, 04:52:47 PM
I thoroughly enjoyed watching Arsenal go out of the cup yesterday.  :blush:

That is all.


I will repost this after Arsenal win the NLD by 3 goals.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on January 11, 2022, 06:57:56 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 10, 2022, 05:32:57 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on January 10, 2022, 04:52:47 PM
I thoroughly enjoyed watching Arsenal go out of the cup yesterday.  :blush:

That is all.


I will repost this after Arsenal win the NLD by 3 goals.

Sure buddy :console:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on January 11, 2022, 07:05:34 PM
Arse fans sure talk a lot of shit for being 2 points up with 2 games in hand. You'd think they just invented sliced bread or something :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 11, 2022, 10:06:14 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on January 11, 2022, 07:05:34 PM
Arse fans sure talk a lot of shit for being 2 points up with 2 games in hand. You'd think they just invented sliced bread or something :lol:

Half the fun of being a fan is shitting on your rivals.  :bowler:

The other half is winning things, which is something Spurs fans never get to enjoy anyway :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on January 12, 2022, 12:40:38 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 11, 2022, 10:06:14 PM
Half the fun of being a fan is shitting on your rivals.  :bowler:

The other half is winning things, which is something Spurs fans never get to enjoy anyway :lol:

If fully HALF your fun is winning things then you're obviously a lightweight fan joining a big club because it's buying itself to the top (probably with blood money), rather than a REAL football fan :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 12, 2022, 03:50:28 AM
Arsenal are above spurs. This is one the fundamental laws of nature. If I was a spurs fan I'd be happy just to see them hovering around European spaces again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 12, 2022, 11:43:45 AM
Quote from: Jacob on January 12, 2022, 12:40:38 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 11, 2022, 10:06:14 PM
Half the fun of being a fan is shitting on your rivals.  :bowler:

The other half is winning things, which is something Spurs fans never get to enjoy anyway :lol:

If fully HALF your fun is winning things then you're obviously a lightweight fan joining a big club because it's buying itself to the top (probably with blood money), rather than a REAL football fan :P

Well that's the fun part. Then there's the misery part, which is something I as an Arsenal supporter know a lot about, where half the misery is thinking Why do I follow this shit football club?? and the other half is My weekend is ruined.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 15, 2022, 12:38:24 PM
So the NLD is postponed. As an Arsenal fan, I understand why the club applied to postpone it, but I also think they should just get on with it and beat Spurs tomorrow with the reserves anyway  :lol:

The rest of the league up in arms because this game was postponed is a bit rich though. Lots of other games have been postponed because of non-Covid reasons. And Spurs fans upset because they aren't going to be able to play against Arsenal's children is  :cool:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on January 15, 2022, 02:25:52 PM
It looks like we will finally get rid of Benitez - given that I think we've won 5 points since October and are showing genuine relegation form it feels late to me. And a shame that it happens after the owner decided to let Benitez utterly remodel our recruitment/scouting etc in his image and drive out one of our most creative players - and of course the guy who thought Benitez was the answer to all our problems will appoint his successor :bleeding: :weep:

Feels like a matter of time before we end up in the Championship with Moshiri running the club. I just don't think rich people are capable at looking at all of the bad consequences of their decisions with any self-reflection that maybe it's them making all of those decisions that's the problem.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 15, 2022, 07:18:31 PM
I've been reading through the Manchester United Subreddit because I love drinking their tears and it really sounds like Arsenal circa late Emery.

Players who don't fit the team or even care about the club but are on high wages so they can't get rid of. Lack of an exciting or even coherent style on the pitch that makes matches so dull to watch. Poor executive decisions compounded by the inability to admit mistakes. Hopeless team management made impossible by poor team morale. Unresponsive ownership whose only object is to milk the club for all it's worth. Poisonous fan atmosphere that exacerbates all the other problems at the club.

Feels good to see all this happen at a rival club and not mine  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on January 16, 2022, 01:45:07 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 15, 2022, 12:38:24 PM
So the NLD is postponed. As an Arsenal fan, I understand why the club applied to postpone it, but I also think they should just get on with it and beat Spurs tomorrow with the reserves anyway  :lol:

The rest of the league up in arms because this game was postponed is a bit rich though. Lots of other games have been postponed because of non-Covid reasons. And Spurs fans upset because they aren't going to be able to play against Arsenal's children is  :cool:

Guess Arsenal are too scared to play. Chiiiiiiiiiiiiiickens. Clubs using Covid to mask their shitty team management lol
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on January 17, 2022, 07:14:55 AM
It seems that Christian Erikssen has been offered a 6 month contract by Brentford, with an option to extend it for the next season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 17, 2022, 06:54:24 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on January 16, 2022, 01:45:07 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 15, 2022, 12:38:24 PM
So the NLD is postponed. As an Arsenal fan, I understand why the club applied to postpone it, but I also think they should just get on with it and beat Spurs tomorrow with the reserves anyway  :lol:

The rest of the league up in arms because this game was postponed is a bit rich though. Lots of other games have been postponed because of non-Covid reasons. And Spurs fans upset because they aren't going to be able to play against Arsenal's children is  :cool:

Guess Arsenal are too scared to play. Chiiiiiiiiiiiiiickens. Clubs using Covid to mask their shitty team management lol

This part of the argument is a little rich coming from a Spurs fan, whose team has benefitted enormously from postponed matches and was hoping to field a nearly full strength first XI vs an injury-ridden Arsenal. Might it be because earlier this season a full strength Arsenal completely clowned on a full strength Spurs?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on January 17, 2022, 07:32:25 PM
How many players were unavailable due to COVID for Arsenal last Sunday?

They had injuries, red card suspensions and African Cup absentees. That's just Football. You don't get a do-over just because you can't field your ideal squad.

Hence: chickens.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on January 18, 2022, 07:58:43 AM
David Squires on our current clusterfuck :lol:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2022/jan/18/david-squires-rafa-benitez-sacking-everton-merseyside-blues
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on January 18, 2022, 01:57:14 PM
FIFA gives Christine Sinclair a life time achievement award for her most ever international goal total.

https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/christine-sinclair-fifa-awards-gala-1.6318040
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 18, 2022, 03:54:21 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on January 18, 2022, 01:57:14 PM
FIFA gives Christine Sinclair a life time achievement award for her most ever international goal total.

https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/christine-sinclair-fifa-awards-gala-1.6318040

Yeah...but otherwise Canada got snubbed.
Stephanie Labbe deserved Womens' Goalkeeper of the Year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 19, 2022, 11:25:48 AM
https://twitter.com/TheAthleticUK/status/1483831774287470596?t=vYRB-15z5jhOqk4SuHFi7A&s=19
QuoteThe FA is investigating a yellow card received by an Arsenal player in a Premier League fixture this season, amid concerns of suspicious betting patterns.

Yup, sounds about right to me.

Arsenal have had a strange January :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on January 19, 2022, 12:49:59 PM
Comoros - first time participants - beat Ghana (quadruple winners) 3-2  in the group stage and knock Ghana out of the Africa Cup.

Highlights here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9PFjGL1pWU
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on January 19, 2022, 01:21:05 PM
Comoros can actually still qualify but will need very favourable results, such as Tunisia losing by half a dozen goals (!). Tunisia has its squad weakened by Covid however, so who knows.

Marseille (biggest Comoros city in the world) must have been rowdy last night.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on January 19, 2022, 06:10:19 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/W3aWQD6.jpg)

LOL
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 19, 2022, 08:48:12 PM
Scraping a lucky win against an injury-decimated Leicester City LOL

Spurs will always Spurs it up. There is still half a season left for everything to average out, there's no trophy for 4th place halfway through the season, it's a marathon not a sprint, etc etc etc
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on January 19, 2022, 09:48:21 PM
 :console:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 20, 2022, 03:34:52 AM
I'm just amazed at west ham. With moyes in charge too. :/
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on January 20, 2022, 10:46:26 AM
Bowen's been a beast this year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on January 20, 2022, 10:51:13 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 19, 2022, 08:48:12 PM
Scraping a lucky win against an injury-decimated Leicester City LOL

The win was not lucky. Spurs dominated the game in possession and with 27 attempts on goal. They fought to the final whistle, and are missing their 2 regular central defenders in Dier and Romero and their best scorer in Son.

All in all it was the best game I've seen all season, all competitions.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on January 20, 2022, 11:28:23 AM
It was a great game - as a neutral.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 20, 2022, 05:32:18 PM
Disappointing performance in the second fixture from Arsenal in the league cup semifinal. The squad really looks half fit. Who would have thought, after half the team had been out injured.

The team hasn't won a game this month despite outplaying City and Liverpool in a couple matches. Hopefully it doesn't affect their confidence too much. The Burnley match this weekend is basically a must-win.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 20, 2022, 05:33:34 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on January 20, 2022, 10:51:13 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 19, 2022, 08:48:12 PM
Scraping a lucky win against an injury-decimated Leicester City LOL

All in all it was the best game I've seen all season, all competitions.

To be fair, Spurs are better than they were under Nuno. Hopefully that doesn't last and they revert back to form. Like other Spurs supporters, you're delusional about the quality of your players. Only Son and Kane would make the first XI of City, Liverpool, United, Chelsea, or even Arsenal. The rest are trash. Why do you think Conte keeps moaning about the need to sign players  :lol: :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on January 20, 2022, 07:21:39 PM
:console:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 22, 2022, 12:43:54 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on January 20, 2022, 07:21:39 PM
:console:

Was hoping you would keep the trash talking going :P

Anyway, if Arsenal drop points to Burnley tomorrow it will be full crisis mode at Arsenal again, especially if we don't sign a player to fill out our thing squad :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on January 24, 2022, 05:28:33 PM
Poor Comoros. A 2-1 loss against Cameroon is no shame, especially when all 3 goalkeepers are quarantined.

And what looks like a dreadful stampede outside the stadium, reports of dozens of casualties.  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on January 25, 2022, 11:36:21 AM
Yeah, poor Cœlacanthes, with a rule made on the sport to prevent them from aligning a trained goalkeeper. The wing back did well actually though OTOH.
"Home advantage" for Cameroon.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on January 26, 2022, 08:26:07 AM
Gianni Infantino somehow linking refugee numbers to a two yearly World Cup at the Council of Europe :huh: :blink:
"We have to give Africans hope so they don't have to cross the Mediterranean to be able to have a better life here. We have to give them opportunities and dignity."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on January 26, 2022, 08:31:28 AM
Words fail me  :lol:

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on January 26, 2022, 08:41:30 AM
Amnesty International pointed out that there will be ca. 730-something athletes participating in the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, while over 15k migrant workers have died in the country since they were awarded the tournament.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on January 26, 2022, 08:42:06 AM
Quote from: celedhring on January 26, 2022, 08:31:28 AM
Words fail me  :lol:

Not me, although the words I am thinking of are fairly unprintable.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on January 26, 2022, 03:48:31 PM
It doesn't even make any sense. Why is having twice the number of tournaments a prerequisite for having it in Africa?

Total cost of the Qatar WC is estimated at 220 billion USD, which is almost 10% of the GDP of the entire African continent.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 26, 2022, 07:30:59 PM
Quote from: Maladict on January 26, 2022, 03:48:31 PM
It doesn't even make any sense. Why is having twice the number of tournaments a prerequisite for having it in Africa?

Total cost of the Qatar WC is estimated at 220 billion USD, which is almost 10% of the GDP of the entire African continent.  :lol:

That's Qatars stupid fault to be fair.
And FIFA of course.

There's no reason a world cup couldn't cost a fraction of that if using pre existing stadiums and no frills.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on January 29, 2022, 04:05:07 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 15, 2021, 10:00:50 AM
Please take him  :nelson:

Rumors that we're trying to make it happen before the window closes  :lol: :rolleyes:

Hopefully we're too skint to afford him.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on January 29, 2022, 04:09:24 AM
Quote from: celedhring on December 12, 2021, 03:53:50 AM
In further "everything goes wrong for Barça" news, our new youth football director (hired this summer) is now facing allegations of child abuse when he was a physical ed. teacher 30-40 years ago.

Some media are reporting that the club was aware on some level that there were suspicions about him, which would be quite troubling. The club has denied this.

Well, looks like the guy's getting away with it. Statute of limitations.

Current law has a much longer period, but he's been able to benefit from the law in place at the time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on January 29, 2022, 11:33:37 AM
... does that mean Barca is keeping him?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on January 29, 2022, 11:34:53 AM
Quote from: Jacob on January 29, 2022, 11:33:37 AM
... does that mean Barca is keeping him?

No, he was sacked when the allegations appeared in the press.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on January 29, 2022, 11:37:01 AM
Quote from: celedhring on January 29, 2022, 11:34:53 AM
Quote from: Jacob on January 29, 2022, 11:33:37 AM
... does that mean Barca is keeping him?

No, he was sacked when the allegations appeared in the press.

Probably best.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 29, 2022, 11:08:52 PM
Quote from: celedhring on January 29, 2022, 04:05:07 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 15, 2021, 10:00:50 AM
Please take him  :nelson:

Rumors that we're trying to make it happen before the window closes  :lol: :rolleyes:

Hopefully we're too skint to afford him.

As for our rumors, our fans have taken to a theory that Alexander Isak is signing for Arsenal before the window closes because someone said they took his picture in London yesterday and someone else dredged up his car registration for a car he supposedly bought in London earlier this month  :lol: :lol: :Embarrass:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on January 30, 2022, 03:02:03 PM
Really hope Canada-USA becomes a big football rivalry - the energy is right :lol:
https://twitter.com/ByDougMcIntyre/status/1487858519466405890?s=20&t=--8AmIUQgpDUUTtjDGo5Tg
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on January 30, 2022, 03:39:01 PM
Lame.  Did Canada win the battle of Waterloo as well?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 30, 2022, 04:13:54 PM
Mason Greenwood getting a big move to Prison FC.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on January 30, 2022, 04:27:53 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 30, 2022, 04:13:54 PM
Mason Greenwood getting a big move to Prison FC.

He can join Robinho, Sigurdsson and Benjamin Mendy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on January 30, 2022, 04:32:09 PM
Yeah.

Very brave by his girlfriend to post what she did though and hope he gets what's coming.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 30, 2022, 05:10:02 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on January 30, 2022, 03:02:03 PM
Really hope Canada-USA becomes a big football rivalry - the energy is right :lol:
https://twitter.com/ByDougMcIntyre/status/1487858519466405890?s=20&t=--8AmIUQgpDUUTtjDGo5Tg

Me too. Proper CONCACAF rivalries are amazing for the game  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 30, 2022, 05:12:07 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on January 30, 2022, 03:39:01 PM
Lame.  Did Canada win the battle of Waterloo as well?

Well they just stomped this bad US squad so more power to them. They're the best team in CONCACAF and if I were them I'd be screaming about burning down the White House too  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on January 30, 2022, 05:36:35 PM
So of course Spurs are striking out on winter signings. Traoré said "lol", Diaz went to Liverpool, and we signed 2 nobodies from Juve...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 30, 2022, 06:56:45 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on January 30, 2022, 05:36:35 PM
So of course Spurs are striking out on winter signings. Traoré said "lol", Diaz went to Liverpool, and we signed 2 nobodies from Juve...

Arsenal were sniffing around Kulusevski. He's young and a lot of potential. Obviously it hasn't worked out at Juve for him but it's Juve and that sort of thing happens a lot, so I wouldn't count him out. Don't know about Betancur except that apparently Juve fans think he's shit lol

You could be doing an Arsenal where you let go of all your depth and don't sign anyone this window though  :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on January 30, 2022, 07:51:16 PM
Tanganga, Alli, Lo Celso, Gil & Ndombele are all apparently on the market to leave, so uh yeah.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on January 31, 2022, 04:01:15 AM
Eriksen confirmed for the Danish premier league club Brentford. :w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on January 31, 2022, 05:09:42 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 30, 2022, 05:12:07 PM
Well they just stomped this bad US squad so more power to them. They're the best team in CONCACAF and if I were them I'd be screaming about burning down the White House too  :lol:

When you talk smack you can't throw any old tired shit out there.  It's an art form.  The fact that Pom footie fans get that is a large part of the charm of PL.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 31, 2022, 06:11:35 AM
Quote from: Liep on January 31, 2022, 04:01:15 AM
Eriksen confirmed for the Danish premier league club Brentford. :w00t:
I hate that team.
As much as I'm usually all for underdogs the London based ones are an affront to the laws of nature and a disturbing sign of soccernomics predictions coming to pass.
Hopefully covid will help with rebalancing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on January 31, 2022, 06:19:36 AM
Quote from: Tyr on January 31, 2022, 06:11:35 AM
Quote from: Liep on January 31, 2022, 04:01:15 AM
Eriksen confirmed for the Danish premier league club Brentford. :w00t:
I hate that team.
As much as I'm usually all for underdogs the London based ones are an affront to the laws of nature and a disturbing sign of soccernomics predictions coming to pass.
Hopefully covid will help with rebalancing.

Does your hatred for London extend to every single aspect of life? When you have to travel abroad do you avoid London airports as well?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on January 31, 2022, 06:36:50 AM
I always remember seeing one of those "the view from..." maps of the rest of the UK from the North-East - London was the eye of Sauron. It reminded me of Tyr :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 31, 2022, 07:34:51 AM
I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that Canada's going to the next world cup.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 31, 2022, 07:45:00 AM
Quote from: The Larch on January 31, 2022, 06:19:36 AM
Quote from: Tyr on January 31, 2022, 06:11:35 AM
Quote from: Liep on January 31, 2022, 04:01:15 AM
Eriksen confirmed for the Danish premier league club Brentford. :w00t:
I hate that team.
As much as I'm usually all for underdogs the London based ones are an affront to the laws of nature and a disturbing sign of soccernomics predictions coming to pass.
Hopefully covid will help with rebalancing.

Does your hatred for London extend to every single aspect of life? When you have to travel abroad do you avoid London airports as well?
Obviously. Though that's just common sense.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on January 31, 2022, 07:46:55 AM
Quote from: Josephus on January 31, 2022, 07:34:51 AM
I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that Canada's going to the next world cup.  :)

Yes both  :cool: and :blink:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on January 31, 2022, 07:51:10 AM
Quote from: Tyr on January 31, 2022, 07:45:00 AM
Obviously. Though that's just common sense.
London Southend is low key one of the best airports in the world.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on January 31, 2022, 07:57:35 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on January 31, 2022, 07:51:10 AM
Quote from: Tyr on January 31, 2022, 07:45:00 AM
Obviously. Though that's just common sense.
London Southend is low key one of the best airports in the world.

And the aircraft museum there was brilliant, you could climb around inside a huge Blackburn Beverley they had here.  :)

(https://www.baesystems.com/en-media/webImage/20210402182049/1434592718058.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on January 31, 2022, 08:19:25 AM
So, Aubameyang has flown to Barcelona  :glare:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 31, 2022, 08:23:00 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on January 31, 2022, 07:51:10 AM
Quote from: Tyr on January 31, 2022, 07:45:00 AM
Obviously. Though that's just common sense.
London Southend is low key one of the best airports in the world.
And quickly checking up it would take nearly 2 hours to get there from central London- which no avoiding I'd have to spend 3 hours getting to first.
Between Manchester and Edinburgh I have most of what can be found in London closer. its often cheaper and quicker to take KLM from Newcastle and change in Amsterdam even.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 31, 2022, 08:36:57 AM
Quote from: celedhring on January 31, 2022, 08:19:25 AM
So, Aubameyang has flown to Barcelona  :glare:

Apparently he went there by himself without knowledge of either club. Man is desperate  :lol:

QuoteReports in Spain say Barcelona weren't expecting Aubameyang to show up. The same is true at Arsenal, where they were similarly taken by surprise to discover he had already made the trip to Catalonia.
https://twitter.com/jamesbenge/status/1488144055334809602?t=ma5AMLiyHY_y_wgWWz99QA&s=19

Guy is a child
:lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on January 31, 2022, 08:40:51 AM
Quote from: Josephus on January 31, 2022, 07:34:51 AM
I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that Canada's going to the next world cup.  :)

Hopefully this time we can score a goal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 31, 2022, 08:51:55 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on January 31, 2022, 08:40:51 AM
Quote from: Josephus on January 31, 2022, 07:34:51 AM
I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that Canada's going to the next world cup.  :)

Hopefully this time we can score a goal.

What is the Canadian/Canadien split in the team I wonder?
Always been curious about how comms work in teams from multi-lingual countries.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on January 31, 2022, 09:26:06 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on January 30, 2022, 05:36:35 PM
So of course Spurs are striking out on winter signings. Traoré said "lol", Diaz went to Liverpool, and we signed 2 nobodies from Juve...

Diaz was sold too quickly, with intermediaires taking their huge fees so Porto won't get as much as it could have been possible, were not the club mismanaged.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on January 31, 2022, 09:29:26 AM
Apparently Burnley (the most "hoof it up into the box and pray" team in the PL) have signed a really tall Dutch forward. This tweet sums it all.  :lol:

Quotesorry but if Burnley signing a 6ft 6in centre forward doesn't get you going then this isn't the sport for you
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on January 31, 2022, 09:30:12 AM
Quote from: Tyr on January 31, 2022, 08:51:55 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on January 31, 2022, 08:40:51 AM
Quote from: Josephus on January 31, 2022, 07:34:51 AM
I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that Canada's going to the next world cup.  :)

Hopefully this time we can score a goal.

What is the Canadian/Canadien split in the team I wonder?
Always been curious about how comms work in teams from multi-lingual countries.

All the Franco players speak english (5 of them iirc). It's true for most of pro sports athletes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on January 31, 2022, 09:41:05 AM
Quote from: The Larch on January 31, 2022, 09:29:26 AM
Apparently Burnley (the most "hoof it up into the box and pray" team in the PL) have signed a really tall Dutch forward. This tweet sums it all.  :lol:

Quotesorry but if Burnley signing a 6ft 6in centre forward doesn't get you going then this isn't the sport for you
And the announcement video :lol: :wub:
https://twitter.com/BurnleyOfficial/status/1488104351897849856?s=20&t=i21slh_GsaBy9vVsItqRhg

I'd defend them against hoof it and hope though - they're not full Allardyve even if Dyche plays up to it. Totally agreed with Joey d'Urso's take:
QuoteJoey D'Urso
@josephmdurso
I hope Burnley stay up. The Premier League needs diversity of vibes. Brentford, Fulham, Bournemouth, Watford, Brighton, Norwich, nothing against any of them, but all similar vibes.

Turf Moor, Sean Dyche, big strikers, nasty tackles - keeps the league more interesting.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on January 31, 2022, 09:41:29 AM
Quote from: Tyr on January 31, 2022, 08:51:55 AM
What is the Canadian/Canadien split in the team I wonder?
Always been curious about how comms work in teams from multi-lingual countries.
Surely it's just the same as for any club team?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on January 31, 2022, 09:58:39 AM
So, it seems that Lampard will coach Everton.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 31, 2022, 10:01:37 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on January 31, 2022, 09:41:29 AM
Quote from: Tyr on January 31, 2022, 08:51:55 AM
What is the Canadian/Canadien split in the team I wonder?
Always been curious about how comms work in teams from multi-lingual countries.
Surely it's just the same as for any club team?
To an extent. But there they've the local language serving as the primary.
Though I have heard you do end up with cabals of different language speakers sometimes. And apprently black and white British players end up in different circles.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on January 31, 2022, 10:03:07 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on January 31, 2022, 09:41:29 AM
Quote from: Tyr on January 31, 2022, 08:51:55 AM
What is the Canadian/Canadien split in the team I wonder?
Always been curious about how comms work in teams from multi-lingual countries.
Surely it's just the same as for any club team?

Yeah, I would imagine the average PL team has more English as a second language players then team Canada.

*edit* and I'm not even including speak English but with a funny accent players :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on January 31, 2022, 10:07:45 AM
Quote from: Tyr on January 31, 2022, 10:01:37 AMThough I have heard you do end up with cabals of different language speakers sometimes.

Anyone that knows anything about how the internal dynamics in the locker room work knows that's the case most of the time. Some teams even have the unofficial policy of not signing too many players of the same background in order to avoid cliques from forming.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on January 31, 2022, 10:14:13 AM
Quote from: HVC on January 31, 2022, 10:03:07 AM
*edit* and I'm not even including speak English but with a funny accent players :D
Yeah there'll be players with immaculate English just slightly Dutch or German accented suddenly confronted with a raging Glaswegian or scouser :lol:

QuoteThough I have heard you do end up with cabals of different language speakers sometimes. And apprently black and white British players end up in different circles.
There are always cliques in clubs from what I've read - I don't know about black and white players in modern football being cliques.

But it makes sense that it'd often be on the basis of language and culture and I think at Premier League level clubs think about this stuff a lot more about trying to help a player who have moved country and culture quite drastically settle in because their happiness is probably a really important part of that transfer succeeding or not. There's probably all the other stuff that we all deal with in work - people who you just get on with, have something in common with, maybe a similar age/stage of life.

And the flipside happens with the international teams where you have cliques based on club because they're the colleagues you spend all your time with, not the corporate conference calling in all the different teams.

QuoteSo, it seems that Lampard will coach Everton.
Yeah :hmm:

It's weird to me to have a new coach who has been managed by the previous two managers but in this case might be helpful because in terms of man management I feel like Ancelotti and Benitez are polar opposites - so Lampard probably knows what the players have gone through in that transition. Separately it's weird how old he is. In my head Lampard is still very much "young coach" etc but apparently he's older than Martinez, Moyes or Silva were when they took over :o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on January 31, 2022, 10:35:03 AM
Quote from: The Larch on January 31, 2022, 10:07:45 AM
Quote from: Tyr on January 31, 2022, 10:01:37 AMThough I have heard you do end up with cabals of different language speakers sometimes.

Anyone that knows anything about how the internal dynamics in the locker room work knows that's the case most of the time. Some teams even have the unofficial policy of not signing too many players of the same background in order to avoid cliques from forming.

PSG is infamous for that with South American cliques (Portuguese vs Spanish) at the very least. Messi joining upsets an already volatile situation.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 31, 2022, 10:43:13 AM
Seems the Barcelona move is off. Auba coming back to Arsenal. Arsenal fans literally weeping in the streets. This window is a disaster.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on January 31, 2022, 10:44:52 AM
He Peter Odemwingied himself :o :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 31, 2022, 10:47:29 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on January 31, 2022, 10:44:52 AM
He Peter Odemwingied himself :o :lol:

Bezos rubbing his hands with glee at the Arsenal All or Nothing documentary  :Embarrass: :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on January 31, 2022, 11:04:50 AM
Odemwingie just had a short drive, dude took a flight to BCN just because  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on January 31, 2022, 11:14:25 AM
Quote from: Josephus on January 31, 2022, 07:34:51 AM
I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that Canada's going to the next world cup.  :)

Yeah, and possibly ranked #1 in this zone.  Really hard to get used to all this success the team is having.  But I am sure we will find a way to cope.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 31, 2022, 11:16:49 AM
Quote from: celedhring on January 31, 2022, 11:04:50 AM
Odemwingie just had a short drive, dude took a flight to BCN just because  :lol:

https://twitter.com/OdemwingieP/status/1488179553033932800?t=Rzo8teh4N0ZMRqrClBQCow&s=19
QuoteSomeone sent me the first picture. 🙄Am I passing the award on ? 😆Aubameyang just make sure you ask Aguero for advice ❤️👍🏽 https://t.co/gZ2jGEbPFM

:lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on January 31, 2022, 01:15:08 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 31, 2022, 11:16:49 AM
Quote from: celedhring on January 31, 2022, 11:04:50 AM
Odemwingie just had a short drive, dude took a flight to BCN just because  :lol:

https://twitter.com/OdemwingieP/status/1488179553033932800?t=Rzo8teh4N0ZMRqrClBQCow&s=19
QuoteSomeone sent me the first picture. 🙄Am I passing the award on ? 😆Aubameyang just make sure you ask Aguero for advice ❤️👍🏽 https://t.co/gZ2jGEbPFM

:lmfao:

Anti vax propaganda by stealth in the quoted tweet? :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on February 01, 2022, 05:02:38 PM
Christian Eriksen starting for Brentford soon. It'll be interesting to see how much of a difference he makes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 02, 2022, 05:31:45 AM
Sunderland lost 6-0 to an inferior team on the weekend. The manager was promptly sacked.
Interestingly just last week he made a comment about a player being out with heart trouble being due to the covid vaccine.
I expect the local anti vaxers are in a crisis over this.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on February 02, 2022, 07:28:48 AM
Very satisfy result in the Asian world cup qualifications, Vietnam beat China 3-1.  :cool:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on February 02, 2022, 08:09:02 AM
Strange how poor China are at football given it's a big sport there with lots of funding.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on February 02, 2022, 08:18:28 AM
Quote from: Tyr on February 02, 2022, 05:31:45 AM
Sunderland lost 6-0 to an inferior team on the weekend. The manager was promptly sacked.
Interestingly just last week he made a comment about a player being out with heart trouble being due to the covid vaccine.
I expect the local anti vaxers are in a crisis over this.

Obviously a terrible result but from the outside it seemed a bit of a strange sacking given that Sunderland are third with a decent shot at the autos. It's certainly a shit league but really tought to get out of. I hate it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on February 02, 2022, 08:18:59 AM
Quote from: Gups on February 02, 2022, 08:09:02 AM
Strange how poor China are at football given it's a big sport there with lots of funding.

Yes, one would have expected them to emerged as a regional football power by now.  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 02, 2022, 08:23:02 AM
Quote from: Gups on February 02, 2022, 08:09:02 AM
Strange how poor China are at football given it's a big sport there with lots of funding.

I remember from an article from years ago (things must have changed since then) that basically said that the Chinese national team was an absolutely corrupt mess, in which coaches would accept bribes from players in order to be selected for games, and things  like that. Add to that the semi-collapse of their national league and things don't look good for them, given that barely any Chinese players play abroad.

Another criticism I read regarding Chinese sports training is that it produces excellent individual performers but is terrible at producing good teams (I read also back in the day about their long term plans regarding how they intended to set up their men's basketball team during Yao Ming's era and it was completely bonkers). Checking their historical performance at the Summer Olympics, for instance, you can see that they barely get medals in team sports (the exception seems to be women's voleyball), while they get them by the bucketload in individual sports, so there might be something to it as well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 02, 2022, 08:29:49 AM
Well, team sports are harder to develop with "just throw a shitload of money at it" methods than individual sports. Imho, you need a really good grassroots traidition and China probably doesn't have that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 02, 2022, 08:49:04 AM
Quote from: celedhring on February 02, 2022, 08:29:49 AM
Well, team sports are harder to develop with "just throw a shitload of money at it" methods than individual sports. Imho, you need a really good grassroots traidition and China probably doesn't have that.

I also hope that in footie they have a more modern and sophisticated approach than what I read was their philosophy for basketball back in the day. What I read was that basketball officials would basically tour middle and high schools all over the country, pick up the tallest boys in each school and pull them out from the regular school system and direct them to a special system focused on sports that could only be described as sports themed concentration camps, and there subject the kids to grueling training sessions every single day. This ended up producing bunches of semi-talented lumbering centers and forwards with a paleolitic approach to the game, but could not produce a creative guard if their lives depended on it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on February 02, 2022, 09:07:07 AM
Quote from: The Larch on February 02, 2022, 08:23:02 AM
Quote from: Gups on February 02, 2022, 08:09:02 AM
Strange how poor China are at football given it's a big sport there with lots of funding.

I remember from an article from years ago (things must have changed since then) that basically said that the Chinese national team was an absolutely corrupt mess, in which coaches would accept bribes from players in order to be selected for games, and things  like that. Add to that the semi-collapse of their national league and things don't look good for them, given that barely any Chinese players play abroad.

Another criticism I read regarding Chinese sports training is that it produces excellent individual performers but is terrible at producing good teams (I read also back in the day about their long term plans regarding how they intended to set up their men's basketball team during Yao Ming's era and it was completely bonkers). Checking their historical performance at the Summer Olympics, for instance, you can see that they barely get medals in team sports (the exception seems to be women's voleyball), while they get them by the bucketload in individual sports, so there might be something to it as well.

The thing is that they seem to have gone backwards despite Xi being a huge fan and massive investment at every level of the game. They were good by Asian standards in the 1990s and early 2000s - reguularly getting into the last four of the Asian Cub ann qualifying or getting very close to qualifying for the WC but have had a terrible record since
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 02, 2022, 09:17:30 AM
Quote from: Gups on February 02, 2022, 09:07:07 AM
Quote from: The Larch on February 02, 2022, 08:23:02 AM
Quote from: Gups on February 02, 2022, 08:09:02 AM
Strange how poor China are at football given it's a big sport there with lots of funding.

I remember from an article from years ago (things must have changed since then) that basically said that the Chinese national team was an absolutely corrupt mess, in which coaches would accept bribes from players in order to be selected for games, and things  like that. Add to that the semi-collapse of their national league and things don't look good for them, given that barely any Chinese players play abroad.

Another criticism I read regarding Chinese sports training is that it produces excellent individual performers but is terrible at producing good teams (I read also back in the day about their long term plans regarding how they intended to set up their men's basketball team during Yao Ming's era and it was completely bonkers). Checking their historical performance at the Summer Olympics, for instance, you can see that they barely get medals in team sports (the exception seems to be women's voleyball), while they get them by the bucketload in individual sports, so there might be something to it as well.

The thing is that they seem to have gone backwards despite Xi being a huge fan and massive investment at every level of the game. They were good by Asian standards in the 1990s and early 2000s - reguularly getting into the last four of the Asian Cub ann qualifying or getting very close to qualifying for the WC but have had a terrible record since

Just checked their performance in the Asian Cup and it seems that they've been plumetting since 2004. Around that time I believe that the Chinese League became rife with corruption and match fixing (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003%E2%80%932009_Chinese_football_match-fixing_scandals (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003%E2%80%932009_Chinese_football_match-fixing_scandals)), to the point that the government had to intervene in a massive investigation in the early 2010s, that must not have helped. How they haven't recovered by now, I don't really know.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 02, 2022, 09:24:54 AM
Incidentally china's "rise" to a mega Corp sponsored import the foreign stars league of corruption fairly coincides with Japan and Korea stepping away from this model and becoming decent domestic leagues.

Saudi Arabia seems to do well in the Asian Cup too. I know nothing of their setup but they don't strike me as being built on this big money model the way the gulf nation teams are?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on February 02, 2022, 11:11:47 AM
Quote from: Gups on February 02, 2022, 08:09:02 AM
Strange how poor China are at football given it's a big sport there with lots of funding.

As I understand it their domestic league is rife with corruption and match-fixing. I also, a few years ago, read of a team - and I think it was in the top league (though not a top team) - where the owners (some industrial conglomerate) left the players stranded and basically stopped paying them from one day to the next, due to shifting corporate priorities (I think they wanted to sell the team, but couldn't, so just stopped paying). I may be misremembering the details, but it was something egregious like that.

The short version is, however, that that local talent development is awful for a variety of reasons.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 02, 2022, 11:18:08 AM
Quote from: Jacob on February 02, 2022, 11:11:47 AM
Quote from: Gups on February 02, 2022, 08:09:02 AM
Strange how poor China are at football given it's a big sport there with lots of funding.

As I understand it their domestic league is rife with corruption and match-fixing. I also, a few years ago, read of a team - and I think it was in the top league (though not a top team) - where the owners (some industrial conglomerate) left the players stranded and basically stopped paying them from one day to the next, due to shifting corporate priorities (I think they wanted to sell the team, but couldn't, so just stopped paying). I may be misremembering the details, but it was something egregious like that.

The short version is, however, that that local talent development is awful for a variety of reasons.

Might that team be Jiangsu? They won the league in November 2020, and by February 2021 their owners, Suning Holdings, announced that all their teams (senior, youth and women) would cease operations immediately due to financial difficulties.

I mean, if not even the league champions are immune from corporate shenanigans...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 02, 2022, 11:31:13 AM
Quote from: Tyr on February 02, 2022, 05:31:45 AM
Sunderland lost 6-0 to an inferior team on the weekend. The manager was promptly sacked.
Interestingly just last week he made a comment about a player being out with heart trouble being due to the covid vaccine.
I expect the local anti vaxers are in a crisis over this.

I can't wait to see that on Netfilix ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on February 02, 2022, 11:38:02 AM
Quote from: The Larch on February 02, 2022, 11:18:08 AM
Might that team be Jiangsu? They won the league in November 2020, and by February 2021 their owners, Suning Holdings, announced that all their teams (senior, youth and women) would cease operations immediately due to financial difficulties.

I mean, if not even the league champions are immune from corporate shenanigans...

Yeah that's probably the story I vaguely remembered. And wow, I didn't realize it was the league champions.

But yeah, domestic talent is going to have a hard time developing in those type of conditions, I expect.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 02, 2022, 01:34:43 PM
Quote from: Tyr on February 02, 2022, 09:24:54 AM
Incidentally china's "rise" to a mega Corp sponsored import the foreign stars league of corruption fairly coincides with Japan and Korea stepping away from this model and becoming decent domestic leagues.
I thought China had clamped down on that model (e.g. Oscar) and the big goal was to try and develop domestic talent instead. But with very limited results.

There was definitely a period when it was "go to China" for certain types of player but I thought that was over - they go to the Gulf now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 02, 2022, 01:37:25 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on February 02, 2022, 01:34:43 PM
Quote from: Tyr on February 02, 2022, 09:24:54 AM
Incidentally china's "rise" to a mega Corp sponsored import the foreign stars league of corruption fairly coincides with Japan and Korea stepping away from this model and becoming decent domestic leagues.
I thought China had clamped down on that model (e.g. Oscar) and the big goal was to try and develop domestic talent instead. But with very limited results.

There was definitely a period when it was "go to China" for certain types of player but I thought that was over - they go to the Gulf now.

Yup, that model is gone for China, nowadays you check the foreigners playing there and there are just a couple of reasonably big names.

The fact that many of the teams' corporate backers/owners are going through dire straits is not a coincidence.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 02, 2022, 08:46:09 PM
Nice to see the US continue the tradition of playing home games against Central American teams in the highest latitudes (and coldest temperatures) possible  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 03, 2022, 03:37:03 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on February 02, 2022, 01:34:43 PM
Quote from: Tyr on February 02, 2022, 09:24:54 AM
Incidentally china's "rise" to a mega Corp sponsored import the foreign stars league of corruption fairly coincides with Japan and Korea stepping away from this model and becoming decent domestic leagues.
I thought China had clamped down on that model (e.g. Oscar) and the big goal was to try and develop domestic talent instead. But with very limited results.

There was definitely a period when it was "go to China" for certain types of player but I thought that was over - they go to the Gulf now.
Yeah, I'm speaking of their falling performance in the Asian champions league and the rise of that model. Which covid has killed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on February 03, 2022, 06:30:34 PM
Canada beat El Salvador yesterday - three more games to go.  Fingers are firmly crossed.  Two are against Panama and Costa Rica - currently sitting 4 and 5 so those could be tough wins.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on February 03, 2022, 10:44:47 PM
Hutchinson's goal was bizarre, but we'll take it :Canuck:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 04, 2022, 07:16:14 AM
Quote from: crazy canuck on February 03, 2022, 06:30:34 PM
Canada beat El Salvador yesterday - three more games to go.  Fingers are firmly crossed.  Two are against Panama and Costa Rica - currently sitting 4 and 5 so those could be tough wins.

Playing against Panama and Costa Rica will be tough...but....I think Canada qualifying is now a pretty safe bet.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on February 04, 2022, 07:33:55 AM
Canada in and Portugal potentially out. This decade has been odd so far
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on February 04, 2022, 11:01:21 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 02, 2022, 08:46:09 PM
Nice to see the US continue the tradition of playing home games against Central American teams in the highest latitudes (and coldest temperatures) possible  :lol:

Bonus : no significant Mexican or Central American teams fanbase in the heck of woods they play so no away game at home feeling. :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on February 04, 2022, 11:02:20 AM
Quote from: HVC on February 04, 2022, 07:33:55 AM
Canada in and Portugal or Italy potentially out. This decade has been odd so far

Fixed!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 04, 2022, 11:21:51 AM
I've just learned Canada's manager is from the same town as me.

YOU'RE WELCOME.

He has an interesting thoroughly non-professional career history at a glance. I look forward to the story
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on February 04, 2022, 11:47:21 AM
Quote from: Tyr on February 04, 2022, 11:21:51 AM
I've just learned Canada's manager is from the same town as me.

YOU'RE WELCOME.

He has an interesting thoroughly non-professional career history at a glance. I look forward to the story

Thanks.

JH made our Women team awesome & is now doing it for our Men's team. He'll be GG if he wants one day.

Bev Priestman, current Women's team coach, is also from Consett.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 04, 2022, 01:35:42 PM
ftp://
Quote from: Tyr on February 04, 2022, 11:21:51 AM
I've just learned Canada's manager is from the same town as me.

YOU'RE WELCOME.

He has an interesting thoroughly non-professional career history at a glance. I look forward to the story

Just checked. Isn't that a heavily mag town?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on February 04, 2022, 01:40:32 PM
Quote from: celedhring on February 04, 2022, 01:35:42 PM
ftp://
Quote from: Tyr on February 04, 2022, 11:21:51 AM
I've just learned Canada's manager is from the same town as me.

YOU'RE WELCOME.

He has an interesting thoroughly non-professional career history at a glance. I look forward to the story

Just checked. Isn't that a heavily mag town?

I couldn't say, but Herdman was a youth development coach for Sunderland.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 04, 2022, 02:42:34 PM
Quote from: HVC on February 04, 2022, 07:33:55 AM
Canada in and Portugal potentially out. This decade has been odd so far

Will all the Portuguese put Canada flags on their cars this time around?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on February 04, 2022, 02:46:41 PM
Quote from: Josephus on February 04, 2022, 02:42:34 PM
Quote from: HVC on February 04, 2022, 07:33:55 AM
Canada in and Portugal potentially out. This decade has been odd so far

Will all the Portuguese put Canada flags on their cars this time around?

We'll stick to the tradition of putting on Brazilian flags, thank you very much!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 05, 2022, 03:51:23 AM
Quote from: celedhring on February 04, 2022, 01:35:42 PM
ftp://
Quote from: Tyr on February 04, 2022, 11:21:51 AM
I've just learned Canada's manager is from the same town as me.

YOU'RE WELCOME.

He has an interesting thoroughly non-professional career history at a glance. I look forward to the story

Just checked. Isn't that a heavily mag town?

County Durham. But right on the historic Northumberland border.
These days post 90s it probably leans a bit more Newcastle. 70:30 of so I'd say.
When be was a kid it would have been far more even or Sunderland leaning.

One of my main childhood football experiences, back when I could only go to real games once a season if even that, was the annual friendly of Consett vs Sunderland.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 07, 2022, 05:11:33 PM
In another display of impeccable timing, Barça have struck a sponsorship deal with Spotify, which include the Camp Nou naming rights.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 08, 2022, 04:24:17 PM
I hate football :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on February 08, 2022, 04:26:01 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on February 08, 2022, 04:24:17 PM
I hate football :weep:

:console:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 08, 2022, 04:33:54 PM
Me too.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 08, 2022, 04:36:55 PM
I'm somewhat appreciative of it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 08, 2022, 05:11:53 PM
On the other hand this is the best story I've seen all day - and if this doesn't end in a Rooney/Vardy or British Crime Story Netflix adaptation (showrunner: Russell T Davies) we will have failed as a culture:
QuoteRebekah Vardy said she would 'love' to leak stories about Coleen Rooney to media
Vardy is suing Rooney for libel over allegation that Vardy leaked stories from Rooney's private Instagram account
(https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/12ce82451ab665c21186ddbf16f0dc53650c36b3/0_102_1200_720/master/1200.jpg?width=620&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=0b620b3b8f0dc9e484088cf5532f42f0)
Coleen Rooney (left) and Rebekah Vardy. The libel case will go to trial later this year. Photograph: PA
Jim Waterson Media editor
@jimwaterson
Tue 8 Feb 2022 13.42 GMT

Rebekah Vardy said she would "love" to leak stories about Coleen Rooney to the media, according to messages disclosed at the high court.

The court filings suggest Vardy and her former agent Caroline Watt had an ongoing relationship with reporters at the Sun newspaper and discussed at length how to leak stories to the tabloid.

Vardy is suing Rooney for libel in the so-called "Wagatha Christie" case, over an allegation that Vardy was responsible for leaking a series of stories from Rooney's private Instagram account to the Sun. Both women are married to footballers – respectively Leicester City's Jamie Vardy and the Derby County manager, Wayne Rooney.

The filings also show that Vardy described Rooney as a "nasty bitch" and a "cunt" who "needs to get over herself" in private messages disclosed at a court hearing on Tuesday.

The court heard Vardy and Watt had discussed a post on Mrs Rooney's private Instagram where her car had been damaged in January 2019. Vardy told Watt she "would love to leak those stories".

Rooney ran a sting operation in 2019 by putting three fake stories on her Instagram account and slowly reducing which accounts could view the posts. When only Vardy could see the Instagram posts, alleges Rooney, and the fake stories kept appearing in the Sun, she went public with the claim. Vardy strongly denies the accusation and has run up a multimillion-pound legal bill bringing a libel case.

After one story from Rooney's private Instagram appeared in the Sun, Rooney posted to her followers: "Someone on here is selling stories again to this scum of a paper. It's sad to think someone who I have accepted to follow me is betraying [me] for either money or to keep a relationship with the press."

Discussing this post, Watt allegedly acknowledged a role in providing information to the Sun, according to messages disclosed to the court: "Such a victim. Poor Coleen ... And it wasn't someone she trusted. It was me."

The duo also raised concerns that Rooney increasingly suspected Vardy of leaking to the media and had unfollowed her on Instagram. Watt suggested that if any issues were raised they would claim that "one of the girls in the office has my old laptop that had your passwords saved on it, so it will have been them".

At one point, according to the messages, Vardy says she has no idea how Rooney would ever know who was responsible for providing information "unless halls [Sun journalist Andy Halls] has leaked it".

Vardy also complained that the Sun was not buying her photographs, telling Watt "we still need to make money" and suggesting they contact senior executives at the newspaper.

Some of the private messages relating to the case are missing, for a variety of unfortunate reasons. Vardy's former agent said her mobile phone was accidentally dropped in the North Sea shortly after Rooney's lawyers requested access to the device.

"Coincidentally, around the same time, all media files from Mrs Vardy's WhatsApp conversation with Ms Watt also bizarrely disappeared (and from all backups), whilst apparently in the process of exporting it to her solicitors," said Rooney's lawyers.

Jamie Vardy, the Leicester City striker, also said that his "WhatsApp was hacked and all conversations were deleted and could not be restored", while declining to allow Rooney's lawyers to examine his phone. The laptop used by Vardy during the crucial period also "no longer functions", while messages between Rebekah Vardy and Halls appear to have been deleted.

The disclosures suggests Vardy and Watt had repeated conversations about stories going to the Sun. At one point they discussed whether to provide the newspaper with a story about an England footballer who had a secret child as a result of an affair. A month later the Sun published a story with the headline "Married England ace has lovechild".

Vardy has accepted that payments were made to her by the Sun in the run-up to Rooney's accusation. Rooney's lawyers are seeking disclosure of these payments.

When Rooney went public with the accusation that Vardy was leaking articles to the Sun, Vardy texted her agent: "That's war."

According to the messages disclosed at the court hearing, her agent replied: "You will have to say that you don't speak to anyone about her but that recently your insta has even been following people you don't follow ... Just say you have allowed a company to access it for sponsored posts and a former social media agency that you worked with too."

Rooney's lawyers claim that "Vardy was a repeated leaker of private information to the Sun". Vardy denies this and her lawyers say there is no evidence that she leaked the key stories at the centre of the case.

At the high court, they said the conversations between Vardy and Watt were evidence the duo were leaking messages from Instagram to the Sun: "It is clear from the disclosure that Ms Vardy knew what Ms Watt was doing. ... She knew it was happening and the lack of any criticism that this was going on, let alone surprise, demonstrates that this was agreed."

The libel case is due to go to trial later this year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on February 08, 2022, 05:23:58 PM
Why spend so much fighting a stupid libel case when you're guilty. I get it if pretending to be innocent saved your job or something, but she had nothing to lose.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 08, 2022, 05:31:10 PM
Quote"It's sad to think someone who I have accepted to follow me is betraying [me] for either money or to keep a relationship with the press."

:o Nothing is sacred.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on February 08, 2022, 05:34:03 PM
Quote from: HVC on February 08, 2022, 05:23:58 PM
Why spend so much fighting a stupid libel case when you're guilty. I get it if pretending to be innocent saved your job or something, but she had nothing to lose.


Hard to say what the outcome of the case will be based on that news story.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on February 08, 2022, 05:34:57 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 08, 2022, 05:31:10 PM
Quote"It's sad to think someone who I have accepted to follow me is betraying [me] for either money or to keep a relationship with the press."

:o Nothing is sacred.

Followers aren't what they used to be.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on February 09, 2022, 04:40:26 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on February 08, 2022, 04:24:17 PM
I hate football :weep:

Jesus fucking Christ me too.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 09, 2022, 08:33:58 PM
So is Kurt Zouma just going to keep playing for West Ham?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on February 09, 2022, 09:05:40 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 09, 2022, 08:33:58 PM
So is Kurt Zouma just going to keep playing for West Ham?

Someone should offer to show him around Twickenham rugby stadium, once there they should try and drop kick him over the uprights.  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 10, 2022, 07:35:41 AM
https://youtu.be/hNxwqAy_JZA

Really interesting and honest interview with Mohammed Elneny, a fringe player at Arsenal but one who has stuck around since the Wenger days.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 10, 2022, 07:51:50 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 09, 2022, 08:33:58 PM
So is Kurt Zouma just going to keep playing for West Ham?
Have to admire Moyes unvarnished honesty/saying the quiet bit out loud when asked if they'd suspend Zouma: "No, because he's one of our better players" :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on February 13, 2022, 04:02:48 PM
3 league losses in a row for Spurs. Conte talking about lowering expectations. We've been awful, awful, awful defensively. We're missing Dier badly, Sanchez and Davies are so hesitant and WHY IS CONTE TRYING TO PLAY DOHERTY ON THE RIGHT. All he fucking does is pass the ball backwards.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 13, 2022, 04:03:40 PM
Why are you following Spurs, if I may ask?  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on February 13, 2022, 04:43:39 PM
I used to follow Toulouse back in the day and loved Sissoko and Aurier, which were both at Spurs til recently. Sissoko got moved to Watford and Aurier to Villareal though  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 13, 2022, 04:44:51 PM
In "I'm back to hating football" news, we're losing the Barcelona Derby  :glare:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 13, 2022, 05:19:16 PM
So, how much do you love Luuk de Jong right now?  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 13, 2022, 07:33:20 PM
Arsenal were supposed to play (lose) to Chelsea this weekend but that got pushed because Chels were busy winning some scrap trophy. Meanwhile, all of Arsenal's rivals for 4th dropped points, leaving Arsenal fans in a weirdly optimistic mood about taking 4th.

538's model gives Arsenal a greater than 50% probability of qualifying for the CL so now I'm fairly certain Arsenal will not qualify  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 14, 2022, 09:33:00 AM
Quote from: The Larch on February 13, 2022, 05:19:16 PM
So, how much do you love Luuk de Jong right now?  :P

I feel conflicted.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 14, 2022, 12:57:37 PM
Hadn't seen this but genuinely incredible punditry on the Zouma-cat vidoe by Graeme Souness :lol:
https://twitter.com/CheapPanini/status/1492909460003725317?s=20&t=oYU9gYZ72Tt7DRr5tIK75Q
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 14, 2022, 01:49:41 PM
Quote from: celedhring on February 14, 2022, 09:33:00 AM
Quote from: The Larch on February 13, 2022, 05:19:16 PM
So, how much do you love Luuk de Jong right now?  :P

I feel conflicted.

Having a target man who can head a cross goes against your religion?  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 14, 2022, 01:58:20 PM
Quote from: The Larch on February 14, 2022, 01:49:41 PM
Quote from: celedhring on February 14, 2022, 09:33:00 AM
Quote from: The Larch on February 13, 2022, 05:19:16 PM
So, how much do you love Luuk de Jong right now?  :P

I feel conflicted.

Having a target man who can head a cross goes against your religion?  :lol:

He's Football Satan coming to tempt me with false miracles of turning long balls into goals.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on February 14, 2022, 02:10:45 PM
Pepe's fans on Languish will be happy to know that in the highlight of the Portuguese league, Porto-Sporting, he managed to get red carded, after the final whistle, for kicking.
2-2 was the final result, with almost 10 min of stoppage time, and not much effective play 43 min (!).
5 red card all in all, with the last 4 in the post-game rumble.  :lol: or  :(

Porto still first of the league, 6 points ahead of Sporting with 12 more games to play.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 14, 2022, 02:16:33 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on February 14, 2022, 12:57:37 PM
Hadn't seen this but genuinely incredible punditry on the Zouma-cat vidoe by Graeme Souness :lol:
https://twitter.com/CheapPanini/status/1492909460003725317?s=20&t=oYU9gYZ72Tt7DRr5tIK75Q

:lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 15, 2022, 03:11:11 PM
What's the reason for the UEFA/CL rule that they can't show replays during a VAR check? :huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 15, 2022, 03:25:46 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on February 15, 2022, 03:11:11 PM
What's the reason for the UEFA/CL rule that they can't show replays during a VAR check? :huh:

To avoid putting pressure on the referee one way or another. Many stadiums show replays on their jumbotrons.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 15, 2022, 03:26:49 PM
I can see that. Weird it applies to broadcasters too though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on February 15, 2022, 03:40:15 PM
Saw the other day that DAZN have doubled their subscription price over here from 14.99 to 29.99 per month (or 149.99 to 274.99 annually) for new and returning customers. They have the German Bundesliga rights split with Sky, so if you want to watch all of Bundesliga, you need to sub to both (Sky Sports is 20 EUR/month, I think?). The German market competition/anti-cartel authorities said a few years ago that having German Bundesliga on only one pay TV channel is bad for competition which is why the rights are now split. One of them (Sky?) is carrying the Saturday matches, the other the Friday and Sunday matches. Over the season every club will play several matches on each one of those days - so if you want to be able to watch live all matches of your favorite teams you have to sub to both providers and pay more than you did when there was only one broadcaster. :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 15, 2022, 03:45:11 PM
:lol: :bleeding:

Similar here - the Premier League absolutely loves it because if they can sell games to more broadcasters they can earn more money. But, as you say, not sure it's great for the consumer - I think here you'd need Sky, Amazon Prime and maybe BT Sport (I think they're selling to DAZN though). Plus BT Sport have the Champions League - and if you're interested in any other leagues they're all also spread across loads of different broadcasters. Competitive, sure. But not great <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 15, 2022, 04:19:30 PM
At the least they should sell packages based on teams rather than just a random grabbag.
If you support West ham you get sky, if you support Bournemouth you get BT. That sort of thing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 16, 2022, 07:28:59 AM
Here...in Canada...it's getting annoying.

A few years back, all you had to do was subscribe to a decent cable package with the two main sports networks, TSN and Sportsnet. Technically you could do without Sportsnet who shared EPL with TSN for a bit, but then ditched it and only had FA Cup and Bundesliga.

On TSN, both on TV and its website you could get all EPL games. All Canadian MLS games. All Canadian international games. They carried some world cup qualifiers as well as the finals itself. They had the Champions League games as welll.

There was another premium channel, BEIN, you could get to watch Spanish games and the Champions League games TSN sold to them (the shitty ones no one watched).

Then DAZN came in and stole EPL, La Liga and Serie A. OK... good deal. Plus MLS games not involving Canadian teams. Lots of football.
Then OneSoccer came and started up with the Canadian Premier League and then stole the Concacaf club and nations leagues.
Now a new up and comer, Fubo TV, took Serie A and next year will have EPL.
DAZN lost La Liga to TSN.

So next year, if you're a hardcore you need:

FuboTV for EPL and Serie A.
DAZN for Champions League and UEFA. (Plus Carabo if you care). And non Canadian MLS games.
OneSoccer for Canadian Premier League, Ligue Un, Concacaf world cup qualifers, Concacaf Champions League
Sportsnet for FA Cup. Bundesliga (some) Plus women's games
TSN for La Liga (some) World Cup Finals. MLS involving Canadian teams.
Telelatino for World cup qualifiers that involve Italy, Spain and Portugal.
BEIN now only has South American qualifers.

And it keeps changing every few years.



Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on February 16, 2022, 08:56:15 AM
And that's only in English & if you only are hardcore about soccer.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on February 16, 2022, 09:08:58 AM
It's weird when you compare e.g. with NFL or MLB. If I sub to them for the season, it costs me a much less of what I'd pay for soccer over here (I know it's different for North Americans due to blackout rules), with access to, well, everything, really. I mean MLB is under EUR 200, and we're talking 162 games per team (with your choice of home or away commentary, or radio commentary), plus spring training, plus playoffs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 16, 2022, 09:46:28 AM
It pays to shop around. I know F1 costs a fortune in the UK too so a guy I know subscribes to the Czech service with a vpn, it has the option for English language anyway.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 16, 2022, 09:54:37 AM
Quote from: Tyr on February 16, 2022, 09:46:28 AM
It pays to shop around. I know F1 costs a fortune in the UK too so a guy I know subscribes to the Czech service with a vpn, it has the option for English language anyway.
:lol: Yes. I swear there was a spate of pubs buying some box to get Cypriot football coverage which had all the CL and PL for next to nothing - until Sky started sending round inspection teams and suing people.

In my area almost all of the barbershops show football - and I'm almost certain none of them are paying for the Sky business subscription (which is something like £1,000 a month).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on February 16, 2022, 10:12:15 AM
Meanwhile:

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11758/12543248/swindon-town-fan-aged-6-whose-mum-cant-afford-food-gives-26p-to-favourite-player-harry-mckirdy

(https://i.redd.it/0ogof7t1c6i81.jpg)

:cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on February 16, 2022, 10:38:44 AM
Football coverage is a mess here, with the French Football League furthermore screwing up badly with a deal too good to be true with Jaume Roure's Mediapro, previously rejected by Serie A bodies, which ended up in a disaster.

So it's between Amazon Prime for most of la Ligue des Tas Lents, BeIN sports for Bundesliga, Serie A and La Liga plus some games of Ligue des Tas Lents (don't ask). Then it's SFR, internet provider, for EPL and the Portuguese League plus most CL games; some end up in BeIN. Not to mention Canal+ having every now and then top Ligue des Tas Lents games.

There is a free-to-air sports channel, l'Équipe 21, showing European international qualifiers as well, the biggest names sometimes showing up on terrestrial digital free television, i.e games involving Spain, Portugal, Italy or Germany. South American qualifiers and Copa América may show up on BeIN or l'Équipe 21 TV/website.

Portugal has SporTV for the domestic leagues and international leagues and competitions, so it's simpler, but the service was not great until recently, and relatively expensive. Some games still show up on free-to-air digital terrestrial channels.
RTPi, public broadcasting channel for abroad, no longer shows most game international qualifiying games for the Selecção.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 16, 2022, 01:03:29 PM
Quote from: Syt on February 16, 2022, 10:12:15 AM
Meanwhile:


:cry:

Call me a heartless bastard but... Smells off to me. Why would he send money like so whilst going on about not having money for food?
Mission accomplished by the mother I suspect.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on February 16, 2022, 02:15:28 PM
Quote from: Tyr on February 16, 2022, 01:03:29 PM
Quote from: Syt on February 16, 2022, 10:12:15 AM
Meanwhile:


:cry:

Call me a heartless bastard but... Smells off to me. Why would he send money like so whilst going on about not having money for food?
Mission accomplished by the mother I suspect.

Don't be that paranoid. Children are weird. You'll see soon enough.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 16, 2022, 08:42:12 PM
I'm a dumb American who has only been supporting Arsenal since 2009. Arsenal's 2-1 victory over Barcelona in the CL 12 years ago today was the moment I first felt like a real fan.

https://youtu.be/uv2mxzmVvdg

Tyler's commentary on Arshavin's game winner was pitch perfect. Watching van Persie run to Wenger and give him a big hug after his equalizer was touching. Seeing Pep in stunned silence. Messi looking like a frustrated puppy. Victor Valdes fall flat on his ass. So perfect. The crowd at the Emirates going insane. Still puts a huge smile on my face :cry:

I do miss Wenger. The French connection :frog:

Of course, Arsenal got bopped out in the 2nd leg after van Persie got sent off for an absolutely corrupt nothing call. It's the story of Arsenal.

Also, Fuck Barcelona.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 17, 2022, 01:59:48 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 16, 2022, 08:42:12 PM
I'm a dumb American who has only been supporting Arsenal since 2009. Arsenal's 2-1 victory over Barcelona in the CL 12 years ago today was the moment I first felt like a real fan.

https://youtu.be/uv2mxzmVvdg

Tyler's commentary on Arshavin's game winner was pitch perfect. Watching van Persie run to Wenger and give him a big hug after his equalizer was touching. Seeing Pep in stunned silence. Messi looking like a frustrated puppy. Victor Valdes fall flat on his ass. So perfect. The crowd at the Emirates going insane. Still puts a huge smile on my face :cry:

I do miss Wenger. The French connection :frog:

Of course, Arsenal got bopped out in the 2nd leg after van Persie got sent off for an absolutely corrupt nothing call. It's the story of Arsenal.

Also, Fuck Barcelona.  :P

That 4-1 the year prior is one of the best Barcelona games of all time. Thanks for playing your part   :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: frunk on February 17, 2022, 07:33:10 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on February 16, 2022, 02:15:28 PM
Quote from: Tyr on February 16, 2022, 01:03:29 PM
Quote from: Syt on February 16, 2022, 10:12:15 AM
Meanwhile:


:cry:

Call me a heartless bastard but... Smells off to me. Why would he send money like so whilst going on about not having money for food?
Mission accomplished by the mother I suspect.

Don't be that paranoid. Children are weird. You'll see soon enough.

I don't think many 6 yo have handwriting that neat.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 17, 2022, 08:21:04 AM
Quote from: celedhring on February 17, 2022, 01:59:48 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 16, 2022, 08:42:12 PM
I'm a dumb American who has only been supporting Arsenal since 2009. Arsenal's 2-1 victory over Barcelona in the CL 12 years ago today was the moment I first felt like a real fan.

https://youtu.be/uv2mxzmVvdg

Tyler's commentary on Arshavin's game winner was pitch perfect. Watching van Persie run to Wenger and give him a big hug after his equalizer was touching. Seeing Pep in stunned silence. Messi looking like a frustrated puppy. Victor Valdes fall flat on his ass. So perfect. The crowd at the Emirates going insane. Still puts a huge smile on my face :cry:

I do miss Wenger. The French connection :frog:

Of course, Arsenal got bopped out in the 2nd leg after van Persie got sent off for an absolutely corrupt nothing call. It's the story of Arsenal.

Also, Fuck Barcelona.  :P

That 4-1 the year prior is one of the best Barcelona games of all time. Thanks for playing your part   :)

Arsenal.txt
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 19, 2022, 12:17:27 PM
https://twitter.com/StanCollymore/status/1495073778635788288?t=ZkscIX1CIoCPcoY5ZbGvSg&s=19

Quote"Craig Dawson complained to the referee during the game between West Ham and Newcastle because Chris Wood kept on saying "meeeow" to Kurt Zuma."

:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 19, 2022, 12:21:20 PM
:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on February 19, 2022, 01:00:54 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 19, 2022, 12:17:27 PM
https://twitter.com/StanCollymore/status/1495073778635788288?t=ZkscIX1CIoCPcoY5ZbGvSg&s=19

Quote"Craig Dawson complained to the referee during the game between West Ham and Newcastle because Chris Wood kept on saying "meeeow" to Kurt Zuma."

:lol:

Pas de quoi fouetter un chat, voyons !

:frog:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on February 19, 2022, 02:32:17 PM
Tottenham beat ManCity twice this year  :wacko:

Scored 3 against the best defense in the league.

This Spurs team is incomprehensible. Lost against Southampton, lost against Wolves, win against City. Wtf.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 19, 2022, 03:04:31 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on February 19, 2022, 02:32:17 PM
Tottenham beat ManCity twice this year  :wacko:

Scored 3 against the best defense in the league.

This Spurs team is incomprehensible. Lost against Southampton, lost against Wolves, win against City. Wtf.

City were really bad and couldn't find a reliable way past Conte's White Wall. Pep has a tendency to drop a dump when he plays super counterattacking teams as well. And Kane was magnificent, I hate to say it.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 20, 2022, 10:21:19 AM
Still weird for Leeds to be a plucky likeable underdog side - but here we are. And this is great.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 20, 2022, 10:31:10 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on February 20, 2022, 10:21:19 AM
Still weird for Leeds to be a plucky likeable underdog side - but here we are. And this is great.

They're playing in a swimming pool  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 20, 2022, 11:16:33 AM
Aubameyang having a stormer for us this afternoon. He might be just what we needed, afterall.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 20, 2022, 12:17:03 PM
Quote from: celedhring on February 20, 2022, 11:16:33 AM
Aubameyang having a stormer for us this afternoon. He might be just what we needed, afterall.

I'm happy for him. He is a player who needs to feel wanted (perhaps  too much) in order to feel confident enough to bang them in. I really think he just needed a change in scenery, much like when he left Dortmund for Arsenal and then became the league high scorer.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 21, 2022, 06:18:11 PM
I just realized that the Champions League final is in St. Petersburg :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 21, 2022, 06:18:44 PM
Soooooooo, will the Champions League final be played in St. Petersburg as scheduled?  :ph34r:

Edit: Funkmonk'ed.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 21, 2022, 06:30:43 PM
:ph34r: The Gazprom Champions League?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 21, 2022, 06:35:54 PM
Would UEFA take a principled stand on this?





:lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 21, 2022, 06:47:09 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 21, 2022, 06:18:11 PM
I just realized that the Champions League final is in St. Petersburg :ph34r:
Wembley.
Its spelled Wembley.

Then again thats been done already IIRC? Where would it be moved to?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 22, 2022, 06:44:29 AM
QuoteUefa could strip Russia of Champions League final over Ukraine crisis
European football final to be held in St Petersburg on 28 May
Uefa monitoring situation but no immediate plans to switch

Uefa is ready to drop St Petersburg as the venue for this year's Champions League final as the military crisis in Ukraine deepens.

The final of Europe's most prestigious club competition is due to be played in Russia's second-largest city on 28 May but Uefa finds itself under increasing pressure to move the venue after Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, announced a decision to send troops into Ukraine's eastern Donbas region.

Uefa's current position remains that the match will be played in St Petersburg but it is understood that the situation is fluid, with officials considering contingency plans. The Champions League final has been moved, because of Covid, in both of the past two seasons.

"Uefa is constantly and closely monitoring the situation," the governing body said in a statement. "At present, there are no plans to change the venue."

Although Russian clubs are not a significant player on the pitch, with only Zenit St Petersburg remaining in European competition this season, the country's financial clout is significant.

Gazprom, the Russian gas company, is at the heart of European football and has longstanding commercial arrangements with Uefa. Last summer it announced an expansion of its sponsorship arrangement with Uefa to include the European Championship as well as the Champions and Europa Leagues. It also holds the naming rights for the stadium at which the final is due to be played, the Gazprom Arena.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on February 22, 2022, 07:53:10 AM
Quote from: The Larch on February 22, 2022, 06:44:29 AM
QuoteUefa could strip Russia of Champions League final over Ukraine crisis
European football final to be held in St Petersburg on 28 May
Uefa monitoring situation but no immediate plans to switch

Uefa is ready to drop St Petersburg as the venue for this year's Champions League final as the military crisis in Ukraine deepens.

The final of Europe's most prestigious club competition is due to be played in Russia's second-largest city on 28 May but Uefa finds itself under increasing pressure to move the venue after Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, announced a decision to send troops into Ukraine's eastern Donbas region.

Uefa's current position remains that the match will be played in St Petersburg but it is understood that the situation is fluid, with officials considering contingency plans. The Champions League final has been moved, because of Covid, in both of the past two seasons.

"Uefa is constantly and closely monitoring the situation," the governing body said in a statement. "At present, there are no plans to change the venue."

Although Russian clubs are not a significant player on the pitch, with only Zenit St Petersburg remaining in European competition this season, the country's financial clout is significant.

Gazprom, the Russian gas company, is at the heart of European football and has longstanding commercial arrangements with Uefa. Last summer it announced an expansion of its sponsorship arrangement with Uefa to include the European Championship as well as the Champions and Europa Leagues. It also holds the naming rights for the stadium at which the final is due to be played, the Gazprom Arena.

Translation: more bribes plz
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 22, 2022, 08:27:10 AM
Quote from: Tamas on February 22, 2022, 07:53:10 AM
Translation: more bribes plz
That is the slogan of all sports governing bodies I think <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 22, 2022, 08:28:19 AM
Football should not be politicized!!!!!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on February 22, 2022, 10:20:49 AM
Quote from: Tyr on February 21, 2022, 06:47:09 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 21, 2022, 06:18:11 PM
I just realized that the Champions League final is in St. Petersburg :ph34r:
Wembley.
Its spelled Wembley.

Then again thats been done already IIRC? Where would it be moved to?

Portugal, again?  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 22, 2022, 10:56:59 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 22, 2022, 08:28:19 AM
Football should not be politicized!!!!!
This message was brought to you by the Public Investment Fund of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabai
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 22, 2022, 02:33:12 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 22, 2022, 08:28:19 AM
Football should not be politicized!!!!!

Just monetized
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 23, 2022, 06:35:11 PM
So its looking like Everton might be relegated.
For obvious reasons I hope not. Though would be crazy if it happens, I believe they have the second longest continuous spell in the top flight now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 24, 2022, 05:39:55 AM
Unsurprisingly, the Ukranian league has been suspended.

I don't think that the CL final will be played in St. Petersburg after all...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on February 24, 2022, 05:42:10 AM
There's also been discussions about Gazprom being a sponsor of the next UEFA championship tournament and also being a long term sponsor of FC Schalke 04.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 24, 2022, 05:50:34 AM
Quote from: Syt on February 24, 2022, 05:42:10 AM
There's also been discussions about Gazprom being a sponsor of the next UEFA championship tournament and also being a long term sponsor of FC Schalke 04.

Yeah, I saw that some German media actually photoshopped Gazprom's logo away from the Schalke shirts in a match report and swapped it for a pro-Ukranian message recently.

I can't see Gazprom continuing as a UEFA sponsor either, I guess it will depend on the sanctions imposed by the EU today.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on February 24, 2022, 05:55:16 AM
Quote from: The Larch on February 24, 2022, 05:50:34 AM
Quote from: Syt on February 24, 2022, 05:42:10 AM
There's also been discussions about Gazprom being a sponsor of the next UEFA championship tournament and also being a long term sponsor of FC Schalke 04.

Yeah, I saw that some German media actually photoshopped Gazprom's logo away from the Schalke shirts in a match report and swapped it for a pro-Ukranian message recently.

I can't see Gazprom continuing as a UEFA sponsor either, I guess it will depend on the sanctions imposed by the EU today.

It was BILD. Broken clock, etc.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 24, 2022, 06:57:30 AM
Another game in jeopardy is the Russia - Poland for qualification towards the World Cup. It was meant to be played next month in Moscow, and I can't really see it taking place there, or at all.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 24, 2022, 07:04:52 AM
Quote from: The Larch on February 24, 2022, 06:57:30 AM
Another game in jeopardy is the Russia - Poland for qualification towards the World Cup. It was meant to be played next month in Moscow, and I can't really see it taking place there, or at all.
Give the win to Poland please. Its Russias decision that made playing the game difficult.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 24, 2022, 09:18:28 AM
Quote from: Syt on February 24, 2022, 05:55:16 AM
Quote from: The Larch on February 24, 2022, 05:50:34 AM
Quote from: Syt on February 24, 2022, 05:42:10 AM
There's also been discussions about Gazprom being a sponsor of the next UEFA championship tournament and also being a long term sponsor of FC Schalke 04.

Yeah, I saw that some German media actually photoshopped Gazprom's logo away from the Schalke shirts in a match report and swapped it for a pro-Ukranian message recently.

I can't see Gazprom continuing as a UEFA sponsor either, I guess it will depend on the sanctions imposed by the EU today.

It was BILD. Broken clock, etc.

And apparently Schalke has just announced that they're dropping Gazprom as the club's main sponsor.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 24, 2022, 09:25:53 AM
Good on them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on February 24, 2022, 09:30:02 AM
Quote from: Tyr on February 24, 2022, 07:04:52 AM
Quote from: The Larch on February 24, 2022, 06:57:30 AM
Another game in jeopardy is the Russia - Poland for qualification towards the World Cup. It was meant to be played next month in Moscow, and I can't really see it taking place there, or at all.
Give the win to Poland please. Its Russias decision that made playing the game difficult.

Yeah just treat it like a Russian forfeit
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 24, 2022, 09:46:56 AM
UEFA just announced that the CL final won't be played in St. Peteresburg. A new venue will be announced tomorrow.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 24, 2022, 09:48:48 AM
A war of conquest in Europe and UEFA acting morally, things I never thought I'd witness in my lifetime.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on February 24, 2022, 09:53:24 AM
Quote from: celedhring on February 24, 2022, 09:48:48 AM
A war of conquest in Europe and UEFA acting morally, things I never thought I'd witness in my lifetime.

The cynic in me believes they find it easy to take a stand, because they can't expect any bribes contributions from Russia any time soon.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 24, 2022, 09:55:48 AM
Quote from: Syt on February 24, 2022, 09:53:24 AM
Quote from: celedhring on February 24, 2022, 09:48:48 AM
A war of conquest in Europe and UEFA acting morally, things I never thought I'd witness in my lifetime.

The cynic in me believes they find it easy to take a stand, because they can't expect any bribes contributions from Russia any time soon.

Well, they're on Gazprom's payroll, so they do stand to lose money here, although I guess that might be a given with the upcoming sanctions.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on February 24, 2022, 12:10:16 PM
Quote from: celedhring on February 24, 2022, 09:48:48 AM
A war of conquest in Europe and UEFA acting morally, things I never thought I'd witness in my lifetime.

I am waiting for FIFA and Gianni Infantino to take a stand now.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 25, 2022, 05:09:25 AM
CL final to be played in Paris.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 25, 2022, 05:12:34 AM
In less grim news, we played great yesterday, best game of the season by far. PEA has been a godsend, and Adama (who I didn't rate at tall) also been a pleasant surprise. The team finally seems to be clickining and playing recognizable football.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on February 25, 2022, 05:31:00 AM
Quote from: The Larch on February 25, 2022, 05:09:25 AM
CL final to be played in Paris.

Technically, in Saint-Denis, in the SdF. For a moment I thought you meant the Parc des Princes, PSG stadium.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on February 25, 2022, 08:45:25 AM
Europa League draw

Glasgow Rangers-Estrela Vermelha Belgrado
Braga-Mónaco
FC Porto-Lyon
Atalanta-Bayer Leverkusen
Sevilha-West Ham
Barcelona-Galatasaray
RB Lípsia-Spartak Moscovo
Bétis-Eintracht Francoforte

The bolded ones have a special relevance for me. 2004 memories, specially the Porto-Lyon game. Braga qualified through the shootout, following a 2-0 defeat in Transdniestria (!).

Is Barça in full recovery mode? If so, favourite.
2 Seville clubs in the round of 16, nice for them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 26, 2022, 05:04:42 AM
The Polish national team has announced it doesn't intend to play Russia in the WC playoff next month. Will see what UEFA does.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on February 26, 2022, 05:06:23 AM
It's FIFA so they'll probably call it a forfeit and give the win to Russia.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 26, 2022, 05:07:30 AM
Which to be fair it is Poland saying they won't play here....
Bad move from Poland probably- they should have waited for the game to be cancelled.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 26, 2022, 05:09:31 AM
Quote from: HVC on February 26, 2022, 05:06:23 AM
It's FIFA so they'll probably call it a forfeit and give the win to Russia.

The qualifiers are organized by UEFA. Not that I expect much better from them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 26, 2022, 08:24:06 AM
Quote from: celedhring on February 26, 2022, 05:04:42 AM
The Polish national team has announced it doesn't intend to play Russia in the WC playoff next month. Will see what UEFA does.
I think they've been backed by Sweden and Czech Republic which is who they'd face.

But it's FIFA so....
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 26, 2022, 12:47:51 PM
I'm a sucker for this stuff but Everton and Man City were playing today who I think are the only two Premier League teams with Ukrainian players. Man City came out in jumpers with the Ukrainian flag and "No War", Everton players each with a Ukrainian flag.

Then instead of the Premier League "anthem" Goodison played "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" (previously played for Hillsborough memorials) with a video of what's happening in Ukraine - looks like a fair numebr of Ukrainian-ish banners in the crowd too:
https://twitter.com/SkySportsPL/status/1497625837591539717?s=20&t=-7zE1W0tK3ggVYe_6YZBMw
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FMikjBEXMAQUmv1?format=jpg&name=small)

And possibly the scousest message :lol:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FMijL81XMAw7YoN?format=jpg&name=small)

Edit: Oviously not - forgot Yarmolenko at West Ham.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 26, 2022, 01:49:37 PM
This seems quite significant from Chelsea:
Quote
Statement from Club Owner Roman Abramovich

The following statement has been published...

During my nearly 20-year ownership of Chelsea FC, I have always viewed my role as a custodian of the Club, whose job it is ensuring that we are as successful as we can be today, as well as build for the future, while also playing a positive role in our communities. I have always taken decisions with the Club's best interest at heart. I remain committed to these values. That is why I am today giving trustees of Chelsea's charitable Foundation the stewardship and care of Chelsea FC.

I believe that currently they are in the best position to look after the interests of the Club, players, staff, and fans.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 26, 2022, 02:28:24 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on February 26, 2022, 01:49:37 PM
This seems quite significant from Chelsea:
Quote
Statement from Club Owner Roman Abramovich

The following statement has been published...

During my nearly 20-year ownership of Chelsea FC, I have always viewed my role as a custodian of the Club, whose job it is ensuring that we are as successful as we can be today, as well as build for the future, while also playing a positive role in our communities. I have always taken decisions with the Club's best interest at heart. I remain committed to these values. That is why I am today giving trustees of Chelsea's charitable Foundation the stewardship and care of Chelsea FC.

I believe that currently they are in the best position to look after the interests of the Club, players, staff, and fans.

Invalidate their wins since Roman took over. Liquidate the club. Give the money to Ukrainian war widows. Everyone wins.

Also, that Rodri handball decision was shocking. Jesus Christ this officiating is absolutely shocking.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 26, 2022, 02:30:03 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 26, 2022, 02:28:24 PM
Also, that Rodri handball decision was shocking. Jesus Christ this officiating is absolutely shocking.
It's been a disgrace <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 26, 2022, 03:20:36 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 26, 2022, 02:28:24 PM
Invalidate their wins since Roman took over. Liquidate the club. Give the money to Ukrainian war widows. Everyone wins.

:( Do the players and fans get to live and keep their property?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on February 26, 2022, 03:37:47 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on February 26, 2022, 01:49:37 PM
This seems quite significant from Chelsea:
Quote
Statement from Club Owner Roman Abramovich

The following statement has been published...

During my nearly 20-year ownership of Chelsea FC, I have always viewed my role as a custodian of the Club, whose job it is ensuring that we are as successful as we can be today, as well as build for the future, while also playing a positive role in our communities. I have always taken decisions with the Club's best interest at heart. I remain committed to these values. That is why I am today giving trustees of Chelsea's charitable Foundation the stewardship and care of Chelsea FC.

I believe that currently they are in the best position to look after the interests of the Club, players, staff, and fans.

I suspect it has zero practical significance in terms of ownership and thus decision making.

Despite being a Chelsea fan I would favour the club be confiscated from him. And I hope the Chelsea fans at least and ideally players too will do pro-Ukraine demonstrations tomorrow. It's going to be against Liverpool, it absolutely will be aired in Russia.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 26, 2022, 04:12:48 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 26, 2022, 03:20:36 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 26, 2022, 02:28:24 PM
Invalidate their wins since Roman took over. Liquidate the club. Give the money to Ukrainian war widows. Everyone wins.

:( Do the players and fans get to live and keep their property?

Send their players to other league teams via a draft. Ban supporting Chelsea FC. All Chelsea-related merchandise should be confiscated and sold and the money given to fund pensions for Ukraine's war wounded and disabled. Everyone wins.

Arsenal have dibs on Kante.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 26, 2022, 04:42:09 PM
Sold to whom?  :shifty:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 26, 2022, 04:46:50 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 26, 2022, 04:42:09 PM
Sold to whom?  :shifty:
We've got the Saudis and the Emiratis, a shady Chinese conglomerate and obviously the oligarch/oligarch adjacent owners - I'm not sure whose left in the world's rogue's gallery to buy a Premier League club? Maybe Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos, ExxonMobil? :hmm: :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 26, 2022, 04:47:49 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 26, 2022, 04:42:09 PM
Sold to whom?  :shifty:

Tamas.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 26, 2022, 04:52:21 PM
I meant the merchandise. 

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 26, 2022, 04:53:35 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 26, 2022, 04:42:09 PM
Sold to whom?  :shifty:

Gunnersaurus  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 26, 2022, 05:02:56 PM
(https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/cb3ada7b3b73de64a575f3104090283341e3cad3/71_44_1374_825/master/1374.jpg?width=1200&height=900&quality=85&auto=format&fit=crop&s=aa6b1f65b20263269b8c38decf68045b)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 26, 2022, 05:10:54 PM
Squires' fondness for Gunnersaurus is truly endearing.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 26, 2022, 05:12:09 PM
Quote from: The Larch on February 26, 2022, 05:10:54 PM
Squires' fondness for Gunnersaurus is truly endearing.  :lol:
It's one of my favourite recurring bits - up there with emo-Mourinho.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 26, 2022, 05:24:25 PM
 :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 27, 2022, 02:28:09 PM
FIFA going to FIFA:
QuotePA Dugout
@PAdugout
#Breaking Russia must play 'home' matches on neutral territory with no fans, flag or anthem and under the name 'Football Union of Russia (RFU)' until further notice, FIFA has announced
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 27, 2022, 03:09:17 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on February 27, 2022, 02:28:09 PM
FIFA going to FIFA:
QuotePA Dugout
@PAdugout
#Breaking Russia must play 'home' matches on neutral territory with no fans, flag or anthem and under the name 'Football Union of Russia (RFU)' until further notice, FIFA has announced

They did an IOC :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 27, 2022, 03:44:54 PM
They could at least make the name more of a punishment.
"The very naughty boys formerly known as Russia"
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on February 27, 2022, 04:19:38 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 27, 2022, 03:09:17 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on February 27, 2022, 02:28:09 PM
FIFA going to FIFA:
QuotePA Dugout
@PAdugout
#Breaking Russia must play 'home' matches on neutral territory with no fans, flag or anthem and under the name 'Football Union of Russia (RFU)' until further notice, FIFA has announced

They did an IOC :bleeding:

Poland is not having it, still refusing to play the Russians. Good on them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on February 28, 2022, 04:26:03 AM
 :cry:

https://twitter.com/i/status/1498021507443970053
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 28, 2022, 06:50:04 AM
I'm speechless :lol:

QuoteRoman Abramovich is trying to broker a peaceful end to the war in Ukraine, his spokesperson has said.

A spokesman for the Chelsea owner said:

I can confirm that Roman Abramovich was contacted by the Ukrainian side for support in achieving a peaceful resolution, and that he has been trying to help ever since.

Considering what is at stake, we would ask for your understanding as to why we have not commented on neither the situation as such nor his involvement.

The Jerusalem Post reports that Abramovich is in Belarus assisting in the Ukraine-Russia talks, at the request of Ukraine.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 28, 2022, 06:55:29 AM
Spartak Moscow to be kicked off from the Europa League.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 28, 2022, 12:51:29 PM
FIFA and UEFA suspend all Russian teams and clubs from their competitions
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on February 28, 2022, 12:57:48 PM
Russian Football Federation team may still play the World Cup 2022 play-offs however.  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 28, 2022, 01:00:16 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on February 28, 2022, 12:57:48 PMRussian Football Federation team may still play the World Cup 2022 play-offs however.  :hmm:

No, they're also out.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on February 28, 2022, 01:15:30 PM
Seems clearer now. Though, as pointed out by Richard, Chel$ky is still in.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 28, 2022, 01:26:47 PM
Wtf Keep Politics out of Football!!!!!!!1111
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on February 28, 2022, 04:50:11 PM
Leeds fires Bielsa and bring in Jesse Marsch. You might not have heard of him.

American, played in MLS, coached Leipzig. He was Montreal's first MLS coach and he sucked ass. Of course that was 10 years ago but still.

Good luck Leeds... This is a long way from Don Revie.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 28, 2022, 05:11:51 PM
What happened?

Leeds have been keeping their heads above water thus far
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on February 28, 2022, 10:22:32 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on February 28, 2022, 04:50:11 PMLeeds fires Bielsa and bring in Jesse Marsch. You might not have heard of him.

American, played in MLS, coached Leipzig. He was Montreal's first MLS coach and he sucked ass. Of course that was 10 years ago but still.

Good luck Leeds... This is a long way from Don Revie.

I love a good failing upwards story.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 01, 2022, 03:17:33 AM
Quote from: Tyr on February 28, 2022, 05:11:51 PMWhat happened?

Leeds have been keeping their heads above water thus far

Don't know the particulars but Bielsa is notoriously difficult. I'm surprised he lasted at Leeds this long.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on March 01, 2022, 08:45:41 AM
Quote from: Tyr on February 28, 2022, 05:11:51 PMWhat happened?

Leeds have been keeping their heads above water thus far

Tehy're sinking pretty fast and shipping goals like crazy. Last five results: 3-3; 0-3; 2-4; 0-6; 0-4.

They are 2 points above and have played 2 games more than Burnley in 18th.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on March 01, 2022, 09:08:03 AM
Quote from: Valmy on February 28, 2022, 10:22:32 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on February 28, 2022, 04:50:11 PMLeeds fires Bielsa and bring in Jesse Marsch. You might not have heard of him.

American, played in MLS, coached Leipzig. He was Montreal's first MLS coach and he sucked ass. Of course that was 10 years ago but still.

Good luck Leeds... This is a long way from Don Revie.

I love a good failing upwards story.

He redeemed himself with Red Bull Salzbourg too.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 02, 2022, 05:56:35 AM
Looks like Abramovich is really trying to sell Chelsea, the asking price is reportedly $3 billion. It feels like he should be sanctioned before he has a chance to sell or it'll have been a failure - esecially because he's the rare Russian oligarch who very  openly owns at least one big asset in the UK (most might have a house, anything else is held by shell companies, off-shore entities, trusts etc).

I am enjoying the Spurs fan who is always pretty good online running the #LiquidateChelseaForPeace campaign :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 02, 2022, 07:41:41 AM
Can Languish raise enough cash to buy?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 02, 2022, 07:44:57 AM
Let Tamas do it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 02, 2022, 09:49:01 AM
Yi and Tamas, buy Chelsea FC plz
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 02, 2022, 10:03:28 AM
Hopefully we'll get to see Chelsea as a midtable Championship side in 5 years after Roman fucks off
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on March 02, 2022, 12:51:35 PM
Quote from: Josephus on March 02, 2022, 07:41:41 AMCan Languish raise enough cash to buy?

We really just need to convince Habs to sell his crypto and we should be good.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on March 02, 2022, 01:30:00 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 02, 2022, 10:03:28 AMHopefully we'll get to see Chelsea as a midtable Championship side in 5 years after Roman fucks off

Let's not get overboard with a Thai oligarch, various Gulf monarchies, and Saud bloody Arabia being amongst club owners in England.

It's probably going to ruin the club in the short term but I am glad to see Abramovich go.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 02, 2022, 01:59:37 PM
Quote from: Tamas on March 02, 2022, 01:30:00 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 02, 2022, 10:03:28 AMHopefully we'll get to see Chelsea as a midtable Championship side in 5 years after Roman fucks off

Let's not get overboard with a Thai oligarch, various Gulf monarchies, and Saud bloody Arabia being amongst club owners in England.

It's probably going to ruin the club in the short term but I am glad to see Abramovich go.

I think more realistically, if Chelsea miss out on Champions League for a season or two, they'll end up like Arsenal have been for the last couple seasons, rounding out the top of the midtable Premier League sides. I guess it will depend on who the new ownership is and how much they'll be willing to spend (or how much they decide will have to be cut).

I can see Newcastle taking Chelsea's place in the Top 4-6. The next couple seasons will be very interesting.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 02, 2022, 02:33:04 PM
True magic of the cup as Chelsea are playing Luton Town tonight - Luton fans are chanting "you're getting sold in the morning" :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 02, 2022, 03:04:54 PM
Apparently Abramovich is also writing off 1.5 billion pounds in loans to the club.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on March 02, 2022, 03:15:31 PM
What's Chelsea now worth, 2-3? ; maybe I'll put a bid in adn go as high as a fiver?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on March 02, 2022, 03:56:27 PM
Quote from: The Larch on March 02, 2022, 03:04:54 PMApparently Abramovich is also writing off 1.5 billion pounds in loans to the club.

I'd like to thank the Russian taxpayers from whom most of that was stolen.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 05, 2022, 10:08:43 AM
Ah Chelsea:
QuoteCrowd at Turf Moor stands and applauds to show solidarity with Ukraine. Chelsea fans interrupt with chants of 'Roman Abramovich, Roman Abramovich'.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on March 05, 2022, 10:37:28 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 05, 2022, 10:08:43 AMAh Chelsea:
QuoteCrowd at Turf Moor stands and applauds to show solidarity with Ukraine. Chelsea fans interrupt with chants of 'Roman Abramovich, Roman Abramovich'.


:bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 05, 2022, 01:44:49 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 05, 2022, 10:08:43 AMAh Chelsea:
QuoteCrowd at Turf Moor stands and applauds to show solidarity with Ukraine. Chelsea fans interrupt with chants of 'Roman Abramovich, Roman Abramovich'.

Exhibit A in demonstrating how well sportswashing works
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on March 07, 2022, 03:54:54 PM
Sheilbh if you're watching this I'm sorry. Rough 1st half.

Although Gordon needs to stop whining and stay on his feet.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 07, 2022, 04:07:50 PM
I do not want to see Everton relegated so please Spurs let them have a point.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 07, 2022, 04:15:21 PM
I went to the cinema.

Yet again my choice to not watch Everton is vindicated <_< :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 08, 2022, 09:26:23 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 07, 2022, 04:15:21 PMI went to the cinema.

Yet again my choice to not watch Everton is vindicated <_< :weep:

Fair weather fan.  :thumbsdown:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 08, 2022, 03:55:38 PM
So I'm watching the Liverpool v. Inter game and there was an interruption for some kind of fan illness in the stands. There was another game I was watching on the weekend where this also happened. I'v noticed this happen two or three other times in the past year. Yet before this I have NEVER noticed this.
Anyone else notice this? What gives? New protocols on fan illnesses?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 09, 2022, 05:00:36 PM
PSG can't buy a Champions League title. Literally
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 09, 2022, 05:12:19 PM
Quote from: Josephus on March 09, 2022, 05:00:36 PMPSG can't buy a Champions League title. Literally

You can pay for school but you can't buy class
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 09, 2022, 05:58:26 PM
Quote from: Josephus on March 08, 2022, 03:55:38 PMSo I'm watching the Liverpool v. Inter game and there was an interruption for some kind of fan illness in the stands. There was another game I was watching on the weekend where this also happened. I'v noticed this happen two or three other times in the past year. Yet before this I have NEVER noticed this.
Anyone else notice this? What gives? New protocols on fan illnesses?

Yeah, recently happened with a Sunderland game too, delayed play for a good hour and meant it didn't finish till nearly 11pm; the ill fan unfortunately died too.

It is strange. I wonder if people not being used to crowds could be a factor. I certainly don't think it's something so simple as new rules; a guy passing out in the stands and dying does seem like something that would make the news even if the game goes on whilst it's happening.


Thinking about this more I thinkkkkk I can remember it happening in a Premier league game a decade ago?
Can't remember what teams though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 10, 2022, 08:42:31 AM
Wow they're actually doing it:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/mar/10/roman-abramovich-unable-to-sell-chelsea-after-uk-freezes-assets
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 10, 2022, 09:08:18 AM
On a personal note, sorry this is happening to your club Tamas.  :hug:

I mean, I'm ecstatic (  :P  ) but also I feel bad for you and other Chels fans who hated Roman but still loved your club.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 10, 2022, 09:55:25 AM
No idea how a club functions with those restrictions - apparently government is open to allowing it to be sold (which would require another licence) but it would need to be in a way where the proceeds were also frozen.

People pointing out the, I think, £20k limit on travel for matches which may be challenging in European games.

Feel for Tamas and other fans who didn't chant "Roman Abramovich" as you say :( Although I can't think of many funnier days to have a look at Arsenal or Spurs Twitter if you're inclined that way :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on March 10, 2022, 10:06:16 AM
I don't feel bad for them, they've been fine with dirty money buying them championships for 20 years.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 10, 2022, 10:33:36 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 10, 2022, 09:55:25 AMAlthough I can't think of many funnier days to have a look at Arsenal or Spurs Twitter if you're inclined that way :lol:

The Arsenal supporter Discord I'm in has been celebrating like we've won the league  :lol:

Arsene knew.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 10, 2022, 10:36:17 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 09, 2022, 05:12:19 PM
Quote from: Josephus on March 09, 2022, 05:00:36 PMPSG can't buy a Champions League title. Literally

You can pay for school but you can't buy class

Worked for Chel$ky though.  :P

Old-guard PSG fans (pre-QSI) would say it worked for Marseille, along with other shenanigans.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 10, 2022, 10:46:19 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on March 10, 2022, 10:36:17 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 09, 2022, 05:12:19 PM
Quote from: Josephus on March 09, 2022, 05:00:36 PMPSG can't buy a Champions League title. Literally

You can pay for school but you can't buy class

Worked for Chel$ky though.  :P


 :secret:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 10, 2022, 11:02:31 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 10, 2022, 10:46:19 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on March 10, 2022, 10:36:17 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 09, 2022, 05:12:19 PM
Quote from: Josephus on March 09, 2022, 05:00:36 PMPSG can't buy a Champions League title. Literally

You can pay for school but you can't buy class

Worked for Chel$ky though.  :P


 :secret:

 :secret:

You forgot to adress the second sentence, at the very least.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 10, 2022, 11:50:15 AM
Don't know about Marseille or pre-QSI PSG or really anything about French football so can't speak to any of that.

Actually, my one interaction with Frenchmen in person about French football elicited complete condemnation from them about how it was for unserious rubes and low-class people  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 10, 2022, 11:54:52 AM
That is a typical French bourgeois vision of football, as a matter of fact.  :cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on March 11, 2022, 02:42:13 AM
You know what annoys me? All those jackasses who post "all goals and highlights" videos on youtube of matches that start with a few stills from the actual match and then shows EA Sports FIFA footage of the two teams playing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on March 11, 2022, 03:25:24 AM
(https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/03/10/17/55198147-10599389-image-a-1_1646932729621.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 11, 2022, 09:22:49 AM
Quote from: Jacob on March 11, 2022, 02:42:13 AMYou know what annoys me? All those jackasses who post "all goals and highlights" videos on youtube of matches that start with a few stills from the actual match and then shows EA Sports FIFA footage of the two teams playing.

Yeah, fell for that a few times. Now I only watch stuff from official pages.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on March 11, 2022, 10:20:50 AM
Man there are some pretty bloody selfish Chelsea fans out there, some complaining about not being able to buy tickets like it's the most important thing in the world, one interviewed said Abramovich had been set up. :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 11, 2022, 10:42:40 AM
Quote from: mongers on March 11, 2022, 10:20:50 AMMan there are some pretty bloody selfish Chelsea fans out there, some complaining about not being able to buy tickets like it's the most important thing in the world, one interviewed said Abramovich had been set up. :hmm:

Their away fans were chanting Abramovich's name yesterday at Norwich.

Sportswashing works exceedingly well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on March 11, 2022, 10:46:47 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 11, 2022, 10:42:40 AM
Quote from: mongers on March 11, 2022, 10:20:50 AMMan there are some pretty bloody selfish Chelsea fans out there, some complaining about not being able to buy tickets like it's the most important thing in the world, one interviewed said Abramovich had been set up. :hmm:

Their away fans were chanting Abramovich's name yesterday at Norwich.

Sportswashing works exceedingly well.

Yeah that's just despicable.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 11, 2022, 10:59:54 AM
Quote from: mongers on March 11, 2022, 10:20:50 AMMan there are some pretty bloody selfish Chelsea fans out there, some complaining about not being able to buy tickets like it's the most important thing in the world, one interviewed said Abramovich had been set up. :hmm:

I get their argument though. If you're a fan, you'd be annoyed that somehow you got wrapped up in this. If you buy a $80 ticket, none of that is going into his hands at this point.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on March 11, 2022, 03:06:02 PM
I understand this question will sound naive and homerish, but has it been established that Abramovich got rich through illicit means?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on March 11, 2022, 03:12:13 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on March 11, 2022, 03:06:02 PMI understand this question will sound naive and homerish, but has it been established that Abramovich got rich through illicit means?

I think the operative criterion is not "illicit" but "through connections with Putin and the Russian state."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 11, 2022, 03:31:10 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on March 11, 2022, 03:06:02 PMI understand this question will sound naive and homerish, but has it been established that Abramovich got rich through illicit means?
Yes.

Like lots of the oligarchs he started with some time in prison in the early 90s - but his big break was becoming Berezovsky's business partner - so Yeltsin created Sibneft by presidential decree and sold it massively undervalue to Berezovsky and Abramovich in the loans-for-shares scheme (selling state assets at a cut rate price in exchange for loans to Yeltsin's re-election campaign). My undersatnding is Berezovsky was Abramovich's protection in the Yeltsin years, but then fell out with Putin while Abramovich remained loyal. In Londongrad news Berezovsky and Abramovich had a huge court case here over their assets - Jonathan Sumption who was Abramovich's QC reportedly earned £8 million from that one case and actually delayed joining the Supreme Court until the case was finished.

Plus I think he was involved in a few gang wars/Russian 90s style "hostile takeovers". In terms of the sanctions this is the UK's statement of reasons:
QuoteUK Statement of Reasons: Roman Arkadyevich ABRAMOVICH (hereafter ABRAMOVICH) is a prominent Russian businessman and pro-Kremlin oligarch. ABRAMOVICH is associated with a person who is or has been involved in destabilising Ukraine and undermining and threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, namely Vladimir Putin, with whom ABRAMOVICH has had a close relationship for decades. This association has included obtaining a financial benefit or other material benefit from Putin and the Government of Russia. This includes tax breaks received by companies linked to ABRAMOVICH, buying and selling shares from and to the state at favourable rates, and the contracts received in the run up to the FIFA 2018 World Cup. Therefore, ABRAMOVICH has received preferential treatment and concessions from Putin and the Government of Russia. ABRAMOVICH is also associated with a person who is or has been involved in obtaining a benefit from or supporting the Government of Russia, namely: former First Deputy Prime Minister, and current Chairman of the Management Board for VEB, Igor Shuvalov; former General Director of Gazprom Investment Holdings, Alisher Usmanov, both of whom were sanctioned on 3 March 2022 for being involved persons in obtaining a benefit from or supporting the Russian government through carrying on business in a sector of strategic significance to the Russian government. ABRAMOVICH is associated with these individuals through close business relationships and mutual assistance, including ABRAMOVICH financing Shuvalov's trust and the subsequent loans from Shuvalov to enable Usmanov's purchase of a British mill. Furthermore, ABRAMOVICH is or has been involved in destabilising Ukraine and undermining and threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, via Evraz PLC, a steel manufacturing and mining company in which ABRAMOVICH has a significant shareholding and over which ABRAMOVICH exercises effective control. Evraz PLC is or has been involved in providing financial services, or making available funds, economic resources, goods or technology that could contribute to destabilising Ukraine or undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine – which includes potentially supplying steel to the Russian military which may have been used in the production of tanks. ABRAMOVICH exercises effective control of Evraz PLC given his significant shareholding and the shareholdings of his close associates who it is reasonable to expect ABRAMOVICH could direct through his close ties with Abramov and Shvidler, as well as his power to nominate directors of the board. ABRAMOVICH is or has been involved in obtaining a benefit from or supporting the Government of Russia, as ABRAMOVICH and Evraz PLC carry on business in sectors of strategic significance to the Government of Russia – namely the construction, defence and extractive sectors.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 12, 2022, 08:16:30 AM
QuotePremier League Communications
@PLComms
Following the sanctions by the UK Government, the Premier League Board has disqualified Roman Abramovich as a Director of Chelsea Football Club

The Board's decision does not impact on the club's ability to train and play its fixtures.
:lol:

So none of us should be surprised when, in 20 years time, following abundant war crimes and repressions of human rights the Premier League disqualifies MBS from running a football club :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 12, 2022, 05:13:00 PM
BTW, Portugal is also investigating the process through which Abramovich got the Portuguese citizenship.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 12, 2022, 08:25:29 PM
Ronaldo turning on God mode to end Spurs top 4 hopes was funny.

I look forward to Rangnick being forced to start Ronaldo for the rest of the season and then people asking why United finish outside top 4.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on March 12, 2022, 08:49:19 PM
Honestly both teams played like shit, real boring game today. Spurs got 2 on the board from a penalty and an own goal...

Ronaldo is pretty much the only one that showed up to play today, and he was brilliant.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on March 13, 2022, 12:13:03 AM
Quote from: The Larch on March 12, 2022, 05:13:00 PMBTW, Portugal is also investigating the process through which Abramovich got the Portuguese citizenship.

Wouldn't that have been a usual golden passport? Portugal, Malta and I think Cyprus are pretty generous with them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 13, 2022, 05:15:35 AM
Quote from: Syt on March 13, 2022, 12:13:03 AM
Quote from: The Larch on March 12, 2022, 05:13:00 PMBTW, Portugal is also investigating the process through which Abramovich got the Portuguese citizenship.

Wouldn't that have been a usual golden passport? Portugal, Malta and I think Cyprus are pretty generous with them.

Descendents of jews unfairly deported in the 16th century passport .
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 13, 2022, 05:16:33 AM
Quote from: Syt on March 13, 2022, 12:13:03 AM
Quote from: The Larch on March 12, 2022, 05:13:00 PMBTW, Portugal is also investigating the process through which Abramovich got the Portuguese citizenship.

Wouldn't that have been a usual golden passport? Portugal, Malta and I think Cyprus are pretty generous with them.

He used a different route, he went for the Sephardic one.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 13, 2022, 06:13:42 AM
He has Israeli citizenship too, no?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 13, 2022, 06:34:52 AM
Quote from: Josephus on March 13, 2022, 06:13:42 AMHe has Israeli citizenship too, no?

Yup.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 13, 2022, 08:15:50 AM
Chelsea play Newcastle today :hmm:

Keep politics out of football!!!!1111
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 13, 2022, 08:31:07 AM
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FM8bffaWYAQIPOY?format=jpg&name=small)
Why would that be, Amanda? :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 13, 2022, 09:03:04 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 13, 2022, 08:31:07 AMWhy would that be, Amanda? :hmm:

What do you make of the argument that Roman and Vlad have ruined it for sportswashers? People think of Newcastle now and associate it with the Saudis executing dozens of people the other day. Kind of reverse sportswashing  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 13, 2022, 10:35:21 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 13, 2022, 09:03:04 AMWhat do you make of the argument that Roman and Vlad have ruined it for sportswashers? People think of Newcastle now and associate it with the Saudis executing dozens of people the other day. Kind of reverse sportswashing  :lol:
I'd hope so - but I'm not convinced :lol:

With fans I think it just becomes integrated into the tribalism of football - which is exactly what sportswashers want. I do not understand, but regularly see, Man City fans complaining to journalists who are reporting on Abu Dhabi about it and doing "whataboutery" - normally aimed at Saudi or Qatar. We see the Newcastle fans waving Saudi flags or putting a Saudi flag into their Twitter handle - and I don't get it. But the opposing thing is true that opposition fans are likely to chant about Saudi or Russia if they're playing Newcastle or Chelsea. I'm not sure that it doesn't just become part of general football tribalism.

I just don't understand why, for some fans, supporting your team means also supporting and backing the owner in exactly the same, tribal way you support a football team. I find it really baffling - I think you can support Newcastle without "supporting" the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

I do wonder what the line is though, as a fan. Everton have a shady and unclear relationship with Usmanov. And it is shady and unclear enough to basically ignore if you want to. I wonder if I'd feel differently if he was the outright owner and there was a transparent/obvious relationship. What's the line at which fans start to question the support of their club - for example Newcastle or Man City seem clear to me (they're effectively owned by nation states). Abramovich or Usmanov a bit more dubious how linked to Russia you feel with that club. But then even further Wolves are owned by a questionable Chinese conglomerate that also has operations in Xinjiang and whose chairman went "missing" for a while - what's the link there and is it enough? When would I feel so implicated and dirty  from the sportswashing that I'd step back? I'm not sure :hmm:

Edit: And as Barney Ronay pointed out it was nice to get away from all the sportswashing debate by just watching a nice game of football at the Emirates Stadium with players in shirts sponsored by Visit Rwanda - again is there a line before ownership? I don't know :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 13, 2022, 12:09:32 PM
Quote from: The Larch on March 13, 2022, 05:16:33 AM
Quote from: Syt on March 13, 2022, 12:13:03 AM
Quote from: The Larch on March 12, 2022, 05:13:00 PMBTW, Portugal is also investigating the process through which Abramovich got the Portuguese citizenship.

Wouldn't that have been a usual golden passport? Portugal, Malta and I think Cyprus are pretty generous with them.

He used a different route, he went for the Sephardic one.

QuoteA rabbi who helped Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich obtain his Portuguese citizenship has been told he cannot leave Portugal and must present himself to authorities when required.
Daniel Litvak was detained on Thursday as part of an investigation into how citizenship had been granted.
The naturalisation process of several Jewish people is being investigated.
On Friday, Mr Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Mr Abramovich, 55, is the owner of Chelsea FC and he is one of seven oligarchs to be hit with fresh sanctions, including asset freezes and travel bans.
The Premier League has disqualified him as a director of the club.
Mr Abramovich was granted Portuguese citizenship in April 2021 under a law that offered naturalisation to descendants of Sephardic Jews, who were expelled from the Iberian peninsula more than 400 years ago during the Inquisition.
Applicants for Portuguese citizenship via this route are assessed by experts at one of Portugal's Jewish communities in either Lisbon or Porto. Mr Litvak is the rabbi for the community in Porto (northern Portugal) and was responsible for assessing Mr Abramovich's application.
Mr Litvak was detained by authorities as he was preparing to travel to Israel. He was asked to hand over his passport and will have to periodically present himself to authorities.

Portugal's Judicial Police and public prosecutor said on Friday that there were suspicions of money laundering, corruption, fraud and falsification of documents in the process of of granting citizenship to descendants of Sephardic Jews.
Porto's Jewish community has denied any wrongdoing and said it was the target of a smear campaign. They added that Mr Litvak oversaw the department that grants certification of an individual's Sephardic Jewish heritage and the criteria used for granting someone Portuguese nationality had "been accepted by successive governments".

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60724509 (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60724509)

Great Rabbi of Porto, Daniel Litvak, who is now under investigation by Portuguese authorities in the above mentioned case, does not sound like your typical Iberian/Sepharadi/Portuguese Jew.  :P
Think of David Ricardo, the Péreire (Pereira) brothers bankers in France or Benedito de Espinoza (Spinoza).

But then the only authentically Portuguese synagog would the crypto-jewish one in Belmonte.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 13, 2022, 12:46:08 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 13, 2022, 10:35:21 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 13, 2022, 09:03:04 AMWhat do you make of the argument that Roman and Vlad have ruined it for sportswashers? People think of Newcastle now and associate it with the Saudis executing dozens of people the other day. Kind of reverse sportswashing  :lol:
I'd hope so - but I'm not convinced :lol:

With fans I think it just becomes integrated into the tribalism of football - which is exactly what sportswashers want. I do not understand, but regularly see, Man City fans complaining to journalists who are reporting on Abu Dhabi about it and doing "whataboutery" - normally aimed at Saudi or Qatar. We see the Newcastle fans waving Saudi flags or putting a Saudi flag into their Twitter handle - and I don't get it. But the opposing thing is true that opposition fans are likely to chant about Saudi or Russia if they're playing Newcastle or Chelsea. I'm not sure that it doesn't just become part of general football tribalism.

I just don't understand why, for some fans, supporting your team means also supporting and backing the owner in exactly the same, tribal way you support a football team. I find it really baffling - I think you can support Newcastle without "supporting" the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

I do


It's funny though as it only really comes out about shit hole countries.

You don't see for instance Leicester fans gushing aboit Thailand, or Man Utd America (quite the opposite).
That Sunderland is Swiss owned you'd think would be a humorous counter point to Saudi Newcastle, extremes of respectability and democracy, but never mentioned.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on March 13, 2022, 01:46:36 PM
A big part of my support for Spurs is that they're not owned by Saudis, Russians or terrible people in general.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 13, 2022, 03:06:01 PM
I remember after the debacle of the first 3 games this season I was an Arteta Out'er and now the team is consistently playing lovely attacking football with defensive solidity while fostering a courageous new spirit in a squad that is the youngest in the league.

Just pointing out how much of a dumbass I am.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 14, 2022, 03:02:40 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on March 13, 2022, 01:46:36 PMA big part of my support for Spurs is that they're not owned by Saudis, Russians or terrible people in general.

Barcelona is owned by me. Am I terrible people?  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Brain on March 14, 2022, 04:30:22 AM
Why is Chelsea allowed to play? I can think of some reasons but I don't know which is the one.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 15, 2022, 08:42:54 AM
QuoteChelsea want Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final against Middlesbrough to be played behind closed doors "for matters of sporting integrity".

More to follow.
https://twitter.com/BBCSport/status/1503712020272664583?t=9bTYCBf6fUQHSFAvTRER-Q&s=19

Chelsea are embarrassing themselves.

QuoteOfficial govt reaction to Chelsea below. But behind the scenes, senior source tells me they're "exasperated"
at "tin-eared request" by Chelsea. Officials feel they are bending over backwards to allow club to play with a special license... https://t.co/u6SP1wlqyg
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 15, 2022, 09:31:15 AM
Quote from: The Brain on March 14, 2022, 04:30:22 AMWhy is Chelsea allowed to play? I can think of some reasons but I don't know which is the one.

I have to suspect were they a less fashionable and more northern team they wouldn't be given the same leeway
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 15, 2022, 10:38:04 AM
Huge fan of Middlesbrough's response:
QuoteA Statement From Middlesbrough FC...
Team Tue 15 Mar 2022, 1:50PM

We are aware of Chelsea's request to have Saturday's Emirates FA Cup sixth round tie played behind closed doors and find their suggestion both bizarre and without any merit whatsoever.

All concerned are well aware of the reasons Chelsea have been sanctioned and that this has nothing to do with Middlesbrough Football Club.

To suggest as result that MFC and our fans should be penalised is not only grossly unfair but without any foundation.

Given the reasons for these sanctions, for Chelsea to seek to invoke sporting "integrity" as reason for the game being played behind closed doors is ironic in the extreme.

We currently await formal notification from the FA of the next steps but rest assured MFC will resist Chelsea's actions in the strongest terms.

Sepaprately Tuchel's apparently confirmed that as Chelsea can't afford to fly they could face a 10 hour coach trip to get to Middlesbrough and back.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 15, 2022, 10:45:52 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 15, 2022, 10:38:04 AMSepaprately Tuchel's apparently confirmed that as Chelsea can't afford to fly they could face a 10 hour coach trip to get to Middlesbrough and back.

Wow, wasn't aware things were so dire.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 15, 2022, 11:05:02 AM
Quote from: celedhring on March 15, 2022, 10:45:52 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 15, 2022, 10:38:04 AMSepaprately Tuchel's apparently confirmed that as Chelsea can't afford to fly they could face a 10 hour coach trip to get to Middlesbrough and back.

Wow, wasn't aware things were so dire.



Greener travel does not mean things are so dire.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 15, 2022, 11:10:40 AM
Quote from: celedhring on March 15, 2022, 10:45:52 AMWow, wasn't aware things were so dire.
Yeah - it's getting lots of microscopic violins on Twitter :lol:

The issue is basically they are only allowed to spend £20,000 per match on travel as part of their operating costs under their current special licence from the government.

The government statement does sound, as Funk put it, pretty exasperated:
QuoteWe are working around the clock to enable Chelsea to continue operating as a club in the interests of the fans. This statement threatening Middlesbrough and the rest of the football league shows they do not seem to understand the seriousness of the situation they are in, being owned by an entity that has been sanctioned because of links to a person responsible for appalling acts in Ukraine. We are not opposed to Chelsea having fans at games in the long run, but we will not allow money from ticket sales to flow to a sanctioned entity. Chelsea should spend less time worrying about having a few thousands fans at one game, and focus on moving their club into the hands of someone who isn't linked to a warmonger.

It's another thing - with the Middlesbrough statement - of, I think, views around football (including from government) having changed quite severely by the Superleague debacle.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 15, 2022, 03:10:31 PM
I wonder if Chelsea's players can't arrange for their own travel. I'm sure that many of them can afford better ways to move around than by coach.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 15, 2022, 03:17:23 PM
Good show boro.

I must say I like the thought of Chelseas super stars travelling by national express and staying in the cheapest hotels.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 15, 2022, 03:19:53 PM
:lol: I know they mean the team coach but I automatically imagined a Megabus too.

And love the idea of them all, Partridge style, in a Travel Tavern.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on March 15, 2022, 03:38:13 PM
Final round of CONCACAF qualifiers starts up in a week and a half. :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 15, 2022, 04:04:58 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 15, 2022, 03:19:53 PM:lol: I know they mean the team coach but I automatically imagined a Megabus too.

And love the idea of them all, Partridge style, in a Travel Tavern.

Chelsea should lean into this, if just on a public relations level. Have a social media team with the squad on a Megabus on Instagram Live  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 15, 2022, 04:15:19 PM
Also Spotify Camp Nou  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 15, 2022, 04:25:00 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 15, 2022, 04:15:19 PMAlso Spotify Camp Nou  :lol:

They need all the money they can get.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on March 15, 2022, 06:30:24 PM
Quote from: Barrister on March 15, 2022, 03:38:13 PMFinal round of CONCACAF qualifiers starts up in a week and a half. :ph34r:

Mexico, Panama, and Costa Rica? We got this. Just glad we are not playing that soccer juggernaut that is Canada again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 16, 2022, 02:47:51 AM
Quote from: The Larch on March 15, 2022, 04:25:00 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 15, 2022, 04:15:19 PMAlso Spotify Camp Nou  :lol:

They need all the money they can get.  :P

Our wage cap is currently *negative* - as in we should get players to pay the club for playing in order to balance the books  :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 16, 2022, 06:25:52 AM
Quote from: Valmy on March 15, 2022, 06:30:24 PM
Quote from: Barrister on March 15, 2022, 03:38:13 PMFinal round of CONCACAF qualifiers starts up in a week and a half. :ph34r:

Mexico, Panama, and Costa Rica? We got this. Just glad we are not playing that soccer juggernaut that is Canada again.

 :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on March 16, 2022, 05:04:38 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/1tJoGLM.jpeg)

All is well in the world.  :showoff:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 16, 2022, 05:31:28 PM
Yeah, still men vs boys out there vs Liverpool. Arsenal had a great first half but couldn't convert their chances and then made dumb mistakes in the second half. The usual story against the top sides.

This leaves the door just slightly open for Manchester United to sneak into 4th, but I'm not expecting them to be consistent enough to keep pace with Arsenal. We'll see.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on March 16, 2022, 05:35:46 PM
I'd be ecstatic with 5th. Spurs have been so inconsistent that my early prediction of 8th still holds.  :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 16, 2022, 05:51:16 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on March 16, 2022, 05:35:46 PMI'd be ecstatic with 5th. Spurs have been so inconsistent that my early prediction of 8th still holds.  :cry:

Spurs still have an outside chance at 4th but only if Arsenal totally collapse, which being a long-time Arsenal fan I'm telling you is completely possible  :lol:

We'll see if Arteta really has changed the culture at Arsenal, then. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 17, 2022, 03:59:36 PM
Everton vs Newcastle just took an interesting turn.
To quote my gf "oh wow we can watch football more often if its this exciting".

Guy with a stop oil t shirt chained himself to the goal post and took forever to cut him off :lol:

I wonder whether this will be counter productive for his cause with certain types looking to make a culture war about environmental matters particularly targeting football fans.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 17, 2022, 04:34:06 PM
A protestor tied himself to the goalpost at Everton-Newcastle  :lol:

#EVENEW https://t.co/iiDQK7nq9n
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 17, 2022, 06:54:26 PM
From Twitter - this guy must have been waiting for his moment to shine in so many games over the years :lol:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FOFI5uzWYAouZCp?format=jpg&name=small)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 17, 2022, 06:58:56 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 17, 2022, 06:54:26 PMFrom Twitter - this guy must have been waiting for his moment to shine in so many games over the years :lol:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FOFI5uzWYAouZCp?format=jpg&name=small)

He brought up that whole thing for a plastic strip that could be cut with a pair of regular scissors?  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 17, 2022, 07:08:10 PM
He's brought those bolt-cutters to the game for the past 40 years and by God he's going to use them :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 18, 2022, 04:02:47 AM
"There's my job as Club Bolt Cutter Guy officially secured for the next decade"
He thought.
Then he took half an hour to do it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 18, 2022, 06:51:06 AM
Champions League QFs

Chelsea - R. Madrid
Man City - A. Madrid
Bayern - Villarreal
Liverpool - Benfica
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 18, 2022, 07:54:08 AM
Europa League QFs

RB Leipzig - Atalanta
Braga - Rangers
West Ham - Olympique Lyon
Eintracht Frankfurt - Barcelona
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 19, 2022, 11:22:43 AM
Arsenal won a tough away game after 3 games in a week. Fatigue obviously set in in the second half but the boys pulled through. Still can't quite believe I'm  seeing a tough, durable Arsenal side grind out a win.

I like to check United reddit after a good result and half of them are wishing Arteta would come to them  :lol:

Strange days indeed.

Top 4 Trophy is still on.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 20, 2022, 08:04:06 PM
Wow Barcelona, good stuff.

Quote"How did Barca become so good?" The answer is simple, just take a look at the posters on Xavi's wall #AFC #Arteta #Xavi #Barcelona #Arsenal https://t.co/aGtxdLHTCR
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 21, 2022, 03:41:40 AM
Yesterday was a good day  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 21, 2022, 04:17:38 AM
Also, Aubameyang was just inches away from an El Clásico hat-trick, which would've been incredible  :lol:

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 24, 2022, 04:44:14 PM
Damn, Italy.  :wacko:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on March 24, 2022, 04:55:35 PM
Wow  :wacko:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 24, 2022, 05:02:38 PM
Hahahaha
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 24, 2022, 05:05:49 PM
Twice in a row...LOL.

Hopefully Canadian Italians rally behind the red and white.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on March 24, 2022, 05:14:19 PM
4 hours to go until kick off.  I must admit I have never had this sense of excitement for a Canadian men's football match.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 24, 2022, 05:23:34 PM
Despite some clear improvements, compared to the last two games, a low point, such as a better choices in the starting XI, the Selecção managed to get some stressful last 30 minutes (third goal was in the stoppage time).

After leading 2-0 by half time against a disappointing yet hardly favourite Turkish squad, save Ünder, a fluke by the Portuguese "defense" allowed Yılmaz to score a goal at the 65th minute, relaunching Turkey. Then at the 85th minute, penalty for Turkey, following a foul by José Fonte.
Yılmaz to take it and...

Above the bar...

Fado 3 Kismet 1

Mateus scored a goal at the 94th, following some chances against now dispirited Turkish players.

Following the upset of the night, Italy 0 Macedonia 1, next game will be Portugal-Macedonia.  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 24, 2022, 05:28:45 PM
Other European play-off games for the Wahhabi World Cup:

Wales 2 Austria 1

next game : Wales vs Ukraine (!) or Scotland (postponed due to the war)

Sweden 1 Czechia 0 (after overtime).

next game Sweden vs. Poland
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 25, 2022, 12:50:47 AM
I wonder what they'll do with Ukraine. The war doesn't seem set to end any time soon.

Sweden and Poland are both (traditionally) decent and I'd have expected them in the world Cup. Let's see. Swedens squad still at worst ever levels?

Amazing Italy is out.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 25, 2022, 04:12:34 AM
Italy, despite its pedigree, has had an abysmal WC performance lately. They haven't been to a WC knockout game since the 2006 final that they won. Since then they've been twice out at the group stage (2010 & 2014) and failed to qualify for the last two WCs (2018 & 2022). Their last actual victory in a WC game was against England in 2014.

They've performed much better in European Championships, though. QF in 2008 & 2016, Runner ups in 2012, and champions in 2020.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 25, 2022, 08:55:59 AM
(Septentrional) Macedonia beat Germany 1-0 during qualifyers (last Jögi game as German coach), in a game very similar to their victory against Italy yesterday.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on March 25, 2022, 11:45:11 AM
I was not able to watch the game, but apparently - even down a player - the Canadian side peppered the Costa Rican net with shots, but could not get one to go in.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on March 25, 2022, 12:30:08 PM
Hit the post twice, and had full control of the 2nd half even 10 against 11. They made a push to qualify directly instead of tanking the game and getting fresher legs for the game against Jamaica.

Hopefully it doesn't come back to bite them in the ass.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on March 25, 2022, 12:50:06 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on March 25, 2022, 12:30:08 PMHit the post twice, and had full control of the 2nd half even 10 against 11. They made a push to qualify directly instead of tanking the game and getting fresher legs for the game against Jamaica.

Hopefully it doesn't come back to bite them in the ass.

It's not really football if you don't spend most of the time anticipating a broken heart, while still holding on to your hopes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 25, 2022, 12:58:24 PM
Quote from: Jacob on March 25, 2022, 12:50:06 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on March 25, 2022, 12:30:08 PMHit the post twice, and had full control of the 2nd half even 10 against 11. They made a push to qualify directly instead of tanking the game and getting fresher legs for the game against Jamaica.

Hopefully it doesn't come back to bite them in the ass.

It's not really football if you don't spend most of the time anticipating a broken heart, while still holding on to your hopes.

CONCACAF referees gonna CONCACAF and send a player off for literally zero valid reasons. It doesn't matter too much, anyway, because they'll smash Jamaica at home and be done with qualifying.

The US is still up in the air but a win at home against Panama should effectively seal at least a 4th place playoff against, uh, some terrible Oceania team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on March 25, 2022, 01:00:44 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 25, 2022, 12:58:24 PM
Quote from: Jacob on March 25, 2022, 12:50:06 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on March 25, 2022, 12:30:08 PMHit the post twice, and had full control of the 2nd half even 10 against 11. They made a push to qualify directly instead of tanking the game and getting fresher legs for the game against Jamaica.

Hopefully it doesn't come back to bite them in the ass.

It's not really football if you don't spend most of the time anticipating a broken heart, while still holding on to your hopes.

CONCACAF referees gonna CONCACAF and send a player off for literally zero valid reasons. It doesn't matter too much, anyway, because they'll smash Jamaica at home and be done with qualifying.

From your lips to the Football Gods' ears.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 25, 2022, 02:15:33 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on March 25, 2022, 11:45:11 AMI was not able to watch the game, but apparently - even down a player - the Canadian side peppered the Costa Rican net with shots, but could not get one to go in.

Yes Canada played very well. They got unlucky. But it won't matter in the end. I'll be in the stand at BMO on Sunday where they only need a point against plucky Jamaica. I'll be there when history is made.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 25, 2022, 05:08:47 PM
On the Chelsea front, it looks like the 4 remaining bids on the shortlist are all American-led bids. It will be interesting to see Chelsea's model transition into something like Liverpool's or Arsenal's corporate model.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 25, 2022, 05:27:55 PM
Quote from: Josephus on March 25, 2022, 02:15:33 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on March 25, 2022, 11:45:11 AMI was not able to watch the game, but apparently - even down a player - the Canadian side peppered the Costa Rican net with shots, but could not get one to go in.

Yes Canada played very well. They got unlucky. But it won't matter in the end. I'll be in the stand at BMO on Sunday where they only need a point against plucky Jamaica. I'll be there when history is made.  :)

Bare in mind the manager is a Sunderland man
If there's a way to screw it up at the last minute he will take a shot at it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 26, 2022, 05:04:55 PM
Quote from: Josquius on March 25, 2022, 05:27:55 PM
Quote from: Josephus on March 25, 2022, 02:15:33 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on March 25, 2022, 11:45:11 AMI was not able to watch the game, but apparently - even down a player - the Canadian side peppered the Costa Rican net with shots, but could not get one to go in.

Yes Canada played very well. They got unlucky. But it won't matter in the end. I'll be in the stand at BMO on Sunday where they only need a point against plucky Jamaica. I'll be there when history is made.  :)

Bare in mind the manager is a Sunderland man
If there's a way to screw it up at the last minute he will take a shot at it.

True that.   :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 27, 2022, 04:38:59 PM
Congratulations Canada :cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on March 27, 2022, 05:39:42 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 27, 2022, 04:38:59 PMCongratulations Canada :cheers:

:Canuck:

W00t!

I hope Denmark and Canada don't end up in the same group. It'll be Hans Island for me all over again  :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 27, 2022, 05:45:19 PM
fuck I'm drunk...at $15 a beer too, I'm also poor.

Go Canada



Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on March 27, 2022, 06:18:32 PM
Woo.

I hope this time, we get to score a goal!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 27, 2022, 08:08:39 PM
5-1 for US means unless they have an epic collapse at Costa Rica and lose by 6, they'll qualify without having to go to a playoff against New Zealand.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on March 27, 2022, 11:16:08 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on March 25, 2022, 01:00:44 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 25, 2022, 12:58:24 PM
Quote from: Jacob on March 25, 2022, 12:50:06 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on March 25, 2022, 12:30:08 PMHit the post twice, and had full control of the 2nd half even 10 against 11. They made a push to qualify directly instead of tanking the game and getting fresher legs for the game against Jamaica.

Hopefully it doesn't come back to bite them in the ass.

It's not really football if you don't spend most of the time anticipating a broken heart, while still holding on to your hopes.

CONCACAF referees gonna CONCACAF and send a player off for literally zero valid reasons. It doesn't matter too much, anyway, because they'll smash Jamaica at home and be done with qualifying.

From your lips to the Football Gods' ears.

Thank you FunkMunk
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 28, 2022, 06:18:07 AM
 :hug:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on March 28, 2022, 07:40:19 AM
Watched the game yesterday at a bar with some friends. Talked to my mother after and found out Eustáquio is apparently a family friend. Family is from the village my mom's from and my cousin is friends with his mom.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 28, 2022, 07:43:01 AM
Quote from: HVC on March 28, 2022, 07:40:19 AMWatched the game yesterday at a bar with some friends. Talked to my mother after and found out Eustáquio is apparently a family friend. Family is from the village my mom's from and my cousin is friends with his mom.

I always knew all Portuguese are related.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on March 28, 2022, 11:11:57 AM
Quote from: Josquius on March 25, 2022, 05:27:55 PM
Quote from: Josephus on March 25, 2022, 02:15:33 PMYes Canada played very well. They got unlucky. But it won't matter in the end. I'll be in the stand at BMO on Sunday where they only need a point against plucky Jamaica. I'll be there when history is made.  :)

Bare in mind the manager is a Sunderland man
If there's a way to screw it up at the last minute he will take a shot at it.

So hey you English football fans, let's talk about John Herdman, Canada's coach and men's national director.

Jos is both correct, and very wrong, to call him a "Sunderland man".  He did start out as a coach for Sunderland's youth academy until he left in 2001 (when he was 26 years old).  He then went to New Zealand, where he became joined the women's national team head coach in 2003, and became head coach in 2006.  Herdman then took the same position in Canada and had some success.

Finally he took over Canada's men's national team in 2018, where he's seen the team shoot up the international rankings and of course now seen Canada qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1986 (and worth noting they were aided in 1986 by Mexico being an automatic qualifier).

So here's my question though: there's been some speculation that after 20 years away from home, and with some international success under his belt, that Herdman might be lured away from Canada to a job in England.

How likely is that?  Herdman's coaching resume with all those year's in women's soccer, plus coaching soccer nobody Canada hardly seems like a traditional resume for a head coaching job in England.  And you know me, viewing everything through the lens of hockey - in the world of hockey coaching experience outside of north america is not at all valued.

Any guesses whether Herdman is going to get job offers from England after the world cup?  Or is it going to depend on how Canada does (realistically I think the expectations are pretty modest - Canada just wants to be competitive and at least get a tie or win in the group stage)?


A couple links on the guy for further reading:

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/60144426
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Herdman
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 28, 2022, 11:29:48 AM
Honestly I don't know anything about him. He's born in Consett and given its where he started his career he is most likely a Sunderland man I'd say. Could be a Newcastle fan though.... *spit*


It all depends on his personality and his family I'd say.
Certainly if Canada are halfway successful (through to second round?) in the world cup then at the least I can see a championship or league team taking a punt and offering him a job.
Then it depends on whether that's what he wants (probably I'd guess based on little other than it being a good career move) and his family.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 28, 2022, 11:32:37 AM
Quote from: Barrister on March 28, 2022, 11:11:57 AMSo here's my question though: there's been some speculation that after 20 years away from home, and with some international success under his belt, that Herdman might be lured away from Canada to a job in England.

How likely is that?  Herdman's coaching resume with all those year's in women's soccer, plus coaching soccer nobody Canada hardly seems like a traditional resume for a head coaching job in England.  And you know me, viewing everything through the lens of hockey - in the world of hockey coaching experience outside of north america is not at all valued.

Any guesses whether Herdman is going to get job offers from England after the world cup?  Or is it going to depend on how Canada does (realistically I think the expectations are pretty modest - Canada just wants to be competitive and at least get a tie or win in the group stage)?
It strikes me as the sort of appointment an ambitious and innovative and interesting club lower in the pyramid might make. But not the Premier League and English football club owners/administrators are not known for innovation so he might be better looking in Europe (maybe Germany or Austria?).

The points you make are fair about why he might not be considered. I think the biggest issue, though, would be that he's only worked in inernational football.

Increasingly I think international football is basically a different sport from club football. Obviously the coaches have less time with their squad and they are coming from different clubs where they play different systems. The key of a good international coach is working out a system that fits those players - and that they can learn/use in a short space of time. International football for me is like what club football was when I was young, while club football especially with coaches like Klopp and Guardiola but even times like Brentford or Leeds at their best is just something else. It's so much more technically complicated and impressive than when I was a kid.

I think for that reason there would be reluctance. This happens in England tooo - everyone loves Gareth Southgate. He's been a very successful England coach (as well as our most intelligent, articulate and nuanced political commentator see his comments on Qatar: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/mar/25/england-players-shocked-at-qatar-human-rights-abuses-says-henderson) and is very popular. I think there is still a question over him of whether he would be a good club manager. So even with him, I don't know what level of job he'd get in club football - my suspicion is probably mid/lower-Premier League, maybe.

Clubs, in England, are very conservative and I think they'd want some proof of him working in that environment rather than international football. As I say maybe a lower league club that was a bit forward thinking and innovative (but I'm not sure of who that might be off the top of my head).

On the other hand if Canada win the World Cup then someone would take a risk :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on March 28, 2022, 11:41:03 AM
Quote from: Josquius on March 28, 2022, 11:29:48 AMHonestly I don't know anything about him. He's born in Consett and given its where he started his career he is most likely a Sunderland man I'd say. Could be a Newcastle fan though.... *spit*


It all depends on his personality and his family I'd say.
Certainly if Canada are halfway successful (through to second round?) in the world cup then at the least I can see a championship or league team taking a punt and offering him a job.
Then it depends on whether that's what he wants (probably I'd guess based on little other than it being a good career move) and his family.

Canada making it to the second round would be a huge success for Canada - not just "halfway successful".  In 1986 (Canada's only other WC appearance) they lost all 3 games and failed to score a goal in any of them.  Honestly that's my best case scenario for the team.

But that's what I though - the idea of hiring Herdman would be "taking a punt" - making a risky move that has a chance to blow up, but could be a huge success.

As you may or may not know, my first full-time legal job was with the same law firm that Malthus works for (though in a different city).  I left that job in 2002.  The idea that that job would define me, to call me say a McCarthy's man (name deliberately changed), would feel kind of insulting given the 20 year history I have since then.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on March 28, 2022, 11:44:35 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 28, 2022, 11:32:37 AMIt strikes me as the sort of appointment an ambitious and innovative and interesting club lower in the pyramid might make. But not the Premier League and English football club owners/administrators are not known for innovation so he might be better looking in Europe (maybe Germany or Austria?).

The points you make are fair about why he might not be considered. I think the biggest issue, though, would be that he's only worked in inernational football.

Increasingly I think international football is basically a different sport from club football. Obviously the coaches have less time with their squad and they are coming from different clubs where they play different systems. The key of a good international coach is working out a system that fits those players - and that they can learn/use in a short space of time. International football for me is like what club football was when I was young, while club football especially with coaches like Klopp and Guardiola but even times like Brentford or Leeds at their best is just something else. It's so much more technically complicated and impressive than when I was a kid.

I think for that reason there would be reluctance. This happens in England tooo - everyone loves Gareth Southgate. He's been a very successful England coach (as well as our most intelligent, articulate and nuanced political commentator see his comments on Qatar: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/mar/25/england-players-shocked-at-qatar-human-rights-abuses-says-henderson) and is very popular. I think there is still a question over him of whether he would be a good club manager. So even with him, I don't know what level of job he'd get in club football - my suspicion is probably mid/lower-Premier League, maybe.

Clubs, in England, are very conservative and I think they'd want some proof of him working in that environment rather than international football. As I say maybe a lower league club that was a bit forward thinking and innovative (but I'm not sure of who that might be off the top of my head).

On the other hand if Canada win the World Cup then someone would take a risk :lol:

Interesting perspective.  I didn't know there would be such a split between international and club soccer.  Again coming from hockey, they don't have a full-time national team coach - they just find a coach who is between NHL jobs for each specific tournament.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on March 28, 2022, 11:47:45 AM
The team that made it in 86 was terrible - iirc the betting line was that they would not score a goal and so it was no surprise they were in fact scoreless. 

This team is very different.  Unless they end up in a group of death, it will be a mild disappointment if they don't move on to the second round. 

If they go further into the tournament then he becomes much better known and his story of turning both the Women's and now Men's programs into international contenders starts looking a lot more appealing. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on March 28, 2022, 11:52:33 AM
I'd think Herdman's current resume could get him a shot in the top flights (but not top teams) in 2nd or 3rd tier European leagues, with 2nd flights in the top leagues... and maybe, stretch case, a struggling team in a top flight - in all cases as a sort of "roll the dice, let's try something wild".

Now if Canada does exceptionally well in the World Cup, then that could change.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on March 28, 2022, 11:56:25 AM
Quote from: Barrister on March 28, 2022, 11:41:03 AMAs you may or may not know, my first full-time legal job was with the same law firm that Malthus works for (though in a different city).  I left that job in 2002.  The idea that that job would define me, to call me say a McCarthy's man (name deliberately changed), would feel kind of insulting given the 20 year history I have since then.

I think Euro football club loyalties mean more than employment :)

It's more like, if someone was a Winnipeg Jets assistant coach back before relocation it'd be fair to call them a "Jet's Man" after they moved into coaching international hockey teams, I reckon.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 28, 2022, 11:58:08 AM
Quote from: Barrister on March 28, 2022, 11:44:35 AMInteresting perspective.  I didn't know there would be such a split between international and club soccer.  Again coming from hockey, they don't have a full-time national team coach - they just find a coach who is between NHL jobs for each specific tournament.
I might be overstating a bit but I think it's definitely a factor - flipside is I think anyone who is successful in international football is probably a very good man manager because that's such a huge part of the job. Getting all of those players from different (often rival) clubs and melding them into an effective team is a real skill. It's the thing at every tournament that teams with the biggest stars don't necessarily win, rather international teams that play like a team do (see: the Netherlands, always).

Weirdly I think the jobs international coaches would be best suited to are actually the super-clubs: PSG, Real, Man United. Clubs where there's lots of politics, lots of players with big egos and entourages who won't necessarily follow a detailed tactical plan (e.g. try to get Messi or Neymar to track back :lol:). I think the challenges at those clubs - unless the manager has total backing of the club like Klopp or Guardiola - is really similar to being an international coach. Getting everyone to pull in the same direction and devising a tactical scheme that will fit the players you have.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 28, 2022, 11:58:41 AM
I've no dobut Herdman will leave after the World Cup. And he'll have a host of opportunities that likely pay better than Canada.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on March 28, 2022, 12:05:09 PM
Quote from: Josephus on March 28, 2022, 11:58:41 AMI've no dobut Herdman will leave after the World Cup. And he'll have a host of opportunities that likely pay better than Canada.

I dunno - wouldn't surprise me if he left, wouldn't surprise me if he stayed.

He could probably negotiate himself a big raise to stay in Canada if he wanted to stay.  Job would be safe and secure, maybe he doesn't want to uproot his kids who by now have been in Canada for a decade.

But he's also of an age where maybe he wants to tackle a new challenge.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 28, 2022, 01:02:08 PM
Quote from: Jacob on March 28, 2022, 11:56:25 AM
Quote from: Barrister on March 28, 2022, 11:41:03 AMAs you may or may not know, my first full-time legal job was with the same law firm that Malthus works for (though in a different city).  I left that job in 2002.  The idea that that job would define me, to call me say a McCarthy's man (name deliberately changed), would feel kind of insulting given the 20 year history I have since then.

I think Euro football club loyalties mean more than employment :)

It's more like, if someone was a Winnipeg Jets assistant coach back before relocation it'd be fair to call them a "Jet's Man" after they moved into coaching international hockey teams, I reckon.

:yes:
After having also been born and raised in winnipeg with a family that has supported the team for generations.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on March 28, 2022, 01:36:03 PM
Managers of teams like Canada also have to convince dual country eligible players to choose Canada. JH is good at it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 28, 2022, 02:55:41 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on March 28, 2022, 01:36:03 PMManagers of teams like Canada also have to convince dual country eligible players to choose Canada. JH is good at it.

Yes and that's what JH did that others before him didn't.

But it won't be so hard now, or at least easier than it was >four years ago. For one, they are now a proven qualifying contender. They WILL also be in the next world cup, as co-hosts. So players born in Portugal with a Canadian grand mother might be more willing to play for Canada than before.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 29, 2022, 04:04:24 PM
Languish Pepe fans will be happy to know that the Selecção qualifed for the Wahhabi Worldl Cup, in no small part thanks to Pepe great skill as a central back. Good performance by Danilo, a 6, but playing as central back.
Otavio, highlight of the previous game played well.
Only one (very decisive) assistance by CR7 to Bruno Fernandes, usually plaguing the Portuguese midfield, starting the game exactly as an impediment as nearly always, but who managed to score two goals.
Macedonian defense/phalanx not as good as against Italy (goals started as flukes by Macedonian defense).
Typical Santos, very limited risk taking, waiting out to counter Macedonia after the first goal.
Very late substitutions etc.

Portugal 2 North Macedonia 0

Poland 2 Sweden 0

Much more disputed game there, but no Zlatan in Qatar. :( Poland did the job on the second half.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 30, 2022, 03:13:36 AM
Gotta feel for Macedonia, they pull off the massive upset against Italy only to face another powerhouse and miss qualification.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 30, 2022, 09:41:44 PM
US getting dumpstered away at Costa Rica by their B team because CR is resting their first eleven in preparation for their playoff against New Zealand is peak US Men's National Team energy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on March 30, 2022, 10:03:08 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 30, 2022, 09:41:44 PMUS getting dumpstered away at Costa Rica by their B team because CR is resting their first eleven in preparation for their playoff against New Zealand is peak US Men's National Team energy.

Don't care. Qualified baby!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 30, 2022, 10:11:00 PM
Quote from: Valmy on March 30, 2022, 10:03:08 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 30, 2022, 09:41:44 PMUS getting dumpstered away at Costa Rica by their B team because CR is resting their first eleven in preparation for their playoff against New Zealand is peak US Men's National Team energy.

Don't care. Qualified baby!

Not complaining, just noting how it wasn't unexpected. They effectively qualified against Panama after so having a downer against CR wasn't unexpected.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 31, 2022, 09:15:41 AM
The draw is this Friday. Here is how the pots look:

Pot 1 Qatar, Brazil, Belgium, France, Argentina, England, Spain, Portugal.

Pot 2 Mexico, Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Uruguay, Switzerland, USA, Croatia.

Pot 3 Senegal, Iran, Japan, Morocco, Serbia, Poland, South Korea, Tunisia.

Pot 4 Cameroon, Canada, Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, Ghana, Wales/Scotland/Ukraine, Costa Rica/New Zealand, Peru/UAE/Australia.

My dumb guess for the US: Qatar, Senegal, Ecuador

A group I would like to see: France, Germany, Senegal, Canada
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 31, 2022, 09:47:06 AM
With Qatar in pot 1, pot 2 is almost as tough as pot 1
Also, since Euro qualifiers are not over yet due to the war and postponed games there could be still changes between pot 3 and 4.

That being said,

Group of Death :

Brazil, Germany, Serbia, Canada (assuming they are the best CONCACAF Team now).

Netherlands instead of Germany would also be quite tough. Even Argentina instead of Brazil would insure some interest.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on March 31, 2022, 10:34:26 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 31, 2022, 09:15:41 AMA group I would like to see: France, Germany, Senegal, Canada

I used to like you
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 31, 2022, 11:01:32 AM
Quote from: crazy canuck on March 31, 2022, 10:34:26 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 31, 2022, 09:15:41 AMA group I would like to see: France, Germany, Senegal, Canada

I used to like you

 :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 31, 2022, 11:06:22 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 31, 2022, 11:01:32 AM
Quote from: crazy canuck on March 31, 2022, 10:34:26 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 31, 2022, 09:15:41 AMA group I would like to see: France, Germany, Senegal, Canada

I used to like you

 :D

It's a decent attempt at a Group of Death for Canada, to be honest.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on March 31, 2022, 11:41:58 AM
Interesting.  I had hoped Canada might make it into pot 3, but apparently not to be.  I mean - Canada in the world rankings is ranked behind Costa Rica, who didn't even qualify.

But honestly I don't know there's a big difference between the quality of pots 3 and 4 anyways.

So obviously you're going to hope to be put in a draw with Qatar, but a Canada vs any of the other teams in Pot 1 would be pretty cool to watch.  Given the family connection a Canada vs Brazil match would be highly entertaining. :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on March 31, 2022, 11:42:36 AM
Which are the stronger and weaker teams in the third pot? I have a good sense of where I'd place the teams in the first and second pots, but I don't have a good sense of the third one... which teams are the strongest there, and which are the weakest?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 31, 2022, 11:46:30 AM
My views on the matter  :P

Serbia or Sénégal (African champion) for the strongest, weakest South Korea or Tunisia.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 31, 2022, 11:47:24 AM
I'd say Senegal, Serbia, and Poland are the strongest teams in Pot 3. Unfamiliar with the other teams though, to be honest.

Weakest maybe Japan, Tunisia, or Iran?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 31, 2022, 12:00:07 PM
African teams have a habit of being talked up and then at the world Cup just failing to play for some reason.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 31, 2022, 12:04:01 PM
I feel that African teams have been talked up for so long that now they are talked down. If that makes sense.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on March 31, 2022, 12:10:20 PM
I watched a bit of the ACN and the quality was just terrible. It surprised me because lots of teams have players in top leagues.

My guess is the national teams don't have the same training facilities and maybe time together that the big European teams have.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 31, 2022, 12:29:59 PM
Yeah, that's fair. Wouldn't be unexpected for Senegal to fail to meet expectations. At the same time, they have a special group of players: Mendy in goal, Koulibaly in front of him, and of course Sadio Mane, along with decent supporting players.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 31, 2022, 12:58:12 PM
Yeah, I still wouldn't want to have Senegal in my group. Maybe neither Morocco. Tunisia should be weaker. Japan or South Korea could also be problematic, no idea about Iran. Poland should be sturdy and they have Lewandowski in maybe his swam song in international competitions, but they've failed to impress lately. Serbia don't have an impressive squad but they're the kind of team you can never rule out.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 31, 2022, 01:22:57 PM
Quote from: celedhring on March 31, 2022, 12:04:01 PMI feel that African teams have been talked up for so long that now they are talked down. If that makes sense.

Finally this time will be different! - said before every world Cup? :p

Sometime it will be but from my low level of knowledge I don't think this year is the one.

I wonder whether the climate might play in their favour at the least.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 31, 2022, 01:47:07 PM
Poland is no Bayern Munich despite sharing Lewandowski. The only other decent player is Zielinski.

At least they got rid of Paulo Sousa.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on March 31, 2022, 04:34:41 PM
I've been playing around with a WC Draw Simulator:

https://draw.inker.one/#/wc/gs

I just got the following: 

Group A
Qatar
Croatia
Tunisia
Canada

Group B
Argentina
United States
Japan
UEFA

Group C
France
Uruguay
Iran
CONCACAF/OFC

Group D
Portugal
Switzerland
Morocco
AFC/CONMEBOL

Group E
Belgium
Mexico
Poland
Ecuador

Group F
England
Germany
Senegal
Saudi Arabia

Group G
Brazil
Denmark
Serbia
Cameroon

Group H
Spain
Netherlands
South Korea
Ghana

A pool with Qatar, Croatia and Tunisia?  Yes please. :)  And Group F looks amusing as well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on March 31, 2022, 05:02:05 PM
That's a pretty good group you've got for Canada there :Canuck:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 31, 2022, 05:09:38 PM
I just got the following:

Group A
Qatar
Croatia
Tunisia
Canada

We can only hope.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on March 31, 2022, 05:38:57 PM
Quote from: Josephus on March 31, 2022, 05:09:38 PMI just got the following:

Group A
Qatar
Croatia
Tunisia
Canada

We can only hope.

That would be great.  I would be very happy with Croatia and Canada going through. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on April 01, 2022, 04:27:15 AM
Got this from the virtual draw. Not great,not terrible.
For the countries in pot 1 and 2 it seems more important to draw the shittest possible sides from pot 3 and 4.

Apart from drawing Qatar, obviously.
Canada actually has a chance to get out of their group :P

Quote.
Group A
Qatar
Germany
Serbia
Canada
Avg. Ranking 1529

Group B
Brazil
Netherlands
Tunisia
Saudi Arabia
Avg. Ranking 1605

Group C
Spain
Switzerland
Korea Rep.
Ghana
Avg. Ranking 1562

Group D
Belgium
Uruguay
Senegal
Costa Rica*
Avg. Ranking 1637

Group E
Portugal
United States
Poland
Ecuador
Avg. Ranking 1576

Group F
Argentina
Mexico
Iran
Wales*
Avg. Ranking 1647

Group G
France
Croatia
Japan
Cameroon
Avg. Ranking 1611

Group H
England
Denmark
Morocco
Peru*
Avg. Ranking 1635
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 01, 2022, 08:33:40 AM
Quote from: Maladict on April 01, 2022, 04:27:15 AMGot this from the virtual draw. Not great,not terrible.
For the countries in pot 1 and 2 it seems more important to draw the shittest possible sides from pot 3 and 4.

Apart from drawing Qatar, obviously.
Canada actually has a chance to get out of their group :P
QuoteGroup B
Brazil
Netherlands
Tunisia
Saudi Arabia
Avg. Ranking 1605



Group D
Belgium
Uruguay
Senegal
Costa Rica*
Avg. Ranking 1637

Very good draw for the Netherlands and bad for Belgium, of course. Typical  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on April 01, 2022, 11:01:12 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on April 01, 2022, 08:33:40 AMVery good draw for the Netherlands and bad for Belgium, of course. Typical  :P

Portugal shouldn't complain either  :P

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 01, 2022, 11:04:24 AM
Quote from: Maladict on April 01, 2022, 11:01:12 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on April 01, 2022, 08:33:40 AMVery good draw for the Netherlands and bad for Belgium, of course. Typical  :P

Portugal shouldn't complain either  :P



Better than 2018 is no great achievement, but you are right one can't be picky with what the Dutch offer.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 01, 2022, 11:19:08 AM
Killing myself watching this sportswashing special that is the World Cup Draw so no one else here has to.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 01, 2022, 11:21:25 AM
I bet Qatar has never been so popular as it is in the moments of the draw. Everyone's hoping for Qatar in their group.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 01, 2022, 11:23:06 AM
I remember the first FIFA Soccer game on the Mega Drive.
I was just a kid, so I liked winning. Picking EA All Stars was just the sensible thing to do.
And then you picked as an opponent the worst team in the game, these guys called 'Qatar'.
I didn't even know that was a real place. I thought they were just Quitters.
90s children unite.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on April 01, 2022, 11:26:47 AM
I go back and forth on wanting Canada to be in Qatar's group.

I mean, obviously, it's the easiest in Pod A by a long shot (they're ranked 51st in the world).

But on the other hand Canada's not going to win this thing.  So wouldn't it be better to see how we match up against a real powerhouse like say Brazil?

But on the third hand, wouldn't it be better still to make it to the knock-off round where you're going to get a powerhouse anyways, plus with no risk of a boring draw?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 01, 2022, 11:34:04 AM
Quote from: Josquius on April 01, 2022, 11:23:06 AMI remember the first FIFA Soccer game on the Mega Drive.
I was just a kid, so I liked winning. Picking EA All Stars was just the sensible thing to do.
And then you picked as an opponent the worst team in the game, these guys called 'Qatar'.
I didn't even know that was a real place. I thought they were just Quitters.
90s children unite.

First FIFA for the Mega Drive? Yeah, I remember this one. Quite popular back then, with only ISS Deluxe on the SNES as a rival.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 01, 2022, 11:37:30 AM
My favorite thing about these draws is the host always dragging out these montages and ceremonies just to pull some goddamn balls out of pots.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on April 01, 2022, 11:39:45 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 01, 2022, 11:37:30 AMMy favorite thing about these draws is the host always dragging out these montages and ceremonies just to pull some goddamn balls out of pots.

And then it gets even worse and they drag out Lothar Matthaeus.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 01, 2022, 11:53:01 AM
Iran and the U.S in the same group would be entertaining albeit hardly new.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on April 01, 2022, 11:55:19 AM
I'll take that back, Lothar  :Embarrass:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 01, 2022, 11:55:31 AM
Quote from: Barrister on April 01, 2022, 11:26:47 AMI go back and forth on wanting Canada to be in Qatar's group.

I mean, obviously, it's the easiest in Pod A by a long shot (they're ranked 51st in the world).

But on the other hand Canada's not going to win this thing.  So wouldn't it be better to see how we match up against a real powerhouse like say Brazil?

But on the third hand, wouldn't it be better still to make it to the knock-off round where you're going to get a powerhouse anyways, plus with no risk of a boring draw?

A lot of FIFA Ranking points are given for good results at the WC IIRC, so getting a win or two would have practical results for Canada. Plus give you all a nice night out.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 01, 2022, 11:56:19 AM
Dutch got Qatar. The dream is over.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 01, 2022, 11:58:08 AM
Quote from: Josquius on April 01, 2022, 11:55:31 AM
Quote from: Barrister on April 01, 2022, 11:26:47 AMI go back and forth on wanting Canada to be in Qatar's group.

I mean, obviously, it's the easiest in Pod A by a long shot (they're ranked 51st in the world).

But on the other hand Canada's not going to win this thing.  So wouldn't it be better to see how we match up against a real powerhouse like say Brazil?

But on the third hand, wouldn't it be better still to make it to the knock-off round where you're going to get a powerhouse anyways, plus with no risk of a boring draw?

A lot of FIFA Ranking points are given for good results at the WC IIRC, so getting a win or two would have practical results for Canada. Plus give you all a nice night out.

Nice night out in November in Canada?  :hmm: This is not a Summer World cup, remember?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 01, 2022, 11:59:42 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 01, 2022, 11:56:19 AMDutch got Qatar. The dream is over.

Lucky bastards. Anything less than a 3-0 against the Wahhabis is a defeat.  :P

Spain-Germany in the same group. Well, tougher for them than last time.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on April 01, 2022, 12:01:35 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on April 01, 2022, 11:58:08 AMNice night out in November in Canada?  :hmm: This is not a Summer World cup, remember?

What do you think we do for 6-8 months of the year - huddle in our igloos?

Bars would be packed for a World Cup game (though I wonder what time they'd wind up being played)?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on April 01, 2022, 12:03:58 PM
So England - US?

Spain - Germany?

Argentina - Mexico?

:hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 01, 2022, 12:04:15 PM
FINALLY REVENGE FOR 1998
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on April 01, 2022, 12:06:16 PM
England - US - Iran???
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 01, 2022, 12:06:36 PM
Quote from: Barrister on April 01, 2022, 12:01:35 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on April 01, 2022, 11:58:08 AMNice night out in November in Canada?  :hmm: This is not a Summer World cup, remember?

What do you think we do for 6-8 months of the year - huddle in our igloos?

Bars would be packed for a World Cup game (though I wonder what time they'd wind up being played)?

I doubt bar terrasses would be packed in November-December, even in Canada (maybe Vancouver).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 01, 2022, 12:07:02 PM
Quote from: Barrister on April 01, 2022, 12:06:16 PMEngland - US - Iran???

Iran vs its own Axis of Evil!  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 01, 2022, 12:07:52 PM
Quote from: Barrister on April 01, 2022, 12:03:58 PMSo England - US?

Spain - Germany?

Argentina - Mexico?

:hmm:

Portugal - Uruguay.  :hmm: Recent bad memories but could have been worse.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on April 01, 2022, 12:10:29 PM
Okay, so Canada can't be in B or C, and obviously want to avoid E...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on April 01, 2022, 12:10:41 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on April 01, 2022, 12:06:36 PM
Quote from: Barrister on April 01, 2022, 12:01:35 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on April 01, 2022, 11:58:08 AMNice night out in November in Canada?  :hmm: This is not a Summer World cup, remember?

What do you think we do for 6-8 months of the year - huddle in our igloos?

Bars would be packed for a World Cup game (though I wonder what time they'd wind up being played)?

I doubt bar terrasses would be packed in November-December, even in Canada (maybe Vancouver).

Average temps in Toronto in November would probably be the the low single digits. Not great, but doable. Lots of immigrants here. Plus there are propane heaters. And in Toronto they got really good at weather proofing patios because of Covid restrictions (basically tents, which kind of defeats the idea behind The protocols, but that's another story). Time zone would be a bigger issue then weather.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on April 01, 2022, 12:13:29 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on April 01, 2022, 12:06:36 PM
Quote from: Barrister on April 01, 2022, 12:01:35 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on April 01, 2022, 11:58:08 AMNice night out in November in Canada?  :hmm: This is not a Summer World cup, remember?

What do you think we do for 6-8 months of the year - huddle in our igloos?

Bars would be packed for a World Cup game (though I wonder what time they'd wind up being played)?

I doubt bar terrasses would be packed in November-December, even in Canada (maybe Vancouver).

I mean it depends on just how cold it gets, but tons of places have outdoor heaters in order to extend the patio season.

And if it's too cold you just go inside to a bar.  If you want to watch a hockey game with your mates you don't typically go to a patio.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 01, 2022, 12:15:12 PM
Propane heaters are not green-friendly  :goodboy:

Not arguing with the immigrant argument albeit I would point out that Italians are out this time again and they are quite famous for bringing football fever to Toronto.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 01, 2022, 12:16:56 PM
Quote from: Barrister on April 01, 2022, 12:13:29 PMAnd if it's too cold you just go inside to a bar.  If you want to watch a hockey game with your mates you don't typically go to a patio.

Not arguing with the hockey part, but a football World Cup is a different experience than just going out for a drink with a couple of mates.
Even here, with temperatures around 8-10° people are not that enthusiastic.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 01, 2022, 12:17:01 PM
GROUP B  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 01, 2022, 12:18:50 PM
™Chatte à Dédé™ is back, Tunisia in the group of Les Bleus!  :D
Denmark...  :hmm: I remember some instances where having the Danes was fatal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 01, 2022, 12:20:26 PM
Quote
QuoteGroupe A :
Wahhabi N° 2
 Netherlands
 Sénégal
 Ecuador

Groupe B :
Perfidious Albion
United States
Iran
Play-off Europe (Wales, Scotland, Ukraine)

Groupe C :
Argentina
Mexico
Poland
Wahhabi no 1

Groupe D :
France
Denmark
Tunisia
Play-off CONMEBOL-AFC (Pérou, Australie, Émirats Arabes Unis)

Groupe E :
Spain
Germany
Japan
Play-off CONCACAF-OFC (Costa Rica, New-Zealand)

Groupe F :
 Belgium
 Switzerland
 Morocco
 Canada

Groupe G :
 Brazil
 Croatia
 Serbia
 Cameroon

Groupe H :
 Portugal
 Uruguay
 South Korea
 Ghana
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on April 01, 2022, 12:21:33 PM
Group F/

Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia

So certainly not a group of death, but a draw lacking much in the way of rivalries or drama.

Belgium is of course always good.  No idea about Croatia and Morocco.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 01, 2022, 12:24:04 PM
Quote from: Barrister on April 01, 2022, 12:21:33 PMGroup F/

Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia

So certainly not a group of death, but a draw lacking much in the way of rivalries or drama.

Belgium is of course always good.  No idea about Croatia and Morocco.
Croatia were runners up in 2018 and Belgium were third placed - so not great.

Having said that I assume this'll be Modric's last tournament? And I feel like with both Croatia and Belgium there's a bit of a generation shift going on.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 01, 2022, 12:24:12 PM
USA vs ENG the day after Thanksgiving, hell yeah.

Soccer vs Football Derby

Good draw for Canada I think.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 01, 2022, 12:25:29 PM
Groupe H :
 Portugal
 Uruguay
 South Korea
 Ghana

No new team to play for Portugal. Two teams with a Portuguese coach, as in last World Cup.
There's revenge to be taken against South Korea (2002) by giving them the Juche Korea treatment.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 01, 2022, 12:26:09 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 01, 2022, 12:24:04 PM
Quote from: Barrister on April 01, 2022, 12:21:33 PMGroup F/

Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia

So certainly not a group of death, but a draw lacking much in the way of rivalries or drama.

Belgium is of course always good.  No idea about Croatia and Morocco.
Croatia were runners up in 2018 and Belgium were third placed - so not great.

Having said that I assume this'll be Modric's last tournament? And I feel like with both Croatia and Belgium there's a bit of a generation shift going on.

It's last chance or Belgium's Golden Generation actually. Croatia is bearing the brunt of the generation shift, despite having Modric for the last time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on April 01, 2022, 12:28:17 PM
I didn't even think of this: the US-Iran game is of course being played in Qatar, just a short distance from Iran.  But Sunni Qatar is very much opposed to Shia Iran.  Crap that has all kind of layers there...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 01, 2022, 12:33:14 PM
Hoping for Scotland or Wales to qualify so Group B is maximum meme.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 01, 2022, 12:34:16 PM
Quote from: Barrister on April 01, 2022, 12:28:17 PMI didn't even think of this: the US-Iran game is of course being played in Qatar, just a short distance from Iran.  But Sunni Qatar is very much opposed to Shia Iran.  Crap that has all kind of layers there...

Not exactly. Regional rivalries do play a part of course but not that way.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar were until recently at odds with Saudi Arabia blaming Qatar for being still open to Iran, subjecting Qatar to some kind of embargo.
Saudi Arabia even created and broadcast a pirate version of the Qatari-owne BeIN sports channel.  :D BeoutQ
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 01, 2022, 12:37:24 PM
Danes will be happy to know that their squad plays les Bleus twice before the World Cup, for the Nations League tournament.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on April 01, 2022, 12:37:43 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on April 01, 2022, 12:34:16 PM
Quote from: Barrister on April 01, 2022, 12:28:17 PMI didn't even think of this: the US-Iran game is of course being played in Qatar, just a short distance from Iran.  But Sunni Qatar is very much opposed to Shia Iran.  Crap that has all kind of layers there...

Not exactly. Regional rivalries do play a part of course but not that way.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar were until recently at odds with Saudi Arabia blaming Qatar for being still open to Iran, subjecting Qatar to some kind of embargo.
Saudi Arabia even created and broadcast a pirate version of the Qatari-owne BeIN sports channel.  :D BeoutQ

Ah yes I recall that now... still a very combustable mix.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 01, 2022, 12:47:45 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 01, 2022, 12:33:14 PMHoping for Scotland or Wales to qualify so Group B is maximum meme.

Nah, we need Ukraine!
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 01, 2022, 12:33:14 PMHoping for Scotland or Wales to qualify so Group B is maximum meme.

No, we need Ukraine!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 01, 2022, 12:49:16 PM
Quote from: Barrister on April 01, 2022, 12:37:43 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on April 01, 2022, 12:34:16 PM
Quote from: Barrister on April 01, 2022, 12:28:17 PMI didn't even think of this: the US-Iran game is of course being played in Qatar, just a short distance from Iran.  But Sunni Qatar is very much opposed to Shia Iran.  Crap that has all kind of layers there...

Not exactly. Regional rivalries do play a part of course but not that way.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar were until recently at odds with Saudi Arabia blaming Qatar for being still open to Iran, subjecting Qatar to some kind of embargo.
Saudi Arabia even created and broadcast a pirate version of the Qatari-owne BeIN sports channel.  :D BeoutQ

Ah yes I recall that now... still a very combustable mix.

I would not be surprised if Iran played almost as a home team to be honest.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on April 01, 2022, 12:51:43 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on April 01, 2022, 12:15:12 PMPropane heaters are not green-friendly  :goodboy:

Not arguing with the immigrant argument albeit I would point out that Italians are out this time again and they are quite famous for bringing football fever to Toronto.

Lots of Portuguese too. Historically* little Italy and little Portugal were neighbours. That's why they hate each other here.

*italians moved north in second and third generation, and in the last decade or so a lot of Brazilians have moved into the Portuguese part.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on April 01, 2022, 12:56:12 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 01, 2022, 12:24:12 PMGood draw for Canada I think.

Good for Belgium and Croatia sure, but for Canada - that is a pretty high bar to get over to get to the second round.

It would be one hell of a generational shift if Canada goes through over one of those nations.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 01, 2022, 01:03:21 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on April 01, 2022, 12:56:12 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 01, 2022, 12:24:12 PMGood draw for Canada I think.

Good for Belgium and Croatia sure, but for Canada - that is a pretty high bar to get over to get to the second round.

Eh, it's the World Cup and Canada was in Pot 4. There were worse possibilities. I can see them in 2nd behind Belgium. Croatia aren't what they were four years ago. Belgium aren't either, but they have better players across the board than any of the other teams in the group.

Assuming Canada beats Morocco, which you will have to to have a chance, get a draw against Croatia and hope the other results go your way.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 01, 2022, 01:12:46 PM
Quote from: HVC on April 01, 2022, 12:51:43 PM*italians moved north in second and third generation, and in the last decade or so a lot of Brazilians have moved into the Portuguese part.

Quote from: HVC on April 01, 2022, 12:51:43 PMLots of Portuguese too. Historically* little Italy and little Portugal were neighbours. That's why they hate each other here.
That's dumb if you ask me but then Europe does not work that way, with no Little ethnic enclaves until recently, at least for European immigration.
I remember hearing about the Greek-Portuguese alliance in Orléans vs Turks once.  :D

Neighbours so competition for jobs and housing between immigrants?

Quote*italians moved north in second and third generation, and in the last decade or so a lot of Brazilians have moved into the Portuguese part.

Reverse grand remplacement?  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on April 01, 2022, 01:12:57 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 01, 2022, 01:03:21 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on April 01, 2022, 12:56:12 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 01, 2022, 12:24:12 PMGood draw for Canada I think.

Good for Belgium and Croatia sure, but for Canada - that is a pretty high bar to get over to get to the second round.

Eh, it's the World Cup and Canada was in Pot 4. There were worse possibilities. I can see them in 2nd behind Belgium. Croatia aren't what they were four years ago. Belgium aren't either, but they have better players across the board than any of the other teams in the group.

Assuming Canada beats Morocco, which you will have to to have a chance, get a draw against Croatia and hope the other results go your way.

Perhaps.  There is also a chance Belgium looks past this group to the second round and gets caught taking the games too lightly.  I think I would like to be playing them first.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 01, 2022, 01:17:22 PM
Quote from: Barrister on April 01, 2022, 12:03:58 PMSpain - Germany?

I hope Germany fears us more than we fear them.  :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on April 01, 2022, 01:21:39 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on April 01, 2022, 01:12:46 PMThat's dumb if you ask me but then Europe does not work that way, with no Little ethnic enclaves until recently, at least for European immigration.
I remember hearing about the Greek-Portuguese alliance in Orléans vs Turks once.  :D

Neighbours so competition for jobs and housing between immigrants?


They come here and do the same jobs (construction) and their wives do the same jobs (housekeeping)and they live near each other. You know what they say, you hate those that remind you of yourself :D

There's a good soccer following in the city. TFC games get quite entertaining in the stands. Used to have a Guyanese friend. Went to a couple games with him. They're a hoot. Drums and singing and the like. Haven't been in years though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 01, 2022, 01:28:13 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on April 01, 2022, 12:37:24 PMDanes will be happy to know that their squad plays les Bleus twice before the World Cup, for the Nations League tournament.

Good times.

I had, of course, hoped for Qatar. Playing France is not ideal, obviously, but there's no helping it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 01, 2022, 01:31:31 PM
Quote from: Jacob on April 01, 2022, 01:28:13 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on April 01, 2022, 12:37:24 PMDanes will be happy to know that their squad plays les Bleus twice before the World Cup, for the Nations League tournament.

Good times.

I had, of course, hoped for Qatar. Playing France is not ideal, obviously, but there's no helping it.

The French press and fans are quick to remind that when les Bleus had Denmark in 1998 and 2018 they would become eventually World Champions.
Obviously, 2002 is not part of the reminder, nor the Euro 92.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on April 01, 2022, 01:35:08 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 01, 2022, 01:03:21 PMEh, it's the World Cup and Canada was in Pot 4. There were worse possibilities. I can see them in 2nd behind Belgium. Croatia aren't what they were four years ago. Belgium aren't either, but they have better players across the board than any of the other teams in the group.

Assuming Canada beats Morocco, which you will have to to have a chance, get a draw against Croatia and hope the other results go your way.

Other than pot A I don't necessarily see any easier groupings.

Have to go at it with the thought that if we can beat US and Mexico, then no reason we can't try to beat Croatia and Morocco, and just hope to keep things close with Belgium.

But who knows - November is a long ways away.

Group B is still bonkers though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 01, 2022, 01:41:38 PM
No one outside of CONCACAF rates Canada at all. I can see Canada surprising the other teams in their group.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on April 01, 2022, 01:43:19 PM
At this rate Canada will win a World Cup before Toronto wins a Stanley cup :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on April 01, 2022, 01:47:15 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 01, 2022, 01:41:38 PMNo one outside of CONCACAF rates Canada at all. I can see Canada surprising the other teams in their group.

Fair enough - we don't have any big names (other than Davies).  Our roster has a lot of MLS players, and of the ones playing in Europe they're not on top-tier teams (other than Davies).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 01, 2022, 01:53:12 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 01, 2022, 01:41:38 PMNo one outside of CONCACAF rates Canada at all. I can see Canada surprising the other teams in their group.

When Danish pundits were picking the ideal group it was Qatar, Tunesia, and Canada. The assessment was "it's many years since Canada has been to the cup. They did well winning the CONCACAF qualification group, but they are not an experienced team."

But the being less known and under estimated can be an advantage. Certainly I hope Canada becomes one of the surprise stories of the World Cup :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 01, 2022, 01:57:39 PM
(https://i.ibb.co/Wx66vdh/Capture.png)

 :menace:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on April 01, 2022, 02:01:36 PM
Scotland or Wales kicking out England would be pretty fun too
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on April 01, 2022, 02:08:13 PM
Yeah I wouldn't want to celebrate too hard England.

All those teams would be highly motivated to beat England, and England will be tempted to take their opposition too lightly.

Well maybe not Ukraine, but assuming they're able to play and make it to the World Cup they'll also be on a huge emotional high.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 01, 2022, 02:11:38 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 01, 2022, 01:57:39 PM:menace:
England
Algeria
Slovenia
Yanks

All over again before one of the worst ever English tournament performances :lol: :bleeding:

I think I'm probably going to ignore this World Cup though :(

But there doesn't seem to be a group of death :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 01, 2022, 02:12:14 PM
Looking at the tournament chart...

Portugal better be first of its group or it's most likely Brazil in the Round of 16 (1st H vs 2nd G and 1st G vs 2nd H).
A bit early, better leave that for Uruguay, for a game with garra  :P

If first, revenge vs Serbia (goal line technology this time), Switzerland or Cameroon.

Of course, Deschamps being a lucky bastard, les Bleus have a somewhat easy group and the good side of the tournament chart. Ending second could mean Argentina though. Otherwise, Mexico or Poland (Saudi Arabia less likely).

PS: all right, England is not so bad as well, but beware the tabloid curse, as Sheilbh points out.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on April 01, 2022, 02:14:27 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 01, 2022, 02:11:38 PMBut there doesn't seem to be a group of death :hmm:

Germany / Spain / Japan no?

(plus Costa Rica / New Zealand)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 01, 2022, 02:21:07 PM
Nah, Germany and Spain are really top favorites, plus two spots to qualify for the round of 16.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 01, 2022, 02:21:45 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 01, 2022, 02:11:38 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 01, 2022, 01:57:39 PM:menace:
England
Algeria
Slovenia
Yanks

All over again before one of the worst ever English tournament performances :lol: :bleeding:

QuoteFull England World Cup squad numbers

1. David James
2. Glen Johnson
3. Ashley Cole
4. Steven Gerrard
5. Rio Ferdinand
6. John Terry
7. Aaron Lennon
8. Frank Lampard
9. Peter Crouch
10. Wayne Rooney
11. Joe Cole
12. Robert Green
13. Stephen Warnock
14. Gareth Barry
15. Matthew Upson
16. James Milner
17. Shaun Wright-Phillips
18. Jamie Carragher
19. Jermain Defoe
20. Ledley King
21. Emile Heskey
22. Michael Carrick
23. Joe Hart

God I hated the England squad back then. Filled with absolute shits  :lol:

England now are a group of likeable (except Kane :bleeding: ) and really talented young lads  with a good manager so I hope they qualify along with the U.S.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 01, 2022, 02:25:32 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 01, 2022, 02:21:45 PMGod I hated the England squad back then. Filled with absolute shits  :lol:
LEAVE EMILE HESKEY ALONE! :o :P

QuoteEngland now are a group of likeable (except Kane :bleeding: ) and really talented young lads  with a good manager so I hope they qualify along with the U.S.
Yeah. Agree on Kane - I can't remember who it was who said it but the line about him looking like a junior officer about to go over the top has always stuck with me and I just find it impossible to warm to him, even though I've loads of Spurs-supporting friends who obviously quite like him (which normally works by osmosis).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on April 01, 2022, 02:30:48 PM
No matter how likeable the squad may be, you still have the roadblock that is the fans (sorry sheilbh :console: )
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on April 01, 2022, 02:36:57 PM
Quote from: HVC on April 01, 2022, 01:43:19 PMAt this rate Canada will win a World Cup before Toronto wins a Stanley cup :D

That was always going to be true.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 01, 2022, 02:45:43 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 01, 2022, 02:21:45 PMGod I hated the England squad back then. Filled with absolute shits  :lol:
:lol: Rob Green is trending. Poor guy.

QuoteNo matter how likeable the squad may be, you still have the roadblock that is the fans (sorry sheilbh :console: )
Oh that's fair - most people in England don't like them. They're the people you pray won't get on your carriage on the train :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 01, 2022, 02:50:13 PM
Defoe and crouch are notable exceptions on that past England squad being shits.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 01, 2022, 03:12:52 PM
Yeah Crouch was a gift

(https://media1.tenor.com/images/295ccf1f39d431388834da9da83c621f/tenor.gif)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 01, 2022, 03:13:50 PM
Always have a soft spot for when he was asked what he'd be if he wasn't a footballer and said "a virgin" :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on April 01, 2022, 03:21:25 PM
Just for shits and giggles, I looked up potential round of 16 opponents.

Group F plays against 1st and 2nd place in group E.

So thats... Spain / Germany.

Well I guess we now know the outer limit of how far Canada will go.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on April 01, 2022, 03:45:02 PM
It's the WC beeb, you never know.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 01, 2022, 03:58:29 PM
Quote from: Barrister on April 01, 2022, 01:35:08 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 01, 2022, 01:03:21 PMEh, it's the World Cup and Canada was in Pot 4. There were worse possibilities. I can see them in 2nd behind Belgium. Croatia aren't what they were four years ago. Belgium aren't either, but they have better players across the board than any of the other teams in the group.

Assuming Canada beats Morocco, which you will have to to have a chance, get a draw against Croatia and hope the other results go your way.

Other than pot A I don't necessarily see any easier groupings.

Have to go at it with the thought that if we can beat US and Mexico, then no reason we can't try to beat Croatia and Morocco, and just hope to keep things close with Belgium.

But who knows - November is a long ways away.

Group B is still bonkers though.

Yeah...though Croatia is a finalist from the last world cup. Look, I don't think anyone expects Canada to get out of the group...but in tournament play anything can happen.

If Canada does finish second and qualifies.....they play the winner of Spain's group.  :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on April 01, 2022, 06:49:27 PM
Let's score a goal first, ok?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on April 01, 2022, 10:48:02 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 01, 2022, 06:49:27 PMLet's score a goal first, ok?

GF - I don't think anyone is predicting much of anything for Canada.  I said making it out of the group stage is the outer limit of what we can even hope to expect - lower bound is failing to score a goal.

Fun fact for this group of countries though - of Belgium, Croatia and Morocco Canada is both the largest in terms of area (d'uh), but also in terms of population.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on April 01, 2022, 10:49:12 PM
I just want the US to beat Iran. Is that too much to ask?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 02, 2022, 02:35:37 AM
Quote from: Valmy on April 01, 2022, 10:49:12 PMI just want the US to beat Iran. Is that too much to ask?

I imagine that'll be a tough game. The Iranian players offered mountains of jewels if they win.


If wales qualify it bodes well for building American understanding of the UK.
If its Scotland it'll just be braveheart nonsense.
Ukraine deserve it of course.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 02, 2022, 05:41:39 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 01, 2022, 06:49:27 PMLet's score a goal first, ok?

I think they will. if Canada has anything going for them, it's a fairly formidable offence.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 02, 2022, 06:45:22 AM
Quote from: Valmy on April 01, 2022, 10:49:12 PMI just want the US to beat Iran. Is that too much to ask?

Yes, since you were quite happy with the '98 World Cup, beginning of the Footix era.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on April 02, 2022, 08:18:26 AM
Quote from: Josephus on April 02, 2022, 05:41:39 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 01, 2022, 06:49:27 PMLet's score a goal first, ok?

I think they will. if Canada has anything going for them, it's a fairly formidable offence.

Yeah scoring is not a problem. I think GF was referring to the last time Canada appeared in the World Cup though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on April 02, 2022, 07:10:16 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on April 02, 2022, 06:45:22 AM
Quote from: Valmy on April 01, 2022, 10:49:12 PMI just want the US to beat Iran. Is that too much to ask?

Yes, since you were quite happy with the '98 World Cup, beginning of the Footix era.  :P

I KNEW YOU WERE GOING TO THROW THAT IN MY FACE!

The worst part is I watched that in France with two drunk Iranian-Quebecois.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 03, 2022, 12:54:29 AM
Quote from: Valmy on April 02, 2022, 07:10:16 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on April 02, 2022, 06:45:22 AM
Quote from: Valmy on April 01, 2022, 10:49:12 PMI just want the US to beat Iran. Is that too much to ask?

Yes, since you were quite happy with the '98 World Cup, beginning of the Footix era.  :P

I KNEW YOU WERE GOING TO THROW THAT IN MY FACE!

The worst part is I watched that in France with two drunk Iranian-Quebecois.

 :lol:

I watched it in England in a pub near Coventry, with the English around having a few laughs with the result.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 03, 2022, 12:01:45 PM
Looks like Conte has Spurs rolling again. I thought after the loss to United they would wither away but Conte is still a great manager and Kane and Son are still two of the best forwards in the league.

4th place will go down to the last game or so, I think. Hopefully Arsenal don't drop too many points in the run in.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 04, 2022, 02:33:17 PM
Tierney out with a knee injury for the rest of the season and Arsenal go 2 goals down within the first 25 minutes at Palace. Your regularly scheduled late-season Arsenal collapse is indeed happening  :lol:  :(

All Conte has to do now is keep Kane and Son happy and with their relatively easy schedule Top 4 is basically secure for Spurs now. Congrats Zoupa.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on April 04, 2022, 02:51:53 PM
We've been up and down all season, and Arsenal won their last 5 league games... It's not done yet.

But that rescheduled derby game looks decisive. Unless Arteta goes crying to the leage again about not having enough players.  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 04, 2022, 03:10:38 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on April 04, 2022, 02:51:53 PMWe've been up and down all season, and Arsenal won their last 5 league games... It's not done yet.

But that rescheduled derby game looks decisive. Unless Arteta goes crying to the leage again about not having enough players.  :rolleyes:

Arsenal have both their starting fullbacks out now, probably for the rest of the season, and both have been integral in Arsenal's defensive solidity over the season.

I was worried about another long-term injury precisely because the bench is really thin. With Tierney out the defensive balance is all gone. The NLD will just be Kane and Son skipping past our backup fullbacks and I'll have to turn the TV off at half time.  :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 05, 2022, 12:07:00 PM
Confirmed now Tierney is out for the rest of the season. Apparently his knee exploded sometime around the international break yet he played through 180 minutes for Scotland anyway. Stupid.

Thomas Partey, probably the most important player in the squad as far as how the team currently plays, is out for probably month with a recurring injury picked up again against Palace.

That's the season done then. I feel bad for them because this team has a lot of talent and guts and they have a great relationship with the fans. The youngest team in the league playing fantastic football getting Champions League football over Manchester United and their north London rival in their first attempt would have been wonderful for them. Gutted.

Arsenal supporters are despondent. Haven't seen it like this since losing to Villarreal in the Europa league semifinal last season. :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 06, 2022, 06:09:15 PM
Jesus Christ :bleeding: :weep:
QuoteEverton have been the worst team in Europe since the 1st of October.[7 months & counting]

The 12 points that have been picked up since that date is the fewest among all teams in Europe's Top 5 Leagues.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 06, 2022, 07:37:48 PM
Yeah, looking at their fixture list it looks like curtains. My condolences Sheilbh.  :console:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on April 06, 2022, 07:55:30 PM
 :nelson:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 07, 2022, 02:50:06 AM
Saw this the other day.
Seems at least it'll be like Sunderlands 00s relegations rather than the most recent one.

https://youtu.be/DFPMuckhYOY
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 09, 2022, 10:44:03 AM
This thread is continuing to serve as my coping mechanism as Arsenal get smashed at home by Brighton  :lol:  :glare:

Again, losing Tierney and Partey at the same time was effectively the end of the season. Arteta doesn't know how to quickly scrap together a serviceable team after losing big players to injuries, especially with such a thin squad as it is, so Arsenal are just going to play like they've never touched a football in their lives for at least a month. I suspect 7th or even 8th is again their final position on the table.

Spurs 4th, United 5th, West Ham 6th, Arsenal 7th is my prediction.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 09, 2022, 10:49:37 AM
Having seen a bit of United today - I think that's very optimistic for them :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 09, 2022, 11:03:15 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 09, 2022, 10:49:37 AMHaving seen a bit of United today - I think that's very optimistic for them :ph34r:

True  :lol:

I'm still pulling for Everton to make it out. That win was a good way to start off a hard set of fixtures.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 12, 2022, 04:38:42 PM
Villareal :huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 12, 2022, 06:07:43 PM
Quote from: Josephus on April 12, 2022, 04:38:42 PMVillareal :huh:

Emery is incredible.

Couldn't do it for Arsenal but I'm still happy for him. Good coach at one thing, but damn he is really good at it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 12, 2022, 07:41:22 PM
Also, one more Good ebening.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 13, 2022, 07:36:32 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 12, 2022, 06:07:43 PM
Quote from: Josephus on April 12, 2022, 04:38:42 PMVillareal :huh:

Emery is incredible.

Couldn't do it for Arsenal but I'm still happy for him. Good coach at one thing, but damn he is really good at it.

PSG coaches seems to much more successful once out of PSG, for some reason :
Emery, Tuchel, Ancelotti. Maybe Pochettino will prove me wrong (Laurent Blanc has hardly coached since then).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 15, 2022, 06:23:32 AM
Burnley have fired Dyche :huh: :blink:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 15, 2022, 08:20:23 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 15, 2022, 06:23:32 AMBurnley have fired Dyche :huh: :blink:

Bizarre. That's them finished then.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 15, 2022, 09:00:05 AM
Also I'm assuming this is good for Everton. Burnley imploding means Everton can straggle along and still be safe.

Also, possibly replace Lampard with Dyche???  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 15, 2022, 09:07:58 AM
Yeah I think so because I literally can't think of anyone better able to keep Burnley up than Sean Dyche :huh:

I think we may still spiral off in a more chaotic direction :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 15, 2022, 01:45:09 PM
Didn't realize he had been Burnley manager for 10 years, although I vaguely remember him being appointed. He must have been one of the longest ever at a single club in the Premier League era, right?

Fergie
Wenger
Moyes
Dyche?

 :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 15, 2022, 02:08:13 PM
Saw an article saying how Barca is going through a bit of turmoil because 30,000 Eintracht Frankfurt fans showed up to watch their team send Barca out of the Europa League at Camp Nou - when the teams fans had only been allocated 5,000 tickets.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on April 16, 2022, 04:48:49 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 15, 2022, 01:45:09 PMDidn't realize he had been Burnley manager for 10 years, although I vaguely remember him being appointed. He must have been one of the longest ever at a single club in the Premier League era, right?

Fergie
Wenger
Moyes
Dyche?

 :lol:

Counting just the Premier League (as they don't seem to want to remember the old First Division) the current "longest-serving" five are -

Wenger
Ferguson
Moyes
Kinnear
Redknapp

Dyche may have managed Burnley for 10 years but a lot of those years were outside the Premiership.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 16, 2022, 04:55:54 AM
Firing dyche seems madness. Especially now. They're expecting somebody to save them?
The best Burnley can hope for us yoyo club status and dyche is the perfect man for this.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 17, 2022, 06:12:06 AM
Quote from: Josquius on April 16, 2022, 04:55:54 AMFiring dyche seems madness. Especially now. They're expecting somebody to save them?
The best Burnley can hope for us yoyo club status and dyche is the perfect man for this.

Likely something else was going on there.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 19, 2022, 09:52:38 AM
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/apr/18/cristiano-ronaldo-and-georgina-rodriguez-announce-death-of-baby-son

:(

Can't even imagine how he and his partner are feeling.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 19, 2022, 10:26:17 PM
Liverpool demolishing United twice this season solidifies the notion that the North London Derby is the only decent rivalry left in the Premier League.

United/Liverpool? We just saw the state of that over the last few years :lol:

United/City? Literally no one gives a shit about City, not even their own fans  :lol:

Liverpool/Everton?  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

But Arsenal/Spurs? Two thoroughly average teams of more or less equivalent level both with massive inferiority complexes and unrealistic expectations just bashing each other home and away and just a couple miles from each other. Get in son.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 20, 2022, 12:07:04 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 19, 2022, 10:26:17 PMBut Arsenal/Spurs? Two thoroughly average teams of more or less equivalent level both with massive inferiority complexes and unrealistic expectations just bashing each other home and away and just a couple miles from each other. Get in son.

Arsenal/Spurs are not two average teams, even remotely.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 20, 2022, 06:00:13 AM
No one gives a shit about city? Not so sure.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 20, 2022, 06:14:36 AM
Quote from: Jacob on April 20, 2022, 12:07:04 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 19, 2022, 10:26:17 PMBut Arsenal/Spurs? Two thoroughly average teams of more or less equivalent level both with massive inferiority complexes and unrealistic expectations just bashing each other home and away and just a couple miles from each other. Get in son.

Arsenal/Spurs are not two average teams, even remotely.

We can quibble about 'average' but I'll allow for them to be 'above average'.

Certainly not at City or Liverpool levels of play.

In historical stature, Arsenal are above Tottenham and City but below Liverpool. 

It's all just a silly rant about football opinions in any case  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 20, 2022, 06:15:40 AM
Quote from: Josephus on April 20, 2022, 06:00:13 AMNo one gives a shit about city? Not so sure.

They can't even fill their medium-sized stadium. Pep has to beg fans to come to their home games  :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 20, 2022, 07:48:52 AM
Fulham in the Premier league again. This bores me.

As to spurs and arsenal average... This betrays a top 2 centrism.
Theyre top third of the Premier league which is very good in an objective book.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 20, 2022, 09:51:23 AM
Quote from: Josquius on April 20, 2022, 07:48:52 AMFulham in the Premier league again. This bores me.

Not a fan of London clubs getting promoted?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 20, 2022, 10:19:21 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 20, 2022, 09:51:23 AM
Quote from: Josquius on April 20, 2022, 07:48:52 AMFulham in the Premier league again. This bores me.

Not a fan of London clubs getting promoted?

Nyet. A sad development of the modern day.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on April 20, 2022, 11:39:14 PM
FM, what is a "link up play" in American terms?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 21, 2022, 12:02:05 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 20, 2022, 11:39:14 PMFM, what is a "link up play" in American terms?

Link up play refers to a team's ability to coherently progress the ball up the pitch through clever passing combinations, bringing teammates into the play, strong forwards holding up the ball, runners moving in behind defenses, and players finding said runners. In terms of an individual player's quality, it's often applied for instance to center forwards who can receive the ball with their back to the goal and play in forward runners from the midfield or the wing.

I'm unsure of an American analogue. Maybe a point guard gliding between teammates, passing the ball between them to set up an easy lay up for someone?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on April 21, 2022, 12:16:56 PM
Hmmm.

So any kind of passing in the last third of the....pitch while the defense is set, i.e. not on a break?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 21, 2022, 12:27:25 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 21, 2022, 12:16:56 PMHmmm.

So any kind of passing in the last third of the....pitch while the defense is set, i.e. not on a break?

I think it also requires quick positioning that forces defenders to either move out of position (creating empty space behind them) or allow the attackers a local numbers advantage if the defender doesn't move.

If you just sort of idly pass the ball back and forth while staying in more or less put, and the defenders can comfortably reposition without creating gaps in their defensive positioning it's not really link-up play, even if the ball is being passed on the last third of the pitch.

One of the successful outcomes of a link-up play is creating a break, I would think.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on April 21, 2022, 01:51:51 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 19, 2022, 10:26:17 PMLiverpool demolishing United twice this season solidifies the notion that the North London Derby is the only decent rivalry left in the Premier League.

United/Liverpool? We just saw the state of that over the last few years :lol:

United/City? Literally no one gives a shit about City, not even their own fans  :lol:

Liverpool/Everton?  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

But Arsenal/Spurs? Two thoroughly average teams of more or less equivalent level both with massive inferiority complexes and unrealistic expectations just bashing each other home and away and just a couple miles from each other. Get in son.

City are widely hated these days. Liverpool v City is developing into a real rivalry. Also Man u v Leeds; Chelsea v Leeds; Chelsea v Spurs;Wolves v Villa; Brighton v Palace amongst others.

BTW it's "get in my son"
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 21, 2022, 01:59:59 PM
Quote from: Gups on April 21, 2022, 01:51:51 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 19, 2022, 10:26:17 PMLiverpool demolishing United twice this season solidifies the notion that the North London Derby is the only decent rivalry left in the Premier League.

United/Liverpool? We just saw the state of that over the last few years :lol:

United/City? Literally no one gives a shit about City, not even their own fans  :lol:

Liverpool/Everton?  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

But Arsenal/Spurs? Two thoroughly average teams of more or less equivalent level both with massive inferiority complexes and unrealistic expectations just bashing each other home and away and just a couple miles from each other. Get in son.

City are widely hated these days. Liverpool v City is developing into a real rivalry. Also Man u v Leeds; Chelsea v Leeds; Chelsea v Spurs;Wolves v Villa; Brighton v Palace amongst others.

BTW it's "get in my son"

 :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 22, 2022, 04:55:58 AM
Chelsea vs Leeds? How's that come about? :unsure:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on April 22, 2022, 05:15:46 AM
Quote from: Josquius on April 22, 2022, 04:55:58 AMChelsea vs Leeds? How's that come about? :unsure:

Goes back to the 60s but really kicked off in the 1970 FA Cup final which was a seriously ditrty game. Head butts, kung fu kick, the lot Worth youtubing.

Lots of hoolie based rivalry too with both clubs having nasty firms - headhunters for Chelsea and Service Crew for Leeds.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on April 22, 2022, 08:15:47 AM
Bayern Munich has good chances to become champions this weekend for the 10th season in a row. German paper Zeit has put their league match points and those of other teams into a table: https://www.zeit.de/sport/2022-04/fussball-bundesliga-fc-bayern-muenchen-zehnte-meisterschaft

The less scrolly version of just the top 10:

Bayern Munich - 824
Borussia Dortmund - 652
Bayer Leverkusen - 568
Borussia Mönchengladbach - 521
VfL Wolfsburg - 486
1899 Hoffenheim - 464
Eintracht Frankfurt - 455
FSV Mainz 05 - 416
FC Schalke 04 - 413
FC Augsburg - 387
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 22, 2022, 11:57:47 AM
Seeing reports that Conte wants to leave Spurs for PSG next season.

What do you think Duque?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 22, 2022, 12:11:26 PM
Pochettino is certainly on the way out.
Problem is, Conte's CL record is pretty abysmal and that's what interests Doha.
OTOH, coaches with an excellent CL record had trouble as well.

PSG needs a total shake-up with less interference from Doha, a coach free to make tough choices, get rid of the prima donnas or discipline them, plus some coherent team composition choices. Focussing on expensive pre-retirement players is a no.
Either Mbappé's contract has to be extended or he will have to be replaced.
Macron suggested he left for Marseille so he would stay in Ligue 1.  :lol:

So, Conte? Well, he's not the most likely now after his disappointing last tenure as coach but if he may be foolhardy enough and QSI pays well.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 26, 2022, 08:31:15 AM
So Conte said yes, but with draconian conditions:

- 30 million € per annum vs the 17 he gets at Tottenham
- to come with his own "Director of technical performance" (Leonard out in PSG basically)
- new, improved and bigger staff
- some extra personnel to keep players in line, namely regarding social networks


https://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/football/transferts/mercato-les-conditions-enormes-d-antonio-conte-pour-signer-au-psg_AV-202204260241.html?fbclid=IwAR3_6hISWSX_GH8OMHs3p14NrAroJ_qbGYWkb-06NGOOSX8s7yWVqgX3MiI (https://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/football/transferts/mercato-les-conditions-enormes-d-antonio-conte-pour-signer-au-psg_AV-202204260241.html?fbclid=IwAR3_6hISWSX_GH8OMHs3p14NrAroJ_qbGYWkb-06NGOOSX8s7yWVqgX3MiI)

For all I know, it could be a no disguised as a yes.  :P

Rumors of Zidane being on the short list as well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 26, 2022, 08:37:56 AM
I thought Zizou said he would never go to PSG?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 26, 2022, 08:39:03 AM
Conte could make sense if Qatar really do want to clean house of some players. They have some good wing backs too, no? Perfect for Antonio.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 26, 2022, 08:46:45 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 26, 2022, 08:37:56 AMI thought Zizou said he would never go to PSG?

Does not apply to Q(SI) (P)SG I guess.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 26, 2022, 09:58:02 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 22, 2022, 11:57:47 AMSeeing reports that Conte wants to leave Spurs for PSG next season.

What do you think Duque?
Given that Conte fell out with the board of Chelsea for not getting enough transfer money and reportedly wanted to buy six new players at Spurs, I'm not surprised he's looking for a move :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 26, 2022, 10:34:46 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 26, 2022, 09:58:02 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 22, 2022, 11:57:47 AMSeeing reports that Conte wants to leave Spurs for PSG next season.

What do you think Duque?
Given that Conte fell out with the board of Chelsea for not getting enough transfer money and reportedly wanted to buy six new players at Spurs, I'm not surprised he's looking for a move :lol:

The guy just wants to have a tiny say in the management of the club. Can you blame him?   :P 

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 26, 2022, 10:49:17 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 26, 2022, 10:34:46 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 26, 2022, 09:58:02 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 22, 2022, 11:57:47 AMSeeing reports that Conte wants to leave Spurs for PSG next season.

What do you think Duque?
Given that Conte fell out with the board of Chelsea for not getting enough transfer money and reportedly wanted to buy six new players at Spurs, I'm not surprised he's looking for a move :lol:

The guy just wants to have a tiny say in the management of the club. Can you blame him?   :P 



If he is serious about PSG, then he may blamed since he would be there only to manage the egos of prima donnas past their prime.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 02, 2022, 08:39:03 AM
Very likely Arsenal finish at least 5th now, assuming United drop any points at all in their last 3 games, which is probably a safe assumption to make at this point.

Absolute successful season, even if they don't make 4th. At the start of the season I was doubtful Arteta could do it with this squad but I was proven wrong. He deserves more time to build out his team and hopefully make finishing in the Top 4 a regular occurrence.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 10, 2022, 09:46:32 AM
So Haaland to City seems to be official now. Let's see how that goes, he doesn't strike me as the kind of player for Guardiola's system, but he's such a force that it will have to be seen, and Guardiola did want a striker after all, what with wanting Kane and Cristiano the last summer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 12, 2022, 01:12:46 PM
NLD soon. The visiting side rarely wins these so I think Arsenal will probably lose. A draw would be immense though. It would mean they just need to beat either Everton or Newcastle to finish 4th.

If you had told me at the beginning of the season that Arsenal would be challenging for 4th and just a few points behind 3rd I would have laughed out loud. Proud of the boys, no matter the result.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 12, 2022, 03:50:04 PM
So Spurs are still in the running for 4th :cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 12, 2022, 04:44:56 PM
Quote from: Jacob on May 12, 2022, 03:50:04 PMSo Spurs are still in the running for 4th :cheers:

Unfortunately yes, but they have to hope Arsenal drop points to Newcastle or Everton. And of course Spurs have to do their part and win their next two.

The race for 4th has been funny this year, with both Arsenal and Tottenham at different times looking like they could coast into 4th, only to end up shooting themselves in the foot. It will end up coming down to the final match.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on May 12, 2022, 10:50:49 PM
Does Arteta always whine this much? Grow up dude, he sounds like a baby.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 13, 2022, 02:27:31 AM
FM, how did you pick Arsenal?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 13, 2022, 06:16:24 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on May 13, 2022, 02:27:31 AMFM, how did you pick Arsenal?

When I was a child my dad bought me FIFA Soccer sometime in the mid 90s, I think it was FIFA International or FIFA 95, can't remember which. I played youth club soccer but I knew nothing of the European clubs because they were not on television. I chose Arsenal as my main team in the video game because red was my favorite color and I thought their name was cool.  :lol:

Flash forward like 15 years and Fox Soccer Channel becomes a thing so Americans can finally watch Premier League games on television. I actually have the time to watch most games because I got a cushy assignment on an Air Force Base after being deployed to Iraq twice. This was like 2009-2010 or so

After watching several different teams for a few weeks I gravitated back to Arsenal because of their free-flowing, attacking style of play under Arsene Wenger. They were fun to watch, despite this being the period after their biggest successes in the league.

I missed Arsenal's era of dominance with Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Dennis Bergkamp and co. Arsenal had just moved to their new stadium and were financially strapped for cash so Wenger started building a youth project, centered on Cesc Fábregas. He's still on of my favorite players.

The Arsenal I've known since I started seriously following them has had quite a lot of ups and downs and never returned to its heights of the late 90s/early 2000s, but the DNA of the club Arsene Wenger recreated in his image is still there: joyful football, aspiring for free-flowing attacking play, and technically-gifted players. So I keep watching even when they disappoint because I'm a fan and that's what fans do, even when it feels bad  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 13, 2022, 06:38:00 AM
Just saw the leaked Newcastle away kit. Saudi sportswashing is clearly not going to be subtle :x

It's actually an alright kit aesthetically, but not so much with the context.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 13, 2022, 08:33:10 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 13, 2022, 06:38:00 AMJust saw the leaked Newcastle away kit. Saudi sportswashing is clearly not going to be subtle :x

It's actually an alright kit aesthetically, but not so much with the context.

I saw that and I can't quite believe it is real.  :yuk:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 13, 2022, 09:29:49 AM
I've googled it and...  :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 13, 2022, 09:35:37 AM
Interesting the badge is in green too. Don't see that often.

What will the sponsor be? "Saudis are lovely"?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on May 13, 2022, 09:37:02 AM
Do you mean the "Black and white army" with a "FUN88"-text on the front? What on earth would be tasteless about that?

Edit: Yeah, now I see. Their new kit is a copy of the Saudi national kit. So clumsy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 13, 2022, 03:20:46 PM
Huh - I'd never spotted that Fun88 could be problematic. Except regarding the issues around sponsorshp from gambling companies (especially international gambling companies) in general. That had never occurred to me.

Or black and white army for that matter - not sure what the issue is with that?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 13, 2022, 03:52:52 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 13, 2022, 03:20:46 PMHuh - I'd never spotted that Fun88 could be problematic. Except regarding the issues around sponsorshp from gambling companies (especially international gambling companies) in general. That had never occurred to me.

Or black and white army for that matter - not sure what the issue is with that?

I don't think there's any, but when you first google Newcastle's kit that shows up a bunch - so Threviel was, I expect (and as I was), trying to figure out what's wrong with that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on May 13, 2022, 03:54:27 PM
Why on earth would anyone ever create a brand using the number 88? :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 13, 2022, 03:58:19 PM
Quote from: Barrister on May 13, 2022, 03:54:27 PMWhy on earth would anyone ever create a brand using the number 88? :bleeding:

Because you're doing business with Chinese, and 8 is a very lucky number in that culture. And folks in Asia don't have any notion of neo-Nazi numerology. In this case, it's a Chinese company.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 13, 2022, 04:17:34 PM
Quote from: Jacob on May 13, 2022, 03:58:19 PMBecause you're doing business with Chinese, and 8 is a very lucky number in that culture. And folks in Asia don't have any notion of neo-Nazi numerology. In this case, it's a Chinese company.
Yes - and Chinese and overseas gambling companies in general have been huge sponsors in English football recently, which raises a whole set of other moral/ethical issues.  My own view is football needs to move away and probably ban sponsorship from gambling companies.

For example there was controversy when Rooney moved to Derby. Their sponsor is 32Red - another Chinese betting company - and he got given 32 as his shirt number so you had 32Red on the front and Rooney 32 on the back which was obviously commercially very good for them. Derby were investigated over whether it broke the rules for some reason I can't remember but was very controversial.

I had never spotted and never thought about the Fun88 thing until Threviel mentioned it beyond my general issue with betting companies. But it is a fair point.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 13, 2022, 05:06:04 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 13, 2022, 04:17:34 PMYes - and Chinese and overseas gambling companies in general have been huge sponsors in English football recently, which raises a whole set of other moral/ethical issues.

It's also quite shady since a lot of these Asian gambling companies have extremely little public information available about them. Investigations were made and some of them only had a very plain website, even if they were sponsoring Premier League teams.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 13, 2022, 05:11:33 PM
Yeah - Guardian Football Weekly podcast have talked about it a lot and I think Philippe Auclair has done a lot of reporting on it. It is entirely shady.

Of course most Premier League teams also did something on crypto and NFT, two are owned by autocratic states, one is being sold from a sanctioned person etc - so par for the course <_< :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 14, 2022, 02:45:13 AM
Sunderland is in the league one play off final.

Will Sunderland finally get out of this blasted division and the lowest point in their history?
Or will the curse of Wembley, thought broken last year during the birth of my son, be back with a vengeance?

Having another kid on that day seems impossible now. Maybe the key is I don't watch? Or should I go sit on the floor in the hospital and keep track on my phone? I have to repeat the pizza trophy success.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on May 14, 2022, 11:33:19 AM
Good luck. At least it isn't against my lot.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 16, 2022, 11:09:19 AM
Blackpool footballer comes out:
https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12614531/jake-daniels-blackpool-forward-becomes-uks-first-active-male-professional-footballer-to-come-out-publicly-as-gay

First openly gay professional player in the English game since Justin Fashanu.

Edit: Bloody hell he's only seventeen and just had some first team appearances - so incredibly brave. But maybe it will be a generational thing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 16, 2022, 11:31:24 AM
Find it telling that here in Spain we have already had several women players come out as gay, but no men yet.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 16, 2022, 11:39:18 AM
Quote from: celedhring on May 16, 2022, 11:31:24 AMFind it telling that here in Spain we have already had several women players come out as gay, but no men yet.
Basically same here - I think we've even had girlfriends in the same team in women's football. But no gay male professional footballers at all - though a couple, like Thomas Hitzlsperger, came out after retirement.

Obviously there was Fashanu and his treatment by managers, the papers, his own brother was disgraceful.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 16, 2022, 11:47:14 AM
Quote from: celedhring on May 16, 2022, 11:31:24 AMFind it telling that here in Spain we have already had several women players come out as gay, but no men yet.

Women's footie globally is miles ahead in LGBTQ tolerance compared to men. I mean there are tons of out lesbian players in the women's game, to the point of almost over-representation.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 16, 2022, 11:48:11 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 16, 2022, 11:39:18 AMBasically same here - I think we've even had girlfriends in the same team in women's football.

Yup, Chelsea's Pernille Harder and Magdalena Eriksson.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on May 16, 2022, 03:55:04 PM
Arsenal  :lol:

I wonder what excuse Arteta will go for this time.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 16, 2022, 04:09:09 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on May 16, 2022, 03:55:04 PMArsenal  :lol:

I wonder what excuse Arteta will go for this time.  :P

I'm allowing myself to be optimistic that Spurs can secure at least a tie against Norwich City in the last match of the season.

And obviously decent folk all hope for an Everton victory in their last match as well....
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on May 16, 2022, 06:01:03 PM
Quote from: Jacob on May 16, 2022, 04:09:09 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on May 16, 2022, 03:55:04 PMArsenal  :lol:

I wonder what excuse Arteta will go for this time.  :P

I'm allowing myself to be optimistic that Spurs can secure at least a tie against Norwich City in the last match of the season.

And obviously decent folk all hope for an Everton victory in their last match as well....

:O Did I miss the part where Jake became a Spurs fan?

I choose to believe it was my unbiased admiration for them that swayed you.  :sleep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 16, 2022, 06:13:48 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on May 16, 2022, 06:01:03 PM:O Did I miss the part where Jake became a Spurs fan?

I choose to believe it was my unbiased admiration for them that swayed you.  :sleep:

I've been a casual Spurs fan since the 80s, for the same reasons Norgy is a Notts. Forest supporter. English football was regularly broadcast on Danish sports TV when I was a lad, so everyone picked a team and Spurs were mine - primarily because I liked Ricardo Villa.

That said, I've never been hard core... but insofar as I have a team in the English league, they're mine.

I also used to fancy Man. City back then, when they were a 4th division side. They were my favourite team to take from nothing to glory in Football Manager, largely on the strength of the light blue jerseys. It was, of course, particularly pleasant to beat Man. Utd. with them back then.I don't want anything to do with them now, though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 16, 2022, 08:46:39 PM
Quote from: Jacob on May 16, 2022, 04:09:09 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on May 16, 2022, 03:55:04 PMArsenal  :lol:

I wonder what excuse Arteta will go for this time.  :P

I'm allowing myself to be optimistic that Spurs can secure at least a tie against Norwich City in the last match of the season.

And obviously decent folk all hope for an Everton victory in their last match as well....

I don't even think Spurs could Spurs up their last game against an already relegated Norwich. 4th is done and dusted!

Arsenal are clearly physically tired. They're the youngest team in the league led by the youngest manager in the league.  These last 8 or 9 games bear that out. Not having any incoming reinforcements led to this result. Unfortunate but the league is a marathon and if you're betting on a bunch of Under-23s to carry you, even if they're absolute class, this is the risk you take.

I'm still pretty happy with the season, though. I mentioned earlier but if you had asked me at beginning of the season that Arsenal were still in the running for 4th this late in the season I would have laughed.

Next season, after the summer transfer window, 4th will be the benchmark for success for this young team. Hopefully they'll be able to climb that bump in the road this time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 17, 2022, 02:41:41 AM
Big news this week is the first gay player in 30 years coming out. Young Blackpool guy.

Bodes well for the future I think. Already saw signs of this with the current England squad. The super macho youth football of the past which would have worked to filter out any gay players seems to have been firmly put to rest.
I wouldn't be surprised if we get a near representative number of gay players in the not too distant future.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 17, 2022, 12:19:17 PM
Quote from: Josquius on May 17, 2022, 02:41:41 AMBig news this week is the first gay player in 30 years coming out. Young Blackpool guy.

Bodes well for the future I think. Already saw signs of this with the current England squad. The super macho youth football of the past which would have worked to filter out any gay players seems to have been firmly put to rest.
I wouldn't be surprised if we get a near representative number of gay players in the not too distant future.
Yeah I do find it kind of incredible that it's a 17 year old kid at the start of his career. I mean coing out at that age in your normal life is brave and confident. In football as the first openly gay professional player is beyond brave - and what a year: first professional contract, first first team appearance and coming out to the world.

In my head the first coming out was likely to be a relatively established player. But maybe it won't - maybe it will just be the next generation.

One other slightly impressive and nice part of this is that Sky Sports and Blackpool have been aware for a few months. He'd already told his team-mates - slightly drip-fed apparently so speaking to the captain and a few close friends first, then the wider team. But it didn't leak and it never became an outing, instead the team and Sky Sports (and Stonewall) kept it tight and worked with Jake to manage it in the way he wanted. Apparently he'd also spoken with a openly gay non-league player-manager and others so they also had put the right protections in place on his social media etc.

There's lots of people who knew along the way and they all did their bit to manage it how Jake wanted which is really great to see. And a very positive reaction from everyone so far - I'm sure there are dickheads on social media, but there will be dickheads always.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 17, 2022, 01:30:28 PM
Saw a social media thing where Newcastle FC's offical account did a "we're all behind you" supportive message, with a reply quoting some Saudi anti-gay fatwa. Not the best look.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 17, 2022, 01:47:37 PM
Yeah I think this is what it's going to be like for Newcastle now - they were last Premier League team to respond and everyone noticed. They send a supportive message and everyone will point out the hypocrisy (which also applies to Man City).

Damned if they do, damned if they don't - but definitely damned after that deal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on May 17, 2022, 05:10:27 PM
I was incredibly conflicted during that Newcastle-Arsenal game for that very reason.

I'm afraid chauvinism won out in the end, as I cheered when Newcastle scored.  :Embarrass:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 17, 2022, 06:42:54 PM
Newcastle will be laughing at Chelsea, Tottenham, and Arsenal in a couple years as they overtake all three.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 17, 2022, 06:52:02 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 17, 2022, 06:42:54 PMNewcastle will be laughing at Chelsea, Tottenham, and Arsenal in a couple years as they overtake all three.

Of course. That's the upside to selling your soul.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 17, 2022, 07:05:48 PM
Well Chelsea have less than a fortnight to sort out their sale/the Abramovich loans :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 17, 2022, 07:11:33 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 17, 2022, 07:05:48 PMWell Chelsea have less than a fortnight to sort out their sale/the Abramovich loans :ph34r:

Roman is laughing at Chelsea fans who think he loves the club so much he won't ask for his money back  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 18, 2022, 12:10:29 AM
The Europa League Final - Glasgow Rangers vs Eintracht Frankfurt - is kind of cool.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 18, 2022, 03:08:15 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 17, 2022, 06:42:54 PMNewcastle will be laughing at Chelsea, Tottenham, and Arsenal in a couple years as they overtake all three.

I do think (/hope) Newcastle have missed this train and are a bit late to the party. Getting dodgy foreign money pumped in just as that starts to become distinctly uncool and the football bubble is cracking.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 18, 2022, 06:09:11 AM
Liverpool looking tired of late. Scraping wins against Villa and Southampton. They may be in trouble for R. Madrid.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on May 18, 2022, 08:18:17 AM
Quote from: Josephus on May 18, 2022, 06:09:11 AMLiverpool looking tired of late. Scraping wins against Villa and Southampton. They may be in trouble for R. Madrid.

That was pretty much their 2nd team last night

Alisson; Gomez; Matip; Konate; Tsimikas; Elliott; Milner; Jones; Minamino; Firmino; Jota

Compare with the the FA Cup final line up only Alisson and Konate played both (and Konate will brobably be benched for Madrid)

Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Keita, Henderson, Thiago; Salah, Mane, Diaz.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 18, 2022, 08:38:45 AM
Quote from: Gups on May 18, 2022, 08:18:17 AM
Quote from: Josephus on May 18, 2022, 06:09:11 AMLiverpool looking tired of late. Scraping wins against Villa and Southampton. They may be in trouble for R. Madrid.

That was pretty much their 2nd team last night

Yes. I am aware. But they been looking tired for a while, scraping a 2-1 v. Aston Villa. Almost blowing their first game lead v. Villareal, draw with Spurs and another 1-0 scrap v. Newcastle. Not to mention needing penalties against Chelsea. Offesnively they've been looking tired.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 18, 2022, 05:33:28 PM
Quote from: Gups on May 18, 2022, 08:18:17 AMThat was pretty much their 2nd team last night

Alisson; Gomez; Matip; Konate; Tsimikas; Elliott; Milner; Jones; Minamino; Firmino; Jota

Firmino is 2nd string?  To this noobs eyes he's the real stud on the front line.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 18, 2022, 09:21:35 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on May 18, 2022, 05:33:28 PM
Quote from: Gups on May 18, 2022, 08:18:17 AMThat was pretty much their 2nd team last night

Alisson; Gomez; Matip; Konate; Tsimikas; Elliott; Milner; Jones; Minamino; Firmino; Jota

Firmino is 2nd string?  To this noobs eyes he's the real stud on the front line.

Well, he said pretty much. You virtually never find every single player swapped out, even when it's a cup game against semi amateur rovers you usually get a handful of the first team with the kids.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on May 19, 2022, 01:50:50 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on May 18, 2022, 05:33:28 PM
Quote from: Gups on May 18, 2022, 08:18:17 AMThat was pretty much their 2nd team last night

Alisson; Gomez; Matip; Konate; Tsimikas; Elliott; Milner; Jones; Minamino; Firmino; Jota

Firmino is 2nd string?  To this noobs eyes he's the real stud on the front line.

He is, but was coming back from an injury - he'd been out a month I think.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 19, 2022, 05:20:34 PM
Safe  :sleep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 19, 2022, 06:03:28 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 19, 2022, 05:20:34 PMSafe  :sleep:

:cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 19, 2022, 06:13:47 PM
Fat Frank does it again. What a legend.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 21, 2022, 11:44:40 AM
It is a good day.
Sunderland win the play offs. Back in the championship where hopefully we no longer have to start from scratch every year.
Curious the league winners get a cup and the play off winners get a cup but not second place in the league.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 21, 2022, 12:08:28 PM
:w00t:

I always have a soft spot for Sunderland - I think natural empathy for another less successful team with derby rivals who are particularly annoying.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Richard Hakluyt on May 21, 2022, 12:57:53 PM
Putting in a rare appearance here; my father's shade and the folk in my home town are going to be very pleased today  :cool:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on May 22, 2022, 07:16:47 AM
Well done Sunderland. Great fans who have suffered enough in that shitty league
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 22, 2022, 07:56:33 AM
¿Se queda o no se queda?
Kyky stays in Paris.

Also sprach Doha.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 22, 2022, 10:54:06 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 21, 2022, 12:08:28 PM:w00t:

I always have a soft spot for Sunderland - I think natural empathy for another less successful team with derby rivals who are particularly annoying.

:lol: :hug:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 22, 2022, 11:31:25 AM
oh no
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 22, 2022, 11:39:00 AM
Oh that's a relief :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 22, 2022, 12:05:13 PM
Exciting day in English football.

This Liverpool fan would have been more disappointed, though, if Man City ended up losing and Liverpool couldn't break through. Was watching both at the same time and there was a time when that seemed like the likely outcome.

It is what it is.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 22, 2022, 12:21:02 PM
Looked like Liverpool might squeak it there.
For a while thought it might end with a draw for both teams which would have really hurt for Liverpool.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on May 22, 2022, 02:42:17 PM
Enjoy the Europa League, Gunners.  :showoff:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 22, 2022, 04:46:53 PM
Of course Languish is full of Spurs fans :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 22, 2022, 06:44:47 PM
2 = full?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 22, 2022, 11:28:27 PM
Quote from: Jacob on May 22, 2022, 06:44:47 PM2 = full?

Yes  :sleep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 23, 2022, 02:20:05 AM
Quote from: Jacob on May 22, 2022, 06:44:47 PM2 = full?

I suppose monk believes the max capacity is 0.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 23, 2022, 02:59:22 AM
Quote from: Jacob on May 22, 2022, 06:44:47 PM2 = full?

That's 2 more than ideal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 24, 2022, 02:25:36 PM
:lol:
QuoteBBC apologises after 'Manchester United are rubbish' appears on ticker

    Line appeared on news channel during morning update
    Channel says trainee had been learning behind scenes
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/24/bbc-apologises-after-manchester-united-are-rubbish-appears-on-ticker-news-tennis

Poor trainee - probably thought they were in a test environment but accidentally live. Also not really news at this point.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 25, 2022, 04:45:32 PM
UK and EU approved the sale of Chelsea - which cimplies with both sets of sanctions:
QuoteMairead McGuinness
@McGuinnessEU
Following detailed discussions between @EU_Commission, UK & Portugal, I am pleased that we have received the necessary guarantees that the sale of @ChelseaFC is fully in line with EU sanctions rules. Proceeds go entirely to humanitarian purposes in Ukraine

Don't fully get how the finances work given the (crazy) price and that the main investor is a private equity group.

And now Tamas gets to support his team in a non-morally conflicting way - unlike most fans of English football teams :lol: :bleeding: :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 25, 2022, 04:46:46 PM
What does Portugal have to do with it?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 25, 2022, 04:48:13 PM
Abramovich had Portuguese citizenship.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 25, 2022, 04:50:37 PM
asoka

There's another possibly fatal EU flaw.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 25, 2022, 04:53:29 PM
They were still able to sanction him - so not sure it caused that much of an issue.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on May 25, 2022, 05:41:30 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 25, 2022, 04:45:32 PMAnd now Tamas gets to support his team in a non-morally conflicting way - unlike most fans of English football teams :lol: :bleeding: :weep:

Without oligarch money flowing in how long until they suck?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 26, 2022, 11:54:25 AM
Aston Villa has just signed Boubacar Kamara from Olympique Marseille and Diego Carlos from Sevilla.

There really is no economic balance at all at the moment in club football when a mid-table Premier league team has more financial muscle than top teams from France or Spain.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 26, 2022, 12:01:04 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 25, 2022, 04:45:32 PMAnd now Tamas gets to support his team in a non-morally conflicting way - unlike most fans of English football teams :lol: :bleeding: :weep:

I am already enjoying the view off the top of my moral high horse.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on May 26, 2022, 12:32:12 PM
Soccer Canada had scheduled a friendly to take place in Vancouver between Canada and Iran. Apparently the organizers forgot that Iran shot down a commercial air liner a little over two years ago which contained about 80 Canadians and permanent residents of Canada, many of whom lived in North Vancouver.

It has now been cancelled.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 26, 2022, 05:18:04 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on May 26, 2022, 12:32:12 PMSoccer Canada had scheduled a friendly to take place in Vancouver between Canada and Iran. Apparently the organizers forgot that Iran shot down a commercial air liner a little over two years ago which contained about 80 Canadians and permanent residents of Canada, many of whom lived in North Vancouver.

It has now been cancelled.

And Iran is suing for lots of moolah. Or mullah.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 26, 2022, 07:28:28 PM
I hope we beat Iran 10-0 in December.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 28, 2022, 02:20:10 PM
Crowd control problems at the CL final is delaying kick off.

Wtf Paris? Wtf UEFA?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 28, 2022, 02:59:02 PM
Started well enough with a partial strike on a train line to the stadium. :P
Luckily, there is another train line (think Crossrail/S-Bahn), a metro line plus buses.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 28, 2022, 03:13:50 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 28, 2022, 02:20:10 PMCrowd control problems at the CL final is delaying kick off.

Wtf Saint-Denis? Wtf UEFA?

Fixed!

TV says there are still problems at the stadium gates with both Scouse and « local » suburban hoodlums.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on May 28, 2022, 03:18:51 PM
I've just read that fans with tickets have been shut out and pepper sprayed when they wouldn't leave since they had waited in line for hours. Way to fuck up a great night, UEFA.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 28, 2022, 05:12:30 PM
Yeah, seems very fucked up.
Reminds me of when I went to watch Sunderland play Dijon for a pre season friendly in Evian...
Armed riot police at the entrance confiscating all the tops from people's water bottles.
The French police seem to really into over policing football. Is it just with British involvement or always?
Sucks for the Liverpool fans so much.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 28, 2022, 07:41:10 PM
some quadruple lol
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 28, 2022, 07:52:14 PM
Don Carlo Ancelotti, true to his Evertonian roots. 

Much respect to the Don  :beer: :ccr
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 28, 2022, 08:12:36 PM
:lol: All is forgiven :blush:

Someone posted it but extraordinary career to win a European cup in every decade since the 80s.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on May 28, 2022, 08:58:56 PM
Madrid didn't deserve it overall. Liverpool should have put the game away during the 1st half.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 28, 2022, 09:26:09 PM
Can't agree. I dislike RM but in the knockout rounds they beat PSG, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Liverpool to win the CL. Fair fucks, that is a legendary run.

Liverpool got through Inter in the Round of 16 and glided past Benfica and Villareal to get to the final. Essentially Europa league teams  :lol:

Also I just think it's funny  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 29, 2022, 02:27:56 AM
I couldnt see the game, it was locked away on pay per view and I didn't care/have time/influence enough to pay/work around....

But from the highlights it seems Liverpool indeed should have won. Very unlucky. Though also true Madrid had the easier run in.


Completely off topic... But I've been doing a bit of research into the history of the term geordie (somewhat more thinking of doing research), trying to track down some sources I remember seeing a while ago when Sunderland people were called geordies pre John Hall and nobody much minded.... The rather interesting base hypothesis is one that it seems originally, back in the early 19th century, the term was explicitly used to mean someone NOT from Newcastle....

Anyway. One thing that I've noticed in the modern day and annoys me is the media referring to Newcastle Utd fans as geordies. Which is just wrong.
I wonder, mainly at Sheilbh as I guess he's most alert to this, has anyone noticed Liverpool FC/it's fans being called scouser as a cover all, neglecting many scousers aren't Liverpool fans?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 29, 2022, 09:43:40 AM
Disagree on Liverpool deserving the win. Courtois was colossal on goal and stopped every single shot Liverpool took. R. Madrid had fewer chances but they managed to score and should have probably been awarded the disalowed goal at the end of the 1st half.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 29, 2022, 10:49:31 AM
As I've said before Liverpool have struggled offensively the past couple months. Salah, especially.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 29, 2022, 10:53:44 AM
Quote from: Josephus on May 29, 2022, 10:49:31 AMAs I've said before Liverpool have struggled offensively the past couple months. Salah, especially.

Salah had a couple of really good chances in the game, I'd say the best Liverpool had, but on both he was thwarted by Courtois.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 29, 2022, 11:04:06 AM
Quote from: The Larch on May 29, 2022, 09:43:40 AMDisagree on Liverpool deserving the win. Courtois was colossal on goal and stopped every single shot Liverpool took. R. Madrid had fewer chances but they managed to score and should have probably been awarded the disalowed goal at the end of the 1st half.
I agree it was like a battle of is Real Madrid more Real Madrid than Liverpool is Liverpool - and they are. I think in that run against Chelsea and Liverpool who've won it recently and City who are more coherent PSG in the games I saw I'm not sure that over the match Madrid were ever necessarily the better team. But they had incredible individual performances from incredible players - Benzema, Modric, Courtois at different points - and moments of genius.

Which feels like a very fitting way to win for an Ancelotti led team v Tuchel, Klopp and Guardiola :lol:

QuoteBut from the highlights it seems Liverpool indeed should have won. Very unlucky. Though also true Madrid had the easier run in.
Other way round, no? Madrid had PSG, Chelsea and City; Liverpool had Inter, Benfica and Villareal. That's not to do any of those teams down (and Villareal had a great run) but Liverpool's run-in seems a lot easier.

QuoteCompletely off topic... But I've been doing a bit of research into the history of the term geordie (somewhat more thinking of doing research), trying to track down some sources I remember seeing a while ago when Sunderland people were called geordies pre John Hall and nobody much minded.... The rather interesting base hypothesis is one that it seems originally, back in the early 19th century, the term was explicitly used to mean someone NOT from Newcastle....
I thought Newcastle = Geordie and Mackem = Sunderland? :hmm:

QuoteI wonder, mainly at Sheilbh as I guess he's most alert to this, has anyone noticed Liverpool FC/it's fans being called scouser as a cover all, neglecting many scousers aren't Liverpool fans?
Only from Liverpool fans :bleeding: <_< :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 29, 2022, 12:10:34 PM
Quote from: The Larch on May 29, 2022, 10:53:44 AM
Quote from: Josephus on May 29, 2022, 10:49:31 AMAs I've said before Liverpool have struggled offensively the past couple months. Salah, especially.

Salah had a couple of really good chances in the game, I'd say the best Liverpool had, but on both he was thwarted by Courtois.

Six months ago he would have scored both.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on May 29, 2022, 12:44:49 PM
Nottingham Forest is back in the Premier League. Made me think of Norgy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on May 29, 2022, 04:53:15 PM
Quote from: Josquius on May 29, 2022, 02:27:56 AMI couldnt see the game, it was locked away on pay per view and I didn't care/have time/influence enough to pay/work around....


For future reference the CL final was free to air (and on YouTube) and always has been so far
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 30, 2022, 01:39:26 AM
Over here several TV channels used static pictures to report the game because UEFA apparently wants a pretty penny for the highlight packages  :rolleyes:

Not that I'm dying to watch the highlights, mind!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 30, 2022, 03:11:08 AM
Yeah, I had to watch the highlights on YouTube (didn't advertise well the whole thing was there). All talk of it on TV just showed fan reactions as they watched it live.

QuoteOther way round, no? Madrid had PSG, Chelsea and City; Liverpool had Inter, Benfica and Villareal. That's not to do any of those teams down (and Villareal had a great run) but Liverpool's run-in seems a lot easier.
Yes. Used the wrong word.

QuoteI thought Newcastle = Geordie and Mackem = Sunderland
These days yes though mackem is a fairly new term that only really rose to prominence in the 80s and 90s with the changes in football of the time and rising hate.
I can't find the source again but I remember seeing around Sunderland 73 cup win talk if them being the pride of the geordie nation et al.

Geordie has its origin as a term to refer to coal miners from the area around Newcastle. Ie a term people actually from Newcastle would use to call folk hicks.
This conceivably could make Sunderland more geordie than Newcastle but I haven't found anything so specific.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 30, 2022, 07:00:17 AM
Appears to be a lot of pushback against the French government's line that the issues at the stadium was because of "British supporters" and that there were 30-40,000 Liverpool fans with fake tickets and also 3-400 locals causing issues.

In part this is because those numbers just seem absurd. But it also doesn't align with what reporters on the ground - from all countries and outlets - were reporting all day (I'd also note more than one journalist has said the police went after them as well even when they explained they were press), or with social media footage. It also seems that there were similar, but lesser, issues on the Madrid side. And I think in part because of Hillsborough, Liverpool fan groups are very well placed and experienced in fighting back against that sort of narrative.

One thing that's come up a lot from Liverpool fans is locals rushing a gate. That caused the gate to get closed and there's then, obviously, loads of people with tickets unable to get in and getting funnelled to another gate. Apparently this happened at a few gates.

I saw one journalist note that the entry to the stadium for ticketholders was right up against the stadium - they contrasted this with Euro 2016 when the ticket control was basically a block or two away at the metro.

That was also a problem at Wembley - it was also a problem in the crush in Cameroon. I don't fully know why but it feels like football associations decided to try and the first ticket control right up against the stadium at a few big games since the pandemic and there's been issues at each one. Sadly the best case is there's disorder and chaos at the gates/stadium - worst case is gates are shut, people are re-directed and die in a crush. The social media footage of Liverpool fans helping kids, the elderly and disabled people out of the crowd and onto car or van roofs is pretty grim (again especially given the history).

My guess is that it's cheaper and they thought it might be away to save money? But I'm not sure if that really explains it. It's very weird - but this is now the third game there's been issues and it feels like the organisers need to go back to whatever they were doing pre-pandemic? :hmm:

Edit: Eg, Miguel Delaney reporting that fans were told there's be four locations for ticket checks before the stadium: there were none.

Edit: Similarly current line is that 70% of tickets presented at the stadium were fake. An Athletic writer noted they were at an entrance waiting for an hour and saw zero evidence of fake tickets. Also this is why you normally have ticket checks away from the stadium to filter the ticketless or fake tickets to a different area.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 31, 2022, 09:24:45 AM
If we assume the fake ticket story is true, even then it seems strange to blame the Liverpool fans.
Surely if fake tickets were so rampant the fault there lies with the organiser for not doing their job and guarding against this.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 31, 2022, 09:53:45 AM
Yes - and in any event despite that being the line from the Interior Minister and the Sports Minister yesterday, the French Football Federation have today said there were fewer than 3,000 fake tickets.

Lots of fans saying there were issues with the scanning machines that took multiple scans to get through - which is possibly the source of the 70% of tickets were fake line from yesterday.

The Athletic report by reporters on the ground - as well as stuff by CBS and NYT writers just doesn't tally with what the government and police are saying. Also - and I never thought I'd say this - but El Chiringuito did some really good reporting with footage of the stadium:
https://twitter.com/elchiringuitotv/status/1531066003458867200

It just looks like a huge failure of organisation and policing - chaos. And I've now seen English-speaking, Spanish and French journalists pushing back against the line from the French government and police.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 31, 2022, 10:35:48 AM
That's Macron's clique at work, comparable to the bad policing of Yellow Vests demonstrations.
Not that fooball crowds in the Ligue des Talents are better managed, this season has been awful.

Some French links

https://www.lefigaro.fr/vox/societe/daniel-riolo-ce-fiasco-monumental-n-a-rien-a-voir-avec-les-supporters-anglais-mais-beaucoup-avec-des-jeunes-de-cites-20220530 (https://www.lefigaro.fr/vox/societe/daniel-riolo-ce-fiasco-monumental-n-a-rien-a-voir-avec-les-supporters-anglais-mais-beaucoup-avec-des-jeunes-de-cites-20220530)

A well-known sports journalist, controversial, but right once in a while as in now.

Also, reminder of Thierry Henri's prophetic words:

"Saint-Denis is not Paris"

https://www.lefigaro.fr/vox/societe/comme-l-a-dit-thierry-henry-saint-denis-n-a-pas-grand-chose-a-voir-avec-paris-20220510 (https://www.lefigaro.fr/vox/societe/comme-l-a-dit-thierry-henry-saint-denis-n-a-pas-grand-chose-a-voir-avec-paris-20220510)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 31, 2022, 10:47:05 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on May 31, 2022, 10:35:48 AMThat's Macron's clique at work, comparable to the bad policing of Yellow Vests demonstrations.
Not that fooball crowds in the Ligue des Talents are better managed, this season has been awful.

Some French links

https://www.lefigaro.fr/vox/societe/daniel-riolo-ce-fiasco-monumental-n-a-rien-a-voir-avec-les-supporters-anglais-mais-beaucoup-avec-des-jeunes-de-cites-20220530 (https://www.lefigaro.fr/vox/societe/daniel-riolo-ce-fiasco-monumental-n-a-rien-a-voir-avec-les-supporters-anglais-mais-beaucoup-avec-des-jeunes-de-cites-20220530)

A well-known sports journalist, controversial, but right once in a while as in now.

Also, reminder of Thierry Henri's prophetic words:

"Saint-Denis is not Paris"

https://www.lefigaro.fr/vox/societe/comme-l-a-dit-thierry-henry-saint-denis-n-a-pas-grand-chose-a-voir-avec-paris-20220510 (https://www.lefigaro.fr/vox/societe/comme-l-a-dit-thierry-henry-saint-denis-n-a-pas-grand-chose-a-voir-avec-paris-20220510)


How is it Macron's fault ? :huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on May 31, 2022, 10:50:25 AM
Duque blames Macron when he stubs his toe or burns his toast.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 31, 2022, 10:59:15 AM
Should sound a little familiar Squeeze.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 31, 2022, 11:39:41 AM
Quote from: Josquius on May 31, 2022, 10:47:05 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on May 31, 2022, 10:35:48 AMThat's Macron's clique at work, comparable to the bad policing of Yellow Vests demonstrations.
Not that fooball crowds in the Ligue des Talents are better managed, this season has been awful.

Some French links

https://www.lefigaro.fr/vox/societe/daniel-riolo-ce-fiasco-monumental-n-a-rien-a-voir-avec-les-supporters-anglais-mais-beaucoup-avec-des-jeunes-de-cites-20220530 (https://www.lefigaro.fr/vox/societe/daniel-riolo-ce-fiasco-monumental-n-a-rien-a-voir-avec-les-supporters-anglais-mais-beaucoup-avec-des-jeunes-de-cites-20220530)

A well-known sports journalist, controversial, but right once in a while as in now.

Also, reminder of Thierry Henri's prophetic words:

"Saint-Denis is not Paris"

https://www.lefigaro.fr/vox/societe/comme-l-a-dit-thierry-henry-saint-denis-n-a-pas-grand-chose-a-voir-avec-paris-20220510 (https://www.lefigaro.fr/vox/societe/comme-l-a-dit-thierry-henry-saint-denis-n-a-pas-grand-chose-a-voir-avec-paris-20220510)


How is it Macron's fault ? :huh:

 :secret:

Macron's clique as in...

People he chooses. Darmanin, interior ministry namely who has been blaming the English all weekend as in claiming 30,000 false tickets so problems at the gates. Plus the sports secretary, lower rank though.
Last but not least, the Police prefect Didier Lallement.

https://rmc.bfmtv.com/actualites/societe/incidents-au-stade-de-france-le-prefet-de-police-didier-lallement-encore-sous-le-feu-des-critiques_AV-202205300259.html (https://rmc.bfmtv.com/actualites/societe/incidents-au-stade-de-france-le-prefet-de-police-didier-lallement-encore-sous-le-feu-des-critiques_AV-202205300259.html)

QuoteDidier Lallement est un homme sous le feu des critiques ce lundi matin, après les scènes de chaos au Stade de France, samedi soir, lors de la finale de la Ligue des champions de football. Le préfet de police de Paris connaît bien la pression, car il a régulièrement été contesté.

Il a 65 ans, il est préfet de police de Paris depuis mars 2019. Patron de 40.000 fonctionnaires, dont 20.000 policiers, et de services très prestigieux, comme l'anti-gang. On dit souvent du préfet de police de Paris que c'est l'homme le mieux informé de France. Il avait fait campagne ouvertement pour ce poste et avait remplacé Michel Delpuech, à qui on reprochait d'être trop mou face aux Gilets jaunes.

S'il y a bien une chose qu'on ne peut pas reprocher à Didier Lallement, c'est d'être mou. On le sait autoritaire, cassant, cinglant, provoquant même parfois, à la limite de la rupture.

On a en tête cette scène, avec une manifestante gilet jaune qui l'interpellait, à qui il avait répondu en lui tournant le dos: "Nous ne sommes pas dans le même camp, madame".

Il avait donné pour consigne aux forces de l'ordre "d'impacter" les manifestants gilets jaunes. Des manifestations où il y a eu de nombreux blessés, dans les deux camps d'ailleurs, manifestants et policiers.

From Macron's Fox News, BFM TV, no less. :P

FFF (French Football Federation) is wisely keeping a low profil, however.

Funny to see the macronolâtres triggered.  :P
But one cannot expect much from a band-wagoner who left behind his Olympitre for the Spurs.  :D

PS: Jupiter has spoken

https://www.huffingtonpost.fr/entry/macron-fiasco-ligue-des-champions-gouvernement-commentaire_fr_62962451e4b05cfc269f3494 (https://www.huffingtonpost.fr/entry/macron-fiasco-ligue-des-champions-gouvernement-commentaire_fr_62962451e4b05cfc269f3494)

"Je ne ferai aucun commentaire sur ce qui relève du gouvernement et ce qui a déjà été instruit", fait savoir Emmanuel Macron en réponse à une question (à partir de 14′ dans la vidéo ci-contre).
"No comment. it's a government matter"
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on May 31, 2022, 01:28:43 PM
Je viens d'Orleans, pas d'OM pour nous.

D'habitude on prenait pour Auxerre, qui viennent de remonter apparemment. Je suis plus trop la Ligue 1.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 31, 2022, 02:04:20 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on May 31, 2022, 01:28:43 PMJe viens d'Orleans, pas d'OM pour nous.

D'habitude on prenait pour Auxerre, qui viennent de remonter apparemment. Je suis plus trop la Ligue 1.


Quote from: Zoupa on August 15, 2021, 09:38:05 PMThis will be my weekly report on Tottenham, my newly adopted club. I still have a soft spot for OM (Olympique de Marseille), but Ligue 1 is kind of a joke now so whatever.

Girouette et sens de la géographie à la Macron ?  :lol:  Orléans est plus près de Paris que d'Auxerre.  :P
Lui aussi "supporter" de l'OM, et encore plus au nord qu'Orléans (Amiens). Même l'OM ne méritait pas ça.

Macron étant bien sûr complètement à l'ouest, et a perdu le nord, cela va sans dire.

Oui, Auxerre est de retour (grand moments dans les années 90) but Saint-Étienne (numéro un des années 70) est relégué.[/quote]
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 31, 2022, 05:01:15 PM
Quote from: Josquius on May 31, 2022, 10:47:05 AMHow is it Macron's fault ? :huh:
If there's issues with the policing I think it's fair to blame the government. Similarly that the false narrative about what happened is being pushed by his ministers and the police - I think it's fair to hold him responsible as leader of that government.

Having said that even away from sporting events, from what I've seen French police always look very heavy handed to me and extremely quick to turn to tear gas and baton charges. So it may just reflect that - that this is how the French police police this area in general and this time there were football fans from other countries and the world's press to see it.

Edit: And again some of these stories - from people who are very unlikely to have fake tickets or be involved in any fan disorder - are really grim:
QuoteSteve Douglas, a reporter with Associated Press, was accosted by a police officer who bundled him into a security hut and threatened to remove his accreditation unless he deleted the video footage he had captured outside the ground.

Robbie Fowler, the Liverpool legend, spent most of the first half outside. His son, Jacob, and brother Scott were among those caught up in the carnage. Jason McAteer, another former Reds player, said his wife was mugged and his son was attacked. Jim Beglin, a double-winner with the Reds in 1986, called the scenes "reprehensible."

Mike Gordon, one of Liverpool's owners, and Marvin Matip, brother of Reds defender Joel, were also among the melee. Matip sheltered in a local restauarant with his pregnant girlfriend. Andy Robertson revealed that one of his friends had been refused entry, accused of presenting a fake ticket.

"He luckily managed to get in because one of the club representatives sorted it," Robertson told reporters afterwards. "But they said it was a fake, which I can assure you it wasn't, so I think they were making it up at times and panicked.

"For me it shouldn't really happen, UEFA should have been better organised."

Edit: And fair to say the French press is pushing on this - again it's the line from Macron's minister so it seems fair to have a go at the government over this. Liberation tomorrow, but I've also seen reporting from Figaro that contradicts the government's line:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FUGsUpdX0AILo4Z?format=jpg&name=small)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on June 01, 2022, 04:49:45 AM
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR6djG1xG1EC5PLOqbOI9SJBqZZgWPgk_QfJg&usqp=CAU)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 01, 2022, 03:51:08 PM
I'm a sucker for the emotional side of football, but Scotland-Ukraine was very good.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 01, 2022, 04:11:42 PM
Separately - Mayor of Liverpool recounting his experience at the final. Meanwhile according to the Guardian Weekly podcast's Philippe Auclair the Mayor of the 12th Arrondissement (where the Liverpool fanzone was) has sent a letter to the club basically thanking them for the final and a very enjoyable experience with well-behaved fans:
Quote'I'm in pieces again': Paris final fiasco triggers Hillsborough survivor trauma
Two Liverpool fans, who were both present at the 1989 disaster, recount grim experiences of a chaotic Champions League final
Andy Hunter
@AHunterGuardian
Tue 31 May 2022 08.00 BST

Kevin Cowley is a 50-year-old driving examiner, a former Metropolitan police officer and a survivor of the Hillsborough disaster. He was in pen three on 15 April 1989, where many of the 97 Liverpool fans were unlawfully killed at the FA Cup semi-final. On Saturday he attended the Champions League final between Jürgen Klopp's team and Real Madrid at Stade de France. His experience of Uefa's showpiece event reopened a 33-year-old trauma.

"I am in pieces again," said Cowley. His voice, breaking with emotion, testifies to that. "It took me years to get over Hillsborough and I feel like I've just relived Hillsborough again. Saturday was horrendous. I want to vocalise this because I spent so many years bottling up Hillsborough and that did so much to me that I have to do something this time. I want to talk."

Cowley purchased a £125 ticket for the final through Liverpool. At 6.15pm on Saturday, two-and-three-quarter hours before the scheduled kick-off, he made his way to the stadium with a friend. "There was already a massive buildup of Liverpool fans trying to get to the ground," he says. "We thought they must have put something in place to check tickets and bags, as they did in Madrid [for the 2019 Champions League final].

"We arrived at an underpass where the police kettled everybody. It was getting tighter and tighter. I hate crowds, I can't do them. I have a mechanism for Anfield where I won't get in that position. I had to climb over a fence because it was getting so tight, along with people of all ages. Then we came to another underpass where the police had parked vans across the road. The sheer weight of people meant I was forced against the bonnet of a police van."

Steve Rotheram is the Liverpool City Region Mayor. He was also at Hillsborough and was also in Paris on Saturday, having received a ticket from Uefa. He also had to climb a fence on his way up to the stadium. "I had my phone, money, debit cards, ID and match ticket stolen," says the former MP for Liverpool Walton. "We were directed down a road and after about 400 yards there were two riot vans blocking the way.

"Riot police told us to climb over a fence. I had my jacket in two hands but had to release it from one hand to climb over the fence, and as I was pulling my coat over these dippers went into my pocket. It was literally a second. These were professional gangs. They knew it was rich pickings for them and lots of people got their phones and wallets taken.

"I walked over to the police to tell them I'd had everything stolen and one of them said: 'Welcome to Paris.' Some Liverpool fans shouted to them: "He's our mayor." Two French lads who had come over to help translated to the gendarme, who were nonplussed until one of the lads Googled me and showed it to a gendarme. He immediately took me through to get a duplicate ticket."

Once inside the VIP section of the stadium Rotheram asked Gianni Infantino, the president of Fifa, and former French president Nicolas Sarkozy to do something about the chaos outside, where fans were being teargassed by police. Infantino was "amenable" but allegedly said "it wasn't Fifa's jurisdiction". Sarkozy was moved on.

Rotheram then spotted Uefa's president, Aleksander Ceferin. "I politely introduced myself and explained what I'd witnessed and the concerns I had," he explains. "He seemed oblivious to it. He said to me: 'We've only had three months to organise this, we've killed ourselves to get this game on.' To which I replied: 'I'm more concerned that people aren't killed outside'. He indicated that I was being disrespectful. I just couldn't take my seat and watch the game in the end. I was just devastated at what could have happened outside."

Cowley was outside for approximately two hours before gaining access. His ticket was for turnstile Y but, with the queue along a fence not moving, he went to turnstile X. "It was like a war zone," he says. "The crash barriers were on the floor, there was a massive rush on the turnstile by local lads, who were climbing over the fencing and having a full-scale fight on the other side with the stewards and police. There was a lad in a wheelchair who everyone tried to form a bubble around. I kept getting pushed into him and kept apologising.

"I was thinking: 'It's happening all over again.' It was the same thing [as Hillsborough]. I told my mate I was going to walk away but we got to the turnstile, which kept blinking red as if it wasn't working. I put my ticket through and it didn't register. The steward said: 'Just go through.' So I walked through and this burly steward grabbed me. He was telling me to get out and come back in through Y. Then two police officers came over and started pushing me with their shields. I know what they are trying to do, they are trying to provoke a response. I told them I was a former policeman. The two of them started talking and eventually decided to let me go."

A big screen in the stadium blamed the "late arrival of fans" for the delayed kick-off. On Monday, French authorities claimed counterfeit tickets on "an industrial scale" were responsible. Neither Cowley nor Rotheram saw any of the supposed "30,000-40,000" fans with counterfeit tickets but both recognised the attempt by authorities to shift the blame on to fans, as was the case with Hillsborough.

"Every time I read the narrative that they are putting out there it just hits me between the eyes with Hillsborough all over again," says Cowley. "The only thing I take any solace in is the fact that what happened this time was viewed by the world's press and we've got social media and cameras, so they can't get away with what they are trying to spin. But every time I read this narrative it is like someone is picking at a scab. The French authorities are trying the same thing. It's revisiting it all again."

Rotheram, speaking on the phone he was lent by a member of Liverpool's staff on Saturday, says: "We need to collect a large body of evidence, video recordings and witness testimony."

He had called for an independent investigation before Uefa announced on Monday night that it had commissioned one. "When somebody is seriously injured or killed in the future, then we can point back to a time like this when everybody should have stuck together to ensure that people are safe at a sporting event," he says. "Hopefully if we have an independent analysis they won't be able to scapegoat Liverpool fans or abdicate responsibility."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on June 01, 2022, 04:49:01 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on June 01, 2022, 03:51:08 PMI'm a sucker for the emotional side of football, but Scotland-Ukraine was very good.

Slava Ukraini!

I read a story about how ordinarily Scotland is like everyone's feel-good underdog favourite in soccer, but not in that game...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 01, 2022, 04:49:53 PM
Quote from: Barrister on June 01, 2022, 04:49:01 PMSlava Ukraini!

I read a story about how ordinarily Scotland is like everyone's feel-good underdog favourite in soccer, but not in that game...
Even former Scotland players like Graeme Souness were saying they wanted Ukraine to win :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 01, 2022, 07:35:50 PM
QuoteHe was in pen three on 15 April 1989, where many of the 97 Liverpool fans were unlawfully killed at the FA Cup semi-final.

Can someone translate this for me?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 01, 2022, 07:50:57 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on June 01, 2022, 07:35:50 PMCan someone translate this for me?
Following campaigns by Liverpool fans against police lies, the original findings of the coroner's inquest were quashed and a second inquest was ordered. The jury returned a finding of unlawful killing in respect of all victims.

Six senior police officers were then prosecuted for crimes such as gross negligence manslaughter, misconduct in public office and perverting the course of justice. A number of charges were kicked out because there was no reasonable prospect of success - largely for issues with the evidence from 25 years ago and the deaths of key witnesses. The remaining defendants were all acquitted.

Which means that there's a verdict that those 97 fans were unlawfully killed but no-one's been found guilty or responsible. And, from the various reports into what happened, the most culpable are either dead or have been acquitted.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 01, 2022, 08:07:51 PM
Thank you kind sir.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Liep on June 03, 2022, 03:41:19 PM
Cornelius' second goal was spectacular, so was the final result.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 03, 2022, 05:02:54 PM
So do the French police tend to heavily recruit violent right wing dick heads looking for a fight or was there orders from above to be a cock in this?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 03, 2022, 06:29:56 PM
Quote from: Josquius on June 03, 2022, 05:02:54 PMSo do the French police tend to heavily recruit violent right wing dick heads looking for a fight or was there orders from above to be a cock in this?
There's now been a formal apology to all fans from UEFA for what happened at the stadium - and the French press is still pushing. Both Real Madrid and Liverpool have now issued statements wanting answers (never pays to not be too cynical but UEFA apologised the day after a lot of corporate hospitality and sponsors went to the press about the issues they had in bottlenecks, crushes, pepper spray, muggings etc). Dan Austin is also doing very good work - English journalist who was there who speaks French and is working with French media on this.

My impression is French police dealing with crowds move very quickly to teargas and baton charges. Listening to the Guardian Football Weekly with Jonathan Wilson (who was there) and Philippe Auclair I get the impression there's some wider stuff going on in French football - like the training ground invasion at OM or the scenes at St Etienne.

But also possibly with French policing (the Interior Minister, Darmanin, was part of Macron's pitch to the far-right - he was the one who told Le Pen she was too "soft on Islam") and possibly how they view crowds who are being policed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 04, 2022, 02:39:49 AM
Given the police did not really engage the foreign-origin hoodlums (some cops did it on an individual basis against orders) for which Seine Saint-Denis is infamous for, I found the far-right motive not very credible.
As for Darmanin, that soft Marine line was just a PR stunt, no one believed except those who believed Pécresse had gone to the right. The three of them, namely one on Languish.  :P

The rest is more accurate, there has been trouble in French football lately, with police prefects using any excuse to forbid official away supporters travels.
Also the Yellow Vest "policing" man is still prefect so even the not so good policing during the Euro 2016 was better than what we have now, and problems were rife at the beginning.

Incidentally, no incidents reported during the France-Denmark game yesterday in Saint-Denis. Well, les Bleus deservedly lost 1-2 and Kyky was injured, so yes a disaster. :D
There won't be CL or even Europa League finals in Saint-Denis for a while that's for sure. Maybe in Paris, Parc des Princes, or Lyon (Décines) but even Marseille will now scare off UEFA, despite the Vélodrome (Marseille) being in a decent area but troublesome city, specially if hooligans from abroad join the party (see EURO 2016 again).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 04, 2022, 02:50:50 AM
In other football news, League of Nations that is :

Belgium 1 Netherlands 4
A thrashing, Belgium is on the way down, unless Martinez makes some radical changes, something he is not known for.

Croatia 0 Austria 3
Syt must be happy, no Croats to make noisy celebrations.  :P A bit flattering for Austria, but deserved.

Earlier on

Spain 1 Portugal 1

First half was for Spain, but they kind of gave up on playing after scoring the goal. Even an uninspired, conservative tactical setup by Fernando Santos (Moutinho as a 6 ? Really?) managed to equalise.
Not so great game, with some controversy around possible off-sides.

The other game of the group saw Czechia winning against Switzerland (not seen).

Czechia first of the group, for now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 04, 2022, 01:59:12 PM
More League of Nations and upset of the day:

Hungary 1 England 0

Penalty open to discussion but it's not as if England played well.

Now playing Italy-Germany.

After losing the Finalissima, Italy is again in the rough...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 04, 2022, 03:08:18 PM
Watched a chunk of the England game.
League of nations is just friendlies, confirmed.

I'm surprised the stadium was so empty. Does Hungary have a partial ban or so? Would have thought their ultras would be keen to fight with England.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 04, 2022, 03:14:19 PM
Quote from: Josquius on June 04, 2022, 03:08:18 PMWatched a chunk of the England game.
League of nations is just friendlies, confirmed.
I really enjoyed the first Nations League - and I think it's been a little bit ruined by covid.

Because I think it should be a non-tournament year competition (which I think was how it was meant to be until covid pushed the Euros back) and linked, I forget how exactly, to qualification. But it's just all been compressed because of covid and the Euros being moved and the winter world cup etc. It just feels like Europe's Copa America now where I'm permanently surprised that it's happening again :lol: :blush:

Hopefully it'll get back to that after the nonsense in Qatar - but until then I totally agree with de Bruyne.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 04, 2022, 06:27:16 PM
This England result looms large. I predict the USA will thump ENG 5-0 in their match with the Three Lions. More like Paper Lions
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on June 04, 2022, 06:32:48 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on June 04, 2022, 06:27:16 PMThis England result looms large. I predict the USA will thump ENG 5-0 in their match with the Three Lions. More like Paper Lions

Such bragadoccio :lol: 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 04, 2022, 09:52:53 PM
I also predict Canada make it out of their group  ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on June 05, 2022, 04:08:50 AM
Quote from: Josquius on June 04, 2022, 03:08:18 PMWatched a chunk of the England game.
League of nations is just friendlies, confirmed.

I'm surprised the stadium was so empty. Does Hungary have a partial ban or so? Would have thought their ultras would be keen to fight with England.

It wasn't a partial ban it was a total ban. But by UEFA rules gratis tickets such as ones you can give to schools or VIPs are exempt so the Hungarians managed to hand out 30 thousands of them, making a mockery out of the ban, especially as the crowd proceeded to boo England taking the knee, which was the reason for the ban in the first place.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 05, 2022, 07:01:24 AM
Which was particularly grim as, from what I understand, the stadium was mostly filled with kids.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on June 05, 2022, 10:49:41 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on June 04, 2022, 09:52:53 PMI also predict Canada make it out of their group  ;)

:Canuck: :hug:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 05, 2022, 12:46:50 PM
WC play-off

Wales 1 Ukraine 0 with only 5 or so minutes left to play. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 05, 2022, 12:49:14 PM
As with Scotland quite emotional scenes in the Wales-Ukraine game and Ukrainian fans chanting ZSU (for Armed Forces of Ukraine). Lots of Wales fans on Twitter sharing the "are we the baddies?" meme as they're ahead following an own goal by Yarmolenko. Again not something Wales fans often experience that I think everyone in the world would quite like them to lose :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on June 05, 2022, 01:23:13 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on June 04, 2022, 09:52:53 PMI also predict Canada make it out of their group  ;)

looks through checklist -

Not Tim - check
knowledgeable poster - check

Result: have reason for optimism
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 05, 2022, 02:48:54 PM
League of Nations

Portugal 3 Switzerland 0 (half-time)

Switzerland had some very rough 10 minutes with two goals suffered. Already two goals by CR7, who also failed two great chances as well.
Early on, the Helvetians had a disallowed goal for a handball, so the Selecção was not as imperial as the score would show.
Bruno Fernandes is not a total burden, but Diogo Jota is in top form for assists.

Czechia 1 Spain 1 (half-time)

Bad start for the Roja but they equalized.  :hmm:

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on June 06, 2022, 11:27:40 AM
Wow - really sucks Ukraine lost in the final qualifier as a result of an own-goal. :(

Nothing against Wales mind you, and they should be excited to go to their first World Cup in 60+ years.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on June 06, 2022, 11:46:54 AM
Quote from: Barrister on June 06, 2022, 11:27:40 AMWow - really sucks Ukraine lost in the final qualifier as a result of an own-goal. :(

Nothing against Wales mind you, and they should be excited to go to their first World Cup in 60+ years.

Worst of it is that watching the highlights and match stats they looked like the better team and had enough chances to win the tie.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 06, 2022, 11:54:28 AM
Quote from: celedhring on June 06, 2022, 11:46:54 AMWorst of it is that watching the highlights and match stats they looked like the better team and had enough chances to win the tie.
Yeah - Hennessy had the game of his life in goal for Wales.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 06, 2022, 01:15:25 PM
The
Quote from: Barrister on June 06, 2022, 11:27:40 AMWow - really sucks Ukraine lost in the final qualifier as a result of an own-goal. :(

Nothing against Wales mind you, and they should be excited to go to their first World Cup in 60+ years.

It would have been quite an amazing goal in the right net too
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 06, 2022, 05:54:13 PM
For the Americans, or those watching the Premier League on NBC in the US:

New head commentator for their main matches. Arlo White is gone to be replaced by Peter Drury. Unsure of the rest of the match commentating crew. I personally like Lee Dixon's color commentary though I fully admit my bias there  :D


I don't think this affects the studio crew so Rebecca Lowe should still be presenting. :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on June 06, 2022, 08:25:39 PM
I wonder if the UEFA Nations League is going to become something people care about... seems like a legit competition.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on June 06, 2022, 09:58:50 PM
Quote from: Jacob on June 06, 2022, 08:25:39 PMI wonder if the UEFA Nations League is going to become something people care about... seems like a legit competition.

Geez I wonder why you like it so far  :lol:   :swiss:

(No Denmark smilie, closest I could find was Swiss, sorry)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 07, 2022, 07:29:12 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on June 06, 2022, 09:58:50 PM
Quote from: Jacob on June 06, 2022, 08:25:39 PMI wonder if the UEFA Nations League is going to become something people care about... seems like a legit competition.

Geez I wonder why you like it so far  :lol:   :swiss:

(No Denmark smilie, closest I could find was Swiss, sorry)

It's not like supporters of les Bleus, who mostly discovered the competition after the second edition, are in a position to criticise.  :P

Back to Denmark, 2-& victory in Vienna, late at night following a blackout in the second district where the Ernst-Happel Station is located.

As for France, tie in Split vs Croatia, better than the previous game and the Croat equaliser came 10 minutes before the end.
Griezman is on a bad spell for some time now, he had some great chances.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 07, 2022, 10:33:15 AM
QuoteSunderland shareholders Stewart Donald and Charlie Methven are in discussions to sell their stake in the Championship club to a cryptocurrency group known as The Fans Together.

Sorry, Jos.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 07, 2022, 12:37:26 PM
Quote from: The Larch on June 07, 2022, 10:33:15 AM
QuoteSunderland shareholders Stewart Donald and Charlie Methven are in discussions to sell their stake in the Championship club to a cryptocurrency group known as The Fans Together.

Sorry, Jos.
Well thats daft. But getting shot of those guys is welcome.
https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2022/6/7/23149760/will-sunderland-afc-be-subject-to-a-crypto-experiment

I suspect when they say they're attracted to Sunderland for the large fan base they've missed out mentioning how dopey a large segment are.

I have heard of this fan engagement token somewhere before though and it didn't seem so awful, for the sort who spent money on ringtones back in the day.

I'm having trouble seeing how it will be so awful for the club, its a minority stake and with the NFT market collapsing they should sell it on pretty soon. Though pretty bad for the region to have snakeoil salesmen in a position of influence.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 07, 2022, 01:53:36 PM
It doesn't sound good. I saw Joey d'Urso from the Athletic covering a parliamentary committee into the Football Index ponzi scheme and I think one of the MPs flagged the weird crypto/NFT products footballers and football clubs have been promoting (which have almost all collapsed).

It's something d'Urso and the Athletic have been really good at covering but there's some dodgy stuff going on with football and crypto/NFTs. Two very suspect industries getting involved is probably not a good thing in general.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 11, 2022, 02:47:40 PM
You'd think England is the one with a fan ban from how empty molyneuix of all places is.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on June 12, 2022, 04:36:00 PM
Quote from: Jacob on June 06, 2022, 08:25:39 PMI wonder if the UEFA Nations League is going to become something people care about... seems like a legit competition.

So far I'd say it's just in the "people only care when they win it" tier of trophies.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on June 12, 2022, 08:09:02 PM
Quote from: celedhring on June 12, 2022, 04:36:00 PM
Quote from: Jacob on June 06, 2022, 08:25:39 PMI wonder if the UEFA Nations League is going to become something people care about... seems like a legit competition.

So far I'd say it's just in the "people only care when they win it" tier of trophies.

I'm caring about the games now and it's merely "we have a shot." Interesting to see how it develops.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on June 13, 2022, 01:57:13 AM
Norway beat Sweden twice in a row 2-0. Some Norwegian defender made a rude gesture and they seemed happy. Apparently they think there's some kind of football rivalry going on.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 13, 2022, 02:06:42 AM
Quote from: celedhring on June 12, 2022, 04:36:00 PMSo far I'd say it's just in the "people only care when they win it" tier of trophies.
I think the first round was fun - 2018's friendlies leading up to finals in summer 2019. But doing it in the same year as a big tournament just doesn't work.

I think this year it's particularly ridiculous. There were disrupted and weirdly timed seasons because of covid. There were Euros in the summer, then a full season. Players are going to the World Cup in November and they've got this too.

In off years it's fun - and I like countries playing with roughly similar level teams. But I think de Bruyne's complaint was really fair: "(They are) just glorified friendlies after a long and tough season. I am not looking forward to it. As players, we can talk about vacation or rest, but we have no say. We have a little more than three weeks of vacation every 12 months." Van Dijk made similar comments.

I've said it before but I really feel that since 2020, like the rest of us, football players need a proper break. Everyone looks knackered.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on June 13, 2022, 03:46:41 AM
Yeah, Luís Enrique is always complaining how the tournament clashes with the necessary prep for the WC.

FWIW, I didn't even know how Spain was doing in it until Jacob mentioned it :p - we are top of our group but Portugal is just one point below.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 13, 2022, 04:15:21 AM
Surprised more countries haven't just outright sent their under 23s or more of a firm b squad.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 13, 2022, 07:25:28 AM
Quote from: celedhring on June 12, 2022, 04:36:00 PM
Quote from: Jacob on June 06, 2022, 08:25:39 PMI wonder if the UEFA Nations League is going to become something people care about... seems like a legit competition.

So far I'd say it's just in the "people only care when they win it" tier of trophies.

That may be true for the top teams (say les Bleus) for but for smaller teams, even more so in the lower divisions (B, C & D) it's taken seriously.
I agree with Sheilbh, about this saturated season and the rest.

As for the last games :

Portugal played twice Switzerland, first a 4-0 in Clandestino's place than a 1-0 defeat away in Calvin's city.  :hmm: Czechia was beaten 2-0 previously, also in Clandestino's lair (Sporting stadium Alvalade in Lisbon).
B-team aligned for the away game in the first half, classic Bruno Fernandes incompetence, Nuno Mendes nowhere near his level with PSG, Leão even less so after this great season with A.C Miland.
Add in realist Swiss (first shot first goal) and the goalkeeper doing the game of his life.
Uninspired Portuguese attacking and Cancelo still sucks at his defensive duties as a lateral/wing-back.
Felt like playing away for the Swiss (huge Portuguese community in Geneva/Romand Switzerland), as a game involving Porto, Benfica or the Selecção in Paris.  :D

In the meantime, Spain won twice, against Czechia and Switzerland, but tied once as well with Czechia.

Great Marca journalism, see the comparison for the Portuguese victory vs Czechia by the way  :lol: :

QuotePortugal sofoca la sublevación Checa
El combinado luso ha logrado lo que no pudo hacer el ejército alemán en 1945, sofocar la insurrección de la República Checa.

https://www.marca.com/futbol/nations-league/portugal-vs-republica-checa/cronica/2022/06/09/62a25ca946163f6c808b461c.html (https://www.marca.com/futbol/nations-league/portugal-vs-republica-checa/cronica/2022/06/09/62a25ca946163f6c808b461c.html)

Apples and oranges?  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on June 13, 2022, 07:40:10 AM
Christ  :lol:

For the Spanish-impeded, the quote says "The Portuguese team achieved what the German army failed to do in 1945: to quash the Czech insurrection"

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 13, 2022, 12:49:46 PM
Saw a rumour someone's trying to buy Everton from some journalist. Searched for the guy and the first result was headlined "the most despicable man in football", which sounds sub-optimal :ph34r:

Although that article was over 15 years ago and it'd be a big shout now we're all thinking a little bit more about Saudi, Emirati, Qatari and Russian oligarch owners....

No idea if it'll happen but our owner was very closely associated with Usmanov and we were heavily sponsored by Usmanov's companies - there were always rumours that he was basically the shadow owner. It would be nice to move away from "rumoured to be controlled by a sanctioned oligarch".

Edit: Oh FFS:
QuoteFarhad Moshiri's disastrous ownership of Everton has taken a surreal twist, with news the eccentric billionaire is in talks to sell the club to close associates of Donald Trump and Steve Bannon.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 13, 2022, 03:37:03 PM
WTF  :lol: :o

Everton to become the MAGA club :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on June 13, 2022, 03:42:06 PM
Someone please explain to me how that was a penalty in the France-Croatia game. Baffling.

Croatia looked exhausted and weren't running at all. France played for maybe 10 minutes towards the end of the game, and probably because Deschamps was playing benchwarmers.

I don't even remember what the point of the Nation's League is. Is it to qualify for the Euros?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on June 13, 2022, 03:44:33 PM
Nvm, found it. Look how easy and intuitive this crapfest is  :lol:

QuoteUEFA European Championship link
Main article: UEFA European Championship qualifying
The UEFA Nations League is linked with the UEFA European Championship qualifying, providing teams another chance to qualify for the UEFA European Championship.

There were play-offs for each of Leagues A, B, C, and D in October and November 2020. Each group winner earned a spot in the semi-finals. If the group winner was already one of the 20 qualified teams, rankings were used to give the play-off spot to another team of that league. If fewer than four teams in the entire league remained unqualified, play-off spots for that league were given to teams of the next lower league. This determined the four remaining qualifying spots for the European Championship (out of 24 total).[8][9][15]

FIFA World Cup link
Main article: FIFA World Cup qualification § Europe
The Nations League is linked with European qualification for the FIFA World Cup, although to a lesser degree than the UEFA European Championship qualifying play-offs. The first round of the World Cup qualification consists of ten groups. The winner of each group will directly qualify for the World Cup. Then, the second round (which follows a play-off format) will be contested by the ten group runners-up, plus the best two Nations League group winners (based on the Nations League overall ranking) that finished outside the top two of their qualifying group. The play-offs will be split into three play-off paths, played in two semi-finals (hosted by the six best-ranked runners-up of the qualifying group stage) and the final (with the home teams to be drawn), from which an additional three teams will also qualify.[16]
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on June 13, 2022, 04:01:14 PM
Qatar does not allow alcohol. Anheuser-Busch is one of the big FIFA and World Cup sponsors. Oops.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on June 13, 2022, 04:16:06 PM
Quote from: Zanza on June 13, 2022, 04:01:14 PMQatar does not allow alcohol. Anheuser-Busch is one of the big FIFA and World Cup sponsors. Oops.

Will the World Cup convince them to change it?

I remember hearing that Brazil for the longest time didn't allow alcohol in soccer stadiums due to the increased risk of violence / hooliganism.  But one of the requirements of FIFA when they held the World Cup there was to allow alcohol at games, precisely because of the sponsors.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on June 13, 2022, 04:17:07 PM
Fully expecting FIFA to push back hard on this, while having ignored the much more worrying things Qatar does  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on June 13, 2022, 04:17:42 PM
Quote from: celedhring on June 13, 2022, 04:17:07 PMFully expecting FIFA to push back hard on this, while having ignored the much more worrying things Qatar does  :lol:

It would be on-brand for FIFA... :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 13, 2022, 04:26:47 PM
I believe - and I could be wrong here - that for the World Cup stadiums become FIFAland. Just like the IOC has some weird jurisdiction over the Olympics sites.

I think partner venues like hotels also have to meet FIFA rules which will, I imagine, include selling the sponsors' products. Which I think is probably how Qatar functions anyway - like Dubai or Abu Dhabi you can drink in hotels and bars for expats/tourists. I think the hotels even have to be "non-discriminatory" to openly gay fans (not that I imagine many will be going to Qatar).

The whole thing is just going to be so grim :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on June 13, 2022, 04:38:51 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on June 13, 2022, 04:26:47 PMI believe - and I could be wrong here - that for the World Cup stadiums become FIFAland. Just like the IOC has some weird jurisdiction over the Olympics sites.

I think partner venues like hotels also have to meet FIFA rules which will, I imagine, include selling the sponsors' products. Which I think is probably how Qatar functions anyway - like Dubai or Abu Dhabi you can drink in hotels and bars for expats/tourists. I think the hotels even have to be "non-discriminatory" to openly gay fans (not that I imagine many will be going to Qatar).

The whole thing is just going to be so grim :(

I mentioned this years ago...

The Women's World Cup was held in Canada in 2015.  Some of the games were held in Edmonton.

As per FIFA rules my then 5 year old could not play his scheduled soccer game one day because it was scheduled for the same time as a World Cup match.  Because obviously I would then turn around and take a 5 year old to an expensive World Cup game, instead of him kicking a ball around at the local park.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 13, 2022, 04:43:21 PM
Qatar will be a mess even without considering alcohol.. Complete lack of hotel availability.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on June 13, 2022, 05:38:10 PM
If England fans can get drunk in the stadium then they unleash themselves on Qatar, that should be priceless.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 14, 2022, 06:42:56 AM
Quote from: Tamas on June 13, 2022, 05:38:10 PMIf England fans can get drunk in the stadium then they unleash themselves on Qatar, that should be priceless.

Good luck with getting drunk with 0.5 % "beer" (already sold in stadia for Russia 2018 or France 2016 (EURO) or 0.1 % hallal beer for the Wahhabi sheikdom.

Leaves the real drinking to VIP lounges. WAD.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on June 14, 2022, 07:03:18 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on June 14, 2022, 06:42:56 AM
Quote from: Tamas on June 13, 2022, 05:38:10 PMIf England fans can get drunk in the stadium then they unleash themselves on Qatar, that should be priceless.

Good luck with getting drunk with 0.5 % "beer" (already sold in stadia for Russia 2018 or France 2016 (EURO) or 0.1 % hallal beer for the Wahhabi sheikdom.

Leaves the real drinking to VIP lounges. WAD.

 :lol:

Too true Duque.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on June 14, 2022, 07:13:47 AM
Quote from: Barrister on June 13, 2022, 04:38:51 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on June 13, 2022, 04:26:47 PMI believe - and I could be wrong here - that for the World Cup stadiums become FIFAland. Just like the IOC has some weird jurisdiction over the Olympics sites.

I think partner venues like hotels also have to meet FIFA rules which will, I imagine, include selling the sponsors' products. Which I think is probably how Qatar functions anyway - like Dubai or Abu Dhabi you can drink in hotels and bars for expats/tourists. I think the hotels even have to be "non-discriminatory" to openly gay fans (not that I imagine many will be going to Qatar).

The whole thing is just going to be so grim :(

I mentioned this years ago...

The Women's World Cup was held in Canada in 2015.  Some of the games were held in Edmonton.

As per FIFA rules my then 5 year old could not play his scheduled soccer game one day because it was scheduled for the same time as a World Cup match.  Because obviously I would then turn around and take a 5 year old to an expensive World Cup game, instead of him kicking a ball around at the local park.

For the WC 2026, Fifa asks for a total entertainment blank slate. Montreal has 2 pro summer teams and Festivals on going from early June to late August/early September. Montreal, wisely, will not host any WC games.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 14, 2022, 04:18:13 PM
Tamas, how conflicted do you feel about tonight's game?  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 14, 2022, 05:22:35 PM
England should sack Southgate and bring in Wenger :contract:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on June 15, 2022, 01:36:58 AM
Quote from: The Larch on June 14, 2022, 04:18:13 PMTamas, how conflicted do you feel about tonight's game?  :P

 :lol:

Very.

Can't help feeling happy for Hungary, but also humiliating for England, and it's making racist scum among the Hungarian fans happy not to mention Orban, so those are big negatives. Then again it makes scum among the English fans unhappy so that's a plus.

BTW after repeated booing during the kneeling of the England team, apparently England fans yelled "racist scum" or something to that effect during the Hungarian anthem. England and Hungary fans - what a nice pot and kettle situation.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 15, 2022, 07:02:12 AM
Good thing England lost at home by the biggest margin since the 1920s, since France got beaten again at home by Croatia (1-0) ; having a well-trained midfield with the likes of Modric certainly beats the improvisation Deschamps offered though he had not much choice. Very uninspired Bleus, with Griezmann really in a bad spell, Kyky made no miracles unlike last time in Vienna, a dangerous pitch that famous Ernst Happel Stadion, as seen from the previous Austria-Denmark:

(https://cdn.resfu.com/media/img_news/agujero-en-el-estadio-ernst-happel-de-viena-antes-del-austria-dinamarca-de-la-liga-de-las-naciones-en-junio-de-2022--capturas-espn.jpg?size=1000x&lossy=1)
Being last of the group, les Bleus have to stay in League A in September.

Germany 5 Italy 2
2-0 by half-time and 5-0, 5 minutes before regulation time. Really dominated by die Mannschaft (did the name change by the way? :D) vs a very green Squadra Azzura.

Switzerland 1 Portugal 0

Following the 4-0 success in Lisbon, the Selecção was too experimental, in a bad way, and the Swiss scored one of the fastest goals ever (56 seconds in) and managed to defend their advantage helped by an uninspired Selecção and coach. Bruno Fernandes a burden, as always, Nuno Mendes a disappointment, same for Leão, despite their great season with their respective clubs.
Bernardo Silva entered too late, with the Selecção performing better in the second half but not enough. Also, the Swiss GK had the game of his life, 9 saves, though his foot skills leave to desire same goes for Rui Patrício in a lesser way).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 16, 2022, 04:58:04 PM
2026 World Cup sites selected and announced:

https://twitter.com/fifamedia/status/1537551690534207491?t=z1J2_AAFHHC0Jf7TgORteA&s=19

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ce4brO1OjKe/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 16, 2022, 05:04:11 PM
Quote from: Tamas on June 15, 2022, 01:36:58 AM
Quote from: The Larch on June 14, 2022, 04:18:13 PMTamas, how conflicted do you feel about tonight's game?  :P

 :lol:

Very.

Can't help feeling happy for Hungary, but also humiliating for England, and it's making racist scum among the Hungarian fans happy not to mention Orban, so those are big negatives. Then again it makes scum among the English fans unhappy so that's a plus.

BTW after repeated booing during the kneeling of the England team, apparently England fans yelled "racist scum" or something to that effect during the Hungarian anthem. England and Hungary fans - what a nice pot and kettle situation.

I dunno. Dishonoring people for being racists does give England fans +5pts in my book.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 16, 2022, 06:26:06 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on June 16, 2022, 04:58:04 PM2026 World Cup sites selected and announced:

https://twitter.com/fifamedia/status/1537551690534207491?t=z1J2_AAFHHC0Jf7TgORteA&s=19

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ce4brO1OjKe/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=

Just 2 venues in Canada and 3 in Mexico?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on June 16, 2022, 09:45:51 PM
Ooh... going to try to get tickets.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on June 16, 2022, 11:55:33 PM
With the exception of Montreal don't know if other cities could host. Maybe cfl stadiums, but I don't know about capacity.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on June 17, 2022, 12:45:22 AM
Montreal declined to host mainly because of FIFA's insane rules about other events.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 17, 2022, 01:27:42 AM
Quote from: The Larch on June 16, 2022, 06:26:06 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on June 16, 2022, 04:58:04 PM2026 World Cup sites selected and announced:

https://twitter.com/fifamedia/status/1537551690534207491?t=z1J2_AAFHHC0Jf7TgORteA&s=19

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ce4brO1OjKe/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=

Just 2 venues in Canada and 3 in Mexico?

Mexico does care about football a tinsy bit more. 3 times as many people too.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on June 17, 2022, 03:26:27 AM
Quote from: Josquius on June 16, 2022, 05:04:11 PM
Quote from: Tamas on June 15, 2022, 01:36:58 AM
Quote from: The Larch on June 14, 2022, 04:18:13 PMTamas, how conflicted do you feel about tonight's game?  :P

 :lol:

Very.

Can't help feeling happy for Hungary, but also humiliating for England, and it's making racist scum among the Hungarian fans happy not to mention Orban, so those are big negatives. Then again it makes scum among the English fans unhappy so that's a plus.

BTW after repeated booing during the kneeling of the England team, apparently England fans yelled "racist scum" or something to that effect during the Hungarian anthem. England and Hungary fans - what a nice pot and kettle situation.

I dunno. Dishonoring people for being racists does give England fans +5pts in my book.

So considering how big assholes England fans are usually are around the world, would you be ok with other people booing the British anthem in reaction to that?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 17, 2022, 04:24:47 AM
Quote from: Tamas on June 17, 2022, 03:26:27 AM
Quote from: Josquius on June 16, 2022, 05:04:11 PM
Quote from: Tamas on June 15, 2022, 01:36:58 AM
Quote from: The Larch on June 14, 2022, 04:18:13 PMTamas, how conflicted do you feel about tonight's game?  :P

 :lol:

Very.

Can't help feeling happy for Hungary, but also humiliating for England, and it's making racist scum among the Hungarian fans happy not to mention Orban, so those are big negatives. Then again it makes scum among the English fans unhappy so that's a plus.

BTW after repeated booing during the kneeling of the England team, apparently England fans yelled "racist scum" or something to that effect during the Hungarian anthem. England and Hungary fans - what a nice pot and kettle situation.

I dunno. Dishonoring people for being racists does give England fans +5pts in my book.

So considering how big assholes England fans are usually are around the world, would you be ok with other people booing the British anthem in reaction to that?
In general? Kind of cunty.
After they've only just recently done something racist? Sound.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 17, 2022, 04:33:31 AM
Quote from: HVC on June 16, 2022, 11:55:33 PMWith the exception of Montreal don't know if other cities could host. Maybe cfl stadiums, but I don't know about capacity.

I'm checking the wiki entry for the selection of venues for the 2026 WC (quite comprehensive, btw), and apparently the following Canadian cities submitted bids: Montreal (then withdrew voluntarely), Edmonton (excluded in the final round), Ottawa (excluded in the 1st round) and Regina (excluded in the 1st round). On top of that, other cities were contacted but didn't submit a bid, like Calgary, Montreal (different stadium than the one that withdrew voluntarely) and Toronto (again, different stadium).

Apparently the minimum capacity for a WC game is 40k. The Toronto stadium that was selected (BMO Field) will get its capacity increased for the WC.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 17, 2022, 04:47:03 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on June 17, 2022, 12:45:22 AMMontreal declined to host mainly because of FIFA's insane rules about other events.

I'm reading it was because of money. Vancouver also withdrew initially because of financial concerns and had to be brought back for the final bid because otherwise Canada would only have 1 venue.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 17, 2022, 04:48:10 AM
That map is great and should be very fun to go to - and it just makes me more annoyed/angry at this year's nonsense.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 17, 2022, 05:00:55 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on June 17, 2022, 04:48:10 AMThat map is great and should be very fun to go to - and it just makes me more annoyed/angry at this year's nonsense.

I can't help but feel that it seriously cheapens the status of host (and automatic qualification that goes attached to it) if the US is going to host the vast majority of matches and venues with Mexico and Canada as total sideshows.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 17, 2022, 05:05:28 AM
Maybe. But I also think it's a better way for some countries to get a chance to host. Canada is unlikely to host on its own ever, now it gets a few games in a few cities.

Similarly I think Mexico was very unlikely to get to host on its own again for a few years.

I agree there's a problem with automatic qualification with these joint bids, but I think it opens a route for smaller countries (in a football sense) who'd never get it which I think is probably a good thing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 17, 2022, 05:23:59 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on June 17, 2022, 05:05:28 AMCanada is unlikely to host on its own ever, now it gets a few games in a few cities.

And there's a reason for that, given that they've struggled to feature just two venues.

QuoteSimilarly I think Mexico was very unlikely to get to host on its own again for a few years.

Why? They hosted it in '70 and '86, have a strong footballing tradition and tons of already existing venues. I don't think they couldn't have won a bid on their own.



I think that as soon as joint bids started getting popular some ground rules should have been established guaranteeing an even split of games between all bidding nations. Originally it was easy as it was only between two countries that split games and venues evenly, but this particular three way one is so completely one sided it's kind of laughable, it's as if Mexico and Canada are only there for the token diversity points (and automatic qualification spot).

I'd have liked at least a 50-50 split, or 50-25-25 if you will, with half the games/venues at most in the US and the other half split between Mexico and Canada. Instead it seems that the vast majority of games will be played in the US, with barely 10 games to be played each in Canada and Mexico (7 in the group stage, 2 in the round of 32 and 1 in the round of 16). Everything from the QF onwards is to be played in the US as well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 17, 2022, 05:48:47 AM
Quote from: The Larch on June 17, 2022, 05:23:59 AMWhy? They hosted it in '70 and '86, have a strong footballing tradition and tons of already existing venues. I don't think they couldn't have won a bid on their own.
Agreed. Canada because it is (in a footballing sense) a smaller country wouldn't get to host and Mexico because it's already hosted twice in relatively recent years wouldn't get a chance again for some time.

QuoteI think that as soon as joint bids started getting popular some ground rules should have been established guaranteeing an even split of games between all bidding nations. Originally it was easy as it was only between two countries that split games and venues evenly, but this particular three way one is so completely one sided it's kind of laughable, it's as if Mexico and Canada are only there for the token diversity points (and automatic qualification spot).

I'd have liked at least a 50-50 split, or 50-25-25 if you will, with half the games/venues at most in the US and the other half split between Mexico and Canada. Instead it seems that the vast majority of games will be played in the US, with barely 10 games to be played each in Canada and Mexico (7 in the group stage, 2 in the round of 32 and 1 in the round of 16). Everything from the QF onwards is to be played in the US as well.
Yeah there maybe needs to be a split agreed as part of the bid - and I agree on automatic qualification. Personally I think there's probably an argument that all bidding countries get games up to the QFs at least (which also effectively puts a cap on how many hosts you have). And I think the key is the number of games.

But I'd like World Cups to go down more of a regional route (in part to avoid too much travel by fans). So have a route from group to QF in one region - for example, say Mexico and Texas, the West Coast, the North-East etc. Which I think would provide for more games for all hosts in a joint scenario. My understanding is that while they do that for the groups I think it should be almost a bit like teams are put into a "region" and then there's play-offs in that region up to QF.

I think it'd be helpful in the Euros too but it was when the (covid-ruined) plans for a pan-European Euros were announced that I thought it might be a good idea. Because if you've got a lot of venues across a large space it was mad and not great from an environmental perspective.

Although I love a regional play-off structure and I think that UEFA should go down that model (I don't know how to divide it) for their club tournaments too. Maybe dividing Europe into southern/northern play-offs :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 17, 2022, 10:06:49 AM
Don't they usually do this in world cups? At least I'm sure I remember they did in those where I was really enthused over a decade ago.
Win the group and you get to play second place teams in your "home" stadium, come second in the group and you must travel to face tougher opposition.
The trouble of course being if your home is a lesser stadium so if course it drops out as you approach the final.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on June 17, 2022, 12:51:34 PM
Quote from: The Larch on June 17, 2022, 05:23:59 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on June 17, 2022, 05:05:28 AMCanada is unlikely to host on its own ever, now it gets a few games in a few cities.

And there's a reason for that, given that they've struggled to feature just two venues.

QuoteSimilarly I think Mexico was very unlikely to get to host on its own again for a few years.

Why? They hosted it in '70 and '86, have a strong footballing tradition and tons of already existing venues. I don't think they couldn't have won a bid on their own.



I think that as soon as joint bids started getting popular some ground rules should have been established guaranteeing an even split of games between all bidding nations. Originally it was easy as it was only between two countries that split games and venues evenly, but this particular three way one is so completely one sided it's kind of laughable, it's as if Mexico and Canada are only there for the token diversity points (and automatic qualification spot).

I'd have liked at least a 50-50 split, or 50-25-25 if you will, with half the games/venues at most in the US and the other half split between Mexico and Canada. Instead it seems that the vast majority of games will be played in the US, with barely 10 games to be played each in Canada and Mexico (7 in the group stage, 2 in the round of 32 and 1 in the round of 16). Everything from the QF onwards is to be played in the US as well.

It was a good away to avoid another ugly political CONCACAF fight to pick between Mexico & USA to host. When the bid was announced it was only getting out of yet another one.


Edmonton is the big venue getting snubbed here. Lots of great Canadian football moment have happened in Edmonton.

Not sad about not having any games in Montreal. FIFA can go fuck themselves trying to take away our events in June. (NHL playoffs, CFL, a music festival, a comedy festival & a F1 grand prix)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on June 17, 2022, 01:03:41 PM
Some consternation around Edmonton about not being selected.

We have an older, but very nice 60k seat stadium that has had plenty of international soccer played within it, including Women's World Cup and the CONCACAF Mexico-Canada game this past winter.

Apparently FIFA was insisting on $100 mil plus in upgrades to stadium and other areas.  Obviously some jurisdictions just pulled out entirely (like Montreal).  Our provincial government hummed and hawed, and ultimately agreed to fund it - but only if we got 5 games, including one elimination game.

The thing is Canada is only getting 10 games period, so this was probably a poison pill.

But you can kind of see the government's point, too.  Why are we spending $100 mil (and I think it was more than that) for 1-2 soccer games?  And probably not the high prestige games at that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 17, 2022, 03:05:04 PM
What were the improvements?
I have no doubt there was a lot of superfluous keep the corrupt partners happy nonsense. But surely some was stuff that would have been useful in the longer term like improved transport?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on June 17, 2022, 03:11:27 PM
Quote from: Josquius on June 17, 2022, 03:05:04 PMWhat were the improvements?
I have no doubt there was a lot of superfluous keep the corrupt partners happy nonsense. But surely some was stuff that would have been useful in the longer term like improved transport?

I'm not sure.  I found the total cost ($110 mil), and I know a small part of it is installing natural turf at Commonwealth Stadium, but not beyond that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on June 17, 2022, 05:42:44 PM
Agreed - would've been nice to have games in Edmonton, and more games in Canada.

No blame on Montreal for pulling out, given the "nothing else is allowed to happen." I wonder what - if anything - is getting cancelled or moved in Vancouver?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 18, 2022, 06:48:37 AM
Quote from: Josquius on June 17, 2022, 03:05:04 PMWhat were the improvements?
I have no doubt there was a lot of superfluous keep the corrupt partners happy nonsense. But surely some was stuff that would have been useful in the longer term like improved transport?

Yeah, but this is Alberta. Improved transport means bigger trucks.  ;)

BB's right, the Alberta gov't made demands on FIFA that other cities didn't. That rarely helps your cause.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 19, 2022, 06:38:09 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 17, 2022, 12:51:34 PMEdmonton is the big venue getting snubbed here. Lots of great Canadian football moment have happened in Edmonton.

Quote from: Barrister on June 17, 2022, 01:03:41 PMSome consternation around Edmonton about not being selected.

Quote from: Jacob on June 17, 2022, 05:42:44 PMAgreed - would've been nice to have games in Edmonton, and more games in Canada.

Yeah, for what I saw it seems that Edmonton was supposed to be part of the final bid, I even saw it featured in some mock ups for the schedule, so I guess it was almost taken for granted that it'd be picked up.

Quote from: Barrister on June 17, 2022, 01:03:41 PMWe have an older, but very nice 60k seat stadium that has had plenty of international soccer played within it, including Women's World Cup and the CONCACAF Mexico-Canada game this past winter.

Apparently FIFA was insisting on $100 mil plus in upgrades to stadium and other areas.  Obviously some jurisdictions just pulled out entirely (like Montreal).  Our provincial government hummed and hawed, and ultimately agreed to fund it - but only if we got 5 games, including one elimination game.

The thing is Canada is only getting 10 games period, so this was probably a poison pill.

But you can kind of see the government's point, too.  Why are we spending $100 mil (and I think it was more than that) for 1-2 soccer games?  And probably not the high prestige games at that.

Yeah, I agree it'd be quite a hefty investment for possible just a few games. If Canada had more games it'd make sense but not for a couple of them.

QuoteNot sad about not having any games in Montreal. FIFA can go fuck themselves trying to take away our events in June. (NHL playoffs, CFL, a music festival, a comedy festival & a F1 grand prix)

QuoteNo blame on Montreal for pulling out, given the "nothing else is allowed to happen."

You guys keep repeating this and I haven't seen it mentioned anywhere. The only official reason I've seen given for Montreal's withdrawal was a financial one, as apparently the Quebec government didn't want to pitch in.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 21, 2022, 03:31:39 PM
Time for some silly season stuff:

Chelsea agreed a loan with Inter to take Lukaku back for a one year loan for a minor fee. In essence, Inter loaned Lukaku to Chelsea for the 2021/2022 season and received like 90m from Chelsea in return :lol:

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 21, 2022, 05:10:00 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on June 21, 2022, 03:31:39 PMTime for some silly season stuff:

Chelsea agreed a loan with Inter to take Lukaku back for a one year loan for a minor fee. In essence, Inter loaned Lukaku to Chelsea for the 2021/2022 season and received like 90m from Chelsea in return :lol:



Amazing. Chelsea is usually quite smart with transfers. They're the most well known of the buy up all the kids, loan them out a bit, then sell for big money, crew.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on June 21, 2022, 07:56:41 PM
Quote from: The Larch on June 19, 2022, 06:38:09 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 17, 2022, 12:51:34 PMEdmonton is the big venue getting snubbed here. Lots of great Canadian football moment have happened in Edmonton.

Quote from: Barrister on June 17, 2022, 01:03:41 PMSome consternation around Edmonton about not being selected.

Quote from: Jacob on June 17, 2022, 05:42:44 PMAgreed - would've been nice to have games in Edmonton, and more games in Canada.

Yeah, for what I saw it seems that Edmonton was supposed to be part of the final bid, I even saw it featured in some mock ups for the schedule, so I guess it was almost taken for granted that it'd be picked up.

Quote from: Barrister on June 17, 2022, 01:03:41 PMWe have an older, but very nice 60k seat stadium that has had plenty of international soccer played within it, including Women's World Cup and the CONCACAF Mexico-Canada game this past winter.

Apparently FIFA was insisting on $100 mil plus in upgrades to stadium and other areas.  Obviously some jurisdictions just pulled out entirely (like Montreal).  Our provincial government hummed and hawed, and ultimately agreed to fund it - but only if we got 5 games, including one elimination game.

The thing is Canada is only getting 10 games period, so this was probably a poison pill.

But you can kind of see the government's point, too.  Why are we spending $100 mil (and I think it was more than that) for 1-2 soccer games?  And probably not the high prestige games at that.

Yeah, I agree it'd be quite a hefty investment for possible just a few games. If Canada had more games it'd make sense but not for a couple of them.

QuoteNot sad about not having any games in Montreal. FIFA can go fuck themselves trying to take away our events in June. (NHL playoffs, CFL, a music festival, a comedy festival & a F1 grand prix)

QuoteNo blame on Montreal for pulling out, given the "nothing else is allowed to happen."

You guys keep repeating this and I haven't seen it mentioned anywhere. The only official reason I've seen given for Montreal's withdrawal was a financial one, as apparently the Quebec government didn't want to pitch in.

https://www.lapresse.ca/sports/soccer/2021-02-02/coupe-du-monde-de-soccer-2026/pourquoi-quebec-a-dit-non.php

Translated link : https://www-lapresse-ca.translate.goog/sports/soccer/2021-02-02/coupe-du-monde-de-soccer-2026/pourquoi-quebec-a-dit-non.php?_x_tr_sl=fr&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=fr&_x_tr_pto=wapp

QuoteAccording to our information, the presentation of three games in Montreal in the summer of 2026 would force the cancellation or postponement of the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Canada, the International Jazz Festival, the Francos and perhaps the Just For Laughs festival. FIFA also asks that the Olympic Stadium only be used for the World Cup for a period of three months, while the event lasts only five weeks.

By forcing a postponement or cancellation of festivals, Quebec feared to further weaken the flagship events of the Montreal summer, already heavily affected by the pandemic.

The vacuum requirement is not new. In 2018, The Province , a Vancouver newspaper, published a FIFA document for cities interested in hosting the 2018 Soccer World Cup. major – other than the competition – cannot be presented in the host city for a period beginning seven days before the event and ending seven days after". Also, "no substantial cultural events (such as musical performances) that could attract large crowds" may take place in the host city one day before or after each match.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 22, 2022, 03:50:53 AM
Well, that's not the "nothing can happen during the WC" that you were talking about. Sure, it'd take some tinkering, but I don't see how it'd be such a deal breaker as you made it to be. The money argument seems to hold more water for me.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on June 22, 2022, 04:30:55 AM
In the case of Just for Laughs, I think FIFA would be doing you a favor.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 22, 2022, 05:23:56 AM
Looks like the NFT stuff at Sunderland is off as the chairman has upped his stake instead.

https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2022/6/22/23178123/methven-gone-as-kld-finally-takes-a-majority-share-in-sunderland

I wasn't that worried about the NFT's potential to destroy the club, but certainly it would have hurt a lot of people, so good news.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on June 22, 2022, 06:33:55 PM
Quote from: The Larch on June 22, 2022, 03:50:53 AMWell, that's not the "nothing can happen during the WC" that you were talking about. Sure, it'd take some tinkering, but I don't see how it'd be such a deal breaker as you made it to be. The money argument seems to hold more water for me.

How is it not? There's only 10 weeks of summer weather. You can't reschedule multiple multiple weeks event and the grand prix to hold 3 2 hours game.

For the government, the money is what tilted the scale yes. But that entertainment vacuum would have killed any public support.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 23, 2022, 09:00:23 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 22, 2022, 06:33:55 PM
Quote from: The Larch on June 22, 2022, 03:50:53 AMWell, that's not the "nothing can happen during the WC" that you were talking about. Sure, it'd take some tinkering, but I don't see how it'd be such a deal breaker as you made it to be. The money argument seems to hold more water for me.

How is it not? There's only 10 weeks of summer weather. You can't reschedule multiple multiple weeks event and the grand prix to hold 3 2 hours game.

For the government, the money is what tilted the scale yes. But that entertainment vacuum would have killed any public support.

Don't tell me you can't schedule things to make everything fit with 4 years time to plan stuff. The whole WC is just one month, and games in Montreal would probably only take place during the first 2-3 weeks anyway. The GP can be done before the WC starts, the comedy festival as soon as the WC (or at least the part in Montreal) ends and the other events can be held during the WC itself, only with the necessary separation so they're not taking place at the same time than the games. It doesn't seem that difficult to me, to make a deal breaker out of it seems to be just looking for an excuse to not take part in the WC bid.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on June 23, 2022, 09:55:01 AM
The Montreal Jazz fest has been going on since 1980, pretty much at the same time every year. It's the biggest jazz festival in the world. People plan their vacation around its dates, which have been stable for 42 years.

I don't think it's worth screwing that up to host Zambia - Belarus in the group stage. Fuck FIFA.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 23, 2022, 10:05:54 AM
I'm with Soups. Fuck FIFA.

I mean, it's cool and all that the WC will be played here again, but bending over backwards for these corrupt fuckwads is not desirable.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on June 23, 2022, 10:28:36 AM
Quote from: The Larch on June 23, 2022, 09:00:23 AMDon't tell me you can't schedule things to make everything fit with 4 years time to plan stuff. The whole WC is just one month, and games in Montreal would probably only take place during the first 2-3 weeks anyway. The GP can be done before the WC starts, the comedy festival as soon as the WC (or at least the part in Montreal) ends and the other events can be held during the WC itself, only with the necessary separation so they're not taking place at the same time than the games. It doesn't seem that difficult to me, to make a deal breaker out of it seems to be just looking for an excuse to not take part in the WC bid.

I'm just trying to imagine FIA/F1 being told they need to move their event based on what FIFA wants and them going "OK sure, no problem!".

Nope, can't do it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on June 23, 2022, 11:25:34 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on June 23, 2022, 09:55:01 AMThe Montreal Jazz fest has been going on since 1980, pretty much at the same time every year. It's the biggest jazz festival in the world. People plan their vacation around its dates, which have been stable for 42 years.

I don't think it's worth screwing that up to host Zambia - Belarus in the group stage. Fuck FIFA.

Agreed.

I'm happy that Vancouver is hosting - I think it makes sense for us. But I absolutely think Montreal made the right decision for them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on June 24, 2022, 12:54:14 PM
Quote from: The Larch on June 17, 2022, 04:47:03 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on June 17, 2022, 12:45:22 AMMontreal declined to host mainly because of FIFA's insane rules about other events.

I'm reading it was because of money. Vancouver also withdrew initially because of financial concerns and had to be brought back for the final bid because otherwise Canada would only have 1 venue.

I was a bit surprised when I read we were hosting because I didn't know we had come back into the bid.  I hope we are not paying FIFA much.  I was pretty happy when we withdrew in the first instance.

edit: a quick google search shows its a lot of money for a couple of games.

Estimate is between $240 million and $260 million.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on June 24, 2022, 01:38:06 PM
Quote from: Josquius on June 21, 2022, 05:10:00 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on June 21, 2022, 03:31:39 PMTime for some silly season stuff:

Chelsea agreed a loan with Inter to take Lukaku back for a one year loan for a minor fee. In essence, Inter loaned Lukaku to Chelsea for the 2021/2022 season and received like 90m from Chelsea in return :lol:



Amazing. Chelsea is usually quite smart with transfers. They're the most well known of the buy up all the kids, loan them out a bit, then sell for big money, crew.

Sure but signing terrible past their prime strikers is what Chelsea do. Have been trying to replace Drogba ever since he left.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 27, 2022, 12:56:26 PM
Another silly Worlde knockoff but for foot:

https://footdle.com/
Footdle 178 - 8/12
🟥🟥🟥🟥
🟥🟥🟥🟥
🟩🟥🟥🟥
🟩🟥🟥🟥
🟩🟩🟥🟥
🟩🟩🟥🟥
🟩🟩🟩🟥
🟩🟩🟩🟩

I'm bad.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 27, 2022, 01:05:07 PM
That's mega nerdy, really got to know players. I got down to a non Spanish centre back in la Liga and drew a blank so had to Google top cbs in la Liga.

Footdle 178 - 8/12
🟥🟥🟥🟥
🟥🟥🟥🟥
🟥🟥🟥🟥
🟥🟩🟥🟥
🟩🟥🟥🟥
🟩🟥🟥🟥
🟩🟩🟥🟥
🟩🟩🟩🟩
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 27, 2022, 01:55:36 PM
Yeah it's for people with like encyclopedic knowledge of every league, but still a dumb little time waster for the rest of us.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 27, 2022, 01:57:00 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on June 27, 2022, 01:55:36 PMYeah it's for people with like encyclopedic knowledge of every league, but still a dumb little time waster for the rest of us.

I found it quite easy.  :P

I mean, it was not a truly obscure player. It's from Real Madrid, come on.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 27, 2022, 01:59:02 PM
I just don't know la liga at all though :blush:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 27, 2022, 01:59:57 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on June 27, 2022, 01:59:02 PMI just don't know la liga at all though :blush:

There's an entire football universe outside the Premier League.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 27, 2022, 02:06:34 PM
Quote from: The Larch on June 27, 2022, 01:59:57 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on June 27, 2022, 01:59:02 PMI just don't know la liga at all though :blush:

There's an entire football universe outside the Premier League.  :P

Man I barely got to time watch Arsenal implode every season and you expect me to follow Betis   :lol: :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 27, 2022, 02:07:17 PM
Larchie doesn't, but Bellerin does :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 27, 2022, 02:13:18 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on June 27, 2022, 02:06:34 PM
Quote from: The Larch on June 27, 2022, 01:59:57 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on June 27, 2022, 01:59:02 PMI just don't know la liga at all though :blush:

There's an entire football universe outside the Premier League.  :P

Man I barely got to time watch Arsenal implode every season and you expect me to follow Betis   :lol: :P

I don't expect you to follow Betis, nor Cádiz or Getafe (wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy!), but knowing a Brazilian international that plays for the European champions is not niche knowledge.  :lol:

Quote from: Sheilbh on June 27, 2022, 02:07:17 PMLarchie doesn't, but Bellerin does :(

Why the sad face? AFAIK it's a family thing, as his father is a lifelong Betis supporter.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 27, 2022, 02:17:21 PM
Bellerin insists on only playing for Betis which is problematic for Arsenal because they want to offload him anywhere they can but Betis doesn't have the money.

Everything comes back to Arsenal getting owned, in other words.   :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 27, 2022, 02:18:42 PM
Quote from: The Larch on June 27, 2022, 02:13:18 PMWhy the sad face? AFAIK it's a family thing, as his father is a lifelong Betis supporter.
Oh it was meant as a "don't let him down" sad face.

I think it's a wonderful move that I love a lot from a player I like (never watched him play very much I just like his opinions and fashion).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 27, 2022, 02:21:05 PM
Btw larchie I will shortly be brushing up on my knowledge of Brazilian internationals because apparently Arsenal are buying all of them
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on June 27, 2022, 02:23:55 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on June 27, 2022, 02:21:05 PMBtw larchie I will shortly be brushing up on my knowledge of Brazilian internationals because apparently Arsenal are buying all of them

Isn't that a bit risky, btw? It's not as if Brazilians have been wildly successful in the Premier League historically speaking.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on June 27, 2022, 03:05:34 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on June 27, 2022, 01:55:36 PMYeah it's for people with like encyclopedic knowledge of every league, but still a dumb little time waster for the rest of us.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZ9myHhpS9s

Monty Python did it first
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 27, 2022, 03:05:59 PM
Quote from: The Larch on June 27, 2022, 02:23:55 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on June 27, 2022, 02:21:05 PMBtw larchie I will shortly be brushing up on my knowledge of Brazilian internationals because apparently Arsenal are buying all of them

Isn't that a bit risky, btw? It's not as if Brazilians have been wildly successful in the Premier League historically speaking.

Arsenal already have two young Brazilian internationals and they both had a good season. Gabriel Jesus from ManCity is signing and they're supposedly in for Raphina from Leeds and they've both proven themselves in the Prem for years so that risk is minimized. Or at least it should be  :lol:

Edu Gaspar is Arsenal's technical director so they're leaning heavily on the Brazilian connections  :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 27, 2022, 03:08:21 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on June 27, 2022, 03:05:34 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on June 27, 2022, 01:55:36 PMYeah it's for people with like encyclopedic knowledge of every league, but still a dumb little time waster for the rest of us.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZ9myHhpS9s

Monty Python did it first

 :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 30, 2022, 09:09:56 AM
Seen online - incredible Wikipedia entry:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FWgWcxqVsAEJ7Ek?format=jpg&name=small)

People online confirming it is indeed a thing and Koreans are quite surprised that Brits don't have this phrase :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 01, 2022, 08:19:27 PM
QuoteOFFICIAL: Italian Serie B side Palermo are now owned by the City Football Group.
https://twitter.com/City_Xtra/status/1542811266464600065?t=5pGzTHVh1bYW4Fk1LWLJhw&s=19

Most clubs go out and sign players. Manchester City signs other clubs  :lol:  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 02, 2022, 01:47:43 AM
They already own Girona in Spain, which have just been promoted to La Liga.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 02, 2022, 02:44:39 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on June 30, 2022, 09:09:56 AMSeen online - incredible Wikipedia entry:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FWgWcxqVsAEJ7Ek?format=jpg&name=small)

People online confirming it is indeed a thing and Koreans are quite surprised that Brits don't have this phrase :lol:

Amazing.
I am trying but struggling to think of a weirder spread of a phrase to something so unrelated but am struggling. Surely something standard in English fits the bill (fits the bill itself?)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 02, 2022, 10:33:21 AM
Quote from: celedhring on July 02, 2022, 01:47:43 AMThey already own Girona in Spain, which have just been promoted to La Liga.

And teams in the MLS (New York City), Australia (Melbourne City), Uruguay (Montevideo City), India (Mumbay City), France (Troyes), Belgium (Lommel), Japan (Yokohama Marinos) and China (Sichuan Jiuniu).

Then there's the Red Bull group, with teams in Germany, Austria, US, Brazil and Ghana.

Aaah, modern corporate football...  :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on July 02, 2022, 12:14:49 PM
Quote from: Josquius on July 02, 2022, 02:44:39 AMAmazing.
I am trying but struggling to think of a weirder spread of a phrase to something so unrelated but am struggling. Surely something standard in English fits the bill (fits the bill itself?)

I propose when Iraqis started calling pickup trucks "Lewinskys."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 04, 2022, 07:31:54 AM
Apparently Eriksen is joining Man United, and Cristiano Ronaldo no-showed the first training season. Aaah, off season drama!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on July 04, 2022, 11:55:11 AM
Eriksen at Man U? I guess he's recovered alright by now, then :cheers:

Andreas Christensen from Chelsea to Barca.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 04, 2022, 12:32:22 PM
Quote from: Jacob on July 04, 2022, 11:55:11 AMEriksen at Man U? I guess he's recovered alright by now, then :cheers:

He already played 11 games in the 2nd half of last season at Brentford, showing that he could play again at the top level. It was being rumoured that he could go back to Tottenham until Man United showed up. I believe he's signing for 3 years with them, which definitely shows that he's back for good.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 04, 2022, 12:41:05 PM
Although 3 years on three times what he was earning at Brentford, at the age of 30 feels like a very Man United decision :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 04, 2022, 12:43:22 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on July 04, 2022, 12:41:05 PMAlthough 3 years on three times what he was earning at Brentford, at the age of 30 feels like a very Man United decision :ph34r:

Well, I  guess that his wages at Brentford were not really a good reference point, as he signed with them on the cheap on a short deal just to show that he could still play at the top.

But yeah, it looks quite generous, at least on the length side. Given his background I imagine he could have settled for something like 1+1 season, or 2+1 if you need to make it three, just to cover your back. 3 seasons outright might bite Man United in the butt in a couple of years.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on July 05, 2022, 01:18:24 AM
Spurs signed Richarlison :bleeding:

Dude is a shit-stirrer of some magnitude. I can see this backfiring.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on July 05, 2022, 01:19:11 AM
Finally poor Shelf is free to hate him.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on July 05, 2022, 02:50:42 AM
Quote from: Jacob on July 04, 2022, 11:55:11 AMAndreas Christensen from Chelsea to Barca.

That was known for months, Christensen's performance fell off a massive cliff the moment he agreed with Barca.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 05, 2022, 03:19:02 AM
QuotePremier League footballer arrested by Met police on suspicion of rape

A leading Premier League footballer has been arrested on suspicion of rape and taken into custody by the Metropolitan police.

The 29-year-old was detained in the early hours of Monday and is being questioned by officers. A statement from Scotland Yard said that the alleged offence occurred last month.

"On 4 July an allegation of rape of a woman in her 20s was reported to police," it read. "It was reported the alleged rape happened in June 2022.

"On 4 July a 29-year-old man was arrested at an address in Barnet on suspicion of rape and taken into custody where he remains. Inquiries into the circumstances are ongoing."

The player cannot currently be named.

Sooo, any idea about who can be the culprit?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on July 05, 2022, 03:24:55 AM
Interesting that he can't be named.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 05, 2022, 03:25:39 AM
So, rumours of CR to Chelsea are floating around, which fits the bill of a club with a new owner that want to make a statement signing. But apparently Tuchel is not convinced, given how Cristiano plays at the moment (no defensive contributions, no pressing, nothing off the ball can be expected of him) and his massive wages (I heard somewhere that he's on 500k per week, highest on the Premier League, which sounds absolutely nuts). CR wants out of Man United because he's not sure they can compete at the top level and he wants to still challenge for titles and play the Champions League. If he is still at that level doesn't seem to enter his calculations.

It seems to me that CR has finally reached the white elephant stage of his career.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 05, 2022, 03:27:50 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on July 05, 2022, 03:24:55 AMInteresting that he can't be named.

I believe that it's the same over here and suspects can't be publicly named, but are sometimes given their initials in press releases from the police. No idea about at which point they can be named, maybe when the accusations are confirmed in court?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on July 05, 2022, 03:52:31 AM
Please no CR to Chelsea, please.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 05, 2022, 04:55:43 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on July 05, 2022, 01:18:24 AMSpurs signed Richarlison :bleeding:

Dude is a shit-stirrer of some magnitude. I can see this backfiring.
You'll love him. He's really hard-working defensively and good.

He always looks like he's got a cob in if he doesn't score or we don't win but there's been no issues with him in terms of conduct - from all accounts he's really popular with the team as well as the fans. I've not heard anything about him being a shit stirrer.

He is a great example of one of those players that you love if he's in your team but think is an absolute shithouse if he's not. And I think he is incredibly well suited to Conte.

Really sad to see him go because he's been great for us - but it is fair enough that he wants to move up :( :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 05, 2022, 08:47:55 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on July 05, 2022, 01:18:24 AMSpurs signed Richarlison :bleeding:

Dude is a shit-stirrer of some magnitude. I can see this backfiring.

He's a solid player and like Sheilbh said he fits into Conte's style of shithousing counterattacking terrorist football. He's a good pick up for you and makes Spurs better. Along with Bissouma, he solidifies a hardworking team in support of your two world class strikers.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 05, 2022, 08:51:24 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 05, 2022, 03:19:02 AM
QuotePremier League footballer arrested by Met police on suspicion of rape

A leading Premier League footballer has been arrested on suspicion of rape and taken into custody by the Metropolitan police.

The 29-year-old was detained in the early hours of Monday and is being questioned by officers. A statement from Scotland Yard said that the alleged offence occurred last month.

"On 4 July an allegation of rape of a woman in her 20s was reported to police," it read. "It was reported the alleged rape happened in June 2022.

"On 4 July a 29-year-old man was arrested at an address in Barnet on suspicion of rape and taken into custody where he remains. Inquiries into the circumstances are ongoing."

The player cannot currently be named.

Sooo, any idea about who can be the culprit?

This is going the rounds in the Arsenal online discourse because, according to the news, rumors, and coincidences reported, it fits Thomas Partey. The discord server I'm on is insane right now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 05, 2022, 08:52:42 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 05, 2022, 03:27:50 AMI believe that it's the same over here and suspects can't be publicly named, but are sometimes given their initials in press releases from the police. No idea about at which point they can be named, maybe when the accusations are confirmed in court?
I think they can be named once they're charged - but all the way through there will be very strict reporting restrictions on what can be said by the media.

It will cause rumours which may target the wrong person (which is not great) but become obvious at some point when an Arsenal or Spurs player in their late 20s doesn't pop-up in their pre-season games/training. But it won't be confirmed. I think technically Sigurdsson hasn't been named yet as he keeps being released on bail but formal proceedings haven't started but everyone knows it's about him.

They wouldn't get initials in court proceedings here unless they were children or there was some other reason not to identify the person. Generally once it's in court it can be reported (subject to strict rules - basically you can only report what is happening/said in court).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 05, 2022, 09:44:01 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on July 05, 2022, 08:51:24 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 05, 2022, 03:19:02 AM
QuotePremier League footballer arrested by Met police on suspicion of rape

A leading Premier League footballer has been arrested on suspicion of rape and taken into custody by the Metropolitan police.

The 29-year-old was detained in the early hours of Monday and is being questioned by officers. A statement from Scotland Yard said that the alleged offence occurred last month.

"On 4 July an allegation of rape of a woman in her 20s was reported to police," it read. "It was reported the alleged rape happened in June 2022.

"On 4 July a 29-year-old man was arrested at an address in Barnet on suspicion of rape and taken into custody where he remains. Inquiries into the circumstances are ongoing."

The player cannot currently be named.

Sooo, any idea about who can be the culprit?

This is going the rounds in the Arsenal online discourse because, according to the news, rumors, and coincidences reported, it fits Thomas Partey. The discord server I'm on is insane right now.

There must be a bunch of other players that fit the bill, right? What is known exactly? That the player is 29, an international and World Cup bound, I think. I guess that only in the London teams you'll have several dudes that could fit that profile, and it was not said if he actually played for a London team or not (although I guess it's the likeliest option).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 05, 2022, 09:45:03 AM
He lives in Barnet. So probably a North London team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 05, 2022, 09:55:06 AM
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2022/07/05/premier-league-star-arrested-suspicion-two-new-rape-attacks/

Two more rape allegations. Christ.

Quote"While in custody, he was further arrested on suspicion of two incidents of rape that were alleged to have been committed in April and June of 2021 against a different woman in her 20s. He has subsequently been released on bail to a date in August. Enquiries into the circumstances are ongoing."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on July 05, 2022, 12:06:16 PM
Quote from: The Larch on July 05, 2022, 03:25:39 AMSo, rumours of CR to Chelsea are floating around, which fits the bill of a club with a new owner that want to make a statement signing. But apparently Tuchel is not convinced, given how Cristiano plays at the moment (no defensive contributions, no pressing, nothing off the ball can be expected of him) and his massive wages (I heard somewhere that he's on 500k per week, highest on the Premier League, which sounds absolutely nuts). CR wants out of Man United because he's not sure they can compete at the top level and he wants to still challenge for titles and play the Champions League. If he is still at that level doesn't seem to enter his calculations.

It seems to me that CR has finally reached the white elephant stage of his career.

AS (Spanish sports source "newspaper" for the non-Spanish people around) said Mendes went to Barcelona to discuss Ronaldo as well.  :P
Well, Mendes has other (Portuguese) players in Barcelona to manage, besides Ronaldo, but the former makes for a better headline.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 05, 2022, 12:19:09 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on July 05, 2022, 09:45:03 AMHe lives in Barnet. So probably a North London team.

Aren't all the teams from North London anyway?  :hmm:

In any case I guess that this guy will end up suspended with his career basically over, like Man City's Mendy, right?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 05, 2022, 12:21:01 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on July 05, 2022, 12:06:16 PM
Quote from: The Larch on July 05, 2022, 03:25:39 AMSo, rumours of CR to Chelsea are floating around, which fits the bill of a club with a new owner that want to make a statement signing. But apparently Tuchel is not convinced, given how Cristiano plays at the moment (no defensive contributions, no pressing, nothing off the ball can be expected of him) and his massive wages (I heard somewhere that he's on 500k per week, highest on the Premier League, which sounds absolutely nuts). CR wants out of Man United because he's not sure they can compete at the top level and he wants to still challenge for titles and play the Champions League. If he is still at that level doesn't seem to enter his calculations.

It seems to me that CR has finally reached the white elephant stage of his career.

AS (Spanish sports source "newspaper" for the non-Spanish people around) said Mendes went to Barcelona to discuss Ronaldo as well.  :P
Well, Mendes has other (Portuguese) players in Barcelona to managed, besides Ronaldo, but the former makes for a better headline.  :D

Yeah, it was mentioned that maybe Barcelona could be an option, but IMO that's basically a troll headline. I believe Bayern was also mentioned as a possible option to replace Lewandowsky, but I'm not sure.

As I said, I don't think the guy fits into any top team anymore, what is demanded from players at top teams nowadays is not something he can deliver at this point on his career.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 05, 2022, 12:37:26 PM
Quote from: The Larch on July 05, 2022, 12:19:09 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on July 05, 2022, 09:45:03 AMHe lives in Barnet. So probably a North London team.

Aren't all the teams from North London anyway?  :hmm:

In any case I guess that this guy will end up suspended with his career basically over, like Man City's Mendy, right?

We still don't know a lot of the details but I'd say three rape allegations necessarily means the club suspends the player. One allegation is enough for me, personally.

If it is an Arsenal player and he plays even one more game for the club then I'm just going to have to tune Arsenal out next season because that's genuinely disgusting behavior from the organization. I can't imagine the club continues playing him.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 05, 2022, 12:42:21 PM
Quote from: The Larch on July 05, 2022, 12:19:09 PMAren't all the teams from North London anyway?  :hmm:

In any case I guess that this guy will end up suspended with his career basically over, like Man City's Mendy, right?
Yeah I'd amazed if they weren't suspended - like Mendy or Sigurdsson. Although I think both of those were under more active investigation - Mendy's trial is this year. Not least because they will have a lot of other things on like getting lawyers, having police interview etc.

Flipside is Yves Bissouma who was arrested last autumn, I think he carried on playing and he's been cleared and moved to Spurs. The police have now announced they're not proceeding with charges and the investigation is closed I think.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on July 05, 2022, 12:57:28 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on July 05, 2022, 09:45:03 AMHe lives in Barnet. So probably a North London team.

North London (Arsenal) has such a PES vibe.  :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 06, 2022, 07:39:30 AM
Absolutely savage here from Bayern to Barca  :lol:

QuoteBayern Munich have told FC Barcelona they don't want any installments in any deal for Robert Lewandowski and that they want all the money upfront in cash because Bayern believes that FC Barcelona won't exist in "one or two years' time". #fcblive #fcbayern [@honigstein]
https://twitter.com/Football_TaIk/status/1544604825257918470?s=20&t=OZ60zIXEy_Das8sKrRH9hQ
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 06, 2022, 07:42:04 AM
That goes beyond burn and into uncalled for nastiness, I'd say.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on July 06, 2022, 07:49:29 AM
We can dream of a day without Barcelona FC, let's hope the Bavarians are correct.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 06, 2022, 08:00:32 AM
:lol: Threviel's war on tiki-taka and the causes of tiki-taka continues.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 06, 2022, 08:08:40 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on July 06, 2022, 08:00:32 AM:lol: Threviel's war on tiki-taka and the causes of tiki-taka continues.

Not even Barcelona play tiki taka anymore!  :lol: And they're coached by Xavi, who is basically tiki taka made flesh!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 06, 2022, 08:09:25 AM
Got to wonder how the perception that Barcelona will go under in a few years is affecting their transfer dealings though :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 06, 2022, 08:20:03 AM
It is not even grounded. Barcelona might be in a tough economic position, but it is not dissappearing. It's unnecessary negative disinformation.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on July 06, 2022, 08:23:40 AM
Yeah, what's the deal? That they're in trouble I know but how bad is it really? Them going under would be a fitting damnatio memoriae to tiki-taka, but the world would be poorer if there's no-one for Real to triumph over. Espanyol does not have the same ring.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on July 06, 2022, 09:28:25 AM
There is some real hate Emanating from this one
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on July 06, 2022, 11:49:34 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 06, 2022, 08:08:40 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on July 06, 2022, 08:00:32 AM:lol: Threviel's war on tiki-taka and the causes of tiki-taka continues.

Not even Barcelona play tiki taka anymore!  :lol: And they're coached by Xavi, who is basically tiki taka made flesh!

Don't bother him with facts and knowledge of the game, will you?  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 06, 2022, 12:00:02 PM
That's why I added causes of tiki-taka :P :goodboy:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on July 06, 2022, 12:20:00 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on July 06, 2022, 11:49:34 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 06, 2022, 08:08:40 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on July 06, 2022, 08:00:32 AM:lol: Threviel's war on tiki-taka and the causes of tiki-taka continues.

Not even Barcelona play tiki taka anymore!  :lol: And they're coached by Xavi, who is basically tiki taka made flesh!

Don't bother him with facts and knowledge of the game, will you?  :D

I want you to know that I can back up my deep understanding of the game (I do hope the not very serious tone shines through here) with my total humiliation of you lot in the latest WC predictions game. :showoff:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on July 07, 2022, 11:00:40 AM
Quote from: Threviel on July 06, 2022, 12:20:00 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on July 06, 2022, 11:49:34 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 06, 2022, 08:08:40 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on July 06, 2022, 08:00:32 AM:lol: Threviel's war on tiki-taka and the causes of tiki-taka continues.

Not even Barcelona play tiki taka anymore!  :lol: And they're coached by Xavi, who is basically tiki taka made flesh!

Don't bother him with facts and knowledge of the game, will you?  :D

I want you to know that I can back up my deep understanding of the game (I do hope the not very serious tone shines through here) with my total humiliation of you lot in the latest WC predictions game. :showoff:

Almost a success, but we're talking clubs, not national squads. So close!  :lol:
At least, you are improving, even the humor. :)
Did we have a prediction game for the Euro though?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 08, 2022, 05:11:26 AM
So, my team has just signed a Yank, a certain Luca de la Torre, full US international midfielder who was playing in the Netherlands until now. Does anyone here know anything about him?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 08, 2022, 07:19:55 PM
Quote from: The Larch on July 08, 2022, 05:11:26 AMSo, my team has just signed a Yank, a certain Luca de la Torre, full US international midfielder who was playing in the Netherlands until now. Does anyone here know anything about him?

I've seen him play once for the national team. I think there was some hype for him but he didn't seem anything special to me.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 09, 2022, 03:34:28 AM
I wish we still tiki-takaed, going down with the ship and all.  :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on July 09, 2022, 11:44:42 AM
Yeah, it would be more well deserved then.

Or is there a real risk? In that case good luck!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 09, 2022, 11:52:50 AM
Of disappearing? Not really, but we're in for some lean years. We've been lucky of getting another crop of brilliant young players, though, this should keep us afloat football-wise.

Push comes to shove we turn into a PLC and sell the club. Which would be a huge shame, although a lot of our problems are due to the politics of being fan-owned.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on July 09, 2022, 11:55:44 AM
Comeuppance.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on July 09, 2022, 12:40:44 PM
Quote from: celedhring on July 09, 2022, 11:52:50 AMOf disappearing? Not really, but we're in for some lean years. We've been lucky of getting another crop of brilliant young players, though, this should keep us afloat football-wise.

Push comes to shove we turn into a PLC and sell the club. Which would be a huge shame, although a lot of our problems are due to the politics of being fan-owned.

A lot, but not all of your problems.  :secret:
I read a former president of Barça is eyeing a local political career i.e Sandro Rosell.
Will you be supporting him?  :P

Can it be worse than Manuel Valls?  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 09, 2022, 02:59:07 PM
Rosell? I thought he was in jail.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 09, 2022, 06:06:15 PM
Quote from: The Larch on July 09, 2022, 02:59:07 PMRosell? I thought he was in jail.

He was absolved.

Still, not somebody I'd vote to run the city council  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on July 10, 2022, 12:37:15 AM
I listened to my favourite podcast, a football history one. They had a a special on Messi last year, 15 or so hours of Messi, apparently he was quite good back in the day.

They talked a bit about the upcoming problems for Barcelona. Apparently there are tens of thousands of season ticket holders that more or less only sell their tickets on to tourists. So in any given Barcelona game there are relatively few local fans, mostly just tourists coming in. When the economic troubles started the membership were asked to donate money, a few hundred supposedly did so which is pitiful since there are so many members.

They gave the impression that support for Barcelona has gone quite shallow, lots of fans, but few die-hards and the local football culture more or less slowly disappearing in the wake of all success these last years.

Any truth to that?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on July 10, 2022, 12:38:51 AM
As a note, apparentlu tiki-taka has its own wiki page. First quote from Guardiola: "I loathe all that passing for the sake of it"
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 10, 2022, 12:54:53 AM
On Barcelona it was a big thing in the news lately of the women's team getting a record crowd, large crowds being increasingly normal there.

I wonder whether this is an outgrowth of dissatisfaction with the male team? - women's football in general seems to be enjoying rising popularity out of this sense of it being somehow purer and unspoiled.

(Untrue of course. In the UK at least it was ravaged a few years ago, the numbers just haven't gotten too big yet.)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 10, 2022, 01:41:44 AM
Quote from: Threviel on July 10, 2022, 12:37:15 AMI listened to my favourite podcast, a football history one. They had a a special on Messi last year, 15 or so hours of Messi, apparently he was quite good back in the day.

They talked a bit about the upcoming problems for Barcelona. Apparently there are tens of thousands of season ticket holders that more or less only sell their tickets on to tourists. So in any given Barcelona game there are relatively few local fans, mostly just tourists coming in. When the economic troubles started the membership were asked to donate money, a few hundred supposedly did so which is pitiful since there are so many members.

They gave the impression that support for Barcelona has gone quite shallow, lots of fans, but few die-hards and the local football culture more or less slowly disappearing in the wake of all success these last years.

Any truth to that?

Not really, what you describe isn't anything new, has been going for around two decades, when the city started becoming a popular tourist destination at the same time the club started being successful. Even before that touting was rampant, but more focused on domestic customers, which have been now been outpriced by tourists. The club has never truly clamped down on this, because those touts, well, they vote and they are a significant voting bloc. But anyway, thing is that the Camp Nou has never been known for its passionate atmosphere, so it doesn't really affect things that much. The city itself remains pretty passionate, although the current generation of fans are used to a level of success that is unprecedented in the history of the club.

The problem with Barça is a succession of boards that have done very short-sighted decisions to answer the pressure of fans demanding perennial success - and fans wield and outsized power in the club and a section of them are extremely militant - which have heavily compromised the club's future - and now chickens are coming to roost. Add to it a level of growth - both financial and social - that has outpaced the professionalization of the club's management. In many ways the club is still run as it was in the 1990s, with a president and board - who are elected and usually don't have experience in running a sports team - still having a lot of say in the day-to-day, instead of acting as a board of a company overseeing a professional management structure. And it's difficult to consolidate management structures when there's a chance a new president will come in 5-6 years time and put his guys in place. I.e. the Bartomeu board was a disaster but they actually had some really good people running the commercial side of things, Laporta has fired them all and his people are going in an opposite direction strategically.

OTOH, Madrid have been more stable given that Pérez has become de facto owner of the club, preventing nearly everybody from running against him.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on July 10, 2022, 09:57:21 AM
As you all know I know almost nothing of football, so I actually read what wiki says about tiki-taka. Apparently Guardiola and Barcelona is not to blame for the boring parts of it. They inspired the Spanish team that created the deadly "Tiki-taka of doom" that threatened the very essence of football with its sheer boredom.

So sorry to Barcelone from me and fuck you Spain (The team that is, not Spain as a country)!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 11, 2022, 03:11:50 AM
The CJEU is seeing the Superliga case today and tomorrow. According to insiders it's expected it will eventually rule in favor of UEFA (the case is essentially the Superliga's remaining promoters questioning the legality of UEFA's de facto monopoly on professional football in Europe).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 11, 2022, 04:54:54 AM
Why am I made to suffer so much?  :bleeding:

(https://forumcontent.paradoxplaza.com/public/846275/1657530565704.png)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on July 11, 2022, 05:32:56 AM
Is that Fridolina Rolfö? And some dudes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 11, 2022, 05:37:24 AM
Quote from: Threviel on July 11, 2022, 05:32:56 AMIs that Fridolina Rolfö? And some dudes.

Yes, that's her.

Dudes are Frenkie de Jong (who might be gone in a few days), and Eric García.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 11, 2022, 05:49:07 AM
Isn't de Jong really not into being sold to Man United? All the rumours are about him wanting to stay, the club wanting to cash in, and then Laporta came out saying they don't want to sell him...

On the other hand, you'd have a hard time finding somebody who wanted to pay for Eric García.  :P How he's still being considered for both Barcelona and the national team I just can't fathom.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 11, 2022, 05:52:03 AM
Yeah, he doesn't want to leave (which tells you how fucked up ManU are more than anything) but the club has to cash in. We have a glut of midfielders so he seems to be the best option given his market value and the fact he's never quite met expectations. There's reportedly a meeting today between Xavi, Laporta, and De Jong to make a decision.

I think he's getting sold.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 11, 2022, 06:01:34 AM
He has not met expectations? I had the impression that he was one of the team's stalwarts.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 11, 2022, 06:10:31 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 11, 2022, 06:01:34 AMHe has not met expectations? I had the impression that he was one of the team's stalwarts.

Not in the slightest. He's had the odd dominant game, but most of the time he's very static and fails to lead a midfield where everybody else is essentially a teenager.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 11, 2022, 06:13:10 AM
Quote from: celedhring on July 11, 2022, 06:10:31 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 11, 2022, 06:01:34 AMHe has not met expectations? I had the impression that he was one of the team's stalwarts.

Not in the slightest. He's had the odd dominant game, but most of the time he's very static and fails to lead a midfield where everybody else is essentially a teenager.

Comunio has failed me.  -_-
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 11, 2022, 06:20:10 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 11, 2022, 06:13:10 AM
Quote from: celedhring on July 11, 2022, 06:10:31 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 11, 2022, 06:01:34 AMHe has not met expectations? I had the impression that he was one of the team's stalwarts.

Not in the slightest. He's had the odd dominant game, but most of the time he's very static and fails to lead a midfield where everybody else is essentially a teenager.

Comunio has failed me.  -_-

I'd rather keep him - if we can afford it, which is dubious. He's talented and we need a starting midfielder that's not either 17 or pushing 40.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 11, 2022, 06:23:49 AM
Quote from: celedhring on July 11, 2022, 06:20:10 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 11, 2022, 06:13:10 AM
Quote from: celedhring on July 11, 2022, 06:10:31 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 11, 2022, 06:01:34 AMHe has not met expectations? I had the impression that he was one of the team's stalwarts.

Not in the slightest. He's had the odd dominant game, but most of the time he's very static and fails to lead a midfield where everybody else is essentially a teenager.

Comunio has failed me.  -_-

I'd rather keep him - if we can afford it, which is dubious. He's talented and we need a starting midfielder that's not either 17 or pushing 40.

I read somewhere that one of the issues he's had at Barcelona is that he has not relaly settled down in a precise role in the pitch. What do you see as his most useful possible role? Busquets replacement? More mobile player further up in the field?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 11, 2022, 07:01:04 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 11, 2022, 06:23:49 AM
Quote from: celedhring on July 11, 2022, 06:20:10 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 11, 2022, 06:13:10 AM
Quote from: celedhring on July 11, 2022, 06:10:31 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 11, 2022, 06:01:34 AMHe has not met expectations? I had the impression that he was one of the team's stalwarts.

Not in the slightest. He's had the odd dominant game, but most of the time he's very static and fails to lead a midfield where everybody else is essentially a teenager.

Comunio has failed me.  -_-

I'd rather keep him - if we can afford it, which is dubious. He's talented and we need a starting midfielder that's not either 17 or pushing 40.

I read somewhere that one of the issues he's had at Barcelona is that he has not relaly settled down in a precise role in the pitch. What do you see as his most useful possible role? Busquets replacement? More mobile player further up in the field?

IIRC at Ajax he thrived in a more box-to-box rule which we don't quite use. We are in a bit of a flux, though, we'll see when/if Xavi manages to implement his preferred playing style which calls for more moblity from midfield.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 11, 2022, 07:05:01 AM
Quote from: celedhring on July 11, 2022, 07:01:04 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 11, 2022, 06:23:49 AM
Quote from: celedhring on July 11, 2022, 06:20:10 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 11, 2022, 06:13:10 AM
Quote from: celedhring on July 11, 2022, 06:10:31 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 11, 2022, 06:01:34 AMHe has not met expectations? I had the impression that he was one of the team's stalwarts.

Not in the slightest. He's had the odd dominant game, but most of the time he's very static and fails to lead a midfield where everybody else is essentially a teenager.

Comunio has failed me.  -_-

I'd rather keep him - if we can afford it, which is dubious. He's talented and we need a starting midfielder that's not either 17 or pushing 40.

I read somewhere that one of the issues he's had at Barcelona is that he has not relaly settled down in a precise role in the pitch. What do you see as his most useful possible role? Busquets replacement? More mobile player further up in the field?

IIRC at Ajax he thrived in a more box-to-box rule which we don't quite use. We are in a bit of a flux, though, we'll see when/if Xavi manages to implement his preferred playing style which calls for more moblity from midfield.

IIRC Busquets is entering into the last year on his current contract. Do you see the club extending him in the future or would they rather say goodbye to him at the end of the season?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 11, 2022, 07:11:19 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 11, 2022, 07:05:01 AMIIRC Busquets is entering into the last year on his current contract. Do you see the club extending him in the future or would they rather say goodbye to him at the end of the season?

It's strongly rumored that he's off to the MLS after his season.

Still a good player with no easy replacement (De Jong seems the obvious one, but for whatever reason he's never been played there a significant amount of time by any of the managers), but a contract that we can do without.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 11, 2022, 07:13:08 AM
Quote from: celedhring on July 11, 2022, 07:11:19 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 11, 2022, 07:05:01 AMIIRC Busquets is entering into the last year on his current contract. Do you see the club extending him in the future or would they rather say goodbye to him at the end of the season?

It's strongly rumored that he's off to the MLS after his season.

Still a good player with no easy replacement (De Jong seems the obvious one, but for whatever reason he's never been played there a significant amount of time by any of the managers), but a contract that we can do without.

And it'd definitely be the end of an era, being the last of the Xavi - Iniesta - Busquets mythical midfield still in the club. Who are left on the team from that generation? Pique, Alba and him?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 11, 2022, 07:17:00 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 11, 2022, 07:13:08 AM
Quote from: celedhring on July 11, 2022, 07:11:19 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 11, 2022, 07:05:01 AMIIRC Busquets is entering into the last year on his current contract. Do you see the club extending him in the future or would they rather say goodbye to him at the end of the season?

It's strongly rumored that he's off to the MLS after his season.

Still a good player with no easy replacement (De Jong seems the obvious one, but for whatever reason he's never been played there a significant amount of time by any of the managers), but a contract that we can do without.

And it'd definitely be the end of an era, being the last of the Xavi - Iniesta - Busquets mythical midfield still in the club. Who are left on the team from that generation? Pique, Alba and him?

Ter Stegen and Sergi Roberto played and won stuff with that midfield, although I wouldn't associate them with that generation of players.

EDIT: Of course, there's Alves too :p
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 11, 2022, 07:20:14 AM
Quote from: celedhring on July 11, 2022, 07:17:00 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 11, 2022, 07:13:08 AM
Quote from: celedhring on July 11, 2022, 07:11:19 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 11, 2022, 07:05:01 AMIIRC Busquets is entering into the last year on his current contract. Do you see the club extending him in the future or would they rather say goodbye to him at the end of the season?

It's strongly rumored that he's off to the MLS after his season.

Still a good player with no easy replacement (De Jong seems the obvious one, but for whatever reason he's never been played there a significant amount of time by any of the managers), but a contract that we can do without.

And it'd definitely be the end of an era, being the last of the Xavi - Iniesta - Busquets mythical midfield still in the club. Who are left on the team from that generation? Pique, Alba and him?

Ter Stegen and Sergi Roberto played and won stuff with that midfield, although I wouldn't associate them with that generation of players.

EDIT: Of course, there's Alves too :p

But Alves is out after last season, IIRC.

I was thinking mostly about former members of the Barcelona - Spanish national team golden generation combo. Putting Sergi Roberto there doesn't quite cut it.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 11, 2022, 07:49:12 AM
By the way, apropos of Barcelona, it is being more or less given for granted that Barça will both:

1) Renew Dembele.
2) Sign Raphinha for a small fortune.

I mean, weren't you guys meant to be in financial trouble? Are those two moves sensible ones? Don't those players basically play the same position?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 11, 2022, 07:53:10 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 11, 2022, 07:49:12 AMBy the way, apropos of Barcelona, it is being more or less given for granted that Barça will both:

1) Renew Dembele.
2) Sign Raphinha for a small fortune.

I mean, weren't you guys meant to be in financial trouble? Are those two moves sensible ones? Don't those players basically play the same position?

Dembele is signing at a discount and reporedly just for two years (which diminishes the risk if he again elects to sit on his arse the majority of time). The Raphinha money it's why I guess De Jong is being sold. Still, the Raphinha thing is very much a "I'll believe it when I see it" thing.

We do need more wing players, tbf. Dembelé can play both wings actually.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 11, 2022, 08:00:24 AM
Quote from: celedhring on July 11, 2022, 07:53:10 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 11, 2022, 07:49:12 AMBy the way, apropos of Barcelona, it is being more or less given for granted that Barça will both:

1) Renew Dembele.
2) Sign Raphinha for a small fortune.

I mean, weren't you guys meant to be in financial trouble? Are those two moves sensible ones? Don't those players basically play the same position?

Dembele is signing at a discount and reporedly just for two years (which diminishes the risk if he again elects to sit on his arse the majority of time). The Raphinha money it's why I guess De Jong is being sold. Still, the Raphinha thing is very much a "I'll believe it when I see it" thing.

We do need more wing players, tbf. Dembelé can play both wings actually.

What about Fati and Torres? Can't Gavi play in the wing as well? Is Depay and/or Aubameyang staying in the team this season?What about Braithwaite?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 11, 2022, 08:05:54 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 11, 2022, 08:00:24 AM
Quote from: celedhring on July 11, 2022, 07:53:10 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 11, 2022, 07:49:12 AMBy the way, apropos of Barcelona, it is being more or less given for granted that Barça will both:

1) Renew Dembele.
2) Sign Raphinha for a small fortune.

I mean, weren't you guys meant to be in financial trouble? Are those two moves sensible ones? Don't those players basically play the same position?

Dembele is signing at a discount and reporedly just for two years (which diminishes the risk if he again elects to sit on his arse the majority of time). The Raphinha money it's why I guess De Jong is being sold. Still, the Raphinha thing is very much a "I'll believe it when I see it" thing.

We do need more wing players, tbf. Dembelé can play both wings actually.

What about Fati and Torres? Can't Gavi play in the wing as well? Is Depay and/or Aubameyang staying in the team this season?What about Braithwaite?

Fati, Depay, Aubameyang... are inside forwards, not true wingers. Xavi wants classic wingers that can stretch out play - his preferred style is closer to Guardiola 2008 than the latter incarnations. Only Dembelé can do that in the current roster.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 11, 2022, 09:52:17 AM
https://twitter.com/ManagingBarca/status/1546484521050157056?s=20&t=bnvpMYijSRAAYCokxgs8Vg

QuoteManaging Barça
@ManagingBarca
❗| No one in football, not even agents know how FC Barcelona will get the money to sign Raphinha.
@FabrizioRomano
 [🎖�]

 :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 13, 2022, 03:44:14 AM
Quote from: celedhring on July 11, 2022, 03:11:50 AMThe CJEU is seeing the Superliga case today and tomorrow. According to insiders it's expected it will eventually rule in favor of UEFA (the case is essentially the Superliga's remaining promoters questioning the legality of UEFA's de facto monopoly on professional football in Europe).

The EU attorney general will publish its opinion on the case (which the court doesn't have the follow, but they usually align) on December. So we won't probably know until early next year. As said, it is expected the CJEU will rule in favor of UEFA - although it might not be a home run and the court might impose limits on the tools UEFA uses to protect its position.

Anyway, this is pretty much a "whoever wins, we lose" case.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 13, 2022, 06:59:34 AM
Quote from: celedhring on July 11, 2022, 07:53:10 AMStill, the Raphinha thing is very much a "I'll believe it when I see it" thing.

Seems to be official now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 13, 2022, 08:47:19 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 13, 2022, 06:59:34 AM
Quote from: celedhring on July 11, 2022, 07:53:10 AMStill, the Raphinha thing is very much a "I'll believe it when I see it" thing.

Seems to be official now.

Ah well, I guess we just can't help ourselves.

That said, he's a hell of a player.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 15, 2022, 08:46:36 AM
Quote from: celedhring on July 13, 2022, 08:47:19 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 13, 2022, 06:59:34 AM
Quote from: celedhring on July 11, 2022, 07:53:10 AMStill, the Raphinha thing is very much a "I'll believe it when I see it" thing.

Seems to be official now.

Ah well, I guess we just can't help ourselves.

That said, he's a hell of a player.

Yeah he's quite good. Gutted he didn't come to Arsenal to join the samba party.

Speaking of, Gabriel Jesus joined and immediately balled in the friendly against Nürnberg, scoring 2 goals and creating 2 more. Seeing a player like him instantly show how far above he is quality-wise over everyone else in the team is boggling. Arsenal used to have several players of his level in the first team. Jesus joining just goes to show how much Arsenal have fallen in the last 5 or 6 years because he completely outclasses every other player in the team by a factor of a million  :lol:

Seems they're getting Zinchenko from City as well, which would be a great pick up to rotate with the constantly-injured Kieran Tierney.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 19, 2022, 10:20:09 AM
An incredible behind-the-scenes look at Arsenal's legendary 2021/2022 season


Featuring:

Mikel Arteta being a cunt
Mikel Arteta throwing things in the locker room
Mikel Arteta exiling Aubameyang never to return to England on pain of death


My favorite part is when they include someone saying "this is the worst Arsenal team I've ever seen" in the trailer  :lol:  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on July 19, 2022, 11:03:40 AM
:bleeding:  :thumbsdown:  :ike:  :angry:  :x  :bash:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 19, 2022, 11:20:59 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on July 19, 2022, 11:03:40 AM:bleeding:  :thumbsdown:  :ike:  :angry:  :x  :bash:

:lol:

There's a Spurs one on Amazon too when Mourinho was manager if you're curious  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 19, 2022, 11:39:53 AM
Sunderland Til I Die was cute but this deluge of pompous football docs needs to DIAF.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on July 19, 2022, 11:42:02 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on July 19, 2022, 11:20:59 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on July 19, 2022, 11:03:40 AM:bleeding:  :thumbsdown:  :ike:  :angry:  :x  :bash:

:lol:

There's a Spurs one on Amazon too when Mourinho was manager if you're curious  :D

Watched a few, then got depressed about Sissoko, Augier and Dele not being with the team anymore and quite.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 19, 2022, 12:12:33 PM
Quote from: celedhring on July 19, 2022, 11:39:53 AMSunderland Til I Die was cute but this deluge of pompous football docs needs to DIAF.

Yeah, if I was a footballer and had my coach talking the way Arteta does in the dressing room in that trailer I'd quickly look for a different team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 19, 2022, 02:21:20 PM
Quote from: The Larch on July 19, 2022, 12:12:33 PM
Quote from: celedhring on July 19, 2022, 11:39:53 AMSunderland Til I Die was cute but this deluge of pompous football docs needs to DIAF.

Yeah, if I was a footballer and had my coach talking the way Arteta does in the dressing room in that trailer I'd quickly look for a different team.

They're only good when the team is shit.
I really enjoyed the Class of 92 Salford City one, a side of football you don't normally see.
Sunderland Till I Die was awesome of course.
But stuff like the Man City one...its just "Oh look at how great we are. No difficulties here. Buy our merc!"
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 20, 2022, 09:46:04 PM
I know it's just a meaningless friendly meant to build fitness and earn some money but MLS side Minnesota FC just defeated Everton 4-0.

Sheilbh bruhhhhhhhhh
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 21, 2022, 05:42:09 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on July 20, 2022, 09:46:04 PMI know it's just a meaningless friendly meant to build fitness and earn some money but MLS side Minnesota FC just defeated Everton 4-0.

Sheilbh bruhhhhhhhhh

For the minnesota players it's the game of their life, their world Cup final.

For Everton it's a basic training game.

Did they have their full team out?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 21, 2022, 05:47:54 AM
I didn't see that game, but I imagine Minnesota probably didn't play their full XI for the whole game either. They probably are resting them for an upcoming league game.

I know that Toronto FC stopped hosting European squads in the summer for that reason. It was always mid season, games coming thick and fast, and they would normally field their junior squad anyway.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 21, 2022, 05:54:37 AM
The team I support just played against the San José Earthquakes last night, it was 1-1.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on July 21, 2022, 06:58:00 AM
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Lasagna

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FYJEvm8XEAAigkb?format=jpg&name=small)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on July 21, 2022, 06:59:44 AM
Also, I read that the official fan club delegation of the German FA will not be housed in Qatar due to lack of space, and they will be flown in from Dubai (ca. 500km) for each match. Apparently there's fairly few accomodations in Qatar itself, so their airline expects during peak times up to 200,000 fans to be flown in on shuttle planes on some days.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on July 21, 2022, 07:00:49 AM
Hello Covid boom.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 21, 2022, 07:08:38 AM
Quote from: Josquius on July 21, 2022, 05:42:09 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on July 20, 2022, 09:46:04 PMI know it's just a meaningless friendly meant to build fitness and earn some money but MLS side Minnesota FC just defeated Everton 4-0.

Sheilbh bruhhhhhhhhh

For the minnesota players it's the game of their life, their world Cup final.

For Everton it's a basic training game.

Did they have their full team out?

Didn't watch their friendly but if it was like the ones I have watched (Arsenal, Chelsea, Bayern) both sides would have rotated through their starters and reserves. Arsenal's reserves and castoffs were getting bossed by Orlando City until the first XI came on in the second half.

Not making any assumptions at all about based on a preseason friendly but it is funny to see that scoreline.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 21, 2022, 07:22:07 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on July 20, 2022, 09:46:04 PMI know it's just a meaningless friendly meant to build fitness and earn some money but MLS side Minnesota FC just defeated Everton 4-0.

Sheilbh bruhhhhhhhhh
There are many concerns right now :weep:

Not too worried about this game though. More what we're hearing about transfers. But still - not great :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 21, 2022, 07:36:55 AM
Quote from: Syt on July 21, 2022, 06:59:44 AMAlso, I read that the official fan club delegation of the German FA will not be housed in Qatar due to lack of space, and they will be flown in from Dubai (ca. 500km) for each match. Apparently there's fairly few accomodations in Qatar itself, so their airline expects during peak times up to 200,000 fans to be flown in on shuttle planes on some days.

AFAIK they were going to build a massive tent village in the desert to be able to host many of the visiting fans, and were going to have some cruise ships permanently moored in the port to increase the number of available accomodation. They are also building "fan villages" with temporary accomodation in what seem to be refurbished shipping containers.

Qatar apparently only has 30k hotel rooms, most of them in luxury hotels, and most of those are already taken by the country's delegations and the organization for the event, media and the like. They expect to have tripled this with new hotels being built for the WC, but they'll still won't be enough.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 21, 2022, 08:58:03 AM
Quote from: The Larch on July 21, 2022, 07:36:55 AM
Quote from: Syt on July 21, 2022, 06:59:44 AMAlso, I read that the official fan club delegation of the German FA will not be housed in Qatar due to lack of space, and they will be flown in from Dubai (ca. 500km) for each match. Apparently there's fairly few accomodations in Qatar itself, so their airline expects during peak times up to 200,000 fans to be flown in on shuttle planes on some days.

AFAIK they were going to build a massive tent village in the desert to be able to host many of the visiting fans, and were going to have some cruise ships permanently moored in the port to increase the number of available accomodation. They are also building "fan villages" with temporary accomodation in what seem to be refurbished shipping containers.

Qatar apparently only has 30k hotel rooms, most of them in luxury hotels, and most of those are already taken by the country's delegations and the organization for the event, media and the like. They expect to have tripled this with new hotels being built for the WC, but they'll still won't be enough.

Yeah, I mentioned this earlier in the thread. It'd horrible. Especially in light of the past few days and the climate catastrophe - this whole world Cup already wasn't great there.
It's mad how planning for this wasn't at the core of their work and giving them the cup in the first place.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on July 28, 2022, 06:12:21 AM
Apparently UEFA will allow standing areas in stadiums for this coming season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 28, 2022, 07:10:06 PM
The cat is out of the bag. One of the alleged victims publicly identified Thomas Partey as her rapist and tweeted some her text chains on Twitter.

Supposedly, Partey isn't being charged with rape in her case because of a technicality with the law so she's gone public. Of course now she is being viciously attacked on Twitter, and people tweeting their support for her are attracting the typical idiots in response. It's the absolute worst of tribalistic football culture.

Football fucking sucks man.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on July 28, 2022, 08:06:42 PM
Indeed. In the game Fenerbahce against Dynamo Kyiv the other day, the Turkish "fans" were chanting Putin's name.

Beautiful game but worst fan base.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 29, 2022, 01:24:03 AM
So... Women's euro final coming up.

It's been interesting to see quite how many women's games had huge scorelines, even between decent teams.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 31, 2022, 01:33:27 PM
OMG :w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on July 31, 2022, 01:45:52 PM
Good job gals. Germans were playing like they were in a demolition derby.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 31, 2022, 01:48:24 PM
England finally did it  :bowler:  :bowler:  :bowler:  :bowler:  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 31, 2022, 01:58:24 PM
It has also just been lovely hearing how these players have become absolute heroes for young girls across the country. Saw a former England player talking with a journalist about doing a girls' summer football camp in her village in Cheshire. At the start of the summer she was planning one or two teams - she's now got six (and that was before the final).

Edit: Also just great how the players have not all been media trained so much they've got no personality left. Some absolutely hilarious, really happy interviews - German players (some know the England players) came out after they'd changed so even a couple of them got interviewed and were saying they want this tournament to be a start because I think it's had double the attendance of previous tournaments and sold out Wembley twice. Really hope that happens (and absolutely love the BBC host, Gabby Logan, and pundits Ian Wright and Alex Scott layng into the people in charge of the WSL and telling people to go to games and not watch it on TV :lol:).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 31, 2022, 02:43:54 PM
Hopefully this supercharges women's football in England the way 1999 did for American women.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on July 31, 2022, 03:17:33 PM
I'm a bit flabbergasted to see some Brit friends that I thought would know better moaning that "this is not the same achievement as if the men won it".
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 31, 2022, 04:17:15 PM
Quote from: celedhring on July 31, 2022, 03:17:33 PMI'm a bit flabbergasted to see some Brit friends that I thought would know better moaning that "this is not the same achievement as if the men won it".

I am curious to see how things go.
Those who would be keen to go engerrrlaaannnd and boost up any success, especially vs the Germans, have a very circular Venn with those who seem offended that women's football is even a thing
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 31, 2022, 04:25:31 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on July 31, 2022, 02:43:54 PMHopefully this supercharges women's football in England the way 1999 did for American women.
That's the example everyone was talking about tonight.

I slightly wish that English/European football hadn't gone down the model of womens' clubs being part of existing football clubs. On the one hand it makes sense because there's an existing fanbase, on the other it feels like there's a real risk they just make the same mistake/have the same forces driving them as the men's game which is not great (on a purely personal level it makes little distance because Everton are just as bad in both leagues :lol: :weep:).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 31, 2022, 07:52:12 PM
Agreed. It was nice before hand when you had some recognisable teams in the top league but then some oddities also.
Plus the change over to the super league was really broken with Sunderland being relegated 2 divisions for no reason <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 01, 2022, 04:48:06 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on July 31, 2022, 02:43:54 PMHopefully this supercharges women's football in England the way 1999 did for American women.
17.5 million people watching at the peak (not including pubs and public screens). Last time England were in a final was 2009 and 1.5 million people watched. So I think and hope somethings changed now in interest levels.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on August 01, 2022, 04:55:10 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 01, 2022, 04:48:06 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on July 31, 2022, 02:43:54 PMHopefully this supercharges women's football in England the way 1999 did for American women.
17.5 million people watching at the peak (not including pubs and public screens). Last time England were in a final was 2009 and 1.5 million people watched. So I think and hope somethings changed now in interest levels.

I hope so, but Quatar might be distorting the picture.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 01, 2022, 05:39:52 AM
Quote from: Josquius on July 31, 2022, 04:17:15 PM
Quote from: celedhring on July 31, 2022, 03:17:33 PMI'm a bit flabbergasted to see some Brit friends that I thought would know better moaning that "this is not the same achievement as if the men won it".

I am curious to see how things go.
Those who would be keen to go engerrrlaaannnd and boost up any success, especially vs the Germans, have a very circular Venn with those who seem offended that women's football is even a thing


You will be somewhat pleased to know several of them are Newcastle fans.  :P

(a friend of mine is married to a geordie and that's why I've met a bunch of people from the area).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 01, 2022, 06:40:46 AM
Quote from: Tamas on August 01, 2022, 04:55:10 AMI hope so, but Quatar might be distorting the picture.
Definitely a bit of that. I have basically no interest in Qatar but have enjoyed this tournament a lot and (subject to timezones) will have more interest in the women's World Cup next summer than Qatar <_<

Edit: Apparently including online viewers it's about 24 million watched last night - plus pubs and public screens.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 01, 2022, 08:32:36 AM
Quote from: celedhring on August 01, 2022, 05:39:52 AM[q]

You will be somewhat pleased to know several of them are Newcastle fans.  :P

(a friend of mine is married to a geordie and that's why I've met a bunch of people from the area).

Of course they are.
When it comes to footballing matters horse punchers views aren't worth shit :p
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 02, 2022, 10:04:03 AM
Interesting report on people abusing footballers on Twitter. Man United have a problem:
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/aug/02/seven-in-10-premier-league-players-are-sent-abusive-tweets-study-shows?CMP=share_btn_tw
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 03, 2022, 07:03:04 AM
Striking from ESPN on the three highest attendance games in Europe in the last year:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FZEH0KQXgAAoBXH?format=jpg&name=small)

Lots of men on the internet pointing out this is because tickets are cheap. Which is true - but isn't that a good thing? It's why you see kids is that, unlike men's football, it is affordable to go as a family. That seems like a good thing to me rather than something to be derided/mocked.

Although I might just be particularly cynical because minutes after I saw that I saw my team announcing their "digital shirts partner" for the Metaverse :bleeding: It is a bit - I think with Qatar especially - of why the women's game just seems a bit more compelling at the minute. It's also why I worry about the way it's been set up in this country through existing clubs because the sad reality is that it is just recreating hierarchies in the men's game and the second they can commercialise it in the same way they will :(

Edit: Also there's something particularly pathetic about assessing the value/worth of a game of football based on the ticket prices of the commercial, normally corrupt entities profiting from it (many of the clubs, UEFA etc). It's like a weird Stockholm syndrome - if it was affordable to normal people, it wouldn't be worthwhile.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 03, 2022, 07:15:14 AM
Barça's women's football has been a much more successful and joyful experience than men's these past 2-3 years, tbf. One of the reasons fans and media have embraced them so much. Alexia sells more shirts than any of the male stars, which is ridiculous even given the diminished stature of the men's team.

Also, if the financials side is so important, Women's football is the only profitable sports section at Barça. That tells me the players/coaches are still way underpaid, of course.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 03, 2022, 07:20:56 AM
Quote from: celedhring on August 03, 2022, 07:15:14 AMBarça's women's football has been a much more successful and joyful experience than men's these past 2-3 years, tbf. One of the reasons fans and media have embraced them so much. Alexia sells more shirts than any of the male stars, which is ridiculous even given the diminished stature of the men's team.
Yeah I started watching some Everton Women's games last year in the hope that they would provide a bit of joy. They were promptly dragged into a relegation battle :(
(https://media0.giphy.com/media/3o7WTqo27pLRYxRtg4/giphy.gif)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 03, 2022, 10:11:28 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 03, 2022, 07:20:56 AM
Quote from: celedhring on August 03, 2022, 07:15:14 AMBarça's women's football has been a much more successful and joyful experience than men's these past 2-3 years, tbf. One of the reasons fans and media have embraced them so much. Alexia sells more shirts than any of the male stars, which is ridiculous even given the diminished stature of the men's team.
Yeah I started watching some Everton Women's games last year in the hope that they would provide a bit of joy. They were promptly dragged into a relegation battle :(
(https://media0.giphy.com/media/3o7WTqo27pLRYxRtg4/giphy.gif)

 :hug:

Thankfully Arsenal Women are quite good and always challenge for the title. England's captain and top scorer are Arsenal players.  :cool:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on August 03, 2022, 12:18:31 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 03, 2022, 07:20:56 AM
Quote from: celedhring on August 03, 2022, 07:15:14 AMBarça's women's football has been a much more successful and joyful experience than men's these past 2-3 years, tbf. One of the reasons fans and media have embraced them so much. Alexia sells more shirts than any of the male stars, which is ridiculous even given the diminished stature of the men's team.
Yeah I started watching some Everton Women's games last year in the hope that they would provide a bit of joy. They were promptly dragged into a relegation battle :(
(https://media0.giphy.com/media/3o7WTqo27pLRYxRtg4/giphy.gif)

 :D

At least you can keep your humour.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 03, 2022, 12:49:19 PM
Just hit me that the league starts this Friday. Christ the summer went fast.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on August 03, 2022, 03:14:45 PM
I can't believe the amount Liverpool paid for Darwin Nunez.

I think he's very good, just not THAT good.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 03, 2022, 08:58:37 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on August 03, 2022, 03:14:45 PMI can't believe the amount Liverpool paid for Darwin Nunez.

I think he's very good, just not THAT good.

He's a work in progress but Klopp is an elite coach so it'll probably work out.

With both Manchester City and Liverpool doing major retooling with their squads there might be a small window this season for a plucky team to squeeze into the Top 2. I see a lot of pundits picking Spurs for 3rd. Might they make a run for 2nd or even the title?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on August 03, 2022, 09:05:10 PM
I dunno. I don't think Conte has the wingbacks his style calls for.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 04, 2022, 04:47:51 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 03, 2022, 08:58:37 PMWith both Manchester City and Liverpool doing major retooling with their squads there might be a small window this season for a plucky team to squeeze into the Top 2. I see a lot of pundits picking Spurs for 3rd. Might they make a run for 2nd or even the title?

I don't think their retooling is that major. Sure, both teams have lost important names, but their cores stay in place and both have brought in what could be massive signings. I still think that they'll both take the first two spots in the league.

In the race for #3 maybe Arsenal will be the main contender.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 04, 2022, 04:52:22 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on August 03, 2022, 03:14:45 PMI can't believe the amount Liverpool paid for Darwin Nunez.

I think he's very good, just not THAT good.
But I think what Liverpool are really good at (though not perfect) is identifying the piece/player they need with the right abilities and then they'll pay whatever to get him. It might be a bit like van Dijk :(

I know they won't play every game but I think it'll be interesting to see Liverpool and City with what feel like slightly old school classic number 9s :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 04, 2022, 06:03:30 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 04, 2022, 04:52:22 AMI know they won't play every game but I think it'll be interesting to see Liverpool and City with what feel like slightly old school classic number 9s :hmm:

That'll be interesting to see, yeah, how they'll both operate with throwback strikers rather than their traditional high mobility tactics with no fixed no. 9. It'll also be interesting to see Gabriel Jesús at Arsenal as a more traditional striker, and see how many goals he can rack up when in a more traditional set up.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 04, 2022, 08:33:47 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 04, 2022, 04:47:51 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 03, 2022, 08:58:37 PMWith both Manchester City and Liverpool doing major retooling with their squads there might be a small window this season for a plucky team to squeeze into the Top 2. I see a lot of pundits picking Spurs for 3rd. Might they make a run for 2nd or even the title?

I don't think their retooling is that major. Sure, both teams have lost important names, but their cores stay in place and both have brought in what could be massive signings. I still think that they'll both take the first two spots in the league.

In the race for #3 maybe Arsenal will be the main contender.


That's fair. Whatever growing pains they may have incorporating their respective new number 9s should be balanced out by the strong core they still have.

I could question what happens if either one flops, like what happened to Lukaku at Chelsea. But they SHOULD still have enough about them as complete teams to hold onto the Top 2.

Arsenal have looked really good in preseason. It seems Arteta has the kind of players he needs and they're all onboard with him and his style. This is probably the most excited the fans have been since Wenger was around.

3rd I think is a bridge too far but Top 4 is absolutely the expectation this season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 04, 2022, 08:37:52 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 04, 2022, 06:03:30 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 04, 2022, 04:52:22 AMI know they won't play every game but I think it'll be interesting to see Liverpool and City with what feel like slightly old school classic number 9s :hmm:

That'll be interesting to see, yeah, how they'll both operate with throwback strikers rather than their traditional high mobility tactics with no fixed no. 9. It'll also be interesting to see Gabriel Jesús at Arsenal as a more traditional striker, and see how many goals he can rack up when in a more traditional set up.

Just preseason I know but Jesus looks completely free and happy as a 9. But it helps that Arsenal's system means he also interchanges with the left and right wing forwards a lot, too. It's quite fluid when it works correctly.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 04, 2022, 03:07:25 PM
Via Popbitch and it's been everywhere, but I still can't stop believe that Southend United signed a sponsorship deal with local estate agents Gilbert and Rose to transform their West Stand into the "Gilbert And Rose West Stand" which sounds like a tribute to the serial killer :lol: :bleeding:

I don't understand how no-one at any stage spotted it might be a problem and they should sponsor literally ANY OTHER STAND :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 04, 2022, 03:20:01 PM
I read they're looking for alternative naming Gilbert and Rose stand of the west?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 05, 2022, 11:07:40 AM
BBC archive asking local women around Highbury what they think of the football season coming up in 1971:
https://twitter.com/BBCArchive/status/1555515710977085440?s=20&t=bsk526kScGIwVS2DhqmMGQ

Amazing array of accents on that one :huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on August 05, 2022, 11:17:49 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 05, 2022, 11:07:40 AMBBC archive asking local women around Highbury what they think of the football season coming up in 1971:
https://twitter.com/BBCArchive/status/1555515710977085440?s=20&t=bsk526kScGIwVS2DhqmMGQ

Amazing array of accents on that one :huh:

And teeth!

Great stuff, I  love that kind of archive material.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 05, 2022, 12:30:21 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 05, 2022, 11:07:40 AMBBC archive asking local women around Highbury what they think of the football season coming up in 1971:
https://twitter.com/BBCArchive/status/1555515710977085440?s=20&t=bsk526kScGIwVS2DhqmMGQ

Amazing array of accents on that one :huh:

Very cool.  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on August 05, 2022, 12:31:14 PM
Quote from: Gups on August 05, 2022, 11:17:49 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 05, 2022, 11:07:40 AMBBC archive asking local women around Highbury what they think of the football season coming up in 1971:
https://twitter.com/BBCArchive/status/1555515710977085440?s=20&t=bsk526kScGIwVS2DhqmMGQ

Amazing array of accents on that one :huh:

And teeth!

Great stuff, I  love that kind of archive material.

I was going to say, some had good teeth so just how representative a sample could that have been  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 05, 2022, 01:19:05 PM
(https://i.redd.it/fv9u2be3iuf91.jpg)

Sheilbh I suspect will agree with his fellow Evertonians  :P

Surprised to see Chelsea so low, they landed on their feet on the Abramovic issue and the new owners are splashing the cash.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on August 05, 2022, 01:20:46 PM
NLD going strong even in opinion polls lol.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 05, 2022, 01:34:37 PM
Quote from: celedhring on August 05, 2022, 01:19:05 PM(https://i.redd.it/fv9u2be3iuf91.jpg)

Sheilbh I suspect will agree with his fellow Evertonians  :P

Surprised to see Chelsea so low, they landed on their feet on the Abramovic issue and the new owners are splashing the cash.

TOP OF THE LEAGUE

We are very used to disappointment though so fully expecting a loss to Palace today.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 05, 2022, 01:55:29 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 05, 2022, 01:34:37 PMTOP OF THE LEAGUE
STOP THE COUNT!

QuoteSheilbh I suspect will agree with his fellow Evertonians  :P
Yes :( :lol:

(Although I like some of our signings so....maybe some hope some day?)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on August 05, 2022, 02:50:13 PM
I thought Partey had been arrested on rape charges no? Am I thinking about that ManU player?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on August 05, 2022, 02:55:48 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on August 05, 2022, 02:50:13 PMI thought Partey had been arrested on rape charges no? Am I thinking about that ManU player?

According to my son he is not going to be charged.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 05, 2022, 08:21:48 PM
He was arrested but is out on bail. I think there are 2 accusers with 3 separate allegations. One isn't getting charged, supposedly, because of a technicality in the law. Still waiting on the other 2 possible charges.

Arsenal won't do anything unless Partey is charged. They appear to be wiping their hands of it and leaving it to the police.

The player you're thinking of is Mason Greenwood, whose accuser publicly released graphic video evidence of abuse. I think the public outcry pushed United to suspend the player.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 05, 2022, 08:24:33 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 05, 2022, 01:55:29 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 05, 2022, 01:34:37 PMTOP OF THE LEAGUE
STOP THE COUNT!


 :lol:

Saliba is the biggest LANS ever. He was so good in preseason and tonight he looked like he'd been playing in the prem for years.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on August 06, 2022, 05:58:08 PM
So Chelsea picked up Sterling.

My boy gets pushed further down the depth chart.  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 06, 2022, 06:37:50 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 06, 2022, 05:58:08 PMSo Chelsea picked up Sterling.

My boy gets pushed further down the depth chart.  :(

Yeah he needs to leave Chelsea.

To be honest, Pulisic might not even be the best American in the PL anymore. Aaronson at Leeds is staking a claim. He puttin' the word out.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 07, 2022, 06:52:13 AM
Quote from: celedhring on August 05, 2022, 01:19:05 PM(https://i.redd.it/fv9u2be3iuf91.jpg)

Sheilbh I suspect will agree with his fellow Evertonians  :P

Surprised to see Chelsea so low, they landed on their feet on the Abramovic issue and the new owners are splashing the cash.

I guess different perceptions of hope. For bournemouth it's about relegation. For Chelsea it's not winning the league.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 07, 2022, 12:52:33 PM
Few things make me happier than seeing Manchester United play like crap and lose at home.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 10, 2022, 12:47:16 PM
A thought has just come to me.
With women's football being big in the news at the moment... Could there be a legal case against man City et al for paying their women's team so much less than their men?

Yes yes. We all know the reasons why this is so. It's mad to expect the women's teams to be earning such riches.

But could be interesting for taking a shot at the insane wages of top men's teams... Maybe give women a bit of a boost though perhaps its using them
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on August 11, 2022, 02:38:19 AM
No. There couldn't.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 11, 2022, 03:09:33 AM
I remember when our gender gap law came out an expert said it couldn't be applied to sports since men's and women's leagues had separate collective agreements - which regulate pay scale -, even though in some cases the employer (i.e. a football club) was the same, and the job performed (playing football) was the same.

Essentially our current law (which is derived from EU law so I assume it will be similar in the rest of Europe), guarantees equal pay within members of the same collective agreement.

Let me quickly add that my knowledge on labor regulations is pitiful.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 11, 2022, 04:15:14 AM
I feel like football is basically exempt from all sorts of laws (maybe only tacitly though). I don't know how the 4/5 year contracts work in employment law, for example, or how leagues aren't cartels.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 11, 2022, 04:59:39 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 11, 2022, 04:15:14 AMI feel like football is basically exempt from all sorts of laws (maybe only tacitly though). I don't know how the 4/5 year contracts work in employment law, for example, or how leagues aren't cartels.

In Spain sports contracts have their own regulation, which was quickly ushered in when courts found that, indeed, most of football's usual employment practices were against general labor law.

I think the Superliga case is interesting because it will force the CJEU to address the cartel-like character of UEFA and the national leagues.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on August 11, 2022, 05:34:04 AM
If equal pay was somehow enforced (and equal with whom? individual male footballers are on widely divergent wages within the same club) then the big clubs would simply close down their women's teams.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on August 11, 2022, 10:58:58 AM
Yeah, I think the way for (some) women footballers to get the same massive pay as (some) male players is for the women's leagues to generate the same kind of revenue as the men's leagues. If winning women's leagues are financially lucrative for the clubs, then the competition for talent will follow.

It's not like the clubs wants to pay hundreds of millions of Euros for top talent if they can avoid it, it's that competition for that talent that leads to those contracts.

Now, if income from the women's clubs were used to support superior pay for the mens' teams, then some legislation might make sense - but I don't think that's the case?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 11, 2022, 02:07:15 PM
https://twitter.com/FPLGOAT7/status/1557619518909960193

 :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 12, 2022, 05:06:01 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 11, 2022, 02:07:15 PMhttps://twitter.com/FPLGOAT7/status/1557619518909960193

 :lmfao:

Seemed like objective reporting to me.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 12, 2022, 08:19:40 AM
Quote from: celedhring on August 12, 2022, 05:06:01 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 11, 2022, 02:07:15 PMhttps://twitter.com/FPLGOAT7/status/1557619518909960193

 :lmfao:

Seemed like objective reporting to me.

 :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Agelastus on August 13, 2022, 12:54:49 PM
I thought it might be a bad season for Manchester United when their manager started laying out his excuses for the Board before the Season started...but now I am wondering if it might be even worse for them than mid-table mediocrity this season!

[Brentford 4, Manchester United 0 at Half-Time.]
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 13, 2022, 01:31:34 PM
United  :lmfao:  :lmfao:  :lmfao:

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 13, 2022, 05:39:13 PM
I can only imagine halftime in the Brentford dressing room.
A bunch of guys all just sitting around in stunned silence.
"Did that just...."
"...so......"
".....what do we do now?"
"This is a joke right?"
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on August 13, 2022, 05:45:53 PM
After seeing those goals I can only imagine the goalie bet some good money on that game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 13, 2022, 06:03:18 PM
Part of me sympathizes with United because not too long ago Arsenal were in a similar position.

But that's a very small part. 99.9999 percent of me is absolutely loving the disintegration of their club  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on August 13, 2022, 09:44:26 PM
Eriksen thought moving from Brentford to United was a step up....
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 14, 2022, 04:46:28 AM
Saw a clip of Ten Hag's press conference and he looked like rattled United manager about to get fired. It's only been two games :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 14, 2022, 06:43:35 AM
Manchester United is where players and coaches go to learn the true depths of depression and dread in a mad, mad, mad world.

De Jong saw it from miles away and did well to refuse a move.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 14, 2022, 06:45:06 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 14, 2022, 04:46:28 AMSaw a clip of Ten Hag's press conference and he looked like rattled United manager about to get fired. It's only been two games :ph34r:

Liverpool next   :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on August 14, 2022, 12:39:33 PM
Tottenham did not deserve a tie, but it was worth it just to see Tuchel and Havertz lose their mind.

I thought the Huns were supposed to be all calm and shit.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 14, 2022, 01:06:08 PM
That was shocking officiating in the Chelsea-Spurs match but also very, very funny  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 14, 2022, 03:13:07 PM
Sunderland's first season back in the championship looks to be starting reasonably well.

Pre season nobody had a clue, it was a complete toss up how it would go. Lots of fears that it would be like the last championship season, a total disaster.
As it is... 2 draws and a win. Doing pretty OK.
Have a kid named Simm on loan from Everton who is very good, too good in fact, Everton will probably want him back in January.

This weekends game though...Ugh. It was against QPR. A team where I can honestly say every single fan I've met is a cunt (all 2 of them). It was looking good. Set for a win...then deep in injury time they get a corner and their keeper does the typical thing of running up to join the attack- and the bugger only goes and scores. :bleeding:
I've not seen the like for eons.

We never expected a title challenge was on the cards this year. A season to finally consolidate and build was the plan. Maybe a cheeky crack at the playoffs if we're lucky. And luck is where a lot will depend- the first team are really playing like one of the best in the league...But you just need to get to the subs bench and the quality drops off. There's zero depth. Sunderland are at the will of the god of injuries.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on August 14, 2022, 03:44:08 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 14, 2022, 01:06:08 PMThat was shocking officiating in the Chelsea-Spurs match but also very, very funny  :lol:

infuriating. Not giving the foul against Havertz then letting the resulting offside goal in.

But, I am still happy after the match. I was worried we'd be looking much like how ManUnited are looking with most of the defence leaving and the bottomless money pit of Russian oligarch money gone.

But it is looking pretty good so far. We won't be champions but it seems we'll be able to do a decent season and a CL spot should be a realistic goal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 14, 2022, 04:01:02 PM
Sorry Jos, but I absolutely love it when a keeper scores (especially if it's not a freak goal kick) :blush:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 14, 2022, 04:12:10 PM
Quote from: Tamas on August 14, 2022, 03:44:08 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 14, 2022, 01:06:08 PMThat was shocking officiating in the Chelsea-Spurs match but also very, very funny  :lol:

infuriating. Not giving the foul against Havertz then letting the resulting offside goal in.

But, I am still happy after the match. I was worried we'd be looking much like how ManUnited are looking with most of the defence leaving and the bottomless money pit of Russian oligarch money gone.

But it is looking pretty good so far. We won't be champions but it seems we'll be able to do a decent season and a CL spot should be a realistic goal.

The hair pull was incredible. I cannot believe it was not called by the ref or the VAR officials.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on August 14, 2022, 04:55:43 PM
Quote from: Tamas on August 14, 2022, 03:44:08 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 14, 2022, 01:06:08 PMThat was shocking officiating in the Chelsea-Spurs match but also very, very funny  :lol:

infuriating. Not giving the foul against Havertz then letting the resulting offside goal in.

But, I am still happy after the match. I was worried we'd be looking much like how ManUnited are looking with most of the defence leaving and the bottomless money pit of Russian oligarch money gone.

But it is looking pretty good so far. We won't be champions but it seems we'll be able to do a decent season and a CL spot should be a realistic goal.

I hate Chelsea but you have a good squad and really should be in the top 4.not sure about Sterling as main striker but generally it's a very good team
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on August 14, 2022, 06:19:22 PM
I was all prepped to be infuriated but the no foul foul probably wouldn't have made a difference anyway.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on August 14, 2022, 06:50:26 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 14, 2022, 06:19:22 PMI was all prepped to be infuriated but the no foul foul probably wouldn't have made a difference anyway.

Which one? The one that resulted in a Tottenham goal or the one which should have resulted in a Tottenham red? :p
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on August 14, 2022, 07:08:52 PM
 :showoff:  :showoff:  :showoff:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 14, 2022, 07:53:33 PM
I'd just like to remind everyone that Manchester United lost to Brighton and Brentford in the first two games of the season by a combined 6-1 and have Liverpool to play next, and it looks like the only additional player they're bringing in is a washed up and problematic Adrien Rabiot, a player who Juventus are desperate to get rid of.

 :menace:  :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 15, 2022, 08:15:55 AM
Adrien Rabiot? International for the French squad. a.k.a Le Duc.

Yet you complain.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 16, 2022, 07:36:23 PM
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1559691922725281800

QuoteAlso, I'm buying Manchester United ur welcome

:lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on August 16, 2022, 11:29:23 PM
Okay, that's funny.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 17, 2022, 03:15:40 AM
This is getting mentioned on the regular radio 1 news update :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 17, 2022, 05:52:16 AM
https://twitter.com/AndyMitten/status/1559850606986149888

QuoteExclusive. Manchester United want Christian Pulisic on loan. Player up for it. For ⁦@TheAthleticUK⁩  https://t.co/nXzbfUp12T

Looks like your boy is moving to Manchester, Yi. Will you switch from following Chelsea to supporting Erik Ten Hag's tricky reds?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on August 18, 2022, 12:08:53 AM
Sure.  In for a penny, in for a pound.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcEHvKw81vA

Man U stock jumped after Elon's joke.  1:30 mark.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on August 18, 2022, 08:56:25 PM
Poor Elon can't do shit without moving international markets.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on August 18, 2022, 09:20:44 PM
Quote from: Valmy on August 18, 2022, 08:56:25 PMPoor Elon can't do shit without moving international markets.

In that same clip it talks about how Bed, Bath and Beyond is up a mile because Teh Elon bought some crazy out of th money calls.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 19, 2022, 03:22:40 AM
Quote from: Valmy on August 18, 2022, 08:56:25 PMPoor Elon can't do shit without moving international markets.
And he knows it. If I were him I'd be tempted to really push experimenting with this to the limit. Making tweets of "X company stock up now!" and "Y company stock down now!".
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 19, 2022, 08:42:46 AM
Quote from: Valmy on August 18, 2022, 08:56:25 PMPoor Elon can't do shit without moving international markets.

"Poor" and "Elon" is an oxymoron, no?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 19, 2022, 04:15:59 PM
So the Casemiro to United ended up being a proper transfer rather than another pointless pursuit like de Jong's...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 20, 2022, 03:55:48 PM
https://twitter.com/Pontifex/status/1520712131162906627

QuoteWhen our nets are empty in life, it is not the time to feel sorry for ourselves, to have fun, to return to old pastimes. It is the time to start again with Gabriel Jesus, to find the courage to begin again, to set out with him. #GospelOfTheDay (Jn 21:1-19)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 21, 2022, 08:59:46 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 18, 2022, 12:08:53 AMSure.  In for a penny, in for a pound.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcEHvKw81vA

Man U stock jumped after Elon's joke.  1:30 mark.

Just FYI, if you're looking for Americans in the PL to support, support Leeds. The only American manager in the league and two of the best young Americans starting every game for them.

And they just destroyed Chelsea 3-0 lol
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 21, 2022, 09:46:32 AM
Yes. But I will not accept another season of Leeds being likeable <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 21, 2022, 09:55:25 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 21, 2022, 09:46:32 AMYes. But I will not accept another season of Leeds being likeable <_<
:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 21, 2022, 02:46:54 PM
Arsenal after first 3 games last season:
3 losses, no goals scored, 20th place

Arsenal after first 3 games this season:
3 wins, 9 goals scored, 1st place

(https://media.giphy.com/media/fQorEj8vN8eqkNcy6T/giphy-downsized-large.gif)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 21, 2022, 02:50:10 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 21, 2022, 09:46:32 AMYes. But I will not accept another season of Leeds being likeable <_<
I can't say I like them... But Leeds need to be a Premier league team. They're one of the "way it's meant to be" top leaguers.

Which got me thinking, there's kids growing up these days who have this idea about the likes of Brighton and burnley :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on August 21, 2022, 10:54:22 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 21, 2022, 08:59:46 AMJust FYI, if you're looking for Americans in the PL to support, support Leeds. The only American manager in the league and two of the best young Americans starting every game for them.

And they just destroyed Chelsea 3-0 lol

Would feel disloyal.

Aaronson and who?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on August 22, 2022, 05:32:49 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 21, 2022, 10:54:22 PMWould feel disloyal.


Yes it would be.


Plus, last time Leeds were in the PL back in the day I remember they were despicably brutal. Screw them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 22, 2022, 09:11:39 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 21, 2022, 10:54:22 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 21, 2022, 08:59:46 AMJust FYI, if you're looking for Americans in the PL to support, support Leeds. The only American manager in the league and two of the best young Americans starting every game for them.

And they just destroyed Chelsea 3-0 lol

Would feel disloyal.

Aaronson and who?

Tyler Adams. Midfielder but can also play fullback. Both are fixtures in the US national team now.

And the Manager is Jesse Marsch of Racine, Wisconsin. He had a successful stint as Manager at RB Salzburg but failed at RB Leipzig. He came to Leeds last season to replace the legendary Marcelo Bielsa.

Honestly, Pulisic should just go to Leeds. Put all the Americans in Leeds United States of America.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 22, 2022, 03:19:20 PM
Well shit. What's going on with Liverpool? :blink:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 22, 2022, 03:24:28 PM
It's baffling :hmm: :huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 22, 2022, 04:04:39 PM
Hahahaha

United vibes their way to a home win over an injury-ridden tired Liverpool side
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 22, 2022, 04:35:57 PM
Quote from: Josquius on August 22, 2022, 03:19:20 PMWell shit. What's going on with Liverpool? :blink:

They're reaching the end of their cycle. Old and injury-prone players. The end of an empire. Sadio Mane was smart to leave.

They got a league title and champions league but I think they think they could have had more. Oh well.

They'll be ok this season but I think they'll be fighting for Top 4 rather than going toe-to-toe with City
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on August 22, 2022, 06:45:51 PM
Quote from: Tamas on August 22, 2022, 05:32:49 AMYes it would be.


Plus, last time Leeds were in the PL back in the day I remember they were despicably brutal. Screw them.

To be clear, I'm bailing on Chelsea.  Sorry bud.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on August 22, 2022, 09:26:49 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 22, 2022, 04:04:39 PMHahahaha

United vibes their way to a home win over an injury-ridden tired Liverpool side

woot!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 23, 2022, 05:57:24 AM
Quote from: Josquius on August 22, 2022, 03:19:20 PMWell shit. What's going on with Liverpool? :blink:

As I said in this post in late May...and apparently even earlier. This isn't new.

Quote from: Josephus on May 29, 2022, 10:49:31 AMAs I've said before Liverpool have struggled offensively the past couple months. Salah, especially.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on August 23, 2022, 10:31:17 AM
Huh Salah got the golden boot.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 24, 2022, 08:55:16 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on August 23, 2022, 10:31:17 AMHuh Salah got the golden boot.

"the last couple months"
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on August 24, 2022, 01:51:17 PM
with the dollar worth more than the euro should this thread be retitled "Soccer (football) thread"?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 24, 2022, 02:09:49 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on August 24, 2022, 01:51:17 PMwith the dollar worth more than the euro should this thread be retitled "Soccer (football) thread"?
Be thankful the silly public school nickname even gets a mention.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on August 25, 2022, 12:47:58 PM
Champion's League group draws. Tottenham-Frankfurt-Sporting Lisbon-Marseille.  :showoff:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 25, 2022, 12:48:53 PM
Group of death for us  <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 25, 2022, 03:45:56 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on August 25, 2022, 12:47:58 PMChampion's League group draws. Tottenham-Frankfurt-Sporting Lisbon-Marseille.  :showoff:

Absolutely massive corruption by Spurs. Outrageous. Need an FBI investigation like when they got Sepp.

And you have teams like *checks notes* Maccabi Haifa playing in UCL. Laughable.

Meanwhile the Greatest Team in the World is currently top of the PL and has to slum it out in Europa again. It's unacceptable. Bring back the Super League.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 25, 2022, 04:00:21 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on August 25, 2022, 12:47:58 PMChampion's League group draws. Tottenham-Frankfurt-Sporting Lisbon-Marseille.  :showoff:

Before clandestino rants, that's Sporting CP (Club Portugal). Lisboete bourgeoise is very much into navel-gazing.  :P

Good draw for Sporting I guess, better than what Benfica got : Juventus, PSG, Benfica, Maccabi Haifa.

Porto being in pot 1 got Atlético Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen (how is the Bundesliga when it's not Bayer or Dortmund ?) and Club Bruges.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 25, 2022, 04:03:58 PM
Draw for all the groups:

Grupo A: Ajax, Liverpool, Nápoles e Rangers

Grupo B: FC Porto, Atlético de Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen e Club Brugge

Grupo C: Bayern, Barcelona, Inter e Viktoria Plzen

Grupo D: Eintracht Francoforte, Tottenham, Sporting CP e Marselha

Grupo E: Milão AC, Chelsea, Salzburgo e Dínamo Zagreb

Grupo F: Real Madrid, Lípsia, Shakhtar Donetsk e Celtic

Grupo G: Manchester City, Sevilha, Borussia Dortmund e Copenhaga

Grupo H: PSG, Juventus, Benfica e Maccabi Haifa
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 25, 2022, 08:47:39 PM
Group C   :huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 25, 2022, 08:50:18 PM
There's a new show on a cable channel I only get cause it's part of a package, FX. It has a new show, a docu series that's part Sunderland Till I Die, part Ted Lasso. It's called Welcome to Wrexham about the 2020 takeover of said club by a couple Hollywood types. Saw first two episodes. Looks interesting.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 26, 2022, 01:33:03 AM
Quote from: Josephus on August 25, 2022, 08:50:18 PMThere's a new show on a cable channel I only get cause it's part of a package, FX. It has a new show, a docu series that's part Sunderland Till I Die, part Ted Lasso. It's called Welcome to Wrexham about the 2020 takeover of said club by a couple Hollywood types. Saw first two episodes. Looks interesting.

I've heard of that, it's on my to watch list.

Also recommended to seek out is class of 92 out of their league, about Salford FC, previously non league but bought by big name Man Utd players of the 90s. Since the show they have made their way to the football league.
Pretty interesting I thought for an insight into this lesser known side of football.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 26, 2022, 11:14:55 AM
Well fuck. Just when things were looking great for Sunderland, our manager is poached by Stoke of all teams. Hope it's just about money and not something new and rotten
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 30, 2022, 05:19:35 PM
For Sheilbh:

Man drops his kid on the ground so he can hug Anthony Gordon  :lol:
https://twitter.com/ossdeux/status/1564719754958471170?t=UDZUhSWgLEqzVjIXa2jyeA&s=19
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 30, 2022, 05:24:48 PM
:lol:

The second video in the thread too :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 30, 2022, 05:31:25 PM
Is anyone following the Pogba blackmail story?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 31, 2022, 06:44:15 AM
Not until you mentioned it and erm... :o :blink: :huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on August 31, 2022, 06:52:18 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 31, 2022, 06:44:15 AMNot until you mentioned it and erm... :o :blink: :huh:

It's quite a thing, isn't it?

The French national team's penchant for self-destruction ahead of big tournaments is truly astounding.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 31, 2022, 08:07:34 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 30, 2022, 05:24:48 PM:lol:

The second video in the thread too :lol:

I laugh but... That poor kid 😔
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 31, 2022, 09:04:47 AM
Quote from: Josquius on August 31, 2022, 08:07:34 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 30, 2022, 05:24:48 PM:lol:

The second video in the thread too :lol:

I laugh but... That poor kid 😔

He got the shirt though :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on September 01, 2022, 06:02:59 PM
My change of allegiance has put me in the uncomfortable position of rooting for Ronaldo McDonaldo.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on September 01, 2022, 06:08:37 PM
Congrats. Get some custard tarts to celebrate :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on September 01, 2022, 06:14:30 PM
Quote from: HVC on September 01, 2022, 06:08:37 PMCongrats. Get some custard tarts to celebrate :D

No clue what you're talking about.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 01, 2022, 06:21:41 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on September 01, 2022, 06:14:30 PM
Quote from: HVC on September 01, 2022, 06:08:37 PMCongrats. Get some custard tarts to celebrate :D

No clue what you're talking about.  :)

Pasteis de nata, a Portuguese delicacy.

(https://www.livingtours.com/public/blog/posts/20200123161347-reQkxvU6.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 01, 2022, 06:22:54 PM
Portugal's second greatest contribution to the world (after their salt cod fritters) :mmm:
(https://www.livingtours.com/public/blog/posts/20200123161347-reQkxvU6.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 01, 2022, 06:23:05 PM
:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on September 01, 2022, 06:58:25 PM
See yi, they're beloved :D

Actually, if you've had HK egg tart it's kind of similar, although the portugese pastry part is so much better. Came to HK via Macau and I heard it's popular in Asia (I had it in Macau).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on September 01, 2022, 07:10:31 PM
I don't think I've ever had a bite of Portagee food.  Pretty sure I've never even seen a Portagee restaurant.

And I even dated a half Portagee chick in Boston.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on September 01, 2022, 07:31:08 PM
I have, however, had a sip of port.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on September 01, 2022, 11:57:29 PM
Quote from: The Larch on September 01, 2022, 06:21:41 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on September 01, 2022, 06:14:30 PM
Quote from: HVC on September 01, 2022, 06:08:37 PMCongrats. Get some custard tarts to celebrate :D

No clue what you're talking about.  :)

Pasteis de nata, a Portuguese delicacy.

(https://www.livingtours.com/public/blog/posts/20200123161347-reQkxvU6.jpg)

:mmm:

Colleague's boyfriend is Portuguese. It was her birthday this week, so her bf made a bunch of them and she brought them to the office. Another Portuguese co-worker occasionally brings some. The ones I had in Lisbon were also excellent. There's actually a Portuguese restaurant in Vienna where you can buy them fresh, too. Excellent with a  sprinkle of cinnamon on top.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 03, 2022, 12:47:01 PM
Wasn't convinced with Lampard being appointed - and the points don't show it at the minute. But I'm feeling quietly positive about Everton - cue catastrophic run of form; somehow Kenny Dalglish is manager; relegation; administration :weep: :ph34r:

Didn't get players everywhere we needed to - and we desperately need another forward - but it feels like we've just had the first coherent transfer window since Farhad Moshiri came in where you can understand the logic of all the signings. Plus it's a nice mix of more experienced players like Coady and Tarkowski with young ones like Onana and McNeill (astonished to find that he's only 22-3 because in my head everyone who plays for Sean Dyche is at least 27 :lol:) and kept Goron who is an exciting academy product.

I always thought Lampard was a decent coach and I think he's showing that again with a few younger players especially improving visibly (Iwobi, Gordon, Mykolenko, Patterson). But I always thought he was basically a bit out of his depth and could do attacking football but that was kind of it - but so far this season we look pretty solid defensively and it feels like he's found a system that works. For the first time in ages it feels like there's one or two missing pieces rather than needing a massive overhaul (it helps that a lot of deadwood - Sigurdsson, Tosun, Delph etc - on big paydays are now out of contract).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 03, 2022, 12:53:14 PM
Yeah, Everton were really impressive today. Could have easily ended with a win against Liverpool.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 03, 2022, 07:35:47 PM
Disallowing West Ham's second goal was a total farce. Overruling a correct decision to allow the goal through a terrible decision by VAR.

This and the Cucurella hair pull are just  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on September 03, 2022, 10:27:59 PM
Fun Liverpool Everton match.

My highlight clips have started skipping the TAKING OF THE KNEE.  They need to think about a graceful exit.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 04, 2022, 06:44:43 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on September 03, 2022, 10:27:59 PMFun Liverpool Everton match.

My highlight clips have started skipping the TAKING OF THE KNEE.  They need to think about a graceful exit.
They're not doing it at every game anymore.

It's now being used at "significant" moments - so they will at certain matches such as the FA Cup and Carabao Cup final, Boxing Day matches and the Premier League's No Room for Racism games.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 04, 2022, 07:18:54 AM
https://twitter.com/cantdrawarsenal/status/1566386637172506626?t=Si-lxmhKbzVfDeATEaw7AA&s=19

QuoteAfter discussing it with family and friends, buying a 64 pack of stress balls, running two marathons in a row, and ignoring advice from my conglomerate of mental health experts, I have decided to watch Arsenal today.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 04, 2022, 07:20:56 PM
So Arsenal lost at Old Trafford, as is tradition, but it felt like old times.

Arsenal playing reasonably well, playing pretty football and getting decent chances but not putting them away, and United playing pragmatic, counterattacking football where they overcome Arsenal's pressure and change the game in a flash.

Not sure what this means but it's interesting to see United's turn around with Ten Hag and Arsenal's with Arteta.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on September 05, 2022, 08:52:22 PM
FC Copenhagen made it to the Champions League, which is pretty good. Their group opponents are Borussia Dortmund, Sevilla, and Manchester City. It may be a bit of a tall order to pass through that group, if I'm perfectly honest.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 06, 2022, 06:53:13 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 30, 2022, 05:31:25 PMIs anyone following the Pogba blackmail story?

In France, yes.  :P
Poor Pogba had just a knee operation so he won't play the WC in Qatar (blessing in disguise?).

On ne choisit pas sa famille...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 07, 2022, 04:58:07 AM
Tuchel sacked from Chelsea after last night's defeat against Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League. It seems like the new American owner is not of the patient sort...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on September 07, 2022, 05:07:10 AM
Quote from: The Larch on September 07, 2022, 04:58:07 AMTuchel sacked from Chelsea after last night's defeat against Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League. It seems like the new American owner is not of the patient sort...

Damn. I mean, how can we possibly get a better coach than him now that we are a mid-tier team with a non-bottomless budget?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 07, 2022, 05:21:49 AM
Quote from: Tamas on September 07, 2022, 05:07:10 AMnow that we are a mid-tier team with a non-bottomless budget?

 :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 07, 2022, 05:36:17 AM
Good try Tamas, but you're still an evil big club. Accept it, embrace it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 07, 2022, 05:43:31 AM
Although on evil clubs I really enjoy David Squires' new drawing for Newcastle as Death Star FC :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 07, 2022, 05:53:39 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 07, 2022, 05:43:31 AMAlthough on evil clubs I really enjoy David Squires' new drawing for Newcastle as Death Star FC :lol:

We're probably Kylo Ren  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 07, 2022, 05:57:02 AM
Lest we forget back in the 90s Newcastle were the original money buying success club of the premier league era. A proto Chelsea basically.
Plus the supreme evil today.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 07, 2022, 06:21:11 AM
Quote from: Josquius on September 07, 2022, 05:57:02 AMLest we forget back in the 90s Newcastle were the original money buying success club of the premier league era. A proto Chelsea basically.
Plus the supreme evil today.
Wasn't it Blackburn?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 07, 2022, 07:11:10 AM
Quote from: Tamas on September 07, 2022, 05:07:10 AM
Quote from: The Larch on September 07, 2022, 04:58:07 AMTuchel sacked from Chelsea after last night's defeat against Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League. It seems like the new American owner is not of the patient sort...

Damn. I mean, how can we possibly get a better coach than him now that we are a mid-tier team with a non-bottomless budget?

Chelsea are mid-tier tho.  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 07, 2022, 08:19:23 AM
I guess that means that Potter is off to Chelsea though :weep:

Also,
https://twitter.com/CFCPys/status/1567487106221543427?t=ZBMUWbmHQifYQx3yqwbXyQ&s=19

QuoteTuchel was reportedly left "totally shocked" after he was sacked on a brutal 10-minute phone call in which he pleaded to be given a second chance. (@MirrorFootball) #CFC

Lol

And this is interesting too: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2022/09/07/revealed-why-chelseas-new-owners-decided-thomas-tuchel-had-go/

QuoteThomas Tuchel this week completed 100 games in charge of Chelsea, but it took the club's owners just 100 days to come to the conclusion that their new era requires a new head coach.

Chelsea's defeat to Dinamo Zagreb, attended by co-controlling owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, in many ways underlined a decision that was already in the pipeline regardless of results.

It was during their review of 100 days of active ownership that Boehly and Eghbali discussed their progress in creating a new culture at Chelsea and the long-term prospects of Tuchel, who had done little to prove that he wanted to take a proactive part of it.

Publicly, he insisted he was in it for the long haul, saying before the trip to Croatia that he hoped "there will be another 100 [games], then another 100 coming". But, privately, his attitude and demeanour raised serious doubts. And that, ultimately, was his undoing – even more than Chelsea suffering three successive away defeats or a series of turgid performances.

The fact that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang looked to be a deadline-day signing with Tuchel's name on it proved to be a red herring. Boehly and his Clearlake Capital co-owners want a new culture at Stamford Bridge and decided that Tuchel is not the man to help lead it.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Thomas Tuchel - Revealed: Why Chelsea's new owners decided Thomas Tuchel had to go

Many had assumed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's (left) arrival had the seal of approval from Tuchel Credit: GETTY IMAGES
Boehly and Eghbali's initial plan had been to put their faith in Tuchel. He was given greater control in the transfer market and backed with more responsibility than any coach had enjoyed under previous owner Roman Abramovich. But 100 days of working together raised doubts over whether the relationship could be one for the long term. Instead, it increasingly appeared that Tuchel was perhaps better suited to the more detached management style of the past regime.

Boehly and co will be aware that this is a decision that will invite scrutiny and criticism, especially following a transfer window in which they spent almost £300 million. Having made himself chairman and taken on the title of interim sporting director, Boehly put a target on his back and there will be some anger from a section of supporters who idolised Tuchel and ridicule from those pundits who have already accused Chelsea's owners of playing real-life Championship Manager.

The decisions to sack former chairman Bruce Buck and director Marina Granovskaia were never likely to cause much of a public relations storm, while Petr Cech went of his own accord having been asked to stay. But Tuchel had earned himself a place in the hearts of supporters for the 2021 Champions League success and is widely regarded as one of the world's finest coaches.

Ultimately, however, Chelsea's owners know they must ignore the noise and concern themselves only with whether or not the dressing room will react badly to Tuchel's removal. The evidence in Zagreb seemed to suggest there will be far fewer dissenting voices from among the playing squad.

Thomas Tuchel - Revealed: Why Chelsea's new owners decided Thomas Tuchel had to go

It is unlikely that Chelsea players will revolt against the new owners following Tuchel's departure Credit: AP
Given how his popularity dropped with a number of players, Boehly and Egbhali can be confident they will not face any sort of revolt. They will explain that sacking Tuchel is aimed at the long term and a desire for joined up thinking rather than any short-term power trip or knee-jerk reaction to a poor start to the season. The fact Graham Potter is the favourite of Chelsea's targets to replace the former Paris St-Germain man proves that point.

Boehly's philosophy, and that of his partners, is to hire for the long term – as proved by some of Chelsea's players being handed six-year contracts. Meanwhile, Dave Roberts, the manager of Boehly's other major sporting interest, the LA Dodgers baseball team, has been in charge for seven years and in March signed a new three-year deal that will take him through to 2025 and a decade at the helm. Roberts has been through peaks and troughs, but, crucially, he believes in those above him just as much as they put their faith – and money – into him.

Tuchel reiterated on several occasions that he did not enjoy becoming more involved in this summer's recruitment process and consistently bemoaned the loss of Cech as the club's technical and performance advisor.

That caused some raised eyebrows given Boehly and Egbahli did most of the heavy lifting in the transfer window themselves, working around the clock across different time zones. If anybody faced scrutiny and pressure this summer, it has been Chelsea's new billionaire owners, rather than the head coach.

Todd Boehly and Wesley Fofana - Revealed: Why Chelsea's new owners decided Thomas Tuchel had to go

Boehly, who took a hands-on role during the summer transfer window, welcomes Wesley Fofana to Chelsea Credit: GETTY IMAGES
A clash of management styles first surfaced on Chelsea's tour of the United States, during which Tuchel cut an irritated figure. The German could not contain his anger following the 4-0 thrashing by Arsenal in Orlando and spent the entire journey back to England deep in his own thoughts.  :lol:

It is unlikely that Tuchel was a particularly enthusiastic member of the WhatsApp group that was set up to improve communication and discuss transfer targets.  :lol:  The fact the 49-year-old prefers to be left to work and solve problems on his own, along with his close circle of coaches, is not in line with the inclusive approach of Boehly and Eghbali.

They want a coach who they feel comfortable bouncing ideas off and peppering with questions, even some that may seem tiresome to those with more football experience. There is also a desire for all of Chelsea's departments to become more intertwined and cooperative.

Boehly's interest in signing Cristiano Ronaldo provided an early difference of opinion, with the American reluctant to simply take "no" for an answer from Tuchel, who, according to sources, seemed exasperated at having to explain his reasons for not wanting the Portuguese. :lol:

Crucially, the owners want a coach they can invest in for the future and who they believe is prepared to make an equal commitment. The first 100 days with Tuchel did not offer enough encouragement that he would relish their style or help create the culture they want to breed.

Only last Saturday, Tuchel made it clear that he had little interest in involving himself in the appointment of Chelsea's next permanent sporting director which again underlined his reluctance to operate more globally within the club.

The atmosphere at Chelsea's training ground has been described as tense and Tuchel's popularity nose-dived with a group of players who felt they had been treated unfairly, both in terms of team selections and the positions they were asked to play.

Thomas Tuchel - Revealed: Why Chelsea's new owners decided Thomas Tuchel had to go

Tuchel's relationship with some players was a little frosty, with some feeling they had been treated unfairly by the German Credit: GETTY IMAGES
Players have been left in the cold only to be brought back unexpectedly before being  dropped again. Hakim Ziyech started the defeat to Southampton, despite the fact he had been trying to negotiate a move out of Chelsea, with Christian Pulisic taking his place in the following game against West Ham United. Ziyech did not look like a man trying to do his head coach any favours when he was thrown on at half-time in Zagreb.

Decisions such as those have not only been confusing to outsiders and Tuchel's irritated demeanour did not discourage some views within the dressing-room that out-of-favour players would be more likely to outlast the head coach.

Chelsea's co-controlling owners want it to be clear that the next head coach will be somebody who is invested in their project and who the players expect to be in charge for many years, and Potter would seemingly tick the boxes.

He seems a better fit for Chelsea's new era than Tuchel, a hand-me-down – albeit a smart one – from a culture Boehly and Egbahli have made it clear they want to leave behind.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on September 07, 2022, 09:23:03 AM
:bleeding:

Yeah I think this is a big mistake. Also allegedly it was some "senior players" not liking his tactics that did him in.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 07, 2022, 09:35:39 AM
Quote from: Tamas on September 07, 2022, 09:23:03 AMAlso allegedly it was some "senior players" not liking his tactics that did him in.

If they won the Champions League back in the day with those tactics they'd better STFU.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on September 07, 2022, 09:39:35 AM
Quote from: The Larch on September 07, 2022, 09:35:39 AM
Quote from: Tamas on September 07, 2022, 09:23:03 AMAlso allegedly it was some "senior players" not liking his tactics that did him in.

If they won the Champions League back in the day with those tactics they'd better STFU.

Indeed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 07, 2022, 04:37:26 PM
So Tuchel's next job be Liverpool?  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on September 07, 2022, 04:45:59 PM
I liked Lampard at Chelsea but could understand ditching him.  Firing Teuchel really looks like rich stupid American owners smashing up the place.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 08, 2022, 01:48:50 AM
Although I think Potter's a very good hire, done very quickly which is impressive.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 08, 2022, 02:23:09 AM
Christ, Lewandowski is a goal machine. He might single-handedly drag us back into contention.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on September 08, 2022, 02:31:32 AM
Quote from: celedhring on September 08, 2022, 02:23:09 AMChrist, Lewandowski is a goal machine. He might single-handedly drag us back into contention.

Weren't you saying Barca was dead broke?  How did they get the Pole?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 08, 2022, 02:49:40 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on September 08, 2022, 02:31:32 AM
Quote from: celedhring on September 08, 2022, 02:23:09 AMChrist, Lewandowski is a goal machine. He might single-handedly drag us back into contention.

Weren't you saying Barca was dead broke?  How did they get the Pole?

Essentially by pawning off the auntie's jewels. The club has sold 25% of their La Liga broadcasting rights for the next 25 years.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on September 08, 2022, 03:33:49 AM
QuoteDuring his time taking Östersund from deadbeat minnows to serious Europa League competitors, Graham Potter famously displayed a penchant for the theatre. His team performed Swan Lake and then there was the occasion when, in front of 1,600 punters, Potter opened a charity gala by belting out the Jämtland regional anthem in a local dialect.

I am really drawing the conclusion that Tuchel's nerdy intense introvert style really didn't work for the American owner, and he is much more liking the bombastic showman for the job.

What a mess
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 08, 2022, 04:15:17 AM
Maybe he should meet in the middle and go for a bombastic kind of nerdy-ish German like Klopp :P

I'd not had Potter down as a showman based on his time at Brighton. But the story there was a long time of underperformance relative to how well they were playing and the stats before eventually performing as well. I wonder if the new owner will have the patience for that, and if the fans do after the Abramovich years?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on September 08, 2022, 04:19:33 AM
Quote from: Josquius on September 07, 2022, 05:57:02 AMLest we forget back in the 90s Newcastle were the original money buying success club of the premier league era. A proto Chelsea basically.
Plus the supreme evil today.

What success? No trophies, just a couple of second places in the mid-90s (by which time Matthew Harding was already pumping money into Chelsea to buy Gullit, Vialli, Zola etc)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on September 08, 2022, 04:25:19 AM
Quote from: celedhring on September 08, 2022, 02:49:40 AMEssentially by pawning off the auntie's jewels. The club has sold 25% of their La Liga broadcasting rights for the next 25 years.

"We are eating our seed corn."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 08, 2022, 04:29:17 AM
Ah yes, that's a much better idiom. Thanks.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on September 08, 2022, 04:33:19 AM
Jeff Davis said that when the Confederates extended the draft age down to 16.

Hope you didn't think I was trying to trump you.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 08, 2022, 04:43:19 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on September 07, 2022, 04:45:59 PMFiring Teuchel really looks like rich stupid American owners smashing up the place.

Quote from: Tamas on September 08, 2022, 03:33:49 AMI am really drawing the conclusion that Tuchel's nerdy intense introvert style really didn't work for the American owner

According to what I read, the American owners wanted a coach that was more involved in the managerial side of the team, while Tuchel wanted to strictly limit himself to coaching, and already had a hard time taking part in the recruiting of new players during the summer. which was something in which he was not previously involved.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 08, 2022, 04:45:23 AM
He must be the one manager in the world that doesn't want to have more say in player transfers.  :huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on September 08, 2022, 04:48:41 AM
Just looked at Tuchel's managerial career; fun little fact: He took over Mainz 05 when Jürgen Klopp went to Dortmund, and then took over Dortmund when Klopp went to Liverpool.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 08, 2022, 04:53:34 AM
Quote from: Gups on September 08, 2022, 04:19:33 AM
Quote from: Josquius on September 07, 2022, 05:57:02 AMLest we forget back in the 90s Newcastle were the original money buying success club of the premier league era. A proto Chelsea basically.
Plus the supreme evil today.

What success? No trophies, just a couple of second places in the mid-90s (by which time Matthew Harding was already pumping money into Chelsea to buy Gullit, Vialli, Zola etc)

Well. "Success". Actual trophies eluded them but they did buy their way to having one hand on the title.
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 07, 2022, 06:21:11 AM
Quote from: Josquius on September 07, 2022, 05:57:02 AMLest we forget back in the 90s Newcastle were the original money buying success club of the premier league era. A proto Chelsea basically.
Plus the supreme evil today.
Wasn't it Blackburn?

To an extent, though thats more of a spill-over from pre-premier league times I'd say. The numbers involved had also yet to really enter silly money territory and they didn't break any national transfer records. There was intelligence in their signings rather than just pure brute cash, with Sutton and young Shearer they had a great strike team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 08, 2022, 05:09:22 AM
Quote from: celedhring on September 08, 2022, 04:45:23 AMHe must be the one manager in the world that doesn't want to have more say in player transfers.  :huh:

I think it went beyond having more of a say. He did have a say, for instance he vetoed the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo, but the owners wanted him to be more involved in the recruiting and negotiating of transfers, which was something that was previously done by other people at Chelsea, mainly Cech, which left when the new owners came. Apparently Tuchel was very happy with the previous arrangement in which he was able to focus on just coaching and other parts of the club's apparatus would take care of the more managerial tasks, and that arrangement changed with the new owners, and he wasn't comfortable with it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 08, 2022, 05:11:24 AM
That seems weird because I also saw that they were looking to hire a Director of Football - and Potter has previously worked at Brighton who have a very strong DoF model, as well as Swedish clubs which I think normally do too.

Tuchel must have been really wanting to limit his role - or it's just an excuse, I suppose.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 08, 2022, 06:20:12 AM
Quote from: celedhring on September 08, 2022, 04:45:23 AMHe must be the one manager in the world that doesn't want to have more say in player transfers.  :huh:

 :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 08, 2022, 06:39:16 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 08, 2022, 05:11:24 AMThat seems weird because I also saw that they were looking to hire a Director of Football - and Potter has previously worked at Brighton who have a very strong DoF model, as well as Swedish clubs which I think normally do too.

Tuchel must have been really wanting to limit his role - or it's just an excuse, I suppose.

Apparently there were more issues besides that, but that was what had to do more with the change of ownership and what the new owners were looking for in a manager that they weren't getting from Tuchel-
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 08, 2022, 02:22:54 PM
Seems domestic games are to be postponed for up to a fortnight.

The Premier league schedule is already a mess this year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 19, 2022, 09:50:30 AM
https://twitter.com/scoutedftbl/status/1571849256851456001?s=20&t=D-tBgBt3VLUAGHVJ3y1XqQ

Apparently Arsenal are the 3rd youngest team among the Top 5 leagues in Europe. The "project" continues.


(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FdBUKiuWAAAF1iB?format=jpg&name=small)

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on September 23, 2022, 09:19:55 PM
Saw the US-Japan friendly today.

The US was absolutely terrible. I give them 20% chance of even getting out of the group.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on September 23, 2022, 09:23:52 PM
4 shots on goal? Ow
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on September 24, 2022, 10:54:23 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on September 23, 2022, 09:19:55 PMSaw the US-Japan friendly today.

The US was absolutely terrible. I give them 20% chance of even getting out of the group.

I give us less than that if we play like that again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 24, 2022, 03:27:55 PM
Apparently England played yesterday and lost.
I was wondering why there was no football today.
I wonder whether the nations league is seen as at all mattering by the FA. Bodes badly for the world Cup anyway.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 24, 2022, 03:45:01 PM
The US and England both not getting out of the group stage would be maximum hilarity.

Wales and Iran  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 25, 2022, 06:21:13 AM
Quote from: Josquius on September 24, 2022, 03:27:55 PMApparently England played yesterday and lost.
I was wondering why there was no football today.
I wonder whether the nations league is seen as at all mattering by the FA. Bodes badly for the world Cup anyway.

it does matter. First of all it was a prep game for the WC. Also, England can get relegated to the next division, and that's not a good thing, because it will mean that for the next couple years they will be playing these "competitive friendlies" against weaker opposition. England haven't been doing so well, and that will likely carry into the WC.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on September 25, 2022, 06:25:02 AM
Meanwhile, Hungary beat Germany.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 25, 2022, 03:57:53 PM
Quote from: Tamas on September 25, 2022, 06:25:02 AMMeanwhile, Hungary beat Germany.
How do you feel about this considering the state of Hungary fans?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on September 25, 2022, 04:38:48 PM
Future 2022 workd cup champions ( :P ) portugal beat the Czechs 4-0 in the national league


BTW, anyone actually watching/caring about these games?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on September 25, 2022, 10:08:13 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on September 24, 2022, 03:45:01 PMThe US and England both not getting out of the group stage would be maximum hilarity.

Your sense of humor sucks  :mad:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 26, 2022, 03:54:57 PM
Germany v. England second half had plenty of entertainment
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 27, 2022, 12:29:26 PM
Quote from: HVC on September 25, 2022, 04:38:48 PMFuture 2022 workd cup champions ( :P ) portugal beat the Czechs 4-0 in the national league


BTW, anyone actually watching/caring about these games?

Me. :smarty:

Biggest game tonight.

Portugal-Spain in Braga.

Portugal only needs a tie so I expect Santos to offer a defensive squad.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on September 27, 2022, 12:35:53 PM
I think the National League is an improvement over the friendlies they replaced. I follow them a bit more than I normally would.

Denmark, by the way, beat France but lost out to Croatia in overall group standings (12 points to 13, respectively - with Denmark losing to Croatia). It's certainly getting covered in Danish media.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on September 27, 2022, 12:42:19 PM
Canada is losing to Uruguay as we speak in a friendly.  It's probably the only really competitive team they're playing as a friendly in the lead up to the world cup, so not a good sign.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 27, 2022, 12:44:27 PM
Quote from: Barrister on September 27, 2022, 12:42:19 PMCanada is losing to Uruguay as we speak in a friendly.  It's probably the only really competitive team they're playing as a friendly in the lead up to the world cup, so not a good sign.

Tbf, Uruguay is quite the powerhouse, so Canada loosing to them is to be expected.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on September 27, 2022, 12:50:32 PM
Quote from: The Larch on September 27, 2022, 12:44:27 PM
Quote from: Barrister on September 27, 2022, 12:42:19 PMCanada is losing to Uruguay as we speak in a friendly.  It's probably the only really competitive team they're playing as a friendly in the lead up to the world cup, so not a good sign.

Tbf, Uruguay is quite the powerhouse, so Canada loosing to them is to be expected.

Canada's obviously not winning the World Cup, but I was hopeful they might advance out of the group phase.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on September 27, 2022, 12:51:15 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on September 27, 2022, 12:29:26 PM
Quote from: HVC on September 25, 2022, 04:38:48 PMFuture 2022 workd cup champions ( :P ) portugal beat the Czechs 4-0 in the national league


BTW, anyone actually watching/caring about these games?

Me. :smarty:

Biggest game tonight.

Portugal-Spain in Braga.

Portugal only needs a tie so I expect Santos to offer a defensive squad.

I'll be watching too
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 27, 2022, 01:26:03 PM
Quote from: Barrister on September 27, 2022, 12:50:32 PM
Quote from: The Larch on September 27, 2022, 12:44:27 PM
Quote from: Barrister on September 27, 2022, 12:42:19 PMCanada is losing to Uruguay as we speak in a friendly.  It's probably the only really competitive team they're playing as a friendly in the lead up to the world cup, so not a good sign.

Tbf, Uruguay is quite the powerhouse, so Canada loosing to them is to be expected.

Canada's obviously not winning the World Cup, but I was hopeful they might advance out of the group phase.

I'm afraid that's not very realistic. They're in the same group than Belgium (milking the last few years of their golden generation, finished 3rd in 2018), Croatia (runners-up in 2018, also with a historically strong team) and Morocco (a historically competitive team, with most of its players in Europe, including some in top teams), and only the first two teams will qualify. Belgium and Croatia will be favourites by far to qualify from that group.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 27, 2022, 01:32:12 PM
And the Moroccans will have a climate advantage I guess.

Or are these stadia all indoor and air conned?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on September 27, 2022, 01:43:54 PM
Quote from: The Larch on September 27, 2022, 01:26:03 PMI'm afraid that's not very realistic. They're in the same group than Belgium (milking the last few years of their golden generation, finished 3rd in 2018), Croatia (runners-up in 2018, also with a historically strong team) and Morocco (a historically competitive team, with most of its players in Europe, including some in top teams), and only the first two teams will qualify. Belgium and Croatia will be favourites by far to qualify from that group.

But this is a Canadian team that was able to beat both Mexico and the US in qualifying.  Their roster has 10 MLS players, but the rest playing in Europe, including Davies with Bayern Munich.

Belgium is obviously a tough match.  But if they can beat Morocco, and then maybe stand a chance against Croatia...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on September 27, 2022, 01:44:17 PM
Quote from: Josquius on September 27, 2022, 01:32:12 PMAnd the Moroccans will have a climate advantage I guess.

Or are these stadia all indoor and air conned?

IIRC open, but air-conned.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on September 27, 2022, 02:10:45 PM
Quote from: Barrister on September 27, 2022, 01:44:17 PMIIRC open, but air-conned.

Sounds energy efficient.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on September 27, 2022, 02:16:29 PM
Quote from: Jacob on September 27, 2022, 02:10:45 PM
Quote from: Barrister on September 27, 2022, 01:44:17 PMIIRC open, but air-conned.

Sounds energy efficient.

Welcome to Qatar.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 27, 2022, 06:58:45 PM
Quote from: Barrister on September 27, 2022, 12:50:32 PMCanada's obviously not winning the World Cup, but I was hopeful they might advance out of the group phase.

They won't BB. Nor do they even expect to. Canada has at best 3 top tier players. they will be playing against teams with 11 top tier players + a bunch on the bench. It's a different league all together. Imagine Canadian hockey teams playing against---oh...England. Canada's coach has admitted there is a huge gap between them and Belgium and Croatia, and Morocco's one of the best teams in Africa.

I think you underestimate Croatia, who just won their group in the nations cup. I think they're better than Belgium. And Morocco will be tough.

I'm not pissing on Canada, I want to see them do well too, but one needs to lower expectations. This is a good warm up for what will come in 2026.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 27, 2022, 07:00:45 PM
Sorry about Portugal, guys.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on September 27, 2022, 07:02:11 PM
Maybe we can pull off an Iceland. We're a cold country too :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 27, 2022, 07:04:45 PM
Quote from: HVC on September 27, 2022, 07:02:11 PMMaybe we can pull off an Iceland. We're a cold country too :D

That's exactly what my brother said.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on September 27, 2022, 07:06:43 PM
Quote from: Josephus on September 27, 2022, 07:04:45 PM
Quote from: HVC on September 27, 2022, 07:02:11 PMMaybe we can pull off an Iceland. We're a cold country too :D

That's exactly what my brother said.  :lol:

They need to come up with an inspirational dance, that's their one failing it would seem.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 27, 2022, 08:45:37 PM
Quote from: Barrister on September 27, 2022, 01:43:54 PM
Quote from: The Larch on September 27, 2022, 01:26:03 PMI'm afraid that's not very realistic. They're in the same group than Belgium (milking the last few years of their golden generation, finished 3rd in 2018), Croatia (runners-up in 2018, also with a historically strong team) and Morocco (a historically competitive team, with most of its players in Europe, including some in top teams), and only the first two teams will qualify. Belgium and Croatia will be favourites by far to qualify from that group.

But this is a Canadian team that was able to beat both Mexico and the US in qualifying.

Defeating the US and Mexico, on WC terms, is not the golden ticket you think it is. Sure, it's a milestone for Canada, and quite the achievement, but it doesn't instantly turn you into WC favourites. Neither the US nor Mexico are instant favourites either, and both teams have to fight for qualification from their groups in every WC. They're, at best, 2nd tier teams in WC terms, if not 3rd tier.

QuoteTheir roster has 10 MLS players, but the rest playing in Europe, including Davies with Bayern Munich.

Except for Davies and a couple of other players most of the Canadians playing in Europe do so in very minor teams. I'm sure it's a step up from the level of the past, but still, there's lots of room to improve. Morocco also has most of its players in Europe as well, many in top teams, one at Bayern Munich too, who might not even be a starter in the WC.

QuoteBelgium is obviously a tough match.  But if they can beat Morocco, and then maybe stand a chance against Croatia...

Both Belgium and Croatia will be very tough matches, anything that is not a defeat against any of them should be considered a great success by the Canadian team. Morocco could be a more competitive match, and if things go well for Canada a victory could be a possibility. Qualification will still be a long shot, and in such a strong group not getting past the competition is nothing to be ashamed about.

I don't mean to rain on your parade, but expecting Canada to qualify from its WC group is very unrealistic. It could happen, there are upsets and Cinderella stories, but it's not the likeliest scenario.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 27, 2022, 08:47:02 PM
Quote from: Josquius on September 27, 2022, 01:32:12 PMAnd the Moroccans will have a climate advantage I guess.

That is either incredibly racist or incredibly ignorant. Pick your poison.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 27, 2022, 08:59:31 PM
Quote from: Jacob on September 27, 2022, 02:10:45 PM
Quote from: Barrister on September 27, 2022, 01:44:17 PMIIRC open, but air-conned.

Sounds energy efficient.

I saw a video the topic recently, and apparently they have developed a new system for A/Cing large stadiums that is very innovative (it seems that Qatar has been heavily investing on fluid dynamics research for A/C applications since they were given the WC), and plan to make the technology freely available. Apparently all the A/C systems that will be used for the WC will run on solar power.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 27, 2022, 09:07:46 PM
If Canada qualifies it's probably because of them getting something like three draws and goal difference. A single win would be massive, though. I'm not counting them out.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on September 27, 2022, 09:15:19 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on September 27, 2022, 09:07:46 PMIf Canada qualifies it's probably because of them getting something like three draws and goal difference. A single win would be massive, though. I'm not counting them out.

Take into account that there won't be "better 3rds" this time, only the first two will qualify. That makes it even more difficult.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on September 27, 2022, 09:27:47 PM
Why did the US play SA in an empty stadium?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on September 27, 2022, 09:29:00 PM
Quote from: The Larch on September 27, 2022, 08:47:02 PMThat is either incredibly racist or incredibly ignorant. Pick your poison.

It's as racist as saying that people who live at high altitudes have an advantage at high altitude venues.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on September 27, 2022, 11:00:57 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on September 27, 2022, 09:29:00 PM
Quote from: The Larch on September 27, 2022, 08:47:02 PMThat is either incredibly racist or incredibly ignorant. Pick your poison.

It's as racist as saying that people who live at high altitudes have an advantage at high altitude venues.

Is the climate in Morocco similar to that of Qatar?

I would think the climate of Morocco is not too dissimilar from that of Spain, so I guess the Spanish team will have a climate advantage also?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on September 28, 2022, 12:48:40 AM
Quote from: Jacob on September 27, 2022, 11:00:57 PMIs the climate in Morocco similar to that of Qatar?

I would think the climate of Morocco is not too dissimilar from that of Spain, so I guess the Spanish team will have a climate advantage also?

You are apparently familiar with the climates of Morocco and Spain, so I'm surprised you are not familiar with the climate of Qatar.

Qatar is very hot and dry.

I would expect Spain to have an advantage over, say, Canada in terms of acclimation.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on September 28, 2022, 12:51:20 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on September 28, 2022, 12:48:40 AMYou are apparently familiar with the climates of Morocco and Spain, so I'm surprised you are not familiar with the climate of Qatar.

Qatar is very hot and dry.

Touche :lol:

QuoteI would expect Spain to have an advantage over, say, Canada in terms of acclimation.

Well if the stadia have effective AC, maybe not so much?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on September 28, 2022, 12:54:12 AM
Quote from: Jacob on September 28, 2022, 12:51:20 AMWell if the stadia have effective AC, maybe not so much?

Surely.

And whether they have AC or not, still not racist.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 28, 2022, 01:14:56 AM
Quote from: The Larch on September 27, 2022, 08:47:02 PM
Quote from: Josquius on September 27, 2022, 01:32:12 PMAnd the Moroccans will have a climate advantage I guess.

That is either incredibly racist or incredibly ignorant. Pick your poison.

Why do you think so?
It's well observed that Englands performance tends to suffer in hot countries. Canada is fairly famous for being a bit nippy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on September 28, 2022, 03:16:13 AM
England's performance suffers when there is quality opposition. :P

I am kind of feeling sorry for Southgate and team. "You prevailed over giants like Panama, even Sweden! How can you NOT replicate the same success against Germany and Italy?"
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 28, 2022, 04:41:49 AM
Quote from: Tamas on September 28, 2022, 03:16:13 AMEngland's performance suffers when there is quality opposition. :P

I am kind of feeling sorry for Southgate and team. "You prevailed over giants like Panama, even Sweden! How can you NOT replicate the same success against Germany and Italy?"

Then there's Hungary which kind of breaks that argument :p
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 28, 2022, 05:36:53 AM
Apparently Ronaldo was offered 2 million a week to play for Al Hallial in Saudi Arabia. Talks were serious but broke down when the club was hit with a transfer ban.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 28, 2022, 06:03:19 AM
The Nations League is growing on me. Yes, it's a worthless trophy, but playing vaguely competitive matches against WC-level opposition surely beats the boring friendlies against minnows we used to get in these dates.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on September 28, 2022, 06:21:01 AM
Quote from: celedhring on September 28, 2022, 06:03:19 AMThe Nations League is growing on me. Yes, it's a worthless trophy, but playing vaguely competitive matches against WC-level opposition surely beats the boring friendlies against minnows we used to get in these dates.

Indeed. I absolutely didn't care for friendlies one bit. Now I care a tiny bit. It's an improvement.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 28, 2022, 06:25:08 AM
I hate it because it increases the chances my club's players get injured while on international duty.

But I just dislike international football too so I'm a curmudgeon anyway  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 28, 2022, 01:01:12 PM
Another tournament England does poorly in.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 28, 2022, 06:03:39 PM
Quote from: Josephus on September 27, 2022, 07:00:45 PMSorry about Portugal having Fernando Santos as coach since 2020, guys.

Fixed!  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on September 29, 2022, 03:43:06 PM
So Hummel came out and said that Denmark's World-Cup kit - which is very subdued by normal standards. It gave an explanation and that explanation is that Qatar's human rights are awful:
QuoteWith the Danish national team's new jerseys, we wanted to send a dual message. They are not only inspired by Euro 92, paying tribute to Denmark's greatest football success, but also a protest against Qatar and its human rights record.

That's why we've toned down all the details for Denmark's new World Cup jerseys, including our logo and iconic chevrons. We don't wish to be visible during a tournament that has cost thousands of people their lives. We support the Danish national team all the way, but that isn't the same as supporting Qatar as a host nation.
We believe that sport should bring people together. And when it doesn't, we want to make a statement.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CjDEvi3KxVm/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=05b64d87-66f4-4dee-b6a1-977072eb02b0

Qatar's Supreme Committee didn't like that and has released a statement saying how they're awesome and worked really hard:

Quote... we dispute Hummel's claim that this tournament has cost thousands of people their lives. Furthermore, we whole-heartedly reject the trivialising our genuine commitment to protect the health and safety of the 30,000 workers who built FIFA World Cup™️ stadiums and other tournament projects.

...

The SC's work is recognised by numerous entities within the international human rights community as a model that has accelerated progress and improved lives. Qatar's reforms are acknowledged by the ILO and ITUC as a benchmark in the region. Like every country, progress on these issues is a journey without a finish line, and Qatar is committed to that journey.

We urge the DBU to accurately convey the outcome of their extensive communication and work with the SC, and to ensure that this is accurately communicated to their partners at Hummel.

https://www.givemesport.com/88065230-denmarks-protest-world-cup-kits-provoke-reaction-from-qatars-supreme-committee
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on September 29, 2022, 04:05:53 PM
Weird half measure. You killed and exploited thousands so we're protesting. Not by boycotting, that'll cost us money, but by wearing a  new uniform we can now sell to fans for more money.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on September 29, 2022, 05:38:01 PM
Quote from: HVC on September 29, 2022, 04:05:53 PMWeird half measure. You killed and exploited thousands so we're protesting. Not by boycotting, that'll cost us money, but by wearing a  new uniform we can now sell to fans for more money.

The company that makes the jersey are not the ones who decides if the team - or more to the point UEFA collectively - boycotts Qatar.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on September 29, 2022, 07:56:08 PM
Does the team not order jerseys? If some other company decides unilaterally what they wear without any input then i withdraw my objection.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on September 29, 2022, 09:21:29 PM
Quote from: HVC on September 29, 2022, 07:56:08 PMDoes the team not order jerseys? If some other company decides unilaterally what they wear without any input then i withdraw my objection.

Typically there are sponsorship deals in place. I don't know who makes the design decisions normally, but I'd expect it's with the brand that's paying money to be the sponsor of the team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 02, 2022, 06:56:41 PM
City demolished United today.

Haaland is unreal. Three hattricks already. The man is going to score over 40 league goals this season.

City might drop points here and there but they are nailed on to win the league again. Too talented, too deep, and they have Haaland.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on October 02, 2022, 10:43:03 PM
I think the Premier League should look into fairer revenue sharing. Imagine a simulation of City against Nottingham Forest for 100 games. I would not be surprised if City wins 99 of those.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 03, 2022, 02:53:54 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on October 02, 2022, 10:43:03 PMI think the Premier League should look into fairer revenue sharing. Imagine a simulation of City against Nottingham Forest for 100 games. I would not be surprised if City wins 99 of those.

I agree in general. But I'm not sure just having too much money is what we can hit City with this year.
In Haaland they've bought a cheat player who breaks the game. And at £52 million they've spent silly money albeit not quite the stratospheric money that was increasingly standard. Its a signing built on wisdom rather than just brute force cash splashing.

On this though I'd also go beyond the premier league and have fairer sharing across the pyramid right down into non-league. Having an elite top 25 permanently dominating the PL and promotion to it, I'd say is even worse than having a permanent top 5.

What I'd like to see is a restoration of the natural order and reduction of the billionaire owner effect by boosting the effect of attendance in determining how much a team gets.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: bogh on October 03, 2022, 10:57:13 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 02, 2022, 06:56:41 PMCity demolished United today.

Haaland is unreal. Three hattricks already. The man is going to score over 40 league goals this season.

City might drop points here and there but they are nailed on to win the league again. Too talented, too deep, and they have Haaland.

Copenhagen will get absolutely demolished in Wednesday CL away game against them 😞

Bookies think 8-0 for MCI is more likely than a win for Copenhagen. 😬
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on October 03, 2022, 12:03:05 PM
Not looking like FCK will prevail, no.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on October 03, 2022, 03:52:05 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on October 02, 2022, 10:43:03 PMI think the Premier League should look into fairer revenue sharing. Imagine a simulation of City against Nottingham Forest for 100 games. I would not be surprised if City wins 99 of those.

Forest spent more than £140m in the transfer window. City made a net profit of £50m on player sales/purchases.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 03, 2022, 04:40:21 PM
Worth considering the talent attracts talent factor too.
Man City early in their oil wealth era and Newcastle today show this - they're not going right in for the best players in the world but instead buying merely good players. As when you're a struggling no name team the truly top players aren't coming to play for you 9 times out of 10 no matter how rich you are.
Generally a player a lower team signs for a certain amount will be worse than that a higher team signs for the same amount.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on October 03, 2022, 08:59:44 PM
Quote from: Gups on October 03, 2022, 03:52:05 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on October 02, 2022, 10:43:03 PMI think the Premier League should look into fairer revenue sharing. Imagine a simulation of City against Nottingham Forest for 100 games. I would not be surprised if City wins 99 of those.

Forest spent more than £140m in the transfer window. City made a net profit of £50m on player sales/purchases.

Yes, but the market value of all players in City's roster is 1.16 billion dollars. Forest's is 328 million. Bournemouth is 193. That's more or less a 6-fold difference.

The games against City from the poorer teams will not be competitive or fun to watch 99 times out of a 100. IMO, of course.

https://www.transfermarkt.us/premier-league/marktwerteverein/wettbewerb/GB1
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on October 03, 2022, 09:07:56 PM
I love revenue sharing in the US but I don't see how it would work with relegation.  Teams on the bubble would be forced to sign one year contracts for players.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on October 03, 2022, 09:10:07 PM
Yeah, I haven't a clue how to fix that part. The whole pyramid of english football would need to be integrated in the revenue sharing...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 04, 2022, 01:46:14 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on October 03, 2022, 09:07:56 PMI love revenue sharing in the US but I don't see how it would work with relegation.  Teams on the bubble would be forced to sign one year contracts for players.

League one and two have a big problem where its impossible to build a squad as one year contracts are standard.
The championship doesn't have this problem.

I'd say rather than the Premier league and championship the biggest gulf is to be found in relegation from the championship. There you're really dropping into a different world rather than just Premier league 2.

Increasing exposure for the championship could be a good way to equalise things. I don't see what as such a big leap. The quality there is high. Its a league that is better than the top leagues in many countries.

Of course then you're just kicking the can down the road but a top 40 is fairer than a top 22.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on October 04, 2022, 02:22:21 AM
Quote from: Josquius on October 04, 2022, 01:46:14 AMLeague one and two have a big problem where its impossible to build a squad as one year contracts are standard.
The championship doesn't have this problem.

It would if there were revenue sharing.  How would you sign long term deals if you didn't know if next year your revenue might get cut by X hundred million pounds?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 04, 2022, 02:35:40 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on October 04, 2022, 02:22:21 AM
Quote from: Josquius on October 04, 2022, 01:46:14 AMLeague one and two have a big problem where its impossible to build a squad as one year contracts are standard.
The championship doesn't have this problem.

It would if there were revenue sharing.  How would you sign long term deals if you didn't know if next year your revenue might get cut by X hundred million pounds?

I don't get your meaning. Why would you suddenly get such a huge revenue cut?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on October 04, 2022, 02:44:39 AM
Quote from: Josquius on October 04, 2022, 02:35:40 AMI don't get your meaning. Why would you suddenly get such a huge revenue cut?

Because you're no longer getting a cut of Premier League revenue.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 04, 2022, 03:09:32 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on October 04, 2022, 02:44:39 AM
Quote from: Josquius on October 04, 2022, 02:35:40 AMI don't get your meaning. Why would you suddenly get such a huge revenue cut?

Because you're no longer getting a cut of Premier League revenue.

Parachute payments are a thing.
And if revenue sharing was done properly it'd spread to the championship at least, more ideally beyond.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 04, 2022, 05:44:02 AM
This does not belong to the Russia-Ukraine war thread but it's symbolically linked.

(https://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/world-cup/2022/ukraine-are-set-to-make-a-joint-bid-with-spain-and-portugal-for-the-2030-world-cup-report_sto9171422/story.shtml)

QuoteUkraine is reportedly set to launch a joint bid with Spain and Portugal to host the 2030 World Cup.
The move has been sanctioned by Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky which would see the war-torn nation host one of the tournament's groups.
According to The Times, the bid is set to be announced by Spain and Portugal's football authorities at UEFA's headquarters on Wednesday.
Vinicius Jr, Bellingham, Pedri - 10 best U23 players to look out for in QatarVinicius Jr, Bellingham, Pedri - 10 best U23 players to look out for in Qatar
WORLD CUP
VINICIUS JR, BELLINGHAM, PEDRI - 10 BEST U23 PLAYERS TO LOOK OUT FOR IN QATAR
30/09/2022 AT 08:02
With the expectation that the war in Ukraine will be over in eight years' time, a symbolic bid to promote hope and peace in the country appears to be the three nations' strategy to try and win a majority vote among FIFA's 211 member associations.
However, the joint bid could face tough opposition should a joint bid between Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Greece be made official.
In South America, Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay and Chile are expected to launch a joint bid to commemorate the centenary of the first World Cup played in Uruguay in 1930.
The World Cup was last played in Europe in 2018 when Russia hosted the tournament.

Given the other non-sensical bid with Greece and the Middle East, things bode well for the South American bid. Mind you, the North American 2026 was already bad enough.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 04, 2022, 05:47:41 AM
So, countries are at the moment scrambling to prepare bids for the 2030 World Cup. A few of them have been announced already, such as one from Morocco (which could be expanded to include Tunisia and maybe also Algeria), a joint bid from a group of South American countries (Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay, with rumours of Perú and Bolivia maybe joining as well), a weird cross-continent one from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Greece and a joint Iberian one by Spain and Portugal.

It is now being reported that the joint Spain-Portugal one is looking to expand in order to include a 3rd country, which would be... Ukraine (with a somehow symbolic presence).

It seems to me that joint bids are going to be the norm for most major tournaments from now on, maybe it's time for some ground rules to be established before we get to joint Canada-New Zealand bids.

Edit: *shakes fist at Duque*
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 04, 2022, 05:53:08 AM
I'm not sure whether thats Portugal-Spain being nice or really cheap and exploitative.

I don't see the problem with joint bids overall. Its the only way for smaller countries to be involved. Though they should of course be sensible links like Iberia or the British Isles rather than Canada and NZ.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 04, 2022, 05:54:20 AM
Quote from: Josquius on October 04, 2022, 05:53:08 AMI'm not sure whether thats Portugal-Spain being nice or really cheap and exploitative.

Knowing our FA, it's definitely the latter.

Also we somehow got Portugal to give up part of their allotted games for this.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 04, 2022, 05:57:09 AM
Quote from: celedhring on October 04, 2022, 05:54:20 AM
Quote from: Josquius on October 04, 2022, 05:53:08 AMI'm not sure whether thats Portugal-Spain being nice or really cheap and exploitative.

Knowing our FA, it's definitely the latter.

Also we somehow got Portugal to give up part of their allotted games for this.

Problem is Portugal has only 3 stadia as of now ready for the World Cup as in > 40,000. I don't that many games were given up with FIFA and others preferring Madrid and Barcelona for semi-finals if not quarter finals.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 04, 2022, 05:59:53 AM
Btw, if the weird Saudi Arabia - Egypt - Greece gets it it'd mean almost surely another winter WC. I doubt that'll be appreciated.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 04, 2022, 06:02:11 AM
Another thing that is worth discussing. If the massive South American bid (4 countries and maybe even more hosting) gets it, would all those countries get to qualify automatically as hosts?  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 04, 2022, 06:04:51 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 04, 2022, 05:47:41 AMEdit: *shakes fist at Duque*

Shake your fist at those who mixed up Galiza with (ukrainian) Galicia.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 04, 2022, 06:06:42 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 04, 2022, 06:02:11 AMAnother thing that is worth discussing. If the massive South American bid (4 countries and maybe even more hosting) gets it, would all those countries get to qualify automatically as hosts?  :hmm:
I have heard talk of expanding the amount of teams in the WC too?
Qualifying as a host is fine, except when its taking someone else's spot.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 04, 2022, 06:18:12 AM
Quote from: Josquius on October 04, 2022, 06:06:42 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 04, 2022, 06:02:11 AMAnother thing that is worth discussing. If the massive South American bid (4 countries and maybe even more hosting) gets it, would all those countries get to qualify automatically as hosts?  :hmm:
I have heard talk of expanding the amount of teams in the WC too?

It's expanding to 48 countries for the 2026 WC.

QuoteQualifying as a host is fine, except when its taking someone else's spot.

For 2026 CONCACAF will feature 6 countries, as the 3 hosts are from that federation, with other 2 teams competing in palyoffs. Yay to Antigua & Barbuda in the WC!  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 04, 2022, 12:35:43 PM
Clandestino must be going crazy. After an opening goal by Trincão on the very first Sporting attack, best possible start, they suffered 2 goals including a countered (!) goalkeeper 6 metre kick (fluke of the CL night I bet).  :hmm:

PS: it's over now. Goalkeeper got a red card for a handball outside of the penalty area and Marseille now leads 3-1.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 04, 2022, 05:18:17 PM
Well, at least Porto won.

Porto 2
Bayer Leverkusen 0

Taremi was back and it shows: 2 assistances and a VAR denied goal.
The Porto GK saved a penalty however, so Bayer had its chances in the first half. They ended with 10 players so the next game in Germany will be without him and another one who accumulated yellows.

Tomorrow the other Lisbon club will have a hard time against PSG-QSI.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 05, 2022, 06:26:58 AM
More thrashings yesterday following the Marseille 4 Sporting 1

Ajax Amsterdam 1 Naples 6 (biggest upset of the night and worst defeat ever for Ajax?)

Bayern 5 Viktoria Pilzen 0 (lots of pils needed to forget I guess)

Also, Barça lost to Inter 0-1 but with a much smaller margin and some controversial calls by the referee.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 05, 2022, 09:19:29 AM
We were robbed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 05, 2022, 11:28:14 AM
Champions League is old and boring.  :yucky:

The new hotness is the intense action of the incredible Europa League, led by the plucky Gunners of North London. Tune in Thursday as they face, uhhhh, Bodo/Glimt from, uh, Norway I think.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on October 09, 2022, 06:30:51 AM
Euro 2024 qualifying
(https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/f13acfdd3b77f4aafa54f1b3e25a81639c177dcc/0_151_4803_2882/master/4803.jpg?width=465&quality=45&dpr=2&s=none)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 09, 2022, 06:39:59 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 04, 2022, 05:59:53 AMBtw, if the weird Saudi Arabia - Egypt - Greece gets it it'd mean almost surely another winter WC. I doubt that'll be appreciated.
I feel like FIFA would absolutely love a World Cup involving three federations - even if no-one else in the world wants it :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 09, 2022, 07:15:29 AM
Quote from: Maladict on October 09, 2022, 06:30:51 AMEuro 2024 qualifying
(https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/f13acfdd3b77f4aafa54f1b3e25a81639c177dcc/0_151_4803_2882/master/4803.jpg?width=465&quality=45&dpr=2&s=none)

Well, Group B with France and Netherlands may be interesting for the top 2 to watch. I doubt Gibraltar will decide who will qualify however.

As for Portugal, Group J favorite but unless Fernando Santos is given the boot, I don't expect a walk over victory. The fight for the second spot (or even first if the Selecção screws up) might be interesting with Bosnia, Iceland, Luxembourg (gave Portugal some trouble last time) and Slovakia. Liechtenstein might decide who goes as second.

Group A has Spain as huge favorite.

Group C could be interesting with Italy and England as favorites with Ukraine and North Macedonia as outsiders.
Group D and E seem weaker with respectively only Croatia & Turkey for the former, Poland and Czechia for the latter seeming somewhat ahead (Modric to play till 2024?). I see Armenia and Turkey in the same group, only missing Azerbaijan.

Group F has Belgium (last years of their best team in ages) as favorite with Sweden and Austria trying to secure one of the spots.

Group G seems very well balanced with Serbia and Hungary above in theory.

Group H has Denmark above, with 6 teams the average quality drops, specially with a team such as San Marino.  Finland as second? Kazakhstan gave them trouble last time.

Group I is for Switzerland to win, Romania is far from Hagi years but has a decent chance at it. Israel could hold the key. Switzerland-Kosovo will play like an Albanian derby.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on October 09, 2022, 10:09:26 AM
How many team qualify from each group?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 09, 2022, 10:26:46 AM
First two i.e 20 .
Plus three more spots to be decided by the League of Nations. In practice, top teams will already be qualified in most cases so third best is possible.

Germany, being the organiser, is already qualified, it goes without saying.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on October 09, 2022, 12:20:35 PM
Rooting for the Faroe Islands to make it out of the group. This will be their best chance
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 09, 2022, 06:32:04 PM
https://twitter.com/HotspurEdition/status/1579133686754476033

QuoteWe are one Haaland injury away from this lot winning the league. I feel sick.

The best part about Arsenal being good again for the first time in half a decade are the reactions from rival fans  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on October 09, 2022, 07:07:54 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 09, 2022, 06:32:04 PMhttps://twitter.com/HotspurEdition/status/1579133686754476033

QuoteWe are one Haaland injury away from this lot winning the league. I feel sick.

The best part about Arsenal being good again for the first time in half a decade are the reactions from rival fans  :lol:

Whatever happened to "One - Nil to the Arsenal" ? :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 09, 2022, 07:26:29 PM
Quote from: mongers on October 09, 2022, 07:07:54 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 09, 2022, 06:32:04 PMhttps://twitter.com/HotspurEdition/status/1579133686754476033

QuoteWe are one Haaland injury away from this lot winning the league. I feel sick.

The best part about Arsenal being good again for the first time in half a decade are the reactions from rival fans  :lol:

Whatever happened to "One - Nil to the Arsenal" ? :hmm:

Still gets sung but I prefer scoring 3+ every game  :hug:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on October 09, 2022, 08:07:06 PM
Watching Everton and Man U I saw them Take The Knee.  Didn't you say this was over and done with Shelf?

Anyone know why my boy was not listed as a sub?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 09, 2022, 10:28:44 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on October 09, 2022, 08:07:06 PMWatching Everton and Man U I saw them Take The Knee.  Didn't you say this was over and done with Shelf?

Anyone know why my boy was not listed as a sub?

I might have lost track but who is the player you're following?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on October 09, 2022, 11:00:17 PM
Gabriel makes a clear handball - no penalty.

Jesus crumbles in true Brazilian fashion after not getting hit - penalty.

Always fun playing at the Emirates  :yucky: Liverpool were robbed!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on October 09, 2022, 11:38:01 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 09, 2022, 10:28:44 PMI might have lost track but who is the player you're following?

Pulasic
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on October 10, 2022, 03:27:36 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on October 09, 2022, 11:38:01 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 09, 2022, 10:28:44 PMI might have lost track but who is the player you're following?

Pulasic

Assuming you meen Pulisic, he played for Chelsea on Saturday and scored.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 10, 2022, 03:31:01 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on October 09, 2022, 08:07:06 PMWatching Everton and Man U I saw them Take The Knee.  Didn't you say this was over and done with Shelf?

Anyone know why my boy was not listed as a sub?
They got rid of it in at every matches but will still do it for certain matches with higher attention (like Boxing Day games) or significance.

My guess is that they'll take the knee in October because that's black history month in the UK.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on October 10, 2022, 03:41:24 AM
Quote from: Gups on October 10, 2022, 03:27:36 AMAssuming you meen Pulisic, he played for Chelsea on Saturday and scored.

:confused: Was he on loan just for a couple weeks?  Didn't know you could do that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on October 10, 2022, 03:45:10 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on October 10, 2022, 03:41:24 AM
Quote from: Gups on October 10, 2022, 03:27:36 AMAssuming you meen Pulisic, he played for Chelsea on Saturday and scored.

:confused: Was he on loan just for a couple weeks?  Didn't know you could do that.

 :huh:  He was not on loan for a single moment.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on October 10, 2022, 03:48:55 AM
My bad.  Misunderstood something.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 10, 2022, 05:38:44 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on October 09, 2022, 08:07:06 PMWatching Everton and Man U I saw them Take The Knee.  Didn't you say this was over and done with Shelf?

Anyone know why my boy was not listed as a sub?

I think they're doing it for a couple weekends...more of a novelty than a regular thing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 10, 2022, 07:35:08 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on October 10, 2022, 03:48:55 AMMy bad.  Misunderstood something.

My man, then you're still following Chelsea  :lol:

The guy who owns the Dodgers bought them so you should just stick with them  ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 10, 2022, 07:38:59 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on October 09, 2022, 11:00:17 PMGabriel makes a clear handball - no penalty.

Jesus crumbles in true Brazilian fashion after not getting hit - penalty.

Always fun playing at the Emirates  :yucky: Liverpool were robbed!

 :console:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 10, 2022, 03:44:25 PM
Retired at 24, what a shock this must have been for him, but at least it has prevented a terrible consequence in the future. I guess that Brighton will offer him to join the coaching staff now, or something.

QuoteBrighton's Enock Mwepu forced to retire due to hereditary heart condition
Zambia midfielder was taken ill during international break
Mwepu advised by doctors to stop playing football

Enock Mwepu has been forced to end his playing career after being diagnosed with a hereditary heart condition.

The Zambia international, 24, who joined Brighton for around £20m from Red Bull Salzburg last July, was taken ill while on a flight to join his national side during the international break. Mwepu was admitted to hospital for four days in Mali before returning to Brighton for further tests.

A statement from Brighton said the tests "concluded that his illness is due to a hereditary cardiac condition, which manifests later in life and was not previously evident on regular cardiac screening. Sadly this can be exacerbated by playing sport so Enock has been advised that the only option, for the sake of his own safety, is for him to stop playing football."

"A boy from a small Zambian township called Chambishi has news to share," Mwepu wrote in a message on Twitter. "He stood strong to follow his dreams of playing football at the highest level, and by grace of God, he lived his dream by reaching the Premier League.

"Some dreams, however, have an end, so it is with sadness that I announce the need to hang up my boots because of the medical advice I received. This is not the end of my involvement in football, I intend to stay involved to some degree.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported me in my football trip including my wife and family, my agent 12MAN, the Zambian FA, all my past team-mates and coaches, specially everyone at Brighton & Hove Albion."

The club chairman, Tony Bloom, said: "We are all absolutely devastated for Enock. He and his family have had a traumatic few weeks and while we are thankful he has come through that period, he has seen such a promising career cut short at such a young age. As a club we will give him all the love, help and support we possibly can to make a full recovery, and then as he decides on the next steps in his life."

The head coach, Roberto De Zerbi, said: "I am so sorry for Enock. Before I arrived he was a player I was so looking forward to working with. We will do everything we can to help him."

Mwepu – who was known as "the Computer" in his homeland for his ability to read the game – started Brighton's 5-2 win against Leicester last month in what proved to be his final match for the club. He made 27 appearances in total for Brighton, scoring three goals, and won 23 caps for Zambia.

Edit: Posted the full article, don't know why it wasn't shown completely.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 10, 2022, 04:42:48 PM
Sucks for all concerned. For the man himself of course - Zambia not being much of a football country I guess he was their top player?
And then for Brighton. 20 mil is a lot for anyone. Especially for such a small team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 10, 2022, 05:14:20 PM
Quote from: Josquius on October 10, 2022, 04:42:48 PMSucks for all concerned. For the man himself of course - Zambia not being much of a football country I guess he was their top player?

There's Patson Daka at Leicester, also coming from RB Salzburg to the Premier League in 2021.

It seems RB Salzburg has a good team of scouts for the African market if they got those two.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 10, 2022, 05:28:19 PM
Real shame for him especially at that age :(

Obviously good they caught it though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 12, 2022, 06:20:47 AM
Disappointing night yesterday for gas/oil clubs:

PSG-QSI 1 Benfica 1
No Messi and no real inspiration from Kyky (scored on a penalty).

Copenhagen 0 Manchester City 0
Red card against City from the 30th minute.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on October 12, 2022, 11:39:02 AM
Well done FCK!

Not enough, obviously, but given how the last match vs ManCity went that's a significant improvement.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 12, 2022, 04:23:51 PM
Sporting CP 0 OM 2

Another collapse, this time at home, for Sporting. Ended playing with only 9 players following two double yellows. Started so well, not even getting to Europa League is not that easy.

Bayer Leverkusen 0 FC Porto 3

Despite the margin, this was a much closer affair than it looks. As in the first game, the first half was pretty open, with a penalty stopped by the Porto GK (as in the first game) when Porto was leading only by one goal (as in the first game bis).

Second half much better for Porto (as in... you know the rest), with two penalties scored by Taremi.
A bad start for Xabi Alonso, new coach of Bayer Leverkusen.

Inter Barça seems to have been quite the game ending 3-3 (!) with a Barça late equaliser.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 12, 2022, 04:26:25 PM
Yeah, our game was intense. But we're out of it barring a miracle.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on October 14, 2022, 12:13:22 PM
N'Golo Kante to miss the WC due to injury.

The French squad is an embarrassment of riches, but losing him must always hurt.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 16, 2022, 12:54:34 PM
Pool are back but most important of all City cannot go invincible this season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 16, 2022, 02:16:08 PM
It's amazing City's been doing so well, and they're not even top of the league. Arsenal is so understated.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 16, 2022, 04:24:15 PM
Quote from: Josephus on October 16, 2022, 02:16:08 PMIt's amazing City's been doing so well, and they're not even top of the league. Arsenal is so understated.

I mean, very few Arsenal fans are seriously thinking about winning the title this year. City have too much quality and depth. But it is nice to dream  :cool:

The last half decade has seriously reset expectations such that we're just enjoying the ride, game by game. I was happy with 5th last season.  This season top 4 is the  target. Anything else is gravy.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 16, 2022, 05:10:43 PM
Anyone but city.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 16, 2022, 06:39:02 PM
Quote from: Josquius on October 16, 2022, 05:10:43 PMAnyone but city.

And Newcastle now... City and them every year for eternity.

The next decade or so might be rough for you.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on October 16, 2022, 07:41:47 PM
I'm an optimist with regards to football. Every world cup or euro, I fully expect France to win. Same with Tottenham.

They have played like absolute garbage, yet keep getting points and are sitting third, same points as City. Once they actually start playing like Conte expects, we can beat anyone. Richarlison has been so-so, Son same, and Kulucevski is injured. Once all 3 are in the groove, we can challenge the title.  :showoff:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 16, 2022, 08:24:49 PM
I'm not convinced this Spurs side can go up a level, but if they do they really need better wing backs, especially on the right. Royal and Doherty are  :lol:

I think Conte gets a WB in Jan and then they might start flying. They just have to keep in touch of the top until the WC break. The big IF is if Kane gets his legs destroyed at the WC.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 17, 2022, 05:10:23 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 16, 2022, 06:39:02 PM
Quote from: Josquius on October 16, 2022, 05:10:43 PMAnyone but city.

And Newcastle now... City and them every year for eternity.

The next decade or so might be rough for you.

Its weird, as they obviously haven't earned it and are just buying it with blood money. So any success they do have is clearly tainted and over-celebration would just mark their fans as the arrogant cunts we've always known they are.
Especially in contrast with how sound our current setup looks.

But my fingers remain crossed the mega-football bubble shall pop soon.
Generally too, not just related to United.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on October 17, 2022, 01:48:23 PM
Quote from: Josquius on October 17, 2022, 05:10:23 AMBut my fingers remain crossed the mega-football bubble shall pop soon.
Generally too, not just related to United.

What dynamics would lead to the mega-football bubble popping, do you think?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 17, 2022, 02:17:40 PM
Quote from: Jacob on October 17, 2022, 01:48:23 PM
Quote from: Josquius on October 17, 2022, 05:10:23 AMBut my fingers remain crossed the mega-football bubble shall pop soon.
Generally too, not just related to United.

What dynamics would lead to the mega-football bubble popping, do you think?

The exponential rise in transfer fees finally hitting a ceiling, stalling, then crashing.

The decline in influence of dodgy foreign money and it no longer being the cool thing to do for the rich will be key.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 17, 2022, 02:46:13 PM
Barça's Alexia Putellas wins her second consecutive Ballon D'Or.

Men's football? Men play this sport, too?  :sleep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 17, 2022, 03:00:30 PM
Quote from: Jacob on October 17, 2022, 01:48:23 PM
Quote from: Josquius on October 17, 2022, 05:10:23 AMBut my fingers remain crossed the mega-football bubble shall pop soon.
Generally too, not just related to United.

What dynamics would lead to the mega-football bubble popping, do you think?

Laws that prevent nation-states from owning clubs (no more Citys, PSGs, Newcastles). I don't think such laws will ever come to pass, though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 20, 2022, 05:14:03 PM
Truss and Gerrard sacked on the same day  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 20, 2022, 05:25:12 PM
What a day :w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on October 20, 2022, 05:57:38 PM
Gerrard is every asshole PE teacher I've ever had.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on October 20, 2022, 07:31:19 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on October 16, 2022, 07:41:47 PMI'm an optimist with regards to football. Every world cup or euro, I fully expect France to win. Same with Tottenham.

They have played like absolute garbage, yet keep getting points and are sitting third, same points as City. Once they actually start playing like Conte expects, we can beat anyone. Richarlison has been so-so, Son same, and Kulucevski is injured. Once all 3 are in the groove, we can challenge the title.  :showoff:

Do you have a French team you follow? Or just Tottenham?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on October 20, 2022, 07:33:03 PM
Quote from: celedhring on October 17, 2022, 02:46:13 PMMen's football? Men play this sport, too?  :sleep:

Now you know how Americans feel...well before that last game against Spain.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on October 20, 2022, 07:33:45 PM
Quote from: Jacob on October 17, 2022, 01:48:23 PM
Quote from: Josquius on October 17, 2022, 05:10:23 AMBut my fingers remain crossed the mega-football bubble shall pop soon.
Generally too, not just related to United.

What dynamics would lead to the mega-football bubble popping, do you think?

Russia destroying Europe in a nuclear war.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on October 21, 2022, 10:11:08 AM
Quote from: Valmy on October 20, 2022, 07:31:19 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on October 16, 2022, 07:41:47 PMI'm an optimist with regards to football. Every world cup or euro, I fully expect France to win. Same with Tottenham.

They have played like absolute garbage, yet keep getting points and are sitting third, same points as City. Once they actually start playing like Conte expects, we can beat anyone. Richarlison has been so-so, Son same, and Kulucevski is injured. Once all 3 are in the groove, we can challenge the title.  :showoff:

Do you have a French team you follow? Or just Tottenham?

Not anymore. In my younger days, I'd follow the local team, so I went through St-Etienne, Marseille and Toulouse.

2 of Toulouse's players got transferred to Tottenham, so that's what piqued my curiosity. They were my favourite players back in the day, Sissoko (now at Watford I think) and Aurier (now at Sevilla I think).

I started watching Spurs in 2019, when they had that crazy CL run. Naive little me thought "oh boy, this team is really something! Silverware guaranteed every year!".

How wrong I was  :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 21, 2022, 10:18:58 AM
Just asking - but I take it you weren't aware of the word "Spursy" when you started following them? :lol: :console:

I sympathise though - I always identified with Spurs as a bit of a sexier London Everton. And now I see your mistake.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 21, 2022, 11:49:04 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on October 21, 2022, 10:11:08 AM"oh boy, this team is really something! Silverware guaranteed every year!".


:lmfao:

It is the history of the Tottenham
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 22, 2022, 08:21:06 AM
So will Klopp get his walking papers today?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 22, 2022, 08:40:59 AM
Pool deservedly losing to the worst team in the league is beautiful
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 22, 2022, 12:19:41 PM
What a wonderful weekend for Everton fans :lol: :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 23, 2022, 01:08:22 PM
Quote from: Josephus on March 28, 2022, 07:43:01 AM
Quote from: HVC on March 28, 2022, 07:40:19 AMWatched the game yesterday at a bar with some friends. Talked to my mother after and found out Eustáquio is apparently a family friend. Family is from the village my mom's from and my cousin is friends with his mom.

I always knew all Portuguese are related.  :P

Well Eustáquio blew it last week-end vs Benfica with two yellows in as few minutes so get off your high horse.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on October 23, 2022, 02:24:17 PM
Hey, I didn't say he was MY friend haha
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 25, 2022, 02:54:30 PM
Quote from: HVC on October 23, 2022, 02:24:17 PMHey, I didn't say he was MY friend haha

He's family for you, that's even worse.  :P

Half-time

PSG 3 Maccabi Haifa 1

Benfica 3 Juve 1
Good thing the Juve coach said not getting to the round of 16 was not a failure, I guess, if the result were to be confirmed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 26, 2022, 02:27:01 PM
Yesterday's games ended with PSG vs Haifa 7-2 and Benfica 4 -Juve 3 (good last 20 minutes for Juve but their performance was abysmal and losing by only goal is rather lucky).

As for tonight, with Bayern winning 4-0 vs Plzen, Barça is out of the Champions' League, even before the Barça-Bayern game playing right now (1-0 for Bayern as of now).

Porto 4 Bruges 0 the exact opposite of the first leg with Diogo Costa, Porto GK stopping twice (!) a penalty (retaken since a Porto player had entered too soon the penalty area). First goalkeeper to stop three penalties in a single Champions' League season !

At the very least, the Selecção has found Rui Patrício's successor. :)

That's two victories out of three for Portuguese clubs, that's not bad but Sporting is playing Tottenham and I am not exactly optimistic given their recent habit of sabotaging themselves with stupid yellows and reds. Right now Tottenham 0 Sporting 1  :hmm:

HVC
 
Eustáquio got booked again.  :P Your family is troublesome. :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on October 26, 2022, 05:26:34 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on October 26, 2022, 02:27:01 PMHVC
 
Eustáquio got booked again.  :P Your family is troublesome. :D

Family friend, I got no blood haha. Although used to be a smallish fishing village, so probably like a 6th cousin or something if you dig back for enough   :blush:  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on October 26, 2022, 11:29:24 PM
You win some and you lose some with VAR, but Jesus Fucking CHRIST. I've never seen a more impactful VAR decision. It killed a beautiful moment of football.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on October 26, 2022, 11:34:09 PM
I'm talking about the CL Spurs - Sporting game today. Spurs played a shit 1st half and were down 1 nil at half time. They battle back and get to 1-1 at 80th minute. 5 minutes of added time.

At 94:46 seconds, Kane scores and makes it 2-1, qualifying Spurs for the knockout stages regardless of the last game of the group stage.

VAR reviews the goal FOR 5 MINUTES and then they show us their fucking imaginary lines to show the offside. VAR is overall good, I think. But if it takes 5 minutes to decide, then obviously it's not clear cut and the goal should stand.

Obviously I'm not impartial, but in this particular case it definitely killed a bit of the magic of football. The whole stadium deflated. Bleh.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on October 27, 2022, 01:35:37 AM
Offside a half step
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on October 27, 2022, 02:28:35 AM
I mean... really? Come on now

(https://talksport.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/10/Spurs.jpeg?strip=all&quality=100&w=960)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on October 27, 2022, 02:32:06 AM
Look at the linesman's angle.  because of perspective the passer is going to appear to be on a different plane than Kane.  The linesman is going to make that call off Kane and his near defender. 

Then they replay it, and it looks like it might be on side, but the test is overwhelming, or introvertible, or whatver evidence.  That's the kind of call you only bitch about if it's your team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 27, 2022, 07:24:54 AM
Tottenham, given its squad and finances, should not be struggling for a round of 16 spot with the likes of Marseille, Eintracht and Sporting. They were arch-favourites, they are still first of the group, by one point, but can still be out.

Most of the previous games they were dominated, even the first half last night was for Sporting, itself in bad form in the Primeira Liga. Sporting really blew it against Marseille twice, specially the goal keeper Adan, with another failed save allowing the Tottenham goal.
Tottenham is favorite for the last game vs Marseille (former Zoupa favorite club) but Conte is off, getting a red for entering the pitch. His excuse was that he was one only of many doing it, yet he is
the only who got the red.

Not bad for Portuguese clubs all in all, two victories and a draw.

Porto got qualified since Atlético and Bayer tied, with a penalty for the Atleti denied by the goalkeeper. Now even the first spot of the group is possible, for the last game vs Atlético. Two players will be suspended for too many yellows however, Uribe and Carmo.

Same goes for Benfica, but they are behind PSG-QSI in goal-average, unless Juve wakes up to get an Europa League spot vs PSG.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 27, 2022, 07:27:24 AM
Quote from: HVC on October 26, 2022, 05:26:34 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on October 26, 2022, 02:27:01 PMHVC
 
Eustáquio got booked again.  :P Your family is troublesome. :D

Family friend, I got no blood haha. Although used to be a smallish fishing village, so probably like a 6th cousin or something if you dig back for enough   :blush:  :D

Since he scored a goal last night, I am willing to let it pass for now.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 27, 2022, 02:08:11 PM
Conte is famously a whiny little bitch when he doesn't win. A super talented and successful one, but still.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on October 27, 2022, 02:13:54 PM
It's ok. I feel better after seeing Arsenal get trashed today.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 27, 2022, 02:19:05 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on October 27, 2022, 02:13:54 PMIt's ok. I feel better after seeing Arsenal get trashed today.  :P

Indeed. We laughed at Spurs yesterday and now we get a taste of our own medicine. :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 29, 2022, 04:13:33 PM
Liverpool have just lost to Leeds at home a week after losing to Forest. They're now 9th in the table.

Something in the water at Anfield? Will Klopp get sacked this season?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 30, 2022, 07:31:37 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 29, 2022, 04:13:33 PMLiverpool have just lost to Leeds at home a week after losing to Forest. They're now 9th in the table.

Something in the water at Anfield? Will Klopp get sacked this season?

I'd be surprised if Klopp makes it to the post World Cup restart. Question is, who is there to replace him? Benitez is free these days, isn't he? :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on October 30, 2022, 07:40:16 AM
Tuchel after Klopp historically.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 30, 2022, 11:42:52 AM
Quote from: Josephus on October 30, 2022, 07:31:37 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 29, 2022, 04:13:33 PMLiverpool have just lost to Leeds at home a week after losing to Forest. They're now 9th in the table.

Something in the water at Anfield? Will Klopp get sacked this season?

I'd be surprised if Klopp makes it to the post World Cup restart. Question is, who is there to replace him? Benitez is free these days, isn't he? :P

Gerrard is available  :shutup:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 31, 2022, 09:43:59 AM
Quote from: Josephus on October 30, 2022, 07:31:37 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 29, 2022, 04:13:33 PMLiverpool have just lost to Leeds at home a week after losing to Forest. They're now 9th in the table.

Something in the water at Anfield? Will Klopp get sacked this season?

I'd be surprised if Klopp makes it to the post World Cup restart. Question is, who is there to replace him? Benitez is free these days, isn't he? :P

Klopp has not spoken of coaching a national squad yet.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 01, 2022, 04:14:08 PM
Your boy has scored again, HVC.  :P

Porto first of the group after a disastrous start (two defeats).
Last game was a 2-1 victory vs Atlético Madrid. End of cholismo?  :hmm:
Atlético does not even qualify to Europa League.

Tottenham losing by one goal to Marseille, at half-time.
Conte's bad track record in the Champions' League seems to continue.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 01, 2022, 04:26:19 PM
Spurs draw it level. They should pull through and qualify.

I just feel bad for Zoups and Jake for having to watch this terrorism ball from Conte every week  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 01, 2022, 04:45:39 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 01, 2022, 04:14:08 PMYour boy has scored again, HVC.  :P


 :yeah:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on November 01, 2022, 04:46:16 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 01, 2022, 04:26:19 PMSpurs draw it level. They should pull through and qualify.

I just feel bad for Zoups and Jake for having to watch this terrorism ball from Conte every week  :lol:

Personally I think that's what football is about :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 01, 2022, 04:58:33 PM
Quote from: Jacob on November 01, 2022, 04:46:16 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 01, 2022, 04:26:19 PMSpurs draw it level. They should pull through and qualify.

I just feel bad for Zoups and Jake for having to watch this terrorism ball from Conte every week  :lol:

Personally I think that's what football is about :lol:

 :lol:  :hug:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 01, 2022, 05:10:58 PM

So Conte actually managed to qualify for the round of 16 this time.  :P
95th minute goal to get the first spot and send back OM to its domestic league.
Since Sporting lost to Eintracht, there will be "only" two Portuguese clubs in the round of 16. That's more than for the ™Ligue des Tas Lents™ or even La Liga (a first I believe).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 02, 2022, 08:05:24 AM
Bild has published that Manuel Neuer suffers from skin cancer and has already had three surgeries to deal with it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on November 02, 2022, 09:26:16 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 01, 2022, 04:26:19 PMSpurs draw it level. They should pull through and qualify.

I just feel bad for Zoups and Jake for having to watch this terrorism ball from Conte every week  :lol:

I don't know what it is this season with "let's only show up for the second half, guys". I've lost count of how many games they've done this, or coming back to win or draw after going a goal down.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 03, 2022, 05:15:01 PM
Gerard Piqué has announced his retirement, effective immediately. This weekend's game will be his last.

Now that was unexpected...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 03, 2022, 05:15:52 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 03, 2022, 05:15:01 PMGerard Piqué has announced his retirement, effective immediately. This weekend's game will be his last.

Now that was unexpected...

He's been retired since 2020  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 03, 2022, 05:18:03 PM
Quote from: celedhring on November 03, 2022, 05:15:52 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 03, 2022, 05:15:01 PMGerard Piqué has announced his retirement, effective immediately. This weekend's game will be his last.

Now that was unexpected...

He's been retired since 2020  :P

And still played 50+ games for Barcelona since then.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 03, 2022, 05:19:51 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 03, 2022, 05:18:03 PM
Quote from: celedhring on November 03, 2022, 05:15:52 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 03, 2022, 05:15:01 PMGerard Piqué has announced his retirement, effective immediately. This weekend's game will be his last.

Now that was unexpected...

He's been retired since 2020  :P

And still played 50+ games for Barcelona since then.  :P

Yeah  <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 03, 2022, 05:23:14 PM
Quote from: celedhring on November 03, 2022, 05:19:51 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 03, 2022, 05:18:03 PM
Quote from: celedhring on November 03, 2022, 05:15:52 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 03, 2022, 05:15:01 PMGerard Piqué has announced his retirement, effective immediately. This weekend's game will be his last.

Now that was unexpected...

He's been retired since 2020  :P

And still played 50+ games for Barcelona since then.  :P

Yeah  <_<

So you'd have preferred if he had left then?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 03, 2022, 05:45:03 PM
Definitely, he's been in that "too slow to play, too big to be dropped" non-sweet spot for a few years. And his wages are huge. One of the few good things Xavi's done this season is finally benching him - which prompted the rumors he'd be leave at the end of the season and even retire, but this was unexpected.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 03, 2022, 06:12:44 PM
Quote from: celedhring on November 03, 2022, 05:45:03 PMDefinitely, he's been in that "too slow to play, too big to be dropped" non-sweet spot for a few years. And his wages are huge. One of the few good things Xavi's done this season is finally benching him - which prompted the rumors he'd be leave at the end of the season and even retire, but this was unexpected.

Well, apparently he's leaving one year and a half's wages on the table by retiring now, so he's not fully in it for the money, and says that he doesn't want to play for any other team, so at least he's been loyal to the team in that way. Then again this way he can finally become a full time businessman, which seems to be in what he had his mind these last few years.

How long until he becomes the team's president?

Edit: Btw, you're also a bit short on central defenders at the moment, right? This can't help either...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 03, 2022, 06:28:12 PM
If he's leaving now then that leaves a spot open and money on the table for Barca to buy an actual good CB in January.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 03, 2022, 06:30:50 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 03, 2022, 06:28:12 PMIf he's leaving now then that leaves a spot open and money on the table for Barca to buy an actual good CB in January.

Right after the WC too, so whoever shows more promise during the tournament will get a big fat target on his back for a winter signing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 03, 2022, 07:07:46 PM
Fuck this <_<
Quote'Let's focus on the football!' FIFA bosses tell World Cup teams not to lecture on morality
The build-up of the World Cup has been marred by concerns about the suffering of low-paid migrant workers to build the infrastructure in the tiny Gulf nation and discriminatory laws that criminalise same-sex relations.
Rob Harris
Sports correspondent @RobHarris
Thursday 3 November 2022 21:48, UK

FIFA's leadership has written to World Cup teams urging them to focus on the tournament in Qatar and not be part of lecturing on morality and dragging football "into every ideological or political battle that exists".

Sky News has exclusively seen the full letter from FIFA's president, Gianni Infantino, and the governing body's secretary general, Fatma Samoura, that has been sent amid growing pressure on players to be activists around the tournament.

It has been a World Cup build-up dogged by concerns about the suffering of low-paid migrant workers to build the infrastructure in the tiny Gulf nation and discriminatory laws that criminalise same-sex relations.

"Please, let's now focus on the football!" Infantino and Samoura wrote to the 32 football nations contesting the World Cup.

"We know football does not live in a vacuum and we are equally aware that there are many challenges and difficulties of a political nature all around the world.

"But please do not allow football to be dragged into every ideological or political battle that exists."

The letter does not address the request by England and Wales and six other European nations for their captains to wear "One Love" multicoloured armbands at the World Cup which are a response to concerns about Qatar's anti-LGBTQ+ laws. Both British nations have already said they would defy any ban by FIFA.

Infantino wrote: "At FIFA, we try to respect all opinions and beliefs, without handing out moral lessons to the rest of the world.

"One of the great strengths of the world is indeed its very diversity, and if inclusion means anything, it means having respect for that diversity. No one people or culture or nation is 'better' than any other.

"This principle is the very foundation stone of mutual respect and non-discrimination. And this is also one of the core values of football. So, please let's all remember that and let football take centre stage."

Infantino says everyone will be welcome in Qatar "regardless of origin, background, religion, gender, sexual orientation or nationality".

The letter was sent to the nations competing in the men's football showpiece with less than three weeks until the tournament begins in Qatar.

Infantino - and his leadership team - was not in place at FIFA when a tainted group of executive committee members voted in 2010 to award the World Cup to Qatar.

The last English team to play in Qatar was Liverpool at the Club World Cup in 2019. And Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp told Sky News this week it is "not fair" to expect political statements from players around the World Cup.

The German said: "They go there to play football. It's not about this generation's players to say now that 'we don't go, or we don't do that'.

"The decision [to hold the tournament in Qatar] was made by other people, and if you want to criticise anybody, criticise the people who made the decision."

Full text of the letter
QuoteDear Presidents, dear General Secretaries,

The FIFA World Cup Qatar is now just around the corner and excitement about the world's premier football festival is building globally as we count down the days to kick-off in Doha, on Sunday, 20 November 2022.

As one of the 32 participating teams, you carry the hopes and dreams of your home nation and all of its people on your shoulders.

FIFA would like to assure you that in Qatar everything has been prepared to ensure that every participating nation will have the very best chance of achieving success on football's ultimate stage. The eight state of the art stadiums, where the 64 matches of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™️ will be played, will provide the perfect platform for the world's greatest sporting event.

So, please let's now focus on the football!

We know football does not live in a vacuum and we are equally aware that there are many challenges and difficulties of a political nature all around the world. But please do not allow football to be dragged into every ideological or political battle that exists.

At FIFA, we try to respect all opinions and beliefs, without handing out moral lessons to the rest of the world. One of the great strengths of the world is indeed its very diversity, and if inclusion means anything, it means having respect for that diversity. No one people or culture or nation is "better" than any other. This principle is the very foundation stone of mutual respect and non-discrimination. And this is also one of the core values of football. So, please let's all remember that and let football take centre stage.

Now, at the FIFA World Cup, we have the unique occasion and opportunity to welcome and embrace everyone, regardless of origin, background, religion, gender, sexual orientation or nationality. Let's take that opportunity and unite the world through the universal language of football.

Now our focus is football because #NowIsAll.

We wish you every success and a great tournament ahead!

Gianni Infantino FIFA President Fatma Samoura FIFA Secretary General
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 03, 2022, 08:17:46 PM
And today it has been known that Qatar will have paid snitches mouthpieces fans attending the WC.

QuoteEngland fans paid to be 'spies' at World Cup
Group are expected to sing at opening ceremony in return for free flights and accommodation, £60 a day in spending money and complimentary tickets

A group of 40 England fans are being paid by Qatar to attend the World Cup, with instructions to deliver positive messages about the experience, sing certain songs when requested and report critical social media posts.

Sources have confirmed that the group — which includes the England band leader John Hemmingham — will receive free flights and apartment accommodation, £60 a day in spending money loaded on to a Visa card and complimentary tickets after signing a "code of conduct". They are all booked on flights that leave for Doha on November 17.

Another 40 supporters from Wales have also signed up to the Fan Leader Programme, along with fans from the 30 other competing countries as part of what supporters' groups have described as a "sinister, distasteful" marketing exercise.

All those who have signed up for the scheme are guaranteed a ticket to the opening ceremony but they must stay in Qatar for at least two weeks. The idea, The Times has been told, is for them to sit in groups and sing at the appropriate times for the television cameras.

One document sent to fan leaders outlines the role they will be expected to play in the opening ceremony. It reads: "In celebration of the fans around the world, over the period of five minutes, fan chants from each nation will be played and you will be expected to stand up, sing the song/chant, wave your flags and represent your country.

"The camera will focus on each national fan group in turn. We will share with you the chant/song selected from your country to ensure you are familiar with it."

In bold red letters it adds: "Be ready in your shirt, flags and scarves to cheer and shout."

Another document explains that fan leaders have to accept terms and conditions.

Last month the England Supporters Travel Club hosted a fans' forum at Wembley Stadium and invited the Qatar Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) to attend, with Hemmingham, 59, appearing as a "UK fan leader" at the event.

FA staff were present and heard Hemmingham, who is the band's trumpet player, tell the audience about the positive experience he enjoyed on a recent trip to Doha.

Detailed on the FA website is the fact that Hemmingham "shared his personal experiences from his visit to Qatar for the Lusail Super Cup". "He was able to visit alongside other fan leaders of different participating nations, sharing their thoughts and giving feedback ahead of the Fifa World Cup," the release read.

Hemmingham stated that "Qatar is very safe, there are lots of rules and no crime". The report on the meeting said he "stayed in a great hotel and there was a kind, exciting reception for travelling fans".

"There was lots of engagement with fans and Qataris were keen to actively make adjustments based on fan recommendations for the Fifa World Cup," the report added. "JH [Hemmingham] attended a fixture at the World Cup final stadium — the Lusail Iconic Stadium — [where] there are great in-bowl sound systems."

The Times has approached Hemmingham for comment but one insider sarcastically asked on Thursday night if the England band "might play Qatar's national anthem during the tournament".

In March last year the FA received a request from Qatar's Supreme Committee, which is organising the tournament, for members of the official supporters' club to join a fan engagement forum. Other sources claim the first contact was made with fan groups two years ago.

But it was only in September that those approached were asked to sign up to a "code of conduct" to guarantee their all-expenses-paid trip to the World Cup. "It all sounds a bit sinister and distasteful," said one leading member of a fan group, who asked not to be named for fear of possible consequences when he arrives in Qatar.

It is understood that the scheme has not been endorsed by the Football Supporters' Association or the FA.

Initially it seemed there was a request to simply disseminate information to other fans, with the incentive of a trip to Qatar in advance of the World Cup as well as complimentary flights, tickets and accommodation for the tournament itself.

The FA has said it only found out about the requirements of the scheme from international media reports.

"We were told this was an opportunity to engage with fans from all competing nations to ensure that the voice of supporters was clearly heard in the planning for the World Cup and that many international football associations were being approached," a statement from the governing body read. "We have had no more involvement with the scheme, and no sight of the 'code of conduct' or any of the terms and conditions of involvement."

A New York Times report said the Dutch broadcaster NOS quoted a Holland fan saying he had agreed to monitor the activity of other supporters from his country.

A board member from the American Outlaws, the biggest United States supporters' group, agreed to take part, then helped to sign up fellow members and others. However, he told the New York Times that, having already accepted one free trip to Qatar, he was not going to be part of the scheme.

A France fan told the French newspaper Le Parisien he had declined the offer from Qatar. "Despite the appetising side of the dish, I preferred to stay true to my values," Joseph Delage said.

Ahsan Mansoor, the fan engagement director for the 2022 World Cup who also attended the forum at Wembley last month, has insisted that "there is no obligation to promote or do anything".

But sources in possession of the relevant documents have confirmed that there is indeed a code of conduct that had to be signed, with a request not to disparage the hosts and to "report any offensive, degrading or abusive comments" from other fans. Ideally they should supply screenshots.

"At best they're volunteers for the World Cup and at worst they're a mouthpiece for the Supreme Committee," Ronan Evain, the executive director of Football Supporters Europe, said.

Some fans flown to Qatar in advance of the tournament were even invited to meet David Beckham, who is being paid millions to act as an ambassador for the hosts despite concerns about the country's human rights record.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 04, 2022, 12:54:51 AM
Perfect opportunity for one brave guy to wave a protest banner.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on November 04, 2022, 01:54:34 AM
Shades of the 1978 World Cup in Argentina, two years after the military junta took over. The German players were visited by exiled WW2 ace and nazi Hans-Ulrich Rudel (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans-Ulrich_Rudel), with the head of the German FA, Neuberger, saying rejecting his visit would be an insult to all German soldiers. He also criticized Dutch players who - in the finals - refused to shake hands with representatives of the junta.

Berti Vogts said after the tournament that Argentina was a country where there is order and that he hadn't seen a single political prisoner anywhere. Player Manfred Kaltz said that he wasn't bothered that people were being tortured in Argentina, stating that he was going there to play football and had other problems than that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 04, 2022, 05:53:06 AM
Honestly if I knew about this program and was eligible for it....free trip to Qatar plus expenses... just say nice things about Qatar. I would have gone for it. Nothing pr reps don't do all the time.

And all my 7 instagram followers wouldn't care anyway.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 04, 2022, 09:39:48 AM
Quote from: Syt on November 04, 2022, 01:54:34 AMShades of the 1978 World Cup in Argentina, two years after the military junta took over. The German players were visited by exiled WW2 ace and nazi Hans-Ulrich Rudel (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans-Ulrich_Rudel), with the head of the German FA, Neuberger, saying rejecting his visit would be an insult to all German soldiers. He also criticized Dutch players who - in the finals - refused to shake hands with representatives of the junta.

Berti Vogts said after the tournament that Argentina was a country where there is order and that he hadn't seen a single political prisoner anywhere. Player Manfred Kaltz said that he wasn't bothered that people were being tortured in Argentina, stating that he was going there to play football and had other problems than that.

Remember that FIFA gave the go ahead for a match to be played in Chile's Estadio Nacional right after Pinochet's coup while political prisoners were being tortured in the premises.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 04, 2022, 10:45:49 AM
The myth that sport is somehow, by nature, apolitical, is pernicious and outrageously proven false every time representatives of the Olympics or FIFA open their mouths.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 04, 2022, 03:37:52 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 04, 2022, 09:39:48 AM
Quote from: Syt on November 04, 2022, 01:54:34 AMShades of the 1978 World Cup in Argentina, two years after the military junta took over. The German players were visited by exiled WW2 ace and nazi Hans-Ulrich Rudel (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans-Ulrich_Rudel), with the head of the German FA, Neuberger, saying rejecting his visit would be an insult to all German soldiers. He also criticized Dutch players who - in the finals - refused to shake hands with representatives of the junta.

Berti Vogts said after the tournament that Argentina was a country where there is order and that he hadn't seen a single political prisoner anywhere. Player Manfred Kaltz said that he wasn't bothered that people were being tortured in Argentina, stating that he was going there to play football and had other problems than that.

Remember that FIFA gave the go ahead for a match to be played in Chile's Estadio Nacional right after Pinochet's coup while political prisoners were being tortured in the premises.

That comparison is flattering for Qatar: Argentina was a real football country, without any need to hire "pro" football foreign fans for make believe purposes, to which the tournament was attributed in 1966 before the military dictatorship took power in 1976.
So it's far from the same as giving the tournament to Qatar in 2010, already a wahhabi hellhole, no football culture, infamous for the treatment of cheap labour and so on.
Not to forget the whole bribing process, blatant for Qatar which has no conditions to organise the World Cup: summers too hot, no hotel capacity.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 04, 2022, 05:03:41 PM
It is worth noting there wasnt much of this sort of thing said at all last World Cup.

Sure Russia has considerably amped up the evil since then but that was already after the first invasion of crimea and all manner of domestic shenanigans
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 04, 2022, 05:10:03 PM
I think Black Lives Matter has transformed the players' attitudes on activism - see also far more pro-LGBT statements in the Euros.

Plus I think there's maybe a sense of con me once with Russia.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 04, 2022, 05:25:56 PM
Quote from: Josquius on November 04, 2022, 05:03:41 PMIt is worth noting there wasnt much of this sort of thing said at all last World Cup.

Sure Russia has considerably amped up the evil since then but that was already after the first invasion of crimea and all manner of domestic shenanigans

Actually, Russia's WC was attributed in 2010, same as Qatar, so before Crimea, but was criticised as well for the authoritarian nature of the regime, plus some concerns about hotel capacity outside of Moscow, St-Petersburg, Sochi or major cities, as in Saransk (somewhat true I can say having watched a game there).

Plus, the whole scaremongering about Russian hooligans. Thing is, the Putin régime keeps a tight leash on them at home and prefers sending them abroad for trouble cf. France 2016.

OTOH, bribing to get the WC is more likely but so did France and Germany earlier, that's FIFA for you; Qatar just pushed it to extremes so it could host a tournament without good conditions, unlike all the mentioned above.
To be fair, there were some concerns about the use of North Koren labour "sold" by the local regime to work in Russia but far from the scale of neo-serfdom seen in the little Wahhabi sheikdom.

Putin's Russia in 2018 was a much better place to be for a football fan than Qatar will be, not just because it was way more affordable or that Russia, as most nations from the Soviet Union, is a reall football country (hello Yashin). I could also mention the greener WC in Russia (yes even there) with free train tickets to supporters and most stadia built or renewed not just for the World Cup, save for Saransk.

Classic apples and oranges, Russia and Qatar.
Of course, it was pretty expensive for Russia, made some oligarchs even richer, but as far as thing go for Russia, compared to what we have now it's a golden past and actually did some good to Russia.

PS: the closest thing to a Wahhabi ambient, would be Kadyrov's Chechnya, thankfully no games there and it was not necessary to go through it to watch games, say, in Sochi. Kadyrov did offer traditional hospitality to  foreign football fans however. ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 04, 2022, 05:38:14 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on November 04, 2022, 05:10:03 PMI think Black Lives Matter has transformed the players' attitudes on activism - see also far more pro-LGBT statements in the Euros.

There were some concerns about LGBT whatever back then but nothing much happened, despite some scaremongering and Putin's posing.
As for the BLM circus, it has not changed much see the racism in UK against people like Cavani speaking in their own language (hello anglo racism thinly disguised as ethnocentrism) or knee taking used by pro-Bolsonaro casual racists as Neymar, in the French League (check his insults against Asians or Chinese/Chink as he would say in Portuguese).

The latter playing in a Qatari-owned club, no less.   :lol:
QuotePlus I think there's maybe a sense of con me once with Russia.

It's FIFA so I don't really think so. Anyone willing to bribe his way to get the World Cup will get it, as long as they are willing to pay the price.
Be it Blatter and Platini, or Infantino.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on November 05, 2022, 04:59:53 PM
Today's Leeds - Bournemouth match was quite something.  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 06, 2022, 09:25:10 AM
Chelsea/Arsenal. Only 1 goal but it was basically men against boys even though Arsenal are the youngest side in the league.

I predict Todd Boehly will try to sign at least two Arsenal players next summer.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on November 06, 2022, 03:51:20 PM
Spurs down to 4th, 8 points away from Arse and they have a game in hand  :cry:

The break can't come soon enough. No Son, no Richarlison, Kulucevski and Moura not 100 %...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 06, 2022, 04:45:24 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on November 06, 2022, 03:51:20 PMSpurs down to 4th, 8 points away from Arse and they have a game in hand  :cry:

The break can't come soon enough. No Son, no Richarlison, Kulucevski and Moura not 100 %...

Newcastle replaced you in 3rd. They are coming in hot this season. The Saudis are ahead of schedule  :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 07, 2022, 08:06:01 AM
Champions' League round of 16 draw:

QuoteLípsia - Manchester City

Club Brugge - Benfica

Liverpool - Real Madrid

AC Milão - Tottenham

Eintracht Francoforte - Nápoles

Borussia Dortmund - Chelsea

Inter Milão - FC Porto

PSG-QSI - Bayern Munique


Real Madrid v Liverpool: nice.

Well, not too bad for Porto, it's been a while vs Inter though the last round of 16 game between the two ended in defeat for Porto which does not fare too badly vs Italian teams. Balanced with Inter favorite.

Benfica got Club Brugge, the surprise of the group phase, could be a poisoned gift.

Man City - Rasenball has Man City favorite in the "plastic" club classic.  :P

Liverpool - Real Madrid: tough to say

AC Milan - Tottenham: AC Milan favorite Tottenham is far from impressive

Eintracht - Nea Polis: seems balanced a priori but Naples is on fire lately.

Borussia Dortmund - Chelsea London FC (PES) favorite but there is always hope for Borussia

PSG is a mess lately despite (thanks to ?) having Messin in pre-retirement so Bayern.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 07, 2022, 08:45:28 AM
Europa League draw, for those interested:

QuoteFC Barcelona, Esp - Manchester United, Esp

Juventus Turim- Nantes

Sporting - Midtjylland

Shakhtar Donetsk - Rennes

Ajax Amsterdão - Union Berlim

Bayer Leverkusen - Mónaco (not di Baviera)

Sevilha - PSV Eindhoven

Salzburgo- Roma


Barça v Man U Feels like the Champions' League  :P

Juventus, even in a bad spell as of now, should beat Nantes

Can Sporting can screw up again, à la vs Marseille, v Midtjylland?

Shakhtar Donetsk - Rennes Open, I'd say with Shakhtar, more experienced, but weakened by the war

Ajax v Berlin Union is in top form now, but not invincible (beaten by Braga earlier on) Ajax has been disappointing in the CL, in a tough group truth be said

Bayer Leverkusen v Monaco (not from Bavaria for Italians) Bayer seems better now and was not far from qualification vs Porto. Bayer favorite

Seville v PSV: Seems balanced but Seville is pretty good in the Europa League

Salzburgo v Roma: let's see if Mourinho can confirm the Europa League Conference (anyone interested?) win the previous season against the other RB club.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 07, 2022, 08:58:40 AM
United and Barcelona  :lol:

Anyway, FSG are saying they want to sell Liverpool. I wonder which oil state will buy them up?

PL will be oil state clubs finishing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd every season for eternity.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 07, 2022, 09:18:14 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 07, 2022, 08:58:40 AMUnited and Barcelona  :lol:
Anyway, FSG are saying they want to sell Liverpool. I wonder which oil state will buy them up?

PL will be oil/gas state clubs finishing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd every season for eternity.

Fixed! :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 07, 2022, 11:29:17 AM
Brazil WC squad just came out. Tite picked Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus from Arsenal.

Martinelli was the surprise. So happy for him. Just a few years ago he was playing football in the Brazilian 4th division. Now he's going to the World Cup. And still just 21 years old.  :cry:

Never in my life have I wanted Brazil to win the World Cup, but now with two key Arsenal players in the squad I'm rooting for them to do it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 07, 2022, 11:57:29 AM
I still feel zero excitement about this world cup.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 07, 2022, 12:14:48 PM
Hardly uncommon.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on November 07, 2022, 12:23:07 PM
Quote from: Maladict on November 07, 2022, 11:57:29 AMI still feel zero excitement about this world cup.

Same. The whole thing disgusts me and I'm going to find it really difficult to enjoy watching the games at all. My main hope is that Quatar are humiliated in their games.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on November 07, 2022, 12:28:08 PM
Yeah it's tough. It's one of the best Danish teams in a long time, but holding the WC in Qatar is just a massive "we're corrupt and we don't give a fuck about the sport" slap in the face.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 07, 2022, 12:29:17 PM
Canada being in it gives me a bit more urge to watch. Until they get obliterated in their first match, then it'll pass lol
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 07, 2022, 12:29:24 PM
This World Cup makes me sick and I'm only vaguely interested in it because Arsenal's players are going. Have to support the players.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on November 07, 2022, 12:30:29 PM
The only real hope is that the attempt at sportswashing has backfired and actually reduced Qatar's reputation.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 08, 2022, 06:13:31 AM
Quote from: Maladict on November 07, 2022, 11:57:29 AMI still feel zero excitement about this world cup.
Can't remember a major tournament being about a month away with this little hype or excitement.

Feel sorry for kids who will have this as their first World Cup :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 08, 2022, 06:20:50 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on November 08, 2022, 06:13:31 AM
Quote from: Maladict on November 07, 2022, 11:57:29 AMI still feel zero excitement about this world cup.
Can't remember a major tournament being about a month away with this little hype or excitement.

Feel sorry for kids who will have this as their first World Cup :(

You mean a couple of weeks.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 08, 2022, 06:21:50 AM
I wouldn't worry once the matches start the hype will start and people will forget they are watching people play football in the graveyards of thousands of people. I probably will.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 08, 2022, 06:27:27 AM
Yeah this world cup sucks, blah blah

So shall we make a pool?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 08, 2022, 08:12:36 AM
My first world cup was USA 94. I was a little kid. Fond memories of the US qualifying from the group stage. And Baggio blowing it for Italy  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 08, 2022, 08:17:27 AM
I'm sure its not just me getting older when I say the world cup and the euros just don't feel as special as they once did.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 08, 2022, 09:56:48 AM
Quote from: Josquius on November 08, 2022, 08:17:27 AMI'm sure its not just me getting older when I say the world cup and the euros just don't feel as special as they once did.

Not just age, but age certainly plays a part.  :P Plus the upcoming tournament, way worse than usual.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 08, 2022, 03:01:38 PM
Quote from: Josquius on November 08, 2022, 08:17:27 AMI'm sure its not just me getting older when I say the world cup and the euros just don't feel as special as they once did.
I feel so gutted for the Welsh at their first World Cup since 1958 - and some banging versions of Yma o Hyd on the route to qualification plus Michael Sheen - and it's for this tawdry shower :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 08, 2022, 03:11:29 PM
My biggest problem with the WC this year is this is a very underwhelming USA team. They have 0-3 written all over them. And France has not exactly covered themselves in glory recently either, not thinking a repeat of 2018 is likely.

I mean I will watch but I am not looking forward to it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 08, 2022, 03:13:20 PM
I dunno, I'm excited for this WC.

Almost entirely because Canada's in it, mind you.  But I think that's a good enough reason.  :Canuck:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 08, 2022, 06:50:52 PM
Blatter: Choosing Qatar is too corrupt a choice, even for me.  :lol:

QuoteSepp Blatter says choosing Qatar to host World Cup was 'a mistake'

Although the reasons he gives are...  :ph34r:

QuoteHanding the World Cup to Qatar was a "mistake" and a "bad choice" according to the former Fifa president Sepp Blatter, who has repeated claims the decision was a result of secret political pressure.

Blatter says the tournament was handed to the Gulf state because of the actions of the former Uefa president, Michel Platini, under pressure from France's then president, Nicolas Sarkozy. "For me it is clear: Qatar is a mistake. The choice was bad," Blatter told the Swiss newspaper Tages-Anzeiger. "At the time, we actually agreed in the executive committee that Russia should get the 2018 World Cup and the USA that of 2022. It would have been a gesture of peace if the two longstanding political opponents had hosted the World Cup one after the other."

Asked why Qatar was a bad choice, Blatter made no mention of the human rights concerns that have hung over the tournament, but said: "It's too small a country. Football and the World Cup are too big for that."

Blatter said that Fifa's plans were disrupted by Platini, claiming the Frenchman was instrumental in directing four votes from European countries to Qatar, after pressure from Sarkozy.

"Thanks to the four votes of Platini and his [Uefa] team, the World Cup went to Qatar rather than the United States. It's the truth," Blatter said of the 14-8 voting result against the US in the final two.

"Platini told me he had been invited to the Élysée Palace, where French president Sarkozy had just had lunch with the Crown Prince of Qatar," Blatter said. "Sarkozy said to Platini: 'See what you and your colleagues from Uefa can do for Qatar when the World Cup is awarded.' I then asked him: 'And now?'"

According to Blatter, when he queried this, Platini's response was: "'Sepp, what would you do if your president asked you for something?' I then told him that the question didn't arise for me because we don't have a president in Switzerland."

Platini was questioned by French officials in 2019 as part of an investigation into the 2022 bidding process. The former France player acknowledges that the meeting with Sarkozy took place but denies his votes were influenced.

In 2013 he told the Guardian: "I knew Sarkozy wanted the people from Qatar to buy PSG. I understood that Sarkozy supported the candidature of Qatar. But he never asked me, or to vote for Russia [for 2018]. He knows my personality. I always vote for what is good for football. Not for myself, not for France." Sarkozy has previously chosen not to comment on the World Cup allegations.

Blatter, in his first interview since he and Platini were acquitted of fraud in July – although that verdict is the subject of an appeal – also struck out against his replacement at Fifa, criticising Gianni Infantino for living in Qatar in the buildup to the tournament.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 08, 2022, 07:50:59 PM
Pulisic's no play time, his one shank when he got time, manager musical chairs, plus Chelsea's crap record have sapped my PL enthusiasm this season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 08, 2022, 08:06:45 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on November 08, 2022, 07:50:59 PMPulisic's no play time, his one shank when he got time, manager musical chairs, plus Chelsea's crap record have sapped my PL enthusiasm this season.

Chelsea in real trouble imo.

Pulisic going there might have been good in terms of medals (CL winner!) but bad for his career overall. He needs to leave to get some real playing time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 09, 2022, 05:34:54 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 08, 2022, 06:50:52 PMBlatter: Choosing Qatar is too corrupt a choice, even for me.  :lol:

QuoteSepp Blatter says choosing Qatar to host World Cup was 'a mistake'

Although the reasons he gives are...  :ph34r:

Then Blatter should give the bribes money back.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 09, 2022, 05:44:31 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 09, 2022, 05:34:54 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 08, 2022, 06:50:52 PMBlatter: Choosing Qatar is too corrupt a choice, even for me.  :lol:

QuoteSepp Blatter says choosing Qatar to host World Cup was 'a mistake'

Although the reasons he gives are...  :ph34r:

Then Blatter should give the bribes money back.  :P

Ah no see. He is actually doing the world a favour by keeping the bribes in his hands and away from the cheapskate regime that didnt give the 10 million hush clause he asked for.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 10, 2022, 12:16:49 PM
The last couple of David Squires' strips have been about the darker side of the Qatar WC. If anyone is interested:

The story of Malcolm Bidali, a Kenyan security guard and whistleblower that was imprisoned after publicising the working conditions of foreign workers in Qatar:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2022/nov/08/david-squires-on-qatar-2022-and-a-world-cup-whistleblower-story (https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2022/nov/08/david-squires-on-qatar-2022-and-a-world-cup-whistleblower-story)

The story of David, a Ghanese "invisible worker":

https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2022/nov/10/david-squires-on-qatar-2022-the-invisible-man-world-cup-story-migrant-worker (https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2022/nov/10/david-squires-on-qatar-2022-the-invisible-man-world-cup-story-migrant-worker)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 10, 2022, 05:02:42 PM
Don't worry about 2026 though. Nothing controversial could possibly happen in the United States, Canada, or Mexico before then.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 12, 2022, 09:56:53 PM

You'll never sing that,
You'll never sing that,
Top of the league during the World Cup,
You'll never sing that

 :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 14, 2022, 06:41:41 AM
Ronaldo is angy at United.

Quote'I felt betrayed': Ronaldo aims broadside at Ten Hag and Manchester United
Forward says coach and others want him out of club
'I felt betrayed and I felt like some people don't want me here'

Cristiano Ronaldo claims he has been "betrayed" by Manchester United and believes they are trying to force him out of the club.

The Portugal forward said that head coach Erik ten Hag and others want him out of Old Trafford in an excerpt of a 90-minute interview released on the Piers Morgan Uncensored Twitter feed.

When asked by Morgan if United's hierarchy were trying to force him out of the club, Ronaldo, 37, said: "Yes, not only the coach, but another two or three guys around the club. I felt betrayed."

When quizzed again if senior club executives were trying to oust him, Ronaldo said: "I don't care. People should listen to the truth.

"Yes I felt betrayed and I felt like some people don't want me here, not only this year but last year too."

The forward was banished from first-team training last month by Ten Hag and excluded from the draw at Chelsea as punishment for refusing to come on against Tottenham and walking down the tunnel before the end of the match.

He returned to the fold – and scored his third of the season – in the 3-0 Europa League victory over Sheriff and played in the subsequent Premier League games against West Ham and Aston Villa, though he was absent from the matchday squad for Sunday's game against Fulham.

When Morgan asked Ronaldo about current United boss Ten Hag, the Portuguese said: "I don't have respect for him because he doesn't show respect for me. If you don't have respect for me, I'm never gonna have respect for you."

Ronaldo was also "witheringly scornful" about former United team-mate Wayne Rooney over criticism the former had received for refusing to appear for United as a substitute during a recent game against Tottenham.

Ronaldo reportedly said: "I don't know why he criticises me so badly ... probably because he finished his career and I'm still playing at a high level. I'm not going to say that I'm looking better than him. Which is true ..."

In further clips from the interview, released by TalkTV and due to be broadcast at 8pm (GMT) on Wednesday and Thursday, Ronaldo claimed United had not progressed as a club since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013.

Ronaldo said: "I don't know what is going on but since Sir Alex Ferguson left I saw no evolution in the club, the progress was zero.

"For example, we have an interesting point that how the club as Manchester United after (they) sack Ole (Gunnar Solskjaer), they buy – they bring (in), sports director Ralf Rangnick, which is something that nobody understands.

"This guy is not even a coach. A bigger club like Manchester United brings (a) sports director – surprised not only me but all the world, you know.

"Nothing changed. Surprisingly. Not only the pool, the jacuzzi, even the gym ... Even some points, the technology, the kitchen, the chefs, which is, I appreciate, lovely persons.

"They stopped in a time, which surprised me a lot. I thought I will see different things ... different, as I mentioned before, technology, infrastructure. But unfortunately, we see many things that I used to see when I was 20, 21, 23. So, it surprised me a lot."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 14, 2022, 09:15:48 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 14, 2022, 06:41:41 AMRonaldo is angy at United.

QuoteRonaldo reportedly said: "I don't know why he criticises me so badly ... probably because he finished his career and I'm still playing at a high level. I'm not going to say that I'm looking better than him. Which is true ..."


:lol:

I have to say, though, it seems like he has had a terrible year personally and professionally so, on a human level, I hope he gets the support he needs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 15, 2022, 08:11:36 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 10, 2022, 12:16:49 PMThe last couple of David Squires' strips have been about the darker side of the Qatar WC. If anyone is interested:

The story of Malcolm Bidali, a Kenyan security guard and whistleblower that was imprisoned after publicising the working conditions of foreign workers in Qatar:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2022/nov/08/david-squires-on-qatar-2022-and-a-world-cup-whistleblower-story (https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2022/nov/08/david-squires-on-qatar-2022-and-a-world-cup-whistleblower-story)

The story of David, a Ghanese "invisible worker":

https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2022/nov/10/david-squires-on-qatar-2022-the-invisible-man-world-cup-story-migrant-worker (https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2022/nov/10/david-squires-on-qatar-2022-the-invisible-man-world-cup-story-migrant-worker)


Today's story is about Rupchandra Rumba, a Nepalese construction worker that died because of Qatar's extreme heat.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2022/nov/15/david-squires-on-a-qatar-world-cup-workers-death-by-natural-causes (https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2022/nov/15/david-squires-on-a-qatar-world-cup-workers-death-by-natural-causes)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 16, 2022, 06:46:33 AM
Never change, Louis  :lol:

QuoteVan Gaal: "I am the one who decided the squad numbers this time and they are based on the age of the players."

• You are joking right?

Van Gaal: "No. I don't make jokes during a press conference. It's based on their age."

To his credit he also stated the WC shouldn't be in Qatar and fans are right to boycott it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 16, 2022, 06:59:59 AM
I slightly wonder if Qatar is regretting this? Seems to me that sportswashing only works when no-one's noticing - e.g. arguably Man City and PSG before the Qatar World Cup and Saudi takeover of Newcastle made everyone pay more attention/think more about what's going on.

Just looking at the news today the Guardian has a story about Qatari officials trying to stop a Danish broadcast and threatening to break their camera (all recorded) which the World Cup organisers have now apologised for. There's a story about Qatar physically abusing gay Qataris and then recruiting them to act as agents to track down other bits of Qatar's LGBT scene, as well as the story of a trans woman who was kept in solitary confinement for two months, severely beaten and not given medical help.

Even in my world, I saw today that several European data protection regulators have issued statements telling fans going to Qatar not to download any official apps because the ones they've looked at have serious privacy and security concerns (not necessarily a surprise given how, as the Pegasus project revealed, Gulf States are massive purchasers of spyware).

I hope the media doesn't let the football stop reporting these types of stories.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 16, 2022, 07:10:43 AM
Quote from: Maladict on November 16, 2022, 06:46:33 AMNever change, Louis  :lol:

QuoteVan Gaal: "I am the one who decided the squad numbers this time and they are based on the age of the players."

• You are joking right?

Van Gaal: "No. I don't make jokes during a press conference. It's based on their age."

To his credit he also stated the WC shouldn't be in Qatar and fans are right to boycott it.

What happens if players have the same age? 24a and 24b? :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 16, 2022, 07:15:16 AM
Quote from: Maladict on November 16, 2022, 06:46:33 AMNever change, Louis  :lol:



To his credit he also stated the WC shouldn't be in Qatar and fans are right to boycott it.

That's much more than can be said for Deschamps, Lloris, not to mention the president of the FFF, the infamous Noël Le Graet.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on November 16, 2022, 07:17:06 AM
There was a thread on German subreddit from a Scotsman who took part in a local pub's World Cup game (you pay 1 GBP, draw a participating team from the hat, and whoever has the winner takes the pot home). He drew Germany and asked if they stood any chance in the tournament.

About 2/3 - 3/4 of replies were variations on "World Cup? What World Cup?" And "World Cup? It's Winter. There's no World Cups in Winter." With a few saying, "Oh, there's not been any World Cups since 2014, as far as we're aware." :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 16, 2022, 07:22:58 AM
Quote from: Syt on November 16, 2022, 07:17:06 AMAbout 2/3 - 3/4 of replies were variations on "World Cup? What World Cup?" And "World Cup? It's Winter. There's no World Cups in Winter." With a few saying, "Oh, there's not been any World Cups since 2014, as far as we're aware." :P

Which is hillarious considering that so many fans and pundits consider Germany a perennial candidate for the trophy.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 16, 2022, 09:46:20 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on November 16, 2022, 06:59:59 AMI slightly wonder if Qatar is regretting this? Seems to me that sportswashing only works when no-one's noticing - e.g. arguably Man City and PSG before the Qatar World Cup and Saudi takeover of Newcastle made everyone pay more attention/think more about what's going on.

Just looking at the news today the Guardian has a story about Qatari officials trying to stop a Danish broadcast and threatening to break their camera (all recorded) which the World Cup organisers have now apologised for. There's a story about Qatar physically abusing gay Qataris and then recruiting them to act as agents to track down other bits of Qatar's LGBT scene, as well as the story of a trans woman who was kept in solitary confinement for two months, severely beaten and not given medical help.

Even in my world, I saw today that several European data protection regulators have issued statements telling fans going to Qatar not to download any official apps because the ones they've looked at have serious privacy and security concerns (not necessarily a surprise given how, as the Pegasus project revealed, Gulf States are massive purchasers of spyware).

I hope the media doesn't let the football stop reporting these types of stories.

I have to suspect with Qatar a big part of what they're hoping to achieve is the world realising they exist. So mission accomplished there even if many in the west realise they exist and they're horrid.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on November 16, 2022, 10:02:11 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 16, 2022, 07:22:58 AMWhich is hillarious considering that so many fans and pundits consider Germany a perennial candidate for the trophy.  :P

Often not quite justified (and yet still sometimes advancing quite far, but not so much luck in recent years if I look at the results since 2000 ... I haven't really followed the team for a while now, though; used to be I wouldn't miss a match of theirs, and keep Saturdays free to watch Bundesliga - turning more and more into my dad who ranted in the 90s that the sport he used to love had been ruined by BIG MONEY(TM), turning players into spoiled millionaires ... and the 90s look quite tame in that regard in hindsight :D ).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 17, 2022, 06:51:51 AM
You guys watch the FIFA doc on Netflix. Starts off slowly but eps. 3 and 4 are well worth it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on November 17, 2022, 10:00:44 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on November 16, 2022, 06:59:59 AMI slightly wonder if Qatar is regretting this? Seems to me that sportswashing only works when no-one's noticing - e.g. arguably Man City and PSG before the Qatar World Cup and Saudi takeover of Newcastle made everyone pay more attention/think more about what's going on.


They definately are - and very angry at teh coverage. We may be seeing this through western tinted spectacles though. Not sure if the bad publicity is worldwide.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 17, 2022, 12:11:31 PM
Quote from: Gups on November 17, 2022, 10:00:44 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on November 16, 2022, 06:59:59 AMI slightly wonder if Qatar is regretting this? Seems to me that sportswashing only works when no-one's noticing - e.g. arguably Man City and PSG before the Qatar World Cup and Saudi takeover of Newcastle made everyone pay more attention/think more about what's going on.


They definately are - and very angry at teh coverage. We may be seeing this through western tinted spectacles though. Not sure if the bad publicity is worldwide.

For what it's worth, Le Monde says it's mostly a European phenomenon, possibly shared by North America (excluding Mexico).

QuoteMondial 2022 au Qatar : l'indignation de l'Occident ne s'étend pas au reste du monde
Très présentes en Europe, la défiance et les critiques à l'encontre du pays hôte de la Coupe du monde ont bien moins d'écho dans le reste du monde.

https://www.lemonde.fr/sport/article/2022/11/14/mondial-2022-au-qatar-des-polemiques-a-geographie-variable_6149710_3242.html (https://www.lemonde.fr/sport/article/2022/11/14/mondial-2022-au-qatar-des-polemiques-a-geographie-variable_6149710_3242.html)

From Le Monde's once extensive network abroad of journalists.
QuotePar Eric Albert(Londres, correspondance), Lilia Blaise(Tunis, correspondance), Isabelle Dellerba(Sydney, correspondance), Flora Genoux(Buenos Aires, correspondante), Ghazal Golshiri, Anne-Françoise Hivert(Malmö (Suède), correspondante régionale), Marine Jeannin(Abidjan, correspondance), Aude Lasjaunias, Philippe Mesmer(Tokyo, correspondance), Théa Ollivier( Dakar, correspondance) et Thomas Wieder(Berlin, correspondant)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 17, 2022, 12:33:24 PM
Any of our Iberian posters care to have a quick google of latin american news?

I decided to have a quick Japanese google, oh how I miss their unchanging vintage websites, and, well....

https://www.nhk.or.jp/kaisetsu-blog/100/476364.html


google translated:

QuoteAwareness of human rights required for the opening of the soccer World Cup
Only five days left until the start of the World Cup Qatar, a football festival held once every four years. Interest in the tournament, which is said to be watched by 3.5 billion people around the world, is growing in Japan and other countries, but on the other hand, there are persistent voices, mainly in Europe, that are critical of Qatar's holding on the grounds of human rights issues. Think about sports and human rights before the opening of the World Cup.

The Middle East's first football World Cup will be held on the 20th of this month, with 32 representatives competing from the dawn of the 21st Japan time to the 18th of next month. Usually, the tournament is held from June to July when the major European leagues are off season, and the Japan-Korea tournament 20 years ago was held from the end of May to the end of June. However, in Qatar, which is located in the desert region of the Middle East, it is not uncommon for the temperature to exceed 40 degrees Celsius in June and July, which is dangerous not only for the players but also for the spectators, so the tournament was held from November to December. In addition, a cooling system has been installed in the stadium as a countermeasure against the heat, and the organizing committee of the tournament is appealing that it is the world's first comfortable tournament with air conditioning.

However, as the opening draws near, there is a growing movement in Europe to oppose the holding of the games in Qatar.

In France, major cities such as Paris, Marseille and Lyon have canceled public viewings, and some newspapers have announced that they will not be covering the World Cup.
In Spain, Barcelona announced the cancellation of public viewing.
Some sports bars in Germany and Belgium have also announced that they will no longer broadcast matches. Football is Europe's most popular sport, and the suspension of public viewings is unusual.

The reason why I don't watch my favorite soccer is a human rights issue.

<snip>
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 17, 2022, 12:50:24 PM
Quote from: Gups on November 17, 2022, 10:00:44 AMThey definately are - and very angry at teh coverage. We may be seeing this through western tinted spectacles though. Not sure if the bad publicity is worldwide.
For sure on some points. I've certainly seen coverage of some of the human  rights issues in the Latin American press, but half the Brazil team seem to back Bolsonaro so I think it all resonates differently by country and society.

Having said that I think the sense that it is a uniquely corrupt and bought World Cup is more pervasive. It is a tiny country that had basically no football infrastructure or history - I think that aspect of the weirdness of Qatar hosting is probably universal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 17, 2022, 12:56:49 PM
Quote from: Josquius on November 16, 2022, 09:46:20 AMAny of our Iberian posters care to have a quick google of latin american news?

I decided to have a quick Japanese google, oh how I miss their unchanging vintage websites, and, well....

https://www.nhk.or.jp/kaisetsu-blog/100/476364.html


google translated:

QuoteAwareness of human rights required for the opening of the soccer World Cup


Only five days left until the start of the World Cup Qatar, a football festival held once every four years. Interest in the tournament, which is said to be watched by 3.5 billion people around the world, is growing in Japan and other countries, but on the other hand, there are persistent voices, mainly in Europe, that are critical of Qatar's holding on the grounds of human rights issues. Think about sports and human rights before the opening of the World Cup.

The Middle East's first football World Cup will be held on the 20th of this month, with 32 representatives competing from the dawn of the 21st Japan time to the 18th of next month. Usually, the tournament is held from June to July when the major European leagues are off season, and the Japan-Korea tournament 20 years ago was held from the end of May to the end of June. However, in Qatar, which is located in the desert region of the Middle East, it is not uncommon for the temperature to exceed 40 degrees Celsius in June and July, which is dangerous not only for the players but also for the spectators, so the tournament was held from November to December. In addition, a cooling system has been installed in the stadium as a countermeasure against the heat, and the organizing committee of the tournament is appealing that it is the world's first comfortable tournament with air conditioning.

However, as the opening draws near, there is a growing movement in Europe to oppose the holding of the games in Qatar.

In France, major cities such as Paris, Marseille and Lyon have canceled public viewings, and some newspapers have announced that they will not be covering the World Cup.
In Spain, Barcelona announced the cancellation of public viewing.
Some sports bars in Germany and Belgium have also announced that they will no longer broadcast matches. Football is Europe's most popular sport, and the suspension of public viewings is unusual.

The reason why I don't watch my favorite soccer is a human rights issue.

<snip>

Seems close enough to what I see A Folha de São Paulo, one of the references of Brazilian press. They do mention the controversy and scandals, a bit buried in their coverage of A Copa do Mundo

https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/esporte/2022/11/depois-de-12-anos-de-criticas-e-denuncias-o-qatar-realiza-sua-copa-do-mundo.shtml (https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/esporte/2022/11/depois-de-12-anos-de-criticas-e-denuncias-o-qatar-realiza-sua-copa-do-mundo.shtml)

After 12 years of criticism and extremely negative reports (denunciations literaly) Qatar organises its Wahhabi World Cup

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folha_de_S.Paulo (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folha_de_S.Paulo)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 17, 2022, 01:19:23 PM
Making the rounds on socials now that Qatar have bribed the Ecuadorian players to throw the opening match on Sunday.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 17, 2022, 01:28:03 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on November 16, 2022, 06:59:59 AMI hope the media doesn't let the football stop reporting these types of stories.

I feel like there's a pattern of reporting before any major international sporting event.  There are no actual sporting results to report on, so everything is doom and gloom about how terrible the event is going to be, often because of the host country.  I can particularly remember such reporting before the last world cup in Russia (and before that the Winter Olympics), the Brazil 2016 Olympics, Brazil 2014 World Cup...

Then the event will occur, all the reporting will be about the event itself and about how wonderful it all is.

Then a couple of years later the reporting trickles out about how absurdly expensive the event was, how the venues are going unused and crumbling, the terrible social cost of the event...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 17, 2022, 01:42:08 PM
Not convinced by the "blame the media" argument. Germany 2006 got no such coverage, same for France 1998. The Far East WC in 2002 got some criticism but only during the tournament for the pro-Korean refereeing.  :P  The Euro 2016 got some bad coverage for the poor weather and hooligans in the beginning.
Now the senseless Euro 2020 in 2021, all over UEFA lands, got some justified criticism.

Now Mexico '86 got heavy criticism for the organisation during the event, with some severe broadcasting problems for abroad. It was a last hour replacement for Colombia, however.

The level of criticism Russia got in 2018, exagerated if not false, as in e.g Russian hooligans going to assault foreign fans ,  is nowhere near what the Wahhabi cup gets this year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on November 17, 2022, 01:44:11 PM
Mexico also suffered an extremely devastating earthquake in the run up to the '86 WC, IIRC.

EDIT: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1985_Mexico_City_earthquake
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on November 17, 2022, 02:14:34 PM
When the tournament was awarded to Qatar I intellectually wanted to "boycott" it but doubted I'd have the will power to do so as I love world cups more than anything else.

Now it's about to start, I find I have no interest in it. Maybe that will change when the football starts.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 17, 2022, 04:02:22 PM
Quote from: Barrister on November 17, 2022, 01:28:03 PMI feel like there's a pattern of reporting before any major international sporting event.  There are no actual sporting results to report on, so everything is doom and gloom about how terrible the event is going to be, often because of the host country.  I can particularly remember such reporting before the last world cup in Russia (and before that the Winter Olympics), the Brazil 2016 Olympics, Brazil 2014 World Cup...

Then the event will occur, all the reporting will be about the event itself and about how wonderful it all is.

Then a couple of years later the reporting trickles out about how absurdly expensive the event was, how the venues are going unused and crumbling, the terrible social cost of the event...
I think in the UK there is a sense of remorse about how Russia was covered - because you're absolutely right. There was lots of coverage beforehand but once it started everyone got into it. It helps that it was a really good World Cup. I think there's a bit of introspection from commentators etc and a desire not to stop talking about other issues.

I think Qatar is different. For all of the issues with Russia - it's a country with lots of football stadiums and real football history/heritage. The problems were political but on a purely sporting level Russia can make as legitimate a bid to host a major tournament as anyone. With Qatar none of that is true.

The other issue is that I think for European nations, at least, there has been a sea change in attitudes from the players. In party I think it was BLM, but also the Euros when we saw players from a number of teams making statements around LGBT+ issues or wearing rainbow armbands. Even just at the ambient level I've read many footballers are really big fans of and inspired by the NBA (and most leagues in Europe see the NBA as a model). I think the NBA is probably the most political big sports league and has, historically, encouraged players making statements (as long as they're not about China, peerhaps). I think that's creating a clash where the most mercenary/"keep politics out of sport" governing bodies are running a sport whose stars are increasingly politicised/political. I don't think they'll all turn into Leon Goretzka but I think there's a chunk who are increasingly behaving that way and seeing that as part of their role.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 17, 2022, 04:23:09 PM
The thing is I don't think this world cup is going to be very good. Supposedly, teams aren't going to be pressing as hard or running as much because of the heat. We might see a lot of teams face each other and just sit back and defend ( at least, more than usual for international tournament football  :lol: ). Lots of draws or scrappy 1-0s.

So if the football sucks that just leaves the politics and social criticism left to talk about :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on November 17, 2022, 04:33:11 PM
We already talked about Infantino's "let's have no fighting during the World Cup, football brings people together" thing, right?

At best it comes across as incredibly self-centred and naive.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 17, 2022, 04:34:53 PM
Quote from: Josquius on November 17, 2022, 12:33:24 PMAny of our Iberian posters care to have a quick google of latin american news?

I decided to have a quick Japanese google, oh how I miss their unchanging vintage websites, and, well....

https://www.nhk.or.jp/kaisetsu-blog/100/476364.html


... is that like an actual news corporation? Website is a geocities nostalgics wet dream :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 17, 2022, 04:38:13 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 17, 2022, 04:34:53 PM
Quote from: Josquius on November 17, 2022, 12:33:24 PMAny of our Iberian posters care to have a quick google of latin american news?

I decided to have a quick Japanese google, oh how I miss their unchanging vintage websites, and, well....

https://www.nhk.or.jp/kaisetsu-blog/100/476364.html


... is that like an actual news corporation? Website is a geocities nostalgics wet dream :D

NHK.
Basically Japanese BBC.
You should see some of the local government sites :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 17, 2022, 04:42:08 PM
Wonder why that is, just checked some Korean websites and they look "normal"

@Funk they're going to have giant open air AC units that apparently work pretty well, so won't be that hot. So games might suck, but heat shouldn't be an issue.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 17, 2022, 04:50:32 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 17, 2022, 04:42:08 PMWonder why that is, just checked some Korean websites and they look "normal"

.

A topic I've thought of in some way looking towards with a PhD.

My theory is its to do with the way the Japanese language functions, being written language first rather than just writing as a way to write the spoken language. Lots of meaning in a few characters.
But then that doesn't explain why everything is so shit around the text heavy site. I wonder if the gerontocracy comes into play with Web designers too.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 17, 2022, 04:58:45 PM
Japan is a country that still uses fax machines extensively and does lots of bureaucracy on pen and paper. Their backwardness on web design is just another example of this.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 17, 2022, 05:14:19 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 17, 2022, 01:19:23 PMMaking the rounds on socials now that Qatar have bribed the Ecuadorian players to throw the opening match on Sunday.

Apparently it all comes back to one tweet by a fellow named Amjad Taha.  He's a Blue Check on Twitter (for whatever that's worth these days) but no idea why he alone would find out about this bribery scandal.

https://twitter.com/amjadt25/status/1593271354803032064

The story has been picked up by media outlets, but the only source given is this Tweet.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 18, 2022, 06:33:34 AM
Qatar officials have decided there will be no alcohol in or around the stadiums, two days before the WC starts. I'm sure Budweiser will be thrilled to hear this  :lol:

An exception will be made for the VIP section, otherwise FIFA would lose all credibility as a corrupt organisation.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 18, 2022, 06:41:41 AM
I was coming to post the same thing.

QuoteQatar bans beer from World Cup stadiums after 11th-hour U-turn

Quote from: Maladict on November 18, 2022, 06:33:34 AMI'm sure Budweiser will be thrilled to hear this

QuoteFifa confirms move as official beer brand says: 'This is awkward'
Budweiser likely to regard step as a major breach of contract

I'm sure that fans will love it too. How many beer-starved Brits will be there? Can we expect riots?  :P

Edit: There's a silver lining, though.

Quote"There is no impact to the sale of Bud Zero, which will remain available at all Qatar's World Cup stadiums."

Surely that's a destiny worse than death.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on November 18, 2022, 06:52:13 AM
Didn't FIFA lobby Brazil to change their laws that prohibited alcohol in stadiums (which Brazil had introduced to curb fan violence)?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 18, 2022, 06:56:19 AM
Has there ever been an opening game where more people couldn't point to either side on a map?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 18, 2022, 06:57:18 AM
Quote from: Syt on November 18, 2022, 06:52:13 AMDidn't FIFA lobby Brazil to change their laws that prohibited alcohol in stadiums (which Brazil had introduced to curb fan violence)?

I guess some hosts are easier to bully than others.

Or maybe Qatar offered to pay whatever compensation Budweiser will ask from FIFA.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on November 18, 2022, 07:07:53 AM
Out of curiosity I had a look what DAZN is doing the next few weeks (they cover part of German Bundesliga here, Seria A, La Liga, Ligue 1, parts of the Eeredivise, I think?

Anyways, they have riveting program tomorrow. Friendly matches:
Sweden - Algeria
Estonia - Lithuania
Latvia - Iceland
Turkey - Czech Rep
Gibraltar - Andorra
Kosovo - Faroe Islands
Albania - Armenia

They also have two matches from the EFL, and one from the women's league in Spain.

Kinda curious to watch Gibraltar v. Andorra :lol: (not gonna sub for it, though :P )
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 18, 2022, 07:25:45 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 18, 2022, 06:57:18 AMOr maybe Qatar offered to pay whatever compensation Budweiser will ask from FIFA.

Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if that was the plan all along. A few million more doesn't matter to Qatar, and they get to push back against the slave labor obsessed westerners.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 18, 2022, 07:27:49 AM
On non-WC news...

QuoteManchester United to sue Cristiano Ronaldo and ban him over interview

Club allege breach of contract over comments in interview
Ronaldo told not to return to training base after World Cup

Manchester United have appointed lawyers to sue Cristiano Ronaldo for alleged breach of contract after claims made by the forward in a recent interview, with the club seeking a swift resolution to the issue.

It means Ronaldo will almost certainly never play for United again and it is understood the 37-year-old has been instructed not to return to the club's Carrington training base after his participation with Portugal in the World Cup in Qatar.

When speaking to Piers Morgan on Talk TV Ronaldo made a series of allegations about United. These included that he is being forced out by the club, that senior executives lacked empathy after his newborn son died in April, that the owners, the Glazer family, do not care about the club, and that the manager, Erik ten Hag, does not respect him.

On Friday a club statement said: "Manchester United has this morning initiated appropriate steps in response to Cristiano Ronaldo's recent media interview. We will not be making further comment until this process reaches its conclusion."

Ronaldo's contract is worth about £500,000 a-week and expires in July. United had no prior knowledge of the interview given by Ronaldo, who wanted to leave in the summer. He is due to arrive in Doha on Friday at 11pm local time with the Portugal squadbefore the team's first training session on Saturday afternoon.

Ronaldo is in his second spell at United after a supremely successful six years that ended in 2009 with his having won three Premier Leagues, the FA Cup, two League Cups, the Champions League and the Ballon d'Or. His individual contribution made him a hero for United fans and ranked him among the club's greatest players.

Ronaldo's return in summer 2021 was greeted ecstatically by supporters and hailed as a coup by Ten Hag's predecessor, Ole Gunnar Solskjær. But in going public with his claims against United Ronaldo has seriously damaged this standing and status.

This followed his walking out before the end of the July friendly with Rayo Vallecano and October's 2-0 league win over Tottenham. Despite this Ten Hag made Ronaldo captain for the 3-1 loss at Aston Villa on 6 November. It seems this will be his final appearance for the club.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 18, 2022, 07:31:31 AM
Quote from: Syt on November 18, 2022, 07:07:53 AMOut of curiosity I had a look what DAZN is doing the next few weeks (they cover part of German Bundesliga here, Seria A, La Liga, Ligue 1, parts of the Eeredivise, I think?

Anyways, they have riveting program tomorrow. Friendly matches:
Sweden - Algeria
Estonia - Lithuania
Latvia - Iceland
Turkey - Czech Rep
Gibraltar - Andorra
Kosovo - Faroe Islands
Albania - Armenia

They also have two matches from the EFL, and one from the women's league in Spain.

Kinda curious to watch Gibraltar v. Andorra :lol: (not gonna sub for it, though :P )

Is there some kinda "yeah well we didn't wanna be in your tournament anyway" micro nation Cup going on?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 18, 2022, 07:32:59 AM
Btw, I recently read that Infantino actually lives in Qatar. Is Switzerland losing the global battle for amoral heads of private sports bodies?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 18, 2022, 07:36:13 AM
Quote from: Syt on November 18, 2022, 06:52:13 AMDidn't FIFA lobby Brazil to change their laws that prohibited alcohol in stadiums (which Brazil had introduced to curb fan violence)?
Yeah - they also got changes to Russian policing on their stadiums. I don't think it's normally lobbying but a condition of hosting.

I thought it was one of those things - maybe like the Olympics? - where, technically, for the duration of the tournament the stadiums are not really subject to national law but basically the laws of "Fifaland"/the IOC.

QuoteIs there some kinda "yeah well we didn't wanna be in your tournament anyway" micro nation Cup going on?
Yeah I'd not thought of it but presumably the interruption to domestic seasons still applies to countries/players who haven't qualified so I suppose they need to do something to fill the time?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: garbon on November 18, 2022, 07:36:49 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 18, 2022, 06:57:18 AM
Quote from: Syt on November 18, 2022, 06:52:13 AMDidn't FIFA lobby Brazil to change their laws that prohibited alcohol in stadiums (which Brazil had introduced to curb fan violence)?

I guess some hosts are easier to bully than others.

Or maybe Qatar offered to pay whatever compensation Budweiser will ask from FIFA.

I feel like 'bully' is strange terminology to use when talking about Qatar.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 18, 2022, 07:41:46 AM
Quote from: garbon on November 18, 2022, 07:36:49 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 18, 2022, 06:57:18 AM
Quote from: Syt on November 18, 2022, 06:52:13 AMDidn't FIFA lobby Brazil to change their laws that prohibited alcohol in stadiums (which Brazil had introduced to curb fan violence)?

I guess some hosts are easier to bully than others.

Or maybe Qatar offered to pay whatever compensation Budweiser will ask from FIFA.

I feel like 'bully' is strange terminology to use when talking about Qatar.

Well, this might be a first in this time it being the host bullying FIFA, rather than the other way around.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on November 18, 2022, 07:58:58 AM
DAZN here has a lot of League One games along with the international friendlies.

And also, the NFL.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 18, 2022, 08:06:15 AM
Over here only the 1st division will stop. 2nd division and everything downwards continues as usual.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 18, 2022, 08:09:25 AM
Qatar is altering the deal. Fifa should pray Qatar doesn't alter it further.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 18, 2022, 08:15:03 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 18, 2022, 08:09:25 AMQatar is altering the deal. Fifa should pray Qatar doesn't alter it further.
That's the point Daniel Storey made - the pitch of the "fan experience" in this World Cup was get to the stadium early, have a drink with friends and watch the game.

Qatar are changing what the fan experience will be two days before the tournament starts. Just have to hope it's the only thing they change.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 18, 2022, 08:18:38 AM
The fans should consider getting out without being jailed for something perfectly legal in their home country enough to consider the trip a success.

I am starting to think this is going to be the best WC ever due to the massive schadenfreude factor.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on November 18, 2022, 08:35:40 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 18, 2022, 07:58:58 AMDAZN here has a lot of League One games along with the international friendlies.

And also, the NFL.

They do here, too, (plus NBA, and some other sports) but I was specifically at the soccer-football schedule.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 18, 2022, 09:11:29 AM
Quote from: Maladict on November 18, 2022, 06:33:34 AMQatar officials have decided there will be no alcohol in or around the stadiums, two days before the WC starts. I'm sure Budweiser will be thrilled to hear this  :lol:

An exception will be made for the VIP section, otherwise FIFA would lose all credibility as a corrupt organisation.

The rich get to drink as usual, unsurprisingly.
OTOH, who the hell goes to Qatar without deep pockets? We are not talking about World Cup as in Russia where 50 € could get you a bus ticket from Warsaw to Moscow, and reasonables prices outside of St-Petersburg and Moscow (these 2 big cities required some local knowledge as in where is the hypermarket for cheap beer?).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 18, 2022, 09:12:14 AM
Quote from: Syt on November 18, 2022, 07:07:53 AMOut of curiosity I had a look what DAZN is doing the next few weeks (they cover part of German Bundesliga here, Seria A, La Liga, Ligue 1, parts of the Eeredivise, I think?

Anyways, they have riveting program tomorrow. Friendly matches:
Sweden - Algeria
Estonia - Lithuania
Latvia - Iceland
Turkey - Czech Rep
Gibraltar - Andorra
Kosovo - Faroe Islands
Albania - Armenia

They also have two matches from the EFL, and one from the women's league in Spain.

Kinda curious to watch Gibraltar v. Andorra :lol: (not gonna sub for it, though :P )

No mention of the Portugal-Nigeria friendly?!

Monstrous!  :mad:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 18, 2022, 09:55:04 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 18, 2022, 09:11:29 AM
Quote from: Maladict on November 18, 2022, 06:33:34 AMQatar officials have decided there will be no alcohol in or around the stadiums, two days before the WC starts. I'm sure Budweiser will be thrilled to hear this  :lol:

An exception will be made for the VIP section, otherwise FIFA would lose all credibility as a corrupt organisation.

The rich get to drink as usual, unsurprisingly.
OTOH, who the hell goes to Qatar without deep pockets? We are not talking about World Cup as in Russia where 50 € could get you a bus ticket from Warsaw to Moscow, and reasonables prices outside of St-Petersburg and Moscow (these 2 big cities required some local knowledge as in where is the hypermarket for cheap beer?).

You can go to Qatar for free as long as you don't have any self-respect.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 18, 2022, 10:26:44 AM
Quote from: Maladict on November 18, 2022, 09:55:04 AMYou can go to Qatar for free as long as you don't have any self-respect.

Not enough, plenty of such people stranded here.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 18, 2022, 06:43:04 PM
Quote from: Maladict on November 18, 2022, 09:55:04 AMYou can go to Qatar for free as long as you don't have any self-respect.

But you won't be receiving any spending money now: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/nov/18/fans-paid-to-attend-world-cup-by-qatar-have-daily-allowance-cancelled
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 19, 2022, 05:55:13 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 17, 2022, 04:23:09 PMThe thing is I don't think this world cup is going to be very good. Supposedly, teams aren't going to be pressing as hard or running as much because of the heat. We might see a lot of teams face each other and just sit back and defend ( at least, more than usual for international tournament football  :lol: ). Lots of draws or scrappy 1-0s.

So if the football sucks that just leaves the politics and social criticism left to talk about :hmm:

Isn't the whole thing supposed to be in AC stadiums?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 19, 2022, 05:57:40 AM
The issue with this is the about face, not that they're not selling beer. British fans would be used to that, as I beleive in British stadiums you can't drink at your seat. In other European countries, like France,  you can't drink at all.

Also the rioting British fans have primarily been people outside the stadium anyway, and my guess is most hooligans won't be making the trip to Qatar.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on November 19, 2022, 06:09:23 AM
Infantino brings out the good ol' Whataboutism

https://news.sky.com/story/fifa-chief-gianni-infantino-hits-out-at-qatar-criticism-saying-european-countries-should-instead-be-apologising-for-the-next-3000-years-12750765

QuoteFIFA chief Gianni Infantino hits out at Qatar criticism saying European countries should instead 'be apologising for the next 3,000 years'

The footballing boss tells Sky News he feels "200% in control" of the competition as he downplays the eleventh-hour U-turn by the authorities to ban the sale of booze at all stadiums and insists guarantees made by the regime on people's security is secure.

The president of football's international governing body FIFA says the West should not criticise Qatar's hosting of the World Cup - adding that European nations should instead apologise for their own histories.

Gianni Infantino said critics were in no position "to give moral lessons to people" at a news conference to mark the opening of the tournament.

The small Middle Eastern nation has come under fire for its treatment of migrant workers and its attitude to LBGTQ+ rights.

The abrupt, eleventh-hour decision by the Qatar authorities to ban the sale of booze at all stadiums has also raised concerns about guarantees given on bigger. more significant issues.

But defending the host nation, Infantino said: "For what we Europeans have been doing around the world in the last 3,000 years we should be apologising for the next 3,000 years before starting to give moral lessons to people.

"How many of these European or Western business companies who earn millions from Qatar, billions, how many of them have addressed migrant workers' rights with the authorities?

"None of them, because if you change the legislation it means less profit. But we did, and FIFA generates much less than any of these companies from Qatar."

He added: "Today I feel Qatari. Today I feel Arabic. Today I feel African. Today I feel gay. Today I feel disabled. Today I feel (like) a migrant worker.

"Of course I am not Qatari, I am not an Arab, I am not African, I am not gay, I am not disabled.

"But I feel like it, because I know what it means to be discriminated, to be bullied, as a foreigner in a foreign country.

"As a child I was bullied - because I had red hair and freckles, plus I was Italian so imagine.

"What do you do then? You try to engage, make friends.

"Don't start accusing, fighting, insulting, you start engaging.

"And this is what we should be doing."

Despite Qatar's last-minute U-turn on selling alcohol at the tournament's eight stadiums and the implications this could have for other assurances made, Infantino told Sky News: "I feel 200% in control of this World Cup, absolutely."

Read more:
Qatar World Cup: Nine stories to watch out for

He also moved to downplay the about-turn, pointing out similar bans were in force at stadiums in Scotland, France and Spain.

Infantino said: "I think it's never too late to change. Maybe we will have to do other changes in between on other topics, I don't know.

"But when it comes to the security of people, you spoke about LGBT, everyone's security is guaranteed, from the highest level of the country. This is the guarantee that we gave and we stick to it."

Qatar's 'kafala system' is a set of labour laws which allow Qatari individuals or businesses to confiscate workers' passports and stop them leaving the country.

Human rights groups say this has given developers free rein to exploit them - exposing them to gruelling working conditions for little pay and not allowing them to go home until projects materialise.

There have been reports of migrant worker deaths that range from a few dozen to several thousand in the 12 years of preparation for the tournament.

Qatar's Sharia law means same-sex sexual activity has punishments ranging from seven years in jail to death by stoning.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 19, 2022, 06:42:18 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 19, 2022, 05:55:13 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 17, 2022, 04:23:09 PMThe thing is I don't think this world cup is going to be very good. Supposedly, teams aren't going to be pressing as hard or running as much because of the heat. We might see a lot of teams face each other and just sit back and defend ( at least, more than usual for international tournament football  :lol: ). Lots of draws or scrappy 1-0s.

So if the football sucks that just leaves the politics and social criticism left to talk about :hmm:

Isn't the whole thing supposed to be in AC stadiums?

Yeah, but having spent a lot of time in the middle east, you're not always in nice air-conditioned buildings. Even then, air-conditioning sometimes just brings the temperature down a little. And most of these players are transitioning from cooler weather to the Qatari desert over just the course of a week.

The heat will play a part, I think. The players won't be roasting in 115 F on the pitch but it'll still be hot.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 19, 2022, 08:06:00 AM
Quote from: Syt on November 19, 2022, 06:09:23 AMInfantino brings out the good ol' Whataboutism

https://news.sky.com/story/fifa-chief-gianni-infantino-hits-out-at-qatar-criticism-saying-european-countries-should-instead-be-apologising-for-the-next-3000-years-12750765

QuoteFIFA chief Gianni Infantino hits out at Qatar criticism saying European countries should instead 'be apologising for the next 3,000 years'

The footballing boss tells Sky News he feels "200% in control" of the competition as he downplays the eleventh-hour U-turn by the authorities to ban the sale of booze at all stadiums and insists guarantees made by the regime on people's security is secure.

The president of football's international governing body FIFA says the West should not criticise Qatar's hosting of the World Cup - adding that European nations should instead apologise for their own histories.

Gianni Infantino said critics were in no position "to give moral lessons to people" at a news conference to mark the opening of the tournament.

The small Middle Eastern nation has come under fire for its treatment of migrant workers and its attitude to LBGTQ+ rights.

The abrupt, eleventh-hour decision by the Qatar authorities to ban the sale of booze at all stadiums has also raised concerns about guarantees given on bigger. more significant issues.

But defending the host nation, Infantino said: "For what we Europeans have been doing around the world in the last 3,000 years we should be apologising for the next 3,000 years before starting to give moral lessons to people.

"How many of these European or Western business companies who earn millions from Qatar, billions, how many of them have addressed migrant workers' rights with the authorities?

"None of them, because if you change the legislation it means less profit. But we did, and FIFA generates much less than any of these companies from Qatar."

He added: "Today I feel Qatari. Today I feel Arabic. Today I feel African. Today I feel gay. Today I feel disabled. Today I feel (like) a migrant worker.

"Of course I am not Qatari, I am not an Arab, I am not African, I am not gay, I am not disabled.

"But I feel like it, because I know what it means to be discriminated, to be bullied, as a foreigner in a foreign country.

"As a child I was bullied - because I had red hair and freckles, plus I was Italian so imagine.

"What do you do then? You try to engage, make friends.

"Don't start accusing, fighting, insulting, you start engaging.

"And this is what we should be doing."

Despite Qatar's last-minute U-turn on selling alcohol at the tournament's eight stadiums and the implications this could have for other assurances made, Infantino told Sky News: "I feel 200% in control of this World Cup, absolutely."

Read more:
Qatar World Cup: Nine stories to watch out for

He also moved to downplay the about-turn, pointing out similar bans were in force at stadiums in Scotland, France and Spain.

Infantino said: "I think it's never too late to change. Maybe we will have to do other changes in between on other topics, I don't know.

"But when it comes to the security of people, you spoke about LGBT, everyone's security is guaranteed, from the highest level of the country. This is the guarantee that we gave and we stick to it."

Qatar's 'kafala system' is a set of labour laws which allow Qatari individuals or businesses to confiscate workers' passports and stop them leaving the country.

Human rights groups say this has given developers free rein to exploit them - exposing them to gruelling working conditions for little pay and not allowing them to go home until projects materialise.

There have been reports of migrant worker deaths that range from a few dozen to several thousand in the 12 years of preparation for the tournament.

Qatar's Sharia law means same-sex sexual activity has punishments ranging from seven years in jail to death by stoning.


Intersectionality and wokery at FIFA, for a Wahhabi World Cup no less, that's Infantino's style!
So much for real change.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 19, 2022, 08:28:00 AM
Intersectionality? :unsure:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 19, 2022, 08:36:51 AM
Quote from: Josquius on November 19, 2022, 08:28:00 AMIntersectionality? :unsure:
Analysis of how different aspects of an individual's identity intersect - for example class, race, sexuality, gender etc.

Edit: Not sure I see a mass of intersectional analysis going on in Infantino's performance of "I'm a bitch", but there we go.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 19, 2022, 08:41:49 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on November 19, 2022, 08:36:51 AM
Quote from: Josquius on November 19, 2022, 08:28:00 AMIntersectionality? :unsure:
Analysis of how different aspects of an individual's identity intersect - for example class, race, sexuality, gender etc.

Edit: Not sure I see a mass of intersectional analysis going on in Infantino's performance of "I'm a bitch", but there we go.

Quote"Today I feel Qatari. Today I feel Arabic. Today I feel African. Today I feel gay. Today I feel disabled. Today I feel (like) a migrant worker.

Lunatic at times, compares alcohol laws of Portugal, Spain, France and Scotland with the wahhabi emirate. :lol:
So only 0.5 % overpriced crap "beer" during the Euro in France in the stadium? Thankfully, supermarkets with a alcohol section exist in the above mention countries.




It's indeed a performance, not a convincing one, but then the whole concept is not great to begin with.

Then he goes saying he is not (no shit Sherlock!).

That's noyer le poisson in French, at best. Just thought Tyr might need some idiomatic French expressions.  :P

PS: Infantino also stated:

QuoteInfantino also maintained that any criticism of this World Cup should be directed at him and not Qatar. "You can crucify me, I'm here for that," he said. "But don't criticise Qatar. Let people enjoy this World Cup."

Not to be taken literally, of course.

Whole tirade here, by the Guardian which describes it as bizarre attack on critics:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/nov/19/fifa-gianni-infantino-world-cup-qatar (https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/nov/19/fifa-gianni-infantino-world-cup-qatar)

QuoteIncredibly, he also brushed off the ban on alcohol from stadiums introduced two days before the tournament kicks off, which on Friday sent Fifa officials and sponsors into a panic. "If this is the biggest issue we have for the World Cup then I will resign immediately and go to the beach to relax," he joked. "I think if for three hours a day you cannot drink a beer, you will survive.

"The same rules apply in France, Spain, Portugal and Scotland. Here it has become a big thing, because it is a Muslim country? I don't know why. We tried and that is why I give you the late change of policy. We tried to see if it was possible."

QuoteIncredibly, he also brushed off the ban on alcohol from stadiums introduced two days before the tournament kicks off, which on Friday sent Fifa officials and sponsors into a panic. "If this is the biggest issue we have for the World Cup then I will resign immediately and go to the beach to relax," he joked. "I think if for three hours a day you cannot drink a beer, you will survive.

"The same rules apply in France, Spain, Portugal and Scotland. Here it has become a big thing, because it is a Muslim country? I don't know why. We tried and that is why I give you the late change of policy. We tried to see if it was possible."




Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 19, 2022, 08:56:37 AM
Strange nobody posted the videos of allegedly "fake" European and South American teams fans, mostly Indian.  :D

The "Portuguese" fans do not seem to come from Goa, Daman & Diu, for some reason.  :P
The "Belgians" still think Kompany is part of the Diables Rouges.  :D
He no longers plays for the Belgian national squad.

Francophone source:
https://www.dhnet.be/sports/football/mondial-2022/2022/11/14/mondial-2022-le-qatar-soupconne-de-faire-defiler-de-faux-supporters-a-doha-NOO6LUZC7FASPBHUACHAHF34A4/ (https://www.dhnet.be/sports/football/mondial-2022/2022/11/14/mondial-2022-le-qatar-soupconne-de-faire-defiler-de-faux-supporters-a-doha-NOO6LUZC7FASPBHUACHAHF34A4/)

Reported first by the English press, but then followed by other countries' press, e.g Belgium above.

There is a real "France Football fans" from India it seems (not from Chandernagor or Pondichéry for some reason again), but the "Portuguese" fan group, while lead by a Portuguese expat in Qatar, has had some recruiting drives in India for instance.
French link:
https://www.leparisien.fr/sports/football/coupe-du-monde/video-coupe-du-monde-que-se-cache-t-il-vraiment-derriere-les-images-de-supporters-indiens-dautres-nations-au-qatar-17-11-2022-OXRWG4PASZEULPK5476HWAJYQ4.php (https://www.leparisien.fr/sports/football/coupe-du-monde/video-coupe-du-monde-que-se-cache-t-il-vraiment-derriere-les-images-de-supporters-indiens-dautres-nations-au-qatar-17-11-2022-OXRWG4PASZEULPK5476HWAJYQ4.php)
:hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 19, 2022, 11:19:55 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 19, 2022, 08:06:00 AMHe added: "Today I feel a multi-millionaire. Today I feel privileged. Today I feel rich. Today I feel lucky.

fixed his quote
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 19, 2022, 11:42:13 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 19, 2022, 11:19:55 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 19, 2022, 08:06:00 AMHe added: "Not just Today I am a multi-millionaire. Not just today I am privileged. Not just today I am rich. Not just today I am lucky.

fixed his quote

Some more editing.  :P

The anaphora gives a strong Flanby vibe (François Hollande).  :D

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on November 19, 2022, 11:54:30 AM
Fuck Infantino.

And yeah those fan groups are pretty silly.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 19, 2022, 03:23:06 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on November 19, 2022, 08:36:51 AM
Quote from: Josquius on November 19, 2022, 08:28:00 AMIntersectionality? :unsure:
Analysis of how different aspects of an individual's identity intersect - for example class, race, sexuality, gender etc.

Edit: Not sure I see a mass of intersectional analysis going on in Infantino's performance of "I'm a bitch", but there we go.

Sure. I know what it is. Not getting how it's relevant here at all.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 20, 2022, 08:38:20 AM
The world cup is on FOX here in America so we get to hear the constant refrains of "the Fifa world cup of soccer, or fútbol to the rest of the world" and Tom Brady and Terry Bradshaw telling us how many points a goal is (just one!) :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on November 20, 2022, 09:24:54 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 20, 2022, 08:38:20 AMThe world cup is on FOX here in America so we get to hear the constant refrains of "the Fifa world cup of soccer, or fútbol to the rest of the world" and Tom Brady and Terry Bradshaw telling us how many points a goal is (just one!) :bleeding:

:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 20, 2022, 10:18:02 AM
No Benzema at the Wahhabi Cup. No Boycott, no remorse for the previous blackmailing of a teammate for which he was convicted, he has an injury, following a terrific season (Ballon d'Or).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 20, 2022, 10:26:48 AM
There is however Marcel Desailly, France 1998 player and Morgan Freeman for the opening ceremony.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 20, 2022, 11:06:30 AM
Lol. Qatar not off to a great start.

*edit* or not.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 20, 2022, 11:12:23 AM
Quote from: HVC on November 20, 2022, 11:06:30 AMLol. Qatar not off to a great start.

*edit* or not.

It must be one of those special Host Country Offsides.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on November 20, 2022, 11:13:59 AM
I am totally not in world cup mood. Not even sure who is in Germany's group or who plays for the team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 20, 2022, 11:17:53 AM
Quote from: Zanza on November 20, 2022, 11:13:59 AMI am totally not in world cup mood. Not even sure who is in Germany's group or who plays for the team.

I'm watching to see Qatar humiliated. Or at least that's what I'm telling myself lol
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 20, 2022, 11:18:30 AM
Quote from: Tamas on November 20, 2022, 11:12:23 AM
Quote from: HVC on November 20, 2022, 11:06:30 AMLol. Qatar not off to a great start.

*edit* or not.

It must be one of those special Host Country Offsides.

I thought they'd do something new and bribe the team. Guess they just decided to stay with the classics.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 20, 2022, 11:21:58 AM
Quote from: HVC on November 20, 2022, 11:17:53 AMI'm watching to see Qatar humiliated. Or at least that's what I'm telling myself lol

B+ for effort. :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 20, 2022, 11:24:13 AM
An opinion I read and agree with is that as bad as this Qatar WC is from how it was awarded to how it was prepared, the world should really feel ashamed for the 2018 one. Letting Russia proceed with it after 2014 and just everyone ignoring what was going on in Ukraine at the time not to mention the Russian regime (which in a lot of ways ain't exactly better than the Qatar one) was already a low and they should have received as much criticism as Qatar has.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 20, 2022, 11:30:27 AM
Quote from: Zanza on November 20, 2022, 11:13:59 AMI am totally not in world cup mood. Not even sure who is in Germany's group or who plays for the team.
Same - I've also not seen a single car, van or home with an England flag out which is normally what starts to happen in the run up to a tournament.

QuoteAn opinion I read and agree with is that as bad as this Qatar WC is from how it was awarded to how it was prepared, the world should really feel ashamed for the 2018 one. Letting Russia proceed with it after 2014 and just everyone ignoring what was going on in Ukraine at the time not to mention the Russian regime (which in a lot of ways ain't exactly better than the Qatar one) was already a low and they should have received as much criticism as Qatar has.
I agree but I think that is why the BBC, for example, are going in so hard this time. My understanding is that as well as getting training sessions for all commentators and pundits with Amnesty, LGBT+ groups, women's groups etc. Several have already mentioned Amnesty's proposal of a FIFA $400 million compensattion scheme for the families of dead migrant workers - a bit like FIFA's $200 million compensation scheme for clubs having to release their players at this time of year.

I think they covered the issues with Russia in the run up to the tournament and then it all disappeared in the coverage once it started. I think they've made very conscious efforts to avoid that this time. I read that they had a big review of 2018 and think they made mistakes which they're now trying to fix (and might go too far in the other direction this time? :hmm:).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 20, 2022, 11:34:54 AM
BBC started on a good note talking a lot about the shit and not just showing the clichéd fan introductions /tourism advert that I believe Qatar wanted.

Football wise not getting where that was offside.

QuoteSame - I've also not seen a single car, van or home with an England flag out which is normally what starts to happen in the run up to a tournament.
Metropolitan liberal elite bubble I fear there.
I've seen a bunch. Albeit less than would be normal I think, largely just in really scummy pubs, garages, the odd car, etc...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 20, 2022, 11:39:13 AM
Qatar getting absolutely played off the park by Ecuador.  :nelson:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 20, 2022, 11:57:34 AM
Quote from: HVC on November 20, 2022, 11:18:30 AM
Quote from: Tamas on November 20, 2022, 11:12:23 AM
Quote from: HVC on November 20, 2022, 11:06:30 AMLol. Qatar not off to a great start.

*edit* or not.

It must be one of those special Host Country Offsides.

I thought they'd do something new and bribe the team. Guess they just decided to stay with the classics.

It was offside. A close call. But it was offside. Ecuador also got awarded a penalty and the second  goal could also have been called offside, so let's do away with the bribes conspiracy.  :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 20, 2022, 11:59:28 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 20, 2022, 11:57:34 AM
Quote from: HVC on November 20, 2022, 11:18:30 AM
Quote from: Tamas on November 20, 2022, 11:12:23 AM
Quote from: HVC on November 20, 2022, 11:06:30 AMLol. Qatar not off to a great start.

*edit* or not.

It must be one of those special Host Country Offsides.

I thought they'd do something new and bribe the team. Guess they just decided to stay with the classics.

It was offside. A close call. But it was offside. Ecuador also got awarded a penalty and the second  goal could also have been called offside, so let's do away with the bribes conspiracy.  :ph34r:

Pfft, that's no fun
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 20, 2022, 12:00:10 PM
Quote from: Josquius on November 20, 2022, 11:34:54 AMMetropolitan liberal elite bubble I fear there.
I've seen a bunch. Albeit less than would be normal I think, largely just in really scummy pubs, garages, the odd car, etc...
Maybe - you normally see plenty driving round :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 20, 2022, 12:05:27 PM
De facto pro-Qatari whataboutism fails to note that as bad as the Putin régime is, it did not enslave in peace time (war time is another matter as we can see now) "imported" South Asians by the thousands, killing a lot in the process (some North Koreans got exported by their regime however), did not impose Wahhabi puritanism on foreign supporters (maybe for the foolhardy ones dropping though Chechnya but no games there) and its world cup is still much greener (sorry) with all those free trains for supporters and some stadia which can still find a use after the competition.

And that was the most expensive World Cup up to date, with lots of money lost to Russian oligarch graft, a factor which would cause even more trouble later on.

Not to mention Russia is a real football country and has hotel capacity, at least in most cities.
And that's from the hateful Putin régime which wanted the World Cup for PR reasons after the international bad press  of Russian hooligans in EURO France 2016 (attributed in 2010 at the same time as Qatar before the war in Ukraine which started in 2014 in a pseudo-covert way), or simply the covert war in Ukraine.

Also, the coverage before the World Cup in Russia even claimed Russian hooligans would target foreign fans and claimed homosexuals would be at risk in Russia (sounds familiar? nobody heard of the Bolshoi ballet dancers I guess). The former something even people opposed to Putin in Russia never believed. It  would be promptly used by the Putin narrative as proof that Western media = propaganda lies!

Opening tourism to places in Russia outside of Moscow and St-Petersburg even did some good to the average Russian mentality, lowering xenophobia, and discovering the virtues of tourism outside of big centres, with Fan IDs tourist visas extended freely for 2019, whereas "fans" going to Qatar have to pay every time they stay more than 24 hours in the country.
So, if you want to compare Putin's WC with another one, try Galtieri's or even Mussolini's in 1934, possibly Berlin Olympics (we get no Leni Riefenstahl's propaganda masterpiece however).

Wahhabi Cup is another dimension, a whole new one.

Of course, now in 2022 Putinistan is now back in full backwards and murderous mode...

As for the metropolitan bubble, I can't really comment living in Paris (ahem), a city not exactly fond of football in a country not known for its football fervor, but it's really the lowest I can remember, and it's not just an autumn weather matter.


Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 20, 2022, 12:07:22 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 20, 2022, 11:59:28 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 20, 2022, 11:57:34 AM
Quote from: HVC on November 20, 2022, 11:18:30 AM
Quote from: Tamas on November 20, 2022, 11:12:23 AM
Quote from: HVC on November 20, 2022, 11:06:30 AMLol. Qatar not off to a great start.

*edit* or not.

It must be one of those special Host Country Offsides.

I thought they'd do something new and bribe the team. Guess they just decided to stay with the classics.

It was offside. A close call. But it was offside. Ecuador also got awarded a penalty and the second  goal could also have been called offside, so let's do away with the bribes conspiracy.  :ph34r:

Pfft, that's no fun

Wait, the Sheik forgot to pay the right persons when the pay of foreign "fans" was cancelled?  :tinfoil:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 20, 2022, 12:21:32 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 20, 2022, 11:39:13 AMQatar getting absolutely played off the park by Ecuador.  :nelson:

CONMEBOL team superior to an AFC team, which never qualified for the World Cup previously?!  :o   
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 20, 2022, 12:25:06 PM
French commentators claim the statistics system on their screen is not working well, with ball possession being described as 46 % vs 41 %.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 20, 2022, 12:26:28 PM
So no water breaks, so obviously the a/c is doing it's job
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 20, 2022, 12:37:20 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 20, 2022, 12:26:28 PMSo no water breaks, so obviously the a/c is doing it's job

Some French football site perfidiously noted the stadium A/C was on despite only +23°C.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 20, 2022, 12:38:15 PM
FIFA introduced new captain bands at the last minute, presumably to get rid of the One Love bands several teams will wear.  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 20, 2022, 12:44:00 PM
Ecuador is happy with 2-0 (humiliating the host might be risky after all) and is waiting for the game to end.
They just missed a big chance however.

Maladict 

 :lol: or  :( take your pick.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 20, 2022, 01:00:22 PM
First host to lose opener.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 20, 2022, 01:06:56 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 20, 2022, 01:00:22 PMFirst host to lose opener.

True, South Africa tied the opening game, despite not qualifying for the round of 16 (defeating les Bleus however in the last game).

The stadium not exactly full, was even emptier in the second half with many Qatars leaving, disappointed by the performance of their team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 20, 2022, 01:11:35 PM
IIRC, the hosts opening the WC is a relatively new development, so it's not *that* shocking of a stat. It used to be the holders who played the opener.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on November 20, 2022, 01:13:17 PM
Without beer, I would have left as well. Seems pointless. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 20, 2022, 01:13:43 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 20, 2022, 01:06:56 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 20, 2022, 01:00:22 PMFirst host to lose opener.

True, South Africa tied the opening game, despite not qualifying for the round of 16 (defeating les Bleus however in the last game).

The stadium not exactly full, was even emptier in the second half with many Qatars leaving, disappointed by the performance of their team.

I actually thought they'd do worse, but it's not like Ecuador  was really pushing in the second. Now I have to decide who I want to lose more, NL or Qatar :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 20, 2022, 01:14:53 PM
Quote from: Maladict on November 20, 2022, 12:38:15 PMFIFA introduced new captain bands at the last minute, presumably to get rid of the One Love bands several teams will wear.  :rolleyes:
Yeah and they're on social media campaigns linked to their "official partner" charities - again to move from the the "One Love" and footbal is for everyone messages (both, I believe, previously endorsed by FIFA).

I think I read that the FAs in England and Wales have decided (in consultation with captains) to stick with the rainbow One Love band, which will mean fines.

It's interesting seeing the impact of the growing prominence of women's football on this. Four year's ago was the first time there was a woman pundit for the World Cup on the BBC and ITV. It's now more unusual not to have that - and obviously the England team won the Euros earlier this year so the team and WSL are more prominent than ever. There are many out women footballers who have been particularly vocal about this World Cup in Qatar - and while I get the sense that FIFA doesn't care about women's football much yet, as it becomes more popular (and lucrative) I wonder if that'll shift and start having an impact on the men's game too? :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 20, 2022, 01:18:06 PM
Ecuador went into 1st gear after going 2 goals up and they still could have score 3 or 4 more. Qatar were insipid.

The stadium looked practically empty in the second half except for the Ecuadorian fans and the very conspicuous Qatari ultras who certainly aren't being paid to cheer on their shit football team.

Basically everything you could have expected from this shit show. And we'll probably see a Saudi World Cup in 2030 :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 20, 2022, 01:37:47 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 20, 2022, 01:13:43 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 20, 2022, 01:06:56 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 20, 2022, 01:00:22 PMFirst host to lose opener.

True, South Africa tied the opening game, despite not qualifying for the round of 16 (defeating les Bleus however in the last game).

The stadium not exactly full, was even emptier in the second half with many Qatars leaving, disappointed by the performance of their team.

I actually thought they'd do worse, but it's not like Ecuador  was really pushing in the second. Now I have to decide who I want to lose more, NL or Qatar :D

Don't worry about us, we're not going far this tournament.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 20, 2022, 01:53:34 PM
Quote from: Zanza on November 20, 2022, 01:13:17 PMWithout beer, I would have left as well. Seems pointless. 

Even the 0,01 % alcohol "beer" that was supposed to be sold at the stadium?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 20, 2022, 01:57:10 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 20, 2022, 01:18:06 PMEcuador went into 1st gear after going 2 goals up and they still could have score 3 or 4 more. Qatar were insipid.

Nothing more to add.

QuoteThe stadium looked practically empty in the second half except for the Ecuadorian fans and the very conspicuous Qatari ultras who certainly aren't being paid to cheer on their shit football team.

Did not seem full even in the beginning, with very few shots of the seats, common when the game is not that
good.  :P
But yes, even emptier in the second half.

QuoteBasically everything you could have expected from this shit show. And we'll probably see a Saudi World Cup in 2030 :bleeding:


It's PortuGalician World cup in 2030 remember: Portugal,Spain and Ukraine.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 20, 2022, 01:58:38 PM
Quote from: Maladict on November 20, 2022, 01:37:47 PMDon't worry about us, we're not going far this tournament.

Perhaps, but I don't see the Oranje losing to Qatar. If there's no 3-0 or 5-0 thrashing, it will be a symbolic victory for Qatar.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 20, 2022, 02:25:16 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 20, 2022, 01:58:38 PM
Quote from: Maladict on November 20, 2022, 01:37:47 PMDon't worry about us, we're not going far this tournament.

Perhaps, but I don't see the Oranje losing to Qatar. If there's no 3-0 or 5-0 thrashing, it will be a symbolic victory for Qatar.

Qatar is the last group match. Unless we need the goal differential, there's no point really.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 20, 2022, 02:35:57 PM
Judging by today's game, Qatar seemed so apathetic that a Batavian B-team is more than enough.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 20, 2022, 03:46:37 PM
Wait, there's a friendly for Syt:

Austria-Italy in Vienna.  :lol:

2-0 for Austria at half-time.  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 20, 2022, 04:24:20 PM
Quote from: Josquius on November 20, 2022, 11:34:54 AMMetropolitan liberal elite bubble I fear there.
I've seen a bunch. Albeit less than would be normal I think, largely just in really scummy pubs, garages, the odd car, etc...
Just thinking about this again because flagged by Philippe Auclair too - and the other striking thing is the lac of pub advertising for matches.

Someone pointed out, and I think they're right, that it's clashing with Christmas parties/events which is the biggest money spinner for hospitality. That may be part of the reason it seems so understated/underhyped this year :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 20, 2022, 04:28:08 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on November 20, 2022, 04:24:20 PM
Quote from: Josquius on November 20, 2022, 11:34:54 AMMetropolitan liberal elite bubble I fear there.
I've seen a bunch. Albeit less than would be normal I think, largely just in really scummy pubs, garages, the odd car, etc...
Just thinking about this again because flagged by Philippe Auclair too - and the other striking thing is the lac of pub advertising for matches.

Someone pointed out, and I think they're right, that it's clashing with Christmas parties/events which is the biggest money spinner for hospitality. That may be part of the reason it seems so understated/underhyped this year :hmm:

Isn't that more well into december? By then it'll be the knockout stage and games will be more sparse.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 20, 2022, 04:52:19 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 20, 2022, 04:28:08 PMIsn't that more well into december? By then it'll be the knockout stage and games will be more sparse.
Yeah - but it'll be starting by next week. I booked a Christmas dinner with friends a week or two ago and the place was only had space left on one or two nights in December.

All the office Christmas dos, family gatherings, friends etc. Everything gets booked pretty quick and they'll all prioritise a big Christmas booking over what it's like during a World Cup.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 20, 2022, 05:43:11 PM
Well, I've not been in a pub lately but walking past some there's a number with England flags and one or two with the full standard flags of all competitor displays.

Quite a few of not particularly progressive people I know are pissed about the tournament as it messes with the real football.
I wonder whether non league teams might see a rise in attendance this month.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 20, 2022, 07:22:16 PM
Feeling a lot of Western Hemisphere pride about Ecuador's big win over Qatar!

Ok not really...but seriously good for Ecuador.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on November 20, 2022, 09:50:34 PM
I think even outside progressive concerns, "apolitical" football fans there are plenty of reasons to look askance at Qatar here for reasons that might be slightly chauvinist:

Qatar is obviously not a real football nation, it's the wrong time of the year, them getting the cup is obviously about money and corruption, the paid fan thing is tacky as fuck, do people in Qatar even care about football when they're not hosting the world cup, and just the connection with oil money buying clubs which makes them hateable.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 21, 2022, 03:39:59 AM
Ignoring human rights and assuming Qatar was perfectly nice on that front a Qatar world Cup still stands out as dumb for me due to the sheer size of the place.

The base idea of a middle east world Cup I'm down with (ignoring human rights here remember). They do love football in the region. I'm no Qatar expert but I think it's pretty popular there.

But Qatar is smaller than Northern Ireland. They don't have the infrastructure for it.
A sensible gulf world Cup would need to involve at the least Bahrain and the UAE too.

Considering climate change I hope future world cups revert back to the era before football turned big business and sticks to countries where a minimum of work is needed to get the stadiums and hotels built.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 21, 2022, 05:05:39 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on November 20, 2022, 01:14:53 PM
Quote from: Maladict on November 20, 2022, 12:38:15 PMFIFA introduced new captain bands at the last minute, presumably to get rid of the One Love bands several teams will wear.  :rolleyes:
Yeah and they're on social media campaigns linked to their "official partner" charities - again to move from the the "One Love" and footbal is for everyone messages (both, I believe, previously endorsed by FIFA).

I think I read that the FAs in England and Wales have decided (in consultation with captains) to stick with the rainbow One Love band, which will mean fines.

It's interesting seeing the impact of the growing prominence of women's football on this. Four year's ago was the first time there was a woman pundit for the World Cup on the BBC and ITV. It's now more unusual not to have that - and obviously the England team won the Euros earlier this year so the team and WSL are more prominent than ever. There are many out women footballers who have been particularly vocal about this World Cup in Qatar - and while I get the sense that FIFA doesn't care about women's football much yet, as it becomes more popular (and lucrative) I wonder if that'll shift and start having an impact on the men's game too? :hmm:

All teams are now playing with the FIFA band, after being threatened with yellow cards instead of fines. Very classy, FIFA.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 21, 2022, 05:15:18 AM
Yep <_<

It would have been nice had they taken the booking at least in the first game.

Although I did enjoy seeing an Arsenal fan say this is an implicit acknowledgement that, away from the biased refs of the Premier League, Kane can't get through a game without a booking :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 21, 2022, 05:52:15 AM
I wonder what it would take for countries to finally leave FIFA. A lot more than this shambolic WC, obviously.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on November 21, 2022, 05:58:09 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on November 21, 2022, 05:15:18 AMYep <_<

It would have been nice had they taken the booking at least in the first game.

Although I did enjoy seeing an Arsenal fan say this is an implicit acknowledgement that, away from the biased refs of the Premier League, Kane can't get through a game without a booking :lol:

Kane getting a yellow card for wearing a rainbow armband woudl have been seen around the world. Spineless from the FA
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 21, 2022, 06:07:11 AM
Quote from: Gups on November 21, 2022, 05:58:09 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on November 21, 2022, 05:15:18 AMYep <_<

It would have been nice had they taken the booking at least in the first game.

Although I did enjoy seeing an Arsenal fan say this is an implicit acknowledgement that, away from the biased refs of the Premier League, Kane can't get through a game without a booking :lol:

Kane getting a yellow card for wearing a rainbow armband woudl have been seen around the world. Spineless from the FA

Hey G, are you in the Back Room?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on November 21, 2022, 06:10:09 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 21, 2022, 06:07:11 AM
Quote from: Gups on November 21, 2022, 05:58:09 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on November 21, 2022, 05:15:18 AMYep <_<

It would have been nice had they taken the booking at least in the first game.

Although I did enjoy seeing an Arsenal fan say this is an implicit acknowledgement that, away from the biased refs of the Premier League, Kane can't get through a game without a booking :lol:

Kane getting a yellow card for wearing a rainbow armband woudl have been seen around the world. Spineless from the FA

Hey G, are you in the Back Room?

No I don't think I have access for some reason...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 21, 2022, 06:16:13 AM
Quote from: Gups on November 21, 2022, 06:10:09 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 21, 2022, 06:07:11 AM
Quote from: Gups on November 21, 2022, 05:58:09 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on November 21, 2022, 05:15:18 AMYep <_<

It would have been nice had they taken the booking at least in the first game.

Although I did enjoy seeing an Arsenal fan say this is an implicit acknowledgement that, away from the biased refs of the Premier League, Kane can't get through a game without a booking :lol:

Kane getting a yellow card for wearing a rainbow armband woudl have been seen around the world. Spineless from the FA

Hey G, are you in the Back Room?

No I don't think I have access for some reason...

Weird... I'll PM you in a bit.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 21, 2022, 06:21:44 AM
Apparently taking a yellow card is more meaningful than making a largely perfunctory but still important gesture of solidarity.

Football is evil, most especially the international game. Just end the tournament now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 21, 2022, 08:34:20 AM
You're kidding, they backed down?

I guess its back to laughing at England.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 21, 2022, 08:39:02 AM
Quote from: Josquius on November 21, 2022, 08:34:20 AMYou're kidding, they backed down?

I guess its back to laughing at England.

Not just England, also Wales, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland and the Netherlands.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 21, 2022, 08:39:53 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 21, 2022, 06:21:44 AMApparently taking a yellow card is more meaningful than making a largely perfunctory but still important gesture of solidarity.

Football is evil, most especially the international game. Just end the tournament now.

It's pathetic. They should stop with all these gestures then because they have proven them to be entirely empty, folding at the first sight of a challenge to them.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 21, 2022, 08:40:29 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 21, 2022, 08:39:02 AM
Quote from: Josquius on November 21, 2022, 08:34:20 AMYou're kidding, they backed down?

I guess its back to laughing at England.

Not just England, also Wales, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland and the Netherlands.
Ganbaru nippon?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 21, 2022, 08:46:50 AM
Btw, England is beating Iran 2-0 so far, and the 1st half hasn't even finished. Goals from the kids too, Bellingham and Saka.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 21, 2022, 08:53:13 AM
Quote from: Tamas on November 21, 2022, 08:39:53 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 21, 2022, 06:21:44 AMApparently taking a yellow card is more meaningful than making a largely perfunctory but still important gesture of solidarity.

Football is evil, most especially the international game. Just end the tournament now.

It's pathetic. They should stop with all these gestures then because they have proven them to be entirely empty, folding at the first sight of a challenge to them.

In the press release they put out they say that they were ready to pay whatever fine FIFA imposed on them for kit improprieties, but didn't want to risk any sporting penalties that could jeopardize their team's chances, or somesuch.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 21, 2022, 08:54:57 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 21, 2022, 08:46:50 AMBtw, England is beating Iran 2-0 so far, and the 1st half hasn't even finished. Goals from the kids too, Bellingham and Saka.

And it's 3 - 0 now, thanks to Sterling.

14 added minutes!  :blink:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on November 21, 2022, 08:57:32 AM
They did spend 7 minutes waiting on the Iranian goalkeeper to wake up.

Pretty happy with this 1st half :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 21, 2022, 08:59:19 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 21, 2022, 08:57:32 AMThey did spend 7 minutes waiting on the Iranian goalkeeper to wake up.

Yeah, I read that the Iranian goalie got knocked out early on the 1st half and it took ages for him to get replaced, but 14 extra minutes is maybe the most I've ever seen added to a half.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 21, 2022, 09:03:48 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 21, 2022, 08:59:19 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 21, 2022, 08:57:32 AMThey did spend 7 minutes waiting on the Iranian goalkeeper to wake up.

Yeah, I read that the Iranian goalie got knocked out early on the 1st half and it took ages for him to get replaced, but 14 extra minutes is maybe the most I've ever seen added to a half.

Conspiracy? Fixed?  :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 21, 2022, 09:16:18 AM
Lost in all this is that Iranian players launched a protest of their own by not singing the anthem
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 21, 2022, 09:16:38 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 21, 2022, 09:03:48 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 21, 2022, 08:59:19 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 21, 2022, 08:57:32 AMThey did spend 7 minutes waiting on the Iranian goalkeeper to wake up.

Yeah, I read that the Iranian goalie got knocked out early on the 1st half and it took ages for him to get replaced, but 14 extra minutes is maybe the most I've ever seen added to a half.

Conspiracy? Fixed?  :ph34r:

Collina has stated the referees will try to get as close to 90 minutes net play time as possible.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: garbon on November 21, 2022, 09:30:52 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 21, 2022, 08:53:13 AM
Quote from: Tamas on November 21, 2022, 08:39:53 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 21, 2022, 06:21:44 AMApparently taking a yellow card is more meaningful than making a largely perfunctory but still important gesture of solidarity.

Football is evil, most especially the international game. Just end the tournament now.

It's pathetic. They should stop with all these gestures then because they have proven them to be entirely empty, folding at the first sight of a challenge to them.

In the press release they put out they say that they were ready to pay whatever fine FIFA imposed on them for kit improprieties, but didn't want to risk any sporting penalties that could jeopardize their team's chances, or somesuch.

Yeah, so basically an empty gesture.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 21, 2022, 10:06:58 AM
And 10 minutes added for the 2nd half, damn...

I look forward to see England's expectations to skyrocket after this steamrolling of Iran (6-1 at the moment of writing).  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on November 21, 2022, 10:09:08 AM
My once every 2 years fan experience is the same as usual. Bring it home.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 21, 2022, 10:10:12 AM
Stop it England! Stop it! He's already dead!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 21, 2022, 10:16:57 AM
It was nice of them to let Iran get a pity goal at the end.

Ok time for the USA vs a tiny part of our former colonial overlord. Down with the King!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 21, 2022, 10:30:12 AM
Quote from: Valmy on November 21, 2022, 10:10:12 AMStop it England! Stop it! He's already dead!

God only gives you so many goals, and England appears to have used them all up in the first game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 21, 2022, 10:37:00 AM
Saka with 2 goals. The only thing I care about.

His agent is going to add another 50k to his wage demands to Edu  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 21, 2022, 10:40:43 AM
The FOX coverage in the US has been awful, absolutely awful. Cringeworthy stuff. I've switched over to Peacock because NBC has the Spanish language rights to the world cup here.

To any in the US I suggest you do the same.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 21, 2022, 10:43:54 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 21, 2022, 10:40:43 AMThe FOX coverage in the US has been awful, absolutely awful. Cringeworthy stuff. I've switched over to Peacock because NBC has the Spanish language rights to the world cup here.

To any in the US I suggest you do the same.

What are they doing? Showing slow motion video of US soldiers saluting bald eagles while George Washington sings "I'm proud to be an American?"
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 21, 2022, 10:54:13 AM
Or are they doing that thing where they presume Americans are all morons when it comes to soccer, even ones who are tuning into the world cup?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 21, 2022, 10:55:03 AM
Just do what Canada does and hire British people.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 21, 2022, 10:57:05 AM
Quote from: HVC on November 21, 2022, 10:55:03 AMJust do what Canada does and hire British people.

We used to do that back in 1990 and 1994.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 21, 2022, 11:01:23 AM
Quote from: Valmy on November 21, 2022, 10:57:05 AM
Quote from: HVC on November 21, 2022, 10:55:03 AMJust do what Canada does and hire British people.

We used to do that back in 1990 and 1994.

Did it work?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 21, 2022, 11:16:12 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 21, 2022, 11:01:23 AM
Quote from: Valmy on November 21, 2022, 10:57:05 AM
Quote from: HVC on November 21, 2022, 10:55:03 AMJust do what Canada does and hire British people.

We used to do that back in 1990 and 1994.

Did it work?

I think it just made the game seem more foreign.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 21, 2022, 11:28:08 AM
Apparently Qatar is breaking another promise and not allowing cooked Kosher food or public Jewish prayer:
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-722891

From online - FIFA: "Soccer brings all of us together."

Qatar: "Except the Jews."

FIFA: "Okay."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 21, 2022, 11:32:27 AM
Who is better? Senegal or the Netherlands? We will all finally find out...maybe. Unless they tie.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 21, 2022, 11:33:13 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on November 21, 2022, 11:28:08 AMApparently Qatar is breaking another promise and not allowing cooked Kosher food or public Jewish prayer:
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-722891

From online - FIFA: "Soccer brings all of us together."

Qatar: "Except the Jews."

FIFA: "Okay."

Well there are limits to how much soccer can bring us together.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 21, 2022, 11:39:36 AM
Quote from: Valmy on November 21, 2022, 11:32:27 AMWho is better? Senegal or the Netherlands? We will all finally find out...maybe. Unless they tie.

FIFA ranking says the Netherlands.
Sénégal is the continental champion however, as Qatar for Asia, yet I would put CAF teams over AFC teams usually, specially after the Qatari team performance yesterday.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 21, 2022, 11:48:41 AM
Apparently England's group is the only one where all teams are ranked top 20.

Shows the value of rankings really.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 21, 2022, 11:49:14 AM
Quote from: Valmy on November 21, 2022, 11:33:13 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on November 21, 2022, 11:28:08 AMApparently Qatar is breaking another promise and not allowing cooked Kosher food or public Jewish prayer:
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-722891

From online - FIFA: "Soccer brings all of us together."

Qatar: "Except the Jews."

FIFA: "Okay."

Well there are limits to how much soccer can bring us together.

I am sure Qatari apologists à la Gianni will find a good reason.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 21, 2022, 11:53:52 AM
Quote from: Josquius on November 21, 2022, 11:48:41 AMApparently England's group is the only one where all teams are ranked top 20.

Shows the value of rankings really.

England is n° 5 the other are under 15, to be fair.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 21, 2022, 12:49:25 PM
Goal for the Dutch
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on November 21, 2022, 01:21:04 PM
John Oliver this week was about the WC, but basically just reiterated the shittiness around the whole affair and Qatar in general - nothing overly new if you've followed the negative coverage so far.

I did like his describing FIFA as "a cartel-like group of scumbags and assorted criminals who occasionally put on soccer matches," though (and felt he put it rather mildly, IMHO).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 21, 2022, 01:32:16 PM
The FIFA doc on Netflix really shows what a corrupt Mafioso organization FIFA is.
At one time they hired a governance head, who was fired shortly after.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on November 21, 2022, 01:35:41 PM
I mean, most major sports bodies are. UEFA, IOC, DFB ...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 21, 2022, 01:44:02 PM
FIFA tells Belgium to remove the word "love" from the back collar of jersey.
Because, you know, love goes against the ideas of unity and bringing everyone together.

https://www.espn.com/soccer/belgium-bel/story/4808660/fifa-tells-belgium-to-remove-word-love-on-shirts-sources
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 21, 2022, 01:51:13 PM
Really having a "are we the baddies?" tournament here.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 21, 2022, 01:52:09 PM
We should create our own association... with blackjack and hookers.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 21, 2022, 01:53:00 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on November 21, 2022, 01:51:13 PMReally having a "are we the baddies?" tournament here.

That's what Infantino told us.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 21, 2022, 01:55:08 PM
Wonder if the Wrexham owners are here for this one
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 21, 2022, 02:00:18 PM
And in contrast to spinelessness, Iran's captain:
https://twitter.com/carolineframke/status/1594509813765087233?s=46&t=fq71K42YXNRKEfF1oaz5fA

I saw Iranian fans were also chanting "dishonourable" all through the game, which is a slogan in the protests.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 21, 2022, 02:01:29 PM
So Wales has as many MLS players in the starting lineup as the USA

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 21, 2022, 02:12:13 PM
USA! USA! USA!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 21, 2022, 02:13:50 PM
Americas playing a bit rough.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on November 21, 2022, 02:14:14 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 21, 2022, 02:01:29 PMSo Wales has as many MLS players in the starting lineup as the USA



You had me. I was gonna celebrate it!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 21, 2022, 02:28:14 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 21, 2022, 02:13:50 PMAmericas playing a bit rough.

No mercy for those Welsh bastards
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 21, 2022, 02:30:14 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 21, 2022, 02:28:14 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 21, 2022, 02:13:50 PMAmericas playing a bit rough.

No mercy for those Welsh bastards

Your English forebearers would be proud.


Don't know if you have any English roots, but let's say yes for the sake of the joke :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 21, 2022, 02:36:42 PM
Nice goal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 21, 2022, 02:41:44 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on November 21, 2022, 02:00:18 PMAnd in contrast to spinelessness, Iran's captain:
https://twitter.com/carolineframke/status/1594509813765087233?s=46&t=fq71K42YXNRKEfF1oaz5fA

I saw Iranian fans were also chanting "dishonourable" all through the game, which is a slogan in the protests.

Is it a potshot at Lloris goalkeeper of Tottenham and captain of Les Bleus (pas à l'âme). ?  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 21, 2022, 02:51:57 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 21, 2022, 02:30:14 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 21, 2022, 02:28:14 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 21, 2022, 02:13:50 PMAmericas playing a bit rough.

No mercy for those Welsh bastards

Your English forebearers would be proud.


Don't know if you have any English roots, but let's say yes for the sake of the joke :D

I am very very English in my roots.  :menace:

Anyway the dragon is halfway slew. 1-0!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 21, 2022, 02:54:34 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 21, 2022, 02:36:42 PMNice goal.

Just checked it and yes, that Weah kid who just scored for the US is the son of George Weah. Oh how time passes...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 21, 2022, 03:02:34 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 21, 2022, 02:54:34 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 21, 2022, 02:36:42 PMNice goal.

Just checked it and yes, that Weah kid who just scored for the US is the son of George Weah. Oh how time passes...

Just followed up on George, he's president of Liberia. Interesting  career.

*edit* to add to the weirdness, he's a Devry grad :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 21, 2022, 03:13:31 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 21, 2022, 03:02:34 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 21, 2022, 02:54:34 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 21, 2022, 02:36:42 PMNice goal.

Just checked it and yes, that Weah kid who just scored for the US is the son of George Weah. Oh how time passes...

Just followed up on George, he's president of Liberia. Interesting  career.

*edit* to add to the weirdness, he's a Devry grad :lol:

He entered Liberian politics when he retired, IIRC, on the wake of the end of the civil war in Liberia. Been at it for a while already.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 21, 2022, 03:22:41 PM
Whew. That was close.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 21, 2022, 03:26:42 PM
The USA is sucking in this half. We need to get our shit together.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 21, 2022, 03:38:47 PM
Should have scored there. Sloppy passing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 21, 2022, 03:42:11 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 21, 2022, 02:51:57 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 21, 2022, 02:30:14 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 21, 2022, 02:28:14 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 21, 2022, 02:13:50 PMAmericas playing a bit rough.

No mercy for those Welsh bastards

Your English forebearers would be proud.


Don't know if you have any English roots, but let's say yes for the sake of the joke :D

I am very very English in my roots.  :menace:

Anyway the dragon is halfway slew. 1-0!

You poked the dragon.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 21, 2022, 03:44:35 PM
Fuck everything. God damnit. Screw this. Soccer sucks.

Stupid fucking penalty by a stupid fucking team who started playing shitty once they went up by one.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 21, 2022, 03:45:07 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 21, 2022, 03:42:11 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 21, 2022, 02:51:57 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 21, 2022, 02:30:14 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 21, 2022, 02:28:14 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 21, 2022, 02:13:50 PMAmericas playing a bit rough.

No mercy for those Welsh bastards

Your English forebearers would be proud.


Don't know if you have any English roots, but let's say yes for the sake of the joke :D

I am very very English in my roots.  :menace:

Anyway the dragon is halfway slew. 1-0!

You poked the dragon.

Gaaaaah! Edward I didn't go far enough.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 21, 2022, 03:47:43 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 21, 2022, 03:44:35 PMFuck everything. God damnit. Screw this. Soccer sucks.

Stupid fucking penalty by a stupid fucking team who started playing shitty once they went up by one.



Welcome to Berhalterball.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 21, 2022, 03:48:58 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 21, 2022, 03:44:35 PMFuck everything. God damnit. Screw this. Soccer sucks.

Stupid fucking penalty by a stupid fucking team who started playing shitty once they went up by one.



:console:

Don't feel bad. They'll beat Iran, and England used up all their goals already
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 21, 2022, 03:51:23 PM
9 minutes of stoppage time.  :lol: Well, it's less than yesterday for Iran-England.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 21, 2022, 03:51:56 PM
The contest is who can annoy England and beat Iran the most.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 21, 2022, 03:52:35 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 21, 2022, 03:51:23 PM9 minutes of stoppage time.  :lol: Well, it's less than yesterday for Iran-England.

Yesterday? We haven't had that many games to be confused already :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 21, 2022, 04:00:28 PM
https://twitter.com/johnspacemuller/status/1594796641822842904?t=bN6bAo4ep-YAjuwxBSid3Q&s=19

QuoteStoppage time at this World Cup

:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on November 21, 2022, 04:01:24 PM
This is waley bad.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 21, 2022, 04:03:19 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 21, 2022, 04:00:28 PMhttps://twitter.com/johnspacemuller/status/1594796641822842904?t=bN6bAo4ep-YAjuwxBSid3Q&s=19

QuoteStoppage time at this World Cup

:lol:

:lol:

Unofficial silver goal time. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 21, 2022, 04:21:56 PM
USA 0.8 xG - 1.6 xG Wales
 :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 21, 2022, 05:03:57 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on November 21, 2022, 02:00:18 PMAnd in contrast to spinelessness, Iran's captain:
https://twitter.com/carolineframke/status/1594509813765087233?s=46&t=fq71K42YXNRKEfF1oaz5fA

I saw Iranian fans were also chanting "dishonourable" all through the game, which is a slogan in the protests.

That guy and his family could get into real actual trouble for this and yet he did it. The European FAs and the players are cowed by threat of yellow cards.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 21, 2022, 05:45:53 PM
Just a terrible second half by the USA. If it wasn't for an amazing save by Matt Turner we would have lost.

Ugh. That is what I get for having a little hope there at halftime.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on November 21, 2022, 05:47:07 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 21, 2022, 04:21:56 PMUSA 0.8 xG - 1.6 xG Wales
 :lol:

As I learned from my american lit class (moby dick), americans sometimes come up short against whales.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 21, 2022, 06:13:13 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 21, 2022, 03:47:43 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 21, 2022, 03:44:35 PMFuck everything. God damnit. Screw this. Soccer sucks.

Stupid fucking penalty by a stupid fucking team who started playing shitty once they went up by one.



Welcome to Berhalterball.

Berhalter should be fired...out of a cannon...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 21, 2022, 09:01:56 PM
The US looked better against Wales than in any of the qualifying games I saw.  I have super low expectations and if the US grabs a couple draws and goes home early I'm fine with that.  The US goal was very pretty.

What's the deal with the large noisy Wales fan section?  Hard to believe they all traveled there.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on November 21, 2022, 10:04:55 PM
Maybe this World Cup will teach a lesson to the Middle East sports washers that it is not worth it to invite us to their home.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 22, 2022, 04:21:33 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 21, 2022, 10:04:55 PMMaybe this World Cup will teach a lesson to the Middle East sports washers that it is not worth it to invite us to their home.

Why? It has been a resounding success so far. It has proven that all the "principles" the West used to criticise Qatar and the Arab world in general for, are nothing more than empty facades, dropped at the first sight of an actual challenge, or for some pittance thrown people's way.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 22, 2022, 06:16:23 AM
Lol Messi
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 22, 2022, 06:52:56 AM
Quote from: Tamas on November 22, 2022, 04:21:33 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 21, 2022, 10:04:55 PMMaybe this World Cup will teach a lesson to the Middle East sports washers that it is not worth it to invite us to their home.

Why? It has been a resounding success so far. It has proven that all the "principles" the West used to criticise Qatar and the Arab world in general for, are nothing more than empty facades, dropped at the first sight of an actual challenge, or for some pittance thrown people's way.

On top of that, the Saudis are currently bodying fancied Argentina  :lol:

Yeah, I'd say sports washing will continue to work, as it always has since 1936.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 22, 2022, 06:55:51 AM
Oh wow, I didn't realise there was a game on this morning.
LOL at all those guys who thought they'd gotten gold drawing Argentina in the office sweepstakes.

QuoteWhy? It has been a resounding success so far. It has proven that all the "principles" the West used to criticise Qatar and the Arab world in general for, are nothing more than empty facades, dropped at the first sight of an actual challenge, or for some pittance thrown people's way.
Lets see.
It'll depend how long the story of teams planning to protest and backing down amidst FIFA putting politics into football can keep going.
Sports washing only works if you let them.
I am hopeful.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 22, 2022, 06:59:35 AM
Ref really doesn't like the Saudi goalie. First he gives the goalie a yellow for getting body checked, then ignores him when he's telling him about a head injury to a defender. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 22, 2022, 07:07:52 AM
Quote from: HVC on November 22, 2022, 06:16:23 AMLol Messi

Double lol. Shame it was the Saudis though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 22, 2022, 07:13:31 AM
This must be one of the biggest upsets of WC history.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 22, 2022, 07:14:43 AM
England win 6-2. Argentina mugged 2-1 by Saudi Arabia.

I'm afraid this World Cup is shaping up to be a good one...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 22, 2022, 07:18:12 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 22, 2022, 07:13:31 AMThis must be one of the biggest upsets of WC history.

I'm happy Messi is no longer at Barça so I can comfortably laugh at this  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 22, 2022, 07:34:48 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 22, 2022, 07:14:43 AMEngland win 6-2. Argentina mugged 2-1 by Saudi Arabia.

I'm afraid this World Cup is shaping up to be a good one...

Well, the wahhabi Cup is shaping up to be a wahhabi cup.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 22, 2022, 07:40:31 AM
It would be incredibly England to win the shit world cup.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 22, 2022, 07:41:31 AM
Quote from: Josquius on November 22, 2022, 07:40:31 AMIt would be incredibly England to win the shit world cup.

Don't worry, that won't happen :console: :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 22, 2022, 08:01:54 AM
Quote from: Josquius on November 22, 2022, 07:40:31 AMIt would be incredibly England to win the shit world cup.

Omg its stating already. England beats one of the worst teams of the tournament and "it's coming home" starts blasting in people's heads :p
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 22, 2022, 08:13:11 AM
Did anyone watch the game? I'm reading that Argentina had 3 goals disallowed...  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 22, 2022, 08:14:09 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 22, 2022, 08:13:11 AMDid anyone watch the game? I'm reading that Argentina had 3 goals disallowed...  :hmm:

Clear offsides.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on November 22, 2022, 08:16:08 AM
Quote from: Tamas on November 22, 2022, 04:21:33 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 21, 2022, 10:04:55 PMMaybe this World Cup will teach a lesson to the Middle East sports washers that it is not worth it to invite us to their home.

Why? It has been a resounding success so far. It has proven that all the "principles" the West used to criticise Qatar and the Arab world in general for, are nothing more than empty facades, dropped at the first sight of an actual challenge, or for some pittance thrown people's way.

I don't think so. They had to reform their entire work code because international interest were asking questions.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 22, 2022, 08:16:47 AM
Quote from: Tamas on November 22, 2022, 08:01:54 AM
Quote from: Josquius on November 22, 2022, 07:40:31 AMIt would be incredibly England to win the shit world cup.

Omg its stating already. England beats one of the worst teams of the tournament and "it's coming home" starts blasting in people's heads :p

Those saying it's coming home are forgetting the Iranians scored as many goals as the Saudis. Main difference is that the saudis goalie didn't get his face bashed in and have to be replaced :D .
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 22, 2022, 08:19:04 AM
Quote from: HVC on November 22, 2022, 08:14:09 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 22, 2022, 08:13:11 AMDid anyone watch the game? I'm reading that Argentina had 3 goals disallowed...  :hmm:

Clear offsides.

Was that with the new fancy automatic offside tech they're implementing in this WC?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 22, 2022, 08:23:09 AM
Quote from: HVC on November 22, 2022, 08:14:09 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 22, 2022, 08:13:11 AMDid anyone watch the game? I'm reading that Argentina had 3 goals disallowed...  :hmm:

Clear offsides.

And Argie were given a dodgy penalty call.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 22, 2022, 08:26:02 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 22, 2022, 08:19:04 AM
Quote from: HVC on November 22, 2022, 08:14:09 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 22, 2022, 08:13:11 AMDid anyone watch the game? I'm reading that Argentina had 3 goals disallowed...  :hmm:

Clear offsides.


Was that with the new fancy automatic offside tech they're implementing in this WC?

Two were super obvious, one was close and VAR did it in. But if you gonna go robot refereeing then go 100%


Here are some photos of the offsides (https://twitter.com/talkSPORT2/status/1595004579829395457?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1595004579829395457%7Ctwgr%5E58e9636738dcddf3eb30d457a60d86dfbfadb21a%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.si.com%2Ffannation%2Fsoccer%2Ffutbol%2Fnews%2Fargentina-have-three-goals-disallowed-against-saudi-arabia)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 22, 2022, 08:28:14 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 22, 2022, 08:23:09 AM
Quote from: HVC on November 22, 2022, 08:14:09 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 22, 2022, 08:13:11 AMDid anyone watch the game? I'm reading that Argentina had 3 goals disallowed...  :hmm:

Clear offsides.

And Argie were given a dodgy penalty call.



And Messi divided into a free kick (that he then shanked), but I can't gripe too much, Ronaldo would do the same :ph34r: :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 22, 2022, 08:51:55 AM
Second best thing in social media after Italians getting angry at food? Argentinians getting angry after losing a football match.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 22, 2022, 08:55:02 AM
Quote from: celedhring on November 22, 2022, 08:51:55 AMSecond best thing in social media after Italians getting angry at food? Argentinians getting angry after losing a football match.

It's basically the same reaction.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 22, 2022, 09:30:30 AM
Denmark vs Tunisia in a battle for the ages
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on November 22, 2022, 09:41:39 AM
(https://i.postimg.cc/v8h4PS53/image.png)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 22, 2022, 09:58:33 AM
Day of upsets. Come on Australia!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 22, 2022, 10:56:53 AM
Quote from: Tamas on November 21, 2022, 05:03:57 PMThat guy and his family could get into real actual trouble for this and yet he did it. The European FAs and the players are cowed by threat of yellow cards.
Yep:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/nov/22/fears-grow-iran-players-may-face-reprisals-for-not-singing-national-anthem-world-cup-2022-qatar
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 22, 2022, 01:02:14 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 22, 2022, 07:14:43 AMI'm afraid this World Cup is shaping up to be a good one...

You jinxed it
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 22, 2022, 01:05:46 PM
Two straight 0-0 games.  How thrilling!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 22, 2022, 01:07:04 PM
Saudi Arabia leading the group is pretty wild though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 22, 2022, 01:07:16 PM
Quote from: Barrister on November 22, 2022, 01:05:46 PMTwo straight 0-0 games.  How thrilling!

Argentina losing was fun, at least.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on November 22, 2022, 01:20:59 PM
Quote from: Barrister on November 22, 2022, 01:05:46 PMTwo straight 0-0 games.  How thrilling!

Has anyone ever considered making the goals bigger?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 22, 2022, 01:25:35 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on November 22, 2022, 01:20:59 PM
Quote from: Barrister on November 22, 2022, 01:05:46 PMTwo straight 0-0 games.  How thrilling!

Has anyone ever considered making the goals bigger?
I have heard some say they prefer women's football as in having smaller keepers this is what you effectively have :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 22, 2022, 01:39:58 PM
Quote from: Josquius on November 22, 2022, 01:25:35 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on November 22, 2022, 01:20:59 PM
Quote from: Barrister on November 22, 2022, 01:05:46 PMTwo straight 0-0 games.  How thrilling!

Has anyone ever considered making the goals bigger?
I have heard some say they prefer women's football as in having smaller keepers this is what you effectively have :P

I'm bored enough to have checked this:

Spain men's league: 2.54 goals/match
Spain women's league: 3.1 goals/match

So your theory checks out in this small sample.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 22, 2022, 01:51:37 PM
Quote from: celedhring on November 22, 2022, 01:39:58 PM
Quote from: Josquius on November 22, 2022, 01:25:35 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on November 22, 2022, 01:20:59 PM
Quote from: Barrister on November 22, 2022, 01:05:46 PMTwo straight 0-0 games.  How thrilling!

Has anyone ever considered making the goals bigger?
I have heard some say they prefer women's football as in having smaller keepers this is what you effectively have :P

I'm bored enough to have checked this:

Spain men's league: 2.54 goals/match
Spain women's league: 3.1 goals/match

So your theory checks out in this small sample.

In the women's league it also helps that Barcelona femení is so far above everybody else that they routinely score at least half a dozen goals in every game.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 22, 2022, 01:53:46 PM
So of interest to very few, our local soccer team, FC Edmonton, has been shut down by the league today.

The team was founded in 2010 by the Fath brothers, who own a successful local construction company.  It competed in the NASL (North American Soccer League) from 2011-2017 as one of two Canadian clubs, until the NASL got into a dispute with MLS and US Soccer and was denied it's accreditation.

Fortunately for FC Edmonton though there was now a new Canadian league forming, the Canadian Premiere League.  The Eddies competed in the CPL from 2019 through this year (playing a very abbreviated schedule in 2020).  At this point though the Fath brothers, having lost money on the Eddies every year had had enough.  The team was turned over to the CPL for this last season who ran it by loaning players from other teams, and announced today the team is being closed.

I feel bad for the team and it's supporters (though I should point out, not bad enough to have ever gone to a game).  They ran into a bunch of bad circumstances - from playing in a league with no natural rivals and that was itself shut down, to then jumping into the CPL only to have Covid hit.  And in particular with Canada co-hosting the World Cup in 4 years that might have spurred even more interest in soccer locally.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 22, 2022, 01:54:51 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 22, 2022, 01:51:37 PM
Quote from: celedhring on November 22, 2022, 01:39:58 PM
Quote from: Josquius on November 22, 2022, 01:25:35 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on November 22, 2022, 01:20:59 PM
Quote from: Barrister on November 22, 2022, 01:05:46 PMTwo straight 0-0 games.  How thrilling!

Has anyone ever considered making the goals bigger?
I have heard some say they prefer women's football as in having smaller keepers this is what you effectively have :P

I'm bored enough to have checked this:

Spain men's league: 2.54 goals/match
Spain women's league: 3.1 goals/match

So your theory checks out in this small sample.

In the women's league it also helps that Barcelona femení is so far above everybody else that they routinely score at least half a dozen goals in every game.  :P

They are less dominant this season (Alexia's injury is a grave loss) but they're still scoring 4 a game on average  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 22, 2022, 01:56:52 PM
This is also a World Cup in which stadiums become larger overnight.  :lol:

QuoteAs if by magic: Qatar World Cup stadium capacities grow by 12% overnight
Fewer seats than expected needed for media and sponsors
Trend for empty seats at tournament continues

The Qatar World Cup took another strange twist on Tuesday with the capacity of its eight stadiums officially growing by 12%.

Overnight the Al Bayt Stadium, which hosted the opening game, went from 60,000 to in the pre-tournament guide to 68,895 on the official website – while the biggest stadium, the Lusail, went from 80,000 to 88,966. It came after fans were left confused by attendances breaching stadium capacity in every game.

A source close to the organisers insisted the original numbers reflected Fifa's requirements for stadiums to have a minimum of 80,000, 60,000 and 40,000 capacities. The Qataris have since found that the number of seats they needed for broadcast, media and sponsorship purposes was less than expected, hence the capacity increases.

The source added that the Lusail can seat 92,000 before broadcast and media requirements. Overall the combined capacities listed on Qatar's World Cup site increased from a combined 380,000 to 426,221 on Tuesday.

A second mystery remains, however: why there seem to be a lot more empty seats than are claimed in the official attendance figures. Official figures suggest that over 88,000 people watched Saudi Arabia shock Argentina at the Lusail Stadium on Tuesday – less than a thousand shy of capacity – but pockets of available seating were visible across the venue.

The first and most likely explanation is ticket holders not showing up. The biggest gaps at all matches – especially the visibly under-attended Senegal v the Netherlands match on Monday – are those in the most expensive seats that run down the side of the pitch in the first two tiers. This could mean sponsors or invited guests have chosen not to attend.

It could also be that tickets are held by local fans who are unable to make the match. Although Fifa has confirmed that Qatar is among the nations to have bought the greatest share of the 3m available tickets, not surprising for a host nation, the precise number sold has not been published.

This week the Guardian met one Qatari fan who said he had tickets for 20 matches. These were bought using two separate Fifa accounts, an unauthorised practice, and he said the majority of his friends had done similar. Finally it is possible that foreign visitors, who bought tickets in the original ballot, have chosen not to travel.

One further possible explanation is the system used on the ground to sell tickets that have been returned or not sold. A central office at the DECC metro station in the West Bay of Doha offers constant access to available match tickets. But the sales system does not always show every match for sale, with most fixtures appearing to be sold out until the digital displays refreshes to show new options.

Other possible factors include problems with the digital ticketing systems, with "ticket resolution" centres the site of substantial queues in the run-up to both the Saudi and England matches.

It is certainly the case, however, that organisers have talked up the number of people coming to the tournament – with Fifa's president, Gianni Infantino, saying on Friday: "Three million people will be in the stands watching." That claim is not always matching up to the eye test.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 22, 2022, 01:58:17 PM
And, as expected, Cristiano Ronaldo leaves Man United... which makes him an unattached player during the WC.

QuoteCristiano Ronaldo to leave Manchester United with immediate effect
Portugal player exits 'by mutual agreement' and with no payoff
Recent interview had cast doubt on forward's future

Cristiano Ronaldo has left Manchester United by "mutual agreement" after the serious allegations he made in an interview, in an ignominious end to a supremely successful career at the club. He has left without a payoff and there are no restrictions on who he can play for next.

Ronaldo made several claims against United including that the manager, Erik ten Hag, did not respect him and that executives did not believe his need for compassionate leave in the close season.

Ronaldo is with Portugal at the Qatar World Cup and in his absence United banned him from the training ground and explored potential legal action.

A statement said: "Cristiano Ronaldo is to leave Manchester United by mutual agreement, with immediate effect. The club thanks him for his immense contribution across two spells at Old Trafford, scoring 145 goals in 346 appearances, and wishes him and his family well for the future. Everyone at Manchester United remains focused on continuing the team's progress under Erik ten Hag and working together to deliver success on the pitch."

Ronaldo had about £13.5m left on a contract that expired in June. "Following conversations with Manchester United we have mutually agreed to end our contract early," Ronaldo said. "I love Manchester United and I love the fans, that will never ever change. However, it feels like the right time for me to seek a new challenge."

In his first spell at United, between 2003 and 2009, Ronaldo won the Champions League, three Premier Leagues, the FA Cup, two League Cups and the Fifa World Player of the Year award.

The manner of his exit and what predicated it, though, may seriously tarnish his reputation. He twice walked out of United games before the end after Ten Hag took over in the summer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 22, 2022, 02:13:00 PM
Australia 1 France 0 after 10 minutes. One French player, Lucas Hernandez, injured himself just before the goal, and was substituted by his brother Theo.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 22, 2022, 02:27:57 PM
27th minute equalizer by Rabiot. Deserved, les Bleus kept on playing despite being clearly surprised in the beginning.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 22, 2022, 02:32:43 PM
And now 2-1 by Giroud, who scored no goal in 2018. Seems the Aussie moment is over.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on November 22, 2022, 02:33:38 PM
Quote from: Josquius on November 22, 2022, 01:25:35 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on November 22, 2022, 01:20:59 PM
Quote from: Barrister on November 22, 2022, 01:05:46 PMTwo straight 0-0 games.  How thrilling!

Has anyone ever considered making the goals bigger?
I have heard some say they prefer women's football as in having smaller keepers this is what you effectively have :P

A compromise for traditionalists: goals stay the same size, but all keepers must be women.

Or if you are too misogynistic to allow women on the pitch, keepers must be little people.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 22, 2022, 02:46:50 PM
In non-WC news, the Glazers are looking to sell Manchester United. With the kind of money likely necessary to buy United, that will be yet another nation-state club.

With Liverpool up for sale too, potentially both clubs to come under oil-and-natural-gas country club ownership. :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 22, 2022, 02:52:47 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 22, 2022, 02:46:50 PMIn non-WC news, the Glazers are looking to sell Manchester United. With the kind of money likely necessary to buy United, that will be yet another nation-state club.

With Liverpool up for sale too, potentially both clubs to come under oil-and-natural-gas country club ownership. :hmm:

I guess once Dubai get theirs we'll run out of oil sheikdoms, surely? Qatar, KSA, Abu Dabhi already own a major club.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 22, 2022, 03:05:01 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 22, 2022, 02:46:50 PMIn non-WC news, the Glazers are looking to sell Manchester United. With the kind of money likely necessary to buy United, that will be yet another nation-state club.

With Liverpool up for sale too, potentially both clubs to come under oil-and-natural-gas country club ownership. :hmm:
.

The Saudis have newcastle Utd. Liverpool and man Utd are about 20 bazillion times more valuable than the skunks. Who is that much richer than the Saudis?

Anyone wanna ping Musk? He's into silly purchases lately (and ja. Already made this joke himself)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 22, 2022, 03:11:36 PM
Quote from: celedhring on November 22, 2022, 02:52:47 PMI guess once Dubai get theirs we'll run out of oil sheikdoms, surely? Qatar, KSA, Abu Dabhi already own a major club.
Maybe the other Emirates will be interested?

This is a thing though. I suspect it will be mainly American money from now on (hello Super League!) because the Russian oligarch money's gone, Chinese money is seen as a bit suspect/unreliable and we're running out of nation states doing sports-washing. Although, who knows, maybe the Norwegian or Singaporean sovereign wealth fund fancies diversifying into sport :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 22, 2022, 03:21:51 PM
Pas d'oignons aux Australiens!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 22, 2022, 04:26:36 PM
After watching that painful display of incompetence by the USA yesterday, watching France play is a breath of fresh air. Like...oh right this game can be fun.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 22, 2022, 04:28:51 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 22, 2022, 04:26:36 PMAfter watching that painful display of incompetence by the USA yesterday, watching France play is a breath of fresh air. Like...oh right this game can be fun.

congrats. Although, did you smash anything with Australia scored :D ?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 22, 2022, 04:32:36 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 22, 2022, 04:28:51 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 22, 2022, 04:26:36 PMAfter watching that painful display of incompetence by the USA yesterday, watching France play is a breath of fresh air. Like...oh right this game can be fun.

congrats. Although, did you smash anything with Australia scored :D ?

Maybe...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 22, 2022, 04:33:24 PM
Canada up tomorrow. Minus a goalie and defender after late injuries. Let's see what I smash.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 22, 2022, 04:39:21 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 22, 2022, 04:33:24 PMCanada up tomorrow. Minus a goalie and defender after late injuries. Let's see what I smash.

Have you heard something I haven't?  I thought Herdman thought Borjan was good to go.


On the plus side Belgium is down their top scorer in Lukaku.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 22, 2022, 04:42:59 PM
Quote from: Barrister on November 22, 2022, 04:39:21 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 22, 2022, 04:33:24 PMCanada up tomorrow. Minus a goalie and defender after late injuries. Let's see what I smash.

Have you heard something I haven't?  I thought Herdman thought Borjan was good to go.


On the plus side Belgium is down their top scorer in Lukaku.

You're right, had a brain fart and thought Maxime Crepeau was the starter.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 22, 2022, 05:08:15 PM
Canada game starts at 12pm mountain.

I am seriously considering taking a lengthy lunch and trying to find a sportsbar or something nearby that has the game on.  I know I'll be disappointed by the end of it though...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 22, 2022, 06:21:16 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on November 22, 2022, 03:11:36 PM
Quote from: celedhring on November 22, 2022, 02:52:47 PMI guess once Dubai get theirs we'll run out of oil sheikdoms, surely? Qatar, KSA, Abu Dabhi already own a major club.
Maybe the other Emirates will be interested?

This is a thing though. I suspect it will be mainly American money from now on (hello Super League!) because the Russian oligarch money's gone, Chinese money is seen as a bit suspect/unreliable and we're running out of nation states doing sports-washing. Although, who knows, maybe the Norwegian or Singaporean sovereign wealth fund fancies diversifying into sport :lol:

Yeah, with the PR problems of the PIF and now with the Qatar WC, having another fossil fuel sheikhdom buying either Liverpool or United might be a bridge too far. And wasn't there a Saudi bid for Chelsea which failed?

American PE firms snapping up both United and Pool might be the likeliest event.

Although, FSG and the Glazers selling now at the same time probably has something to do with the Super League bid failing last year and seeing the Saudis buy Newcastle. Probably saw the writing on the wall and realized they can't compete with more owners who use balance sheets as toilet paper in the long term. Sell now and get out of dodge.

That leaves Arsenal's Stan Kroenke holding the bag, then :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on November 23, 2022, 04:11:29 AM
Today we are all Costa Ricans.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 23, 2022, 04:13:33 AM
No we aren't.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on November 23, 2022, 04:20:56 AM
 :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 23, 2022, 07:28:38 AM
Quote from: Barrister on November 22, 2022, 01:53:46 PMSo of interest to very few, our local soccer team, FC Edmonton, has been shut down by the league today.

Yeah, heard about that. That sucks.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 23, 2022, 08:13:24 AM
threviel once again shoring up some support for La Roja.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on November 23, 2022, 08:35:13 AM
Today, we are all Canadians.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 23, 2022, 08:37:49 AM
(https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/523d72c0197b7253b1ea287ada05d94d717b34e8/0_17_4218_2530/master/4218.jpg?width=700&quality=85&dpr=1&s=none)

German protest before their current game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 23, 2022, 08:38:39 AM
Quote from: Threviel on November 23, 2022, 04:11:29 AMToday we are all Costa Ricans.

Once the stopped playing keep away I stopped disliking them. Also helps that the stopped winning lol.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 23, 2022, 08:39:12 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 23, 2022, 08:35:13 AMToday, we are all Canadians.

:wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 23, 2022, 08:56:02 AM
Germany showing who was the better Axis Power.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 23, 2022, 08:58:00 AM
Quote from: Valmy on November 23, 2022, 08:56:02 AMGermany showing who was the better Axis Power.

And Italy failed to qualify for the WC, so they can't dispute it.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 23, 2022, 09:01:08 AM
Daizen Maeda is the most Japanese looking person I have ever seen. He's also one of the oldest looking 25 year olds ever.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 23, 2022, 09:36:37 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 23, 2022, 08:37:49 AM(https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/523d72c0197b7253b1ea287ada05d94d717b34e8/0_17_4218_2530/master/4218.jpg?width=700&quality=85&dpr=1&s=none)

German protest before their current game.

Qatar/Fifa will sanction them somehow
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 23, 2022, 09:38:38 AM
Quote from: Valmy on November 23, 2022, 08:56:02 AMGermany showing who was the better Axis Power.

 :secret:

Japan just equalised after many chances wasted by Germany.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 23, 2022, 09:40:12 AM
Good substitution.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 23, 2022, 09:44:33 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 23, 2022, 09:38:38 AM
Quote from: Valmy on November 23, 2022, 08:56:02 AMGermany showing who was the better Axis Power.

 :secret:

Japan just equalised after many chances wasted by Germany.  :D

:ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on November 23, 2022, 09:45:08 AM
This is turning out to be a great day.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 23, 2022, 09:46:26 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 23, 2022, 09:38:38 AM
Quote from: Valmy on November 23, 2022, 08:56:02 AMGermany showing who was the better Axis Power.

 :secret:

Japan just equalised after many chances wasted by Germany.  :D

And now 2-1 for Japan.  :lol:
Great goal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 23, 2022, 09:47:00 AM
Quote from: Valmy on November 23, 2022, 08:56:02 AMGermany showing who was the better Axis Power.

Just for old times sake, can you wish Belgium good luck.


:D :hug:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 23, 2022, 09:54:14 AM
Only 7 minutes of stoppage time: highway robbery!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on November 23, 2022, 09:58:06 AM
Should it be more?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 23, 2022, 10:00:16 AM
At this point they might as well just stop the clock.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 23, 2022, 10:00:26 AM
Quote from: Valmy on November 23, 2022, 08:56:02 AMGermany showing who was the better Axis Power.

You've still got it  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 23, 2022, 10:01:49 AM
Another upset! Damn, I had heard that Germany was not at its best, but loosing to Japan...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on November 23, 2022, 10:03:26 AM
Quote from: HVC on November 23, 2022, 10:00:16 AMAt this point they might as well just stop the clock.

Don't kid!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 23, 2022, 10:03:45 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 23, 2022, 09:58:06 AMShould it be more?

It was 8 minutes eventually.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 23, 2022, 10:03:46 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 23, 2022, 10:01:49 AMAnother upset! Damn, I had heard that Germany was not at its best, but loosing to Japan...

Commentator was saying a lot of Japanese players play i. The German league so are used to the style of play.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 23, 2022, 10:03:50 AM
I am enjoying this recent trend of Germany underperforming at the World Cup
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 23, 2022, 10:05:23 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 23, 2022, 10:03:26 AM
Quote from: HVC on November 23, 2022, 10:00:16 AMAt this point they might as well just stop the clock.

Don't kid!

Be less annoying the waiting for the 90 minutes to run out and then be given another 12. In the Saudi game it seemed  like the ref was dragging it out for Argentina to score.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 23, 2022, 10:13:50 AM
Quote from: Maladict on November 23, 2022, 10:00:26 AM
Quote from: Valmy on November 23, 2022, 08:56:02 AMGermany showing who was the better Axis Power.

You've still got it  :lol:

Bonzai!!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on November 23, 2022, 10:16:26 AM
Quote from: HVC on November 23, 2022, 10:05:23 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 23, 2022, 10:03:26 AM
Quote from: HVC on November 23, 2022, 10:00:16 AMAt this point they might as well just stop the clock.

Don't kid!

Be less annoying the waiting for the 90 minutes to run out and then be given another 12. In the Saudi game it seemed  like the ref was dragging it out for Argentina to score.

Well, yeah. I, obviously, think that the solution to soccer is to stop the clock.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on November 23, 2022, 10:30:53 AM
Quote from: HVC on November 23, 2022, 10:00:16 AMAt this point they might as well just stop the clock.

Can't help reviving an old joke.

What did the Gestapo officer say to the broken clock?












Ve hav ways of making you tock
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 23, 2022, 10:36:32 AM
Next up: Can Costa Rica defeat her former colonial master? Or just tie them like the USA did?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 23, 2022, 11:15:19 AM
World Cup nerds, a little help here:

So in exciting Group F action, Morocco and Croatia tied 0-0.  But Canada is in Group F, and realistically to make the next round have to finish ahead of both teams.

So was a 0-0 final a good thing or a bad thing for Canada?

:unsure:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 23, 2022, 11:25:23 AM
Quote from: Barrister on November 23, 2022, 11:15:19 AMWorld Cup nerds, a little help here:

So in exciting Group F action, Morocco and Croatia tied 0-0.  But Canada is in Group F, and realistically to make the next round have to finish ahead of both teams.

So was a 0-0 final a good thing or a bad thing for Canada?

:unsure:

Yes. The 4th team in your group is Belgium which is the guaranteed group winner. Canada needs to grab 2nd place. You'll have zero after the Belgium game, but Morocco will also have zero points from playing Belgium on Sunday.

If you can beat Croatia on the same day, then you'll be second place with a 2 points advantage, and in the last round with Belgium beating Croatia you only need to hold Morocco to a draw.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 23, 2022, 11:27:46 AM
Yeah. You generally just want the big fish in the group to win their games. Your rivals are the other two. If they drop points that is generally good for you.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on November 23, 2022, 11:29:25 AM
Quote from: Barrister on November 23, 2022, 11:15:19 AMWorld Cup nerds, a little help here:

So in exciting Group F action, Morocco and Croatia tied 0-0.  But Canada is in Group F, and realistically to make the next round have to finish ahead of both teams.

So was a 0-0 final a good thing or a bad thing for Canada?

:unsure:

Good.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 23, 2022, 11:30:52 AM
Quote from: Tamas on November 23, 2022, 11:25:23 AMCanada needs to grab 2nd place. You'll have zero after the Belgium game,

:blurgh:

Germany and Argentina just lost, so hope spring eternal!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 23, 2022, 11:33:03 AM
Germany are going to go out in the group stage again, aren't they  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 23, 2022, 11:38:32 AM
Quote from: Valmy on November 23, 2022, 10:36:32 AMNext up: Can Costa Rica defeat her former colonial master? Or just tie them like the USA did?

threviel just jinxed them, again, as most teams playing Spain.
3-0 for the "Hispanics".  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 23, 2022, 11:43:09 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 23, 2022, 11:33:03 AMGermany are going to go out in the group stage again, aren't they  :lol:

Careful, you could do a reverse jinx à la threviel, with (too much) Schadenfreude.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 23, 2022, 11:52:25 AM
Quote from: Barrister on November 23, 2022, 11:15:19 AMWorld Cup nerds, a little help here:

So in exciting Group F action, Morocco and Croatia tied 0-0.  But Canada is in Group F, and realistically to make the next round have to finish ahead of both teams.

So was a 0-0 final a good thing or a bad thing for Canada?

:unsure:

Yes for sure.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on November 23, 2022, 12:04:02 PM
Quote from: Barrister on November 23, 2022, 11:15:19 AMWorld Cup nerds, a little help here:

So in exciting Group F action, Morocco and Croatia tied 0-0.  But Canada is in Group F, and realistically to make the next round have to finish ahead of both teams.

So was a 0-0 final a good thing or a bad thing for Canada?

:unsure:

As the others have mentioned, yes.

They turned a 3 point game into a 2 point one and they have no goals for(2nd tie breaker).

While Canada's defeat this afternoon is all but assured. The team mission is to score goals & hopefully remain within 1 of Belgium.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 23, 2022, 12:14:33 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 23, 2022, 12:04:02 PMWhile Canada's defeat this afternoon is all but assured. The team mission is to score goals & hopefully remain within 1 of Belgium.

Are you just trying to reverse-jinx the Canadians?

I wouldn't be betting on the Canadians, I certainly aren't predicting they'll win, but they have a fighters chance.  Belgium is playing a game everyone tells them they're supposed to win, versus Canada wanting to show the world they belong on the world stage... stranger things have happened.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on November 23, 2022, 12:24:36 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 23, 2022, 08:37:49 AM(https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/523d72c0197b7253b1ea287ada05d94d717b34e8/0_17_4218_2530/master/4218.jpg?width=700&quality=85&dpr=1&s=none)

German protest before their current game.

The message: speak not of the game they are about to play.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 23, 2022, 12:37:41 PM
5-0 for Spain now. Costa Rica completely dominated with 85 % of ball possession for la Roja.
.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 23, 2022, 12:39:36 PM
So Canada lost 1-0 in Costa Rica during qualifying.  Just putting this out there
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 23, 2022, 12:53:41 PM
6-0 now, with 8 minutes of stoppage time. Maybe Hispanics should stop the carnage against fellow Hispanics.  :P

Well no, Morata scored. Almost all shots on goal are are goals.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 23, 2022, 12:54:09 PM
7-0

The Empire strikes back. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 23, 2022, 12:55:38 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 23, 2022, 12:53:41 PM6-0 now, with 8 minutes of stoppage time. Maybe Hispanics should stop the carnage against fellow Hispanics.  :P

Well no, Morata scored. Almost all shots on goal are are goals.

Like I said in the England game, god only gives so many goals, they shouldn't waste them all on the first game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 23, 2022, 12:58:19 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 23, 2022, 12:55:38 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 23, 2022, 12:53:41 PM6-0 now, with 8 minutes of stoppage time. Maybe Hispanics should stop the carnage against fellow Hispanics.  :P

Well no, Morata scored. Almost all shots on goal are are goals.


Like I said in the England game, god only gives so many goals, they shouldn't waste them all on the first game.

This isn't Portugal vs North Korea, calm down.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 23, 2022, 12:59:07 PM
Mark my words! :contract: :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 23, 2022, 01:01:42 PM
Quote from: celedhring on November 23, 2022, 12:54:09 PM7-0

The Empire strikes back. 


:yeah:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 23, 2022, 01:02:24 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 23, 2022, 12:59:07 PMMark my words! :contract: :P

In 2010 we only scored 8 goals in the whole competition.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 23, 2022, 01:03:35 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 23, 2022, 12:59:07 PMMark my words! :contract: :P

:secret:
Next game is Germany-Spain.

I am sure Germany and Japan can beat Costa Rica.

Mark my words!  :contract:  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 23, 2022, 01:26:02 PM
TSN (Sports network in Canada) is really pushing this game. They had a 3 hour pre game show. Watching it now, getting excited for it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 23, 2022, 01:44:22 PM
Wtf happened with Germany?
I saw most of the first half and bit of the second but then had to go live my life....
It was super one sided before.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on November 23, 2022, 02:00:50 PM
Let's go!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 23, 2022, 02:01:29 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 23, 2022, 01:26:02 PMTSN (Sports network in Canada) is really pushing this game. They had a 3 hour pre game show. Watching it now, getting excited for it.

I'm sure they paid a lot of money for WC rights so damn straight they're going to milk it.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 23, 2022, 02:09:50 PM
Trying to listen to the game while at work, but my lack of familiarity with the sport makes it hard to follow.  Hard to visualize.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 23, 2022, 02:11:25 PM
On the one hand :( , on the other hand so far in this tournament scoring a penalty leads to a 1-2 loss :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 23, 2022, 02:11:54 PM
Shit
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 23, 2022, 02:12:40 PM
Quote from: Barrister on November 23, 2022, 02:09:50 PMTrying to listen to the game while at work, but my lack of familiarity with the sport makes it hard to follow.  Hard to visualize.



You have cable? If so you can watch it on tsn.ca. Minimize the screen so you can still "work" :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 23, 2022, 02:16:19 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 23, 2022, 02:12:40 PM
Quote from: Barrister on November 23, 2022, 02:09:50 PMTrying to listen to the game while at work, but my lack of familiarity with the sport makes it hard to follow.  Hard to visualize.



You have cable? If so you can watch it on tsn.ca. Minimize the screen so you can still "work" :D

No idea what my account info would be - should have checked for that earlier.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 23, 2022, 02:18:08 PM
Quote from: Barrister on November 23, 2022, 02:16:19 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 23, 2022, 02:12:40 PM
Quote from: Barrister on November 23, 2022, 02:09:50 PMTrying to listen to the game while at work, but my lack of familiarity with the sport makes it hard to follow.  Hard to visualize.



You have cable? If so you can watch it on tsn.ca. Minimize the screen so you can still "work" :D

No idea what my account info would be - should have checked for that earlier.

Whatever you use to log into your cable account (to check bills or whatever). If you're not set up you can do so now, access should be instantaneous.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on November 23, 2022, 02:19:50 PM
They also have a mobile app that works ok. I use that since I don't have cable. The game is also on OTA CTV.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 23, 2022, 02:31:55 PM
Canada's wasting too many chances.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on November 23, 2022, 02:35:37 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 23, 2022, 01:02:24 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 23, 2022, 12:59:07 PMMark my words! :contract: :P
In 2010 we only scored 8 goals in the whole competition.  :lol:
:bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 23, 2022, 02:44:07 PM
Fuck.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 23, 2022, 02:44:54 PM
Fuck
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on November 23, 2022, 02:45:28 PM
Fuck. So unfair, Canada runs circles around the Belgians.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on November 23, 2022, 02:45:57 PM
Canada bodied Belgium for 45 minutes, wasted so many chances and Belgians scored on their only chance of the 1st half.

Football sucks sometimes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on November 23, 2022, 02:57:12 PM
According to the referee specialist on TV Canada should have had two more crystal clear penalties.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on November 23, 2022, 02:58:15 PM
Looking at the replays, there could have been 3 penalties awarded to Canada instead of 1. Those were pretty clear fouls, I think. Not sure what VAR is doing...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on November 23, 2022, 02:59:23 PM
Quote from: Threviel on November 23, 2022, 02:57:12 PMAccording to the referee specialist on TV Canada should have had two more crystal clear penalties.

Watching on BBC (who are full of praise for Canada). One was deffo not a pen. - looked like it but Belgian got the ball first. Second arguable.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 23, 2022, 02:59:52 PM
Yeah the one on Lareya for sur was a penalty
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 23, 2022, 03:00:00 PM
Quote from: Threviel on November 23, 2022, 02:57:12 PMAccording to the referee specialist on TV Canada should have had two more crystal clear penalties.

The one I thought was a bad call was when the defender tripper up the player by stepping on his foot. But VAR said no.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 23, 2022, 03:01:29 PM
It's gonna be a tough half. Canada needs to keep at it but the Belgians are gonna exploit any breaks. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 23, 2022, 03:09:33 PM
Hey duque, Eustáquio is playing well, don't you think :D

*edit* I jinxed him.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on November 23, 2022, 03:12:46 PM
Come on you plucky little Canadians!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 23, 2022, 03:21:08 PM
Guess they subbed in two guys to rough Canada up. Time to bring out the hockey sticks.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on November 23, 2022, 03:25:02 PM
Canada are very good on the press, superb in midfield and on the counter but awful in the final third.

Belgium have squandered their golden generation and look like England were at a similar stage one the early 2000s
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on November 23, 2022, 03:55:44 PM
Well, that is the worse result possible. A loss without any goals scored. ☹️
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 23, 2022, 03:57:16 PM
Bah - by all accounts a really strong game by Canada, but still left with the team never scoring any World Cup goals in history.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 23, 2022, 04:02:49 PM
Well done Canada, very attractive football. I just hope they didn't burn themselves out in this first match.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on November 23, 2022, 04:27:04 PM
They ran out of steam a little at the end, but overall what a strong game. They really were all over Belgium.

Real shame. :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 23, 2022, 05:22:38 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on November 23, 2022, 02:45:57 PMCanada bodied Belgium for 45 minutes, wasted so many chances and Belgians scored on their only chance of the 1st half.

Football sucks sometimes.

Belgium sound like Conte's Tottenham  :nelson:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 23, 2022, 06:06:09 PM
Anyway, I think Canada have a decent chance of making it out of the group. Play with that energy versus Croatia and I think you can get 3 points.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 23, 2022, 07:18:01 PM
Are all the refs for a WC chosen from the league (conference? continent? pool? division?) of the host country?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 23, 2022, 08:04:54 PM
Not a lot of Frenchy names on the Canucklehead side.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on November 23, 2022, 08:39:18 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on November 23, 2022, 08:04:54 PMNot a lot of Frenchy names on the Canucklehead side.

3 are from Québec.

James Pantemis
Samuel Piette
Ismaël Koné

Which is probably a record.


Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 24, 2022, 06:22:08 AM
The Moroccan keeper was born in Montreal, now that it's mentioned. No idea if he was ever approached to play for Canada.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on November 24, 2022, 07:22:51 AM
That 2nd goal for Japan looks like a contender for goal of the tournament?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on November 24, 2022, 08:03:20 AM
(https://preview.redd.it/yqd3fr53hv1a1.png?width=960&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=9cc00f4738fd50458c39f419253b97b88512840b)

This seems a tad expensive.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 24, 2022, 08:08:39 AM
I read somewhere that this WC has costed as much as several of the last few ones put together. When you have to build almost everything from scratch I guess that costs just pile up...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 24, 2022, 08:24:18 AM
Quote from: HVC on November 23, 2022, 03:09:33 PMHey duque, Eustáquio is playing well, don't you think :D

*edit* I jinxed him.

Missed the game sorry, I am not exactly in World Cup mood, despite my previous posts. Lots of games not free to watch except  :pirate.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 24, 2022, 08:26:08 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 24, 2022, 08:08:39 AMI read somewhere that this WC has costed as much as several of the last few ones put together. When you have to build almost everything from scratch I guess that costs just pile up...

The Russian World Cup was the most expensive to date with some graft of course, but the figures for the Wahhabi tournament are crazy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 24, 2022, 08:33:23 AM
]

Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 24, 2022, 08:24:18 AM
Quote from: HVC on November 23, 2022, 03:09:33 PMHey duque, Eustáquio is playing well, don't you think :D

*edit* I jinxed him.

Missed the game sorry, I am not exactly in World Cup mood, despite my previous posts. Lots of games not free to watch except  :pirate.

You're forgiven, this time :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 24, 2022, 08:39:19 AM
Quote from: HVC on November 24, 2022, 08:33:23 AM]

Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 24, 2022, 08:24:18 AM
Quote from: HVC on November 23, 2022, 03:09:33 PMHey duque, Eustáquio is playing well, don't you think :D

*edit* I jinxed him.

Missed the game sorry, I am not exactly in World Cup mood, despite my previous posts. Lots of games not free to watch except  :pirate.

You're forgiven, this time :P

And the other Portuguese, playing for Chaves (that's not far from Bragança just in case), as Eustáquio used to ? Steven Vitória. He is a bit of penalty shooter, could have mattered yesterday.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 24, 2022, 08:40:06 AM
Korea holding his own  :hmm: vs Uruguay. Bento has improved a lot from his last days as coach of Portugal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 24, 2022, 08:47:21 AM
Of course, Uruguay just hit the post afterwards. They might snatch a win on garra and experience in the end.

Only 1 minute of stoppage time for the firt half: robbery!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on November 24, 2022, 09:21:32 AM
Quote from: Zanza on November 24, 2022, 08:03:20 AM(https://preview.redd.it/yqd3fr53hv1a1.png?width=960&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=9cc00f4738fd50458c39f419253b97b88512840b)

This seems a tad expensive.

Yeah, 3/4 of the SA cost was probably Shakira's performance fee.


edit:
to be serious I've heard the Qatar figure is around $200 billion, but that includes new train lines, motorways and what amounts to a new city or two, so a big chunk of that isn't even legacy like the 8 new stadia?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 24, 2022, 09:31:10 AM
Korean team a bit tired with Uruguay dominating and getting some chances but not enough, yet.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 24, 2022, 09:49:03 AM
Uruguay hit again the woodwork, second time of this game. Now unto the stoppage time (7 mins) and Korea almost scored afterwards.  :hmm:

A tie would be fair I guess.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 24, 2022, 09:57:25 AM
Seemed like a dive to get a free kick to avoid a last attack by Uruguay as the finishing move of the game.

All in all, a tie does seem fair however, another goalless one.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on November 24, 2022, 10:28:58 AM
And now we all become Ghanaians.

#Sorry, not sorry.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 24, 2022, 10:31:48 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 24, 2022, 10:28:58 AMAnd now we all become Ghanaians.

#Sorry, not sorry.

 :blurgh:  :bash:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 24, 2022, 10:50:02 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 24, 2022, 10:28:58 AMAnd now we all become Ghanaians.

#Sorry, not sorry.

Une belle petite rancœur recuite, ou amertume, de footix. :)

Enfin, ça a porté chance en 2016.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on November 24, 2022, 10:51:15 AM
I hate what I hate and the Portugal national football team is #2 on that list.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 24, 2022, 10:56:11 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 24, 2022, 10:51:15 AMI hate what I hate and the Portugal national football team is #2 on that list.

Damn, can't even make number 1? That's even more insulting :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on November 24, 2022, 10:59:13 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 24, 2022, 10:51:15 AMI hate what I hate and the Portugal national football team is #2 on that list.

Are you leaving room for Spain at the top or what's number one?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 24, 2022, 11:00:12 AM
https://www.sofoot.com/deguises-en-croises-des-supporters-anglais-se-font-recaler-a-l-entree-d-un-stade-521946.html#comment-329516 (https://www.sofoot.com/deguises-en-croises-des-supporters-anglais-se-font-recaler-a-l-entree-d-un-stade-521946.html#comment-329516)

Some English fans dressed up as Crusaders were denied entry in a Wahhabi Cup stadium.  :lol:
Qatar triggered!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on November 24, 2022, 11:09:23 AM
Quote from: Threviel on November 24, 2022, 10:59:13 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 24, 2022, 10:51:15 AMI hate what I hate and the Portugal national football team is #2 on that list.

Are you leaving room for Spain at the top or what's number one?

Soccer wise, #1 is Italy.
All Sports wise, it's the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 24, 2022, 11:12:13 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 24, 2022, 11:09:23 AM
Quote from: Threviel on November 24, 2022, 10:59:13 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 24, 2022, 10:51:15 AMI hate what I hate and the Portugal national football team is #2 on that list.

Are you leaving room for Spain at the top or what's number one?

Soccer wise, #1 is Italy.
All Sports wise, it's the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Leafs? That's like picking on the handicapped. They're not going to win anything.  :D

I approve of the Italy hate though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 24, 2022, 11:26:28 AM
Well, Ghana is just here for the tie, so the Selecção will have to attack more.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on November 24, 2022, 11:33:08 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 24, 2022, 11:09:23 AM
Quote from: Threviel on November 24, 2022, 10:59:13 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 24, 2022, 10:51:15 AMI hate what I hate and the Portugal national football team is #2 on that list.

Are you leaving room for Spain at the top or what's number one?

Soccer wise, #1 is Italy.
All Sports wise, it's the Toronto Maple Leafs.

I went from despising Italy to liking/low-key supporting them in 2006, either they stopped playing like bastards or everyone else caught up. That glorious semi-final against Germany made it for me.

The glorious English tears last EC wasn't bad either.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 24, 2022, 11:34:09 AM
First Ronaldo goal cancelled. Golden dive for the former Gold Coast team.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 24, 2022, 11:50:22 AM
First half dominated by Portugal but not too many chances, goal cancelled notwithstanding.
Knowing Fernando Santos he will only try to fix the team in a more attacking way in the last 15 minutes, possibly later, as in too late.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 24, 2022, 12:04:23 PM
Is it just me or have today's games been dull-o-ramas
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 24, 2022, 12:06:27 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 24, 2022, 11:50:22 AMFirst half dominated by Portugal but not too many chances, goal cancelled notwithstanding.
Knowing Fernando Santos he will only try to fix the team in a more attacking way in the last 15 minutes, possibly later, as in too late.

Ghana is going to play defensive, portugal will push too much at the end for a goal, fuck up, and get scored on. It's the way.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 24, 2022, 12:07:49 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 24, 2022, 12:04:23 PMIs it just me or have today's games been dull-o-ramas

Didn't see the Swiss win, but at least in the korea game both teams were trying, if Ineffectively.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 24, 2022, 12:24:40 PM
Penalty for Portugal, and Penaldo scored.  :P
First player to score in 5 different world cups.
Still one goal behind Eusébio however, who scored all 9 in the same world cup.

Same foul more or less as before the cancelled goal for Portugal in the first half. The former should have been granted IMO but the referee played compensation I guess.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 24, 2022, 12:25:12 PM
Light penalty, but it counters the bad call earlier.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 24, 2022, 12:26:20 PM
There we go HVC
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 24, 2022, 12:30:26 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 24, 2022, 12:26:20 PMThere we go HVC

Damn you! :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 24, 2022, 12:33:34 PM
Ghana equalised on their very first chances following the even more defensive play by Fernando Santos.

A couple of minutes of offensive play and a goal.  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 24, 2022, 12:33:57 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 24, 2022, 12:30:26 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 24, 2022, 12:26:20 PMThere we go HVC

Damn you! :lol:

I expect a thank you gift basket from Black Stars fans.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 24, 2022, 12:35:22 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 24, 2022, 12:33:57 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 24, 2022, 12:30:26 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 24, 2022, 12:26:20 PMThere we go HVC

Damn you! :lol:

I expect a thank you gift basket from Black Stars fans.

Does that count as jinxing Ghana? :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 24, 2022, 12:36:51 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 24, 2022, 12:30:26 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 24, 2022, 12:26:20 PMThere we go HVC

Damn you! :lol:

What did you say Valmy?  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 24, 2022, 12:37:07 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 24, 2022, 12:35:22 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 24, 2022, 12:33:57 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 24, 2022, 12:30:26 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 24, 2022, 12:26:20 PMThere we go HVC

Damn you! :lol:

I expect a thank you gift basket from Black Stars fans.

Does that count as jinxing Ghana? :P

Yes, but wait for the end of the game.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 24, 2022, 12:39:03 PM
Wait, some inspired offensive coaching by Santos? New comer Leão just scored on a counter-attack.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 24, 2022, 12:50:52 PM
9 minutes of stoppage time, and Ghana just scored: 3-2.  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 24, 2022, 12:52:50 PM
How do you push a goalie and not even get a foul.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 24, 2022, 12:55:36 PM
Is it just me or does stoppage time seem to go on forever in this WC?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 24, 2022, 12:57:50 PM
The refs are under direction to make up all time lost. Should just stop the clock at this point.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 24, 2022, 12:59:50 PM
Damn, Diogo Costa nearly blew it. He is very good usually.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 24, 2022, 01:00:29 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 24, 2022, 12:59:50 PMDamn, Diogo Costa nearly blew it. He is very good usually.

Yes, almost ended in a very humiliating fashion.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 24, 2022, 01:05:17 PM
Yay and all, but they're in trouble against a good offense.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 24, 2022, 01:15:10 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 24, 2022, 12:55:36 PMIs it just me or does stoppage time seem to go on forever in this WC?
It's deliberate - and I don't hate it as an idea:
https://twitter.com/TheAthleticFC/status/1595477530055786517?s=20&t=wPqpk-RQ_Rzoq6ClePmPRQ
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on November 24, 2022, 01:20:45 PM
I like the added stoppage. The endless time wasting is so grating. I think the next steps will be more liberal use of yellow cards for time wasting.

Portugal got lucky today. If Ghana decided to attack earlier in the game, they would have been toast. Also a very weak penalty call.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 24, 2022, 01:42:14 PM
Yugoslavia beat Brazil back in the 1930 World Cup but never beat them again in all the nine matches they would play until Yugoslavia ended in 2002 or so with the independence of Montenegro. And now Serbia has a two match losing streak of its own.

Can Serbia break its 11 match winless streak? The world needs to know.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 24, 2022, 01:45:24 PM
I'm normally allergic to rooting for favourites, but by families ties I am obliged to root for Brazil in international soccer.

I'll admit it's much easier to do so when they play a country like Serbia.  :menace:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 24, 2022, 01:50:06 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on November 24, 2022, 01:20:45 PMI like the added stoppage. The endless time wasting is so grating. I think the next steps will be more liberal use of yellow cards for time wasting.

Portugal got lucky today. If Ghana decided to attack earlier in the game, they would have been toast. Also a very weak penalty call.

If Ghana decided to attack earlier, Portugal would have Fernando Santos' dream scenario: playing counter. Maybe they should have, they seem to have the means.
As for the weak penalty call, Ronaldo was denied a goal following a comparable challenge. Double standards, but not necessarily in the Selecção's favor.

Still, bad coaching by Fernando Santos, except for Leão. Too many defensive midfielders and still a Ghanean goal just afterwards. Gone are the days of substituting an attacking midfielder by a 9...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 24, 2022, 01:50:41 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 24, 2022, 01:05:17 PMYay and all, but they're in trouble with such a poor defense, without Pepe.

Fixed!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 24, 2022, 02:01:12 PM
Did he piss off Santos, or just not up to shape to start?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 24, 2022, 02:11:30 PM
Budweiser to ship unsold beer to the winning country


https://globalnews.ca/news/9302378/unsold-world-cup-beer-budweiser/
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 24, 2022, 02:12:37 PM
Apparently there's a bit of a "war of the armbands" going on at the luxury boxes of the stadiums, after yesterday a German minister wore the One Love armband there.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FiVfwy1WAAAW5AU?format=jpg&name=900x900)

Today Qataris were seen in the stands wearing Pro-Palestine armbands.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FiVfwy6WAAA7kJz?format=jpg&name=900x900)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 24, 2022, 02:17:53 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 24, 2022, 02:11:30 PMBudweiser to ship unsold beer to the winning country


https://globalnews.ca/news/9302378/unsold-world-cup-beer-budweiser/
:yucky:
Winning country is supposed to receive a gift, not a punishment.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 24, 2022, 02:18:55 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 24, 2022, 02:01:12 PMDid he piss off Santos, or just not up to shape to start?

Recovering from an injury. Too soon to return, probably.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 24, 2022, 02:26:47 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 24, 2022, 02:17:53 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 24, 2022, 02:11:30 PMBudweiser to ship unsold beer to the winning country


https://globalnews.ca/news/9302378/unsold-world-cup-beer-budweiser/
:yucky:
Winning country is supposed to receive a gift, not a punishment.

Free is free :P

Actually, does France have a beer culture?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on November 24, 2022, 02:38:35 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 24, 2022, 02:26:47 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 24, 2022, 02:17:53 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 24, 2022, 02:11:30 PMBudweiser to ship unsold beer to the winning country


https://globalnews.ca/news/9302378/unsold-world-cup-beer-budweiser/
:yucky:
Winning country is supposed to receive a gift, not a punishment.

Free is free :P

Actually, does France have a beer culture?

In the north, certainly. Lots of good Alsatian beers
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 24, 2022, 02:40:10 PM
Once again proving that Alsatians are Germans that speak funny.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on November 24, 2022, 03:02:03 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 24, 2022, 02:12:37 PMApparently there's a bit of a "war of the armbands" going on at the luxury boxes of the stadiums, after yesterday a German minister wore the One Love armband there.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FiVfwy1WAAAW5AU?format=jpg&name=900x900)

Today Qataris were seen in the stands wearing Pro-Palestine armbands.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FiVfwy6WAAA7kJz?format=jpg&name=900x900)
Is being pro-Palestine particularly controversial? Certainly not for a German government minister as favoring a two state solution is official policy here.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 24, 2022, 03:13:20 PM
Quote from: Gups on November 24, 2022, 02:38:35 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 24, 2022, 02:26:47 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 24, 2022, 02:17:53 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 24, 2022, 02:11:30 PMBudweiser to ship unsold beer to the winning country


https://globalnews.ca/news/9302378/unsold-world-cup-beer-budweiser/
:yucky:
Winning country is supposed to receive a gift, not a punishment.

Free is free :P

Actually, does France have a beer culture?

In the north, certainly. Lots of good Alsatian beers

North and East to be precise, though it was implied with the reference to Alsatian beers.

HVC

North means close to Belgium, as in Lille.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 24, 2022, 03:16:40 PM
Quote from: Zanza on November 24, 2022, 03:02:03 PMIs being pro-Palestine particularly controversial? Certainly not for a German government minister as favoring a two state solution is official policy here.

Beats me, I just saw it quoted on Twitter today. Maybe they think that the West is all pro-Israel? Don't know.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 24, 2022, 03:17:26 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 24, 2022, 03:13:20 PM
Quote from: Gups on November 24, 2022, 02:38:35 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 24, 2022, 02:26:47 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 24, 2022, 02:17:53 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 24, 2022, 02:11:30 PMBudweiser to ship unsold beer to the winning country


https://globalnews.ca/news/9302378/unsold-world-cup-beer-budweiser/
:yucky:
Winning country is supposed to receive a gift, not a punishment.

Free is free :P

Actually, does France have a beer culture?

In the north, certainly. Lots of good Alsatian beers

North and East to be precise, though it was implied with the reference to Alsatian beers.

HVC

North means close to Belgium, as in Lille.  :P

I'm not ameircan, I know geography :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 24, 2022, 03:22:32 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 24, 2022, 03:17:26 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 24, 2022, 03:13:20 PM
Quote from: Gups on November 24, 2022, 02:38:35 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 24, 2022, 02:26:47 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 24, 2022, 02:17:53 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 24, 2022, 02:11:30 PMBudweiser to ship unsold beer to the winning country


https://globalnews.ca/news/9302378/unsold-world-cup-beer-budweiser/
:yucky:
Winning country is supposed to receive a gift, not a punishment.

Free is free :P

Actually, does France have a beer culture?

In the north, certainly. Lots of good Alsatian beers

North and East to be precise, though it was implied with the reference to Alsatian beers.

HVC

North means close to Belgium, as in Lille.  :P

I'm not ameircan, I know geography :P

You are American, you live in North America.  :P

Brazil just scored against Serbia.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 24, 2022, 03:23:23 PM
I don't think the last 20 minutes will be as entertaining as in the Portugal-Ghana game but let's see.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 24, 2022, 03:26:48 PM
Richarlison :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 24, 2022, 03:30:55 PM
Now that's a goal
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 24, 2022, 03:32:19 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 24, 2022, 03:30:55 PMNow that's a goal

Sim senhor!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 24, 2022, 03:33:10 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on November 24, 2022, 03:26:48 PMRicharlison :(

?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 24, 2022, 03:48:33 PM
Only 7 minutes of stoppage time.

Brazil impressive, against a more than decent side.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on November 24, 2022, 04:42:02 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on November 24, 2022, 03:26:48 PMRicharlison :(

 :yeah:  :console:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 24, 2022, 07:29:59 PM
https://twitter.com/luckytran/status/1595894572525441024?t=KqiHWop-fWshVB9mp5AiGA&s=19

QuoteRicharlison, who just scored two goals in Brazil's World Cup opener:

-  Is a science ambassador & raised awareness of COVID vaccines

- Donates 10% of his salary to help house ppl undergoing cancer treatment

- Is anti-Bolsonaro & spoken out against police killings

The only Spurs player I respect. Good for him and I'm happy he is playing well for his nation.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on November 25, 2022, 02:42:22 AM
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FiXSvWfWAAIZHNm?format=jpg&name=medium)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 25, 2022, 06:19:38 AM
Pretty emotional scenes during the Iranian anthem. Players didn't look like they wanted to sing, but they did. Fans crying on the big screen. I doubt this is received better back home.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 25, 2022, 06:45:36 AM
How is that not a red card

*edit* red now.  But shouldn't have taken VAR.

also, America should be a bit worried.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 25, 2022, 06:59:41 AM
Apparently Neymar might miss the remaining games until the knockout stage after yesterday's ankle injury. He's out of the next game for sure, and only probable for the last game of the group stage.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on November 25, 2022, 07:02:01 AM
 :nelson: wales
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 25, 2022, 07:05:28 AM
Wow, 98th and 101st minute goals. Deserved win for Iran though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 25, 2022, 07:19:45 AM
Where is Michael Sheen now? :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 25, 2022, 08:34:19 AM
Qatar-Senegal now.

Força Senegal!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on November 25, 2022, 08:35:48 AM
Quote from: Maladict on November 25, 2022, 07:05:28 AMWow, 98th and 101st minute goals. Deserved win for Iran though.

Hopefully Wales can beat England and Iran draw with the USA; would that mean they could then qualify??
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 25, 2022, 08:43:29 AM
1-0 for Senegal, following a big mistake of the Qatar defense though Senegal has been dominating most of this half-time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on November 25, 2022, 08:52:40 AM
Quote from: mongers on November 25, 2022, 08:35:48 AM
Quote from: Maladict on November 25, 2022, 07:05:28 AMWow, 98th and 101st minute goals. Deserved win for Iran though.

Hopefully Wales can beat England and Iran draw with the USA; would that mean they could then qualify??

They would need England to beat or draw with USA and then do better than Iran on goal difference.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 25, 2022, 08:57:41 AM
Qatar got robbed on that...should have been a penalty.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 25, 2022, 09:32:30 AM
2-0 for Senegal now.

Great save by the Senegalese keeper.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 25, 2022, 09:45:14 AM
2-1 when the stream failed. :bash:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 25, 2022, 09:48:31 AM
3-1 for Senegal, by a sub who just entered the pitch.

Can Qatar play like Ghana yesterday?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 25, 2022, 09:54:44 AM
Only 6 minutes of stoppage this time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on November 25, 2022, 10:06:56 AM
Seemed accurate. They didn't waste much time getting the ball back in play.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 25, 2022, 11:04:54 AM
Well, Qatar can still qualify provided Ecuador wins and Qatar wins subsequently against Batavians. 
Senegal has to lose also against Ecuador in the last match.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 25, 2022, 11:06:17 AM
That was quick. I have faith in you Ecuador!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 25, 2022, 11:08:07 AM
Quote from: HVC on November 25, 2022, 11:06:17 AMThat was quick. I have faith in you Ecuador!

Things look dire for Qatar.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 25, 2022, 11:11:48 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 25, 2022, 11:08:07 AM
Quote from: HVC on November 25, 2022, 11:06:17 AMThat was quick. I have faith in you Ecuador!

Things look dire for Qatar.  :P


They should have refused their opponents entry to the stadiums. It's the only thing that seems to work out for them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 25, 2022, 11:14:46 AM
Quote from: Maladict on November 25, 2022, 11:11:48 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 25, 2022, 11:08:07 AM
Quote from: HVC on November 25, 2022, 11:06:17 AMThat was quick. I have faith in you Ecuador!

Things look dire for Qatar.  :P


They should have refused their opponents entry to the stadiums. It's the only thing that seems to work out for them.

Yeah, that berber flag looks suspiciously close to the LGBTEtc. flag.  :P
Since the flag is banned it's hard to know what it looks like (not the Amazigh/Berber flag).  :D

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/20544779/world-cup-berber-flag-banned-lgbtq-rainbow/ (https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/20544779/world-cup-berber-flag-banned-lgbtq-rainbow/)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 25, 2022, 11:49:31 AM
Not sure why that was disallowed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 25, 2022, 11:51:49 AM
Foul or offside?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 25, 2022, 11:56:30 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 25, 2022, 11:51:49 AMFoul or offside?

Offside and blocking the line of sight for the goalkeeper. I guess a valid call then.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 25, 2022, 12:07:58 PM
Quote from: Maladict on November 25, 2022, 11:56:30 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 25, 2022, 11:51:49 AMFoul or offside?

Offside and blocking the line of sight for the goalkeeper. I guess a valid call then.

Yep, that's what was eventually said, at least.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 25, 2022, 12:12:02 PM
Well, here it is.

1-1
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 25, 2022, 12:15:00 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 25, 2022, 12:12:02 PMWell, here it is.

1-1

:yeah: one more, you can do it equador . 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 25, 2022, 12:17:05 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 25, 2022, 12:15:00 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 25, 2022, 12:12:02 PMWell, here it is.

1-1

:yeah: one more, you can do it equador . 

+1 for using the Portuguese spelling. :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 25, 2022, 12:22:17 PM
Netherlanders need to wake up, Ecuadorians hit the woodwork.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 25, 2022, 12:53:12 PM
6 minutes of stoppage.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 25, 2022, 12:57:15 PM
First 5 minutes were pretty good. The less said about the rest, the better  <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 25, 2022, 12:59:16 PM
Well, the Batavians will have to thrash Qatar to be first of the group. More than doable.

Qatar out, by the way.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on November 25, 2022, 01:56:02 PM
Come on you little Satans.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 25, 2022, 02:23:27 PM
Where are the Yank posters?

Team USA is holding its own for now.

Does Valmy's jinx work against the US too?  :hmm:

So many questions...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on November 25, 2022, 02:33:47 PM
England very poor so far
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 25, 2022, 02:34:39 PM
Yanks just hit the bar.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 25, 2022, 02:46:18 PM
Only one minute of stoppage time for the first half but little time was lost.

England trying to strike just before half-time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 25, 2022, 03:21:36 PM
Quote from: Gups on November 25, 2022, 02:33:47 PMEngland very poor so far
Very.

Feels very 2016 era England. Flat, slow, bit of fear.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 25, 2022, 03:24:12 PM
Still early to bring back the ghost of 1950.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 25, 2022, 03:43:36 PM
Maybe we can win it after regulation expires like in the War of 1812
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 25, 2022, 03:52:42 PM
Incredible, Valmy did not jinx his team!

The US will have to win against Iran to qualify for the round of 16.
Operation Eagle Claw Revenge? Not even Chuck Norris could win there.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 25, 2022, 03:52:50 PM
USA ties Britain for two straight games.

So...do we advance if we beat Iran?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 25, 2022, 03:54:16 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 25, 2022, 03:52:42 PMIncredible, Valmy did not jinx his team!

Doesn't seem to work on my teams. I talked up France all 2018 and didn't hurt them at all.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 25, 2022, 04:35:43 PM
The most hyped American Men's game since 2010 and it ends 0-0 lol
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 25, 2022, 06:34:46 PM
The announcers said it was the first time we shutout a European opponent since 1950.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 25, 2022, 07:48:19 PM
Outstanding. :cheers:

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 26, 2022, 01:33:33 AM
Saudi Arabia Players Will Get A Rolls-Royce Each After Upset Against Argentina (https://www.india.com/sports/fifa-world-cup-2022-saudi-arabia-players-will-get-a-rolls-royce-each-after-upset-against-argentina-5765232/)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 26, 2022, 10:11:29 AM
I'm happy for Lewandowski, he seemed really anxious to score in a WC, retiring without doing so for one of this generation's greatest strikers would have been a pity.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 26, 2022, 11:14:29 AM
Quote from: HVC on November 26, 2022, 01:33:33 AMSaudi Arabia Players Will Get A Rolls-Royce Each After Upset Against Argentina (https://www.india.com/sports/fifa-world-cup-2022-saudi-arabia-players-will-get-a-rolls-royce-each-after-upset-against-argentina-5765232/)

Poland proved tougher than Argentina:

Poland 2 Saudi Arabia 0
The polish goalkeeper stopped a penalty and made quite a few saves. Saudia Arabia can still be out of this Wahhabi Cup.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on November 26, 2022, 12:46:03 PM
Fucking frogs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 26, 2022, 12:57:41 PM
That was a really interesting game, even before any goal was scored. Maybe it would have been fairer if it was a draw, but France was slightly better, I think.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 26, 2022, 01:03:39 PM
Quote from: Threviel on November 26, 2022, 12:46:03 PMFucking frogs.

Les Bleus or la Roja?  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 26, 2022, 01:04:20 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 26, 2022, 12:57:41 PMThat was a really interesting game, even before any goal was scored. Maybe it would have been fairer if it was a draw, but France was slightly better, I think.

In the first half yes, Denmark improved in the second half. France was not that well but Kyky woke up.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on November 26, 2022, 01:15:27 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 26, 2022, 01:03:39 PM
Quote from: Threviel on November 26, 2022, 12:46:03 PMFucking frogs.

Les Bleus or la Roja?  :P

I don't mind the French, I was just rooting for the Danes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 26, 2022, 01:25:01 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 26, 2022, 01:04:20 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 26, 2022, 12:57:41 PMThat was a really interesting game, even before any goal was scored. Maybe it would have been fairer if it was a draw, but France was slightly better, I think.

In the first half yes, Denmark improved in the second half. France was not that well but Kyky woke up.

France were so much better in attack, Denmark were lucky that Schmeichel had a good game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 26, 2022, 02:31:31 PM
Someone must have greased the pitch before the game. Everyone keeps slipping.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 26, 2022, 02:44:21 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 26, 2022, 01:25:01 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 26, 2022, 01:04:20 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 26, 2022, 12:57:41 PMThat was a really interesting game, even before any goal was scored. Maybe it would have been fairer if it was a draw, but France was slightly better, I think.

In the first half yes, Denmark improved in the second half. France was not that well but Kyky woke up.

France were so much better in attack, Denmark were lucky that Schmeichel had a good game.

First half was all French not so much in the second, with the equaliser coming quickly.

Danes scored a goal on their first shot on target. The Danish attack was good but they did not attack that much, yet they suffered a goal in the middle of of their relative dominance phase.
I guess their game vs Tunisia is where their attack failed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 26, 2022, 02:44:52 PM
Nice save by the Argentine goalkeeper, on a free kick.

ARG-MEX Game mostly boring until now, with lots of fouls.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 26, 2022, 03:45:52 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 26, 2022, 02:44:21 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 26, 2022, 01:25:01 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 26, 2022, 01:04:20 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 26, 2022, 12:57:41 PMThat was a really interesting game, even before any goal was scored. Maybe it would have been fairer if it was a draw, but France was slightly better, I think.

In the first half yes, Denmark improved in the second half. France was not that well but Kyky woke up.

France were so much better in attack, Denmark were lucky that Schmeichel had a good game.

First half was all French not so much in the second, with the equaliser coming quickly.

Danes scored a goal on their first shot on target. The Danish attack was good but they did not attack that much, yet they suffered a goal in the middle of of their relative dominance phase.
I guess their game vs Tunisia is where their attack failed.

The Danes created plenty of shots in the 2nd half, yeah, but their finishing was not great. Lloris had to work much less than Schmeichel.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 26, 2022, 03:49:40 PM
Well, it's over for Mexico.

Second Argentinian goal by Enzo Fernandez, the first was Messi saving Argentina, again.

Mexico came to defend and offered little in offensive play.
Not that Argentina was was great, but they were better.

Mexico not making it to the Round of 16 would be a first, I believe, at least in a very long time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 26, 2022, 03:53:58 PM
Claimed attendance at the ARG-MEX stadium: 88,966
Official stadium capacity: 80,000

 :hmm:

A pattern in this Wahhabi Cup
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 26, 2022, 03:58:18 PM
Mexico winning would have been funnier
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 26, 2022, 04:02:21 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 26, 2022, 03:53:58 PMClaimed attendance at the ARG-MEX stadium: 88,966
Official stadium capacity: 80,000

 :hmm:

A pattern in this Wahhabi Cup

They recently announced that stadium capacities were higher than initially advertised. Equally suspicious, but...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 26, 2022, 04:08:43 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 26, 2022, 04:02:21 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 26, 2022, 03:53:58 PMClaimed attendance at the ARG-MEX stadium: 88,966
Official stadium capacity: 80,000

 :hmm:

A pattern in this Wahhabi Cup

They recently announced that stadium capacities were higher than initially advertised. Equally suspicious, but...

Weren't they saying they expected something  like 10% of capacity for media, which is way off. Which as an excuse seems odd.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 27, 2022, 06:53:54 AM
Costa Rica on track to beat Japan.
Wacky results galore.
Shame Japan couldn't follow up on the Germany result. Maybe they're one of those teams that only perform when they're the underdog? Fingers crossed for the Spain game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 27, 2022, 08:39:57 AM
Quote from: HVC on November 26, 2022, 03:58:18 PMMexico winning would have been funnier

It's not as if they really tried.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 27, 2022, 08:47:08 AM
Belgians are playing like another typemof number 2

*Edit goal.

*edit 2 weird goal reversed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 27, 2022, 08:48:24 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 27, 2022, 08:39:57 AM
Quote from: HVC on November 26, 2022, 03:58:18 PMMexico winning would have been funnier

It's not as if they really tried.

True. I was looking for Mexicans and got Mexican'ts
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 27, 2022, 09:55:33 AM
Over for Belgium with Morocco scoring the second goal in stoppage time.

2-0

Deserved victory, disappointing Diables Rouges.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 27, 2022, 10:02:58 AM
Canada has to win or they're out. Go Canada!

*edit or I guess tie to keep a slim chance. I'd prefer the win 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 27, 2022, 10:55:30 AM
Yeah, they have to get something out of this match....a win is best.

Also, maybe that 1-0 loss to Belgium doesn't look so promising now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 27, 2022, 11:02:41 AM
Woo that was fast
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 27, 2022, 11:05:18 AM
 :showoff:  :showoff:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 27, 2022, 11:08:56 AM
Where'd they come up with black for the third uniform?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on November 27, 2022, 11:23:00 AM
I've gotten hold of some Astra beer and some fancy pancy (but horrible) Hamburg spirit. Tonight I think I will cry.

Hopefully Spain will redeem their horrible crimes on football, like Italy in 2006, and I might get a new team to root for.

But I think there will be tears.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on November 27, 2022, 11:26:30 AM
Canada are a really decent side
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 27, 2022, 11:36:30 AM
Fuck
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on November 27, 2022, 11:36:59 AM
Yeah, Go Canada! And just there the Croats scored...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 27, 2022, 11:37:13 AM
Fuck
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 27, 2022, 11:39:11 AM
Canada tried a few cute movies in the box earlier, all the while Croatias pressure was building.

Still, canada can play well. Go canada!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 27, 2022, 11:44:04 AM
 :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 27, 2022, 11:44:08 AM
Fuck
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 27, 2022, 11:54:57 AM
Just caught the last 10 mins of the first half but it looks like Canada can't defend at all now?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on November 27, 2022, 11:55:45 AM
Mildly interesting note: Canadians are called Kanadicks in Swedish.

Go Kanadicks!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 27, 2022, 12:22:40 PM
Was trying to figure out why people were booing when the Canadian goalie had the ball, then I remembered Borjan is a serb.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 27, 2022, 12:31:07 PM
OutclAssed by a better team
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 27, 2022, 12:35:31 PM
Croatia's third. The Dream is over.

Canada is just way too slow moving the ball, and their midfield just give it away easily with a poor touch or pass. Need some decent midfielders to stand a chance next cycle.

Everything goes down the right to Davies and it is much too predictable. A decent side will double up on Davies and Canada has no other real threat. When they attack down the left it inevitably stops and the ball gets recycled and it way too easy to defend against that.

Lastly, replace Borjan with an actual keeper.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 27, 2022, 12:42:38 PM
Spain starts basically the same team against Germany as against Costa Rica. I hope we don't regret having Rodri as a central defender this time...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 27, 2022, 12:43:40 PM
I am afraid there won't be a 7-0 this time.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 27, 2022, 12:45:29 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 27, 2022, 12:43:40 PMI am afraid there won't be a 7-0 this time.  :P

Well, we recently scored 6 against Germany, so...  :shifty:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 27, 2022, 12:48:47 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 27, 2022, 12:35:31 PMCroatia's third. The Dream is over.

Canada is just way too slow moving the ball, and their midfield just give it away easily with a poor touch or pass. Need some decent midfielders to stand a chance next cycle.

Everything goes down the right to Davies and it is much too predictable. A decent side will double up on Davies and Canada has no other real threat. When they attack down the left it inevitably stops and the ball gets recycled and it way too easy to defend against that.

Lastly, replace Borjan with an actual keeper.

Well argued. A bit harsh on the goalie. But otherwise I agree
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 27, 2022, 12:59:21 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 27, 2022, 12:48:47 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 27, 2022, 12:35:31 PMCroatia's third. The Dream is over.

Canada is just way too slow moving the ball, and their midfield just give it away easily with a poor touch or pass. Need some decent midfielders to stand a chance next cycle.

Everything goes down the right to Davies and it is much too predictable. A decent side will double up on Davies and Canada has no other real threat. When they attack down the left it inevitably stops and the ball gets recycled and it way too easy to defend against that.

Lastly, replace Borjan with an actual keeper.

Well argued. A bit harsh on the goalie. But otherwise I agree

I don't think the goals were his fault, I just think his distribution is atrocious.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 27, 2022, 01:25:19 PM
A goof to infuriate the Islamic republic just before the game.  :lol:

https://www.politico.com/news/2022/11/27/at-world-cup-u-s-soccer-scrubs-islamic-emblem-from-iran-flag-00070843 (https://www.politico.com/news/2022/11/27/at-world-cup-u-s-soccer-scrubs-islamic-emblem-from-iran-flag-00070843)

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 27, 2022, 02:07:09 PM
Spain-Germany with a Batavian referee: really feels like an EURO game.

La Roja just hit the bar.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on November 27, 2022, 02:10:43 PM
For fucks sake, those fuckers just can't stop passing the ball around in the defensive line.

Spains pressing game is impressive, it's men against boys so far. If they would only build up their attack a bit faster the Spaniards are almost entertaining.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 27, 2022, 02:25:55 PM
Nice pass from Unai Simon to the German player.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 27, 2022, 02:37:17 PM
This foul could have meant a red for Kehrer...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 27, 2022, 02:40:37 PM
Antonio (Rüdiger) scores but goal called off for off-side.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on November 27, 2022, 02:42:20 PM
The game evened out a fair bit after my comment. Germany does good at not allowing Spain their buildup. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 27, 2022, 03:21:04 PM
Yet enough comment to jinx die Nationalmannschaft.  :P

1-0 for la Roja with 30 minutes to play.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on November 27, 2022, 03:22:55 PM
Well deserved, although the Germans play well, they might turn this around yet.

But it sure looks like the krauts are out in the group phase two cups in a row.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 27, 2022, 03:40:32 PM
Not yet. ;)

They can still win against Japan.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 27, 2022, 04:47:22 PM
Yeah, if we beat Japan and they beat Costa Rica - both expected results *on paper* - Germany are through.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 27, 2022, 05:01:06 PM
Quote from: celedhring on November 27, 2022, 04:47:22 PMYeah, if we beat Japan and they beat Costa Rica - both expected results *on paper* - Germany are through.

In fact that's the only combinations that takes both Spain and Germany through.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FimhAAAX0AYwY5V?format=jpg&name=900x900)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 27, 2022, 05:12:46 PM
Note that we have +7 goal average over Germany, so even if we lose and they win, they have to make up that difference to jump over us.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 27, 2022, 05:40:18 PM
Quote from: celedhring on November 27, 2022, 05:12:46 PMNote that we have +7 goal average over Germany, so even if we lose and they win, they have to make up that difference to jump over us.

Yeah, there was a point to the beating we gave to the carcass of Costa Rica on the first match.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 28, 2022, 05:01:58 AM
It seems that Cameroon have sent Andre Onana, their starting keeper, back home from the WC after an argument between him and the team's coach, that wanted him to play in a more conservative style, which the player would have refused to do.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 28, 2022, 05:24:28 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 28, 2022, 05:01:58 AMIt seems that Cameroon have sent Andre Onana, their starting keeper, back home from the WC after an argument between him and the team's coach, that wanted him to play in a more conservative style, which the player would have refused to do.
I didn't see Cameroon's game.
I am intrigued at a keeper being told to be more conservative.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 28, 2022, 05:41:08 AM
Quote from: Josquius on November 28, 2022, 05:24:28 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 28, 2022, 05:01:58 AMIt seems that Cameroon have sent Andre Onana, their starting keeper, back home from the WC after an argument between him and the team's coach, that wanted him to play in a more conservative style, which the player would have refused to do.
I didn't see Cameroon's game.

They lost their first game against Switzerland and are playing right now against Serbia. In fact they've just scored.

QuoteI am intrigued at a keeper being told to be more conservative.

It's easy, Onana (who came through the Barcelona ranks and used to play for Ajax, playing nowadays for Inter) is a keeper on the more modern mold of a sweeper-keeper. He plays the ball with his feet to help distribution and kickstart the attack, gets outside the box to help support ball circulation, etc. Almost every big team at the moment has their keepers playing like this one way or the other. Turns out that the Cameroon coach wants a traditional, throwback keeper that stays at the goal, and just hoofs the ball forward rather than playing short passes that could get intercepted by rival attackers.

So, rather than having Onana, a great keeper with experience at the top level in European clubs, they're now playing Epassy, a barely known guy who plays in Saudi Arabia whose top experience is in a couple of small clubs in the Greek 1st division.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 28, 2022, 08:02:52 AM
Yesterday there were again protests by Qataris against the German team, with Qatari fans displaying pictures and posters of Mesut Özil, theoretically denouncing Germany's hipocrisy for their protests during the tournament (covering their mouths, not participating in press conferences).

(https://phantom-marca.unidadeditorial.es/4701151f38f96bf3321d1ac58f719e81/resize/660/f/webp/assets/multimedia/imagenes/2022/11/28/16696272527470.jpg)

(https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/9a43375243337f2e634a08bead1f60e0dc5665e1/0_59_5472_3283/master/5472.jpg?width=700&quality=85&dpr=1&s=none)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 28, 2022, 08:09:34 AM
And more controversies, this time about Iran:

QuoteIran want USA banned for 'offending country's dignity' over World Cup flag
USA show Iran flag without emblem of Islamic Republic
Teams meet on Tuesday in their final Group B match

It has long threatened to be one of the World Cup's biggest flashpoints: the "Great Satan" against the "Axis of Evil". But on Sunday the USA's match with Iran became even more highly charged after Iran's football federation demanded their opponents receive a 10-game ban for "offending the dignity" of their country.

The extraordinary request came after the US Soccer Federation displayed Iran's national flag on social media, in a now-deleted graphic, without the emblem of the Islamic Republic – in support of protesters in Iran before the nations' Group B match on Tuesday.

The US explained that it had decided to forgo the official flag on social media accounts to show "support for the women in Iran fighting for basic human rights".

Iran's football federation responded with a complaint to Fifa's ethics committee, saying the US had disrespected the national flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The allegation was reported by the semi-official Tasnim news agency, which attributed it as coming from a legal adviser at the Iranian football federation.

"According to section 13 of Fifa rules, any person who offends the dignity or integrity of a country, a person or group of people shall be sanctioned with a suspension lasting at least 10 matches or a specific period, or any other appropriate disciplinary measure," it said.

The agency also described the US federation as "removing the symbol of Allah" from the Iranian flag, which was designed in 1980. The flag has four curves with a sword between them to represent the Islamic saying: "There is no god but Allah."

The flag has become a notable point of contention at this World Cup, with Iran fans who oppose the regime in Tehran waving the lion and sun flag, an emblem of its former ruler, the late Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi instead.

However small groups of men supportive of Iran's government were seen angrily chanting "the Islamic Republic of Iran" at women giving interviews to foreign journalists outside the stadium before their most recent game, against Wales.

Fifa has refused to comment, but a number of well-placed sources have suggested that the prospect of a US ban is highly unlikely.

Meanwhile, less than 48 hours before the match kicks off the Qatari authorities and Fifa are still refusing to provide reassurances that Iran fans protesting in favour of human rights will not be barred by security guards if they wear T-shirts bearing the slogan "Women, Life, Freedom".

The phrase has become the rallying cry for protesters since a 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman, Mahsa Amini, died in hospital while in police custody. However before Iran's last game against Wales several fans were told they could not enter the stadium unless they changed their T-shirts with the slogan on it. Others had their flags confiscated.

Fifa's official fans' guide warns supporters that "promoting any political, offensive and/or discriminatory messages" is not permitted. The protesters maintain that the slogan also reflects a demand for women in Iran to enjoy the same basic rights as men.

Despite repeated questioning from the Guardian, the Supreme Committee – the Qatari World Cup organisers – and Fifa have refused to criticise security officials or to clarify what will be acceptable on Tuesday.

Asked to explain why so many Iran fans at this World Cup were wearing attire with "Women, Life, Freedom" on it, one fan told the Guardian: "For Iranians all over the world, our hearts are with the women and the young. Our team belongs to the people, not the Islamic regime."

The protests in Iran have seen at least 450 people killed, and more than 18,000 arrested, according to Human Rights Activists in Iran, an advocacy group following the demonstrations.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 28, 2022, 08:29:37 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 28, 2022, 08:02:52 AMYesterday there were again protests by Qataris against the German team, with Qatari fans displaying pictures and posters of Mesut Özil, theoretically denouncing Germany's hipocrisy for their protests during the tournament (covering their mouths, not participating in press conferences).

I'm curious what it is they object to.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 28, 2022, 08:33:25 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on November 28, 2022, 08:29:37 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 28, 2022, 08:02:52 AMYesterday there were again protests by Qataris against the German team, with Qatari fans displaying pictures and posters of Mesut Özil, theoretically denouncing Germany's hipocrisy for their protests during the tournament (covering their mouths, not participating in press conferences).

I'm curious what it is they object to.

I think they're mad at Germans protesting against them (covering their mouths after the One Love armband fracas, not taking part on press conferences...) and accuse them of hipocrisy because Özil, at the tail end of his career at the German national team, accused some of its heads of discriminatory behaviour.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 28, 2022, 08:42:56 AM
Yeah. It did the rounds a bit that they posed with their hands over their mouth not being able to say things being contrasted with Ozil making a lot of allegations about racism and his teammates not saying anything - or calling his comments "nonsense".
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 28, 2022, 08:44:27 AM
Where as of course if one of their guys pulled an Ozil (leaning in on his Turkish roots while being member of the German national team) in terms of endorsing another non-friendly nation's dictator, they might have stoned him.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 28, 2022, 08:57:10 AM
I think it is interesting how politically resonant this World Cup is. From the issues with Qatar hosting, to the shifting role being played by Iran's national team and how they are positioned and perceived at home, through to China now censoring crowd scenes of the ROTW not doing zero covid.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 28, 2022, 09:03:48 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on November 28, 2022, 08:57:10 AMChina now censoring crowd scenes of the ROTW not doing zero covid.

I had not heard about that. Are they trying to gaslight their entire population into thinking that zero covid is the norm in the ROTW?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 28, 2022, 09:12:58 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 28, 2022, 09:03:48 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on November 28, 2022, 08:57:10 AMChina now censoring crowd scenes of the ROTW not doing zero covid.

I had not heard about that. Are they trying to gaslight their entire population into thinking that zero covid is the norm in the ROTW?

Probably not, but that footage will still make the regime look bad.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 28, 2022, 09:24:43 AM
I like how they don't even deny anything people accuse them of. The only defense seems to be "yeah we are horrible evil people, but aren't you also kind of evil?"

Not really a very compelling defense there Qatar.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 28, 2022, 09:32:33 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 28, 2022, 09:03:48 AMI had not heard about that. Are they trying to gaslight their entire population into thinking that zero covid is the norm in the ROTW?
I'm not sure. I'd read about the images of full maskless stadiums was getting a lot of comment on Chinese social media before the protests broke out.

Then in the last few days it looks like they're using different footage/stream than the standard international footage. I've seen people lining up clips but it does look like they're just trying to avoid any close-ups of the crowd.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 28, 2022, 09:54:09 AM
Aaand Xavi once again defending Qatar (his paymasters for many years) in an event today in Doha.  :rolleyes:

Anyway, bunch of fun games today.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 28, 2022, 10:00:02 AM
Quote from: celedhring on November 28, 2022, 09:54:09 AMAaand Xavi once again defending Qatar (his paymasters for many years) in an event today in Doha.  :rolleyes:
We've got Beckham doing PR videos of Qatar for a huge fee. And just today Tony Blair saying not to go over the top on the criticism and that it's dipping into "gesture politics" (and I sort of agree) - he has close ties to the ruling family and has, for example, earned $1 million for a few hours of help brokering some business deals when there's a large Qatari stake.

So yeah <_<

QuoteAnyway, bunch of fun games today.
Second Cameroon goal was lovely. And this has been fun too.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 28, 2022, 10:00:29 AM
Quote from: celedhring on November 28, 2022, 09:54:09 AMAnyway, bunch of fun games today.

Yeah couple exciting games.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 28, 2022, 10:14:11 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on November 28, 2022, 10:00:02 AM
Quote from: celedhring on November 28, 2022, 09:54:09 AMAaand Xavi once again defending Qatar (his paymasters for many years) in an event today in Doha.  :rolleyes:
We've got Beckham doing PR videos of Qatar for a huge fee. And just today Tony Blair saying not to go over the top on the criticism and that it's dipping into "gesture politics" (and I sort of agree) - he has close ties to the ruling family and has, for example, earned $1 million for a few hours of help brokering some business deals when there's a large Qatari stake.

So yeah <_<


Online I'm seeing some fun whataboutism with people whinging that we won't do the same thing when the US has the next world cup but Iraq, racism, etc.... etc...
Tankies :rolleyes:

Boo to Blair however. I guess he knows his legacy is already in tatters so might as well get even richer?
Which is a shame as with Starmer doing well and Labour due for a return it would be the perfect time to restore some facts to the histography.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 28, 2022, 10:33:41 AM
You want to talk shit about the USA during the next World Cup? Go right ahead. We don't care. We might not even notice and to the extent we do most of us would probably agree with the criticism. People protest us and tell us how horrible we are all the time. And it will give right wing media something to chew on for a bit that isn't attacking their fellow Americans.

Your national team wants to play a game naked to protest American companies using 3rd world sweat shops to make clothes? I am sure many Americans will not take offense.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on November 28, 2022, 10:54:40 AM
As I've probably said before, my main problem is with FIFA and teh selection process rather than human rights issues in Qatar (except conditions for migrants working on the infra).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 28, 2022, 10:55:34 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 28, 2022, 10:00:29 AM
Quote from: celedhring on November 28, 2022, 09:54:09 AMAnyway, bunch of fun games today.

Yeah couple exciting games.

I expect less goals for Portugal-Uruguay with conservative coaches and/or playstyles.
A tie would not be a bad result for both teams.  :goodboy:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 28, 2022, 11:07:04 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 28, 2022, 10:55:34 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 28, 2022, 10:00:29 AM
Quote from: celedhring on November 28, 2022, 09:54:09 AMAnyway, bunch of fun games today.

Yeah couple exciting games.

I expect less goals for Portugal-Uruguay with conservative coaches and/or playstyles.
A tie would not be a bad result for both teams.  :goodboy:

A tie  sets up the possibility of the repeat of 2002 :ph34r: 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on November 28, 2022, 11:28:00 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 28, 2022, 09:03:48 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on November 28, 2022, 08:57:10 AMChina now censoring crowd scenes of the ROTW not doing zero covid.

I had not heard about that. Are they trying to gaslight their entire population into thinking that zero covid is the norm in the ROTW?

I mentioned this in the China thread, but a video of world cup fans from different countries enjoying themselves was circulating on Chinese social media. A voice over said things like "please wear your mask", "please return to your homes", "please maintain social distancing", "don't you know it's a pandemic" and so on.

It was very much a "compare the rest of the world with China, and not in China's favour" statement.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 28, 2022, 11:32:30 AM
Brazil needs Neymar to spread out the hard tackles.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 28, 2022, 11:50:20 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 28, 2022, 10:55:34 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 28, 2022, 10:00:29 AM
Quote from: celedhring on November 28, 2022, 09:54:09 AMAnyway, bunch of fun games today.

Yeah couple exciting games.

I expect less goals for Portugal-Uruguay with conservative coaches and/or playstyles.
A tie would not be a bad result for both teams.  :goodboy:

Same with the Brazil game. I find Asians and Africans generally provide the most entertaining games.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 28, 2022, 12:41:46 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 28, 2022, 11:07:04 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 28, 2022, 10:55:34 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 28, 2022, 10:00:29 AM
Quote from: celedhring on November 28, 2022, 09:54:09 AMAnyway, bunch of fun games today.

Yeah couple exciting games.

I expect less goals for Portugal-Uruguay with conservative coaches and/or playstyles.
A tie would not be a bad result for both teams.  :goodboy:

A tie  sets up the possibility of the repeat of 2002 :ph34r: 

2002 started with a defeat and ended with one, so it's already different.  :contract:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 28, 2022, 12:48:48 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 28, 2022, 12:41:46 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 28, 2022, 11:07:04 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 28, 2022, 10:55:34 AM
Quote from: Josephus on November 28, 2022, 10:00:29 AM
Quote from: celedhring on November 28, 2022, 09:54:09 AMAnyway, bunch of fun games today.

Yeah couple exciting games.

I expect less goals for Portugal-Uruguay with conservative coaches and/or playstyles.
A tie would not be a bad result for both teams.  :goodboy:

A tie  sets up the possibility of the repeat of 2002 :ph34r: 

2002 started with a defeat and ended with one, so it's already different.  :contract:

Portugal would go in the 4 points, and a Korean victory would give them 4. Depending on the goal count it could knock Portugal out ( or maybe Uruguay knock ps Portugal out depending how they play game 3). I'd rather they not chance it :D

Also, what happens with bento? Stuck in the stands for koreas third game?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 28, 2022, 02:00:40 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 28, 2022, 12:48:48 PMAlso, what happens with bento? Stuck in the stands for koreas third game?

Got a red at the end of the game.
He wanted to sing A Portuguesa in his lounge.
 :tinfoil:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 28, 2022, 04:00:43 PM
Wooooo
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 28, 2022, 04:02:44 PM
Selecção in the round of 16 and in a very good position to be first of the group!
Portugal 2 Uruguay 0

I only felt relieved after the penalty by
Bruno Fernandes in stoppage.

If Ghana thrashes Uruguay, and Portugal loses vs Korea, Ghana can still be first.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 28, 2022, 04:04:24 PM
I was all hyped for the World Cup ever since Canada qualified, but now two quick games later and the dream is over.  At least we have the "never scored a goal" monkey off our back - but still have to win (or at least tie) a game.

So is Belgium just not very good anymore? 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 28, 2022, 04:07:02 PM
QuoteThe ENTIRE Juventus board has resigned ahead of an extraordinary assembly.

President Andrea Agnelli is no longer in charge and Maurizio Arrivabene will take interim charge.

https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1597330009429274625?t=i5svbThsZqJdTbb4Bjdfjg&s=19

Anyone know what's up at Juve? Is it huge corruption again?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 28, 2022, 04:08:23 PM
Quote from: Barrister on November 28, 2022, 04:04:24 PMSo is Belgium just not very good anymore? 

There's been stories of huge discord in the dressing room. Players have been publicly calling each other out recently too.

The players are good but not much of a team anymore.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 28, 2022, 04:10:41 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 28, 2022, 04:07:02 PM
QuoteThe ENTIRE Juventus board has resigned ahead of an extraordinary assembly.

President Andrea Agnelli is no longer in charge and Maurizio Arrivabene will take interim charge.

https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1597330009429274625?t=i5svbThsZqJdTbb4Bjdfjg&s=19

Anyone know what's up at Juve? Is it huge corruption again?

Gotta be to get ahead of a scandal/lawsuit.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 28, 2022, 04:10:55 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 28, 2022, 04:08:23 PM
Quote from: Barrister on November 28, 2022, 04:04:24 PMSo is Belgium just not very good anymore? 

There's been stories of huge discord in the dressing room. Players have been publicly calling each other out recently too.

The players are good but not much of a team anymore.

Plus they're old.

*edit* BB, you can cheer for Portugal :hug:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 28, 2022, 04:18:09 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 28, 2022, 04:10:55 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 28, 2022, 04:08:23 PM
Quote from: Barrister on November 28, 2022, 04:04:24 PMSo is Belgium just not very good anymore? 

There's been stories of huge discord in the dressing room. Players have been publicly calling each other out recently too.

The players are good but not much of a team anymore.

Plus they're old.

*edit* BB, you can cheer for Portugal :hug:

Normally I'd default to Ukraine, but they aren't in it either. :(

Going down the list I'll be cheering for Brazil due to my sister-in-law.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 28, 2022, 04:21:37 PM
At least the speak the same language... sort of lol
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 28, 2022, 04:29:28 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 27, 2022, 12:22:40 PMWas trying to figure out why people were booing when the Canadian goalie had the ball, then I remembered Borjan is a serb.



More info on fans taunting Borjan.

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/borjan-targeted-croatian-fans-world-cup (https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/borjan-targeted-croatian-fans-world-cup)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 28, 2022, 04:32:12 PM
Quote from: Barrister on November 28, 2022, 04:04:24 PMI was all hyped for the World Cup ever since Canada qualified, but now two quick games later and the dream is over.  At least we have the "never scored a goal" monkey off our back - but still have to win (or at least tie) a game.

It was more or less to be expected. Think that the team will be better for the next one, in which you'll play at home.

QuoteSo is Belgium just not very good anymore?

They're at the tail end of a golden generation, morale seems to be low (see De Bruyne's "we have no chance, we're too old" comments), some key players are on very bad form, like Hazard and Lukaku, and to top it all off it seems that the locker room atmosphere is not exactly amazing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 28, 2022, 04:34:21 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 28, 2022, 04:07:02 PM
QuoteThe ENTIRE Juventus board has resigned ahead of an extraordinary assembly.

President Andrea Agnelli is no longer in charge and Maurizio Arrivabene will take interim charge.

https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1597330009429274625?t=i5svbThsZqJdTbb4Bjdfjg&s=19

Anyone know what's up at Juve? Is it huge corruption again?

Yup, they're under investigation for false accounting, their budget for next year fell through and there's shareholder turnmoil.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 28, 2022, 04:52:41 PM
Oh dear.

I haven't paid attention to series A at all for a while.
A quick check of tables in recent years and it actually looks like it may be the most open of the major leagues? I guess the football sucks though?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 28, 2022, 05:04:58 PM
Quote from: Josquius on November 28, 2022, 04:52:41 PMOh dear.

I haven't paid attention to series A at all for a while.
A quick check of tables in recent years and it actually looks like it may be the most open of the major leagues? I guess the football sucks though?

Why would you say that? Premier League is pretty open too. It's more competitive this year. Napoli, doing well. Juve (scandal aside) got off to poor start, but doing well of late.  Milan, Lazio, Inter still in it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 28, 2022, 05:56:05 PM
Quote from: Josquius on November 28, 2022, 04:52:41 PMOh dear.

I haven't paid attention to series A at all for a while.
A quick check of tables in recent years and it actually looks like it may be the most open of the major leagues? I guess the football sucks though?

I'd actually say they're going through a bit of a revival. They have three teams in the CL knockout stage, the last three seasons have had three different champions, there are several challengers for the title, there are interesting young players being signed... why would the football suck?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 28, 2022, 08:35:48 PM
Nice whiff by the Ghanian dude.  Is Korea out now?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on November 29, 2022, 07:18:57 AM
https://twitter.com/CatWorkers/status/1595411226959429637

 :lol: :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on November 29, 2022, 07:24:48 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 28, 2022, 05:56:05 PM
Quote from: Josquius on November 28, 2022, 04:52:41 PMOh dear.

I haven't paid attention to series A at all for a while.
A quick check of tables in recent years and it actually looks like it may be the most open of the major leagues? I guess the football sucks though?

I'd actually say they're going through a bit of a revival. They have three teams in the CL knockout stage, the last three seasons have had three different champions, there are several challengers for the title, there are interesting young players being signed... why would the football suck?

Definately. Serie A is definately on the rise in terms of openess, quality and entertainment.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 29, 2022, 10:12:56 AM
Quoted actually say they're going through a bit of a revival. They have three teams in the CL knockout stage, the last three seasons have had three different champions, there are several challengers for the title, there are interesting young players being signed... why would the football suck?
It used to have a big reputation for being quite boring and overly defensive.

Quote from: Josephus on November 28, 2022, 05:04:58 PM
Quote from: Josquius on November 28, 2022, 04:52:41 PMOh dear.

I haven't paid attention to series A at all for a while.
A quick check of tables in recent years and it actually looks like it may be the most open of the major leagues? I guess the football sucks though?

Why would you say that? Premier League is pretty open too. It's more competitive this year. Napoli, doing well. Juve (scandal aside) got off to poor start, but doing well of late.  Milan, Lazio, Inter still in it.

4 of the past 5 years Man City won the premiership vs just 3 of 5 for Juventus who are now imploding, and 2 separate other teams.
I'm particularly fascinated to see Atalanta and Napoli up there. They used to be pretty meh.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 29, 2022, 11:19:20 AM
Surprise, surprise ! Netherlands 2 Qatar 0
Still 30 minutes to play.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 12:00:47 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 29, 2022, 11:19:20 AMSurprise, surprise ! Netherlands 2 Qatar 0
Still 30 minutes to play.

And people gave us shit for hosting in 1994.

Shockingly (not shockingly) Qatar is the shittiest host of all time. At least South Africa did itself proud despite not advancing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 29, 2022, 12:13:02 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 12:00:47 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 29, 2022, 11:19:20 AMSurprise, surprise ! Netherlands 2 Qatar 0
Still 30 minutes to play.

And people give us shit for hosting in 1994.

Shockingly (not shockingly) Qatar is the shittiest host of all time. At least South Africa did itself proud despite not advancing.

Fixed!  :P

Don't worry, the whataboutist brigade is still using WC USA 1994 as an example, along with the USA North American 2026 tournament as countries with no football culture to speak of (save Mexico).

PS: to be fair, I think I remember people around 2002 or before using that kind of line vs Japan (Ségolènes? of a special kind) or Korea.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 29, 2022, 12:17:23 PM
Come on Iran! Not because i like them or anything, i just think it'd be funny. And if wales could win by 6 goals that'd be good too.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 12:18:32 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 29, 2022, 12:13:02 PMFixed!  :P

Don't worry, the whataboutist brigade is still using WC USA 1994 as an example, along with the USA North American 2026 tournament as countries with no football culture to speak of (save Mexico).


Fuck Mexico, we beat their ass in qualifications and in the WC in 2002. And we are going to advance by beating Iran today. Lumping us in with Qatar is a bunch of bullshit. Sure we might not be Brazil or anything but come on.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 12:19:13 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 29, 2022, 12:17:23 PMCome on Iran! Not because i like them or anything, i just think it'd be funny. And if wales could win by 6 goals that'd be good too.

It would be very unfunny!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 29, 2022, 12:20:47 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 12:19:13 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 29, 2022, 12:17:23 PMCome on Iran! Not because i like them or anything, i just think it'd be funny. And if wales could win by 6 goals that'd be good too.

It would be very unfunny!

:D

One of the teams I wanted is though now, now it's time for schadenfreude
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 12:22:33 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 29, 2022, 12:20:47 PM:D

One of the teams I wanted is though now, now it's time for schadenfreude

After our ultimate humiliation in 2018, haven't we suffered enough?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 29, 2022, 12:25:31 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 12:22:33 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 29, 2022, 12:20:47 PM:D

One of the teams I wanted is though now, now it's time for schadenfreude

After our ultimate humiliation in 2018, haven't we suffered enough?

As a Leafs fan I have no sympathy for others humiliation  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 12:28:41 PM
Well that's fair.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 29, 2022, 12:35:04 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 12:18:32 PMFuck Mexico, we beat their ass in qualifications and in the WC in 2002. And we are going to advance by beating Iran today.
Qualifications are one thing, the tournament is another one. ;)
Mexicans are crazy about football, have a stronger domestic league (Liga MX) than the US/Canada one, and are regulars in World Cup, hosted two world Cups including possibly the best one (1970 with Brazil's best team ever) and a somewhat decent one (Le Monde dug up some old articles about the controversy back then and I have some vague memories of organisation problems). Those are some criteria used, sometimes.

Naturally, the US as a place to visit is better than Wahhabi land, despite the in God we trust (some whataboutists stressed when the US federation removed the Allah/islamic republic part of the Iranian flag). The beer at stadia might be piss, but at least it's not banned, and you can get better stuff elsewhere.

Mexico benefits and suffers indirectly with the low competitiveness of CONCACAF with too many qualification spots granted by FIFA to get their share of the very important North American money market. That mercantile logic led them to a Wahhabi world cup.

Currently, their team seems to be at a low point, from what I saw of their games. Admittedly, I watched much less of this Wahhabi Cup than a real major football tournament.

As for the game today, let the football gods decide. I can't decide if Iran winning is more of a benefit for the regime or not, despite the courageous standing of players earlier.

QuoteLumping us in with Qatar is a bunch of bullshit. Sure we might not be Brazil or anything but come on.

Indeed, it goes or should go without saying. Starting by the infra-structure is ready so no huge costs, though travels  would be a problem compared to an event in an European country or Japan. Uruguay can't organise World Cups anymore, but South American would not be that bad, assuming some other country wants to go broke à la Brazil 2014 (Olympics for added effect).
Qatar organises all games in a tiny environment but given supporters have to pay to stay more than 24 hours in the country, the even is a disaster for the carbon footprint.

Whataboutism has an interesting equivalent in French, not 100 % identical, i.e noyer le poisson. Obviously, noyer le poisson in a desert land is a new low.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 29, 2022, 12:55:43 PM
Other game of the afternoon:

Senegal 2 Ecuador 1

Senegal in the round of 16

Better game to watch than Netherlands Qatar, for sure.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 29, 2022, 01:27:41 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 29, 2022, 12:13:02 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 12:00:47 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 29, 2022, 11:19:20 AMSurprise, surprise ! Netherlands 2 Qatar 0
Still 30 minutes to play.

And people give us shit for hosting in 1994.

Shockingly (not shockingly) Qatar is the shittiest host of all time. At least South Africa did itself proud despite not advancing.

Fixed!  :P

Don't worry, the whataboutist brigade is still using WC USA 1994 as an example, along with the USA North American 2026 tournament as countries with no football culture to speak of (save Mexico).

PS: to be fair, I think I remember people around 2002 or before using that kind of line vs Japan (Ségolènes? of a special kind) or Korea.

Because I'm old enough to remember 1994... soccer in North America (excluding Mexico) is in a totally different place in 2022 compared to 1994.  Canada/US has a thriving professional league, which did not exist in 1994.  US national team has performed quite well, regularly qualifying for the WC and advancing several times in the last 30 years.  Canada might be the weakest link, but even there we now have our own national league and our men's team qualified for the WC this year without any host country guarantee.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 01:32:05 PM
MLS was created as a direct result of the 1994 World Cup. It probably wouldn't exist, or would have been created much later, if it wasn't for that.

The whole period from Mexico 1986 until 1994 was a desperate attempt to convince us all that soccer wasn't foreign and lame and to a big extent it succeeded. By 1995 there was such a thing as American soccer fandom and it has only grown until today.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 29, 2022, 01:33:56 PM
Quote from: Josquius on November 29, 2022, 10:12:56 AMIt used to have a big reputation for being quite boring and overly defensive.

Update your references, the era of Catenaccio is long gone. Currently Serie A is going through the spell with the most goals scored in modern times by far.

Quote from: Josephus on November 28, 2022, 05:04:58 PMI'm particularly fascinated to see Atalanta and Napoli up there. They used to be pretty meh.

Again, update your references. Atalanta have been qualifying for European competition for each of the last 5 seasons, including three seasons in which they finished 3rd in the league. Napoli have been qualifying for European competitions for the last 12 seasons in a row, including four seasons in which they were Serie A runners-up.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 29, 2022, 01:56:58 PM
Quote from: Barrister on November 29, 2022, 01:27:41 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 29, 2022, 12:13:02 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 12:00:47 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 29, 2022, 11:19:20 AMSurprise, surprise ! Netherlands 2 Qatar 0
Still 30 minutes to play.

And people give us shit for hosting in 1994.

Shockingly (not shockingly) Qatar is the shittiest host of all time. At least South Africa did itself proud despite not advancing.

Fixed!  :P

Don't worry, the whataboutist brigade is still using WC USA 1994 as an example, along with the USA North American 2026 tournament as countries with no football culture to speak of (save Mexico).

PS: to be fair, I think I remember people around 2002 or before using that kind of line vs Japan (Ségolènes? of a special kind) or Korea.

Because I'm old enough to remember 1994... soccer in North America (excluding Mexico) is in a totally different place in 2022 compared to 1994.  Canada/US has a thriving professional league, which did not exist in 1994.  US national team has performed quite well, regularly qualifying for the WC and advancing several times in the last 30 years.  Canada might be the weakest link, but even there we now have our own national league and our men's team qualified for the WC this year without any host country guarantee.

I agree, but with that whataboutist crowd, even pointing out that the US was actually part of the first tournament in 1930, the 1950 upset vs England etc., qualifying first without organising the tournament, MLS getting better and learning the harsh lessons of the NASL of yore, won't convince them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 29, 2022, 02:00:43 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 29, 2022, 01:33:56 PM
Quote from: Josquius on November 29, 2022, 10:12:56 AMIt used to have a big reputation for being quite boring and overly defensive.

Update your references, the era of Catenaccio is long gone. Currently Serie A is going through the spell with the most goals scored in modern times by far.

Quote from: Josephus on November 28, 2022, 05:04:58 PMI'm particularly fascinated to see Atalanta and Napoli up there. They used to be pretty meh.

Again, update your references. Atalanta have been qualifying for European competition for each of the last 5 seasons, including three seasons in which they finished 3rd in the league. Napoli have been qualifying for European competitions for the last 12 seasons in a row, including four seasons in which they were Serie A runners-up.

Nothing to add but that Napoli might be returning to Maradona-era glory days, so used to be pretty meh is pretty vague if not outright false?
Having northern clubs challenged makes for a better Serie A. Lazio and Roma are still able to qualify once in a while to the CL.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 29, 2022, 02:01:41 PM
I guess I should not be surprised that the "free" channel over here broadcasts the Home Nations Derby.
Iran vs USA could have been fun though  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on November 29, 2022, 02:17:03 PM
Ymlaen, Cymru! :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 02:18:26 PM
Quote from: mongers on November 29, 2022, 02:17:03 PMYmlaen, Cymru! :bowler:

Have you adopted my Unionist scheme to throw the game to Wales in an attempt to get both England and Wales through if Iran and the USA tie?  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 29, 2022, 02:23:42 PM
Rooting for Iran. If we lose against the US I'll never live it down with the in-laws.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on November 29, 2022, 02:26:09 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 02:18:26 PM
Quote from: mongers on November 29, 2022, 02:17:03 PMYmlaen, Cymru! :bowler:

Have you adopted my Unionist scheme to throw the game to Wales in an attempt to get both England and Wales through if Iran and the USA tie?  :bowler:

Hope, one side of the family was Welsh and I've lived in Wales too.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 02:28:49 PM
We have had it in their end practically the whole match so far. Liking our chances  :cool:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on November 29, 2022, 02:41:33 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 02:28:49 PMWe have had it in their end practically the whole match so far. Liking our chances  :cool:

Is this football commentary or an assessment of US foreign policy in the Gulf? :grin:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 29, 2022, 03:05:32 PM
Bale replaced at half-time. I wonder if he was unfit, or had some bump. In any case, it feels like his WC participation is over and overall quite lackluster.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 03:05:35 PM
Quote from: mongers on November 29, 2022, 02:41:33 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 02:28:49 PMWe have had it in their end practically the whole match so far. Liking our chances  :cool:

Is this football commentary or an assessment of US foreign policy in the Gulf? :grin:

Fortunately winning a football match is a little more straightforward than whatever our convoluted policy goals in the Persian Gulf might be  :lol:  :ph34r:

Nice half. Keep it in their end and keep the pressure on!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 29, 2022, 03:07:09 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 29, 2022, 01:33:56 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 28, 2022, 05:04:58 PMI'm particularly fascinated to see Atalanta and Napoli up there. They used to be pretty meh.

Again, update your references. Atalanta have been qualifying for European competition for each of the last 5 seasons, including three seasons in which they finished 3rd in the league. Napoli have been qualifying for European competitions for the last 12 seasons in a row, including four seasons in which they were Serie A runners-up.

I'm actually a Napoli fan, in the Serie A. Have been since I was maybe 6. I'm glad to see them rejuvinated. Despite that quote falsely attributed to me, above, I follow Serie A quite a lot. And yes, both Napoli and Atalanta have been very exciting to watch. Napoli have been close, but no cigar, for a few years now. As a Toronto fan, as well, it's exciting to see Insigne on the team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 29, 2022, 03:11:25 PM
Ok, Wales are done.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 29, 2022, 03:12:21 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 03:05:35 PM
Quote from: mongers on November 29, 2022, 02:41:33 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 02:28:49 PMWe have had it in their end practically the whole match so far. Liking our chances  :cool:

Is this football commentary or an assessment of US foreign policy in the Gulf? :grin:

Fortunately winning a football match is a little more straightforward than whatever our convoluted policy goals in the Persian Gulf might be  :lol:  :ph34r:

Nice half. Keep it in their end and keep the pressure on!

Better than the Delta Force vs the Iranian desert for now, certainly.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 29, 2022, 03:12:45 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 29, 2022, 03:11:25 PMOk, Wales are done.

Yep, 2-0 now, 2 goals in a couple of minutes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 03:15:09 PM
I guess England saw the USA had scored and then decided it was no longer worth it to throw the game to Wales.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 03:16:32 PM
Iran is doing much better in this half so far  :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 29, 2022, 03:19:58 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 03:16:32 PMIran is doing much better in this half so far  :ph34r:

Allah wills it!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 29, 2022, 03:20:51 PM
@HVC

Will Queiroz pull  "Assim não ganhamos Carlos." ©2010?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 03:21:12 PM
I like our dude accidentally kicking the ball out and then dramatically mouthing "FUCK" on international TV.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 29, 2022, 03:23:04 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 03:21:12 PMI like our dude accidentally kicking the ball out and then dramatically mouthing "FUCK" on international TV.

Don't worry, it will be censored in Iran, insh'Allah.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 03:27:38 PM
That was a close one  :ph34r:

I am never ceased to be amazed how slow time moves when you have a lead in this game and how fast it moves when you are behind. It defies the laws of physics.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 29, 2022, 03:28:40 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 29, 2022, 03:20:51 PM@HVC

Will Queiroz pull  "Assim não ganhamos Carlos." ©2010?

I forgot he was the coach lol. How many Portuguese coaches in these games? Three I know of (now lol)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 29, 2022, 03:29:33 PM
England - Wales

(https://media.tenor.com/hMjB6FV2oF4AAAAd/the-simpsons-stop.gif)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 29, 2022, 03:30:32 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 29, 2022, 03:28:40 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 29, 2022, 03:20:51 PM@HVC

Will Queiroz pull  "Assim não ganhamos Carlos." ©2010?

I forgot he was the coach lol. How many Portuguese coaches in these games? Three I know of (now lol)

Yep, now. I wish Fernando Santos would leave his position after the tournament but now he is probably at the helm till the Euro 2024.
Bento will probably get the boot if his squad gets thrashed by Portugal, or even just beaten.
Jury still out on Queiroz.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 29, 2022, 03:30:47 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 29, 2022, 03:29:33 PMEngland - Wales

(https://media.tenor.com/hMjB6FV2oF4AAAAd/the-simpsons-stop.gif)

Turning into a rout. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 29, 2022, 03:32:56 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 29, 2022, 03:28:40 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 29, 2022, 03:20:51 PM@HVC

Will Queiroz pull  "Assim não ganhamos Carlos." ©2010?

I forgot he was the coach lol. How many Portuguese coaches in these games? Three I know of (now lol)

There are 3 Portuguese coaches (Queiroz in Iran, Paulo Bento in S. Korea and Santos in Portugal itself). Two other countries have 3 coaches at the WC, Argentina (coaching Ecuador, México and Argentina) and Spain (Qatar, Belgium and Spain).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 29, 2022, 03:35:08 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 29, 2022, 03:29:33 PMEngland - Wales

(https://media.tenor.com/hMjB6FV2oF4AAAAd/the-simpsons-stop.gif)

Keeping alive the proud Welsh tradition of being beaten down and subjected by the English.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 29, 2022, 03:36:06 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 29, 2022, 03:32:56 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 29, 2022, 03:28:40 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 29, 2022, 03:20:51 PM@HVC

Will Queiroz pull  "Assim não ganhamos Carlos." ©2010?

I forgot he was the coach lol. How many Portuguese coaches in these games? Three I know of (now lol)

There are 3 Portuguese coaches (Queiroz in Iran, Paulo Bento in S. Korea and Santos in Portugal itself). Two other countries have 3 coaches at the WC, Argentina (coaching Ecuador, México and Argentina) and Spain (Qatar, Belgium and Spain).

Let's go Iberian language speakers!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 03:37:06 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 29, 2022, 03:35:08 PMKeeping alive the proud Welsh tradition of being beaten down and subjected by the English.

Well except that time they seized power in 1485.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 29, 2022, 03:40:21 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 03:37:06 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 29, 2022, 03:35:08 PMKeeping alive the proud Welsh tradition of being beaten down and subjected by the English.

Well except that time they seized power in 1485.

And the tudors ushered Protestantism into England. Truly a dark time. Countless souls lost!


:P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 29, 2022, 03:42:51 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 29, 2022, 03:40:21 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 03:37:06 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 29, 2022, 03:35:08 PMKeeping alive the proud Welsh tradition of being beaten down and subjected by the English.

Well except that time they seized power in 1485.

And the tudors ushered Protestantism into England. Truly a dark time. Countless souls lost!


:P

Never again!  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 03:46:06 PM
Hell yeah! Great save!

Hey wasn't that a hand ball on Iran? Ah well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 29, 2022, 03:46:27 PM
Is it just my impression, or have there been a lot more "dissent cards" issued in these games?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 03:54:05 PM
9 minutes of extra time  :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 29, 2022, 03:56:34 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 03:54:05 PM9 minutes of extra time  :ph34r:

And another close one. I wanted Iran to win as a gag, but they've actually been playing well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 29, 2022, 03:56:41 PM
1st confirmed game of the knockout stage, England Vs Senegal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 04:01:13 PM
Whew. Another close escape.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 29, 2022, 04:02:52 PM
Congrats USA
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 04:03:10 PM
USA! USA! USA! On to the knock-out round!

We looked so shitty at the end of qualifiers and in our warm-ups. I am legit happily surprised we have played so well so far after the Wales 2nd half debacle.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on November 29, 2022, 04:13:11 PM
Nice one yanks. Very decent side and deserve to go through. Just lacking a cutting edge for that extra step.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 29, 2022, 04:15:52 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 29, 2022, 03:56:41 PM1st confirmed game of the knockout stage, England Vs Senegal.

and Holland USA
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 04:16:51 PM
Ok Holland, if you win you get New Amsterdam back.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 29, 2022, 04:31:43 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 04:16:51 PMOk Holland, if you win you get New Amsterdam back.

OK John Rocker.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on November 29, 2022, 05:02:51 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 04:16:51 PMOk Holland, if you win you get New Amsterdam back.

You can have Belgium if you win.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 05:04:38 PM
Quote from: Maladict on November 29, 2022, 05:02:51 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 04:16:51 PMOk Holland, if you win you get New Amsterdam back.

You can have Belgium if you win.

I do like waffles  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 29, 2022, 06:10:42 PM
USA played quite well and should have scored more. Like Gups said, the main thing holding this team back is lacking that edge to put the ball in the net. Squad is crying out for a true goal scorer.

This squad also has some very poor players. Moore and Wright were absolutely terrible when they came on and probably did more to help the Iranians in the final minutes  :lol:

I haven't watched the Netherlands so I can't speak to the next round. I've heard that they are frauds so I guess we'll see on Saturday how fraudulent the Dutch are.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 29, 2022, 06:13:33 PM
Getting out of group has already exceeded my expectations.

It was a pretty weak group, yeah?

US looks undersized.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 29, 2022, 06:17:37 PM
I'll add that Matt Turner is Arsenal's backup keeper and he's been almost flawless in the World Cup so far. Man didn't start playing football until 14 and just moved from MLS to Europe this season. Very happy for him.  :showoff:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 29, 2022, 06:20:30 PM
Goalie seems like the only position you can start playing late.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sophie Scholl on November 29, 2022, 08:58:19 PM
I'm happy my randomly adopted team of Senegal is moving onto the Round of 16. I would absolutely *love* to see them knock out England.  :menace:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 29, 2022, 09:02:44 PM
I'm seeing that Pulisic is out for the tourney.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sophie Scholl on November 29, 2022, 09:07:44 PM
Is he? I can't seem to find a definitive answer. 3 hours a ago it was him declaring he would play, 2 hours ago was he was cleared to play, and 1 hour ago it was a day to day decision. It's like a Bill Belichik injury report.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 09:14:38 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 29, 2022, 06:20:30 PMGoalie seems like the only position you can start playing late.

Holy shit. Is 14 late? Did I doom my son by not starting him playing Soccer until 10?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 30, 2022, 12:27:37 AM
Quote from: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 09:14:38 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 29, 2022, 06:20:30 PMGoalie seems like the only position you can start playing late.

Holy shit. Is 14 late? Did I doom my son by not starting him playing Soccer until 10?

Doom!!!!

:P

Professional soccer players all seem to start really young, like 7-8. At 14 is when they join academies

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 30, 2022, 12:45:06 AM
Barça's academy has a team for 6 year olds  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on November 30, 2022, 03:05:10 AM
Quote from: celedhring on November 30, 2022, 12:45:06 AMBarça's academy has a team for 6 year olds  :P

Which I'd say is a bit overkill.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 30, 2022, 03:37:36 AM
I remember talk during the Guardiola years of setting up a team for 5-year-olds, even  :lol:

It's a bit nonsense. I think 90% of the prospects that make it to our senior team were recruited after their 10th birthday.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 30, 2022, 06:41:35 AM
Quote from: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 09:14:38 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 29, 2022, 06:20:30 PMGoalie seems like the only position you can start playing late.

Holy shit. Is 14 late? Did I doom my son by not starting him playing Soccer until 10?

At least you didn't have to pay the outrageous fees for youth soccer until much later than those that started playing their kids at age 5 or 6.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 30, 2022, 09:42:20 AM
FYI, France B vs Tunisia in 20 minutes.  :frog:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 30, 2022, 09:44:56 AM
                                       
Quote from: HVC on November 30, 2022, 12:27:37 AM
Quote from: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 09:14:38 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 29, 2022, 06:20:30 PMGoalie seems like the only position you can start playing late.

Holy shit. Is 14 late? Did I doom my son by not starting him playing Soccer until 10?

Doom!!!!

:P

Professional soccer players all seem to start really young, like 7-8. At 14 is when they join academies



Channel 4 did a pretty good series about kids at Crystal Palace's academy not so long ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKjl5WxsOqE
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 30, 2022, 10:00:29 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 30, 2022, 09:42:20 AMFYI, France B vs Tunisia in 20 minutes.  :frog:

Think they're going to bother trying?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on November 30, 2022, 10:00:58 AM
No matter the age, before joining the elite teams, the important is that your kid needs to be dominant. If they aren't the #1 player in every game than they will not be professional players.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 30, 2022, 11:11:20 AM
Quote from: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 09:14:38 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 29, 2022, 06:20:30 PMGoalie seems like the only position you can start playing late.

Holy shit. Is 14 late? Did I doom my son by not starting him playing Soccer until 10?

10?

I had my kids playing soccer at like age 4.  And I don't even like soccer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on November 30, 2022, 11:15:10 AM
Quote from: Barrister on November 30, 2022, 11:11:20 AM
Quote from: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 09:14:38 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 29, 2022, 06:20:30 PMGoalie seems like the only position you can start playing late.

Holy shit. Is 14 late? Did I doom my son by not starting him playing Soccer until 10?


10?

I had my kids playing soccer at like age 4.  And I don't even like soccer.

Yeah? Well my son was kicking in the womb.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 30, 2022, 11:17:04 AM
Quote from: Gups on November 30, 2022, 11:15:10 AM
Quote from: Barrister on November 30, 2022, 11:11:20 AM
Quote from: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 09:14:38 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 29, 2022, 06:20:30 PMGoalie seems like the only position you can start playing late.

Holy shit. Is 14 late? Did I doom my son by not starting him playing Soccer until 10?


10?

I had my kids playing soccer at like age 4.  And I don't even like soccer.

Yeah? Well my son was kicking in the womb.

:P

It's more that soccer, at least here, is a really cheap and easy sport to put your little kids into.

None of my kids play soccer any more - which is kind of a shame.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 30, 2022, 11:19:21 AM
Guess Australia heard about the Tunisia goal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 30, 2022, 11:20:42 AM
Quote from: Gups on November 30, 2022, 11:15:10 AM
Quote from: Barrister on November 30, 2022, 11:11:20 AM
Quote from: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 09:14:38 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 29, 2022, 06:20:30 PMGoalie seems like the only position you can start playing late.

Holy shit. Is 14 late? Did I doom my son by not starting him playing Soccer until 10?


10?

I had my kids playing soccer at like age 4.  And I don't even like soccer.

Yeah? Well my son was kicking in the womb.

:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on November 30, 2022, 11:26:45 AM
A knee injury kept me from playing organized football until I was 14. Of course that's the only reason I didn't become a football superstar  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 30, 2022, 11:31:47 AM
Quote from: celedhring on November 30, 2022, 11:26:45 AMA knee injury kept me from playing organized football until I was 14. Of course that's the only reason I didn't become a football superstar  :P

Mine was I realized I was blind and needed glasses too late.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 30, 2022, 11:57:23 AM
Well done Australia. 

Feel bad for Tunisia
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 30, 2022, 12:01:28 PM
Good on Tunisia.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 30, 2022, 12:10:38 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 30, 2022, 11:57:23 AMWell done Australia. 

Feel bad for Tunisia

Why? They lost to Australia. They have no reason to complain about Australia advancing over them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 30, 2022, 12:11:07 PM
Quote from: Barrister on November 30, 2022, 11:11:20 AM
Quote from: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 09:14:38 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 29, 2022, 06:20:30 PMGoalie seems like the only position you can start playing late.

Holy shit. Is 14 late? Did I doom my son by not starting him playing Soccer until 10?

10?

I had my kids playing soccer at like age 4.  And I don't even like soccer.

Because I put them in T-Ball.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 30, 2022, 12:12:37 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 30, 2022, 12:10:38 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 30, 2022, 11:57:23 AMWell done Australia. 

Feel bad for Tunisia

Why? They lost to Australia. They have no reason to complain about Australia advancing over them.

I assume he meant the last minute goal, that was then reversed :unsure:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 30, 2022, 12:16:19 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 30, 2022, 12:10:38 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 30, 2022, 11:57:23 AMWell done Australia. 

Feel bad for Tunisia

Why? They lost to Australia. They have no reason to complain about Australia advancing over them.

I feel sorry cause they beat France but didn't advance. A
Quote from: HVC on November 30, 2022, 12:12:37 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 30, 2022, 12:10:38 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 30, 2022, 11:57:23 AMWell done Australia. 

Feel bad for Tunisia

Why? They lost to Australia. They have no reason to complain about Australia advancing over them.

I assume he meant the last minute goal, that was then reversed :unsure:

No. I meant that they beat France, they played well. Feel sorry for the players for winning but yet losing.
But I'm happy for the Australians.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 30, 2022, 12:17:21 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 30, 2022, 10:00:29 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 30, 2022, 09:42:20 AMFYI, France B vs Tunisia in 20 minutes.  :frog:

Think they're going to bother trying?

Judging by the squad and the result: no.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 30, 2022, 12:18:09 PM
Well nevermind then :D. I felt bad when they got scored on.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 30, 2022, 12:18:57 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 30, 2022, 12:11:07 PM
Quote from: Barrister on November 30, 2022, 11:11:20 AM
Quote from: Valmy on November 29, 2022, 09:14:38 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 29, 2022, 06:20:30 PMGoalie seems like the only position you can start playing late.

Holy shit. Is 14 late? Did I doom my son by not starting him playing Soccer until 10?

10?

I had my kids playing soccer at like age 4.  And I don't even like soccer.

Because I put them in T-Ball.

I'm beginning to think the reason you haven't signed your kids up for youth hockey is out of a personal vendetta against me. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 30, 2022, 12:19:34 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 30, 2022, 11:31:47 AM
Quote from: celedhring on November 30, 2022, 11:26:45 AMA knee injury kept me from playing organized football until I was 14. Of course that's the only reason I didn't become a football superstar  :P

Mine was I realized I was blind and needed glasses too late.

I'm terribly near-sighted and I started playing organized soccer at 5. For years I was complete shit and always the worst player on my team until I started wearing prescription sports goggles  :D

Of course kids often made fun of my goggles, especially talking shit on the field. I would sometimes have the last laugh after scoring a goal in the game  :nelson:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on November 30, 2022, 12:21:56 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 30, 2022, 12:18:09 PMWell nevermind then :D. I felt bad when they got scored on.

However, there was some lame last-ditch attempt with Griezmann trying to save the game, off-side goal. :nerd:

PS: great screw-up by the broadcaster here in France, ending the broadcast for commercials before the end of the VAR check in the stoppage time.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on November 30, 2022, 12:40:05 PM
Denmark apparently couldn't retain the energy from the EC.

Didn't watch any of the games anyhow due to Qatar... I guess I didn't miss that much.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 30, 2022, 01:04:37 PM
Quote from: Jacob on November 30, 2022, 12:40:05 PMDenmark apparently couldn't retain the energy from the EC.

Didn't watch any of the games anyhow due to Qatar... I guess I didn't miss that much.

I tried, but I failed quickly.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 30, 2022, 04:01:32 PM
Tense group c game for Mexico. Ended One goal away from the knockouts.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on November 30, 2022, 04:07:25 PM
Poland should be ashamed. I've rarely seen a team at any level be dominated like that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on November 30, 2022, 04:09:33 PM
I've noticed that I've more and more lost interest, unless I'm watching with someone I just turn it off and go do something else. Qatar world cup sucks ass.

Shame about Denmark, but they didn't play with their usual gusto.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 30, 2022, 04:14:40 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 30, 2022, 04:01:32 PMTense group c game for Mexico. Ended One goal away from the knockouts.

It's alright Mexico. You can enjoy watching the USA play against the Netherlands on your couches at home.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 30, 2022, 04:15:44 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 30, 2022, 04:14:40 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 30, 2022, 04:01:32 PMTense group c game for Mexico. Ended One goal away from the knockouts.

It's alright Mexico. You can enjoy watching the USA play against the Netherlands on your couches at home.

Watching the post game they were literally a heel away from going through
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 30, 2022, 04:15:54 PM
It ended up two goals away for Mexico, but Poland was indeed terrible and it won't be pretty them going against France.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 01, 2022, 07:38:20 AM
A Ghanaian MP, in their budget debate, using an extended Harry Maguire analogy :lol:
https://twitter.com/StevenRailston/status/1598278330742353920?s=20&t=5O2dvm90t2WurG88C_x0ew

I really hope "an economic Maguire" catches on (eg Brext: an economic Maguire). It would be incredible if this became the new "Leeds days".
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 01, 2022, 10:04:59 AM
Lol well thats embarrassing
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 01, 2022, 10:24:50 AM
Gets worse

Some people thought Canada could get 4 points out of this group

Lol

I always said that wouldn't happen.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on December 01, 2022, 10:27:33 AM
I told everyone who would listen getting 1 goal scored is already going to be an achievement.

This tournament re Canada reminds of Montreal's Impact run to the Concacaf Champions League final in 2015 against Club America.

Montreal got a 1-1 draw out of the game of Mexico
Montreal took a 1-0 lead in the 1st half of the return game & then CA remembered who they were & hang 4 in the 2nd half.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 01, 2022, 10:32:58 AM
And I said getting a point will be tough. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 01, 2022, 10:42:27 AM
Condolences to our Canadian brothers and sisters.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 01, 2022, 10:56:17 AM
Morocco felt bad and gave them a goal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 01, 2022, 10:57:49 AM
Great game of the afternoon is supposed to be Croatia-Belgium but I forgot, again.

Did not miss much it seems, half-time 0-0.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 01, 2022, 11:03:03 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 01, 2022, 10:42:27 AMCondolences to our Canadian brothers and sisters.

They looked so strong in qualifiers as well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 01, 2022, 11:43:13 AM
Canada looking better.  Would be nice to get that second goal
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 01, 2022, 11:46:09 AM
Quote from: Valmy on December 01, 2022, 11:03:03 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 01, 2022, 10:42:27 AMCondolences to our Canadian brothers and sisters.

They looked so strong in qualifiers as well.

Not enough international experience. They'll get better though, I think (hope lol)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 01, 2022, 11:48:17 AM
Quote from: HVC on December 01, 2022, 11:46:09 AM
Quote from: Valmy on December 01, 2022, 11:03:03 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 01, 2022, 10:42:27 AMCondolences to our Canadian brothers and sisters.

They looked so strong in qualifiers as well.

Not enough international experience. They'll get better though, I think (hope lol)

You only need to get a point in 2026 and you won't be the worst co-host. I wonder how the seeding will work with 3 North American co-hosts.  :hmm: It was a bit of a farce for Qatar to be seeded.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 01, 2022, 11:58:16 AM
Lukaku was shocking  :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 01, 2022, 11:59:27 AM
Oh dear Belgium. :pinch:

Quote from: FunkMonk on December 01, 2022, 11:58:16 AMLukaku was shocking  :lmfao:
:yes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 01, 2022, 12:12:37 PM
Losing against Morocco and not winning a game vs Croatia. Simple, really.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on December 01, 2022, 12:19:34 PM
Morocco winning the group is not something I would have put any money on.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 01, 2022, 12:25:53 PM
Germany might be in trouble even if they beat Costa Rica, they probably want to beat them badly. Interesting.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 01, 2022, 12:34:43 PM
They just need to beat them 8-0 and they will qualify.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on December 01, 2022, 12:35:03 PM
Well that sucks for Canada.  I wasn't convinced they'd move out of the group phase, but I thought they'd win or tie a game at least.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 01, 2022, 12:45:42 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 01, 2022, 12:34:43 PMThey just need to beat them 8-0 and they will qualify.  :P

If Japan ties Spain then Germany only needs to win by two in order to advance I think. If Japan beats Spain, then yeah Germany needs that 8-0 win  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 01, 2022, 01:05:00 PM
Quote from: Valmy on December 01, 2022, 12:45:42 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 01, 2022, 12:34:43 PMThey just need to beat them 8-0 and they will qualify.  :P

If Japan ties Spain then Germany only needs to win by two in order to advance I think. If Japan beats Spain, then yeah Germany needs that 8-0 win  :lol:

Or go double upset with Japan and Costa Rica winning.  I mean it's highly unlikely, but would be interesting.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 01, 2022, 03:10:38 PM
頑張る日本!!

Wow. So if things stay this way... Germany is out :blink:

Aye they're weak lately but still. Them and Belgium would be a shocker.

Definitely thought the second japanese goal was out though
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 01, 2022, 03:14:52 PM
Oh wow
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 01, 2022, 03:15:48 PM
Costa Rica just tied.

Not enough for them to qualify. ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 01, 2022, 03:18:03 PM
Nationalelf just hit the post, twice.

Götterdämmerung?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 01, 2022, 03:23:23 PM
Thrice now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 01, 2022, 03:23:56 PM
Go Ticos

Would love to see Costa Rica and Japan qualify out of the group
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 01, 2022, 03:25:57 PM
Holy shit, both Spain and Germany out as it stands
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 01, 2022, 03:26:31 PM
Quote from: Josquius on December 01, 2022, 03:10:38 PMWow. So if things stay this way... Germany is out :blink:
I don't understand what's happened with Germany in recent years :blink: :huh:

QuoteAye they're weak lately but still. Them and Belgium would be a shocker.
Belgium a bit but we all know the story of an ageing but fractious "golden generation" :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 01, 2022, 03:27:48 PM
2-1 for Costa Rica. Wow indeed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 01, 2022, 03:28:40 PM
The world's flipped upside down
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 01, 2022, 03:31:17 PM
2-2 now. Bad sportmanship by the Ticos after the goal, trying to kill time. Stupid since time is running against them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 01, 2022, 03:34:05 PM
Great save by Navas on a German  counter-attack.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 01, 2022, 03:36:31 PM
This sort of excitement won't happen in the next World Cup in a 16 groups of three tournament
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 01, 2022, 03:38:10 PM
Shame costa Rica couldn't hold. That would have been wild.

Though I was suspecting for a while a Japan-Spain draw and cr win.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 01, 2022, 03:41:27 PM
3-2 for Germany now, but not over yet now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 01, 2022, 03:41:30 PM
Wild back and forth
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 01, 2022, 03:43:35 PM
After some really shit games are we getting 2 good ones at once?

The Japan game is fun.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 01, 2022, 03:47:57 PM
And now 4-2, following the video check.

All rests on la Roja for the Nationalmannschaft.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 01, 2022, 03:54:11 PM
Over now, Japan won.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 01, 2022, 03:54:40 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 01, 2022, 03:47:57 PMAnd now 4-2, following the video check.

All rests on la Roja for the Nationalmannschaft.

Germany out. 3 own goals. You k ow you want to, Germany :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 01, 2022, 03:56:46 PM
Japan sends Germany home.

Sucks to suck Germany
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 01, 2022, 04:02:59 PM
Quote from: Josephus on December 01, 2022, 03:36:31 PMThis sort of excitement won't happen in the next World Cup in a 16 groups of three tournament

They are talking about changing it to groups of 4
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 01, 2022, 04:05:07 PM
Quote from: Gups on December 01, 2022, 04:02:59 PM
Quote from: Josephus on December 01, 2022, 03:36:31 PMThis sort of excitement won't happen in the next World Cup in a 16 groups of three tournament

They are talking about changing it to groups of 4

Haven't heard that. Hope so    I heard they didn't want to do that because too many games
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 01, 2022, 04:11:38 PM
That wasn't good for my heart...  :wacko:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 01, 2022, 04:17:59 PM
So... Japan 2022 WC champs? :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 01, 2022, 04:21:16 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 01, 2022, 04:17:59 PMSo... Japan 2022 WC champs? :D

Interestingly there's an anime airing this season with an eye towards this... Sort of Squid Game meets Death Note but with football.

Posits the idea that Japan has good team work but lacks a striker with the selfish instinct needed to win the world Cup.

This thesis seems invalid.

Would love to see it and they are a team used to hot weather but... No.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 01, 2022, 06:54:39 PM
Funny how football cycles go. 8 years ago German football was the best in the world, envied and copied around the world. Now it is a shadow of its recent and historical greatness. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 01, 2022, 07:36:30 PM
Borjan  :pinch:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 02, 2022, 04:23:29 AM
Quote from: Josephus on December 01, 2022, 04:05:07 PM
Quote from: Gups on December 01, 2022, 04:02:59 PM
Quote from: Josephus on December 01, 2022, 03:36:31 PMThis sort of excitement won't happen in the next World Cup in a 16 groups of three tournament

They are talking about changing it to groups of 4

Haven't heard that. Hope so    I heard they didn't want to do that because too many games

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/dec/01/world-cup-organisers-consider-ditching-three-team-group-format-for-2026

I hope so too. Three team groups with two going through is dreadful - leads to loads of dead rubbers and makes collusion almost guaranteed. There really shouldn't be 48 teams at all - any format which is not in multiples of 16 is unsatisfactory. But 12 groups of 4 with 32 going through is the lesser of two evils even though it means barely any jeopardy in the group stage. If they ditched the round of 32, that would be pretty exciting with just group winners and 4 highest second places going through.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 02, 2022, 05:50:49 AM
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/aIYEIOzp0DE

This young Quatari seems to have learned a wonderful lesson in the value of social capital.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 02, 2022, 05:58:03 AM
I'm not against expanding the world cup in principle.
Though the right way to do it would probably be like the FA Cup- early rounds that are part of the world cup proper also sort of work as the finals of qualification where its weak teams (those in the lower qualification spaces) playing each other in a straight knockout. The big teams don't enter until a more normal time.

Gives the smaller clubs a chance to actually be at the world cup, hurray for them, gives teh money more games to air, and doesn't inconvenience the typical world cup teams particularly- at worst they have a disadvantage in not having already had a competitive game to get up to speed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 02, 2022, 06:47:26 AM
One of the most disappointing things so far of this World Cup is the lack of psychic animals. Most attempts I can see are rather bland and unimaginative.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 02, 2022, 06:52:33 AM
Quote from: celedhring on December 02, 2022, 06:47:26 AMOne of the most disappointing things so far of this World Cup is the lack of psychic animals. Most attempts I can see are rather bland and unimaginative.

No psychic animal can replace Paul the Octopus in our hearts.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 02, 2022, 12:04:39 PM
So, all the Asian team through? Japan, Korea, and Australia (lol)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 02, 2022, 12:13:49 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 02, 2022, 12:04:39 PMSo, all the Asian team through? Japan, Korea, and Australia (lol)

Not Iran!

Oh and sucks to be Uruguay.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 02, 2022, 12:20:02 PM
Quote from: Valmy on December 02, 2022, 12:13:49 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 02, 2022, 12:04:39 PMSo, all the Asian team through? Japan, Korea, and Australia (lol)

Not Iran!

Oh and sucks to be Uruguay.

Right, forgot about them.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 02, 2022, 12:28:23 PM
I don't take any joy from them not moving on for the players themselves since they seem like stand up guys but I was a little worried some big run by the Iranian national team might end up being a big asset to the Islamic State. Let's not have anything that could distract from the important events going on there.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on December 02, 2022, 12:29:23 PM
Australia is OFC. Qatar and Iran did not qualify.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 02, 2022, 12:31:40 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on December 02, 2022, 12:29:23 PMAustralia is OFC. Qatar and Iran did not qualify.

Right. Qatar was such a non-factor they are easy to forget about.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on December 02, 2022, 12:37:27 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on December 02, 2022, 12:29:23 PMAustralia is OFC. Qatar and Iran did not qualify.

Australia left OFC in 2006.

KSA is from Asia too.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 02, 2022, 12:42:42 PM
Don't consider Qatar a real entry so ignored them, and what GF said. Did forget iran though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 02, 2022, 01:03:36 PM
The funniest part of the Uruguay - Ghana game was Ghana wasting time at the end of the match when they were 2 goals down just to ensure Suarez and Uruguay were eliminated too  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 02, 2022, 01:09:47 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 02, 2022, 01:03:36 PMThe funniest part of the Uruguay - Ghana game was Ghana wasting time at the end of the match when they were 2 goals down just to ensure Suarez and Uruguay were eliminated too  :lol:
It was amazing :lol:

A new transcontinental derby appears.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 02, 2022, 01:12:32 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 02, 2022, 01:09:47 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 02, 2022, 01:03:36 PMThe funniest part of the Uruguay - Ghana game was Ghana wasting time at the end of the match when they were 2 goals down just to ensure Suarez and Uruguay were eliminated too  :lol:
It was amazing :lol:

A new transcontinental derby appears.

Loved the long memories of the Ghana players - was there any player that also played in that 2010 game?  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 02, 2022, 01:19:08 PM
Quote from: celedhring on December 02, 2022, 01:12:32 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 02, 2022, 01:09:47 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 02, 2022, 01:03:36 PMThe funniest part of the Uruguay - Ghana game was Ghana wasting time at the end of the match when they were 2 goals down just to ensure Suarez and Uruguay were eliminated too  :lol:
It was amazing :lol:

A new transcontinental derby appears.

Loved the long memories of the Ghana players - was there any player that also played in that 2010 game?  :lol:

Ghana's captain in this WC, Andre Ayew, was in the 2010 squad, but didn't play that particular game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 02, 2022, 01:52:50 PM
So Switzerland beats Serbia and they are in. If Cameroon beats Brazil and Serbia beats Switzerland then either Serbia or Cameroon advance based on goal differential. Currently Cameroon enjoys a one goal advantage.

If Switzerland ties Serbia and Cameroon and Brazil tie then Switzerland advances. If Switzerland ties Serbia and Cameroon defeats Brazil then Switzerland or Cameroon advance on goal differential and Switzerland enjoys a one goal advantage.  So Cameroon probably advances in that scenario I think.

Super easy to understand.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 02, 2022, 02:19:36 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 02, 2022, 01:03:36 PMThe funniest part of the Uruguay - Ghana game was Ghana wasting time at the end of the match when they were 2 goals down just to ensure Suarez and Uruguay were eliminated too  :lol:
I didn't see it and the pettiness sounds horrific, though I do wonder whether that might not be tactically wise too-try and frustrate Uruguay into making clumsy errors?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 02, 2022, 02:21:36 PM
Switzerland 1 Serbia 0

Brazil vs Switzerland in the round of 16 for now, but things may change, as we have seen yesterday.  :P

Shaqiri, of course.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 02, 2022, 02:29:57 PM
Quote from: celedhring on December 02, 2022, 01:12:32 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 02, 2022, 01:09:47 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 02, 2022, 01:03:36 PMThe funniest part of the Uruguay - Ghana game was Ghana wasting time at the end of the match when they were 2 goals down just to ensure Suarez and Uruguay were eliminated too  :lol:
It was amazing :lol:

A new transcontinental derby appears.

Loved the long memories of the Ghana players - was there any player that also played in that 2010 game?  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 02, 2022, 02:32:30 PM
Quote from: celedhring on December 02, 2022, 01:12:32 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 02, 2022, 01:09:47 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 02, 2022, 01:03:36 PMThe funniest part of the Uruguay - Ghana game was Ghana wasting time at the end of the match when they were 2 goals down just to ensure Suarez and Uruguay were eliminated too  :lol:
It was amazing :lol:

A new transcontinental derby appears.

Loved the long memories of the Ghana players - was there any player that also played in that 2010 game?  :lol:

I mean they made Suarez capitan just to wind the Ghanians up. Uruguay are the masters of shithousery. Now they are out, the world can unite against Portugal
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 02, 2022, 02:38:17 PM
Quote from: Gups on December 02, 2022, 02:32:30 PM
Quote from: celedhring on December 02, 2022, 01:12:32 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 02, 2022, 01:09:47 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 02, 2022, 01:03:36 PMThe funniest part of the Uruguay - Ghana game was Ghana wasting time at the end of the match when they were 2 goals down just to ensure Suarez and Uruguay were eliminated too  :lol:
It was amazing :lol:

A new transcontinental derby appears.

Loved the long memories of the Ghana players - was there any player that also played in that 2010 game?  :lol:

I mean they made Suarez capitan just to wind the Ghanians up. Uruguay are the masters of shithousery. Now they are out, the world can unite against Portugal

Coming from an Anglo blind to the diving masterclass at the Euro, unsurprising, but the world would rather unite against England, sometimes for other than sporting reasons.  :D

2-1 for Serbia. I expect trouble in the Balkans either way, unless Cameroon wins.

Shithousery or not (Suarez is a bit of a questionable character (the biting...) but Cavani is/was fine), Uruguay has two world cups, without cheating, unlike England, and cannot rely on a huge population pool, so they punch way above their weight.

Uruguay might have benefitted from a less defensive playstile, and less garra charrua, but we'll never know.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 02, 2022, 02:46:14 PM
2-2 now. Quite the action packed first half.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 02, 2022, 02:48:56 PM
Quote from: Valmy on December 02, 2022, 02:46:14 PM2-2 now. Quite the action packed first half.

The game to watch, the crappy French free channel (TF1) shows Brazil Cameroon, with no goals though there are goal chances. Cameroon holding his own and forcing Ederson to make a great save.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 02, 2022, 03:08:38 PM
Going out to a gig now, really sorry to be missing the rest of the Serbia game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 02, 2022, 03:09:10 PM
3-2 now for Switzerland. The Nationalelf vs Ticos of yesterday.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 02, 2022, 03:13:19 PM
Injured Brazilian player not yet subtituted, so 10 vs 11. Hot situation in the Cameroon area just before.
Will Brazil be the only side winning the three first games?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 02, 2022, 03:26:53 PM
I've abandoned Brazil to scour the back reaches of the programme guide for Switzerland.

Fecking itv.


As to uniting against Portugal... I'm torn.
I am the anti mono in liking when new teams win and most Portuguese I've met have been decent people.
But Ronaldo.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 02, 2022, 03:27:56 PM
The Brazil vs Cameroon is not that bad, but nowhere near Switzerland vs Serbia in terms of excitement.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 02, 2022, 03:52:15 PM
Cameroon 1 Brazil 0
Vincent Abubakar

Not enough for Cameroon to qualify, Serbia has yet to tie.
Great for the last minutes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 02, 2022, 03:53:41 PM
Now that's dumb, as a move and as a rule, second yellow for taking off the jersey for the scorer.

 :frusty:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 02, 2022, 03:54:01 PM
Serbs serbing
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 02, 2022, 03:54:18 PM
Just realised I really should have sought out Switzerland-Serbia earlier given a large chunk of the Swiss team are of Albanian heritage.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 02, 2022, 04:04:55 PM
Let's go america* and Australia**


*Possible
**unlikely
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on December 02, 2022, 04:16:03 PM
I loathe Suarez, so I'm glad Ghana stuck his nose in it. His tears at the end were glorious.  :showoff:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on December 02, 2022, 04:21:36 PM
What the Uruguay do to Ghana in 2010?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on December 02, 2022, 04:22:58 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dM-29hy-Qyw

Suarez being a piece of shit basically.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 02, 2022, 04:23:40 PM
Cameroon and Tunisia

(https://i.redd.it/bekphnqftcb41.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 02, 2022, 04:24:34 PM
Quote from: Josquius on December 02, 2022, 03:54:18 PMJust realised I really should have sought out Switzerland-Serbia earlier given a large chunk of the Swiss team are of Albanian heritage.

Large chunk = 3 guys.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 02, 2022, 04:40:06 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on December 02, 2022, 04:22:58 PMhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dM-29hy-Qyw

Suarez being a piece of shit basically.

Wrong example. He took one for the team à la Thierry Henry.

Now, his repeated bites against opponents are despicable, vs Chiellini for instance.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 02, 2022, 04:42:41 PM
Great performance by Cameroon, but Switzerland and Serbia count too.

No team won its first three games, a first I think.

PS: did it happen in 1994 as well?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on December 02, 2022, 04:58:14 PM
Quote from: The Larch on November 28, 2022, 05:41:08 AM
Quote from: Josquius on November 28, 2022, 05:24:28 AM
Quote from: The Larch on November 28, 2022, 05:01:58 AMIt seems that Cameroon have sent Andre Onana, their starting keeper, back home from the WC after an argument between him and the team's coach, that wanted him to play in a more conservative style, which the player would have refused to do.
I didn't see Cameroon's game.

They lost their first game against Switzerland and are playing right now against Serbia. In fact they've just scored.

QuoteI am intrigued at a keeper being told to be more conservative.

It's easy, Onana (who came through the Barcelona ranks and used to play for Ajax, playing nowadays for Inter) is a keeper on the more modern mold of a sweeper-keeper. He plays the ball with his feet to help distribution and kickstart the attack, gets outside the box to help support ball circulation, etc. Almost every big team at the moment has their keepers playing like this one way or the other. Turns out that the Cameroon coach wants a traditional, throwback keeper that stays at the goal, and just hoofs the ball forward rather than playing short passes that could get intercepted by rival attackers.

So, rather than having Onana, a great keeper with experience at the top level in European clubs, they're now playing Epassy, a barely known guy who plays in Saudi Arabia whose top experience is in a couple of small clubs in the Greek 1st division.

Btw, Epassy made 7 (great) saves against top seeded Brazil... He got man of the match and at least kept Cameroun in the game time and time again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 02, 2022, 06:56:27 PM
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/eb/b8/5f/ebb85ff6075427e654405717b38ffb74.jpg)

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 02, 2022, 10:20:00 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 02, 2022, 01:09:47 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 02, 2022, 01:03:36 PMThe funniest part of the Uruguay - Ghana game was Ghana wasting time at the end of the match when they were 2 goals down just to ensure Suarez and Uruguay were eliminated too  :lol:
It was amazing :lol:

A new transcontinental derby appears.

I hate this Qatar World Cup but football's inherent pettiness and mean-spirited competitiveness continue to shine through. A beacon for us all  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 03, 2022, 12:03:34 AM
What is the purpose of the mansieres like the one worn by the Korean who scored and took off his jersey?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on December 03, 2022, 12:07:51 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 03, 2022, 12:03:34 AMWhat is the purpose of the mansieres like the one worn by the Korean who scored and took off his jersey?

Data collection. Heartrate, blood oxygen, location, speed of travel, etc.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 03, 2022, 06:44:36 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on December 02, 2022, 12:29:23 PMAustralia is OFC. Qatar and Iran did not qualify.

Australia qualifies out of Asia
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 03, 2022, 06:46:36 AM
Again, I am going to spend the next four years praying that FIFA goes with the four-team group stage. I actually think this past week was, and will be, the most exciting part of the World Cup.
Now we'll head into scenarios, where teams are tied and happy to take the game into penalties (except England).

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 03, 2022, 07:13:54 AM
Yeah I really love the the current group stage set up of the WC. I think we see more exciting matches in the last group-stage games than we see boring rubber stamps. And I love that they're played at the same time. Along with goal difference shenanigans and tie breakers, it gives the final group-stage week a twist of arcane fun that can spit out a surprise or two.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 03, 2022, 08:02:15 AM
For the last group stage games played at the same time, you have to say a bid danke to Germany and Austria.  :P

As for keeping this formula, with even more teams added to the next World Cup, I doubt it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 03, 2022, 08:32:02 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 03, 2022, 08:02:15 AMFor the last group stage games played at the same time, you have to say a bid danke to Germany and Austria.  :P

As for keeping this formula, with even more teams added to the next World Cup, I doubt it.

It's impossible with 48 teams. Either too many go through to the knock out or too few
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 03, 2022, 08:35:26 AM
Yeah, they'll probably go with 4-team groups which will make the group stage more boring and with less upsets.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: frunk on December 03, 2022, 08:50:37 AM
I think it should be four team groups, top two go through, the 8 best performing first place teams in the group stage get a bye in the first round of the knockout stage.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 03, 2022, 09:39:05 AM
12 four team groups. Top two teams advance + next 8? =32

The only problem is it's a lot of games and the WC would have to be played over some six weeks.

FIFA should just fess up that 48 teams was a stupid idea. They can blame Blatter.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 03, 2022, 10:02:11 AM
Burn the Dutch!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 03, 2022, 10:11:07 AM
God dammit. I ask so little of Americans.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 03, 2022, 10:30:18 AM
Quote from: HVC on December 03, 2022, 10:11:07 AMGod dammit. I ask so little of Americans.

Shut up, the Selecção is the bête noire of the Batavians. It's good that they qualify.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 03, 2022, 10:46:13 AM
Hate is not rational lol

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 03, 2022, 10:56:01 AM
I still don't get the hate.

As for the game now: two shots on goal, two goals for the Netherlands. Well, that's something.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 03, 2022, 10:58:45 AM
Pele being transfered to palliative care.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 03, 2022, 10:59:34 AM
Not looking so good for Pele. I wish I got a chance to see him in his prime. The first world cup I have a memory of watching was 1974, and he'd retired from Brazil's national team after the 70 World Cup.

I'm not rooting for him to die, or anything, but if he does die, the day of the world cup final would be fitting.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 03, 2022, 11:02:42 AM
Quote from: Josephus on December 03, 2022, 10:59:34 AMI'm not rooting for him to die, or anything, but if he does die, the day of the world cup final would be fitting.

Only if Brazil wins.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 03, 2022, 11:33:16 AM
Quote from: HVC on December 03, 2022, 11:02:42 AM
Quote from: Josephus on December 03, 2022, 10:59:34 AMI'm not rooting for him to die, or anything, but if he does die, the day of the world cup final would be fitting.

Only if Brazil wins.

Precisely.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 03, 2022, 11:35:39 AM
Exciting last 15 minutes for this game since the US just scored.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 03, 2022, 11:38:51 AM
That's over then. Can't leave someone completely unmarked on the far post like that
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 03, 2022, 11:39:17 AM
Can't argue with that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 03, 2022, 11:44:07 AM
US defending has been horrible. Shocking stuff.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 03, 2022, 11:46:31 AM
US have had a few decent chances but really they just don't have anyone who can consistently finish. In the recent past that was Donovan and Dempsey. No one now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 03, 2022, 01:15:38 PM
Well at least we achieved our ultimate goal of doing better than Mexico.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 03, 2022, 01:16:05 PM
Oh well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 03, 2022, 01:18:50 PM
So that's CONCACAF over and done with. Telling that Canada topped the qualifying group.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 03, 2022, 01:25:10 PM
Quote from: Josephus on December 03, 2022, 01:18:50 PMSo that's CONCACAF over and done with. Telling that Canada topped the qualifying group.

It is kind of astounding that after all the progress North American Soccer has made the past 30 years we have very little to show for it in the World Cup.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 03, 2022, 01:32:56 PM
Quote from: Valmy on December 03, 2022, 01:25:10 PM
Quote from: Josephus on December 03, 2022, 01:18:50 PMSo that's CONCACAF over and done with. Telling that Canada topped the qualifying group.

It is kind of astounding that after all the progress North American Soccer has made the past 30 years we have very little to show for it in the World Cup.

CONCACAF has arguably the worst competition. Difficult to improve much against Europe and South America when you're playing Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica over and over again.

Mexico/US/maybe Canada now are the only decent teams, and all are second round teams at most.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 03, 2022, 01:43:53 PM
I figure the only way to get better is more and more players in the top European leagues.

I can't decide who to root for now.  I've historically backed Germany.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 03, 2022, 01:50:24 PM
Gloire à la France!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 03, 2022, 01:50:30 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 03, 2022, 01:32:56 PM
Quote from: Valmy on December 03, 2022, 01:25:10 PM
Quote from: Josephus on December 03, 2022, 01:18:50 PMSo that's CONCACAF over and done with. Telling that Canada topped the qualifying group.

It is kind of astounding that after all the progress North American Soccer has made the past 30 years we have very little to show for it in the World Cup.

CONCACAF has arguably the worst competition. Difficult to improve much against Europe and South America when you're playing Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica over and over again.

Mexico/US/maybe Canada now are the only decent teams, and all are second round teams at most.

I'm hearing Canada is trying to get into the Copa American competition.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 03, 2022, 01:54:10 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 03, 2022, 01:32:56 PMCONCACAF has arguably the worst competition. Difficult to improve much against Europe and South America when you're playing Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica over and over again.
All Jack Warner's work for this disrespect <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 03, 2022, 02:01:59 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 03, 2022, 01:54:10 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 03, 2022, 01:32:56 PMCONCACAF has arguably the worst competition. Difficult to improve much against Europe and South America when you're playing Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica over and over again.
All Jack Warner's work for this disrespect <_<
:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 03, 2022, 02:17:15 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 03, 2022, 01:32:56 PM
Quote from: Valmy on December 03, 2022, 01:25:10 PM
Quote from: Josephus on December 03, 2022, 01:18:50 PMSo that's CONCACAF over and done with. Telling that Canada topped the qualifying group.

It is kind of astounding that after all the progress North American Soccer has made the past 30 years we have very little to show for it in the World Cup.

CONCACAF has arguably the worst competition. Difficult to improve much against Europe and South America when you're playing Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica over and over again.

Mexico/US/maybe Canada now are the only decent teams, and all are second round teams at most.

I imagine it's impossible to merge with the South Americans?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 03, 2022, 02:19:31 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 03, 2022, 01:43:53 PMI figure the only way to get better is more and more players in the top European leagues.

I can't decide who to root for now.  I've historically backed Germany.

South Korea doesn't float your boat?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 03, 2022, 02:27:56 PM
Argies aren't being overly inspiring
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 03, 2022, 02:29:52 PM
Very dull game
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 03, 2022, 02:30:00 PM
Quote from: Gups on December 03, 2022, 02:19:31 PMSouth Korea doesn't float your boat?

:hmm:

I've not been a fan of Korean character, but the newer generations seem better.  Sure, why not.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 03, 2022, 02:45:36 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 03, 2022, 02:27:56 PMArgies aren't being overly inspiring

Yet they are leading by 1-0. A lesson to remember?  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 03, 2022, 02:49:13 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 03, 2022, 02:45:36 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 03, 2022, 02:27:56 PMArgies aren't being overly inspiring

Yet they are leading by 1-0. A lesson to remember?  :P

Push the defender so that he stupidly retaliates against another player? :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 03, 2022, 02:50:17 PM
"Have Messi"? :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 03, 2022, 03:17:26 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 03, 2022, 02:49:13 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 03, 2022, 02:45:36 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 03, 2022, 02:27:56 PMArgies aren't being overly inspiring

Yet they are leading by 1-0. A lesson to remember?  :P

Push the defender so that he stupidly retaliates against another player? :D

Wait for the goalkeeper's fluke.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 03, 2022, 03:18:13 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 03, 2022, 03:17:26 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 03, 2022, 02:49:13 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 03, 2022, 02:45:36 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 03, 2022, 02:27:56 PMArgies aren't being overly inspiring

Yet they are leading by 1-0. A lesson to remember?  :P

Push the defender so that he stupidly retaliates against another player? :D

Wait for the goalkeeper's fluke.  :D

Yeah, he's gonna have nightmares over that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 03, 2022, 03:19:59 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 03, 2022, 03:18:13 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 03, 2022, 03:17:26 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 03, 2022, 02:49:13 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 03, 2022, 02:45:36 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 03, 2022, 02:27:56 PMArgies aren't being overly inspiring

Yet they are leading by 1-0. A lesson to remember?  :P

Push the defender so that he stupidly retaliates against another player? :D

Wait for the goalkeeper's fluke.  :D

Yeah, he's gonna have nightmares over that.

It's not like Australia was going or even trying to win by then, anyways.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 03, 2022, 03:24:57 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 03, 2022, 03:19:59 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 03, 2022, 03:18:13 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 03, 2022, 03:17:26 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 03, 2022, 02:49:13 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 03, 2022, 02:45:36 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 03, 2022, 02:27:56 PMArgies aren't being overly inspiring

Yet they are leading by 1-0. A lesson to remember?  :P

Push the defender so that he stupidly retaliates against another player? :D

Wait for the goalkeeper's fluke.  :D

Yeah, he's gonna have nightmares over that.

It's not like Australia was going or even trying to win by then, anyways.

There's losing, and then there's getting that goal scored on you in front of the world. Not like the defense put him in a Great situation.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 03, 2022, 03:35:39 PM
Nightmare intensifies :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 03, 2022, 03:36:28 PM
Well, another fluke, but on the Argentine side this time, so the earlier fluke might have had its importance.

2-1

Good for the neutral spectator.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 03, 2022, 03:56:15 PM
Two inches high of a goal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 03, 2022, 03:57:05 PM
Roos make a game out of it. Nice one

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 03, 2022, 03:57:18 PM
Argentine goalkeeper just saved his team in the last minute of stoppage with a great save, preventing a tie.
Yet the Albiceleste dominated the game...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 03, 2022, 05:26:16 PM
Are goalies not allowed to handle the ball on back passes?

I'm trying to figure out why so many goalies insist on dribbling back passes when there are millions of examples on the internet of that going poorly for them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 03, 2022, 05:28:18 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 03, 2022, 05:26:16 PMAre goalies not allowed to handle the ball on back passes?

I'm trying to figure out why so many goalies insist on dribbling back passes when there are millions of examples on the internet of that going poorly for them.

Correct. They used to be able to pick up back passes.

These days a goalkeeper who is good with their feet is a necessity for top teams.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 03, 2022, 06:55:08 PM
I think I need another team to root for.  :lol:

Maybe Brazil to make up for that soul crushing by Germany.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 03, 2022, 06:56:59 PM
I was just thinking, is it just me or is international football in general quite weak now?

Most of the traditional top teams are just not so strong as their teams in times past.
It's quite telling that England have gotten to a euro final and wc semi final in the past 4 years despite their golden generation being in the past.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on December 03, 2022, 07:07:03 PM
It's because there is too many leagues and top talent is too distributed among them.

But we can't have a super League because you are all a bunch of cry babies.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 03, 2022, 07:42:04 PM
Gabriel Jesus out for a minimum 3 months, reportedly. That's Arsenal's title challenge over.

Hopefully the points amassed in the first third of the season are enough to scratch out a Top 4 finish.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 03, 2022, 10:21:58 PM
Quote from: Josquius on December 03, 2022, 06:56:59 PMI was just thinking, is it just me or is international football in general quite weak now?

Most of the traditional top teams are just not so strong as their teams in times past.

It's you. What has changed is that the average level of international teams is higher, there's rarely a team that manages to qualify for a WC that is a true pushover. Thus, a traditional top team that is not up to snuff for whatever reason might easily get upset by a non traditional top team that is truly motivated and well organized. This has always been a possibility, but now it's truer than ever.

QuoteIt's quite telling that England have gotten to a euro final and wc semi final in the past 4 years despite their golden generation being in the past.

It might also be, because for all the criticism they get, this English team is actually a proper team, with a tactic and system that works for them, while the golden generation England teams were more a collection of big names than true teams.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 03, 2022, 10:25:11 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on December 03, 2022, 07:07:03 PMIt's because there is too many leagues and top talent is too distributed among them.

You're aware that the Premier League exists, right?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on December 03, 2022, 11:15:38 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 03, 2022, 10:25:11 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on December 03, 2022, 07:07:03 PMIt's because there is too many leagues and top talent is too distributed among them.

You're aware that the Premier League exists, right?

Yes. 1 top league amongst 55 top leagues in UEFA.

There's only 1, Rashford, of the current 6 3 goals scorers at the WC that plays in the PL.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 04, 2022, 01:56:09 AM
The US looked hopeless out there. Workrate and pluckiness will only take you so far.  Need players with a bit more guile if they want to leave a mark in 2026, and Pulisic has stagnated a bit.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 04, 2022, 02:05:10 AM
Quote from: The Larch on December 03, 2022, 10:21:58 PMIt might also be, because for all the criticism they get, this English team is actually a proper team, with a tactic and system that works for them, while the golden generation England teams were more a collection of big names than true teams.
Yeah I think that "teamness" is really important and I think it's what sets apart impressive international level teams. It's one of the reasons I wonder if managing one of Europe's super clubs is maybe more like international management than, say, managing a club that has to be smart with its resources. I feel like Ancelotti would be a truly incredible international coach exactly for that reason.

I think it's also linked to the point that Jonathan Wilson made:
QuoteSouthgate's record far outstrips every England coach since. He has taken England to two of the six semi-finals they have reached. He is responsible for five of their 14 victories in knockout games at major tournaments. Yet still the mood since the Euros final has been grouchy. He's too negative. He has to take the handbrake off. He has to unleash this great glut of forwards. Why, oh why, oh why is there no place for [insert name of Premier League creator du jour here]? History will look back and ask why [delete as appropriate: Phil Foden/Marcus Rashford/Jack Grealish/Mason Mount/Bukayo Saka] was left on the bench.

It might be that there's huge weakness in international football, or that England have been incredibly lucky. Or it might just be that Southgate is pretty good at his job, they've got some talented players and they don't all hate each other.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on December 04, 2022, 02:46:53 AM
 :lol:

England is so amazing, with their zero European cups and 1 world cup back 60 years ago...

Each tournament we get the same story. "This time, it feels like something is in the air, the group is really gelling" etc etc etc ad nauseam aeternam.

First, they'll have to beat Senegal, then probably France, then probably Spain, then probably Brazil. Yet again, it not "coming home" this year either.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 04, 2022, 03:16:45 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on December 04, 2022, 02:46:53 AM:lol:

England is so amazing, with their zero European cups and 1 world cup back 60 years ago...

Each tournament we get the same story. "This time, it feels like something is in the air, the group is really gelling" etc etc etc ad nauseam aeternam.

First, they'll have to beat Senegal, then probably France, then probably Spain, then probably Brazil. Yet again, it not "coming home" this year either.
:lol: I mean that's not the point of Wilson's argument or that I meant.

I think generally international teams that work as a team do better than big names and superstars. England's much vaunted but pathetic "golden generation" is an example of that - but I'm sure other countries like the Netherlands and Spain have their own stories of egos or club loyalties getting in the way of a team's talent. As I say I think it's also maybe now what managing the super-clubs with endless money is about, is finding a way to build a happy team while managing superstar egos. I'm not sure that doing really well at even clubs like Dortmund or Sevilla is necessarily what you need to manage PSG or Real Madrid or Man United in the way that perhaps it was 20 or 30 years ago.

Southgate is the most successful England manager in decades - it seems very English to muse if that's because his time in charge coincides with a period of historic global weakness in world football. It seems more likely that Southgate is simply relatively good at his job at getting relatively good players to cohere in a system - and the same goes for many other countries.

Having said all that I kind of hope and kind of expect Argentina to win this year because it what Messi's superstar narrative needs and deserves (plus I want a non-European team to win because it's been too long) :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 04, 2022, 06:49:47 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 03, 2022, 05:26:16 PMAre goalies not allowed to handle the ball on back passes?

I'm trying to figure out why so many goalies insist on dribbling back passes when there are millions of examples on the internet of that going poorly for them.

Yeah...back in the day, players would kill time by passing the ball back to Dino Zoff their goalie, who would pick it up. Bounce it a couple times. Then roll it out to the defender who would dribble a bit, then turn around and pass it back to Zoff the goalie who would pick it up, bounce it a couple times and roll it out to the defender who would dribble a bit, then turn around and pass...well you get the idea.

So they stopped this.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 04, 2022, 07:14:22 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 04, 2022, 03:16:45 AM.

Having said all that I kind of hope and kind of expect Argentina to win this year because it what Messi's superstar narrative needs and deserves (plus I want a non-European team to win because it's been too long) :ph34r:

I can't think of a country I less want to win than Argentina.
Cheating fucks.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 04, 2022, 07:16:08 AM
Yeah I realise my views on Argentina are out of the mainstream here :lol: :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 04, 2022, 07:29:27 AM
Josquius views are funny coming from an England fan, in  that he's upset one man cheated when in 1966 your whole organization cheated :lol:

That being said, I want them to lose for my own selfish reasons.  the best game of the Tournament  was when they lost to the saudis :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 04, 2022, 10:29:36 AM
Quote from: HVC on December 04, 2022, 07:29:27 AMJosquius views are funny coming from an England fan, in  that he's upset one man cheated when in 1966 your whole organization cheated :lol:

That being said, I want them to lose for my own selfish reasons.  the best game of the Tournament  was when they lost to the saudis :D

I know there's controversy over the call by the Russian linesman's 50/50 call but not heard the conspiracy theory. What is it?

I'm any event, Hand of god, Diego on drugs, the 6-0 against Peru in 78 amongst shitloads else in that tournie
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 04, 2022, 11:22:13 AM
With that goal Giroud has become France's all time top scorer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 04, 2022, 11:37:50 AM
Quote from: Josephus on December 04, 2022, 06:49:47 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 03, 2022, 05:26:16 PMAre goalies not allowed to handle the ball on back passes?

I'm trying to figure out why so many goalies insist on dribbling back passes when there are millions of examples on the internet of that going poorly for them.

Yeah...back in the day, players would kill time by passing the ball back to Dino Zoff their goalie, who would pick it up. Bounce it a couple times. Then roll it out to the defender who would dribble a bit, then turn around and pass it back to Zoff the goalie who would pick it up, bounce it a couple times and roll it out to the defender who would dribble a bit, then turn around and pass...well you get the idea.

So they stopped this.

Along with three points for a win, the most important rule change of the last40 years or so. Transformed the game
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 04, 2022, 11:42:13 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on December 03, 2022, 11:15:38 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 03, 2022, 10:25:11 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on December 03, 2022, 07:07:03 PMIt's because there is too many leagues and top talent is too distributed among them.

You're aware that the Premier League exists, right?

Yes. 1 top league amongst 55 top leagues in UEFA.

There's only 1, Rashford, of the current 6 3 goals scorers at the WC that plays in the PL.

I'm not sure what "too many leagues" means in the context of each country having its own football league system, but I think it's more accurate to say that the richest teams vacuum up the "top talent", and that these richest teams are now predominantly the fossil fuel clubs plus the "legacy" top clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, etc.

The whole point of the super league as it was constructed was so that the "legacy" clubs could stay relevant in the new age of nation-state ownership.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 04, 2022, 11:47:44 AM
Quote from: The Larch on December 04, 2022, 11:22:13 AMWith that goal Giroud has become France's all time top scorer.
I love it. I love how unfancied he is as a player and in his way unglamorous - but also so decorated and scoring some really important goals. It's great.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 04, 2022, 11:49:03 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on December 03, 2022, 11:15:38 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 03, 2022, 10:25:11 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on December 03, 2022, 07:07:03 PMIt's because there is too many leagues and top talent is too distributed among them.

You're aware that the Premier League exists, right?

Yes. 1 top league amongst 55 top leagues in UEFA.

There's only 1, Rashford, of the current 6 3 goals scorers at the WC that plays in the PL.

:lmfao:

I guess you never heard of the big 4, really more of a 2+2, i.e EPL+Liga + Bundesliga + Serie A, with the others behind : Ligue 1 without Qatari gas, Primeira Liga, Eredivise, Ligue Jupiler etc. trying to exist.

Last time a non Big 4 or even Big 5 side won the CL was in 2004.
Only Superleague band wagoners/footixes would want less uncertainty.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 04, 2022, 11:49:56 AM
Well, Poland put up quite some resistance, until the second goal, having some chances they did not use but now it's 3-0, two goals by Kyky. Competent play by les Bleus, specially in the second half.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 04, 2022, 11:54:42 AM
Penalty for Poland to at least score a goal.

Very badly taken by Lewandowski but second chance given since French players entered too son.

Second attempt is successful however, almost taken the same way.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 04, 2022, 11:58:54 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 04, 2022, 11:47:44 AM
Quote from: The Larch on December 04, 2022, 11:22:13 AMWith that goal Giroud has become France's all time top scorer.
I love it. I love how unfancied he is as a player and in his way unglamorous - but also so decorated and scoring some really important goals. It's great.

I've always loved Giroud. Even after he dunked on Arsenal in Baku, I still have still have a soft spot for him.

Wenger plucked him out of France and created a monster  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 04, 2022, 12:05:37 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 04, 2022, 11:58:54 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 04, 2022, 11:47:44 AM
Quote from: The Larch on December 04, 2022, 11:22:13 AMWith that goal Giroud has become France's all time top scorer.
I love it. I love how unfancied he is as a player and in his way unglamorous - but also so decorated and scoring some really important goals. It's great.

I've always loved Giroud. Even after he dunked on Arsenal in Baku, I still have still have a soft spot for him.

Wenger plucked him out of France and created a monster  :D
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 04, 2022, 11:58:54 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 04, 2022, 11:47:44 AM
Quote from: The Larch on December 04, 2022, 11:22:13 AMWith that goal Giroud has become France's all time top scorer.
I love it. I love how unfancied he is as a player and in his way unglamorous - but also so decorated and scoring some really important goals. It's great.

I've always loved Giroud. Even after he dunked on Arsenal in Baku, I still have still have a soft spot for him.

Wenger plucked him out of France and created a monster  :D

Now that he has managed to keep his elbows under control, unlike 2014 WC, he's fine now, just as long you don't listen to him speaking French.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 04, 2022, 12:23:17 PM
Mbappe is 23 and has already scored 33 international goals, 19 less than Giroud, so at some point before he's even 28 or so he should become France's top scorer and keep that spot for ages.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 04, 2022, 12:31:43 PM
No question about that, Giroud did not score a single goal in the 2018 World Cup, for instance.

The question how Mbappé will handle his later career, around 30 or so, when his running is no longer as fast as today.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 04, 2022, 12:34:05 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 04, 2022, 12:31:43 PMNo question about that, Giroud did not score a single goal in the 2018 World Cup, for instance.

The question how Mbappé will handle his later career, around 30 or so, when his running is no longer as fast as today.

If he's smart he should model his late career on Messi rather than CR, with whom he admittedly shares more of a profile with.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 04, 2022, 12:36:48 PM
BTW, I can imagine some Qataris feeling all bothered up by this Mbappe and Giroud's goal celebration.

(https://assets-es.imgfoot.com/media/cache/1200x1200/fifaworldcup-2022-france-pologne-mbappe-giroud-goal.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 04, 2022, 12:38:37 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 04, 2022, 12:34:05 PMIf he's smart he should model his late career on Messi rather than CR, with whom he admittedly shares more of a profile with.
I think he'll be fine and will be able to shift his game. But I basically just think him and Haaland are cheat codes for the next decade.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 04, 2022, 12:40:10 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 04, 2022, 12:38:37 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 04, 2022, 12:34:05 PMIf he's smart he should model his late career on Messi rather than CR, with whom he admittedly shares more of a profile with.
I think he'll be fine and will be able to shift his game. But I basically just think him and Haaland are cheat codes for the next decade.

Yeah, top players nowadays take so much care of themselves that I feel they'll have great longevity.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on December 04, 2022, 01:10:46 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 04, 2022, 11:49:03 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on December 03, 2022, 11:15:38 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 03, 2022, 10:25:11 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on December 03, 2022, 07:07:03 PMIt's because there is too many leagues and top talent is too distributed among them.

You're aware that the Premier League exists, right?

Yes. 1 top league amongst 55 top leagues in UEFA.

There's only 1, Rashford, of the current 6 3 goals scorers at the WC that plays in the PL.

:lmfao:

I guess you never heard of the big 4, really more of a 2+2, i.e EPL+Liga + Bundesliga + Serie A, with the others behind : Ligue 1 without Qatari gas, Primeira Liga, Eredivise, Ligue Jupiler etc. trying to exist.

Last time a non Big 4 or even Big 5 side won the CL was in 2004.
Only Superleague band wagoners/footixes would want less uncertainty.

Too. many. leagues.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 04, 2022, 02:06:41 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 04, 2022, 12:34:05 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 04, 2022, 12:31:43 PMNo question about that, Giroud did not score a single goal in the 2018 World Cup, for instance.

The question how Mbappé will handle his later career, around 30 or so, when his running is no longer as fast as today.

If he's smart he should model his late career on Messi rather than CR, with whom he admittedly shares more of a profile with.

Problem is he is not that skilled compared to both, Cristiano Ronaldo was never just a foot runner somewhat skilled with the ball, and successfully changed his play style, for a more efficient role, difficult end of career notwithstanding.
It's not that Messi's pre-retirement in a Qatar-owned club is very convincing compared to his Barça career.

The Mbappé clan already caused some problems in the French squad, with the Rabiot clan (Rabiot is even more of a momma's boy), so he will have to deal with that as well, compared to the twitter storms in a teapot caused by CR sisters or mother.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 04, 2022, 02:08:21 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on December 04, 2022, 01:10:46 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 04, 2022, 11:49:03 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on December 03, 2022, 11:15:38 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 03, 2022, 10:25:11 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on December 03, 2022, 07:07:03 PMIt's because there is too many leagues and top talent is too distributed among them.

You're aware that the Premier League exists, right?

Yes. 1 top league amongst 55 top leagues in UEFA.

There's only 1, Rashford, of the current 6 3 goals scorers at the WC that plays in the PL.

:lmfao:

I guess you never heard of the big 4, really more of a 2+2, i.e EPL+Liga + Bundesliga + Serie A, with the others behind : Ligue 1 without Qatari gas, Primeira Liga, Eredivise, Ligue Jupiler etc. trying to exist.

Last time a non Big 4 or even Big 5 side won the CL was in 2004.
Only Superleague band wagoners/footixes would want less uncertainty.

Too. many. leagues.

Not everything has to NBA bling bling style, you know.
6-8 really relevant ones for Europe is not that much.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 04, 2022, 02:27:54 PM
Great opportunity missed by Sénégal. They might regret it later...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 04, 2022, 02:39:54 PM
And goal for the Three Lions on their first really good chance.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 04, 2022, 02:48:11 PM
Iron law of football strikes again.
2-0 now, on a counter-attack.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 04, 2022, 03:19:04 PM
Over, now 3-0.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sophie Scholl on December 04, 2022, 03:30:02 PM
It looks like I can stop following the World Cup again shortly. Oh, Senegal, it was fun while it lasted.  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 04, 2022, 03:46:48 PM
The next quarter final, France-England is not that common in the World Cup, so you'll have something new to watch.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 04, 2022, 04:10:33 PM
Netherlands - Argentina and France - England in the QFs... sparks will start flying there.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on December 04, 2022, 05:25:07 PM
Once again, I'll lose a team way too early. ☹️
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on December 05, 2022, 10:43:58 AM
Ole! 1-0 Japan
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 05, 2022, 11:12:44 AM
So CR will end up joining a club in Saudi Arabia after the WC. So much for demanding Champions League football back in the summer...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 05, 2022, 11:19:20 AM
Quote from: The Larch on December 05, 2022, 11:12:44 AMSo CR will end up joining a club in Saudi Arabia after the WC. So much for demanding Champions League football back in the summer...

Read he's getting paid €200m (!!!) for a year, counting salary and endorsements.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 05, 2022, 11:21:29 AM
Quote from: celedhring on December 05, 2022, 11:19:20 AM
Quote from: The Larch on December 05, 2022, 11:12:44 AMSo CR will end up joining a club in Saudi Arabia after the WC. So much for demanding Champions League football back in the summer...

Read he's getting paid €200m (!!!) for a year, counting salary and endorsements.

Yup, an absolute obscenity. I guess he'll have some oil wells to his name with that salary.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 05, 2022, 12:23:31 PM
First game that goes to overtime! Let's see if Japan upsets Croatia...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 05, 2022, 12:36:40 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 05, 2022, 11:21:29 AM
Quote from: celedhring on December 05, 2022, 11:19:20 AM
Quote from: The Larch on December 05, 2022, 11:12:44 AMSo CR will end up joining a club in Saudi Arabia after the WC. So much for demanding Champions League football back in the summer...

Read he's getting paid €200m (!!!) for a year, counting salary and endorsements.

Yup, an absolute obscenity. I guess he'll have some oil wells to his name with that salary.

Assuming it's true, Sporting is not sure of playing the Champions' League next year, and besides his salary would be too high. Not to mention Rúben Amorim, the coach, has no use for him.  :P
CR should have joined a Qatari club earlier, like Messi.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on December 05, 2022, 12:40:28 PM
Calice
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 05, 2022, 12:41:29 PM
I guess Croatia has more experience in overtime and penalty taking.  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 05, 2022, 12:42:38 PM
I was looking forward the Captain Tsubasa memes if Japan won :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 05, 2022, 12:44:05 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 05, 2022, 12:41:29 PMI guess Croatia has more experience in overtime and penalty taking.  :hmm:

Now that Croatia fail was overconfidence, but the goalkeeper saves the day.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 05, 2022, 01:48:55 PM
Damn Japan. They did so well but those penalties were sub England.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 05, 2022, 01:59:37 PM
Poor Japan :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 05, 2022, 02:09:48 PM
Korea may join them soon, 1-0 for Brazil after 6 or 7 minutes of play.

Penalty for Brazil at the 10th minute. Suspense may be over sooner than expected.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 05, 2022, 02:13:22 PM
2-0 by Neymar, the Korean goalkeeper tried some psychological trick to disturb the shooter, that did not work.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 05, 2022, 02:29:55 PM
3-0 before the 30th minute. Richarlison this time, samba-football time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 05, 2022, 02:33:50 PM
Nothing but UEFA and CONMEBOL teams in the quarter finals, Mono will be pleased.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 05, 2022, 02:37:04 PM
Croatia is not exactly Mono-friendly (never won the WC) but it will have to do I guess.

4-0 for Brazil. 10 minutes left to half-time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 05, 2022, 02:37:25 PM
Damn. Brazil are good.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 05, 2022, 02:49:18 PM
Quote from: Gups on December 05, 2022, 02:37:25 PMDamn. Brazil are good.

They'll be up against Argentina next, should be interesting.

edit: well, after the Croatia match :sleep: 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 05, 2022, 02:57:16 PM
They need to drop the shitty dancing though
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on December 05, 2022, 03:30:25 PM
Quote from: Maladict on December 05, 2022, 02:33:50 PMNothing but UEFA and CONMEBOL teams in the quarter finals, Mono will be pleased.

Morocco?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 05, 2022, 03:41:00 PM
Quote from: Barrister on December 05, 2022, 03:30:25 PM
Quote from: Maladict on December 05, 2022, 02:33:50 PMNothing but UEFA and CONMEBOL teams in the quarter finals, Mono will be pleased.

Morocco?

Not yet,at least, in the quarter finals, they play tomorrow.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 05, 2022, 04:18:34 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 05, 2022, 11:21:29 AM
Quote from: celedhring on December 05, 2022, 11:19:20 AM
Quote from: The Larch on December 05, 2022, 11:12:44 AMSo CR will end up joining a club in Saudi Arabia after the WC. So much for demanding Champions League football back in the summer...

Read he's getting paid €200m (!!!) for a year, counting salary and endorsements.

Yup, an absolute obscenity. I guess he'll have some oil wells to his name with that salary.

He's going to be the face of Saudi's 2030 bid  :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 05, 2022, 04:19:29 PM
Quote from: Barrister on December 05, 2022, 03:30:25 PM
Quote from: Maladict on December 05, 2022, 02:33:50 PMNothing but UEFA and CONMEBOL teams in the quarter finals, Mono will be pleased.

Morocco?

Oh yeah  :blush:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 05, 2022, 04:23:56 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 05, 2022, 04:18:34 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 05, 2022, 11:21:29 AM
Quote from: celedhring on December 05, 2022, 11:19:20 AM
Quote from: The Larch on December 05, 2022, 11:12:44 AMSo CR will end up joining a club in Saudi Arabia after the WC. So much for demanding Champions League football back in the summer...

Read he's getting paid €200m (!!!) for a year, counting salary and endorsements.

Yup, an absolute obscenity. I guess he'll have some oil wells to his name with that salary.

He's going to be the face of Saudi's 2030 bid  :ph34r:

Actually, Messi already has a contract signed with the Saudi board for tourism...  :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 05, 2022, 04:27:40 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 05, 2022, 04:23:56 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 05, 2022, 04:18:34 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 05, 2022, 11:21:29 AM
Quote from: celedhring on December 05, 2022, 11:19:20 AM
Quote from: The Larch on December 05, 2022, 11:12:44 AMSo CR will end up joining a club in Saudi Arabia after the WC. So much for demanding Champions League football back in the summer...

Read he's getting paid €200m (!!!) for a year, counting salary and endorsements.

Yup, an absolute obscenity. I guess he'll have some oil wells to his name with that salary.

He's going to be the face of Saudi's 2030 bid  :ph34r:

Actually, Messi already has a contract signed with the Saudi board for tourism...  :ph34r:

Holy shit it's happening isn't it?  :cry:  :cry:  :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 05, 2022, 05:05:44 PM
I don't see how that was a penalty against Richarlison in the Korean box.  If the defender is already kicking at the ball and the other guy comes from behind him, how can that be a penalty?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 05, 2022, 05:08:34 PM
Third Brazilian goal was class.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on December 05, 2022, 05:32:52 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 05, 2022, 04:27:40 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 05, 2022, 04:23:56 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 05, 2022, 04:18:34 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 05, 2022, 11:21:29 AM
Quote from: celedhring on December 05, 2022, 11:19:20 AM
Quote from: The Larch on December 05, 2022, 11:12:44 AMSo CR will end up joining a club in Saudi Arabia after the WC. So much for demanding Champions League football back in the summer...

Read he's getting paid €200m (!!!) for a year, counting salary and endorsements.

Yup, an absolute obscenity. I guess he'll have some oil wells to his name with that salary.

He's going to be the face of Saudi's 2030 bid  :ph34r:

Actually, Messi already has a contract signed with the Saudi board for tourism...  :ph34r:

Holy shit it's happening isn't it?  :cry:  :cry:  :cry:

Is FIFA going to allow it though?  ( I know, I know - laugh away).

But really - both 2018 and 2022 WCs were awarded under Sepp Blatter's regime, and both were highly criticized.  FIFA has at least appeared to try and clean up its image, got rid of Blatter, and the 2026 WC award seemed to be above-board.

A 2030 Saudi World Cup would be going right back to the gutter, wouldn't it?


Hmm... googling apparently the plan is to co-host with Greece and Egypt, being a three country, three continent bid.  I suppose Saudi think that'll help soften their image - but it's not like Egypt has a great reputation either.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 05, 2022, 08:59:00 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 04, 2022, 03:46:48 PMThe next quarter final, France-England is not that common in the World Cup, so you'll have something new to watch.  :P

This will be the greatest owning of England by France since the Battle of Castillon.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on December 06, 2022, 03:52:23 AM
Today we are all Swiss.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on December 06, 2022, 04:13:44 AM
Well, for football's sake it would be good if a non-European/non-South American team goes to quarter finals.

So for the sake of global football we are all Moroccans today. That's it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on December 06, 2022, 04:23:38 AM
Quote from: Threviel on December 06, 2022, 04:13:44 AMWell, for football's sake it would be good if a non-European/non-South American team goes to quarter finals.

So for the sake of global football we are all Moroccans today. That's it.

Hell no. We are all Swiss.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on December 06, 2022, 04:33:18 AM
Can't we all agree to be anti-Iberians?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 06, 2022, 04:49:02 AM
No, we can't.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on December 06, 2022, 04:51:54 AM
Quote from: Threviel on December 06, 2022, 04:33:18 AMCan't we all agree to be anti-Iberians?

No. My list of priority is England, then Argentina for Messi's sake, then Spain, then I don't care.

EDIT: actually I do care. Anyone but Portugal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on December 06, 2022, 04:53:21 AM
But if it's for the sake of global football?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on December 06, 2022, 04:54:31 AM
Quote from: Threviel on December 06, 2022, 04:53:21 AMBut if it's for the sake of global football?

IDK what's your problem, Spain has been playing quite entertainingly I thought. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on December 06, 2022, 05:03:26 AM
I don't have a problem really, just faffing about. I haven't watched much of the cup and almost none of Spain, I don't really care.

The frogs will take them out in semi's anyway.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 06, 2022, 05:20:31 AM
Obviously a Swiss win would be funny, just so long as they don't beat England, but haway.
Morocco would be nice too but even less likely.
Brazil winning is a safe default.

The Dutch also deserve it I must say- not so much for their current team but for being the strongest traditional team to have never won it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 06, 2022, 05:31:45 AM
Also Louis van Gaal has been great value :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 06, 2022, 05:33:11 AM
Quote from: Tamas on December 06, 2022, 04:54:31 AM
Quote from: Threviel on December 06, 2022, 04:53:21 AMBut if it's for the sake of global football?

IDK what's your problem, Spain has been playing quite entertainingly I thought. 

Yeah, Luís Enrique plays a more adventurous version of the traditional tiki-taka approach (he did the same at Barça). I think we're too fragile at the back to really go all the way, but the squad is really young so we'll get more chances in the future.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 09:30:09 AM
Quote from: Valmy on December 05, 2022, 08:59:00 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 04, 2022, 03:46:48 PMThe next quarter final, France-England is not that common in the World Cup, so you'll have something new to watch.  :P

This will be the greatest owning of England by France since the Battle of Castillon.

Formigny or Castillon?  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 09:30:59 AM
Quote from: Threviel on December 06, 2022, 04:33:18 AMCan't we all agree to be anti-Iberians?

Quote from: celedhring on December 06, 2022, 04:49:02 AMNo, we can't.

That goes without saying.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on December 06, 2022, 10:38:08 AM
I've now watched Spain play for a few minutes, from 30' and forward. Sure, it's more entertaining than in '08, but it's obvious that that is because they don't have the same quality players any more and they just can't be as dominant as they used to be.

Not that they are bad, they will probably win this match and with luck they might win it all.

So scratch the anti-Iberian alliance, I'll join the anti-Lusitanian one instead.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 10:45:02 AM
Game looks like (kit colours) the Selecção playing Celta de Vigo.  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 06, 2022, 11:15:41 AM
Quote from: Tamas on December 06, 2022, 04:51:54 AMEDIT: actually I do care. Anyone but Portugal.

Words to live by. Although I would add England for good measure.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 11:59:02 AM
Overtime for the Morocco-Spain game. Good for the team playing the victor.  :whistle:

PS: assuming the team in question wins in 90 minutes or so. Otherwise, just at the same level.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 06, 2022, 12:18:56 PM
Quote from: Maladict on December 06, 2022, 11:15:41 AM
Quote from: Tamas on December 06, 2022, 04:51:54 AMEDIT: actually I do care. Anyone but Portugal.

Words to live by. Although I would add England for good measure.

Portugal are the only team left I really dislike. England are easy to hate because of the fans but team is unobjectionable and they score plenty.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 12:24:13 PM
Unobjectionable team?  :lmfao:

No team is, to be fair.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on December 06, 2022, 12:25:57 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 12:24:13 PMUnobjectionable team?  :lmfao:

No team is, to be fair.

Well Maguire is annoying and crap and Kane is Kane but otherwise what's wrong with England?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 06, 2022, 12:30:23 PM
Quote from: Tamas on December 06, 2022, 12:25:57 PMWell Maguire is annoying and crap and Kane is Kane but otherwise what's wrong with England?
I say this as an Everton fan but Jordan Pickford is really annoying :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 12:33:47 PM
Quote from: Tamas on December 06, 2022, 12:25:57 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 12:24:13 PMUnobjectionable team?  :lmfao:

No team is, to be fair.

Well Maguire is annoying and crap and Kane is Kane but otherwise what's wrong with England?

Easy, England.  :P 
Lately, the last Euro campaign between diving and unduly "home advantage".
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 06, 2022, 12:34:13 PM
There's some ugly fuckers in the England team but they aren't dirty and are only boring about half the time so don't really understand the issue with them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 06, 2022, 12:35:57 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 12:33:47 PM
Quote from: Tamas on December 06, 2022, 12:25:57 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 12:24:13 PMUnobjectionable team?  :lmfao:

No team is, to be fair.

Well Maguire is annoying and crap and Kane is Kane but otherwise what's wrong with England?

Easy, England.  :P 
Lately, the last Euro campaign between diving and unduly "home advantage".

They dive just as much as every other team and roll around trying to get the oppo sent off much less than most others ( cough Ronaldo)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on December 06, 2022, 12:37:01 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 06, 2022, 12:30:23 PM
Quote from: Tamas on December 06, 2022, 12:25:57 PMWell Maguire is annoying and crap and Kane is Kane but otherwise what's wrong with England?
I say this as an Everton fan but Jordan Pickford is really annoying :lol:

Ok yeah, I forgot about him.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 12:37:11 PM
Well, game waking up in the last minutes with both Morocco and Spain having great chances.

Still, a penalty shootout is coming.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 06, 2022, 12:39:18 PM
Quote from: Gups on December 06, 2022, 12:35:57 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 12:33:47 PM
Quote from: Tamas on December 06, 2022, 12:25:57 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 12:24:13 PMUnobjectionable team?  :lmfao:

No team is, to be fair.

Well Maguire is annoying and crap and Kane is Kane but otherwise what's wrong with England?

Easy, England.  :P 
Lately, the last Euro campaign between diving and unduly "home advantage".

They dive just as much as every other team and roll around trying to get the oppo sent off much less than most others ( cough Ronaldo)

I mean Ronaldo has his own diving highlights reel

https://youtu.be/st3676ruggg
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 12:43:33 PM
Quote from: Gups on December 06, 2022, 12:35:57 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 12:33:47 PM
Quote from: Tamas on December 06, 2022, 12:25:57 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 12:24:13 PMUnobjectionable team?  :lmfao:

No team is, to be fair.

Well Maguire is annoying and crap and Kane is Kane but otherwise what's wrong with England?

Easy, England.  :P 
Lately, the last Euro campaign between diving and unduly "home advantage".

They dive just as much as every other team and roll around trying to get the oppo sent off much less than most others ( cough Ronaldo)

So now you recognise they dive a loot? Good.
Ah, I see, sour grapes from 2006. Tell Rooney to get a brain next time and the team how to take penalties (improved lately).

Thing is, the Three liions are much better at it diving than Ronaldo, they got goals from it.
Ronaldo got targeted by Bouhlarouz in the previous game (battle of Nuremberg) remember? Or was it just dives?

As for the successful diving, England is only comparable to the best ones in that area, again not the Selecção.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 06, 2022, 12:44:23 PM
Wow, terrible pens
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 12:44:58 PM
Quote from: Gups on December 06, 2022, 12:39:18 PM
Quote from: Gups on December 06, 2022, 12:35:57 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 12:33:47 PM
Quote from: Tamas on December 06, 2022, 12:25:57 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 12:24:13 PMUnobjectionable team?  :lmfao:

No team is, to be fair.

Well Maguire is annoying and crap and Kane is Kane but otherwise what's wrong with England?

Easy, England.  :P 
Lately, the last Euro campaign between diving and unduly "home advantage".

They dive just as much as every other team and roll around trying to get the oppo sent off much less than most others ( cough Ronaldo)

I mean Ronaldo has his own diving highlights reel

https://youtu.be/st3676ruggg

Starting by CL, Ronaldo, not the Selecção.
Irrelevant. You mentioned Portugal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 12:45:22 PM
Quote from: Gups on December 06, 2022, 12:44:23 PMWow, terrible pens

English-style?  :P

j/k

They have improved, I admit.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 06, 2022, 12:48:14 PM
Spain forgot the scoring part of their keep away game. 1019 vs 304 passes. Spain is allergic to penalties.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 12:49:07 PM
Morocco in, Roja out.

People are shouting in the streets, lots of honking.

Even a blind could see.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 06, 2022, 12:49:13 PM
Well, that sucked :D

Anyway, my issue with England is their media and fans, rather than the team itself. If they win, they'll be downright insufferable.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 06, 2022, 12:49:43 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 23, 2022, 12:55:38 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 23, 2022, 12:53:41 PM6-0 now, with 8 minutes of stoppage time. Maybe Hispanics should stop the carnage against fellow Hispanics.  :P

Well no, Morata scored. Almost all shots on goal are are goals.

Like I said in the England game, god only gives so many goals, they shouldn't waste them all on the first game.

I was 1 for 2 :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 06, 2022, 12:50:39 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 12:43:33 PM
Quote from: Gups on December 06, 2022, 12:35:57 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 12:33:47 PM
Quote from: Tamas on December 06, 2022, 12:25:57 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 12:24:13 PMUnobjectionable team?  :lmfao:

No team is, to be fair.

Well Maguire is annoying and crap and Kane is Kane but otherwise what's wrong with England?

Easy, England.  :P 
Lately, the last Euro campaign between diving and unduly "home advantage".

They dive just as much as every other team and roll around trying to get the oppo sent off much less than most others ( cough Ronaldo)

So now you recognise they dive a loot? Good.
Ah, I see, sour grapes from 2006. Tell Rooney to get a brain next time and the team how to take penalties (improved lately).

Thing is, the Three liions are much better at it diving than Ronaldo, they got goals from it.
Ronaldo got targeted by Bouhlarouz in the previous game (battle of Nuremberg) remember? Or was it just dives?

As for the successful diving, England is only comparable to the best ones in that area, again not the Selecção.

If Kane gets a touch in the box, he goes down. Just like every other striker in the world. I don't like it much but it's reality.

Ronaldo goes down without being touched and tries to get people sent off for nothing. Rooney is just one example amongst dozens and by no means the worst. Brilliant footballer, horrible human being.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 12:51:05 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 06, 2022, 12:49:43 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 23, 2022, 12:55:38 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 23, 2022, 12:53:41 PM6-0 now, with 8 minutes of stoppage time. Maybe Hispanics should stop the carnage against fellow Hispanics.  :P

Well no, Morata scored. Almost all shots on goal are are goals.

Like I said in the England game, god only gives so many goals, they shouldn't waste them all on the first game.

I was 1 for 2 :lol:

All right, good call from you, for once.  ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 06, 2022, 12:52:16 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 12:51:05 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 06, 2022, 12:49:43 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 23, 2022, 12:55:38 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 23, 2022, 12:53:41 PM6-0 now, with 8 minutes of stoppage time. Maybe Hispanics should stop the carnage against fellow Hispanics.  :P

Well no, Morata scored. Almost all shots on goal are are goals.

Like I said in the England game, god only gives so many goals, they shouldn't waste them all on the first game.

I was 1 for 2 :lol:

All right, good call from you, for once.  ;)

I'll take it! :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 06, 2022, 12:53:05 PM
Ronaldo is a piece of shit human being who got lucky in life because he's pretty good at football. And now he is benched in this knockout match.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 06, 2022, 12:54:42 PM
Wayne "nut stomper" Rooney isn't the best example of an illegimate send off.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 12:56:02 PM
Quote from: Gups on December 06, 2022, 12:50:39 PMUnobjectionable team?  :lmfao:

No team is, to be fair.

QuoteWell Maguire is annoying and crap and Kane is Kane but otherwise what's wrong with England?

QuoteEasy, England.  :P 
Lately, the last Euro campaign between diving and unduly "home advantage".

QuoteThey dive just as much as every other team and roll around trying to get the oppo sent off much less than most others ( cough Ronaldo)

So now you recognise they dive a lot? Good.
Ah, I see, sour grapes from 2006. Tell Rooney to get a brain next time and the team how to take penalties (improved lately).

Thing is, the Three Lions are much better at it diving than Ronaldo, they got goals from it.
Ronaldo got targeted by Bouhlarouz in the previous game (battle of Nuremberg) remember? Or was it just dives?

As for the successful diving, England is only comparable to the best ones in that area, again not the Selecção.


QuoteIf Ronaldo gets a touch in the box, he goes down. Just like every other striker in the world. I don't like it much but it's reality.

Fixed!

As for players falling without being touched, try Griezmann's FK in the final vs Croatia in 2018. Even if it pains me, since I like his profile for les Bleus.



Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 12:59:09 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 06, 2022, 12:53:05 PMRonaldo is a piece of shit human being who got lucky in life because he's pretty good at football. And now he is benched in this knockout match.

Bad news for the Portugal haters, I'd say. He would be more efficient as a super sub, these days.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 01:00:42 PM
Quote from: celedhring on December 06, 2022, 12:49:13 PMWell, that sucked :D

Anyway, my issue with England is their media and fans, rather than the team itself. If they win, they'll be downright insufferable.



 :tinfoil:

No threviel to jinx whatever team Spain was playing this time, sorry.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on December 06, 2022, 01:02:44 PM
Rotflol, I love this Spanish team.  :nelson:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on December 06, 2022, 01:21:36 PM
0-0 in regular time, 0-0 in extra time, and Spain couldn't even score on penalties...guys we really need to make the goals bigger.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 06, 2022, 01:22:11 PM
It's getting pretty lively around here  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 01:22:57 PM
Quote from: Maladict on December 06, 2022, 01:22:11 PMIt's getting pretty lively around here  :lol:

No sleeping for you tonight.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on December 06, 2022, 01:30:44 PM
Go Morocco! You can avenge everyone!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 06, 2022, 01:36:07 PM
Well damn. I tried to watch the second half but my kid said no. I missed a biggy.
I guess the gods got mixed up which side was which due to morocco's colours?

I guess there's a lot of melilla and ceuta shit flying around.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 01:54:21 PM
Quote from: Josquius on December 06, 2022, 01:36:07 PMWell damn. I tried to watch the second half but my kid said no. I missed a biggy.
I guess the gods got mixed up which side was which due to morocco's colours?
The gods thought it was Portugal? Interesting.  :hmm:


QuoteI guess there's a lot of melilla and ceuta shit flying around.
Ceuta? I don't see Spain giving it back to Portugal anytime soon, not that Portugal would be interested, anyways.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 06, 2022, 02:00:08 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on December 06, 2022, 01:21:36 PM0-0 in regular time, 0-0 in extra time, and Spain couldn't even score on penalties...guys we really need to make the goals bigger.

There should be two balls in play. Think of the hilarity on top of all the additional goals.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 06, 2022, 02:04:31 PM
One white and one blue. Blue is worth two goals.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 02:08:38 PM
Shut up all of you, don't give Gianni any ideas.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 06, 2022, 02:15:45 PM
Power play period where a goal counts twice.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 06, 2022, 02:17:23 PM
Goalkeepers have their hands tied to their sides. Make football football again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 06, 2022, 02:17:44 PM
Take that gf! :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 02:18:36 PM
Great goal by Gonçalo Ramos, on his first attempt or even the Selecção first attempt.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 02:33:17 PM
And now for all his Languish fans, goal by Pepe on a corner kick.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on December 06, 2022, 02:33:33 PM
And it has to be Pepe for #2, the most disgusting person ever to play international football.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 06, 2022, 02:43:03 PM
Quote from: Tamas on December 06, 2022, 02:33:33 PMAnd it has to be Pepe for #2, the most disgusting person ever to play international football.

:wub: Kepler Laveran de Lima Ferreira appreciates your disdain :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 02:50:38 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 06, 2022, 02:43:03 PM
Quote from: Tamas on December 06, 2022, 02:33:33 PMAnd it has to be Pepe for #2, the most disgusting person ever to play international football.

:wub: Kepler Laveran de Lima Ferreira appreciates your disdain :P

Not to mention Harald Schumacher.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 06, 2022, 02:58:45 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 02:18:36 PMGreat goal by Gonçalo Ramos, on his first attempt or even the Selecção first attempt.

Impressive goal and he's very direct in his running giving the defence an outlet. So different to watching Spain
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 03:10:10 PM
Quote from: Gups on December 06, 2022, 02:58:45 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 02:18:36 PMGreat goal by Gonçalo Ramos, on his first attempt or even the Selecção first attempt.

Impressive goal and he's very direct in his running giving the defence an outlet. So different to watching Spain

Could apply for his second goal as well.

3-0 for the Selecção.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 06, 2022, 03:16:53 PM
This is brilliant from Portugal. Wonder if Ronaldo will start another game in this WC.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 03:18:34 PM
And now an assist by Gonçalo Ramos, to the Swiss.  :P

4-1 for Portugal, Guerreiro (back to his Euro 2016 level?) scored a goal just before.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 06, 2022, 03:18:47 PM
Ah fuck, it'll be portugal England in the semis again, won't it? At least this time England can't change the venue last minute.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 03:25:45 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 06, 2022, 03:18:47 PMAh fuck, it'll be portugal England in the semis again, won't it? At least this time England can't change the venue last minute.

 :secret:

There's Morocco before, and England has yet to beat les Bleus.

Point taken about the change of venue.  :D

5-1 for Portugal now. Gonçalo Ramos again.

Second assist for João Félix.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 06, 2022, 03:26:23 PM
Ok, stop scoring now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 06, 2022, 03:27:09 PM
Another great goal. First hat trick of this world cup
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 03:27:39 PM
Nah, I remember the Swiss coming back from a 1-3 against les Bleus.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 03:28:13 PM
Quote from: Gups on December 06, 2022, 03:27:09 PMAnother great goal. First hat trick of this world cup

A bit late in the tournament, right?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 06, 2022, 03:36:58 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 03:28:13 PM
Quote from: Gups on December 06, 2022, 03:27:09 PMAnother great goal. First hat trick of this world cup

A bit late in the tournament, right?

Yeah, lots of players getting two and then being subbed
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 03:42:53 PM
Offside goal for Ronaldo.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on December 06, 2022, 03:47:21 PM
Can we have an anti-Iberian league now then?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 06, 2022, 03:50:47 PM
Another great goal
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 06, 2022, 03:51:12 PM
Quote from: Threviel on December 06, 2022, 03:47:21 PMCan we have an anti-Iberian league now then?

If it works for Portugal as against Switzerland, yes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 06, 2022, 03:56:56 PM
Portugal Argentina final with ronaldo on the bench would be a hilarious outcome.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on December 06, 2022, 04:49:56 PM
(https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/624/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2022/12/6/8ecc24d4-6c0b-4420-bd08-014325f132bd.png)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 06, 2022, 04:53:32 PM
Quote from: Valmy on December 05, 2022, 08:59:00 PMThis will be the greatest owning of England by France since the Battle of Castillon.

Please don't mention France again over their next two matches. They have very important work to do.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 06, 2022, 04:56:43 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 06, 2022, 03:56:56 PMPortugal Argentina final with ronaldo on the bench would be a hilarious outcome.

And Messi smiling serenely.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: alfred russel on December 06, 2022, 05:05:02 PM
Quote from: mongers on December 06, 2022, 04:49:56 PM(https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/624/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2022/12/6/8ecc24d4-6c0b-4420-bd08-014325f132bd.png)

And to think that if we had just managed to win this tournament, we would rule the soccer world and could impose  the proper date convention of month then day.  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on December 06, 2022, 05:37:06 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on December 06, 2022, 05:05:02 PMAnd to think that if we had just managed to win this tournament, we would rule the soccer world and could impose  the proper date convention of month then day.  :(

Why not go the whole way and demand the "... in this month .of ....., this n th day,  in the year of our lord ...."  or whatever the US version of the old way is.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 06, 2022, 10:05:32 PM
Quote from: Maladict on December 06, 2022, 04:53:32 PM
Quote from: Valmy on December 05, 2022, 08:59:00 PMThis will be the greatest owning of England by France since the Battle of Castillon.

Please don't mention France again over their next two matches. They have very important work to do.

I posted about them non-stop in 2018. They seem immune.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HisMajestyBOB on December 06, 2022, 10:46:04 PM
Croatia-Morocco world cup  :showoff:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 07, 2022, 08:49:10 AM
Quote from: Valmy on December 06, 2022, 10:05:32 PM
Quote from: Maladict on December 06, 2022, 04:53:32 PM
Quote from: Valmy on December 05, 2022, 08:59:00 PMThis will be the greatest owning of England by France since the Battle of Castillon.

Please don't mention France again over their next two matches. They have very important work to do.

I posted about them non-stop in 2018. They seem immune.

Did not work in 2016.  :whistle:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 07, 2022, 11:25:13 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 07, 2022, 08:49:10 AMDid not work in 2016.  :whistle:

Did against Germany -_-
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 07, 2022, 12:36:01 PM
I think he's happy his team won :P (https://twitter.com/tariqpanja/status/1600185609129115648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1600185609129115648%7Ctwgr%5E24a5a24e68b285636af63c6e1cd50804afff76eb%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thebiglead.com%2Fposts%2Fmorocco-reporter-cheer-video-spain-penalty-kicks-world-cup-01gkme384m9f)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 07, 2022, 01:31:02 PM
Quote from: Valmy on December 07, 2022, 11:25:13 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 07, 2022, 08:49:10 AMDid not work in 2016.  :whistle:

Did against Germany -_-

A stronger Germany lost, I am sure they would have said Danke sehr to you.  :P
To be fair, the Selecção would have probably lost versus that Nationalelf. So, muito obrigado!  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 07, 2022, 01:34:24 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 07, 2022, 12:36:01 PMI think he's happy his team won :P (https://twitter.com/tariqpanja/status/1600185609129115648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1600185609129115648%7Ctwgr%5E24a5a24e68b285636af63c6e1cd50804afff76eb%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thebiglead.com%2Fposts%2Fmorocco-reporter-cheer-video-spain-penalty-kicks-world-cup-01gkme384m9f)

Yeah, if Gianni, or rather the whole FIFA clique, really wanted to award to a muslim and arabic-speaking country, they should have chosen Morocco. Plus, it has hotels, not wahhabi and close to Europe.  :whistle:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 07, 2022, 01:36:01 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 07, 2022, 01:31:02 PM
Quote from: Valmy on December 07, 2022, 11:25:13 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 07, 2022, 08:49:10 AMDid not work in 2016.  :whistle:

Did against Germany -_-

A stronger Germany lost, I am sure they would have said Danke sehr to you.  :P
To be fair, the Selecção would have probably lost versus that Nationalelf. So, muito obrigado!  :)

I am just so proud of my inexplicable super power
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on December 07, 2022, 02:35:58 PM
Speaking of Germany, seems German TV viewership - compared to 2018 - was 40% lower for group matches, and down more than 50% for first knock out round.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 07, 2022, 04:20:13 PM
Quote from: Syt on December 07, 2022, 02:35:58 PMSpeaking of Germany, seems German TV viewership - compared to 2018 - was 40% lower for group matches, and down more than 50% for first knock out round.

Patriots were too busy plotting the 4th reich
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 08, 2022, 11:47:43 AM
As was expected after the elimination against Morocco, Luís Enrique will not continue as Spain's coach, and he'll be replaced by the U-21 coach. To me that seems a kind of caretaker arrangement until the summer, when bigger names might be available.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 08, 2022, 12:03:52 PM
What's the post-mortem in Spain on tiki taka? IMO should be consigned to the history books.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 08, 2022, 12:37:46 PM
Quote from: Gups on December 08, 2022, 12:03:52 PMWhat's the post-mortem in Spain on tiki taka? IMO should be consigned to the history books.

There's plenty of criticism on the way Luís Enrique shaped the team and how, at the end of the day, his "revolution" was just a change of names and not of style. He was considered to be a coach that put a spin on the whole tiki-taka style, bringing more directness and incisiveness to the table, but then you had a national team that played most games of this WC without a clear striker, that shied away from creating clear chances, not willing to risk ball posession even in the final third of the pitch and with players that couldn't match the technical skill of the ones that brought success with that style.

It all has to be tempered with the fact that it was known that we didn't have a truly brilliant squad this time around, with much being made of not having a single player in the top 50 running for the Ballon d'Or this year. There are plenty of talented youngsters, so the team might have a bright future, but what to expect from this particular iteriation was a bit of a wild card. Before the WC it was said that it'd be equally realistic for the team to fail to qualify from the group stages or reach the semi finals. So, in a way, reaching the 1/8s is about right for this team.

As part of the post-mortem on the national team WC performance (if you're interested on this, Sid Lowe, the Guardian's Spanish football correspondant, is pretty brilliant, and I quite liked his take on it), it has indeed been wondered if Spain's "obsession" with tiki-taka deserves to continue. It is after all the style that is prevalent in the national team at all levels, and our youth squads are built up based on it, so there's continuity when those players reach the national team. On top of that, it is obviously also the prevailing philosophy at the Barcelona academy, which continues to be the main supplier of players to the national team after all these years, and is also copied in other team's academies. This particular squad felt pretty samey in that way, with too many players out of the same mold of technical, tidy, attacking players to the point that it felt like a glut at certain positions. This was compounded by Luís Enrique's choices, by bringing only one clear striker to the team, and being incredibly unwilling to change game plans once things went against our way. It is being mentioned that the atmosphere inside the national team, following Luís Enrique's lead, might have been too self-congratulatory (he was criticized after the Morocco game for saying in the press conference that he was happy for the team because they followed his instructions to the letter, for instance) and that had the team blinded to their shortcomings.

Now it will all depend on who the next coach will be. I have the feeling that the one just named will be msotly a caretaker, and whoever is selected after him will be the one that will have to reshape the team for the 2024 Euros.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on December 08, 2022, 01:18:09 PM
So I do have to say that with both Croatia and Morocco going on to the group of 8 does put a whole different light on Canada's performance this World Cup (and with the remaining team having been ranked #2 in the world). 

Group of Death indeed.

So here's hoping Canada can move up in the rankings in the next four years (despite winning CONCACAF, Canada (41) was ranked well below Mexico (13), USA (16) and even Costa Rica (31)) and get a more favourable draw in 2026.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 08, 2022, 01:44:22 PM
One of the most controversial topics of Luís Enrique's tenure was player selection, how unwilling and reluctant he was to call up certain big names or in-form players for the big events, and how he only wanted players that would fit seamlessly into his tactics. There were a few long running controversies during his tenure in that regard. Off the top of my head:

- Dropping Sergio Ramos for the 2020 Euros (he had a terrible season with lots of injury issues and contract disputes with Real Madrid, which ended up with him leaving the club for PSG) despite being the team's captain and never recalling him, even when he recovered his fitness and became a starter again for PSG. This compounded with him not calling up any Real Madrid players for Euro 2020 and the 2021 Nations League finals, which put a permanent target on him by a sector of the (pretty toxic) Spanish sport press.
- Dropping David de Gea from the starter keeper spot first and the team altogether later on, preferring Unai Simón (a decent, but not brilliant keeper) as starter and two virtually unknown players from small Premier League teams (Brighton's Robert Sánchez and Brentford's David Raya) for backup, when, besides De Gea, Chelsea's Kepa Arrizabalaga was also available.
- A long running refusal to call up in-form strikers from domestic teams that didn't fit his tactics, even when these players were amongst the Spanish league's top scorers (for instance, for this WC, 3 out of the top 5 goalscorers for La Liga are Spanish, but none were called up for the tournament, while Morata (#10 best scorer in La Liga so far) was called up as the team's only striker.
- A fondness for calling up very young and still unproven players at the top level. In some cases this has proven to be successful, like when he called up to the national team a then 17 y.o. Gavi who had barely just joined Barcelona's 1st team from the reserves, and making him a starter in the 2021 Nations League, or with Pedri, who was also made a starter for Spain in the 2020 Euros at only 18 in his 1st season for Barcelona, and with only one year of professional experience under his belt, but in other cases, like the insistence on Eric García (how he has managed to rack up 19 caps by 21 is beyond me), not so much. This tendency ended up causing that for this WC the players that had to be sent in from the bench in order to improve things in the pitch were mostly very young and inexperienced (Nico Williams and Ansu Fati are 20, Alejandro Balde is 19), even if they're clearly very talented and have bright futures ahead of them.
- Rotating the team very heavily during qualification and friendlies, to the point that nobody had any idea on which starting XI would feature for each game, and then during the WC itself being for the most part very rigid with a starting XI that was clearly not working as intended.

At the end of the day I fear that many of these issues compounded into a team that was technically brilliant and obviously extremely well fitted for the coach's game plan, but at the same time extremely rigid and unoriginal in terms of actual game play. If this could have been improved with different names in the squad, like veterans that could have provided more experience and a sturdier backbone for the team, or more in-form players that could be a workable plan B, it will remain to be seen. The image that will remain in some circles is that Luís Enrique wanted a team in which he himself and his game plan were the clear number one and the only voice in the locker room, and the players more or less interchangeable pawns for this game plan.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 08, 2022, 02:05:22 PM
Quote from: Barrister on December 08, 2022, 01:18:09 PMSo here's hoping Canada can move up in the rankings in the next four years (despite winning CONCACAF, Canada (41) was ranked well below Mexico (13), USA (16) and even Costa Rica (31)) and get a more favourable draw in 2026.

As a co-host, they will probably be seeded, easier with a 48-team tournament. Qatar was seeded as well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 08, 2022, 02:56:29 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 08, 2022, 12:37:46 PM
Quote from: Gups on December 08, 2022, 12:03:52 PMWhat's the post-mortem in Spain on tiki taka? IMO should be consigned to the history books.

There's plenty of criticism on the way Luís Enrique shaped the team and how, at the end of the day, his "revolution" was just a change of names and not of style. He was considered to be a coach that put a spin on the whole tiki-taka style, bringing more directness and incisiveness to the table, but then you had a national team that played most games of this WC without a clear striker, that shied away from creating clear chances, not willing to risk ball posession even in the final third of the pitch and with players that couldn't match the technical skill of the ones that brought success with that style.

It all has to be tempered with the fact that it was known that we didn't have a truly brilliant squad this time around, with much being made of not having a single player in the top 50 running for the Ballon d'Or this year. There are plenty of talented youngsters, so the team might have a bright future, but what to expect from this particular iteriation was a bit of a wild card. Before the WC it was said that it'd be equally realistic for the team to fail to qualify from the group stages or reach the semi finals. So, in a way, reaching the 1/8s is about right for this team.

As part of the post-mortem on the national team WC performance (if you're interested on this, Sid Lowe, the Guardian's Spanish football correspondant, is pretty brilliant, and I quite liked his take on it), it has indeed been wondered if Spain's "obsession" with tiki-taka deserves to continue. It is after all the style that is prevalent in the national team at all levels, and our youth squads are built up based on it, so there's continuity when those players reach the national team. On top of that, it is obviously also the prevailing philosophy at the Barcelona academy, which continues to be the main supplier of players to the national team after all these years, and is also copied in other team's academies. This particular squad felt pretty samey in that way, with too many players out of the same mold of technical, tidy, attacking players to the point that it felt like a glut at certain positions. This was compounded by Luís Enrique's choices, by bringing only one clear striker to the team, and being incredibly unwilling to change game plans once things went against our way. It is being mentioned that the atmosphere inside the national team, following Luís Enrique's lead, might have been too self-congratulatory (he was criticized after the Morocco game for saying in the press conference that he was happy for the team because they followed his instructions to the letter, for instance) and that had the team blinded to their shortcomings.

Now it will all depend on who the next coach will be. I have the feeling that the one just named will be msotly a caretaker, and whoever is selected after him will be the one that will have to reshape the team for the 2024 Euros.

Thanks, great response. I found watching Spain largely frustrating and often boring. Particularly bemusing as Morata clearly didn't soon the system. Tiki taka at it's possession obsessed worse takes out crosses as an offensive play making it easy for opponents to simply pack the box.

I like Sid Lowe but haven't read his take yet.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 09, 2022, 11:38:49 AM
Quietest it's bben here during a World Cup game

All watching Harry and Meaghan?

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on December 09, 2022, 11:50:39 AM
Quote from: Josephus on December 09, 2022, 11:38:49 AMQuietest it's bben here during a World Cup game

All watching Harry and Meaghan?



Working. :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 09, 2022, 11:50:45 AM
Quote from: Josephus on December 09, 2022, 11:38:49 AMQuietest it's bben here during a World Cup game

All watching Harry and Meaghan?



Not much to talk about. BB must be torn, his adopted team not playing great, but they are being kept at bay by Croatia.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on December 09, 2022, 11:52:00 AM
Quote from: Josephus on December 09, 2022, 11:38:49 AMQuietest it's bben here during a World Cup game

All watching Harry and Meaghan?

Nope, just been down the betting shop to back Croatia to win the penalty shoot-out.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 09, 2022, 11:55:53 AM
No team has really captured me. No one is playing especially exciting football consistently. I'm pulling for Morocco for now but they'll inevitably get beaten.

This World Cup sucks a lot of assholes to be honest. I just want the premier league to restart so I can watch good football again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 09, 2022, 11:59:30 AM
Quote from: Josephus on December 09, 2022, 11:38:49 AMQuietest it's bben here during a World Cup game

First WC 1/4 final not on a free channel in a lifetime, over here.
Croatia doing more than holding its own, but not a spectacular game.
Reminds me of a Round of 16 game involving Croatia in an EURO some years ago. :whistle:

QuoteAll watching Harry and Meaghan?

Wut?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 09, 2022, 12:17:31 PM
Until then Croatia had defended very well, but Neymar woke up.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 09, 2022, 12:30:54 PM
Well fuck
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 09, 2022, 12:32:32 PM
Well, penalties after all. Stream collapsed just before.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 09, 2022, 12:32:55 PM
Gutsy goal by Croatia.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 09, 2022, 12:35:55 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 09, 2022, 12:32:32 PMWell, penalties after all. Stream collapsed just before.  :D

Brazilian goalie is well rested. Whether that's good or bad we'll see
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 09, 2022, 12:40:05 PM
Hopefully for Brazil, they trained for penalties more than Japan or Spain.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 09, 2022, 12:43:59 PM
Oh my. Now this is intriguing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 09, 2022, 12:44:40 PM
This net is cursed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 09, 2022, 12:45:15 PM
Will the Croats score the third by shooting down in the middle again?  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 09, 2022, 12:47:38 PM
Stupid penalties.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 09, 2022, 12:47:43 PM
Well no, but Modric scored anyways.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 09, 2022, 12:48:06 PM
Damn. Missed the net. How humiliating.

Enjoy your flight home Brazil.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 09, 2022, 12:51:09 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 09, 2022, 12:40:05 PMHopefully for Brazil, they trained for penalties more than Japan or Spain.

A bit more, but not enough.

Quite the upset!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 09, 2022, 12:51:15 PM
Croatia are the new Germany lol
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 09, 2022, 12:54:40 PM
Can't believe that Croatian goalie plays locally in Zagreb...he's got to be picked up by top tier teams.

Also friend of mine bet $20 on Croatia and Holland winning today, he will get $650 if Holland pull through now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 09, 2022, 12:55:09 PM
Beers are on Mongers
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 09, 2022, 12:56:49 PM
Quote from: Josephus on December 09, 2022, 12:54:40 PMCan't believe that Croatian goalie plays locally in Zagreb...he's got to be picked up by top tier teams.

Also friend of mine bet $20 on Croatia and Holland winning today, he will get $650 if Holland pull through now.

The goalie was superb.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 09, 2022, 12:58:29 PM
Croatia are kind of amazing really.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 09, 2022, 12:59:19 PM
Quote from: Josephus on December 09, 2022, 12:54:40 PMCan't believe that Croatian goalie plays locally in Zagreb...he's got to be picked up by top tier teams.

He repelled endless futile Brazilian attacks like Svetozar Boroević once defended the Isonzo.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 09, 2022, 01:11:51 PM
Quote from: Gups on December 09, 2022, 12:56:49 PM
Quote from: Josephus on December 09, 2022, 12:54:40 PMCan't believe that Croatian goalie plays locally in Zagreb...he's got to be picked up by top tier teams.

Also friend of mine bet $20 on Croatia and Holland winning today, he will get $650 if Holland pull through now.

The goalie was superb.

Except maybe on the goal he suffered, but otherwise kept his team alive during the whole game in general and proved decisive, again, during the penalties.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 09, 2022, 01:14:14 PM
Quote from: Josephus on December 09, 2022, 12:54:40 PMCan't believe that Croatian goalie plays locally in Zagreb...he's got to be picked up by top tier teams.

A Spanish expert I've been following for the WC kept repeating during the whole tournament that he couldn't believe how that guy was still playing in Croatia at his age. He's a clear candidate for a big signing either in this winter transfer market or during next summer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 09, 2022, 01:46:35 PM
Since winning the WC in 2002, Brazil have been kicked out of the competition every time they've faced an European team.

In 2006, they lost to France in the QF after defeating Ghana.
In 2010, they lost to the Netherlands in the QF after defeating Chile.
In 2014, they lost to Germany in the semis after defeating Chile and Colombia.
In 2018, they lost to Belgium in the QF after defeating Mexico.

In other words, the last game that Brazil has won against a European team in the knock-out stages of the WC was the final against Germany in 2002.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 09, 2022, 01:53:18 PM
Europe uber alles?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 09, 2022, 01:59:39 PM
Fingers crossed for Holland tonight.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 09, 2022, 03:19:46 PM
Shit game this. Holland are booooring
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 09, 2022, 03:23:12 PM
Quote from: Gups on December 09, 2022, 03:19:46 PMShit game this. Holland are booooring

They can't afford to be boring too much longer...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 09, 2022, 03:29:59 PM
Quote from: Gups on December 09, 2022, 03:19:46 PMShit game this. Holland are booooring

Good, let your hate for the Dutch grow. Let it feed your soul. The hate makes us stronger.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 09, 2022, 03:30:33 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 09, 2022, 01:53:18 PMEurope uber alles?

Seems you are pulling a Valmy against the Batavians.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 09, 2022, 03:32:34 PM
I like the Dutch. Sorrow not anger. I blame van Gaal
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 09, 2022, 03:35:10 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 09, 2022, 03:30:33 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 09, 2022, 01:53:18 PMEurope uber alles?

Seems you are pulling a Valmy against the Batavians.  :P

Good, they deserve to lose. And in humiliating fashion.

I was only taking in regards to Brazil lol
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 09, 2022, 03:35:52 PM
Very light penalty for Argentina. Messi scores, this time. He failed one against Saudi Arabia.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 09, 2022, 03:35:59 PM
Very mediocre game. As expected the quarter finals are as far as this team can go.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 09, 2022, 03:37:17 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 09, 2022, 03:35:10 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 09, 2022, 03:30:33 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 09, 2022, 01:53:18 PMEurope uber alles?

Seems you are pulling a Valmy against the Batavians.  :P

Good, they deserve to lose. And in humiliating fashion.

I was only taking in regards to Brazil lol
Too vague. ;)

How many times do I have to repeat to you that since the Selecção is their bête noire, it's good that they qualify?  :angry:  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 09, 2022, 03:43:55 PM
As i told you, hate knows no reason :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 09, 2022, 03:44:53 PM
Can the Dutch pull a Croatian-style upset?

Argentina 2 Netherlands 1
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 09, 2022, 03:49:14 PM
The Dutch just missed a great chance to equalise. Game over?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 09, 2022, 03:49:46 PM
Bombing balls into the box for the two towering strikers to try to head in is not quite total football, isn't it?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 09, 2022, 03:49:55 PM
Uh oh
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 09, 2022, 03:50:08 PM
Ooooh, a fight!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 09, 2022, 03:51:53 PM
If you try to beat Argentina on shithousery, you've already lost.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 09, 2022, 03:52:16 PM
Terrible ref btw
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 09, 2022, 03:54:18 PM
Damn, 10 minutes of overtime.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 09, 2022, 03:54:46 PM
Quote from: Maladict on December 09, 2022, 03:52:16 PMTerrible ref btw

Of course, it's the Spanish representative.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 09, 2022, 03:55:16 PM
Quote from: Maladict on December 09, 2022, 03:52:16 PMTerrible ref btw

Hispanic collusion? :ph34r: :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 09, 2022, 04:03:09 PM
So funny
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 09, 2022, 04:03:17 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 09, 2022, 03:30:33 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 09, 2022, 01:53:18 PMEurope uber alles?

Seems you are pulling a Valmy against the Batavians.  :P

Ok NOW I've valmy'd the argies  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 09, 2022, 04:03:56 PM
:w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 09, 2022, 04:04:29 PM
Holy shit
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 09, 2022, 04:04:44 PM
Are you not entertained?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 09, 2022, 04:05:01 PM
Mateu Lahoz is one of the worst referees over here. How he gets all those big ticket games is beyond me  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on December 09, 2022, 04:06:26 PM
I bet the Argies are thinking about Brazil right now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 09, 2022, 04:06:32 PM
God dammit. Even when I want them to win Argentina manages to anger me 🤣
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 09, 2022, 04:15:44 PM
And back to boring
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 09, 2022, 04:17:20 PM
Quote from: Gups on December 09, 2022, 04:15:44 PMAnd back to boring

Everyone has been booked once at this point  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 09, 2022, 04:20:10 PM
Punishment for Double yellows between games are canceled for the finals, yes?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 09, 2022, 04:20:31 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 09, 2022, 03:54:46 PM
Quote from: Maladict on December 09, 2022, 03:52:16 PMTerrible ref btw

Of course, it's the Spanish representative.  :P

Not that the French, Turpin, is really better, if that's of any consolation.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 09, 2022, 04:21:02 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 09, 2022, 04:20:10 PMPunishment for Double yellows between games are canceled for the finals, yes?

After the quarter finals, yes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 09, 2022, 04:21:14 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 09, 2022, 04:20:10 PMPunishment for Double yellows between games are canceled for the finals, yes?

I think it gets reset after the QF, yes, with the aim of preventing players from missing the final due to bookings.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 09, 2022, 04:26:46 PM
Thanks, I wasn't sure.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 09, 2022, 04:30:07 PM
But if you get a red you are out I think
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 09, 2022, 04:34:19 PM
Quote from: Gups on December 09, 2022, 04:30:07 PMBut if you get a red you are out I think

Yeah, you always miss the game on a red, it's only for the yellow cards.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on December 09, 2022, 04:43:12 PM
Oh man - I forgot my brother, his family, and my mother are all in Brazil right now - so of course they were all watching the game with all my brother's in-laws.

That would be quite the environment to watch a game - too bad the overall result.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 09, 2022, 04:46:43 PM
Quote from: Barrister on December 09, 2022, 04:43:12 PMOh man - I forgot my brother, his family, and my mother are all in Brazil right now - so of course they were all watching the game with all my brother's in-laws.

That would be quite the environment to watch a game - too bad the overall result.

How can you forget your mother is in Brazil 😁
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 09, 2022, 04:48:01 PM
Ugh. Penalties again.  Anyway to get rid of these? Especially the final. 30 minute Silver goal and then suden death no clock. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 09, 2022, 04:50:15 PM
Pretty short penalty sessions so far.  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 09, 2022, 04:52:00 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 09, 2022, 04:48:01 PMUgh. Penalties again.  Anyway to get rid of these? Especially the final. 30 minute Silver goal and then suden death no clock. 

They experimented with silver/golden goals in the 1990s and it didn't really work out. Teams were even more terrified of conceding.

Penalties are always great drama (even if I'm still hurting for the last ones  <_< )
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 09, 2022, 04:53:59 PM
Quote from: celedhring on December 09, 2022, 04:52:00 PMThey experimented with silver/golden goals in the 1990s and it didn't really work out. Teams were even more terrified of conceding.


It was even more unfair, actually, IMO.

QuotePenalties are always great drama (even if I'm still hurting for the last ones  <_< )

No question about that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 09, 2022, 04:54:19 PM
Oooooh. The Dutch are still in it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 09, 2022, 04:55:01 PM
Here we go. One shot to win it Argentina.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 09, 2022, 04:55:27 PM
Will Argentina throw a *second* 2-0 lead?  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on December 09, 2022, 04:55:48 PM
Silly hair.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 09, 2022, 04:56:08 PM
And there it is. Fly home safely Dutch.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 09, 2022, 04:56:27 PM
A bit more suspense in this penalty session. :)

Good for Croatia, again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 09, 2022, 04:57:58 PM
Happy for Leo - a big World Cup moment is the one thing missing in his resume. Still remember how he missed a sitter in the 2014 final when it was 0-0.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 09, 2022, 05:00:23 PM
Quote from: celedhring on December 09, 2022, 04:52:00 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 09, 2022, 04:48:01 PMUgh. Penalties again.  Anyway to get rid of these? Especially the final. 30 minute Silver goal and then suden death no clock. 

They experimented with silver/golden goals in the 1990s and it didn't really work out. Teams were even more terrified of conceding.

Penalties are always great drama (even if I'm still hurting for the last ones  <_< )

Then draw straws :D . Still drama. At least in this game they kept trying until the end.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 09, 2022, 05:04:51 PM
Oh well. The penalties curse strikes again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on December 09, 2022, 05:37:14 PM
 <_<

Fuck you, gods of football.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 09, 2022, 06:54:45 PM
Quote from: HVCThen draw straws :D

Endurance jump rope
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 09, 2022, 09:43:17 PM
A prominent (arguably the biggest and most well known) and longtime soccer journalist in the United States, Grant Wahl, has just died in Doha.  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 09, 2022, 10:26:14 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 09, 2022, 09:43:17 PMA prominent (arguably the biggest and most well known) and longtime soccer journalist in the United States, Grant Wahl, has just died in Doha.  :(

Wahl's brother seems to believe that foul play could have been involved, as he had clashed with the tournament's organization. He was actually detained for wearing a rainbow flag to one of the matches and his last article was on the death of a migrant worker during the tournament. Apparently he collapsed during the Argentina - Netherlands game and died at the hospital he was taken to.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: OttoVonBismarck on December 09, 2022, 10:31:33 PM
It'd be a very crazy risk for Qatar, the United States basically is responsible for their defense and it's a tiny country in a sometimes hostile region. He apparently was sick on a podcast a couple days ago, too.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 09, 2022, 10:38:19 PM
To be honest I think this is just a coincidence but it might turn into a huge story. Idk man. Just feels awful, in any case.

Anyone who followed soccer in the United States in the last 20 years knew who Grant was. He was part of US Soccer furniture. Really helped popularize the game.

This sucks. I feel so bad for his family.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on December 10, 2022, 02:51:31 AM
I think whoever wins France-England tomorrow is winning it all.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 10, 2022, 03:28:17 AM
Argentinians overreacting to football remains one of my favorite social media genres.

https://twitter.com/OoCScaloneta_/status/1601365099603582978
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 10, 2022, 04:54:29 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on December 10, 2022, 02:51:31 AMI think whoever wins France-England tomorrow is winning it all.

Just say you think France will win.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 10, 2022, 06:03:44 AM
A France - Croatia repeat final would be pretty epic.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 10, 2022, 06:46:23 AM
Good news for the English. Victory is guaranteed now.

https://metro.co.uk/2022/12/10/uri-geller-vows-to-use-powers-to-stop-mbappe-scoring-against-england-17911647/
QuoteUri Geller vows to 'use powers' to move ball from Mbappe if England clash goes to penalties
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 10, 2022, 06:47:27 AM
A Canadian journalist I know who is in Qatar said on Twitter he saw Wahl last on Monday at a presser. Wahl said he wasn't feeling well and was complaining of bronchitis like symptoms.

Just in shock. I was with him in the media centre on Monday. We talked about the long days, no sleep & there wasn't a moment of complaining. He said he was tired, wasn't feeling well & wondered if he had bronchitis. Was looking forward to the offdays to rest. Can't believe it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 10, 2022, 06:48:09 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 10, 2022, 06:46:23 AMGood news for the English. Victory is guaranteed now.

https://metro.co.uk/2022/12/10/uri-geller-vows-to-use-powers-to-stop-mbappe-scoring-against-england-17911647/
QuoteUri Geller vows to 'use powers' to move ball from Mbappe if England clash goes to penalties

Uri Geller from the "Wait, he's alive" files?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 07:34:11 AM
Tabloids back in the game?

https://twitter.com/TheSun/status/1601184893202968576
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 10, 2022, 07:36:17 AM
And that's why an English defeat is a moral imperative.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on December 10, 2022, 07:40:35 AM
Argentina-England would be an epic final. Think about the decades of English moans and tears to follow, glorious.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 10, 2022, 07:43:38 AM
Quote from: Threviel on December 10, 2022, 07:40:35 AMArgentina-England would be an epic final. Think about the decades of English moans and tears to follow, glorious.

With a Messi handball or cheating of some kind. I would utterly love it, but that's too big of a risk, rather France wins today.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 10, 2022, 08:16:30 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 07:34:11 AMTabloids back in the game?

https://twitter.com/TheSun/status/1601184893202968576

Say what you you will, but they do good taunting.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 10, 2022, 08:28:33 AM
Quote from: HVC on December 10, 2022, 08:16:30 AMSay what you you will, but they do good taunting.
I think it's a fairly weak publicity stunt.

Certainly compared to what is, for me, now the gold standard of projecting something onto a building (weirdly common here :huh:) is the Star projecting Liz the Lettuce onto parliament :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 10, 2022, 08:48:59 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 09, 2022, 11:55:53 AMThis World Cup sucks a lot of assholes to be honest. I just want the premier league to restart so I can watch good football again.

I respectfully disagree. I think it's been quite good. Far better than the last one.
We had very exciting third legs of the first round.
We had upsets.We had comebacks.
We had teams like Morocco winning their group ahead of favourites like Belgium and Croatia.
We had parity.
It's going on the semi finals and traditional powerhouses have been sent packing.
There's no clear cut favourite.

Overall it's been an unpredictable, exciting world cup.

The only drawback is the time of year. People arent' gathering in outside patios and bars to watch games, and the general, non-hardcore fan, interest is lacking.


Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 10, 2022, 09:12:12 AM
Quote from: Josephus on December 10, 2022, 08:48:59 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 09, 2022, 11:55:53 AMThis World Cup sucks a lot of assholes to be honest. I just want the premier league to restart so I can watch good football again.

I respectfully disagree. I think it's been quite good. Far better than the last one.
We had very exciting third legs of the first round.
We had upsets.We had comebacks.
We had teams like Morocco winning their group ahead of favourites like Belgium and Croatia.
We had parity.
It's going on the semi finals and traditional powerhouses have been sent packing.
There's no clear cut favourite.

Overall it's been an unpredictable, exciting world cup.

The only drawback is the time of year. People arent' gathering in outside patios and bars to watch games, and the general, non-hardcore fan, interest is lacking.


I think that's fair. The two games yesterday were amazing, and the quality is lacking compared to league football but that is par for the course for the international game. But I think my general attitude with the games happening at all in Qatar has spoiled my enjoyment of the football.

A shame this all happened this way. I love the game, the skill, the fans, the theatrics and shithousery on and off the pitch. Nothing else like it in the world.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 09:42:56 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 10, 2022, 08:28:33 AM
Quote from: HVC on December 10, 2022, 08:16:30 AMSay what you you will, but they do good taunting.
I think it's a fairly weak publicity stunt.

Certainly compared to what is, for me, now the gold standard of projecting something onto a building (weirdly common here :huh:) is the Star projecting Liz the Lettuce onto parliament :lol:

Their French has improved, to be fair.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 10, 2022, 10:05:38 AM
Son of a bitch. Argentine ref :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 10, 2022, 10:06:11 AM
Cristiano back on the bench today against Morocco. Don't know if it was true but apparently after being named to the bench in the previous game he threw a hissy fit and threatened to leave the team. Let's see if he grows into a new role as super sub. I think he can do very well against a tired defence in the 2nd half.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 10:14:52 AM
I would not believe everything the tabloids say about him.
The move to Saudi Arabia is not even confirmed for instance.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 10, 2022, 10:18:29 AM
Santos denied it. And while he has reason to lie, he has more reason to just say nothing if it happened.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 10:18:57 AM
That constant booing from the Moroccan fans (same during the game vs Spain), as soon as the other side gets the ball, is boring.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 10, 2022, 10:43:53 AM
Good goal. Poor from the keeper
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 10, 2022, 10:51:34 AM
Let's go Morocco! You got this!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 10:51:48 AM
Poor from Dias, the defender, and the goalkeeper.
Letting such a cross was a bad idea, with hindsight.

Hitting the bar just after, baraka is on the Moroccan side but they have been playing better, more offensively than against Spain.

Moroccan side could have killed the game with a counter just after that though.  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 10, 2022, 10:54:56 AM
Quote from: Valmy on December 10, 2022, 10:51:34 AMLet's go Morocco! You got this!

:hug: thanks, I appreciate it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 10, 2022, 10:57:55 AM
Shocking dive by Fernandes. Should have been booked.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on December 10, 2022, 10:58:15 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 10:18:57 AMThat constant booing from the Moroccan fans (same during the game vs Spain), as soon as the other side gets the ball, is boring.

Boooo!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 10, 2022, 10:59:13 AM
I am going to be at a basketball game during the 90 minute war this afternoon. But maybe me not being able to post will help.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 10:59:17 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on December 10, 2022, 10:58:15 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 10:18:57 AMThat constant booing from the Moroccan fans (same during the game vs Spain), as soon as the other side gets the ball, is boring.

Boooo!

More please, from you it's good. :) It has worked so well!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 11:01:08 AM
Quote from: Gups on December 10, 2022, 10:57:55 AMShocking dive by Fernandes. Should have been booked.

Usually, he's pretty bad with the national squad. Early World Cup was good however, he even hit the bar so far, so I guess now he's back to his real level.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 10, 2022, 11:03:51 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 11:01:08 AM
Quote from: Gups on December 10, 2022, 10:57:55 AMShocking dive by Fernandes. Should have been booked.

Usually, he's pretty bad with the national squad. Early World Cup was good however, he even hit the bar so far, so I guess now he's back to his real level.

He's inconsistent for Man U too. Superb in his first season, very patch since.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 10, 2022, 11:04:33 AM
Jeez, Neuer can't catch a break. Upon returning from Qatar he went on a skiing holiday and broke his leg, missing the rest of the season now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on December 10, 2022, 11:04:41 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 10:59:17 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on December 10, 2022, 10:58:15 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 10:18:57 AMThat constant booing from the Moroccan fans (same during the game vs Spain), as soon as the other side gets the ball, is boring.

Boooo!

More please, from you it's good. :) It has worked so well!

 :lol: I'm no Valmy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 11:05:35 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on December 10, 2022, 11:04:41 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 10:59:17 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on December 10, 2022, 10:58:15 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 10:18:57 AMThat constant booing from the Moroccan fans (same during the game vs Spain), as soon as the other side gets the ball, is boring.

Boooo!

More please, from you it's good. :) It has worked so well!

 :lol: I'm no Valmy.

A brilliant second, come on.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 11:07:51 AM
Well, Diogo Costa got lucky this time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 11:09:24 AM
Cancelo in?  :hmm:

Ronaldo in also. Bit early, but who knows.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 10, 2022, 11:12:09 AM
Quote from: The Larch on December 10, 2022, 11:04:33 AMJeez, Neuer can't catch a break. Upon returning from Qatar he went on a skiing holiday and broke his leg, missing the rest of the season now.

I'm kind of amazed footballers are allowed to go skiing or do dangerous sports
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 11:17:23 AM
Quote from: Gups on December 10, 2022, 11:12:09 AM
Quote from: The Larch on December 10, 2022, 11:04:33 AMJeez, Neuer can't catch a break. Upon returning from Qatar he went on a skiing holiday and broke his leg, missing the rest of the season now.

I'm kind of amazed footballers are allowed to go skiing or do dangerous sports

Any sportsman. Think of what happened to Schumacher.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 11:20:55 AM
Gonçalo Ramos, man of one game, for now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 10, 2022, 11:21:56 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 11:17:23 AM
Quote from: Gups on December 10, 2022, 11:12:09 AM
Quote from: The Larch on December 10, 2022, 11:04:33 AMJeez, Neuer can't catch a break. Upon returning from Qatar he went on a skiing holiday and broke his leg, missing the rest of the season now.

I'm kind of amazed footballers are allowed to go skiing or do dangerous sports

Any sportsman. Think of what happened to Schumacher.

Yeah but he'd retired by then.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 10, 2022, 11:36:32 AM
Quote from: Gups on December 10, 2022, 11:12:09 AM
Quote from: The Larch on December 10, 2022, 11:04:33 AMJeez, Neuer can't catch a break. Upon returning from Qatar he went on a skiing holiday and broke his leg, missing the rest of the season now.

I'm kind of amazed footballers are allowed to go skiing or do dangerous sports

I know that it's standard for them to have contract clauses preventing them from things like riding mopeds and the like, but maybe this was considered off-season?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 10, 2022, 11:39:12 AM
FOX began their world cup broadcast this morning with a short tribute to Grant Wahl. Rob Stone was choking back tears.

QuoteFOX's Rob Stone opened this morning's pregame broadcast with the news of Grant Wahl's passing
https://twitter.com/MenInBlazers/status/1601582945088589824?t=fi0rpJpI4eExxi0H6Emsxw&s=19
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 11:47:09 AM
Quote from: The Larch on December 10, 2022, 11:36:32 AM
Quote from: Gups on December 10, 2022, 11:12:09 AM
Quote from: The Larch on December 10, 2022, 11:04:33 AMJeez, Neuer can't catch a break. Upon returning from Qatar he went on a skiing holiday and broke his leg, missing the rest of the season now.

I'm kind of amazed footballers are allowed to go skiing or do dangerous sports

I know that it's standard for them to have contract clauses preventing them from things like riding mopeds and the like, but maybe this was considered off-season?
Quote from: Gups on December 10, 2022, 11:21:56 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 11:17:23 AM
Quote from: Gups on December 10, 2022, 11:12:09 AM
Quote from: The Larch on December 10, 2022, 11:04:33 AMJeez, Neuer can't catch a break. Upon returning from Qatar he went on a skiing holiday and broke his leg, missing the rest of the season now.

I'm kind of amazed footballers are allowed to go skiing or do dangerous sports

Any sportsman. Think of what happened to Schumacher.

Yeah but he'd retired by then.

If not, that accident retired him for good, unfortunately.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on December 10, 2022, 11:47:56 AM
This was fun and games when it was the Spanish and a possible QF. It's nothing funny now, go Portugal!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 10, 2022, 11:50:49 AM
Quote from: The Larch on December 10, 2022, 11:36:32 AM
Quote from: Gups on December 10, 2022, 11:12:09 AM
Quote from: The Larch on December 10, 2022, 11:04:33 AMJeez, Neuer can't catch a break. Upon returning from Qatar he went on a skiing holiday and broke his leg, missing the rest of the season now.

I'm kind of amazed footballers are allowed to go skiing or do dangerous sports

I know that it's standard for them to have contract clauses preventing them from things like riding mopeds and the like, but maybe this was considered off-season?
Yeah I wonder if it's a consequence of winter world cup? They might be technically out of their club's control?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 10, 2022, 11:51:47 AM
5 mins against 10 men
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 11:52:11 AM
Quote from: Threviel on December 10, 2022, 11:47:56 AMThis was fun and games when it was the Spanish and a possible QF. It's nothing funny now, go Portugal!

Threviel showing up, and red card against Morocco.  :hmm:
Obrigado.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 11:53:03 AM
Portuguese crosses really crappy this game, not just Leão.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 10, 2022, 11:55:32 AM
Dunno how Pepe misses that
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 10, 2022, 11:57:27 AM
Morocco yet to concede a goal. Morocco Croatia final. Morocco wins on penalties.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 11:57:48 AM
Quote from: Gups on December 10, 2022, 11:55:32 AMDunno how Pepe misses that

Same here.

Well, deserved win by Morocco. They played better, and improved compared to the game vs Spain.

Still, with the red, France or England will have it easier.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 11:58:16 AM
Quote from: HVC on December 10, 2022, 11:57:27 AMMorocco yet to concede a goal. Morocco Croatia final. Morocco wins on penalties.

They conceded an own goal vs Canada.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 10, 2022, 11:58:34 AM
Quote from: HVC on December 10, 2022, 11:57:27 AMMorocco yet to concede a goal. Morocco Croatia final. Morocco wins on penalties.
One own goal. Greece 2004 vibes :lol:

:w00t: for Morocco though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 10, 2022, 11:59:37 AM
Quote from: Gups on December 10, 2022, 11:55:32 AMDunno how Pepe misses that

Fuck Pepe  -_-
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 10, 2022, 12:00:23 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 11:58:16 AM
Quote from: HVC on December 10, 2022, 11:57:27 AMMorocco yet to concede a goal. Morocco Croatia final. Morocco wins on penalties.

They conceded an own goal vs Canada.  :P

Can you concede when you do it to yourself? :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 10, 2022, 12:01:15 PM
I guess that Morocco can now be officially considered the tournament's giant-killers.

Pretty underwhelming way for CR to go from WC history.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 12:01:30 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 10, 2022, 12:00:23 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 11:58:16 AM
Quote from: HVC on December 10, 2022, 11:57:27 AMMorocco yet to concede a goal. Morocco Croatia final. Morocco wins on penalties.

They conceded an own goal vs Canada.  :P

Can you concede when you do it to yourself? :D

It's an unwanted (con)cession.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 10, 2022, 12:02:07 PM
Going to Morocco for Christmas, kind of wish I was there now, must be crazy
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 10, 2022, 12:03:50 PM
Spain and Portugal, took a few centuries but moors got their reconquesta revenge :D :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 12:05:06 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 10, 2022, 12:03:50 PMSpain and Portugal, took a few centuries but moors got their reconquesta revenge :D :cry:

Ceuta and Melilla, they are not that greedy, come on. Too late. Salado was in 1340.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 10, 2022, 12:06:02 PM
Moroccoans in my neighborhood partying like it's 1578 again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 10, 2022, 12:10:28 PM
Morocco beat both their EU4 era rivals. Well done.
Next up, possibly their colonial overlords.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 12:10:33 PM
Special mention for Cheddira who did his best to put Portugal back in the game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 10, 2022, 12:11:42 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 11:47:09 AM
Quote from: The Larch on December 10, 2022, 11:36:32 AM
Quote from: Gups on December 10, 2022, 11:12:09 AM
Quote from: The Larch on December 10, 2022, 11:04:33 AMJeez, Neuer can't catch a break. Upon returning from Qatar he went on a skiing holiday and broke his leg, missing the rest of the season now.

I'm kind of amazed footballers are allowed to go skiing or do dangerous sports

I know that it's standard for them to have contract clauses preventing them from things like riding mopeds and the like, but maybe this was considered off-season?
Quote from: Gups on December 10, 2022, 11:21:56 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 11:17:23 AM
Quote from: Gups on December 10, 2022, 11:12:09 AM
Quote from: The Larch on December 10, 2022, 11:04:33 AMJeez, Neuer can't catch a break. Upon returning from Qatar he went on a skiing holiday and broke his leg, missing the rest of the season now.

I'm kind of amazed footballers are allowed to go skiing or do dangerous sports

Any sportsman. Think of what happened to Schumacher.

Yeah but he'd retired by then.

If not, that accident retired him for good, unfortunately.

Well, at 36 he is close to retirement anyway. As a keeper he can still play for a few more years if he wants, provided he fully recovers from the broken leg. I can't see him returning to the German national team, though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 12:19:20 PM
Quote from: celedhring on December 10, 2022, 12:06:02 PMMoroccoans in my neighborhood partying like it's 1578 again.

More like a Salado in reverse, both Spain Castille and Portugal beaten.  :nerd:

Unfortunately, Costa will still stay in power not that the Spanish PM would be better of course.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 10, 2022, 12:28:10 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 10, 2022, 11:50:49 AM
Quote from: The Larch on December 10, 2022, 11:36:32 AM
Quote from: Gups on December 10, 2022, 11:12:09 AM
Quote from: The Larch on December 10, 2022, 11:04:33 AMJeez, Neuer can't catch a break. Upon returning from Qatar he went on a skiing holiday and broke his leg, missing the rest of the season now.

I'm kind of amazed footballers are allowed to go skiing or do dangerous sports

I know that it's standard for them to have contract clauses preventing them from things like riding mopeds and the like, but maybe this was considered off-season?
Yeah I wonder if it's a consequence of winter world cup? They might be technically out of their club's control?

Don't know, maybe? Some players went back to their teams as soon as their participation was over, if Neuer was on holiday maybe German or Bayern players had a different arrangement.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on December 10, 2022, 12:49:40 PM
Quote from: celedhring on December 10, 2022, 12:06:02 PMMoroccoans in my neighborhood partying like it's 1578 again.

There was heavy fireworking in some distance in town here as well.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 10, 2022, 12:55:43 PM
Apparently Portuguese players are not very happy that the ref for the match was Argentinian and a couple of them went off in post-game interviews.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 10, 2022, 01:02:14 PM
No noticeably poor decisions.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 01:57:28 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 10, 2022, 12:55:43 PMApparently Portuguese players are not very happy that the ref for the match was Argentinian and a couple of them went off in post-game interviews.

Quote from: Gups on December 10, 2022, 01:02:14 PMNo noticeably poor decisions.

Moroccans would perhaps disagree about the red car but that's it.

As for the player in question, it's Bruno Fernandes, in Man U whingeing mode. Pepe also, but he did not used  such a strong language as Bruno Fernandes.
Quote"Vou dizer o que tenho a dizer. Eles que se fodam depois" (f...  for fodam-se) is pretty close ;)
I suppose 8 minutes was less than yesterday's 10 minutes, but then it was against Argentina.

Harsh language used against the Portuguese coach, but by an Argentine, Georgina.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 10, 2022, 01:57:44 PM
France win the national anthems. Again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 02:02:34 PM
OTOH, even when winning, Messi insulted Louis van Gaal yesterday for some reason (a stare ?).  :P

Van Gaal does that to people I guess.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 02:03:10 PM
Quote from: Gups on December 10, 2022, 01:57:44 PMFrance win the national anthems. Again.

Many more English in the stadium, so it did not feel like it on French TV.
For the singing I mean.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 10, 2022, 02:04:05 PM
Quote from: Gups on December 10, 2022, 01:57:44 PMFrance win the national anthems. Again.
They'll never lose that :frog:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on December 10, 2022, 02:04:45 PM
Perhaps the English don't know their new one yet?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 02:06:06 PM
Quote from: Threviel on December 10, 2022, 02:04:45 PMPerhaps the English don't know their new one yet?

 :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 10, 2022, 02:08:58 PM
So many brits. Surprised they didn't combust form the sun already.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 10, 2022, 02:11:00 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 10, 2022, 02:08:58 PMSo many brits. Surprised they didn't combust form the sun already.

Rehydrating with Ronaldo's tears
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 10, 2022, 02:11:42 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 02:02:34 PMOTOH, even when winning, Messi insulted Louis van Gaal yesterday for some reason (a stare ?).  :P

Van Gaal does that to people I guess.  :P


Van Gaal had said that when Messi doesn't have the ball, Argentina only have 10 players.
Which is kind of true, but it still works.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 02:12:16 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 10, 2022, 02:08:58 PMSo many brits. Surprised they didn't combust form the sun already.

Even the English can survive 20°C in a city by the desert.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 10, 2022, 02:13:32 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 02:02:34 PMOTOH, even when winning, Messi insulted Louis van Gaal yesterday for some reason (a stare ?).  :P

Van Gaal does that to people I guess.  :P


He called him "bobo" which I don't know in Argentina, but over here is the kind of "insult" a prudish grandma would use  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 10, 2022, 02:13:47 PM
Quote from: Gups on December 10, 2022, 02:11:00 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 10, 2022, 02:08:58 PMSo many brits. Surprised they didn't combust form the sun already.

Rehydrating with Ronaldo's tears

Now, now. All I'm saying is that every Brit I've seen you even look askance at the sun turns lobster red :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 02:14:14 PM
Quote from: Maladict on December 10, 2022, 02:11:42 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 02:02:34 PMOTOH, even when winning, Messi insulted Louis van Gaal yesterday for some reason (a stare ?).  :P

Van Gaal does that to people I guess.  :P


Van Gaal had said that when Messi doesn't have the ball, Argentina only have 10 players.
Which is kind of true, but it still works.

Then why Messi was so pissed off? There was there was another tantrum at Weghorst, for some reason.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 10, 2022, 02:14:21 PM
Also, I think they'll beat France.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 10, 2022, 02:14:50 PM
Think I'm gonna root for the referee in this one.  <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 02:15:01 PM
Quote from: celedhring on December 10, 2022, 02:13:32 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 02:02:34 PMOTOH, even when winning, Messi insulted Louis van Gaal yesterday for some reason (a stare ?).  :P

Van Gaal does that to people I guess.  :P


He called him "bobo" which I don't know in Argentina, but over here is the kind of "insult" a prudish grandma would use  :lol:

It's stronger in Argentina for some reason because I was not impressed by the Castilian (not rioplatense) original meaning.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 02:15:29 PM
Quote from: Gups on December 10, 2022, 02:11:00 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 10, 2022, 02:08:58 PMSo many brits. Surprised they didn't combust form the sun already.

Rehydrating with Ronaldo's tears

For those who survived Ronaldo's tears in 2016, that is.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 02:16:26 PM
Quote from: celedhring on December 10, 2022, 02:14:50 PMThink I'm gonna root for the referee in this one.  <_<

Think of it this way: one of your hated teams is going away, no matter what. Enjoy the moment. :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 10, 2022, 02:17:06 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 10, 2022, 02:14:21 PMAlso, I think they'll beat France.

Am I a valmy?  :homestar:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 02:18:17 PM
All right, with the French goal, I expect much more cars burned for the semi-finals, no matter who wins, Morocco or France.  :lol:

Still, a bit early, but I see Deschamps as a better coach than Southgate. Let's see what he does.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 10, 2022, 02:18:45 PM
Good goal but surely a foul on Saka
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 02:19:06 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 10, 2022, 02:17:06 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 10, 2022, 02:14:21 PMAlso, I think they'll beat France.

Am I a valmy?  :homestar:

See my answer to celedhring earlier.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 02:19:56 PM
Can Lloris pull an English goalkeeper-style fluke?

For the sake of the neutral spectator, of course.  :goodboy:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 10, 2022, 02:24:38 PM
Commentators on tsn are in love with Kane.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 10, 2022, 02:25:33 PM
Surely a pen
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 02:26:26 PM
Probably a foul, but inside or outside the penalty area?  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 10, 2022, 02:27:03 PM
Nothing. Bemusing
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 02:28:52 PM
Wait, Lloris is in a good day?

What did the English press say about him?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 10, 2022, 02:50:53 PM
Played quite well but not enough to match the 12 men of France
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 02:57:26 PM
So giving the English a taste of their own medicine?

Well, that would be why some people root for the referee in this game.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on December 10, 2022, 02:58:57 PM
God I love rosbiff whining and tears.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 10, 2022, 03:00:20 PM
Meh. It's terrible reffing. I'm entitled to call it just like I did for the Argentina game
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on December 10, 2022, 03:01:57 PM
In your impartial, english way of course.

The ref is so biased he gave Griezmann that yellow card for a non-contact. Give me a break.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 10, 2022, 03:03:07 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on December 10, 2022, 03:01:57 PMIn your impartial, english way of course.

The ref is so biased he gave Griezmann that yellow card for a non-contact. Give me a break.

Yeah that was the most important decision he made
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 10, 2022, 03:04:31 PM
I'm not saying he's biased. I'm saying he's shit. Conspiracy theories are for losing Portuguese players
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 03:06:04 PM
2006 sour grapes.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 03:07:01 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 10, 2022, 02:24:38 PMCommentators on tsn are in love with Kane.

For his dives? :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 03:07:55 PM
Not only Lloris is in a good day, he is lucky as well; part and parcel of being in a good day I guess.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 10, 2022, 03:08:54 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 03:07:01 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 10, 2022, 02:24:38 PMCommentators on tsn are in love with Kane.

For his dives? :P

Not his fault he has a inner ear infection :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 03:12:10 PM
No longer any whingeing at the referee from the English now I bet. Penalty for England.

PS: Lloris is not good at stopping penalties.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 10, 2022, 03:15:23 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 03:12:10 PMNo longer any whingeing at the referee from the English now I bet. Penalty for England.

PS: Lloris is not good at stopping penalties.

Stevie Wonder would have given that one
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 10, 2022, 03:16:54 PM
Damn Mbappe is goid
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 03:21:58 PM
Quote from: Gups on December 10, 2022, 03:15:23 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 03:12:10 PMNo longer any whingeing at the referee from the English now I bet. Penalty for England.

PS: Lloris is not good at stopping penalties.

Stevie Wonder would have given that one

Valmy may try it in the future ; we'll see, as the blindman says.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on December 10, 2022, 03:22:21 PM
Sitting here, drinking my Fullers, I'm suspecting that the teams I root for lose.

So go Froggies, you garlicky fucks can win this!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on December 10, 2022, 03:24:14 PM
Say one thing for the Frogs, they do look significantly better. Someone send the rosbifs a stylist!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 10, 2022, 03:25:12 PM
Quote from: Threviel on December 10, 2022, 03:22:21 PMSitting here, drinking my Fullers, I'm suspecting that the teams I root for lose.

So go Froggies, you garlicky fucks can win this!

Ironically I'm drinking a 2015 Chateauneuf-de-pape
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 10, 2022, 03:25:23 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 03:12:10 PMNo longer any whingeing at the referee from the English now I bet. Penalty for England.
Still think Saka's not been as protected as he should be - slowly turning into Arsenal Fan TV :ph34r: :blush:

England looked far better for the first 15 minutes of this half, but it looks like France are responding. Feels like a proper match.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 03:27:02 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 10, 2022, 03:25:23 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 03:12:10 PMNo longer any whingeing at the referee from the English now I bet. Penalty for England.
Still think Saka's not been as protected as he should be - slowly turning into Arsenal Fan TV :ph34r: :blush:

England looked far better for the first 15 minutes of this half, but it looks like France are responding. Feels like a proper match.

Waking up after a goal? How Portuguese of them.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 10, 2022, 03:27:22 PM
Missed the first half after the first 5 mins with kid shizzle.
Sounds like this was a good thing.
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 03:12:10 PMNo longer any whingeing at the referee from the English now I bet. Penalty for England.

PS: Lloris is not good at stopping penalties.

I mean he did win it right in front of his nose.
Even the most corrupt of refs would have trouble dodging that one.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 03:28:49 PM
Quote from: Josquius on December 10, 2022, 03:27:22 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 03:12:10 PMNo longer any whingeing at the referee from the English now I bet. Penalty for England.

PS: Lloris is not good at stopping penalties.

I mean he did win it right in front of his nose.
Even the most corrupt of refs would have trouble dodging that one.

Any really corrupt ref would find a way. When there is a will...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 10, 2022, 03:32:38 PM
Ugh these commentators are making me regret backing England. If Jesus christ himself decended form the sky they would go on about how Kane could do it better and how great he'd look with a crown of thorns.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 10, 2022, 03:33:14 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 10, 2022, 03:25:23 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 03:12:10 PMNo longer any whingeing at the referee from the English now I bet. Penalty for England.
Still think Saka's not been as protected as he should be - slowly turning into Arsenal Fan TV :ph34r: :blush:

England looked far better for the first 15 minutes of this half, but it looks like France are responding. Feels like a proper match.

As an Arsenal fan - absolutely  :lol:

Saka is bossing the game. :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 10, 2022, 03:34:31 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 10, 2022, 03:32:38 PMUgh these commentators are making me regret backing England. If Jesus christ himself decended form the sky they would go on about how Kane could do it better and how great he'd look with a crown of thorns.

Are you watching ITV? Terrible but not even the worst they have.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 10, 2022, 03:34:52 PM
Saka gets targeted every week in the league and it seems that's followed him to the WC. It's infuriating for Arsenal fans.

Please just lose England so Saka can come home
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on December 10, 2022, 03:36:20 PM
England playing well, go on you sacre bleus!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 10, 2022, 03:37:05 PM
Quote from: Gups on December 10, 2022, 03:34:31 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 10, 2022, 03:32:38 PMUgh these commentators are making me regret backing England. If Jesus christ himself decended form the sky they would go on about how Kane could do it better and how great he'd look with a crown of thorns.

Are you watching ITV? Terrible but not even the worst they have.

TSN out here in land of ice and snow. Not sure who they are, but definitely English.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 10, 2022, 03:38:20 PM
Double agent Thrievsl strikes! What a ball from Griezeman
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 03:38:28 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 10, 2022, 03:32:38 PMUgh these commentators are making me regret backing England. If Jesus christ himself decended form the sky they would go on about how Kane could do it better and how great he'd look with a crown of thorns.

Did you pull a Valmy? If so, bravo.  :D

Bleus 2 Three Lions 1
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 10, 2022, 03:39:08 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 03:38:28 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 10, 2022, 03:32:38 PMUgh these commentators are making me regret backing England. If Jesus christ himself decended form the sky they would go on about how Kane could do it better and how great he'd look with a crown of thorns.

Did you pull a Valmy? If so, bravo.  :D

Bleus 2 Three Lions 1

I told you, I may be a valmy lol
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 10, 2022, 03:39:54 PM
Thank you Arsenal legend Olivier Giroud for sending Bukayo back home  :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 03:40:04 PM
Nice dive, but staying on foot was too boring, I guess. 
Well, do we get penalties to give Morocco a chance? :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 10, 2022, 03:40:13 PM
Wait, how was that not a penalty?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 10, 2022, 03:40:23 PM
OK. Now that was a hilariously clear penalty completely ignored.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 10, 2022, 03:40:39 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 03:40:04 PMNice dive by Mason Mount.  :lol:

Are you blind?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 10, 2022, 03:40:52 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 03:40:04 PMNice dive by Mason Mount.  :lol:

Light fall or not he was pushed in the box on a clear chance.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on December 10, 2022, 03:41:15 PM
:thumbsdown:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on December 10, 2022, 03:41:39 PM
 :o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 10, 2022, 03:41:43 PM
Verdict: Yes, you are
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on December 10, 2022, 03:42:10 PM
 :showoff:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 10, 2022, 03:42:20 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 10, 2022, 03:39:54 PMThank you Arsenal legend Olivier Giroud for sending Bukayo back home  :cry:

Or maybe Funk's the valmy :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 10, 2022, 03:42:32 PM
Hernández you fuck  :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 10, 2022, 03:42:44 PM
Really that is a red card as last man
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on December 10, 2022, 03:43:04 PM
It's a penalty, it's unpossible for the rosbifs to fail at a penalty!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 03:43:25 PM
Quote from: Gups on December 10, 2022, 03:40:39 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 03:40:04 PMNice dive by Mason Mount.  :lol:

Are you blind?

I am not blind to English one-sidedness. Slow motion exagerates things, I would prefer the reverse angle.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 10, 2022, 03:43:25 PM
By the laws of the game it should be red yeah. Though would have been a harsh red.

Honestly I'm surprised this ref gave anything.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 03:44:14 PM
Quote from: Threviel on December 10, 2022, 03:43:04 PMIt's a penalty, it's unpossible for LLoris to stop a penalty!

Well, no. All right, I was wrong on this one. Lloris is having the best game of his life. I can't believe it, a penalty not a goal with him as a goalkeeper.

PS: technically, Lloris did not stop it. Kane blew it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 10, 2022, 03:44:40 PM
Well, kane choked. Looks likely to be the moment that bothers him on his deathbed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on December 10, 2022, 03:44:55 PM
Oh FFS
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on December 10, 2022, 03:45:03 PM
He missed the goal...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 10, 2022, 03:45:08 PM
Well damn
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 10, 2022, 03:46:33 PM
Kane so Spursy

:lmfao:  :lmfao:  :lmfao:  :lmfao:  :lmfao:  :lmfao:  :lmfao:  :lmfao:  :lmfao:  :lmfao:  :lmfao:  :lmfao:  :lmfao:  :lmfao:  :lmfao:  :lmfao:  :lmfao:  :lmfao:  :lmfao:  :lmfao:  :lmfao:  :lmfao:  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 03:47:30 PM
Quote from: Threviel on December 10, 2022, 03:45:03 PMHe missed the goal...

Well, Valmy has competition. Grattis!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on December 10, 2022, 03:47:48 PM
I should go back to my bordeaux, ffs, the English are such gigantic fails!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on December 10, 2022, 03:48:30 PM
And who the fuck let a spurs player do a decisive penalty?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 10, 2022, 03:49:24 PM
Quote from: Threviel on December 10, 2022, 03:48:30 PMAnd who the fuck let a spurs player do a decisive penalty?

 :bowler:  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 10, 2022, 03:50:00 PM
Quote from: Threviel on December 10, 2022, 03:47:48 PMI should go back to my bordeaux, ffs, the English are such gigantic fails!

My CDNP has classic notes of pencil shavings, plum, cassis, missed opportunity and salty tears
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 10, 2022, 03:50:29 PM
France would make a hatrick of former oppressors for the Moroccans to put to the sword :hmm:.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 10, 2022, 03:50:56 PM
8 minutes of frustration
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 03:51:20 PM
Quote from: Josquius on December 10, 2022, 03:50:29 PMFrance would make a hatrick of former oppressors for the Moroccans to put to the sword :hmm:.

English defeatism so soon, with 8 mins of stoppage time?  :thumbsdown:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 10, 2022, 03:51:27 PM
Quote from: Gups on December 10, 2022, 03:42:44 PMReally that is a red card as last man

If you mean for the penalty play, lately they're not showing reds if the play ends in a penalty.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on December 10, 2022, 03:53:33 PM
The missed penalty just made England fall apart. It's worse than if we never got it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 10, 2022, 03:54:00 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 10, 2022, 03:51:27 PM
Quote from: Gups on December 10, 2022, 03:42:44 PMReally that is a red card as last man

If you mean for the penalty play, lately they're not showing reds if the play ends in a penalty.

Yeah it always seem like a double dip punishment.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 10, 2022, 03:54:12 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 03:51:20 PM
Quote from: Josquius on December 10, 2022, 03:50:29 PMFrance would make a hatrick of former oppressors for the Moroccans to put to the sword :hmm:.

English defeatism so soon, with 8 mins of stoppage time?  :thumbsdown:

I'm British. My support for England is light.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 10, 2022, 03:54:50 PM
Also, couldn't have happened better, Even if beckham came on just to miss.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on December 10, 2022, 03:56:55 PM
I didn't expect England to go with a whimper.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 04:00:34 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 10, 2022, 03:54:50 PMAlso, couldn't have happened better, Even if beckham came on just to miss.

Recycling "England can't take penalties"?  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 04:01:00 PM
Quote from: Threviel on December 10, 2022, 03:56:55 PMI didn't expect England to go with a whimper.

Well, Valmy is still the best I guess.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 10, 2022, 04:01:49 PM
Oh well. Same old story. France must be favourites now
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on December 10, 2022, 04:02:10 PM
Ok now I am hoping for an Argentina-Morocco final.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 04:02:24 PM
Quote from: Josquius on December 10, 2022, 03:54:12 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 03:51:20 PM
Quote from: Josquius on December 10, 2022, 03:50:29 PMFrance would make a hatrick of former oppressors for the Moroccans to put to the sword :hmm:.

English defeatism so soon, with 8 mins of stoppage time?  :thumbsdown:

I'm British. My support for England is light.

Of course, when England is losing.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 04:02:45 PM
Quote from: Tamas on December 10, 2022, 04:02:10 PMOk now I am hoping for an Argentina-Morocco final.

There is still hope for Croatia-Morocco, come on.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 10, 2022, 04:04:40 PM
Portugal and England out on the same day, that certainly clears up yesterday's hangover.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 10, 2022, 04:05:26 PM
Guess it's not going home


(https://i1.sndcdn.com/artworks-000415383099-1kf5n4-t500x500.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 10, 2022, 04:06:07 PM
Quote from: Tamas on December 10, 2022, 04:02:10 PMOk now I am hoping for an Argentina-Morocco final.
Croatia :contract:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 10, 2022, 04:07:46 PM
Quote from: Threviel on December 10, 2022, 03:56:55 PMI didn't expect England to go with a whimper.
Sadly it's what England normally do at big tournaments, no? :huh:

QuoteAnd who the fuck let a spurs player do a decisive penalty?
:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 10, 2022, 04:08:36 PM
Okay, this game delivered, England's defeat was heartbreaking enough to make up for France winning.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 04:09:24 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 10, 2022, 04:07:46 PM
Quote from: Threviel on December 10, 2022, 03:56:55 PMI didn't expect England to go with a whimper.
Sadly it's what England normally do at big tournaments, no? :huh:

QuoteAnd who the fuck let a spurs player do two decisive penalties?
:lol:

Fixed!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 10, 2022, 04:09:25 PM
Quote from: Josquius on December 10, 2022, 03:54:12 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 03:51:20 PM
Quote from: Josquius on December 10, 2022, 03:50:29 PMFrance would make a hatrick of former oppressors for the Moroccans to put to the sword :hmm:.

English defeatism so soon, with 8 mins of stoppage time?  :thumbsdown:

I'm British. My support for England is light.

So you have three teams and they all suck. Sucks to be British.

On a gagné! Vive la France!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 10, 2022, 04:18:05 PM
Job done. Thank you to the French for sending Saka home to Arsenal and for allowing Harry Kane to channel his inner Spursiness. He will return to Tottenham a shattered husk of a footballer while Saka and Martinelli carry Arsenal forward to glory.

 :frog:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on December 10, 2022, 04:21:24 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 10, 2022, 04:18:05 PMJob done. Thank you to the French for sending Saka home to Arsenal and for allowing Harry Kane to channel his inner Spursiness. He will return to Tottenham a shattered husk of a footballer while Saka and Martinelli carry Arsenal forward to glory.

 :frog:

That might well be, you know. I can't believe he sky'd that lol.

Although England didn't have any real threat from open play, and France is good enough to only need one or 2 chances per game.

I'd be happy for any of the 4 teams left to win it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on December 10, 2022, 04:23:25 PM
Group F has 2 of the 4 teams. We could get a repeat final of a group match.

Has that happen before?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 10, 2022, 04:24:32 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on December 10, 2022, 04:23:25 PMGroup F has 2 of the 4 teams. We could get a repeat final of a group match.

Has that happen before?

Euro 2004

*edit actually it wad a repeat of the opener.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on December 10, 2022, 04:33:09 PM
WC '94, Sweden-Brazil.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 10, 2022, 04:42:58 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on December 10, 2022, 04:21:24 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 10, 2022, 04:18:05 PMJob done. Thank you to the French for sending Saka home to Arsenal and for allowing Harry Kane to channel his inner Spursiness. He will return to Tottenham a shattered husk of a footballer while Saka and Martinelli carry Arsenal forward to glory.

 :frog:

That might well be, you know. I can't believe he sky'd that lol.

Although England didn't have any real threat from open play, and France is good enough to only need one or 2 chances per game.

I'd be happy for any of the 4 teams left to win it.

Saka missed the penalty that lost the Euros for England and came back an even better player. Kane could do the same. Although I hope not  :P

But yeah, results wise this is a banger of a final 4. France are the favorite but there is something about the Moroccans...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 10, 2022, 06:55:01 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 04:02:24 PM
Quote from: Josquius on December 10, 2022, 03:54:12 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 03:51:20 PM
Quote from: Josquius on December 10, 2022, 03:50:29 PMFrance would make a hatrick of former oppressors for the Moroccans to put to the sword :hmm:.

English defeatism so soon, with 8 mins of stoppage time?  :thumbsdown:

I'm British. My support for England is light.

Of course, when England is losing.  :P

Not really. When they win too its a case of "oh that's nice".
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 10, 2022, 08:48:19 PM
Quote from: Josquius on December 10, 2022, 06:55:01 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 04:02:24 PM
Quote from: Josquius on December 10, 2022, 03:54:12 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 10, 2022, 03:51:20 PM
Quote from: Josquius on December 10, 2022, 03:50:29 PMFrance would make a hatrick of former oppressors for the Moroccans to put to the sword :hmm:.

English defeatism so soon, with 8 mins of stoppage time?  :thumbsdown:

I'm British. My support for England is light.

Of course, when England is losing.  :P

Not really. When they win too its a case of "oh that's nice".

That's lame.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 11, 2022, 07:11:28 AM
Quote from: Threviel on December 10, 2022, 04:33:09 PMWC '94, Sweden-Brazil.

Wasn't the final
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 12, 2022, 10:52:16 AM
Ref in the Argentina Netherlands game sent home. Not sure what that's supposed to mean, I don't think he was scheduled to ref again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 12, 2022, 11:06:49 AM
One thing I've been wondering about- Does Morocco count as Africa?
Yeah, obviously, Morocco is in Africa, they take part in the African Cup of Nations, etc...
But all the talk you see over the years about the rise of African football, Pele talking about how Africans will win someday, etc...
I wonder how much people are counting Morocco's success here or if they're just meaning SS Africans.

Anyway. This is interesting.
(https://preview.redd.it/exi4s1qotc5a1.png?width=960&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=bb1c7679d70aa463240461f3f973ab951b2cc5ba)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 12, 2022, 12:11:07 PM
OTOH, some other people remark a lot of these Moroccans were born or/and trained ( half or more) as footballers in Europe.

Data added:

Bounou - born in Canada (trained as a footballer in Morocco however)
El Kajoui - born in Spain
Hakimi - born in Spain
Mazraoui - born in the Netherlands
Saiss - born in France
Amrabat - born in the Netherlands
Ziyech - born in the Netherlands
Zarouri - born in Belgium
Chair - born in Belgium
Aboukhlal - born in the Netherlands
Amallah - Born in Belgium
Boufal - born in France
El Khnannous - born in Belgium
Cheddira - born in Italy.

That's 13 trained in Europe as footballers, who never played in a Morrocan club. Make of that what you will.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 12, 2022, 12:36:00 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 12, 2022, 12:11:07 PMOTOH, some other people remark a lot of these Moroccans were born (25%) or/and trained ( half or more) as footballers in Europe.

How many players for portugal were foreign born over the years?  :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on December 12, 2022, 01:15:32 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 12, 2022, 12:11:07 PMOTOH, some other people remark a lot of these Moroccans were born or/and trained ( half or more) as footballers in Europe.

Data added:

Bounou - born in Canada (trained as a footballer in Morocco however)
El Kajoui - born in Spain
Hakimi - born in Spain
Mazraoui - born in the Netherlands
Saiss - born in France
Amrabat - born in the Netherlands
Ziyech - born in the Netherlands
Zarouri - born in Belgium
Chair - born in Belgium
Aboukhlal - born in the Netherlands
Amallah - Born in Belgium
Boufal - born in France
El Khnannous - born in Belgium
Cheddira - born in Italy.

That's 13 trained in Europe as footballers, who never played in a Morrocan club. Make of that what you will.

That it doesn't matter, it never was about where you play professionally.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 12, 2022, 01:17:30 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 12, 2022, 12:36:00 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 12, 2022, 12:11:07 PMOTOH, some other people remark a lot of these Moroccans were born (25%) or/and trained ( half or more) as footballers in Europe.

How many players for portugal were foreign born over the years?  :ph34r:

Much less than Morocco. In the current squad, only Guerreiro was born and trained as a footballer in France or Europe.
There's Pepe and Otávio, born in Brazil, with most of their career in Portugal.

I can't help but think of Cédric Soares, Euro 2016, born in Germany but trained as a footballer in Sporting.
Not to mention, for another squad of Griezmann (not German Noah Trevor easy there) but trained as a footballer in Spain, and with a Portuguese mother, so he threatend to join the Selecção if harsh sanctions against him after a wild party night were taken.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 12, 2022, 01:24:20 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on December 12, 2022, 01:15:32 PMThat it doesn't matter, it never was about where you play professionally.
Yeah and personally I quite like it (but I would say that as an Ireland fan :ph34r:).

I've read a few pieces in the last few years and countries with big diasporas have put a lot of thought - and in the case of Morocco investment in facilities - in how to attract diaspora talent. Those associations now have a real system in place to identify potentially eligible players young and a strategy in convincing them to pick for their team.

For some it will be because of a genuine sense that that's who they want to play for - Ziyech turning down the Netherlands. I believe it's also quite a big thing in, say, the Bosnian team and younger age categories of Croatian players.But for others it will also represent a better chance at getting picked internationally.

All I'll say is that Ireland would never leave Grealish on the bench until the 96th minute :goodboy:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 12, 2022, 01:28:14 PM
Yeah, in the modern world internationals are becoming more and more akin to regular club football in a way. So many people legible for multiple nations, especially amongst the poor urban populations that produce such a huge chunk of top players.

Kind of ironic in a way as the old joke of Ireland and Wales being England B teams has really fell away in the past 30 years.
I was surprised to see on the BBC pre England - Wales one of their players answering his interview questions in Welsh.

Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 12, 2022, 12:11:07 PMOTOH, some other people remark a lot of these Moroccans were born or/and trained ( half or more) as footballers in Europe.

Data added:

Bounou - born in Canada (trained as a footballer in Morocco however)
El Kajoui - born in Spain
Hakimi - born in Spain
Mazraoui - born in the Netherlands
Saiss - born in France
Amrabat - born in the Netherlands
Ziyech - born in the Netherlands
Zarouri - born in Belgium
Chair - born in Belgium
Aboukhlal - born in the Netherlands
Amallah - Born in Belgium
Boufal - born in France
El Khnannous - born in Belgium
Cheddira - born in Italy.

That's 13 trained in Europe as footballers, who never played in a Morrocan club. Make of that what you will.


The story here is on the failure of these other nations to call them up.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on December 12, 2022, 01:37:29 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 12, 2022, 12:11:07 PMOTOH, some other people remark a lot of these Moroccans were born or/and trained ( half or more) as footballers in Europe.

Data added:

Bounou - born in Canada (trained as a footballer in Morocco however)
El Kajoui - born in Spain
Hakimi - born in Spain
Mazraoui - born in the Netherlands
Saiss - born in France
Amrabat - born in the Netherlands
Ziyech - born in the Netherlands
Zarouri - born in Belgium
Chair - born in Belgium
Aboukhlal - born in the Netherlands
Amallah - Born in Belgium
Boufal - born in France
El Khnannous - born in Belgium
Cheddira - born in Italy.

That's 13 trained in Europe as footballers, who never played in a Morrocan club. Make of that what you will.


What do you make of it? I'm curious as to what your point is exactly.

Btw Thuram is born in Italy. Mandanda Zaire. Camavinga Angola.

Make of that what you will.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 12, 2022, 01:40:35 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 12, 2022, 01:24:20 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on December 12, 2022, 01:15:32 PMThat it doesn't matter, it never was about where you play professionally.
Yeah and personally I quite like it (but I would say that as an Ireland fan :ph34r:).

I've read a few pieces in the last few years and countries with big diasporas have put a lot of thought - and in the case of Morocco investment in facilities - in how to attract diaspora talent. Those associations now have a real system in place to identify potentially eligible players young and a strategy in convincing them to pick for their team.

For some it will be because of a genuine sense that that's who they want to play for - Ziyech turning down the Netherlands. I believe it's also quite a big thing in, say, the Bosnian team and younger age categories of Croatian players.But for others it will also represent a better chance at getting picked internationally.

All I'll say is that Ireland would never leave Grealish on the bench until the 96th minute :goodboy:

Same for a few Croatian internationals, born in Germany and Austria, although some of them actually went back to Croatia at some point of their lives before starting their careers.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 12, 2022, 01:47:55 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on December 12, 2022, 01:15:32 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 12, 2022, 12:11:07 PMOTOH, some other people remark a lot of these Moroccans were born or/and trained ( half or more) as footballers in Europe.

Data added:

Bounou - born in Canada (trained as a footballer in Morocco however)
El Kajoui - born in Spain
Hakimi - born in Spain
Mazraoui - born in the Netherlands
Saiss - born in France
Amrabat - born in the Netherlands
Ziyech - born in the Netherlands
Zarouri - born in Belgium
Chair - born in Belgium
Aboukhlal - born in the Netherlands
Amallah - Born in Belgium
Boufal - born in France
El Khnannous - born in Belgium
Cheddira - born in Italy.

That's 13 trained in Europe as footballers, who never played in a Morrocan club. Make of that what you will.

That it doesn't matter, it never was about where you play professionally.

Pour ceux qui veulent récupérer les victoires à des fins politiques, partisanes, chauvines, ça compte.
Sport national en France. Que ce soit le Maroc, le Portugal ou tout autre pays.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 12, 2022, 01:49:34 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on December 12, 2022, 01:37:29 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 12, 2022, 12:11:07 PMOTOH, some other people remark a lot of these Moroccans were born or/and trained ( half or more) as footballers in Europe.

Data added:

Bounou - born in Canada (trained as a footballer in Morocco however)
El Kajoui - born in Spain
Hakimi - born in Spain
Mazraoui - born in the Netherlands
Saiss - born in France
Amrabat - born in the Netherlands
Ziyech - born in the Netherlands
Zarouri - born in Belgium
Chair - born in Belgium
Aboukhlal - born in the Netherlands
Amallah - Born in Belgium
Boufal - born in France
El Khnannous - born in Belgium
Cheddira - born in Italy.

That's 13 trained in Europe as footballers, who never played in a Morrocan club. Make of that what you will.


What do you make of it? I'm curious as to what your point is exactly.

Btw Thuram is born in Italy. Mandanda Zaire. Camavinga Angola.

Make of that what you will.

Lis ma réponse au Goupil Gris, et ne me fais pas dire ce que je n'ai pas dit.

Ce genre de récupérations est habituel en France, de rigueur même, mais on s'offusque si un autre pays le fait à l'encontre des Bleus.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 12, 2022, 01:49:42 PM
Quote from: Josquius on December 12, 2022, 01:28:14 PMThe story here is on the failure of these other nations to call them up.

Sometimes it's not as clear cut. The nations with good scouting networks may target some of these players agressively since they're quite young (for instance Achraf Hakimi has played for Morocco already at U-17), or can convince them to switch international allegiances before they become full internationals (Ziyech played for the Netherlands until U-23, and switched to Morocco after that).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 12, 2022, 01:55:03 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 12, 2022, 01:49:42 PM
Quote from: Josquius on December 12, 2022, 01:28:14 PMThe story here is on the failure of these other nations to call them up.

Sometimes it's not as clear cut. The nations with good scouting networks may target some of these players agressively since they're quite young (for instance Achraf Hakimi has played for Morocco already at U-17), or can convince them to switch international allegiances before they become full internationals (Ziyech played for the Netherlands until U-23, and switched to Morocco after that).

That was the case for a former "Moroccan Portuguese" defender, Manuel da Costa in Morocco, Manuel Marouane da Costa in Portugal (mother's arabic surname only showing up in the Portuguese naming conventions. He was called sometimes by Scolari, but ended up playing for Morocco in 2014 since he was never called in the A Portuguese squad, unlike youth squads. Played vs Portugal in 2018 in Moscow during the World Cup.
Oh, and he was born in France.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 12, 2022, 02:01:13 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 12, 2022, 01:55:03 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 12, 2022, 01:49:42 PM
Quote from: Josquius on December 12, 2022, 01:28:14 PMThe story here is on the failure of these other nations to call them up.

Sometimes it's not as clear cut. The nations with good scouting networks may target some of these players agressively since they're quite young (for instance Achraf Hakimi has played for Morocco already at U-17), or can convince them to switch international allegiances before they become full internationals (Ziyech played for the Netherlands until U-23, and switched to Morocco after that).

That was the case for a former "Moroccan Portuguese" defender, Manuel da Costa in Morocco, Manuel Marouane da Costa in Portugal (mother's arabic surname only showing up in the Portuguese naming conventions. He was called sometimes by Scolari, but ended up playing for Morocco in 2014 since he was never called in the A Portuguese squad, unlike youth squads. Played vs Portugal in 2018 in Moscow during the World Cup.
Oh, and he was born in France.  :P

In the past Spain would call some of those players with dual nationalities just to prevent them from switching, just in case, like Munir El Haddadi. He became a full international at 18, when he was starting to feature for Barcelona, and never called back again. He had to wait until regulations changed to switch to Morocco at 26.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 12, 2022, 02:02:39 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 12, 2022, 02:01:13 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 12, 2022, 01:55:03 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 12, 2022, 01:49:42 PM
Quote from: Josquius on December 12, 2022, 01:28:14 PMThe story here is on the failure of these other nations to call them up.

Sometimes it's not as clear cut. The nations with good scouting networks may target some of these players agressively since they're quite young (for instance Achraf Hakimi has played for Morocco already at U-17), or can convince them to switch international allegiances before they become full internationals (Ziyech played for the Netherlands until U-23, and switched to Morocco after that).

That was the case for a former "Moroccan Portuguese" defender, Manuel da Costa in Morocco, Manuel Marouane da Costa in Portugal (mother's arabic surname only showing up in the Portuguese naming conventions. He was called sometimes by Scolari, but ended up playing for Morocco in 2014 since he was never called in the A Portuguese squad, unlike youth squads. Played vs Portugal in 2018 in Moscow during the World Cup.
Oh, and he was born in France.  :P

In the past Spain would call some of those players with dual nationalities just to prevent them from switching, just in case, like Munir El Haddadi. He became a full international at 18, when he was starting to feature for Barcelona, and never called back again. He had to wait until regulations changed to switch to Morocco at 26.

Yeah, I have heard of that case. Made FIFA change its laws.
Rumors accused Deschamps of doing the same.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 12, 2022, 02:04:25 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 12, 2022, 02:01:13 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 12, 2022, 01:55:03 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 12, 2022, 01:49:42 PM
Quote from: Josquius on December 12, 2022, 01:28:14 PMThe story here is on the failure of these other nations to call them up.

Sometimes it's not as clear cut. The nations with good scouting networks may target some of these players agressively since they're quite young (for instance Achraf Hakimi has played for Morocco already at U-17), or can convince them to switch international allegiances before they become full internationals (Ziyech played for the Netherlands until U-23, and switched to Morocco after that).

That was the case for a former "Moroccan Portuguese" defender, Manuel da Costa in Morocco, Manuel Marouane da Costa in Portugal (mother's arabic surname only showing up in the Portuguese naming conventions. He was called sometimes by Scolari, but ended up playing for Morocco in 2014 since he was never called in the A Portuguese squad, unlike youth squads. Played vs Portugal in 2018 in Moscow during the World Cup.
Oh, and he was born in France.  :P

In the past Spain would call some of those players with dual nationalities just to prevent them from switching, just in case, like Munir El Haddadi. He became a full international at 18, when he was starting to feature for Barcelona, and never called back again. He had to wait until regulations changed to switch to Morocco at 26.

Moriba did the same, although he was never fully capped. But yeah, when the choice is having just single digit caps for a "big" nation or becoming a regular for a "smaller" nation, many players prefer the second, particularly if they still feel culturally attached to the second nation.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 12, 2022, 02:07:25 PM
Quote from: celedhring on December 12, 2022, 02:04:25 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 12, 2022, 02:01:13 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 12, 2022, 01:55:03 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 12, 2022, 01:49:42 PM
Quote from: Josquius on December 12, 2022, 01:28:14 PMThe story here is on the failure of these other nations to call them up.

Sometimes it's not as clear cut. The nations with good scouting networks may target some of these players agressively since they're quite young (for instance Achraf Hakimi has played for Morocco already at U-17), or can convince them to switch international allegiances before they become full internationals (Ziyech played for the Netherlands until U-23, and switched to Morocco after that).

That was the case for a former "Moroccan Portuguese" defender, Manuel da Costa in Morocco, Manuel Marouane da Costa in Portugal (mother's arabic surname only showing up in the Portuguese naming conventions. He was called sometimes by Scolari, but ended up playing for Morocco in 2014 since he was never called in the A Portuguese squad, unlike youth squads. Played vs Portugal in 2018 in Moscow during the World Cup.
Oh, and he was born in France.  :P

In the past Spain would call some of those players with dual nationalities just to prevent them from switching, just in case, like Munir El Haddadi. He became a full international at 18, when he was starting to feature for Barcelona, and never called back again. He had to wait until regulations changed to switch to Morocco at 26.

Moriba did the same, although he was never fully capped. But yeah, when the choice is having just single digit caps for a "big" nation or becoming a regular for a "smaller" nation, many players prefer the second, particularly if they still feel culturally attached to the second nation.

Things are a bit more complicated for "Africans" with the continental tournament every two years, instead of four, in the middle of the season most of the time, i.e less interesting for clubs (partially offset by the higher "international" value, otherwise, that's pretty much spot on.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 12, 2022, 07:17:48 PM
Ok let's wait until Morocco actually wins before we start making up excuses why they won eh? France still has a shot.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 13, 2022, 10:53:22 AM
Quote from: Valmy on December 12, 2022, 07:17:48 PMOk let's wait until Morocco actually wins before we start making up excuses why they won eh? France still has a shot.

Happened in 2016 :whistle:
But political or chauvinist uses just need a good tournament, not only a final victory.
France obviously the favorite, by far. That Saïss can't play on a leg for two games, for instance.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 13, 2022, 02:01:32 PM
Let's go croatia!



Despite your racist fans.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 13, 2022, 02:05:26 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 13, 2022, 02:01:32 PMLet's go croatia!

Despite your racist fans.

The team itself doesn't have a great track record either...

QuoteJasmin Mujanović @JasminMuj

Croatian players celebrating their WC run by singing songs from neo-fascist crooner Thompson, which explicitly make reference to the criminal "Herceg-Bosna" regime in wartime Bosnia, whose entire senior leadership was convicted of crimes against humanity.

https://twitter.com/JasminMuj/status/1602341106498170895?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw (https://twitter.com/JasminMuj/status/1602341106498170895?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 13, 2022, 02:07:52 PM
I've always said, only Europeans worse then the Serbs are the Croats:P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 13, 2022, 02:32:44 PM
Hmm.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 13, 2022, 02:41:32 PM
Well, that's an uphill battle for Croatia now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 13, 2022, 02:48:30 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 13, 2022, 02:07:52 PMI've always said, only Europeans worse then the Serbs are the Croats:P

Hungary?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 13, 2022, 02:57:11 PM
Quote from: Gups on December 13, 2022, 02:48:30 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 13, 2022, 02:07:52 PMI've always said, only Europeans worse then the Serbs are the Croats:P

Hungary?

I'd consider Greece before Hungary, but I have met many Hungarians :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 13, 2022, 03:30:21 PM
Great work from Messi there
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 13, 2022, 03:36:13 PM
Good Lord Messi is looking 10 years younger. That was sensational.

If he lifts the trophy on Sunday then the debate is truly over. Ronaldo in tears right now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 13, 2022, 03:57:41 PM
Very well earned spot in the final for Argentina. And for once it was not just Messi doing everything.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 13, 2022, 04:23:02 PM
Croatia put up quite a challenge in the first 30 minutes, but the two quick goals from mistakes killed them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 13, 2022, 04:40:08 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 13, 2022, 03:36:13 PMGood Lord Messi is looking 10 years younger. That was sensational.

If he lifts the trophy on Sunday then the debate is truly over. Ronaldo in tears right now.
I was thinking about this too. It would put a positive spin on an Argentina win
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 13, 2022, 04:44:04 PM
Messi finally winning the WC would be a very nice thing to happen, indeed. Sadly for me it'd mean that Lionel Scaloni would be forever be remembered as a WC winning coach, and I don't know if my conscience would allow it (he used to play for our arch-rivals).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 13, 2022, 05:30:23 PM
I'll cheer on Argentina v. France, but Morocco v. Argentina
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 13, 2022, 06:06:31 PM
Quote from: Josquius on December 13, 2022, 04:40:08 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 13, 2022, 03:36:13 PMGood Lord Messi is looking 10 years younger. That was sensational.

If he lifts the trophy on Sunday then the debate is truly over. Ronaldo in tears right now.
I was thinking about this too. It would put a positive spin on an Argentina win

Yes, very good point.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 13, 2022, 06:07:48 PM
Quote from: Josquius on December 13, 2022, 04:40:08 PMI was thinking about this too. It would put a positive spin on an Argentina win
Yes. Also non-European countries haven't won in ages.

Although I, like a traitor, just quite like Argentina anyway :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 13, 2022, 06:21:56 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 13, 2022, 06:07:48 PMYes. Also non-European countries haven't won in ages.

Had to check this, it's been 20 years since the last one, Brazil, in the Japan-S. Korea WC.

Brazil still had the Triple R back then, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo and Ronaldo.  :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 14, 2022, 03:16:50 PM
Nobody watching this? Morocco have been great, really fun game
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 14, 2022, 03:19:03 PM
Yeah, great game. Morocco deserve an equaliser.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 14, 2022, 03:20:50 PM
Quote from: Maladict on December 14, 2022, 03:19:03 PMYeah, great game. Morocco deserve an equaliser.

I find them a bit lacking in the finishing department. Having to carry the attacking load doesn't really suit them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 14, 2022, 03:29:48 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 14, 2022, 03:20:50 PM
Quote from: Maladict on December 14, 2022, 03:19:03 PMYeah, great game. Morocco deserve an equaliser.

I find them a bit lacking in the finishing department. Having to carry the attacking load doesn't really suit them.

With their kit colours and lack of finishing, it looks like the Portugal of not so long ago.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 14, 2022, 03:33:24 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 14, 2022, 03:29:48 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 14, 2022, 03:20:50 PM
Quote from: Maladict on December 14, 2022, 03:19:03 PMYeah, great game. Morocco deserve an equaliser.

I find them a bit lacking in the finishing department. Having to carry the attacking load doesn't really suit them.

With their kit colours and lack of finishing, it looks like the Portugal of not so long ago.

Not enough wankers
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 14, 2022, 03:38:13 PM
And it's over.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 14, 2022, 03:39:30 PM
Quote from: Gups on December 14, 2022, 03:33:24 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 14, 2022, 03:29:48 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 14, 2022, 03:20:50 PM
Quote from: Maladict on December 14, 2022, 03:19:03 PMYeah, great game. Morocco deserve an equaliser.

I find them a bit lacking in the finishing department. Having to carry the attacking load doesn't really suit them.

With their kit colours and lack of finishing, it looks like the Portugal of not so long ago.

Not enough wankers

Come on, England can't be beaten in that area, from players to tabloids.

Losing 2-0 to France is un-Selecção-like, I'll grant you that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 14, 2022, 03:48:48 PM
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 14, 2022, 03:50:09 PM
Anyway, should be a great final. Two quality attacking teams with somewhat suspect defences
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 14, 2022, 03:52:49 PM
Poor Morocco can't buy a goal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 14, 2022, 03:56:56 PM
Sour grapes from 2006, the return.  :D

Go tell your wankers to practice penalties so they can win without « home advantage »

I guess having Argentina or France as winner is really triggering Rosbifs like you. :D

Your tears in 2006 were delicious, Ronaldo's tears of joy in 2016 also, though obviously different.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 14, 2022, 03:57:29 PM
Let's go frenchies, you can do it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 14, 2022, 03:57:55 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 14, 2022, 03:52:49 PMPoor Morocco can't buy a goal.

Rings a bell?  ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 14, 2022, 03:58:23 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 14, 2022, 03:57:55 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 14, 2022, 03:52:49 PMPoor Morocco can't buy a goal.

Rings a bell?  ;)

Those colours are cursed, take you far enough to hurt lol
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 14, 2022, 03:58:48 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 14, 2022, 03:57:29 PMLet's go frenchies, you can do it.
.

Macro needs it to pass some laws. ;)

More than 10 minutes of team celebration on the Champs-Élysées this time?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on December 14, 2022, 04:04:05 PM
France got dominated for 90 minutes and still won. I'm not sure if that's a good or bad sign for the final.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 14, 2022, 04:11:57 PM
The French left looks very weak with Mbappe not tracking back. Wonder if they will keep him in the centre.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 14, 2022, 04:24:15 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on December 14, 2022, 04:04:05 PMFrance got dominated for 90 minutes and still won. I'm not sure if that's a good or bad sign for the final.

The optimist will say « la chatte à Dédé » is back.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 14, 2022, 04:29:34 PM
Poor Morocco. So many almosts.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 15, 2022, 05:57:39 AM
So, no European Super League unless the clubs are ready to fully break away from their national leagues, apparently?

QuoteEuropean Super League: legal adviser's view delivers blow to ailing project
European court of justice advocate general backs Uefa and Fifa
Says clubs can break away but need approval to stay in leagues

The prospects for a revived European Super League have been knocked back after a key legal opinion argued that Uefa and Fifa are within their rights to sanction clubs who join any breakaway.

The opinion sssued by advocate general Athanasios Rantos at the Court of Justice of the European Union is non-binding and is only a potential argument for judges to consider before a final verdict in a case brought by the European Super League Company (ESLC) is delivered next year. But there was no doubt that the opinion found heavily in favour of football's existing powers.

The key findings expressed in the opinion were succinct. "The Fifa-Uefa rules under which any new competition is subject to prior approval are compatible with EU competition law," the advocate general wrote. "Whilst ESLC is free to set up its own independent football competition outside the Uefa and Fifa ecosystem, it cannot however, in parallel with the creation of such a competition, continue to participate in the football competitions organised by Fifa and Uefa without the prior authorisation of those federations."

Last year, when 12 clubs agreed to form a breakaway competition, they did so without the official authorisation of Uefa or Fifa. This led to Uefa threatening the clubs with financial sanctions and sporting punishments. The possibility of being unable to compete both in the Super League and the clubs' domestic competitions – combined with a massive public sense of outrage – brought the competition tumbling down. If the judges at the CJEU follow the opinion of the advocate general, that threat will be made permanent.

Uefa said it "warmly welcomed" the "unequivocal" findings of the advocate general. "The opinion reinforces the central role of federations in protecting the sport, upholding fundamental principles of sporting merit and open access across our members, as well as uniting football with shared responsibility and solidarity," it said.

"Football in Europe remains united and steadfastly opposed to the ESL, or any such breakaway proposals, which would threaten the entire European sports ecosystem.

"While we await the Court's final judgment due next year, Uefa, as a public interest, not-for-profit governing body, will continue to be fully focused on its mission to develop football for all, in close cooperation with national associations, leagues, clubs, players, fans, EU institutions, governments and other relevant stakeholders who have the true values of football at heart."


The European Club Association, a body which represents 245 clubs, also welcomed the news. Led until last year by Andrea Agnelli, one of the chief architects of the ESL, the ECA now insists it sees the future of club football as being under the umbrella of Uefa.

"ECA exists to promote, represent and serve European football clubs of all shapes and sizes," said its CEO, Charlie Marshall. "We do this by working hand in hand not only with our members but also with our major stakeholders, none more important than Uefa. This partnership is the foundation of the future sustainability and success of European club football and we look forward to driving its responsible evolution in a way which secures it for future generations, not destroys it."

The three clubs who remain publicly supportive of the ESL project – Juventus, Barcelona and Real Madrid – did not immediately comment on the opinion. The marketing company A22, which has been working to promote the ESL, did offer a short response on Twitter, calling for greater clarity on the possible sanctions for those who seek to join any breakaway in future, should it happen.

"Clubs and players must be able to know in advance conditions to be able to participate in third-party events," it said. "Sanctions must also be sufficiently clear, predictable and proportionate to limit any risk of arbitrary application."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 17, 2022, 11:58:34 AM
No love for the bronze medal game? Usually more pleasant to watch than the final.

Croatia 2 Morocco 1
Deserved victory for the Croats, Moroccans made more mistakes but then they had more wounded players.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 17, 2022, 12:59:26 PM
A little dull, no?  Needed a bad call or two to spice things up.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 17, 2022, 02:28:44 PM
I didn't even watch it when England was in it. Its a friendly level game generally.
No idea how this was. I guess Morocco tried?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on December 17, 2022, 02:36:53 PM
Quote from: Josquius on December 17, 2022, 02:28:44 PMI didn't even watch it when England was in it. Its a friendly level game generally.
No idea how this was. I guess Morocco tried?

:hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 18, 2022, 09:02:17 AM
Quote from: Josquius on December 17, 2022, 02:28:44 PMI guess Morocco tried?

Yes, they did. So did Croatia, oddly enough.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 18, 2022, 10:03:57 AM
Let's go France!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on December 18, 2022, 10:26:50 AM
I've no preference; so may the best team win.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on December 18, 2022, 10:39:24 AM
God damn, Argentina is making Coq au vin.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 18, 2022, 11:45:27 AM
Argentina was taking it for granted. Although France have not been playing well
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on December 18, 2022, 11:53:21 AM
France has great efficiency, two shots on target, two goals.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 18, 2022, 11:57:21 AM
Does that not count as a back pass to the goalie?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 18, 2022, 12:04:33 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 18, 2022, 11:45:27 AMArgentina was taking it for granted. Although France have not been playing well

They did not really play for 75-80 minutes.
Then les Bleus woke up. :hmm:

Bad refereeing so far, as well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 18, 2022, 12:05:43 PM
Oh my this has been one of the all-time great finals
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 18, 2022, 12:06:59 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 18, 2022, 12:04:33 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 18, 2022, 11:45:27 AMArgentina was taking it for granted. Although France have not been playing well

They did not really play for 75-80 minutes.
Then les Bleus woke up. :hmm:

Bad refereeing so far, as well.

Argentina wasn't expecting a penalty against them. Goes against the theme of this world cup lol
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 18, 2022, 12:24:39 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 18, 2022, 12:06:59 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 18, 2022, 12:04:33 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 18, 2022, 11:45:27 AMArgentina was taking it for granted. Although France have not been playing well

They did not really play for 75-80 minutes.
Then les Bleus woke up. :hmm:

Bad refereeing so far, as well.

Argentina wasn't expecting a penalty against them. Goes against the theme of this world cup lol

That's what I referred to bad referreing, and you know it.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 18, 2022, 12:26:43 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 18, 2022, 12:24:39 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 18, 2022, 12:06:59 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 18, 2022, 12:04:33 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 18, 2022, 11:45:27 AMArgentina was taking it for granted. Although France have not been playing well

They did not really play for 75-80 minutes.
Then les Bleus woke up. :hmm:

Bad refereeing so far, as well.

Argentina wasn't expecting a penalty against them. Goes against the theme of this world cup lol

That's what I referred to bad referreing, and you know it.  :P

He stepped on his leg. If the first one was a penalty then that one was too :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 18, 2022, 12:28:31 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 18, 2022, 12:26:43 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 18, 2022, 12:24:39 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 18, 2022, 12:06:59 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 18, 2022, 12:04:33 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 18, 2022, 11:45:27 AMArgentina was taking it for granted. Although France have not been playing well

They did not really play for 75-80 minutes.
Then les Bleus woke up. :hmm:

Bad refereeing so far, as well.

Argentina wasn't expecting a penalty against them. Goes against the theme of this world cup lol

That's what I referred to bad referreing, and you know it.  :P

He stepped on his leg. If the first one was a penalty then that one was too :P
Big If. ;) Since the first was far from obvious. :*ahem* :D As most of those.

Argentina recovered from their downturn and dominated the OT.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 18, 2022, 12:30:25 PM
Stupid messi lol
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 18, 2022, 12:34:34 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 18, 2022, 12:30:25 PMStupid messi lol

Romário reference? :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 18, 2022, 12:37:31 PM
Entertaining final
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 18, 2022, 12:38:00 PM
One of the best WC finals
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 18, 2022, 12:39:48 PM
Genuinely one of the greats. Incredible. Qatar did it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 18, 2022, 12:40:22 PM
Fitting final to a great World Cup
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 18, 2022, 12:41:14 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 18, 2022, 12:39:48 PMGenuinely one of the greats. Incredible. Qatar did it.

We should have more winter cups in deserts :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 18, 2022, 12:45:34 PM
Penalties is a shit way to resolve it, but best final ever
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 18, 2022, 12:46:36 PM
Great final for sure. As for Qatar, jost
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 18, 2022, 12:39:48 PMGenuinely one of the greats. Incredible. Qatar did it.

Not as a host out of the group phase. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: miozozny on December 18, 2022, 12:46:44 PM
Quote from: Maladict on December 18, 2022, 12:45:34 PMPenalties is a shit way to resolve it, but best final ever
Yeah, a golden goal would have fitted this game
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 18, 2022, 12:49:19 PM
Quote from: miozozny on December 18, 2022, 12:46:44 PM
Quote from: Maladict on December 18, 2022, 12:45:34 PMPenalties is a shit way to resolve it, but best final ever
Yeah, a golden goal would have fitted this game

Well, no actually. Tried before.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 18, 2022, 12:51:14 PM
Will Lloris stop a penalty?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 18, 2022, 12:52:37 PM
2006 again?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 18, 2022, 12:53:36 PM
Best outcome for Qatar. Won't be the corrupt world cup now, it's Messi's world cup
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 18, 2022, 12:56:01 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 18, 2022, 12:53:36 PMBest outcome for Qatar. Won't be the corrupt world cup now, it's Messi's world cup

Alternatively, the end of « la chatte à Dédé ».  Not enough, need to play more and earlier.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 18, 2022, 12:56:40 PM
Suck it, Ronaldo
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 18, 2022, 12:57:28 PM
Quote from: Maladict on December 18, 2022, 12:56:40 PMSuck it, Ronaldo

:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 18, 2022, 12:57:39 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 18, 2022, 12:49:19 PM
Quote from: miozozny on December 18, 2022, 12:46:44 PM
Quote from: Maladict on December 18, 2022, 12:45:34 PMPenalties is a shit way to resolve it, but best final ever
Yeah, a golden goal would have fitted this game

Well, no actually. Tried before.

I prefer golden goal straight after regular time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 18, 2022, 01:00:17 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 18, 2022, 12:57:28 PM
Quote from: Maladict on December 18, 2022, 12:56:40 PMSuck it, Penaldo!

Pessi won!

:lol:

Fixed!

Not that beating France on a final is unknown to him.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Legbiter on December 18, 2022, 01:00:42 PM
What a finale. :ccr
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 18, 2022, 01:01:32 PM
Quote from: Maladict on December 18, 2022, 12:57:39 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 18, 2022, 12:49:19 PM
Quote from: miozozny on December 18, 2022, 12:46:44 PM
Quote from: Maladict on December 18, 2022, 12:45:34 PMPenalties is a shit way to resolve it, but best final ever
Yeah, a golden goal would have fitted this game

Well, no actually. Tried before.

I prefer golden goal straight after regular time.

Benefited France in a major tournament, so no.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 18, 2022, 01:02:17 PM
Incredible. We witnessed a world historical event. Our grandchildren will ask us about this game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 18, 2022, 01:07:06 PM
Feel obliged since Martinez used to be Arsenal's keeper.

https://twitter.com/AAllenSport/status/1604535728909606913?t=V-r6jGmrBdQLs39GlGrTzg&s=19
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 18, 2022, 01:08:39 PM
Quote from: Maladict on December 18, 2022, 12:56:40 PMSuck it, Ronaldo

Ronaldo in tears right now, genuinely he must feel like the world is crashing down on him
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 18, 2022, 01:10:57 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 18, 2022, 01:08:39 PM
Quote from: Maladict on December 18, 2022, 12:56:40 PMSuck it, Ronaldo

Ronaldo in tears right now, genuinely he must feel like the world is crashing down on him

So sad
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 18, 2022, 01:23:27 PM
A good match.

A question comes to mind though. The Argentine keeper was being an unsporting cunt during pens and got a yellow card.
What would happen if a keeper gets sent off here?

Also

1: Wtf was with messis penalty.
2: wow. That Arab guy behind macron looked bored.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on December 18, 2022, 01:49:16 PM
I'm not sure why you guys are saying it was the best final. France played like shit the whole game. Croatia Morocco was a better game.

It would have been a real shame if France won after playing worse than England, worse than Morocco and way worse than Argentina.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 18, 2022, 02:01:50 PM
Just gotta ignore the first 85 minutes :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on December 18, 2022, 02:26:54 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on December 18, 2022, 01:49:16 PMI'm not sure why you guys are saying it was the best final. France played like shit the whole game. Croatia Morocco was a better game.

It would have been a real shame if France won after playing worse than England, worse than Morocco and way worse than Argentina.

Finals are usually quite boring. This one definitely was not.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 18, 2022, 02:33:33 PM
France Italy was better but this was a good final.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 18, 2022, 03:04:43 PM
Quote from: Maladict on December 18, 2022, 02:26:54 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on December 18, 2022, 01:49:16 PMI'm not sure why you guys are saying it was the best final. France played like shit the whole game. Croatia Morocco was a better game.

It would have been a real shame if France won after playing worse than England, worse than Morocco and way worse than Argentina.

Finals are usually quite boring. This one definitely was not.

Yeah, as far as finals are concerned, this was way above average.

Chuffed for Leo, pity that he finally got his WC when he's no longer with us.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 18, 2022, 03:07:58 PM
Chuffed?  First time hearing that.

That Mbappe goal was pretty.

Shootouts are always pretty anticlimactic for me.  Sort of like deciding who won based on a coin toss.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 18, 2022, 03:11:38 PM
Also an open question. Those awards at the end (lol at Mbappe. Hard to have sympathy after his comments)...what if the eg golden boot winner wasn't in the final?

Quote from: Zoupa on December 18, 2022, 01:49:16 PMI'm not sure why you guys are saying it was the best final. France played like shit the whole game. Croatia Morocco was a better game.

It would have been a real shame if France won after playing worse than England, worse than Morocco and way worse than Argentina.

First half sure. Second half however France were back at their best.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 18, 2022, 03:13:43 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 18, 2022, 02:01:50 PMJust gotta ignore the first 85 80 minutes :D

Fixed! Stop exaggerating, Mbappé scored on the 80th.  :contract:  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 18, 2022, 03:14:41 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 18, 2022, 03:07:58 PMShootouts are always pretty anticlimactic for me.  Sort of like deciding who won based on a coin toss.

The coin toss used to exist; I'd rather have the penalty shootout.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 18, 2022, 03:17:43 PM
Quote from: Josquius on December 18, 2022, 03:11:38 PMAlso an open question. Those awards at the end (lol at Mbappe. Hard to have sympathy after his comments)...what if the eg golden boot winner wasn't in the final?

It's happened pretty often, there's just no ceremony in that case. Harry Kane was already back in England when he won it in 2018, for example.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 18, 2022, 05:45:45 PM
Well, that was a world cup. It was a game of football.

The legend Andres Cantor with the final call:
https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1604569640092413952?t=i9UAqgpnLeis_Y8DrwCp3w&s=19

:cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 18, 2022, 05:56:24 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on December 18, 2022, 01:49:16 PMI'm not sure why you guys are saying it was the best final. France played like shit the whole game. Croatia Morocco was a better game.

It would have been a real shame if France won after playing worse than England, worse than Morocco and way worse than Argentina.

I think this speaks a bit to how I feel about it. France was not as good as they were in 2018, I didn't think they would be back in the final. They hadn't played well in the run up to the World Cup. But for whatever reason they were able to turn it on when they needed to and found ways to win. The goal of this game is not to look the prettiest but to score more goals than your opponent after all.

France played as well as they could and went farther than I thought they would. And if they are going to lose I vastly prefer it to be an American team and not Italy or some shit.

Hopefully they come over here and win it in 2026.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on December 18, 2022, 05:57:23 PM
Notice I very strategically did not post in this match. You guys are making me superstitious  :lol:  :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 19, 2022, 07:57:59 AM
Quote from: Valmy on December 18, 2022, 05:57:23 PMNotice I very strategically did not post in this match. You guys are making me superstitious  :lol:  :ph34r:

A brilliant effort, yet not enough.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on December 20, 2022, 05:14:03 PM
Argentina being super dignified in victory

(https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article28783028.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_FkcYt7iXoAITJRg.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 20, 2022, 05:36:02 PM
Salty much?  :P

The guys are celebrating, it's not as if they're in an official reception or anything. Besides, it's summer down there.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 20, 2022, 05:38:48 PM
Btw, is there an official team of the tournament? I've only seen individual awards (ecept for England's Fair Play award, that is).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 20, 2022, 05:41:05 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on December 20, 2022, 05:14:03 PMArgentina being super dignified in victory

(https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article28783028.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_FkcYt7iXoAITJRg.jpg)

 :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on December 20, 2022, 05:46:08 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 20, 2022, 05:36:02 PMSalty much?  :P

The guys are celebrating, it's not as if they're in an official reception or anything. Besides, it's summer down there.

I don't care how they're dressed. I'm pointing out that their goalie is holding a baby doll with Mbappé's face taped on.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 20, 2022, 06:44:26 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on December 20, 2022, 05:46:08 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 20, 2022, 05:36:02 PMSalty much?  :P

The guys are celebrating, it's not as if they're in an official reception or anything. Besides, it's summer down there.

I don't care how they're dressed. I'm pointing out that their goalie is holding a baby doll with Mbappé's face taped on.

He spent like 8 years at Arsenal btw  :menace:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on December 20, 2022, 06:56:33 PM
Oh he's a good goalie, just seems like an asshole with his antics.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on December 20, 2022, 06:57:58 PM
I mean he had to go get the ball from his nets 4 times from mbappe shots in 1 game... Not sure this is the flex he thinks it is.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 20, 2022, 07:35:29 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on December 20, 2022, 06:57:58 PMI mean he had to go get the ball from his nets 4 times from mbappe shots in 1 game... Not sure this is the flex he thinks it is.

Yeah keepers tend to be either really cocky or really crazy and Martinez definitely tends to the former.

And I agree that he isn't really a top goalkeeper. He's good at shot stopping but his distribution isn't great and he tends to have a moment every few games where he basically throws it in his own net. He had a purple patch in his last season at Arsenal where he helped win the FA Cup and then had one good season at Villa but has since been pretty mediocre.

But he is a literal god at penalties and always has been. :pope:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 20, 2022, 07:37:09 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on December 20, 2022, 05:46:08 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 20, 2022, 05:36:02 PMSalty much?  :P

The guys are celebrating, it's not as if they're in an official reception or anything. Besides, it's summer down there.

I don't care how they're dressed. I'm pointing out that their goalie is holding a baby doll with Mbappé's face taped on.

Tbh, I didn't really catch that on first sight. In any case, as mentioned, it's sportsmen celebrating, they're not going to be subdued, and definitely Emi Martínez is not going to be subdued.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 20, 2022, 07:39:24 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 20, 2022, 07:35:29 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on December 20, 2022, 06:57:58 PMI mean he had to go get the ball from his nets 4 times from mbappe shots in 1 game... Not sure this is the flex he thinks it is.

Yeah keepers tend to be either really cocky or really crazy and Martinez definitely tends to the former.

And I agree that he isn't really a top goalkeeper. He's good at shot stopping but his distribution isn't great and he tends to have a moment every few games where he basically throws it in his own net. He had a purple patch in his last season at Arsenal where he helped win the FA Cup and then had one good season at Villa but has since been pretty mediocre.

But he is a literal god at penalties and always has been. :pope:

The guy definitely chose the best moment of his career to be in top notch form. I mean, he spent years and years chaining subpar loan after subpar loan, and has only been a regular starter for the last few seasons when he was already pushing 30.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 20, 2022, 07:40:09 PM
I mean he's also the guy who did this on the podium Sunday:

(https://i2-prod.walesonline.co.uk/incoming/article25784401.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/0_Argentina-v-France-FIFA-World-Cup-2022-Final-Lusail-Stadium.jpg)

:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 20, 2022, 07:43:31 PM
Quote from: The Larch on December 20, 2022, 07:39:24 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 20, 2022, 07:35:29 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on December 20, 2022, 06:57:58 PMI mean he had to go get the ball from his nets 4 times from mbappe shots in 1 game... Not sure this is the flex he thinks it is.

Yeah keepers tend to be either really cocky or really crazy and Martinez definitely tends to the former.

And I agree that he isn't really a top goalkeeper. He's good at shot stopping but his distribution isn't great and he tends to have a moment every few games where he basically throws it in his own net. He had a purple patch in his last season at Arsenal where he helped win the FA Cup and then had one good season at Villa but has since been pretty mediocre.

But he is a literal god at penalties and always has been. :pope:

The guy definitely chose the best moment of his career to be in top notch form. I mean, he spent years and years chaining subpar loan after subpar loan, and has only been a regular starter for the last few seasons when he was already pushing 30.

Oh yeah, definitely. And I've always been a fan of him. I wanted Arsenal to keep him instead of Leno. But there were offers for him and Arsenal couldn't say no or give him the guarantees he wanted.

Some players just turn it on when they're playing for their country and he's one of them, too.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 20, 2022, 08:24:44 PM
I'm with Zoupa.  No class display.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on December 20, 2022, 09:05:55 PM
I don't expect class act behavior from football players off the pitch, and I komd of like it like that. As long as they aren't racists, violent abusers, or otherwise terrible I'm good. Taking the piss or being a bit uncouth  is perfectly fine.

I care more about sportsmanship on the pitch, though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 20, 2022, 10:08:46 PM
Athletes are role models.  Kids imitate their behavior.  I'd prefer a society in which you shake your opponents hand and say good game after you beat them than one in which you woof and piss on them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 21, 2022, 06:45:37 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 20, 2022, 07:40:09 PMI mean he's also the guy who did this on the podium Sunday:

(https://i2-prod.walesonline.co.uk/incoming/article25784401.ece/ALTERNATES/s615nce-FIFA-World-Cup-2022-Final-Lusail-Stadium.jpg)

:lol:

And got carded for kicking the ball away and fucking with the opposition during the shoot out.

He seems an absolute cunt who would be a nightmare to know in real life.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on December 21, 2022, 06:51:33 AM
Quote from: Josquius on December 21, 2022, 06:45:37 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 20, 2022, 07:40:09 PMI mean he's also the guy who did this on the podium Sunday:

(https://i2-prod.walesonline.co.uk/incoming/article25784401.ece/ALTERNATES/s615nce-FIFA-World-Cup-2022-Final-Lusail-Stadium.jpg)

:lol:

And got carded for kicking the ball away and fucking with the opposition during the shoot out.

During a penalty shootout I'd put that down to gamesmanship, mind games or whatever you want to call it.

QuoteHe seems an absolute cunt who would be a nightmare to know in real life.

Why? Because he gets carried away when celebrating the biggest success of his career? Come on.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on December 21, 2022, 08:00:43 AM
A reasonable amount of shithousery is the spice that makes football great, imho.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 21, 2022, 08:09:11 AM
Quote from: celedhring on December 21, 2022, 08:00:43 AMA reasonable amount of shithousery is the spice that makes football great, imho.
Yeah - I agree :ph34r:

Although I think it's a little weird for a goalkeeper to drag Mbppe given he didn't stop him getting a hat-trick :hmm: :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 21, 2022, 09:50:23 AM
I love the shithousery in football but I think, in general, it turns a lot of Americans off the sport.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 21, 2022, 11:34:14 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 21, 2022, 09:50:23 AMI love the shithousery in football but I think, in general, it turns a lot of Americans off the sport.

If Jordan had fans during his hay day then Americans can handle soccer player egos/asshatery :P

I'm the opposite  of jake, I can forgive most of the on field stuff and blame it on adrenaline or being in the moment. Off-field stuff takes some planing. I mean in this case he bought a doll, printed out a face, and taped it on. It was a multi step process and not once did he think it might be over the top.

I think it also depends on who one supports.  If Argentina lost and pepe carried around a lifesized* Messi baby doll people would take it differently.

*because Messi's  tiny :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 21, 2022, 12:33:13 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 21, 2022, 11:34:14 AMIf Jordan had fans during his hay day then Americans can handle soccer player egos/asshatery :P

What kinds of things are you talking about?  I can't think of times when he mocked opposing players after beating them.  And I certainly never saw him bailing hay.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on December 21, 2022, 12:39:58 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 20, 2022, 10:08:46 PMAthletes are role models.  Kids imitate their behavior.  I'd prefer a society in which you shake your opponents hand and say good game after you beat them than one in which you woof and piss on them.

This, by the way, is what makes hockey awesome.  Hockey players can beat the ever-loving shit out of each other in a seven game series, then line up and shake hands once it's over.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 21, 2022, 02:01:09 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 21, 2022, 11:34:14 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 21, 2022, 09:50:23 AMI love the shithousery in football but I think, in general, it turns a lot of Americans off the sport.

If Jordan had fans during his hay day then Americans can handle soccer player egos/asshatery :P

I'm the opposite  of jake, I can forgive most of the on field stuff and blame it on adrenaline or being in the moment. Off-field stuff takes some planing. I mean in this case he bought a doll, printed out a face, and taped it on. It was a multi step process and not once did he think it might be over the top.

I think it also depends on who one supports.  If Argentina lost and pepe carried around a lifesized* Messi baby doll people would take it differently.

*because Messi's  tiny :P

Largely agreed.
Though even on field I'd differentiate between spur of the moment split second decisions and gamesmanship.
Everyone loses their cool and acts inappropriately sometimes. This guy is a cunt.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 21, 2022, 02:47:11 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 21, 2022, 12:33:13 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 21, 2022, 11:34:14 AMIf Jordan had fans during his hay day then Americans can handle soccer player egos/asshatery :P

What kinds of things are you talking about?  I can't think of times when he mocked opposing players after beating them.  And I certainly never saw him bailing hay.  :P

Maybe I know too much about his personality now and I'm projecting backwards :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 30, 2022, 07:53:14 AM
Adeus, Rei. :(

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-64125254 (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-64125254)

Pelé is no more, quite predictably, given the last few days.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 30, 2022, 08:20:40 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 30, 2022, 07:53:14 AMAdeus, Rei. :(

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-64125254 (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-64125254)

Pelé is no more, quite predictably, given the last few days.

QuoteBrazil's government has declared three days of national mourning.

A country with its priorities straight :lol: :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 30, 2022, 08:47:44 AM
Quote from: Josquius on December 30, 2022, 08:20:40 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 30, 2022, 07:53:14 AMAdeus, Rei. :(

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-64125254 (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-64125254)

Pelé is no more, quite predictably, given the last few days.

QuoteBrazil's government has declared three days of national mourning.

A country with its priorities straight :lol: :(

Well, it improved over the years. Years ago, an early send-off from a World Cup resulted in three days of mourning.
Still, Brazil could only do something very special and original since shooting oneself in the foot is best left to Brits.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on December 30, 2022, 05:34:14 PM
That Real Madrid penalty was the least penalty-like situation awarded a penalty that I have ever seen.

Not sure why I am surprised though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 31, 2022, 09:02:45 PM
Arsenal top of the league at new years and now 7 points clear. Decent year I'd say.

Maybe 2023 will be even better  :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on January 01, 2023, 02:53:10 AM
I predict a spectacular crash out of European position in the next few months.

Or rather, I hope. How the fuck are you scoring so much.  :mad:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 01, 2023, 04:45:09 AM
Man Utd and Spurs really need to pull their fingers out.
The horse punchers cannot be allowed in the CL.


And oh balls. What I feared given evertons season has come to pass and they've recalled simms. He was doing really well for Sunderland.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 01, 2023, 11:27:36 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on January 01, 2023, 02:53:10 AMI predict a spectacular crash out of European position in the next few months.

Or rather, I hope. How the fuck are you scoring so much.  :mad:

 :console:

Sorry about getting Good Ebening'ed by former Arsenal manager Unai Emery and his plucky Aston Villa.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on January 02, 2023, 02:20:33 PM
QuoteFifa's Infantino will ask every country to name stadium in honour of Pelé
Fifa president makes comment while in Brazil for Pelé's funeral
Rio de Janeiro halted plans to name Maracanã after Pelé in 2021

Fifa will ask every country in the world to name a stadium in honour of Pelé, its president, Gianni Infantino, said on Monday.

Pelé, the Brazil great who won the World Cup three times and scored more than 1,000 goals, died last Thursday aged 82.

Infantino, who is in Brazil for Pelé's funeral, told local reporters: "We're going to ask every country in the world to name one of their football stadiums with the name of Pelé."

In April 2021 Rio de Janeiro abandoned plans to name the famous Maracanã stadium after Pelé after it was vetoed by the state governor.

Pelé's coffin was placed inside the Vila Belmiro stadium in Santos on Monday, the home ground of the club where he spent virtually his entire career.

Infantino released a statement on the day of Pelé's death which began: "For everyone who loves the beautiful game, this is the day we never wanted to come. The day we lost Pelé."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on January 03, 2023, 01:00:56 AM
Narrator: No country named a stadium after Pele.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on January 03, 2023, 09:06:00 AM
Quote from: Zanza on January 03, 2023, 01:00:56 AMNarrator: No country named a stadium after Pele.

But happily, several named kindergardens after Infantino to 'honour' him.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on January 03, 2023, 02:45:59 PM
It seems that not only Russia has the UK as an international boogeyman.

QuoteIranian sports minister accuses UK of 'sedition plot at World Cup'
Tehran parliament told plan was for national football team to defect on pitch in Qatar but plot was foiled

The UK was plotting for the Iranian national football team to defect on the pitch at the World Cup in Qatar, the minister of sport and youth has told the Iranian parliament, without providing any evidence.

The sports minister, Hamid Sajjadi, told MPs the country's enemies had attempted "the height of sedition". He said the "Old Fox", by which he meant the UK, had planned for Iran's players to walk off the pitch at specified moments and seek to defect.

Sajjadi claimed the Iranian authorities had foiled the plot. He was willing to substantiate his claims in a private session, in what appears to have been part of a failed attempt to stave off an MPs' vote of censure for the state of the national game, after the team was knocked out of the World Cup at the group stage.

Many prominent Iranian footballers have been subjected to harassment by state security services for supporting the protests that have swept the country, but this was the first time a minister claimed there was a plot to subvert the Islamic Republic on the pitch at the tournament.

His remarks came as an Iranian chess player, Sara Khadem, arrived in Spain on Tuesday after receiving what a source close to her said were warnings not to return to Iran after competing without a hijab at an international tournament in Kazakhstan.

Khadem, born in 1997, took part in last week's FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships, in Almaty, Kazakhstan, without wearing a hijab, the mandatory headscarf under Iran's dress codes.

The source, who did not want to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter, said Khadem subsequently received multiple phone calls in which individuals warned her against returning home after the tournament, while others said she should go back, promising to "solve her problem".

The sports minister's claims, for which there is no evidence, underline the atmosphere of paranoia that surrounded the men's national team at the World Cup as many of the players struggled with conflicting pressures from protesters and officials.

The claims did not stop him from being censured by the parliament, which accused of him of allowing foreign-based players and coaches to be given massive salaries.

Over the past three months a number of Iranian footballers have been publicly threatened and harassed by the authorities. The former Iran national captain Ali Karimi was forced to flee the country after he expressed support for the protesters on social media, and all his properties and assets in Iran were confiscated by the order of the judiciary. The football manager Ali Daei has also been banned from leaving Iran.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on January 03, 2023, 03:02:39 PM
Iran with a little more recent justification.

There's a famous novel and TV series there (I think banned by the Islamic Republic) called "My Uncle Napoleon" where uncle Napoleon basically sees every struggle, minor frustration or problem in his life as being because of a British plot :ph34r:

Edit: It's also one of those ideas where, because the UK is particularly devious/perfidious in using others to advance its interests, that the weaker it becomes the more evidence it is of the British deviousness :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 03, 2023, 06:28:49 PM
Lampard surely has to go. Sheilbh?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on January 09, 2023, 10:17:42 AM
Gareth Bale has just announced his retirement.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on January 09, 2023, 11:39:04 AM
Portugal has appointed Roberto Martínez as manager, my condolences to Duque.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on January 09, 2023, 02:07:00 PM
Quote from: celedhring on January 09, 2023, 11:39:04 AMPortugal has appointed Roberto Martínez as manager, my condolences to Duque.

Did not expect that one though I obviously wanted some change, Fernando Santos overstayed his welcome but he will be remembered positively.

Obrigado. I have already received condolences from Belgians as well. Makes Fernando Santos look like a success, which he had in the beginning at least, unlike Roberto Martínez, nicknamed disparagingly El Táctico in Belgium. Time for O Táctico I guess, 3-4-3 here we go! Pity Dias has lost his level Pepe is on the way out and Danilo more of a 6 these days.  :hmm:

Seems like a panic choice by the FPF until a big Portuguese name is available or do they want a foreigner to get rid of some aging players?

André Villas Boas not god enough for them?  :hmm: I know most coaches would rather go for lucrative deals even in minor leagues or just make money around but not in football (hello Jardim) but still.

You had it coming celedhring  :P

(https://static.globalnoticias.pt/oj/image.jpg?brand=OJ&type=generate&guid=400e218c-4aa9-4ace-97f8-500c07f74c52&t=20230109182427)

If you complain, you'll get a Portuguese summary of his press conference.  :D

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on January 13, 2023, 07:44:29 AM
Man City's Mendy cleared of 6 of his rape charges and 1 of sexual assault. He still has two further rape charges pending in a different trial.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on January 13, 2023, 08:04:36 AM
I am so bloody furious Chelsea fired Tuchel. I really liked the guy. I hope whichever of the players sabotaged his reign are now happy being run into the ground by a Championship level coach.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on January 13, 2023, 08:12:57 AM
Care to swap? :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on January 13, 2023, 09:16:20 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on January 13, 2023, 08:12:57 AMCare to swap? :ph34r:

 :lol:

No thanks. Although we might still battle it out for relegation, at this rate.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on January 13, 2023, 09:42:32 AM
Hey, anybody wants to take Xavi off our hands?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on January 13, 2023, 11:34:19 AM
Quote from: celedhring on January 13, 2023, 09:42:32 AMHey, anybody wants to take Xavi off our hands?


Already tired of him?  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on January 13, 2023, 11:42:28 AM
Quote from: The Larch on January 13, 2023, 11:34:19 AM
Quote from: celedhring on January 13, 2023, 09:42:32 AMHey, anybody wants to take Xavi off our hands?


Already tired of him?  :lol:

I've seen enough.

But yeah, the chances of us stumbling upon a better manager are pretty slim.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 14, 2023, 07:53:08 PM
Turns out Mikel Arteta was the best of the bunch of young managers. 
:nelson:

It will feel really bad when Todd Boehly throws money at him to manage Chelsea in the summer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 15, 2023, 09:08:49 PM
Super Mik Arteta's tricky reds have conquered Tottenham, doing the double on them this season. Now Arsenal are 8 points clear of City at the top. Home to United next.

Personally, I still don't think they'll win the title, so I'm just enjoying the ride while the riding is good.
:bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 16, 2023, 03:01:06 AM
Fulhams penalty yesterday was bizzare, never seen the like. So unlucky.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on January 16, 2023, 03:24:25 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 15, 2023, 09:08:49 PMSuper Mik Arteta's tricky reds have conquered Tottenham, doing the double on them this season. Now Arsenal are 8 points clear of City at the top. Home to United next.

Personally, I still don't think they'll win the title, so I'm just enjoying the ride while the riding is good.
:bowler:

I think Arsenal look great and I see no signs of them fading. Man City look really out of sorts at present, particularly defensively.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 16, 2023, 06:55:04 AM
Quote from: Gups on January 16, 2023, 03:24:25 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 15, 2023, 09:08:49 PMSuper Mik Arteta's tricky reds have conquered Tottenham, doing the double on them this season. Now Arsenal are 8 points clear of City at the top. Home to United next.

Personally, I still don't think they'll win the title, so I'm just enjoying the ride while the riding is good.
:bowler:

I think Arsenal look great and I see no signs of them fading. Man City look really out of sorts at present, particularly defensively.

I think Man C. are focussed on Champions League now. I think they'll win that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 16, 2023, 12:05:42 PM
Quote from: Gups on January 16, 2023, 03:24:25 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 15, 2023, 09:08:49 PMSuper Mik Arteta's tricky reds have conquered Tottenham, doing the double on them this season. Now Arsenal are 8 points clear of City at the top. Home to United next.

Personally, I still don't think they'll win the title, so I'm just enjoying the ride while the riding is good.
:bowler:

I think Arsenal look great and I see no signs of them fading. Man City look really out of sorts at present, particularly defensively.

I do think Arsenal are the best team in England right now but the bench is so thin it could be their undoing.

As a post-invincible Arsenal fan I'm used to disappointment so I am expecting another big injury crisis and falling away in the spring. BUT I admit I did fall asleep last night dreaming of the day we win the league in May.

Tears in my eyes  :cry:  :cry:  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on January 17, 2023, 01:41:19 AM
From Reddit. A 1980s Sears catalog with NASL replica jerseys.  :cool:

(https://i.redd.it/x5v3yevyxica1.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on January 17, 2023, 01:52:57 AM
New England tea men? Those guys sound tough :D

Guess this was a time before all the teams wanted to sound European?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on January 17, 2023, 02:16:27 AM
I assume at the time European club names and their naming conventions were even less household knowledge than they're now. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 17, 2023, 04:06:00 AM
San Diego Sockers. :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on January 17, 2023, 08:37:39 AM
Washington Dips is really something.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on January 17, 2023, 09:58:35 AM
I remember the ASL having some really silly names too.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Professional_Soccer_League

All the variants of European names are a bit boring.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 17, 2023, 11:31:48 AM
Quote from: HVC on January 17, 2023, 01:52:57 AMNew England tea men? Those guys sound tough :D

Guess this was a time before all the teams wanted to sound European?

Exactly...when they wanted it to be American with six points for a win plus one point for each goal up to 3.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 17, 2023, 11:36:16 AM
I've never quite liked either the American-style team names or the new practice of copying European club names. Neither feel right to me.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on January 17, 2023, 12:14:41 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 17, 2023, 11:36:16 AMI've never quite liked either the American-style team names or the new practice of copying European club names. Neither feel right to me.

Agreed. I don't know what you go for when creating a new team. Presumably under a franchise system you can't just use the name of the city.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on January 17, 2023, 12:25:11 PM
Quote from: Gups on January 17, 2023, 12:14:41 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 17, 2023, 11:36:16 AMI've never quite liked either the American-style team names or the new practice of copying European club names. Neither feel right to me.

Agreed. I don't know what you go for when creating a new team. Presumably under a franchise system you can't just use the name of the city.

I think it more that you need something you can trademark.  "City Name" thus doesn't work.

Yeah personally I don't care for Euro-style team names in North America like Toronto FC or D.C. United, but I guess that's where the market is these days.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on January 17, 2023, 12:31:48 PM
And then the teams wonder why the MLS isn't making more money.  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on January 17, 2023, 12:42:24 PM
Quote from: Gups on January 17, 2023, 12:14:41 PMAgreed. I don't know what you go for when creating a new team. Presumably under a franchise system you can't just use the name of the city.

I think those original names - once they've been around for a while - become legitimate enough. The Vancouver Whitecaps, Portland Timbers, and Seattle Sounders are all around still and those names have accreted enough history that they're real and solid IMO. Sure, they're North American sounding, but they're in North America. They're no more off to my ears than the L.A. Lakers or Winnipeg Jets are in other sports.

I agree that things like DC United or Toronto FC are kind of weak names. It's not like DC United was formed by combining different clubs (I don't think. If it was, then it's legit). Similarly, Toronto FC is not a football club, it's a football franchise.

... hmm... maybe it should be Toronto FF. Which would open the possibility of clubs like FF Seattle, or FFS for short :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on January 17, 2023, 12:50:24 PM
Quote from: Jacob on January 17, 2023, 12:42:24 PMI agree that things like DC United or Toronto FC are kind of weak names. It's not like DC United was formed by combining different clubs (I don't think. If it was, then it's legit). Similarly, Toronto FC is not a football club, it's a football franchise.

... hmm... maybe it should be Toronto FF. Which would open the possibility of clubs like FF Seattle, or FFS for short :hmm:

I googled DC United before I name-dropped them.  Nope - just named to sound like a Euro team such as Man U.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on January 17, 2023, 12:54:52 PM
CF (Club de Foot) Montréal is not exactly better than Impact de Montréal, as well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on January 17, 2023, 12:58:22 PM
What was the reason for switching to Euro-style names? To appeal to the football hipster crowd?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on January 17, 2023, 01:10:18 PM
Quote from: celedhring on January 17, 2023, 12:58:22 PMWhat was the reason for switching to Euro-style names? To appeal to the football hipster crowd?

I don't think it's appealing to football hipsters - who'd probably be okay with old names, but rather to appeal to people who want a bit of the glamour of top tier Euro football but without any knowledge of it.

Basically, football hipsters would be fully aware of the poseur-qualities of calling clubs "FC" or "United" when they aren't.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on January 17, 2023, 01:20:40 PM
Quote from: celedhring on January 17, 2023, 12:58:22 PMWhat was the reason for switching to Euro-style names? To appeal to the football hipster crowd?

Of course.  To try and appeal to existing soccer fans who already cheer for Euro teams, but to give them a home team to cheer for.

It goes back to the founding of MLS back in the 90s.  Some of the older teams that survived from earlier leagues kept their NAm-style names, like the Vancouver Whitecaps, the large majority have contrived, Euro-style names.

Looking at a list - one of the worst contenders might be Real Salt Lake, which is neither Spanish, nor has any connection to royalty.

I'm up on the air with the former team Chivas USA, which was meant to be the 'little brother' to the Mexican team Chivas de Guadalajara, and had common ownership.  The team ultimately folded in 2014.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on January 17, 2023, 01:24:42 PM
Quote from: Barrister on January 17, 2023, 01:20:40 PMLooking at a list - one of the worst contenders might be Real Salt Lake, which is neither Spanish, nor has any connection to royalty.

It's obviously to distinguish it from Fake Salt Lake and Imitation Salt Lake.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on January 17, 2023, 01:30:32 PM
Quote from: Barrister on January 17, 2023, 01:20:40 PMLooking at a list - one of the worst contenders might be Real Salt Lake, which is neither Spanish, nor has any connection to royalty.

It's either them or Inter Miami :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on January 17, 2023, 01:35:17 PM
Quote from: Barrister on January 17, 2023, 01:20:40 PMI'm up on the air with the former team Chivas USA, which was meant to be the 'little brother' to the Mexican team Chivas de Guadalajara, and had common ownership.  The team ultimately folded in 2014.

In that way it's funny how the two New York teams belong to larger international groups, one to the City group and another one to the Red Bull group.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on January 17, 2023, 01:38:00 PM
Quote from: Syt on January 17, 2023, 01:30:32 PM
Quote from: Barrister on January 17, 2023, 01:20:40 PMLooking at a list - one of the worst contenders might be Real Salt Lake, which is neither Spanish, nor has any connection to royalty.

It's either them or Inter Miami :D

Inter Miami CF.  :P

Full name (just checked it): Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 17, 2023, 01:41:58 PM
When MLS first started out, it still retained the North American sounding names. So you had New England Revolution, Kansas City Wizards (yikes), Dallas Burn (yikes squared) and San Jose Clash (no really).

Thankfully reason prevailed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on January 17, 2023, 01:44:38 PM
Quote from: Josephus on January 17, 2023, 01:41:58 PMWhen MLS first started out, it still retained the North American sounding names. So you had New England Revolution, Kansas City Wizards (yikes), Dallas Burn (yikes squared) and San Jose Clash (no really).

Thankfully reason prevailed.

The Tampa Bay Mutiny!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on January 17, 2023, 01:46:36 PM
I personally don't mind the American style franchise names, they're certainly much more authentic than the faux-European style names more prevalent lately.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on January 17, 2023, 02:00:44 PM
Quote from: Josephus on January 17, 2023, 01:41:58 PMWhen MLS first started out, it still retained the North American sounding names. So you had New England Revolution, Kansas City Wizards (yikes), Dallas Burn (yikes squared) and San Jose Clash (no really).

Thankfully reason prevailed.

 :bash:  :bash:  :bash:  :bash:  :bash:  :bash:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on January 17, 2023, 02:03:33 PM
Quote from: The Larch on January 17, 2023, 01:38:00 PM
Quote from: Syt on January 17, 2023, 01:30:32 PM
Quote from: Barrister on January 17, 2023, 01:20:40 PMLooking at a list - one of the worst contenders might be Real Salt Lake, which is neither Spanish, nor has any connection to royalty.

It's either them or Inter Miami :D

Inter Miami CF.  :P

Full name (just checked it): Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami.

I dunno - can't really criticize them for using a spanish name in Miami, and it's as "international" as Milan is - they do play against Canadian teams, and have international players on their roster.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on January 17, 2023, 02:16:22 PM
There you have the answer - they changed the names to faux European names to appeal to folks like Josephus.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on January 17, 2023, 02:19:38 PM
Quote from: Jacob on January 17, 2023, 02:16:22 PMThere you have the answer - they changed the names to faux European names to appeal to folks like Josephus.

Now if only he would purchase season tickets.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on January 17, 2023, 02:42:47 PM
Quote from: Barrister on January 17, 2023, 02:03:33 PM
Quote from: The Larch on January 17, 2023, 01:38:00 PM
Quote from: Syt on January 17, 2023, 01:30:32 PM
Quote from: Barrister on January 17, 2023, 01:20:40 PMLooking at a list - one of the worst contenders might be Real Salt Lake, which is neither Spanish, nor has any connection to royalty.

It's either them or Inter Miami :D

Inter Miami CF.  :P

Full name (just checked it): Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami.

I dunno - can't really criticize them for using a spanish name in Miami, and it's as "international" as Milan is - they do play against Canadian teams, and have international players on their roster.

It's not like this is a new phenomenon. "Euro-style football names" are for the most part (not all) "English-style football names". We just aped them first. Give them years and they will start to feel less tacky.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on January 17, 2023, 03:21:57 PM
Quote from: celedhring on January 17, 2023, 02:42:47 PM
Quote from: Barrister on January 17, 2023, 02:03:33 PM
Quote from: The Larch on January 17, 2023, 01:38:00 PM
Quote from: Syt on January 17, 2023, 01:30:32 PM
Quote from: Barrister on January 17, 2023, 01:20:40 PMLooking at a list - one of the worst contenders might be Real Salt Lake, which is neither Spanish, nor has any connection to royalty.

It's either them or Inter Miami :D

Inter Miami CF.  :P

Full name (just checked it): Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami.

I dunno - can't really criticize them for using a spanish name in Miami, and it's as "international" as Milan is - they do play against Canadian teams, and have international players on their roster.

It's not like this is a new phenomenon. "Euro-style football names" are for the most part (not all) "English-style football names". We just aped them first. Give them years and they will start to feel less tacky.

But that's because many of those clubs were actually founded by English people. In fact many of the English-er names have not survived, as the clubs changed their names over time. For instance, AC Milan was founded as "Milan Foot-Ball and Cricket club".
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 17, 2023, 03:34:57 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on January 17, 2023, 02:19:38 PM
Quote from: Jacob on January 17, 2023, 02:16:22 PMThere you have the answer - they changed the names to faux European names to appeal to folks like Josephus.

Now if only he would purchase season tickets.

Nah...can't make all the games, so it would be a waste...but i do go to between 4-6 games a year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 17, 2023, 03:37:01 PM
It works both ways, though. So there's an American Football league in Europe., mostly in Germany.
Here are the team names:

the Berlin Thunder, Cologne Centurions, Frankfurt Galaxy, Hamburg Sea Devils, Leipzig Kings and Stuttgart Surge in Germany, and Barcelona Dragons in Spain.

So that league decided to adopt the American way of naming teams (kudos to Frankfurt Galaxy for lack of imagination on that one). They also went with English nicknames, so no Leipzig Konigs or Barcelona Dragones.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 17, 2023, 03:38:50 PM
Quote from: The Larch on January 17, 2023, 03:21:57 PMIt's not like this is a new phenomenon. "Euro-style football names" are for the most part (not all) "English-style football names". We just aped them first. Give them years and they will start to feel less tacky.

Interestingly about Milan, too, is that unlike Napoli, Torino, Roma, etc. they are Milan not Milano. This is because they were actually founded by an Englishman.

But that's because many of those clubs were actually founded by English people. In fact many of the English-er names have not survived, as the clubs changed their names over time. For instance, AC Milan was founded as "Milan Foot-Ball and Cricket club".
[/quote]
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on January 17, 2023, 03:45:55 PM
Quote from: Josephus on January 17, 2023, 03:38:50 PM
Quote from: The Larch on January 17, 2023, 03:21:57 PMIt's not like this is a new phenomenon. "Euro-style football names" are for the most part (not all) "English-style football names". We just aped them first. Give them years and they will start to feel less tacky.

Interestingly about Milan, too, is that unlike Napoli, Torino, Roma, etc. they are Milan not Milano. This is because they were actually founded by an Englishman.

But that's because many of those clubs were actually founded by English people. In fact many of the English-er names have not survived, as the clubs changed their names over time. For instance, AC Milan was founded as "Milan Foot-Ball and Cricket club".

Inter Milan(o) was founded as Football Club Internazionale, following the split with Milan Foot-Ball and Cricket club, to allow for international players.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on January 17, 2023, 03:50:21 PM
Quote from: The Larch on January 17, 2023, 03:21:57 PM
Quote from: celedhring on January 17, 2023, 02:42:47 PMIt's not like this is a new phenomenon. "Euro-style football names" are for the most part (not all) "English-style football names". We just aped them first. Give them years and they will start to feel less tacky.

But that's because many of those clubs were actually founded by English people. In fact many of the English-er names have not survived, as the clubs changed their names over time. For instance, AC Milan was founded as "Milan Foot-Ball and Cricket club".

Yes, and Fútbol Club Barcelona was born as Foot-Ball Club Barcelona, most of the time it's just adjusting the name to the local language, while retaining the English origin of the word.

I mean, I prefer the American-sounding names but what I mean is that these kind of naming loans are hardly a new thing. Exhibit #2: the Spanish gridiron footie league is made up of teams all bearing American-style names (some in local language, some in English).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on January 17, 2023, 03:56:51 PM
Pretty much all F.Cs, e.g Porto, from what I gather.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on January 17, 2023, 05:30:56 PM
A curious case is rugby, where in some places you have a mixture of traditional names with more modern ones created by rebranding when the sport became professional.

For instance, in the English Premiership, where all clubs have XIXth century roots, some of them as far back as the 1860s, you have some very traditional names (Harlequins Football Club, London Irish Rugby Football Club, Bath Rugby Club, Saracens Rugby Club...) and some rebrandings that go halfway between modern and traditional (Sale Sharks Rugby Union Football Club, popularly known just as Sale Sharks), some rebrandings that don't touch the official name (Exeter Rugby Club, popularly known as Exeter Chiefs; Bristol Rugby Club, popularly known as Bristol Bears) and others that went all the way (Newcastle Falcons).

In France, by contrast, all teams have only traditional names, AFAIK.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on January 17, 2023, 07:42:56 PM
Quote from: The Larch on January 17, 2023, 05:30:56 PMA curious case is rugby, where in some places you have a mixture of traditional names with more modern ones created by rebranding when the sport became professional.

For instance, in the English Premiership, where all clubs have XIXth century roots, some of them as far back as the 1860s, you have some very traditional names (Harlequins Football Club, London Irish Rugby Football Club, Bath Rugby Club, Saracens Rugby Club...) and some rebrandings that go halfway between modern and traditional (Sale Sharks Rugby Union Football Club, popularly known just as Sale Sharks), some rebrandings that don't touch the official name (Exeter Rugby Club, popularly known as Exeter Chiefs; Bristol Rugby Club, popularly known as Bristol Bears) and others that went all the way (Newcastle Falcons).

In France, by contrast, all teams have only traditional names, AFAIK.
There's a big division with League v Union. Rugby Union has those more traditional names (including in France).

But when there was a Super League an formed in Rugby League the clubs generally adopted odd NFL-ish names: Castleford Tigers (I can't spake), the Catalan Dragons (in Perpignan), Leeds Rhinos. Just did a quick check and it also look slike it's a thing in Australian Rugby League - the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, Brisbane Broncos etc.

When the Indian Premier League emerged, despite the name, it's very based on American style franchises (and a few Indian-American billionaires are now launching a cricket league in the US) and has those sorts of names too: Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals etc.

But it feels like a split between leagues/sports that look to the US for inspiration (franchises, closed leagues etc) v the old European model which has the pyramid and normally clubs from historic sporting associations. What feels weird is when someone tries to do it in the wrong tradition like Hull City Tigers or DC United.

QuoteBut that's because many of those clubs were actually founded by English people. In fact many of the English-er names have not survived, as the clubs changed their names over time. For instance, AC Milan was founded as "Milan Foot-Ball and Cricket club".
Lots of clubs in Latin America too - River Plate, Newell's Old Boys, Everton de Vina del Mar. If not founded by Brits then often inspired by the big club tours of Latin America that English clubs did in the early 20th century.

So I believe it's not clear if Everton de Vin del Mar was founded by British migrants in Valparaiso or if the name was just inspired by Everton's tour, then in Argentina, in 1909. Similarly Corinthians was a club founded by Brazilians just after Corinthian FC did a long stay in Brazil.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on January 17, 2023, 07:48:29 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on January 17, 2023, 07:42:56 PMI can't spake

Que?

I'm fine with MSL names like FC but like Beeb and others I think United and Real are stupid and insulting.

Salt Lake has a double whammy because they have the Jazz in the NBA.  SLC has to be the least jazziest city in the US.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on January 17, 2023, 08:01:40 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on January 17, 2023, 07:48:29 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on January 17, 2023, 07:42:56 PMI can't spake
Que?
Famous bit of commentary from a Castleford game (recently referenced in some darts commentary :lol:):
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on January 17, 2023, 08:10:41 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on January 17, 2023, 07:48:29 PMSalt Lake has a double whammy because they have the Jazz in the NBA.  SLC has to be the least jazziest city in the US.

NBA is odd in that teams seem to keep their names after moving.  Utah Jazz was the New Orleans Jazz.

Not many lakes near LA, nor many grizzlies near Memphis.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 17, 2023, 09:32:08 PM
Any cases of European football clubs upping sticks and moving to another town like American sports teams often do?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on January 17, 2023, 10:25:54 PM
Milton Keynes Dons FC moved from south London where they were known has Wimbledon FC in 2004.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on January 18, 2023, 12:23:30 AM
Arsenal are from south London. Fake north Londoners.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on January 18, 2023, 02:47:26 AM
Quote from: celedhring on January 17, 2023, 02:42:47 PMIt's not like this is a new phenomenon. "Euro-style football names" are for the most part (not all) "English-style football names". We just aped them first. Give them years and they will start to feel less tacky.

Not every country can have beautiful club initials like German.
VfL = Verein für Leibesübungen (e.g. VfL Bochum)
VfB = Verein für Ballsport (e.g. VfB Stuttgart)
Spvgg = Spielvereinigung (basically the equivalent of United, e.g. Unterhaching)
TSV = Turnsportverein (e.g. TSV 1860 München)
FC (Fußballclub) or SC (Sportclub) are pretty common, though. :P
(Plus some German specialties, e.g. Kaiserreich names like Borussia or Arminia, or former GDR names like Dynamo (=Stasi clubs) or Carl-Zeiss)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on January 18, 2023, 02:52:29 AM
P.S.: The oldest Austrian football club in Austria is the First Vienna Football Club (yes, it has an English name): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Vienna_FC

Hakoah Vienna sadly disbanded: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hakoah_Vienna
But there's a Maccabi Wien these days.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on January 18, 2023, 03:02:57 AM
Quote from: Syt on January 18, 2023, 02:47:26 AM
Quote from: celedhring on January 17, 2023, 02:42:47 PMIt's not like this is a new phenomenon. "Euro-style football names" are for the most part (not all) "English-style football names". We just aped them first. Give them years and they will start to feel less tacky.

Not every country can have beautiful club initials like German.
VfL = Verein für Leibesübungen (e.g. VfL Bochum)
VfB = Verein für Ballsport (e.g. VfB Stuttgart)
Spvgg = Spielvereinigung (basically the equivalent of United, e.g. Unterhaching)
TSV = Turnsportverein (e.g. TSV 1860 München)
FC (Fußballclub) or SC (Sportclub) are pretty common, though. :P
(Plus some German specialties, e.g. Kaiserreich names like Borussia or Arminia, or former GDR names like Dynamo (=Stasi clubs) or Carl-Zeiss)

Oh, I do love the quaint German football club names, the lower German leagues are always one of my favorite Football Manager saves.

Our only idiosyncratic thingie are probably the "Real" clubs. Some of the more quirky club names (like Atlético Aviación, the Air Force's team) were eventually renamed. Larchie's team (Club Celta de Vigo) is one of the few top level clubs that retains it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 18, 2023, 03:38:28 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on January 18, 2023, 12:23:30 AMArsenal are from south London. Fake north Londoners.
They've been in Islington for longer than most countries have existed so I think we can forgive them that. MK Dons they aint.

Their current stadium being right next to the ECML on its approach into Kings Cross they're the most North London team in my book :p

Quote from: Admiral Yi on January 17, 2023, 07:48:29 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on January 17, 2023, 07:42:56 PMI can't spake

Que?

I'm fine with MSL names like FC but like Beeb and others I think United and Real are stupid and insulting.

Salt Lake has a double whammy because they have the Jazz in the NBA.  SLC has to be the least jazziest city in the US.
There surely are a lot of US teams where the name United would be very appropriate for the same reasons teams have that name in the UK.

Real though yeah. Just ridiculous cosplay.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 18, 2023, 06:57:30 AM
Quote from: Syt on January 18, 2023, 02:47:26 AM
Quote from: celedhring on January 17, 2023, 02:42:47 PMIt's not like this is a new phenomenon. "Euro-style football names" are for the most part (not all) "English-style football names". We just aped them first. Give them years and they will start to feel less tacky.

Not every country can have beautiful club initials like German.
VfL = Verein für Leibesübungen (e.g. VfL Bochum)
VfB = Verein für Ballsport (e.g. VfB Stuttgart)
Spvgg = Spielvereinigung (basically the equivalent of United, e.g. Unterhaching)
TSV = Turnsportverein (e.g. TSV 1860 München)
FC (Fußballclub) or SC (Sportclub) are pretty common, though. :P
(Plus some German specialties, e.g. Kaiserreich names like Borussia or Arminia, or former GDR names like Dynamo (=Stasi clubs) or Carl-Zeiss)

IN MLS, Houston is Houston Dynamo. I don't think there is a Stasi connection, though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on January 18, 2023, 07:30:23 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 17, 2023, 09:32:08 PMAny cases of European football clubs upping sticks and moving to another town like American sports teams often do?

Over here it happened only once, and not so long ago, but it was a strange situation, involving two different clubs, one called "Granada 74" and another one called "Ciudad de Murcia", and neither of them exist anymore.

Granada 74, founded in 1974, was Granada's 2nd team, and had always lingered in the lower divisions, peaking in the "Tercera división" (4th tier) in the mid 90s. Ciudad de Murcia was a newly created team in 1999, which after its foundation quickly got promoted through the lower leagues and managed to reach the "Segunda división" (2nd tier) in 2003, where they held for four seasons, even getting close to promotion to the "Primera división" (1st tier) a couple of times.

Then, in 2007, the Ciudad de Murcia was bought out from its founders by the owner of Granada 74, who took the team, renamed it Granada 74 and brought it to Granada, turning the "proper" Granada 74 into their B team. This new Granada 74 played one season in Segunda, got relegated to Segunda B and folded after getting relegated once again in the next season.

Since then I believe that restrictions have been established that prevent individuals from controlling more than one team within Spain (besides B teams)-
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on January 18, 2023, 07:43:49 AM
Quote from: Syt on January 18, 2023, 02:52:29 AMBut there's a Maccabi Wien these days.

Do the teams under the Maccabi name share any kind of common ideal? I know that, at least in Israel itself, the clubs named Hapoel are traditionally linked to the left wing, the working class and unions. Their shield doesn't leave much to the imagination either:

(https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/soccer/500/533.png)

In the Israeli 1st division there are like half a dozen each of different Maccabis and Hapoels.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on January 18, 2023, 07:46:57 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 17, 2023, 09:32:08 PMAny cases of European football clubs upping sticks and moving to another town like American sports teams often do?

In Portugal, there is a dispute about the "real" Belenenses (a club in a former suburb of Lisbon) so two teams claim the name but the new one is Belenenses SAD (B-SAD) and the old one, starting from the bottom gets to keep the old official name Os Belenenses.
In practical terms, the fake new one can only play in the old National stadium, Jamor, in Lisbon, while the old one keeps the stadium in Belém (people from Belém = Belenenses).

Now that I think of it, about untranslated English names, besides the obvious ones such as Sporting (Desportivo), there is the SLB, still called officially Sport Lisboa e Benfica, not Desporto Lisboa e Benfica.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on January 18, 2023, 08:03:26 AM
Quote from: Josephus on January 18, 2023, 06:57:30 AM
Quote from: Syt on January 18, 2023, 02:47:26 AM
Quote from: celedhring on January 17, 2023, 02:42:47 PMIt's not like this is a new phenomenon. "Euro-style football names" are for the most part (not all) "English-style football names". We just aped them first. Give them years and they will start to feel less tacky.

Not every country can have beautiful club initials like German.
VfL = Verein für Leibesübungen (e.g. VfL Bochum)
VfB = Verein für Ballsport (e.g. VfB Stuttgart)
Spvgg = Spielvereinigung (basically the equivalent of United, e.g. Unterhaching)
TSV = Turnsportverein (e.g. TSV 1860 München)
FC (Fußballclub) or SC (Sportclub) are pretty common, though. :P
(Plus some German specialties, e.g. Kaiserreich names like Borussia or Arminia, or former GDR names like Dynamo (=Stasi clubs) or Carl-Zeiss)

IN MLS, Houston is Houston Dynamo. I don't think there is a Stasi connection, though.

How did it work in former eastern bloc countries? AFAIK in the Soviet Union itself it was CSKA for the Army, Dynamo for the KGB/Police, Lokomotiv for the railways, Spartak was for the labour unions and Torpedo was for car factory workers.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 18, 2023, 08:44:07 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on January 18, 2023, 12:23:30 AMArsenal are from south London. Fake north Londoners.

 :lol:  :hug:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on January 18, 2023, 08:59:29 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on January 17, 2023, 10:25:54 PMMilton Keynes Dons FC moved from south London where they were known has Wimbledon FC in 2004.

Can't see anything similar happening again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 19, 2023, 06:58:48 PM
The one time I'm rooting for Tottenham they go Spursy in dramatic fashion  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on January 20, 2023, 10:32:50 AM
The whole time, I was sure we were gonna lose it somehow. When City decide to turn the machine, there's just not much you can do.  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on January 20, 2023, 12:25:32 PM
Dani Alves arrested and remanded for alleged rape.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 20, 2023, 05:21:50 PM
Juve deducted 15 points for their usual corruption. Interesting.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 21, 2023, 07:08:25 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on January 20, 2023, 05:21:50 PMJuve deducted 15 points for their usual corruption. Interesting.

As a long time Napoli fan...this makes me happy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 21, 2023, 08:25:39 AM
Yet they keep rising to the top again. :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 22, 2023, 07:16:42 AM
Seems the Conte era at Spurs is coming to an end.

https://twitter.com/TottenhamTiers/status/1617108710651793411?s=20&t=H4mj_f16139HY7sjKzCwuQ

Quote@DiMarzio
 [🥇] "The news I can tell you with certainty is that Antonio Conte will leave #thfc at the end of the season. There was no spark, his contract is expiring and the club has not asked him for a renewal."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 22, 2023, 07:20:07 AM
Not really a surprise about Conte. Probably the least successful era in the club's recent history. Well, Lampard may be available.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 22, 2023, 03:13:42 PM
Arsenal 3 United 2. Incredible game. Last minute winner by another young player from Hale End.

I can't lie. The title.....
(https://y.yarn.co/fdbdbeab-763d-4f63-90e8-863e763926c0_text.gif)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on January 24, 2023, 04:30:01 PM
A day of profound Everton Evertoning :weep: :bleeding:

Started with a loan signing who they'd been working on for the past 24 days. All agreed, he'd done the medical and the promo photos - then Spurs hijacked it in the morning.

Tonight the Guardian breaks that Moshiri is looking to sell the club - then the club drop a 25 minute interview with Moshiri on YouTube and he says the club isn't for sale.

I don't really know how any player is meant to want to join when they don't know who the manager is - but I imagine a manager probably wants to know who the owner'll be.

Just chaos :lol: :weep:

Sunderland vibes intensifying :ph34r: :weep:

Meanwhile the new stadium is still not built and a big debt for someone to buy...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 24, 2023, 05:00:39 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on January 24, 2023, 04:30:01 PMA day of profound Everton Evertoning :weep: :bleeding:

Started with a loan signing who they'd been working on for the past 24 days. All agreed, he'd done the medical and the promo photos - then Spurs hijacked it in the morning.

Tonight the Guardian breaks that Moshiri is looking to sell the club - then the club drop a 25 minute interview with Moshiri on YouTube and he says the club isn't for sale.

I don't really know how any player is meant to want to join when they don't know who the manager is - but I imagine a manager probably wants to know who the owner'll be.

Just chaos :lol: :weep:

Sunderland vibes intensifying :ph34r: :weep:

Meanwhile the new stadium is still not built and a big debt for someone to buy...

Yeah it's shocking how quickly things are falling apart for Everton. I'm genuinely sorry you're having to go through this mess.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 24, 2023, 05:24:20 PM
If Everton could just let us loan simms again plz?
Think of it as an investment in getting a forward with experience of reaching the championship playoffs when it's your priority next year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 26, 2023, 06:00:36 AM
I've never paid attention to the German league. It always seemed an automatic bayern win and there's maybe 2 or 3 other interesting teams.

But apparently Berlin are suddenly good now and launching a title challenge
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 01, 2023, 04:49:03 AM
So it seems that the sponsor for the next Women's World Cup is going to be... Saudi Arabia. :bleeding:

QuoteSaudi Arabia to sponsor Women's World Cup and tighten ties with Fifa
Tourist authority joins international brands on list
World Cup starts on 20 July at Eden Park, Auckland

Saudi Arabia's tourist authority is to sponsor football's Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand this year, despite the country's history of oppression of women's rights.

Fifa is expected to confirm that Visit Saudi will join international brands such as Adidas, Coca-Cola and Visa in attaching its name to the 32-team tournament that will kick off in front of an expected 50,000 supporters at Auckland's Eden Park on 20 July.

The deal has been agreed under Fifa's new "commercial partnership structure" dedicated to developing revenues specifically for the women's game, with funds generated from the World Cup going back into the sport. There will be some scepticism over the suitability of the arrangement, owing to repression of women's freedoms in the Gulf state.


The actual organisers of the WC are less than excited about the sponsorship, though.

QuoteSaudi Arabia tourism body's sponsorship of 2023 Women's World Cup condemned by human rights groups
Australian and New Zealand football organisations seek 'urgent' clarification from Fifa over its deal with Visit Saudi

Human rights advocates have condemned the decision to allow Saudi Arabia's tourism authority to sponsor the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, calling it a "textbook case of sports-washing".

Visit Saudi is set to join international brands such as Adidas, Coca-Cola and Visa in attaching their names to the 32-team tournament that is due to kick off on 20 July at Auckland's Eden Park.

Despite Saudi Arabia's history of oppressing women's rights, Fifa has decided to ratify the deal under the new "commercial partnership structure" dedicated to developing revenues specifically for the women's game.

But the announcement has sparked criticism from human rights groups in Australia.

A spokesperson from Football Australia said they were seeking clarification from Fifa.

"We are very disappointed that Football Australia were not consulted on this matter prior to any decision being made," they said.

"Football Australia and New Zealand Football have jointly written to Fifa to urgently clarify the situation."


It seems to me that this is part of a larger long term bid to secure the 2030 WC for Saudi Arabia, after seeing Qatar's success with it. Let's brace ourselves for the coming years.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 01, 2023, 09:57:35 AM
Seen that Chelsea spent like over 600m on transfers in the winter and summer windows, the most in history and more than every other club in Europe COMBINED  :lol:

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on February 01, 2023, 10:28:09 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 01, 2023, 09:57:35 AMSeen that Chelsea spent like over 600m on transfers in the winter and summer windows, the most in history and more than every other club in Europe COMBINED  :lol:

Russians out, UAE occupied/succeeded, so it must be Saudi money?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 01, 2023, 10:41:28 AM
Quote from: mongers on February 01, 2023, 10:28:09 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 01, 2023, 09:57:35 AMSeen that Chelsea spent like over 600m on transfers in the winter and summer windows, the most in history and more than every other club in Europe COMBINED  :lol:

Russians out, UAE occupied/succeeded, so it must be Saudi money?

The same Saudi fund that owns Newcastle are also major investors in the PE firm that owns Chelsea so that could very well be true. Who knows, it's all very murky. It is what it is and the football world has to deal with it.

Speaking from a pure footballing perspective, I have to question whether all these players will mesh well together very quickly, if at all. They basically did a Nottingham Forest with a bigger wallet. Not saying they'll get relegated, of course, because a lot of these players are super talented, but it can't be easy to bed in a style of play and a team spirit with all these young new players at once. And I'm not convinced Potter is the right manager to do it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 01, 2023, 10:53:51 AM
And still have players who they quite obviously were trying to move and who won't get much playing time.

I really like Potter but it's going to be a big man management challenge - it'll be interesting to see how he does because in my head he's a good coach and tactical coach but hasn't really had to deal with a big, expensively assembled and probably underutilised squad :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 01, 2023, 11:51:59 AM
Looks like MLS is going the Apple Plus route to watch on TV. You need Apple + and a separate subscription to MLS ($100 for the season)
This will kill the casual viewer.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 01, 2023, 11:52:27 AM
In other news, looks like Canadian coach Herdmann is off to his home country to coach New Zealand.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 01, 2023, 11:52:54 AM
Chelsea being Chelsea they have a habit of making a profit off players that they sign for a few million and more or less never play a first team game.

QuoteIn other news, looks like Canadian coach Herdmann is off to his home country to coach New Zealand.
:unsure:
He's going to be coaching New Zealand from Co. Durham?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 01, 2023, 12:08:59 PM
Quote from: Josephus on February 01, 2023, 11:51:59 AMLooks like MLS is going the Apple Plus route to watch on TV. You need Apple + and a separate subscription to MLS ($100 for the season)
This will kill the casual viewer.



This sounds insane. Apple must have thrown the bag at them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on February 01, 2023, 12:15:40 PM
Quote from: Josephus on February 01, 2023, 11:51:59 AMLooks like MLS is going the Apple Plus route to watch on TV. You need Apple + and a separate subscription to MLS ($100 for the season)
This will kill the casual viewer.



That's not correct.

QuoteThe service is available on any device that runs Apple's TV app, from Apple's Macs, iPads, and iPhones to smart TVs, streaming boxes, or other companies' game consoles. It's priced at $14.99 per month or $99 per season, but existing Apple TV+ subscribers can pay $12.99 per month or $79 per season instead.

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/02/apples-major-league-soccer-streaming-service-launches-today/
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on February 01, 2023, 12:20:21 PM
Quote from: Josquius on February 01, 2023, 11:52:54 AMChelsea being Chelsea they have a habit of making a profit off players that they sign for a few million and more or less never play a first team game.

QuoteIn other news, looks like Canadian coach Herdmann is off to his home country to coach New Zealand.
:unsure:
He's going to be coaching New Zealand from Co. Durham?

Yeah - he worked in New Zealand for awhile, but is from England.

That seems like a surprising move from Herdman, as coaching New Zealand's national team sounds a lateral move at best.

Doing some googling - his 18 year old son plays soccer, most recently for New Zealand U-19s.  Perhaps he wants the chance to coach his son?

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2023/02/football-canada-s-john-herdman-emerges-as-leading-candidate-for-all-whites-head-coaching-role.html
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 01, 2023, 01:59:02 PM
10 year deal worth millions, yes
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on February 01, 2023, 10:25:23 PM
Quote from: Josephus on February 01, 2023, 11:51:59 AMLooks like MLS is going the Apple Plus route to watch on TV. You need Apple + and a separate subscription to MLS ($100 for the season)
This will kill the casual viewer.



TSN will still broadcast games. They also return to RDS in french.

There will be free games on Apple Tv every week.

Apple TVs baseball broadcast are pretty good and if the MLS ones are anything close casual fans might actually benefit more than what The Studio Network can offer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on February 02, 2023, 04:00:23 AM
Impressive and promising Chelsea spending spree. Now all is left is to find a coach.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 02, 2023, 06:56:13 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on February 01, 2023, 10:25:23 PM
Quote from: Josephus on February 01, 2023, 11:51:59 AMLooks like MLS is going the Apple Plus route to watch on TV. You need Apple + and a separate subscription to MLS ($100 for the season)
This will kill the casual viewer.



TSN will still broadcast games. They also return to RDS in french.

There will be free games on Apple Tv every week.

Apple TVs baseball broadcast are pretty good and if the MLS ones are anything close casual fans might actually benefit more than what The Studio Network can offer.

TSN can broadcast one Canadian team a week. So if you, for instance, like Montreal, you will likely (although I haven't seen their schedule) only see one of every three games on TV. So that's not really great.

My main point though is that, particularly in the States, where there isn't any linear TV games, I can't see how this will help grow what is an already niche sport. It can work for baseball because baseball has a huge audience, and still has linear TV rights. I get that MLS will make huge money from this and make the club owners happy for now...but what's going to happen in 10 years when the deal ends, and viewership is minimal? We shall see. I'll get back to you in 2033.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 02, 2023, 06:57:08 AM
Quote from: Josephus on February 02, 2023, 06:56:13 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on February 01, 2023, 10:25:23 PM
Quote from: Josephus on February 01, 2023, 11:51:59 AMLooks like MLS is going the Apple Plus route to watch on TV. You need Apple + and a separate subscription to MLS ($100 for the season)
This will kill the casual viewer.



TSN will still broadcast games. They also return to RDS in french.

There will be free games on Apple Tv every week.

Apple TVs baseball broadcast are pretty good and if the MLS ones are anything close casual fans might actually benefit more than what The Studio Network can offer.

TSN can broadcast one Canadian team a week. So if you, for instance, like Montreal, you will likely (although I haven't seen their schedule) only see one of every three games on TV. So that's not really great.

My main point though is that, particularly in the States, where there isn't any linear TV games, I can't see how this will help grow what is an already niche sport. It can work for baseball because baseball has a huge audience, and still has linear TV rights. I get that MLS will make huge money from this and make the club owners happy for now...but what's going to happen in 10 years when the deal ends, and viewership is minimal? We shall see. I'll get back to you in 2033.


Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 02, 2023, 06:59:14 AM
Quote from: Josephus on February 02, 2023, 06:56:13 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on February 01, 2023, 10:25:23 PM
Quote from: Josephus on February 01, 2023, 11:51:59 AMLooks like MLS is going the Apple Plus route to watch on TV. You need Apple + and a separate subscription to MLS ($100 for the season)
This will kill the casual viewer.



TSN will still broadcast games. They also return to RDS in french.

There will be free games on Apple Tv every week.

Apple TVs baseball broadcast are pretty good and if the MLS ones are anything close casual fans might actually benefit more than what The Studio Network can offer.

TSN can broadcast one Canadian team a week. So if you, for instance, like Montreal, you will likely (although I haven't seen their schedule) only see one of every three games on TV. So that's not really great.

My main point though is that, particularly in the States, where there isn't any linear TV games, I can't see how this will help grow what is an already niche sport. It can work for baseball because baseball has a huge audience, and still has linear TV rights. I get that MLS will make huge money from this and make the club owners happy for now...but what's going to happen in 10 years when the deal ends, and viewership is minimal? We shall see. I'll get back to you in 2033.

1 in 3 is much better than most teams over here get.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on February 02, 2023, 07:20:21 AM
These aren't most teams tho, it's the top North American league.

Montreal doesn't have a team. Some asshole owner made it disappear.  :mad:  :mad:  :mad:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 02, 2023, 08:51:49 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on February 02, 2023, 07:20:21 AMThese aren't most teams tho, it's the top North American league.

Montreal doesn't have a team. Some asshole owner made it disappear.  :mad:  :mad:  :mad:
Most premier league teams too.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on February 02, 2023, 09:07:30 AM
Quote from: Josquius on February 02, 2023, 08:51:49 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on February 02, 2023, 07:20:21 AMThese aren't most teams tho, it's the top North American league.

Montreal doesn't have a team. Some asshole owner made it disappear.  :mad:  :mad:  :mad:
Most premier league teams too.

Wow. You guys need more tv networks.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 02, 2023, 10:51:42 AM
Quote from: Tamas on February 02, 2023, 04:00:23 AMImpressive and promising Chelsea spending spree. Now all is left is to find a coach.

Chelsea.txt  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 06, 2023, 06:46:59 AM
Premier League referring loads of alleged breaches by City to a commission appointed by their judicial panel. I've no idea what any of this means but it seems serious:
https://www.premierleague.com/news/3045970

Although also a little bit locking the stable doors after the horse has bolted and won the Grand National :hmm:

Edit: And Premier League rules don't allow for an appeal to CAS which is how Man City overturned their UEFA breach.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 06, 2023, 07:22:44 AM
Over 100 specific charges oh my days  :D

Everyone knew they were cooking the books but this is flagrant.

Liam is taking this normally though

https://twitter.com/liamgallagher/status/1622553067244646401?t=DULYv0BhdCoUA3YTuTXAMA&s=19
QuoteThe Premier league are BIG BULLYS Investigate 1 Investigate them all you shower of shit

City's 11 other fans will be devastated though :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 06, 2023, 07:46:05 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 06, 2023, 07:22:44 AMOver 100 specific charges oh my days  :D

Everyone knew they were cooking the books but this is flagrant.

Liam is taking this normally though

https://twitter.com/liamgallagher/status/1622553067244646401?t=DULYv0BhdCoUA3YTuTXAMA&s=19
QuoteThe Premier league are BIG BULLYS Investigate 1 Investigate them all you shower of shit

City's 11 other fans will be devastated though :lmfao:

 City really don't want to see rules start being applied fairly or they'll soon find themselves with a hefty points deduction at best.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 06, 2023, 07:52:06 AM
The Saudis at Newcastle must be looking at this and wondering what will happen
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on February 06, 2023, 11:07:29 AM
What sort of rules breaches are we talking about?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 06, 2023, 11:32:08 AM
Thankfully a journalist has now written an article on it - so I can add more than just "this looks bad". Basically huge breaches of financial rules:
QuotePremier League charges Manchester City over alleged financial rule breaches
    League refers alleged breaches to independent commission
    Alleged financial breaches cover period from 2009-10 to 2017-18

Paul MacInnes
@PaulMac
Mon 6 Feb 2023 10.47 GMT
Last modified on Mon 6 Feb 2023 16.23 GMT

The Premier League has charged Manchester City with breaching its rules on more than 100 occasions over multiple years. If proven these would be the greatest offences committed by a club in the history of the competition.

The independent commission which will consider the charges could recommend that City be expelled from competition, suspended or docked points if it finds the club guilty. Those sanctions are listed in the Premier League's handbook but a commission is clear to apply any punishment it considers appropriate.

The six-times Premier League champions have been accused of failing to give "a true and fair view of the club's financial position", of failing to "include full details" of player and manager remuneration, of failing to comply with rules regarding financial fair play and failing to co-operate in a Premier League investigation that has concluded after more than four years.

The charges will send shockwaves throughout the world of sport. City have reshaped football since they were taken over by a private equity group controlled by the royal family of Abu Dhabi in 2008. The value of their squad is estimated to be more than £1bn and the club sits at the heart of a global network of 12 football teams.

The financial charges brought against Manchester City cover the period 2009-2018, and those requiring a club to "cooperate with, and assist, the Premier League in its investigations" extend from 2018 to this season. The charges will be heard by an independent commission, to be appointed by the chair of the Premier League judicial panel, Murray Rosen KC.

City were banned from the Champions League by Uefa in February 2020 after being found to have broken the financial rules of the competition and misled the European governing body, only for the ban to be overturned on appeal by the court of arbitration for sport.

On the central finding that City's Abu Dhabi ownership had disguised its own funding as independent sponsorship by the state's commercial companies, Cas found: "Most of the alleged breaches were either not established or time-barred."

Documents disclosed as part of the 'Football Leaks' hack appeared to show that City had inflated the value of sponsorship deals from Abu Dhabi companies, and channeled money from the Gulf state to the club. Documents also suggested that the City manager Roberto Mancini had been in receipt of a second, secret, salary during his time at the club.

City have always vociferously denied any wrongdoing. They previously described the Football Leaks revelations as a "clear and organised" attempt to damage the club's reputation.

A club statement on Monday said: "Manchester City FC is surprised by the issuing of these alleged breaches of the Premier League rules, particularly given the extensive engagement and vast amount of detailed materials that the EPL has been provided with.

"The club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position. As such we look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all."

The Premier League said proceedings before the commission would, in accordance with its rules, be confidential and heard in private.

On the club statement noting their "extensive engagement" and welcoming the chance to put the record straight, it's worth noting that the one UEFA charge that was upheld was not cooperating and this has been going through the High Court for a while as City have tried to block various disclosure orders for the Premier League. So perhaps extensive but truculent engagement? :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on February 06, 2023, 11:37:55 AM
Marsch
Quote from: Jacob on February 06, 2023, 11:07:29 AMWhat sort of rules breaches are we talking about?

Basically inflating sponsorship receipts from Abu Dhabi companies to cover payments from Abu Dhabi itself. Also a secret second salary to Robert Mancini when he was manager.

In other news Leeds have sacked Marsch
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 06, 2023, 03:19:06 PM
From Miguel Delaney - sounds very serious (I would not be not averse to someone else taking a relegation spot this year just in case....:ph34r:):
QuoteSportFootball
'Going to war with the champions': Why the Premier League is taking on Man City, and what comes next
The Premier League now faces the ultimate test of itself in a pivotal moment for the game, writes Miguel Delaney

It was around the same time as a generically pictured statement appeared on the Premier League website that legal papers were served to Manchester City executives. There was initial shock, which soon rippled around English football, as news spread. It was so abrupt that City chief executive Ferran Soriano was still on the phone to the Premier League as the statement went out. There hadn't even been an email as regards notification – and this for a story that could yet lead to relegation or more.

The statement was nevertheless quickly shared with far more excitable exclamations. Senior figures in football were describing it as "the biggest scandal the Premier League has faced", "the nuclear button" and "going to war with their serial champions". It certainly isn't being seen as a case that will be just eased out and go nowhere. The Premier League's published list of more than 100 alleged breaches should be sufficient indication of that, especially when they could have just fined City for non-cooperation.

Executives around the game were genuinely stunned at the extent of it. It is the product of four years of investigation, which the Premier League had taken a lot of criticism for – not least from Lord Justice Males who said in a July 2021 High Court ruling over whether arbitration could be kept secret that it was "a matter of legitimate public concern". This was why it took so long.

Unlike the Uefa case that ended with City's two-year ban from the Champions League being overturned, due to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) stating that "most of the alleged breaches were either not established or time-barred", there are no similar restrictions with this. Similarly, Premier League rules mean the club will not be able to appeal to the same Swiss body.

All of that makes this a genuine juncture in football history, of the sort that has been accumulating of late because of the geopolitical size of the game, and the interest of states like Abu Dhabi. The investigation focused on two main areas inherently connected to that, which were sponsorship deals where the money is alleged to have come from the club's owners, and how the salary of former manager Roberto Mancini was effectively doubled through a secret contract.

Much of the story stems from the Football Leaks cache of documents published by Der Spiegel and initially obtained by Portuguese hacker Rui Pinto, who should go down as one of the most influential figures in football history. All of this comes amid a deeply volatile period for the game, where the Qatar World Cup only further showcased how it is effectively being taken over and dominated by states on either side of the Gulf blockade for political motivations.

It has driven large parts of the game, including many Premier League clubs, to increase the pressure on the authorities to start properly regulating football. Connected figures feel the CAS verdict on the Uefa case fed into the decisions of both the owners of Liverpool and Manchester United to seek to sell at the same time. Many clubs have been insistent this investigation needs to be satisfactorily dealt with, and City manager Pep Guardiola pointedly referred to pressure applied around the Uefa case as recently as Friday's press conference.

"We were accused," he said, when asked about Chelsea's spending. "I don't forget, eight or nine teams in the Premier League send a letter to the Premier League to be banned. That happened to us."

A lot more is happening around the game. This statement comes two days before the date the UK government was supposed to publish a white paper on football – now delayed to later in February – with so much of that driven by the frequently repeated argument that "football can't govern itself".

This development is a rebuttal to that claim, or at least a challenge for the Premier League to show they can prove this and properly punish City. That in itself would be an argument against an independent regulator. City themselves feel the timing is "tactical" in that way. It reflects how there are almost as many forces and potential consequences swirling around this as there were alleged breaches.

As to what next, the case will go to an independent commission selected by Murray Rosen - the chair of the Premier League's judiciary panel - after the competition changed their process in early 2020. The complicated nature of this will likely mean it is a three-person panel, with at least one of those a financial expert, but likely more. There is no timeframe on that, and City will naturally fight this as hard as they did the Uefa case, with the club expected to "fight every procedural point". Once the commission has completed their judgement, either party can appeal that, so it would be examined again by a different panel - but it would not go to an external body like CAS.

City are now preparing their defence, but the shock at Monday's developments was illustrated by the fact it took the club more than two hours to release a statement. That eventually said they were "surprised by the issuing of these alleged breaches" given "the extensive engagement and vast amount of detailed materials" the Premier League was provided with.

In 2021, however, an arbitration panel ordered City to provide "certain documents and information to the Premier League and to make inquiries of third parties", after the club lost a challenge over whether the panel had the jurisdiction to hear the case. A Premier League submission to the Commercial Court said: "For the Premier League it was submitted that the tactic that the club has adopted has been to make as many procedural applications and complaints as it possibly can to slow the day when it will actually have to provide the information."

If the alleged breaches are proven, it could cause chaos for the game and could get even more political. The potential sanctions available as per rule W51 in the Premier League rules are suspension, a points deduction and even expulsion, although the commission can recommend any punishment it sees fit.

Titles being stripped is nevertheless seen as unlikely due to an unwillingness to "look backwards" but senior football people are seriously talking among themselves about the possibility of relegation at the end of this. It would also be a message to the rest of the competition. So much of it concerns the very future of the Premier League as a "product" as much as City, especially given how the club have dominated it.

Nothing erodes the legitimacy of a sporting competition like titles being stripped, and that prospect could come at a point when the Premier League is in an unprecedented position of power in sport, when virtually everyone is concerned with keeping that going. On the other side, however, it would also erode legitimacy if the competition can't follow through on its own four-year investigation with proof and sufficient punishment.

"If this is proven, the breaches are so serious that there simply has to be an extremely strong deterrent," one source said. That's the scale people are talking about, as City are alleged to have committed the greatest offences in the history of the Premier League.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on February 06, 2023, 04:11:54 PM
Children, this is what happens when you don't pay the expected bribes and think you can get away with it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 06, 2023, 04:22:10 PM
I don't think I've ever heard of a sports league with rules against how much money the owners are allowed to lose before.

Not that it's a bad rule, just a new concept.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 06, 2023, 04:28:33 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 06, 2023, 04:22:10 PMI don't think I've ever heard of a sports league with rules against how much money the owners are allowed to lose before.

Not that it's a bad rule, just a new concept.
Well people go into owning American sports teams to make money. That's not normally the way in football :lol: :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on February 06, 2023, 05:21:05 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 06, 2023, 04:22:10 PMI don't think I've ever heard of a sports league with rules against how much money the owners are allowed to lose before.

Not that it's a bad rule, just a new concept.

I thought salary caps and the like weren't uncommon in some American sports leagues?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 06, 2023, 05:25:01 PM
Quote from: Jacob on February 06, 2023, 05:21:05 PMI thought salary caps and the like weren't uncommon in some American sports leagues?

Correct.  That's quite different than a loss cap.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on February 06, 2023, 05:30:04 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 06, 2023, 05:25:01 PM
Quote from: Jacob on February 06, 2023, 05:21:05 PMI thought salary caps and the like weren't uncommon in some American sports leagues?

Correct.  That's quite different than a loss cap.

I missed the loss cap part, where are you getting that from?

The things I got from the article are:

- Misreporting the value of sponsorship deals to hide cash transfers from the ownership group.
- Secretly paying the coach twice as much as their contract said they were paid.
- Obstructing investigations and lack of transparancy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 06, 2023, 05:32:43 PM
Quote from: Jacob on February 06, 2023, 05:30:04 PMI missed the loss cap part, where are you getting that from?

The things I got from the article are:

- Misreporting the value of sponsorship deals to hide cash transfers from the ownership group.
- Secretly paying the coach twice as much as their contract said they were paid.
- Obstructing investigations and lack of transparancy.

The owners wanted to put money *in* the club but rules prohibited it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on February 06, 2023, 05:36:06 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 06, 2023, 05:32:43 PMThe owners wanted to put money *in* the club but rules prohibited it.

Do the rules prohibit putting money in? I thought the issue is that the way the money were put in was misrepresented?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 06, 2023, 05:40:59 PM
Quote from: Jacob on February 06, 2023, 05:30:04 PMI missed the loss cap part, where are you getting that from?
There is a loss cap in the Premier League (and I think other lower leagues). In theory it's designed to make sure clubs' finances are sustainable based on their commercial/ordinary revenues to prevent a club going bust because the owner walks away. So they shouldn't be relying on a billionaire owner sinking tens of millions every year to be a going concern. The more cynical view is that it was a way of the already rich clubs locking in their advantage.

There's exclusions for things like capital spending on stadiums, youth developments or spending on the women's game.

I think it's probably been more successful at entrenching the already rich than protecting clubs more generally.

QuoteDo the rules prohibit putting money in? I thought the issue is that the way the money were put in was misrepresented?
They're allowed £30 million per year as equity - not sure how debt works as that's often a larger part of ownership financing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on February 06, 2023, 06:32:11 PM
Interesting. Didn't know that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 06, 2023, 06:56:31 PM
Sadly being an Everton fan we've had to learn a lot about the sustainability rules as we have been very, very close to breaking them :bleeding:

And as it's assessed over a three year period so we just need to work through all of the consequences of our bad decisions before making new, somehow worse, ones :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on February 06, 2023, 06:58:27 PM
Quote from: Tamas on February 06, 2023, 04:11:54 PMChildren, this is what happens when you don't pay the expected bribes and think you can get away with it.

Do you think bribery is a big thing in British football?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 06, 2023, 07:11:20 PM
Part of this has to be telling the Saudis to behave and to be above board with Newcastle. Which is also why I think City's punishment will ultimately be pretty severe. The league can't lose face here.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on February 07, 2023, 01:01:05 AM
Quote from: Jacob on February 06, 2023, 06:58:27 PM
Quote from: Tamas on February 06, 2023, 04:11:54 PMChildren, this is what happens when you don't pay the expected bribes and think you can get away with it.

Do you think bribery is a big thing in British football?

If it is they've done a great job with the cover up. I can't think of a bribery scandal in English football in my lifetime.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on February 07, 2023, 01:04:00 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 06, 2023, 07:11:20 PMPart of this has to be telling the Saudis to behave and to be above board with Newcastle. Which is also why I think City's punishment will ultimately be pretty severe. The league can't lose face here.

The inquiry started way before the takeover of Newcastle
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 07, 2023, 03:46:46 AM
Quote from: Gups on February 07, 2023, 01:04:00 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 06, 2023, 07:11:20 PMPart of this has to be telling the Saudis to behave and to be above board with Newcastle. Which is also why I think City's punishment will ultimately be pretty severe. The league can't lose face here.

The inquiry started way before the takeover of Newcastle

Though the Newcastle take over has been pretty much an eventual inevitability for some years now. Not necessarily with Newcastle but its been clear things were just going to become ever more bloated and if the small gulf states were involved the Saudis would want in too.

Fingers crossed we actually do see some enforcement worthy of the name. Not just speaking out of a hate for Newcastle Utd (though there is a comedic element there) but for what's best for football.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on February 07, 2023, 04:19:19 AM
Quote from: Jacob on February 06, 2023, 06:58:27 PM
Quote from: Tamas on February 06, 2023, 04:11:54 PMChildren, this is what happens when you don't pay the expected bribes and think you can get away with it.

Do you think bribery is a big thing in British football?

With the amount of money flying around, it is ought to be. Or are Brits inherently more virtuous than UEFA/FIFA officials?

Judging by the government's corruption scandals, they might be more amateur but not inherently better.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 07, 2023, 04:48:38 AM
Quote from: Tamas on February 07, 2023, 04:19:19 AMWith the amount of money flying around, it is ought to be. Or are Brits inherently more virtuous than UEFA/FIFA officials?

Judging by the government's corruption scandals, they might be more amateur but not inherently better.

British official don't hand out a huge cash prize like the World Cup.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on February 07, 2023, 04:52:34 AM
Quote from: Josquius on February 07, 2023, 03:46:46 AM
Quote from: Gups on February 07, 2023, 01:04:00 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 06, 2023, 07:11:20 PMPart of this has to be telling the Saudis to behave and to be above board with Newcastle. Which is also why I think City's punishment will ultimately be pretty severe. The league can't lose face here.

The inquiry started way before the takeover of Newcastle

Though the Newcastle take over has been pretty much an eventual inevitability for some years now. Not necessarily with Newcastle but its been clear things were just going to become ever more bloated and if the small gulf states were involved the Saudis would want in too.

Fingers crossed we actually do see some enforcement worthy of the name. Not just speaking out of a hate for Newcastle Utd (though there is a comedic element there) but for what's best for football.

I think the inquiry was started and completed because Man City have been cheating. Depending on the outcome and punishment, it will hopefully have a significant deterrent effect but I doubt that it is specifically aimed at nation states. After all, Chelesea aren't owned by a nation state and outspent the French, German, Italian and Spanish leagues put together over the last two transfer windows. Newcastle's net spend since the takeover has been fairly high but comparable with many other Prem clubs including Wolves, Forest and Southampton. Early days of course.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on February 07, 2023, 04:54:20 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 07, 2023, 04:48:38 AM
Quote from: Tamas on February 07, 2023, 04:19:19 AMWith the amount of money flying around, it is ought to be. Or are Brits inherently more virtuous than UEFA/FIFA officials?

Judging by the government's corruption scandals, they might be more amateur but not inherently better.

British official don't hand out a huge cash prize like the World Cup.

Also, the Premiership is owned and run by 20 businesses not a group of career sports administrators.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 07, 2023, 08:08:08 AM
To be perfectly honest, I'd love to see the PL destroy City but I'll settle for a 15-point deduction just for this season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 07, 2023, 08:17:04 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 07, 2023, 08:08:08 AMTo be perfectly honest, I'd love to see the PL destroy City but I'll settle for a 15-point deduction just for this season.
No. Next season please. Let them lose 2 in a row. Let Arsenal actually win (or lose) unquestionably off their own merit.
And some actual functional financial punishments- lets have a summer sell off and mid-table mundanity next year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 07, 2023, 10:45:13 AM
Quote from: Josquius on February 07, 2023, 08:17:04 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 07, 2023, 08:08:08 AMTo be perfectly honest, I'd love to see the PL destroy City but I'll settle for a 15-point deduction just for this season.
No. Next season please. Let them lose 2 in a row. Let Arsenal actually win (or lose) unquestionably off their own merit.
And some actual functional financial punishments- lets have a summer sell off and mid-table mundanity next year.

I mean, as Gups mentioned, City have been cheating for a decade. Their titles are tainted. The dreaded asterisks by their club name  :P

So I don't really care about whether or not Arsenal win the league "on their own merit". City cannot be allowed to win the league this season. Arsenal may well do it without the league docking City points but I'd rather not run that risk. I am an Arsenal fan so I am well accustomed to late season collapses.

The league should give them a point deduction immediately and leave further punishment (relegation and transfer bans plz) for longer deliberation, as it is judged by the commission deciding the punishment.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on February 07, 2023, 11:20:40 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 07, 2023, 04:48:38 AM
Quote from: Tamas on February 07, 2023, 04:19:19 AMWith the amount of money flying around, it is ought to be. Or are Brits inherently more virtuous than UEFA/FIFA officials?

Judging by the government's corruption scandals, they might be more amateur but not inherently better.

British official don't hand out a huge cash prize like the World Cup.

But as this scandal shows they have power and oversight over immense amounts of money changing hands inside and between clubs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 07, 2023, 12:21:13 PM
If there is corruption British football it definitely involves the referees because some of this officiating is a DISGRACE
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on February 07, 2023, 12:46:38 PM
Quote from: Tamas on February 07, 2023, 11:20:40 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 07, 2023, 04:48:38 AM
Quote from: Tamas on February 07, 2023, 04:19:19 AMWith the amount of money flying around, it is ought to be. Or are Brits inherently more virtuous than UEFA/FIFA officials?

Judging by the government's corruption scandals, they might be more amateur but not inherently better.

British official don't hand out a huge cash prize like the World Cup.

But as this scandal shows they have power and oversight over immense amounts of money changing hands inside and between clubs.

This is a very strange position you are taking. That the enforcement of rules against a rich club shows that there is lost of money in English football (like we didn't know that already) and therefore demonstrates that there must be bribes elsewhere. By the same token  custodial sentences for white collar crime must demonstrate corruption in the criminal law system and fines for breaches of competition law show that regulators are corrupt etc.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on February 07, 2023, 12:57:35 PM
Tamas has that thing going that is common in people raised in corrupt societies - the belief that everywhere is as corrupt as where he comes from, only they're better at hiding it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on February 07, 2023, 01:33:41 PM
Also, in the end the PL is managed by the member clubs. Trying to use bribes to obtain a competitive advantage against those same clubs would have short legs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on February 07, 2023, 04:28:45 PM
Quote from: Jacob on February 07, 2023, 12:57:35 PMTamas has that thing going that is common in people raised in corrupt societies - the belief that everywhere is as corrupt as where he comes from, only they're better at hiding it.

He does have a point, imho.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 07, 2023, 04:42:56 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on February 07, 2023, 04:28:45 PMHe does have a point, imho.

Different places have differing levels of corruption.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 07, 2023, 04:49:36 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on February 07, 2023, 04:28:45 PMHe does have a point, imho.
Maybe but as Gups says it seems like people not being investigated is evidence of corruption and they've just paid enough to cover things up; rules being enforced/investigations is evidence of both the actual thing being investigated and corruption for not paying enough to cover it up.

It feels like with that approach everything is evidence of corruption.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on February 07, 2023, 04:54:55 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on February 07, 2023, 04:28:45 PMHe does have a point, imho.

No. Everywhere is not as corrupt as Hungary.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 07, 2023, 05:43:23 PM
Quote from: Tamas on February 07, 2023, 11:20:40 AMBut as this scandal shows they have power and oversight over immense amounts of money changing hands inside and between clubs.

How many documented cases of bribery can you think of in which a bribe was paid money in exchange for the privilege of giving away more money?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 13, 2023, 08:22:17 AM
Jakub Jankto, a 27 yo Czech international midfielder playing for Sparta Prague, has just come out as gay. I believe he's the first active, top level footballer to do so in Europe.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 13, 2023, 08:28:24 AM
Good for him.

I do hear Prague is pretty popular with gay folks from parts east.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on February 15, 2023, 09:07:56 AM
Stolen from Reddit:

(https://preview.redd.it/zct7e42jc7ia1.jpg?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&v=enabled&s=59bcd8d1676fa681cb64aa00c2d4bfbfcc031a89)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 15, 2023, 11:16:38 AM
Is the Brighton stadium in the middle of nowhere?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 15, 2023, 11:22:43 AM
Basically, yes.
(https://i2-prod.sussexlive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/article4226648.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/0_GettyImages-1222452148-1.jpg)

It's an out of town stadium - but right next to the A road with a nearby train station so I think actually pretty well connected. I think it was built in the 90s/2000s when I think there was a bit of a trend for that sort of stadium development.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on February 15, 2023, 11:34:56 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on February 15, 2023, 11:22:43 AMIt's an out of town stadium - but right next to the A road with a nearby train station so I think actually pretty well connected. I think it was built in the 90s/2000s when I think there was a bit of a trend for that sort of stadium development.

Is there more city near there, or did you build a train station in the middle of nowhere to go with your stadium in the middle of nowhere :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 15, 2023, 11:41:42 AM
It's also curious that the two next stadiums in terms of "isolation" are from two London clubs, Fulham and Brentford. I always assumed that London clubs were more "in the thick of it", so to speak.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on February 15, 2023, 11:45:35 AM
Quote from: The Larch on February 15, 2023, 11:16:38 AMIs the Brighton stadium in the middle of nowhere?

Sort of. It's right next to a university halls of residence and has a train station but not much else. Takes a 15-20 min train journey from Brighton to get there. Nice stadium though. Was one of my favourite away days when my team were in the same league as them.

Brighton had all kinds of trouble getting a new stadium after they were forced to sell their old one (which was a shithole from what I remember form my one visit there) for redevelopment to clear debts and were in division 4 (managed to avoid non-league on the last day of the season). They then had to groundshare with Gillingham (which is miles away) then shared a non-league stadium with a capacity of less than 1,500 for a few years while they tried to get planning permission for the Amex. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on February 15, 2023, 11:49:06 AM
Quote from: The Larch on February 15, 2023, 11:41:42 AMIt's also curious that the two next stadiums in terms of "isolation" are from two London clubs, Fulham and Brentford. I always assumed that London clubs were more "in the thick of it", so to speak.

Neither are at all isolated (though Fulham's is bordered by a park on one side and the river on another and is largely residential on the other sides). They just don't have a fish and chip shop that close, apparently.

Fulham is another great away day. Wonderful, historic stadium. Haven't been to Brentford's new place since they moved. The old one was famous for having a pub on every corner of the ground.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 15, 2023, 11:50:21 AM
Quote from: Gups on February 15, 2023, 11:49:06 AMNeither are at all isolated (though Fulham's is bordered by a park on one side and the river on another and is largely residential on the other sides). They just don't have a fish and chip shop that close, apparently.

Yeah, maybe the fish & chip metric is not that precise.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on February 15, 2023, 12:07:05 PM
Quote from: The Larch on February 15, 2023, 11:50:21 AM
Quote from: Gups on February 15, 2023, 11:49:06 AMNeither are at all isolated (though Fulham's is bordered by a park on one side and the river on another and is largely residential on the other sides). They just don't have a fish and chip shop that close, apparently.

Yeah, maybe the fish & chip metric is not that precise.  :lol:

Well, I find his "2 minutes to get out of/into stadium" a bit optimistic - hard to imagine you can get from your seat to the exit in 2 minutes reliably, especially at the half time mark when everyone heads to the food/drink stalls, bathrooms etc. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 15, 2023, 12:09:37 PM
Do fodbol stadiums have any on site food?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 15, 2023, 12:22:44 PM
Quote from: Syt on February 15, 2023, 12:07:05 PM
Quote from: The Larch on February 15, 2023, 11:50:21 AM
Quote from: Gups on February 15, 2023, 11:49:06 AMNeither are at all isolated (though Fulham's is bordered by a park on one side and the river on another and is largely residential on the other sides). They just don't have a fish and chip shop that close, apparently.

Yeah, maybe the fish & chip metric is not that precise.  :lol:

Well, I find his "2 minutes to get out of/into stadium" a bit optimistic - hard to imagine you can get from your seat to the exit in 2 minutes reliably, especially at the half time mark when everyone heads to the food/drink stalls, bathrooms etc. :P

Yeah, that's also wildly optimistic. In larger stadiums it will take you much more than that just to get out of your part of the stands, let alone being out of the gate by then.

And anyway, I thought that it was meat pies what people normally had at half time in English stadiums, not fish & chips.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 15, 2023, 08:35:21 PM
Incidentally UEFA panel has finished their investigation into the problems at the final, which is pretty damning:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/feb/13/champions-league-final-report-uefa-primary-responsibility-chaos-paris-liverpool-real-madrid
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on February 15, 2023, 09:23:41 PM
Refreshing to see a UEFA investigation place the blame on UEFA.

But will there any consequences beyond "oh we are sorry" and "we promise to do better next time"?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 16, 2023, 03:39:07 AM
Quote from: Jacob on February 15, 2023, 09:23:41 PMRefreshing to see a UEFA investigation place the blame on UEFA.

But will there any consequences beyond "oh we are sorry" and "we promise to do better next time"?

UEFA fines UEFA?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 16, 2023, 11:50:50 AM
Apparently Qatar are on the verge of acquiring Manchester United

https://twitter.com/Qatari/status/1626257324128993281?t=Sq5u7ZTTCFZQu8JsRbr4XQ&s=19

QuoteAfter the intransigence of Liverpool's owners and their refusal to give a percentage exceeding 49% (a controlling percentage in which decision-making takes place), the compass changed completely for Manchester United, very simple steps to announce the acquisition of United

I thought there was a UEFA rule that you can't own more than one club but I guess the Qataris know the rules don't apply to them.  :yuk:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on February 16, 2023, 11:54:41 AM
Shouldn't have disapproved of the Super League.

Reap what you sowed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on February 16, 2023, 12:05:17 PM
"... the intransigence of Liverpool's owners and their refusal to give a percentage exceeding 49%"?

Was Qatar somehow under the impression that Liverpool's owners are obligated to give up control of the team?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 16, 2023, 12:19:29 PM
Here's to hoping Qatar and other sports-washing petrostates have to get used to such intransigence as people saying "no".

I don't have much hope for that, mind :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 16, 2023, 12:22:58 PM
I think they firmly believe they can do anything they want after the success of the World Cup. And they're probably right.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on February 16, 2023, 12:33:02 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 16, 2023, 12:22:58 PMI think they firmly believe they can do anything they want after the success of the World Cup. And they're probably right.

Was it a success? Seems like it sucked to me.

Which of the previous World Cups wasn't a success? Is just successfully enabling each game to be played peacefully all it takes?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 16, 2023, 12:43:35 PM
Quote from: Valmy on February 16, 2023, 12:33:02 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 16, 2023, 12:22:58 PMI think they firmly believe they can do anything they want after the success of the World Cup. And they're probably right.

Was it a success? Seems like it sucked to me.

Which of the previous World Cups wasn't a success? Is just successfully enabling each game to be played peacefully all it takes?

I'd qualify it as a success.

The media narrative was largely negative before it started. After the final, it became all about the legend of Messi winning the WC in the greatest WC final of all time. And the media seems to have largely forgotten the controversy,  charmed by this new legend. They've moved on.

Qatar won, bro. Just accept it. Sports washing works.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on February 16, 2023, 12:45:31 PM
I would say it was pretty inevitable if that is the bar they had to clear  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 16, 2023, 12:48:43 PM
Quote from: Valmy on February 16, 2023, 12:45:31 PMI would say it was pretty inevitable if that is the bar they had to clear  :lol:

Yeah, it sucks.

The premier American soccer journalist died at the WC while covering the games and the abuse of foreign labor. It doesn't matter. Qatar won.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 16, 2023, 12:49:33 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 16, 2023, 12:43:35 PMI'd qualify it as a success.

The media narrative was largely negative before it started. After the final, it became all about the legend of Messi winning the WC in the greatest WC final of all time. And the media seems to have largely forgotten the controversy,  charmed by this new legend. They've moved on.

Qatar won, bro. Just accept it. Sports washing works.
Yeah I think it varies a bit. The UK coverage brought the politics up fairly regularly throughout and at the end of the tournament as well - there were lots of comments about how weird it was as an experience. So from here it feels like more a qualified success.

Unlike Russia which was just a huge success - both a really exciting, fun World Cup (after South Africa and Brazil which felt a bit more plodding) plus lots of positive coverage of the "real Russia" etc.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 16, 2023, 12:54:56 PM
That's fair. In the US, FOX covered absolutely nothing regarding the labor practices and corruption and went all in on how great the Qataris are and what a success the WC had been so I think that's colored my perception of the games somewhat. But my point still stands that the sports washing worked.

Overall I'm just really down on the state of football.  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 16, 2023, 01:26:56 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 16, 2023, 11:50:50 AMI thought there was a UEFA rule that you can't own more than one club but I guess the Qataris know the rules don't apply to them.  :yuk:

I believe that refers to clubs in the same national competition. Many clubs are owned by the same owners/group in different leagues. For instance Girona in Spain is owned partially by the City group, which of course owns a bunch of clubs all over the world. Watford in England and Udinese in Italy are owned by the Pozzo family as well. You have the Red Bulls in Germany and Austria as well too.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 17, 2023, 03:20:08 PM
When was the last time a referee was sacked in the middle of the season?

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/12813577/lee-mason-video-assistant-referee-leaves-pgmol-days-after-var-error-costs-arsenal-against-brentford

QuoteVideo Assistant Referee Lee Mason has left the officials' body PGMOL and will no longer work on Premier League games, following his high-profile error in Arsenal's draw with Brentford.

PGMOL confirmed on Friday evening that Mason had left the organisation by mutual consent.

Mason had worked as a Premier League referee for 15 years and oversaw 287 top-flight matches during that time, with his last coming during the closing stages of the 2021/22 season. His full career in the professional game saw the 51-year-old officiate in over 500 fixtures after he progressed to the Football League in 1998.

A PGMOL statement said: "We would like to thank Lee for his dedicated service to the professional game and wish him all the best for the future."

If I recall correctly, he also made the incorrect VAR call in the Manchester United-Arsenal match earlier in the season which cost Arsenal a goal (and possibly points) and for which the PGMOL officially apologized later
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 17, 2023, 03:56:11 PM
Good news. I can't recall seeing this before (surely it must have happened?) and too often it seems there's no consequence for referees being shit.

I know they have a ranking system going on behind the scenes, but this just doesn't make a public impact.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 17, 2023, 04:12:58 PM
Yeah I can't remember anything like this.

The state of refereeing in the English game is not good and it feels like VAR instead of providing answers has actually just magnified it :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 17, 2023, 06:13:13 PM
As an Arsenal fan it is very interesting and highly inconvenient that his two big errors came at our expense  :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 17, 2023, 07:33:58 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 17, 2023, 06:13:13 PMAs an Arsenal fan it is very interesting and highly inconvenient that his two big errors came at our expense  :ph34r:

That yacht he just acquired in a certain middle eastern emirate? Pure coincidence.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 18, 2023, 04:55:31 PM
As good as a season this has been for Arsenal, so far the one thing that has put it over the top for me is the absolute clown show going on at Chelsea football club. Talk about an organization with too much money and too little sense  :lol:  :lol:

Chels losing to managerless, bottom of the league, nailed on for relegation Southampton at home was a : chef's kiss : moment this week  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 18, 2023, 05:03:05 PM
I have a friend who is a Saints fan and took his nephew to his first ever game at Chelsea today - in the Chelsea end :ph34r:

Lots of silent still celebrations I imagine :lol:

Edit: Don't know if you saw this rumour from Popbitch but Boehly may be our most stereotypical Yank owner :lol:
Quote>> Chelsea mourning <<
Boehly's out on his Todd

Todd Boehly's takeover and half-billion transfer policy at Chelsea has been subject to much analysis and discussion as to whether it's genius or insanity. A group of football agents who met him at Stamford Bridge think they may have sussed out which.

He was explaining to them that he'd be able to pay for everything thanks to the fact that Chelsea automatically qualify for the UEFA Champions League every year, with all the tens of millions that brought.

Someone pointed out to him that this wasn't the case; that Chelsea didn't automatically qualify – and given their current placement it wasn't at all certain. "Nonsense!" cried Todd. They were always in it!

He then wandered off, clearly checked it with his advisers and then came back to admit that, yes, actually, they'd been right. Oops.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 18, 2023, 06:10:02 PM
Shades of the reporting that said Boehly and his people briefed that Chelsea could play a 4-4-3  :XD:  :lol:

I think the thing that really makes me laugh is that they think they have a "project" that is a sure thing. Just look at Arteta at Arsenal! They have a young team of stars playing well!!!! :D They even took our top two transfer targets lol

It's taken Arteta and co. 3+ years to get to this point and he took over a far, far shittier group of players than Chelsea currently have on the books. You can't just buy over half a billion worth of players in six months and give them to a midtable coach and expect to be in the title race immediately.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on February 18, 2023, 07:52:19 PM
It is infuriating that Chelsea fired a great coachkke Tuchel for this Potter fellow. He is more out of his depth than Lampard ever was and that's saying a lot.

I think under Tuchel we have won more matches in this season than under Potter. What a farce.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 18, 2023, 08:55:04 PM
Chelsea Southampton was a pretty game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 18, 2023, 08:56:18 PM
Southampton is strange because you pronounce the H but it isn't spelled out.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 18, 2023, 09:02:43 PM
Yeah, it is the sort of "I'm changing things and making them better!" move that someone like the Todd Boehly would make, and he seems allergic to admitting he's wrong.

Long may it continue  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 18, 2023, 09:03:35 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 18, 2023, 08:55:04 PMChelsea Southampton was a pretty game.

Your boy will probably move to another club in the summer. You moving with him?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on February 18, 2023, 10:12:22 PM
On the subject of the MLS and Appletv broadcast deal.

They announced the 3 french language teams and to my surprise they plan to broadcast in french more than the Montreal's team games.

Pretty interested to see the quality and resolution of the broadcast.

Bell's TSN and RDS are infamous for having piss poor streaming quality and cable is a 1080i endeavour around here.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 19, 2023, 02:21:58 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on February 18, 2023, 09:03:35 PMYour boy will probably move to another club in the summer. You moving with him?

I got nothing holding me at Chelsea. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 19, 2023, 04:27:15 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on February 18, 2023, 05:03:05 PMI have a friend who is a Saints fan and took his nephew to his first ever game at Chelsea today - in the Chelsea end :ph34r:

Lots of silent still celebrations I imagine :lol:

Edit: Don't know if you saw this rumour from Popbitch but Boehly may be our most stereotypical Yank owner :lol:
Quote>> Chelsea mourning <<
Boehly's out on his Todd

Todd Boehly's takeover and half-billion transfer policy at Chelsea has been subject to much analysis and discussion as to whether it's genius or insanity. A group of football agents who met him at Stamford Bridge think they may have sussed out which.

He was explaining to them that he'd be able to pay for everything thanks to the fact that Chelsea automatically qualify for the UEFA Champions League every year, with all the tens of millions that brought.

Someone pointed out to him that this wasn't the case; that Chelsea didn't automatically qualify – and given their current placement it wasn't at all certain. "Nonsense!" cried Todd. They were always in it!

He then wandered off, clearly checked it with his advisers and then came back to admit that, yes, actually, they'd been right. Oops.

It's like he doesn't even have the smallest actual interest in football. :blink:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 19, 2023, 06:53:28 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on February 18, 2023, 10:12:22 PMOn the subject of the MLS and Appletv broadcast deal.

They announced the 3 french language teams and to my surprise they plan to broadcast in french more than the Montreal's team games.

Pretty interested to see the quality and resolution of the broadcast.

Bell's TSN and RDS are infamous for having piss poor streaming quality and cable is a 1080i endeavour around here.

I saw a game yesterday (friendly TFC v. LAGalaxy) and the picture quality was very good. I'm no big fan of the US commentators, I liked the guys who worked TSN, but can't comment on the French stuff.)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 21, 2023, 04:34:42 PM
Damn, Liverpool started strong but are now getting spanked.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 21, 2023, 04:35:52 PM
Liverpool have been so bad this season (:lol:).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 21, 2023, 06:30:15 PM
Yes it's quite marvelous  :nelson:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 21, 2023, 07:11:44 PM
Trying to figure out what's wrong with Liverpool.  Is their core too old?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 22, 2023, 04:45:31 AM
Quote from: Josephus on February 21, 2023, 07:11:44 PMTrying to figure out what's wrong with Liverpool.  Is their core too old?

They lost Mane in the summer and haven't been able to replace him, the new signings haven't clicked yet, lots of injuries during the season, the core team is getting older... it seems like they need a big makeover.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 22, 2023, 04:49:21 AM
The Klopp curse. For some reason he only lasts 7 years.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on February 22, 2023, 05:23:58 AM
I want Tuchel back.  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 22, 2023, 06:44:58 AM
Also, they re-signed Salah last summer for huge dollars, but it seems like he's getting very close to his best-before date.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 22, 2023, 06:53:50 AM
Quote from: Josephus on February 22, 2023, 06:44:58 AMAlso, they re-signed Salah last summer for huge dollars, but it seems like he's getting very close to his best-before date.

The guy is only 30, though, and his contract extension was only for three seasons (this one and two more), so it's not really a terrible decision, he's not washed up under any possible optic and is still the team's star player. What he needs is a better supporting cast, because he can't carry the team on his own.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 22, 2023, 07:21:32 AM
Quote from: The Larch on February 22, 2023, 04:45:31 AMThey lost Mane in the summer and haven't been able to replace him, the new signings haven't clicked yet, lots of injuries during the season, the core team is getting older... it seems like they need a big makeover.
Yeah I wonder if this is linked to the "Klopp curse".

I was chatting someone recently about the number of United teams you could name as an identifiable team that were all managed by Ferguson - and it was incredible. I think Guardiola has spoken in the past about moving people on - not because they're bad or have got lazy or anything like that, but they're just almost tired especially of the same voice from their boss. I imagine with Klopp that's even more extreme because I think he does get his best from an almost emotional response from the players.

But I do wonder if he's just not been ruthless enough over the years - so instead of moving players on and building a new team as Ferguson did (and Guardiola is now at City), he's let a lot of players age together. Once they're cycle is over things go wrong - and I don't think he's ever started the next phase at a club and maybe he will at Liverpool.

In fairness to Klopp I wonder if letting them age together might have been right because it feels like Liverpool's recruitment has been misfiring for a couple of years now. There was a period under Klopp when their recruitment decisions all worked out - that's definitely over and maybe he knows it/doesn't trust the recruitment to find replacements.

Edit: Separately - I really enjoyed David Squires' take on the United takeover talks:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2023/feb/21/david-squires-on-the-battle-to-take-over-manchester-united
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 22, 2023, 12:50:10 PM
I think rebuilding a team is probably the hardest thing a manager can do and I'm not sure Klopp has ever done it successfully. I don't know... He might not know what he should be doing. He knows something is very wrong but he doesn't know what to do about it.

The worry from a Liverpool perspective is that further investment might not be forthcoming if they don't make the CL, and they may not have the attractiveness to top players they used to have if they continue their downard trend. Newcastle, Manchester United, and Chelsea can  spend big to get back on top and Arsenal are finally taking off again. Liverpool have a lot of competition now and they're at a low point in their cycle. Unfortunate timing...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on February 22, 2023, 01:49:22 PM
Diaz and Nunez should have chosen Spurs...

My .02$ opinion is that their defense sucks. Alexander Arnold is a superb player but makes defensive mistakes. I always thought Gomez was terrible. Van Dijk is showing his age.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 22, 2023, 01:55:17 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on February 22, 2023, 01:49:22 PMVan Dijk is showing his age.

31?  :P

That's supposed to be the prime age for a central defender.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on February 23, 2023, 05:41:08 AM
RIP Motty :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on February 24, 2023, 01:33:13 PM
Last night at the PSV - Sevilla game a pitch invader went into the field and tried to hit Sevilla's goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic. It didn't go well for him,

(https://img.asmedia.epimg.net/resizer/GsG-zX7N717I8ASliXTV-4a8mHc=/644x0/filters:focal(2974x2292:2984x2302)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/diarioas/6NJ5Z4PJQFLLKDQGU47JQ3KW74.jpg)

(https://media.tenor.com/7GkVNRKv7aQAAAAM/he-chose-poorly-talk.gif)

Next time, don't go for the 1'94 m Serbian.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 26, 2023, 11:02:10 AM
Chelsea tamely lose to Spurs. Will Potter finally get sacked now?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 26, 2023, 12:44:21 PM
Glory glory....
Come on and let's have a high scoring game.

Quite amazing Newcastle utd are on their 3rd choice keeper who hasn't played for 3 years (never for utd maybe?). He seems decent though, made a good save. Though no doubt he will get the blame.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 26, 2023, 12:46:21 PM
:lol: Yeah as mad as it is - fully supporting Man United :blush:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 26, 2023, 01:44:31 PM
Good for this mediocre Manchester United team to get a participation trophy for beating Burnley, Charlton, Forest, and Newcastle.  :D

The Saudis can't be allowed to succeed with Newcastle.


Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 26, 2023, 02:36:46 PM
Overheard in the local shop : as expected the keeper gets the blame. <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 02, 2023, 06:46:23 PM
Apparently there's some uproar amongst Premier League teams upon the revelation (via US judicial documents) that the Newcastle chairman is a sitting member of the Saudi government, which apparently goes against the agreement made with the league when the club was purchased by the Saudi sovereign investment fund.

QuoteAngry Premier League clubs to demand talks over Newcastle ownership
Court submissions raise questions over Saudi state's role
Clubs to write letter to league as Amnesty calls for action

Premier League clubs have reacted with anger and a demand for clarity after Newcastle's chairman, Yasir al-Rumayyan, was described in a US court document as "a sitting minister of the Saudi government". It has led to Amnesty International calling for the league to re-examine the assurances given by Newcastle's owners that the Saudi state would not have control of the club.

There is dismay from the majority of clubs in the division who, the Guardian understands, will write to the league to outline their concerns. They want the matter to be an agenda item at the next shareholders' meeting on 30 March so that it can be discussed in detail.

The document filed this week raised fresh questions about the level of separation between the Saudi state and the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which bought an 80% stake in Newcastle in October 2021 and whose governor is Rumayyan.

A brief filed in a court case involving the PGA Tour and LIV Golf describes the PIF as "a sovereign instrumentality of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" and Rumayyan as "a sitting minister of the Saudi government".

The development appears to have stirred longstanding fears of many clubs about the PIF takeover. When it was signed off, the other 19 clubs demanded an emergency meeting with the league, wanting to understand why the deal had been approved. They had previously believed it was blocked and were stunned to learn via the media that it was to be waved through.

Shortly afterwards, the clubs also voted in rules to prevent Newcastle from striking high-value sponsorship deals with Saudi companies that were related to the owners – known as related party transactions.

The arrival of new billionaire owners was always likely to upset clubs who saw on the horizon a far more competitive Newcastle and the prospect of the wealth at St James' Park inflating transfer fees and wages.

Since the takeover Newcastle have spent a net £241m on permanent signings. Under Eddie Howe they are fifth in the league and reached the Carabao Cup final, which they lost to Manchester United.

Many clubs were frustrated by the lack of communication over the Newcastle takeover, which led to their forcing out the league's then chairman, Gary Hoffman. More broadly, there has long been a determination to ensure financial fair play or profit and sustainability rules are enforced.

When the league approved the Newcastle takeover, it said it did so after receiving "legally binding assurances" that the Saudi state would not have control of the club. The human rights group Amnesty has called on the league to ask new questions of Newcastle's owners.

"It was always stretching credulity to breaking point to imagine that the Saudi state wasn't directing the buyout of Newcastle with the ultimate aim of using the club as a component in its wider sportswashing efforts," Peter Frankental, Amnesty UK's economic affairs director, said.

"There's an unmistakable irony in the sovereign wealth fund declaration emerging in a dispute about another arm of Saudi Arabia's growing sports empire, but the simple fact is that Saudi sportswashing is affecting numerous sports and governing bodies need to respond to it far more effectively.

"The Premier League will surely need to re-examine the assurances made about the non-involvement of the Saudi authorities in the Newcastle deal."

The PIF is chaired by the Saudi prime minister, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, with eight of the nine PIF board members listed on the fund's website as being a government minister or royal adviser. Rumayyan is the exception. Yet it is inconceivable that the league did not know he was a minister when it sanctioned the takeover – not least because the PIF's law documents make it clear that the governor must hold the rank of government minister.

The league's chief executive, Richard Masters, told the BBC in November 2021 that if his organisation found evidence there was state involvement in the running of Newcastle "we can remove the consortium as owners of the club".

The league, Newcastle and the PIF declined to comment. The PIF is challenging an order to produce documents and testify in the LIV Golf case.

On Thursday the Newcastle director Amanda Staveley said the club's owners were considering buying controlling and minority stakes in other clubs to "grow Newcastle and our brand". It is understood Newcastle have held preliminary discussions with the French club Dijon over a potential investment, having been linked with Polish club Slask Wroclaw.

"We're looking at everything in terms of how we grow Newcastle and our brand," she told the Financial Times's Business of Football Summit. "The opportunity to buy players early in the cycle is critical to our growth. We're very focused on young players so obviously we have looked at multi-club.

"But whenever you look at multi-club you have to make sure that you have the right fit – you also make sure that you choose your territory carefully and have the right chemistry. You're working with another fanbase in another area so it's critical that you set out what your goals will be. It's complicated."

Staveley added: "We're also looking at another structure which would allow us to do maybe both [buy controlling and minority stakes], maybe something that would give us more opportunity to work with a lot more clubs. But that's quite an early stage. I think that any buyer who is now looking to buy any club is going to be looking at the multi-club model."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on March 02, 2023, 07:22:47 PM
Yeah that's definitely not helping my interest in club football.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 02, 2023, 10:39:10 PM
I fully expect something to be done about this.

... That it's just completely ignored until everyone forgets about it and united buy a few league titles.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on March 03, 2023, 07:26:10 AM
Quote from: Josquius on March 02, 2023, 10:39:10 PMI fully expect something to be done about this.

... That it's just completely ignored until everyone forgets about it and united buy a few league titles.

Luckily with no corruption in English club football, we don't need to worry about the Saudi mountains of money influencing proceedings.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on March 03, 2023, 10:52:50 AM
:lol:

Well... maybe you have a point. Worth keeping an eye out for.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 04, 2023, 11:17:12 AM
Arsenal are gonna blow it, aren't they?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 04, 2023, 11:29:36 AM
Quote from: Josephus on March 04, 2023, 11:17:12 AMArsenal are gonna blow it, aren't they?

Spoke too soon
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 04, 2023, 12:52:35 PM
Quote from: Josephus on March 04, 2023, 11:29:36 AM
Quote from: Josephus on March 04, 2023, 11:17:12 AMArsenal are gonna blow it, aren't they?

Spoke too soon

Giving false hopes to mongers. :mad:  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 04, 2023, 03:28:28 PM
Think I'm the only Arsenal fan on the forum.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 04, 2023, 03:44:50 PM
About Arsenal blowing it, I'm still only giving them a 50-50 chance at winning the league. But it would be really nice eh?  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on March 04, 2023, 04:23:59 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on March 04, 2023, 12:52:35 PM
Quote from: Josephus on March 04, 2023, 11:29:36 AM
Quote from: Josephus on March 04, 2023, 11:17:12 AMArsenal are gonna blow it, aren't they?

Spoke too soon

Giving false hopes to mongers. :mad:  :D

:grr:

QuoteNelson, Reiss 90+7
Good grief that was late, it that even possible? :unsure:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 04, 2023, 04:51:47 PM
Quote from: mongers on March 04, 2023, 04:23:59 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on March 04, 2023, 12:52:35 PM
Quote from: Josephus on March 04, 2023, 11:29:36 AM
Quote from: Josephus on March 04, 2023, 11:17:12 AMArsenal are gonna blow it, aren't they?

Spoke too soon

Giving false hopes to mongers. :mad:  :D

:grr:

QuoteNelson, Reiss 90+7
Good grief that was late, it that even possible? :unsure:

Stoppage time was 6 min but the Bournemouth keeper delayed the game for about a minute at the start of stoppage time so he must've added it on there. And Arsenal have made it a habit of scoring late in games this season. It's the new Fergie time.

I'll say that one of the good things about the Qatar World Cup is they started taking stoppages in play seriously. Nice to see the referee here do the same.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 05, 2023, 02:12:12 PM
Liverpool 7 - 0 Manchester United  :lmfao:

Klopp knew the world needed this and he delivered. Respect.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 05, 2023, 02:23:01 PM
It's a weekend of crazy high scoring games. Wtf.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 10, 2023, 01:36:36 PM
In news that surprises absolutely nobody:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/mar/10/prosecutors-pursue-case-against-barcelona-over-alleged-refereeing-deal

QuoteSpanish prosecutors have filed a complaint against Barcelona and two of the La Liga club's former presidents over alleged payments to a company owned by a senior refereeing official to influence results, the public prosecutor's office said on Friday. A judge has yet to decide whether to take up the case.

...

The complaint focuses on the €2.9m paid between 2014 and 2018 and alleges that Barcelona – with the help of their former presidents Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu – reached a "confidential verbal agreement" with Negreira.

It accuses the club, Rosell, Bartomeu, Negreira and two other former Barcelona officials of corruption in sports, unfair administration and falsehood in mercantile documents.

The investigation was triggered by a tax inspection. Negreira told the Spanish tax agency that Barcelona's goal with the payments was to have "neutral" referees in their games, :lol:  :lol:  according to El País newspaper.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on March 11, 2023, 05:41:06 PM
Do you guys think Conte will stay on at Spurs?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 11, 2023, 05:55:11 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on March 11, 2023, 05:41:06 PMDo you guys think Conte will stay on at Spurs?

It feels like it is over and the man has a track record of not staying long.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 15, 2023, 04:09:33 PM
Demblebe spotted sitting with the chairman watching Sunderlands game tonight.
Transfer all but confirmed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on March 16, 2023, 10:17:28 AM
Infantino rewins election as FIFA president. He ran unopposed and was endorsed by more than 200 out of 211 delegations. Apparently he used his acceptance speech to rail against the media, calling it "evil" and "racist".
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on March 17, 2023, 12:20:19 PM
On the upside, there are still 11 non-corrupt national associations left.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 17, 2023, 12:28:13 PM
Jesus Christ. FIFA Congress was held in Rwanda leading "I am a migrant worker" Infantino to another mind boggling comparison:
QuoteRwanda's genocide recovery inspired my first election win, FIFA chief says
'What this country has suffered and how this country came back up is inspiring for the entire world,' Gianni Infantino said in Kigali.
By Ali Walker
March 16, 2023 10:27 am CET
2 minutes read

FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Thursday said his 2016 election win was partly inspired by Rwanda's recovery after the genocide in 1994.

During a speech at FIFA's Congress in Kigali, Rwanda, Infantino said that he was weighing pulling out of the election race — before a visit to Rwanda's genocide memorial changed his mind.

Infantino said that on a previous trip to Rwanda for a football tournament sometime before the 2016 vote an unidentified official told him that, "we really love you, but we're not going to support you."

The Swiss-Italian football boss was on the brink of throwing in the towel when he recalled a visit to the memorial.

"I said, who I am to give up," Infantino said. "What this country has suffered and how this country came back up is inspiring for the entire world."

"So I certainly couldn't give up because someone was telling me something," he added. "I stayed, I attended the match, I continued to campaign ... I was elected FIFA president."

In 1994, an estimated 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus died in a brutal 100-day genocide in Rwanda, carried out by the Hutu majority government and militias.

Infantino was reelected unopposed for a new term as FIFA president Thursday.

Is Sepp Blatter still available?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 17, 2023, 12:36:01 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 17, 2023, 12:28:13 PMJesus Christ. FIFA Congress was held in Rwanda leading "I am a migrant worker" Infantino to another mind boggling comparison:
QuoteRwanda's genocide recovery inspired my first election win, FIFA chief says
'What this country has suffered and how this country came back up is inspiring for the entire world,' Gianni Infantino said in Kigali.
By Ali Walker
March 16, 2023 10:27 am CET
2 minutes read

FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Thursday said his 2016 election win was partly inspired by Rwanda's recovery after the genocide in 1994.

During a speech at FIFA's Congress in Kigali, Rwanda, Infantino said that he was weighing pulling out of the election race — before a visit to Rwanda's genocide memorial changed his mind.

Infantino said that on a previous trip to Rwanda for a football tournament sometime before the 2016 vote an unidentified official told him that, "we really love you, but we're not going to support you."

The Swiss-Italian football boss was on the brink of throwing in the towel when he recalled a visit to the memorial.

"I said, who I am to give up," Infantino said. "What this country has suffered and how this country came back up is inspiring for the entire world."

"So I certainly couldn't give up because someone was telling me something," he added. "I stayed, I attended the match, I continued to campaign ... I was elected FIFA president."

In 1994, an estimated 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus died in a brutal 100-day genocide in Rwanda, carried out by the Hutu majority government and militias.

Infantino was reelected unopposed for a new term as FIFA president Thursday.

Is Sepp Blatter still available?

We should ask Michel Platini first.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on March 17, 2023, 12:53:31 PM
Does Gianni thinks he's the messiah?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 18, 2023, 04:57:57 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on March 11, 2023, 05:41:06 PMDo you guys think Conte will stay on at Spurs?

It does seem like he's done with the club. His press conference after dropping points today to Southampton:


Man just goes out there and confirms everything that everyone makes fun of Spurs about. I have to respect that  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on March 18, 2023, 08:34:08 PM
Well it was pretty bang on lol. Kinda confirms he wants to be sacked...

I like his emotion, I'm not sure I like his tactical setup. If you're not gonna win any trophies, at least give Spurs fans what they want, which is free flowing attacking football.

If they bring back Pocchetino, what the hell were the last 4 years for? No idea who would want the job now...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 19, 2023, 03:45:13 AM
Southampton to escape relegation?

In other league news. Championship referees are awful.
Midweek game given a non penalty against us creating a loss and yesterday gaining a non penalty to convert a loss to a draw.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 22, 2023, 09:04:26 AM
Apparently Bojan Krkic will announce his retirement from football tomorrow, at 32. I feel like a million years old suddenly. To think that a kid dubbed as "the new Messi" is actually retiring before the Old Messi is somehow ironic.  :lol:

Mesut Ozil also announced his retirement today.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 22, 2023, 09:51:58 AM
It seems to me these "This kid is destined to be one of the best ever" players never seem to work out. The true top players seem to be quite fringely observed as good but not god-like when young.  Messi is the only big exception that comes to mind for me- thinking of Ronaldo for instance I remember when he was starting out he was regarded as good but not quite best ever.

Still. Checking wikipedia to see what he has been up to Bojan seems to have done better than most. Poor Freddie Adu :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 22, 2023, 04:04:22 PM
Quote from: Josquius on March 22, 2023, 09:51:58 AMChecking wikipedia to see what he has been up to Bojan seems to have done better than most. Poor Freddie Adu :(

Bojan ended up having a somehow decent career, but nowhere near the heights that seemd to await him when he started out, as he was scintilating during his first seasons in Barcelona. I believe he ended up admitting at some point later in his career that the pressure he suffered during those early years really took a huge mental toll on him and caused him severe anxiety issues. For instance it was later known that he was penciled in to be part of Spain's squad for the 2008 Euros after his spectacular first season at Barcelona when he was only 18, and he actually asked to be withdrawn for selection alleging fatigue, but that was actually a cover for his mental health issues.

Freddy Adu... his case was an absolute mistery to me. Why was such a young kid (I believe he was 14 when he first burst into the scene) put into such a situation is beyond me. Why was he so overhyped at such a young age is absolutely incomprehensible. He would have been much better served by having a much lower profile that would allow him to develop at his own pace, rather than being put in the spotlight in his early-mid teens.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 23, 2023, 03:48:18 AM
Sid Lowe did a really good interview with him a few years ago. Particularly on anxiety and the mental pressure:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/may/18/bojan-krkic-interview-anxiety-attacks-football
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on March 23, 2023, 03:54:33 AM
Just saw that for the next WC they switched from 3 team groups to 4 team groups again, which also pushes the number of matches to over 100.  :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 23, 2023, 05:02:31 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 23, 2023, 03:48:18 AMSid Lowe did a really good interview with him a few years ago. Particularly on anxiety and the mental pressure:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/may/18/bojan-krkic-interview-anxiety-attacks-football

Yeah, I think it was around that time (2018) that players' mental health started being discussed. I don't remember when it was exactly but Iniesta also opened up about suffering from depression at the height of his career back in the day and needing professional help to overcome it.

It's still disheartening to read some people in the comments for these news, though. Only yesterday there was somebody talking extremely callously in one of the news about Bojan about how "he didn't have the stuff" and was "lacking in the mental department", and how him not wanting to go to the 2008 Euro Cup was a red flag that should have been a warning for the rest of his career. No sympathy whatsoever, just demeaning him as a player and person.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on March 23, 2023, 05:21:08 AM
I remember Sebastian Deisler was one of the biggest up and coming talents in German football. He suffered a few early injuries and never regained the confidence to ever reach the potential others saw in him and fell into depression under the pressure (signing with Bayern Munich probably didn't help). He retired a few days after his 27th birthday. He later said he was just not cut out for the business.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 23, 2023, 05:49:49 AM
Quote from: Syt on March 23, 2023, 05:21:08 AMI remember Sebastian Deisler was one of the biggest up and coming talents in German football. He suffered a few early injuries and never regained the confidence to ever reach the potential others saw in him and fell into depression under the pressure (signing with Bayern Munich probably didn't help). He retired a few days after his 27th birthday. He later said he was just not cut out for the business.

The "young super promising player that suffers from severe injury setbacks in his early career" is almost a trope at this point, I think. In Spain we're seeing the same thing happening right now with Barcelona's Ansu Fati, which was considered a generational talent but a couple of big injuries have really sapped his confidence. The guy is still only 20, but you already hear some voices saying that Barcelona should cut ties and get rid of him, as he's never going to amount to much after those injuries, which sounds extremely callous to me.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on March 23, 2023, 08:13:32 AM
Quote from: Josquius on March 19, 2023, 03:45:13 AMSouthampton to escape relegation?

In other league news. Championship referees are awful.
Midweek game given a non penalty against us creating a loss and yesterday gaining a non penalty to convert a loss to a draw.

Nothing will beat the Matt Le T. lead 'Great Escape'.  :wub:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 23, 2023, 03:33:31 PM
There's a lot more internationals in recent decades than there used to be right?

Harry Kane just became England's top scorer and not too many spaces below on the rankings is Michael Owen...
Kane is good but as good as prime Lineker or others?
And Owen?...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 23, 2023, 04:42:14 PM
Quote from: Josquius on March 23, 2023, 03:33:31 PMThere's a lot more internationals in recent decades than there used to be right?

Yeah, tons more. Club matches as well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 23, 2023, 04:51:04 PM
England beat Italy in Italy for the first time since 1961
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on March 23, 2023, 04:56:31 PM
Quote from: Josquius on March 23, 2023, 03:33:31 PMThere's a lot more internationals in recent decades than there used to be right?

Harry Kane just became England's top scorer and not too many spaces below on the rankings is Michael Owen...
Kane is good but as good as prime Lineker or others?
And Owen?...

Kane's scored six more goals in one more game than Lineker and 14 more goals in 8 fewer games than Owen.

Owen was amazing for a couple of years but over his career Kane is vastly superior. Hard to compare with Gary, different era where strikers like him and Rush has no duties other than to get in the box and score.

Kane has a suburb goal average for England. Way above any other player on the last 50 years. You have to go back to Greaves and Lofthouse to find better. He's way better statistically than Shearer and Rooney.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 26, 2023, 07:35:47 PM
Conte out.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 27, 2023, 02:45:07 AM
Quote from: Gups on March 23, 2023, 04:56:31 PM
Quote from: Josquius on March 23, 2023, 03:33:31 PMThere's a lot more internationals in recent decades than there used to be right?

Harry Kane just became England's top scorer and not too many spaces below on the rankings is Michael Owen...
Kane is good but as good as prime Lineker or others?
And Owen?...

Kane's scored six more goals in one more game than Lineker and 14 more goals in 8 fewer games than Owen.

Owen was amazing for a couple of years but over his career Kane is vastly superior. Hard to compare with Gary, different era where strikers like him and Rush has no duties other than to get in the box and score.

Kane has a suburb goal average for England. Way above any other player on the last 50 years. You have to go back to Greaves and Lofthouse to find better. He's way better statistically than Shearer and Rooney.
Shearer and Rooney weren't exactly super stars either.
I guess the lesson is less Kane great and more England shockingly mediocre.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 27, 2023, 04:11:34 AM
Quote from: Josquius on March 27, 2023, 02:45:07 AMShearer and Rooney weren't exactly super stars either.

 :blink:  :blink:  :blink:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 27, 2023, 04:41:22 AM
Quote from: The Larch on March 27, 2023, 04:11:34 AM
Quote from: Josquius on March 27, 2023, 02:45:07 AMShearer and Rooney weren't exactly super stars either.

 :blink:  :blink:  :blink:

Rooney fits neatly into the earlier topic of failed wonderkids.
Amazing teenager, peaked early, and became meh... good, maybe on the subs bench of a world xi at his peak, but not a superstar.

Shearer... he had some amazing seasons at Blackburn but for various reasons dropped off to merely good. I'd give a lot of credit to Sutton.  Utd failed to give him such an effective partner.

Note the bar we're talking about here. Best players ever. Not were they good or not.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 27, 2023, 05:02:23 AM
Dunno, if the bar is "best in the world at the time" I'd certainly have considered Shearer one of the best strikers worldwide during his pomp. Rooney probably not, though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 27, 2023, 05:35:57 AM
Quote from: Josquius on March 27, 2023, 04:41:22 AM
Quote from: The Larch on March 27, 2023, 04:11:34 AM
Quote from: Josquius on March 27, 2023, 02:45:07 AMShearer and Rooney weren't exactly super stars either.

 :blink:  :blink:  :blink:

Rooney fits neatly into the earlier topic of failed wonderkids.
Amazing teenager, peaked early, and became meh... good, maybe on the subs bench of a world xi at his peak, but not a superstar.

Shearer... he had some amazing seasons at Blackburn but for various reasons dropped off to merely good. I'd give a lot of credit to Sutton.  Utd failed to give him such an effective partner.

Note the bar we're talking about here. Best players ever. Not were they good or not.

Calling Rooney a failed wonderkid is complete nonsense. The man has a list of honours longer than my arm, a long and illustrious career and heaps of silverware. You saying that he peaked early makes no sense either, when his best scoring season was at 26, and he performed well for United until his early 30s.

Shearer was without a doubt one of the world's best between 93 and 96, and getting Blackburn to win the PL was an incredible feat.

Both Rooney and Shearer were absolute super stars on their time, to dismiss them is ridiculous.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on March 27, 2023, 09:27:03 AM
Quote from: Josquius on March 27, 2023, 02:45:07 AM
Quote from: Gups on March 23, 2023, 04:56:31 PM
Quote from: Josquius on March 23, 2023, 03:33:31 PMThere's a lot more internationals in recent decades than there used to be right?

Harry Kane just became England's top scorer and not too many spaces below on the rankings is Michael Owen...
Kane is good but as good as prime Lineker or others?
And Owen?...

Kane's scored six more goals in one more game than Lineker and 14 more goals in 8 fewer games than Owen.

Owen was amazing for a couple of years but over his career Kane is vastly superior. Hard to compare with Gary, different era where strikers like him and Rush has no duties other than to get in the box and score.

Kane has a suburb goal average for England. Way above any other player on the last 50 years. You have to go back to Greaves and Lofthouse to find better. He's way better statistically than Shearer and Rooney.
Shearer and Rooney weren't exactly super stars either.
I guess the lesson is less Kane great and more England shockingly mediocre.

Kane has a better goals per game ratio than Messi, Ronaldo or Neymar. He's an outstanding international striker. He's a underestimated by people who don't watch much football because he doesn't play for a top club.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on March 27, 2023, 09:29:53 AM
Quote from: celedhring on March 27, 2023, 05:02:23 AMDunno, if the bar is "best in the world at the time" I'd certainly have considered Shearer one of the best strikers worldwide during his pomp. Rooney probably not, though.

The bar was best English strikers. Kane is undoubtedly one of, if not the, best
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 28, 2023, 04:07:35 PM
Spain lost 2 - 0 against Scotland.  :scots:

This team has so much work to do... they were absolutely dreadful today.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on March 28, 2023, 07:12:39 PM
Are these international matches friendlies or enemlies?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 29, 2023, 03:12:59 AM
Qualifiers, with some friendlies thrown for good measure, namely for South American teams.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 29, 2023, 03:22:03 AM
Quote from: The Larch on March 28, 2023, 04:07:35 PMSpain lost 2 - 0 against Scotland.  :scots:

This team has so much work to do... they were absolutely dreadful today.

Zero Barça players in the starting lineup, the Madrid press got what they wanted  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 29, 2023, 04:53:09 AM
Quote from: celedhring on March 29, 2023, 03:22:03 AM
Quote from: The Larch on March 28, 2023, 04:07:35 PMSpain lost 2 - 0 against Scotland.  :scots:

This team has so much work to do... they were absolutely dreadful today.

Zero Barça players in the starting lineup, the Madrid press got what they wanted  :P

It was a very weird lineup. Changing so many players from the previous game was not something I could expect, it's as if the game was treated as a friendly to try out all players rather than as a competitive game that had to be won.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 29, 2023, 04:59:04 AM
Kind of like the early rounds of cups then?
Big teams do care about winning the cup a little but when facing a low league team they'll put out kids, confident their winning is a foregone conclusion.
Then you get giant killings.

Doubt it'll harm spains qualification, though the other Scotland level teams in that group will be pissed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 29, 2023, 05:09:59 AM
Quote from: Josquius on March 29, 2023, 04:59:04 AMKind of like the early rounds of cups then?
Big teams do care about winning the cup a little but when facing a low league team they'll put out kids, confident their winning is a foregone conclusion.
Then you get giant killings.

Doubt it'll harm spains qualification, though the other Scotland level teams in that group will be pissed.

We don't have a minnow in our group to do experiments against, all teams are competitive, maybe the weaker one is Cyprus, as Georgia nowadays have a couple of really good players. These are games that you have to take seriously.

The thing is that Spain has a brand new coach, as Luís Enrique was dismissed after the World Cup, and he has really shaken up the squad, so lots of veterans have been left out and new players brought in. We had a first game with this renovated squad against Norway that we won 3-0, but we were lucky and the final score was larger than we deserved. Then for the 2nd game rather than taking that first team as a base and tweaking it was basically a brand new one, with only 3 starters keeping their spot, and only 2 were field players, so you had what was in practical terms an almost completely different team that at some points didn't seem to know how to play with each other. As I said, the game was treated as if it was a friendly to try out new stuff rather than as a competitive game to be won.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 29, 2023, 07:48:30 AM
QuoteRoman Abramovich secretly bankrolled Dutch football club, leaked documents suggest
Exclusive: Files reveal €117m in loans for Vitesse Arnhem originated with then owner of Chelsea, despite repeated denials

Roman Abramovich secretly funded the takeover of a Dutch top division football club and bankrolled it for years during the period that he also owned Chelsea, leaked documents appear to show.

Two investigations by the Netherlands football association were unable to uncover any financial ties between Abramovich and the club, Vitesse Arnhem, and concluded that the Russian oligarch had no managerial influence on Vitesse. Both Vitesse under its then owners, and Chelsea under Abramovich, repeatedly denied the oligarch was involved in funding the Dutch club.

The financial information has come to light in the Oligarch files, a cache of leaked data originating from the Cyprus-based offshore service provider MeritServus. The documents, reviewed by the Guardian and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, appear to reveal for the first time at least €117m (£102.8m) in secret funding from Abramovich for the Vitesse takeover, which flowed through a series of entities registered in opaque offshore tax havens.

Links to Chelsea were suspected at the time of the 2010 takeover, which was led by the Georgian former footballer Merab Jordania. While he described Abramovich as his friend at the inaugural press conference, Jordania denied the oligarch was involved.

The Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB) launched a first investigation into the financing of the takeover but found nothing to conflict with its rules.

Suspicions of links continued after Jordania's takeover, as Chelsea used Vitesse – which plays in the Dutch Eredivisie – as a partner club, to which players not yet ready for the demands of the English Premier League could be loaned and gain competitive experience. Many Chelsea players went to Vitesse on loan throughout the 2010s, notably including the Serbia international Nemanja Matić and the current Chelsea and England star Mason Mount, who played for Vitesse in the 2017-18 season.

Further questions were asked after Jordania left in 2013 and another associate of Abramovich, the Russian businessman Alexander Chigirinsky, took over. Vitesse and Jordania revealed at that point that Chigirinsky had already been financially involved in the club, since the 2010 takeover.

In April 2014, Jordania appeared to allege that Chelsea was involved, fuming that Vitesse had been prevented from strengthening its team in a bid to win the Eredivisie and qualify for the Uefa Champions League because "London didn't want that". He later withdrew the comments, and still maintains there was no truth to the allegation.

The revelations prompted the second KNVB investigation, which concluded "there are no indications that Chelsea has a say in Vitesse's policy".

In 2017, the Guardian reported that associates of Abramovich based at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge offices had been involved in the Vitesse takeover. At the time, Chelsea declined to comment, saying only: "We enjoy a close working relationship with Vitesse Arnhem, as we do with other clubs."

The rules of Uefa, the European football confederation, require clubs that play against each other to be independently owned and run "to ensure the integrity of the competitions", and that "no individual or legal entity may have control or influence over more than one club participating in a Uefa club competition".

The leaked trove of documents appears to show that Abramovich bankrolled Vitesse's spending with a series of loans worth at least €117m (£102.8m) by the end of 2015. This was a huge investment for Vitesse, whose total turnover in 2014-15 was €14m (£12.3m).

Abramovich bought Chelsea in 2003 after becoming a Russian oil and gas billionaire, pouring £2bn into the club to fund signings of world-class stars. They delivered unprecedented success, including twice winning the Champions League. Abramovich was forced to sell Chelsea last year after being subject to sanctions following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The KNVB's first investigation in 2010 reported that a company, Marindale Trading, had facilitated the funding for Jordania's takeover of Vitesse. They said a connection could be made with Chigirinsky, but that they had found no "certainty about the possible managerial influence from Mr Abramovich". In 2015 the second investigation concluded there were "no indications that Chelsea has a say in Vitesse's policy".

The Oligarch files shine further light on these arrangements. They do not show whether Abramovich or his club held managerial influence at Vitesse. However, they strongly suggest that he provided significant funding to the club.

Loan agreements and other documents confirm that Marindale Trading, a company newly registered in the British Virgin Islands owned by Chigirinsky, funded the takeover and the club. They also show that Marindale had itself received a series of multimillion-euro loans, routed through entities in different tax havens.

The loans appear ultimately to originate with Abramovich. In August 2010, a company registered in the British Virgin Islands, Ovington Worldwide, lent €20m to a company registered in Liechtenstein that documents indicate was linked to Chigirinsky: Trigonia Anstalt. Ovington Worldwide was owned by another BVI company, Electus Investments, which was controlled by the Sara Trust. Roman Abramovich was the sole beneficiary of the Sara Trust, and therefore the ultimate beneficiary of the BVI company, Ovington, that lent the money to Trigonia.

On the same day as Ovington lent the €20m to Trigonia, a different company linked to Chigirinsky – Limburg Holdings, registered in Belize – made a loan to Marindale Trading. Ten days later Marindale lent the exact same sum as Ovington, €20m, to the company Jordania used as the vehicle to buy Vitesse. This more than covered the agreed purchase price for Vitesse, which was €6m, rising to €8m.

During the subsequent three years that Jordania owned Vitesse, five loans worth millions of euros were made that all followed the same pattern. Abramovich's company, Ovington, loaned money to the Chigirinsky-linked company, Trigonia; then Limburg Holdings lent to Marindale Trading, which lent the exact same amount of money to Jordania's holding company for Vitesse, almost always on the same day.

In these initial series of loans, the documents do not show Trigonia transferring the money to Limburg, which then lent to Marindale. But the documents, and matches of dates and figures, strongly suggest that the money flowed from Abramovich's company, Ovington, through the Chigirinsky-linked companies, to Vitesse.

After Jordania left in 2013 and Chigirinsky formally took over as Vitesse's owner, the documents show that the pattern continued but with Trigonia no longer in the chain. Ovington, Abramovich's company, lent millions directly to Limburg, which in turn made loans to Marindale, which lent the exact same sums to the Vitesse holding company. At least one further loan was recorded as having been made in this way even while the KNVB was conducting the second investigation.

In December 2015 the loans were rerouted a final time, when another Abramovich company registered in the BVI, Wotton Overseas, took over as the lender. Wotton Overseas, the documents show, was owned by another trust, Europa, of which Abramovich was the beneficiary. By the end of 2015, the total loans made available by Abramovich's companies in this way matched the figure ultimately made available to Marindale Trading, the company that funded Vitesse: €166m. Of that, €117m appears to have been drawn down.

Chigirinsky remained in charge of Vitesse until May 2018, when he sold the club. Asked about the arrangements, Jordania told the Guardian in a telephone conversation that Abramovich and Chigirinsky were both good friends of his, and both had lent him money when he needed it for Vitesse.

"This is true, yes," he said. "It was my personal project and they supported me very much when I bought the club with my resources, and then when I started the project sometimes money wasn't enough and I was using also money of my friends, and first of all Roman Abramovich, Chigirinsky."

Jordania said that although he explained to Abramovich that he needed the money for Vitesse, the money was lent to him personally, not directly for Vitesse.

"It was, let's say, personal debt, my personal debt to Abramovich and Chigirinsky."

The KNVB told the Guardian that its two investigations by forensic accountancy firms were into "the governance of Vitesse and whether there were ties with Chelsea FC and/or Roman Abramovich. Both firms could, on the basis of the evidence put to them, not discover the existence of such ties." The investigators in 2010 relied on public information, and the second "was based on information and documents provided by Vitesse". A spokesperson pointed out that the KNVB had to rely on the information provided to it, because it has no "public investigation powers, like, for example, the police".

A Vitesse spokesperson stated that between 2010 and 2016 the club's holding company received loans from Marindale Trading of €136.6m, then invested in the club in the form of share premiums. The spokesperson added:

"Vitesse has absolutely no knowledge of any loans between [other] companies owned by ... Chigirinsky and Mr Abramovich." Representatives of the club were "not aware" of any funding from Abramovich.

Chigirinsky did not respond to detailed requests to comment. Demetris Ioannides, a managing partner of MeritServus, didn't respond to a request for comment at the time of publication. Previously he has said trust law and data protection regulations prevented him from disclosing information to third parties.

Lawyers for Bruce Buck, the Chelsea chairman throughout the period, said in response to questions: "As regards Vitesse, our client has no knowledge or recollection of the allegations regarding arrangements between Mr Abramovich and Vitesse, or statements made by CFC about Mr Abramovich and Vitesse. If the events you describe happened at all, they are not matters that our client had any involvement with, in any capacity."

Lawyers for Chelsea said that as the club has been under new ownership since May 2022, all the questions were for Abramovich to address.

In response to detailed questions about the loans that he appeared to have provided for the takeover of Vitesse and to bankroll the club's costs, a lawyer instructed by Abramovich declined to comment.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 29, 2023, 12:17:34 PM
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/mar/29/tottenham-fabio-paratici-football-ban-extended-worldwide-by-fifa-juventus

Unusual situation at Spurs with Conte getting sacked a couple days ago and now their director of football is being removed. No manager and no director of football and rumors of Kane leaving in the summer :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 29, 2023, 01:22:11 PM
Quote from: The Larch on March 29, 2023, 05:09:59 AM
Quote from: Josquius on March 29, 2023, 04:59:04 AMKind of like the early rounds of cups then?
Big teams do care about winning the cup a little but when facing a low league team they'll put out kids, confident their winning is a foregone conclusion.
Then you get giant killings.

Doubt it'll harm spains qualification, though the other Scotland level teams in that group will be pissed.

We don't have a minnow in our group to do experiments against, all teams are competitive, maybe the weaker one is Cyprus, as Georgia nowadays have a couple of really good players. These are games that you have to take seriously.


.

I don't think its black and white. Georgia and Scotland have some good players but are generally not great.
And if you want to experiment you do need half decent opposition or else... Well of course the Real Madrid b team ran all over Liechtenstein
Qualifiers are about trying to balance competitive experimentation with actually getting the results you need.
Which Spain obviously massively fucked up here.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 29, 2023, 04:16:19 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 29, 2023, 12:17:34 PMhttps://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/mar/29/tottenham-fabio-paratici-football-ban-extended-worldwide-by-fifa-juventus

Unusual situation at Spurs with Conte getting sacked a couple days ago and now their director of football is being removed. No manager and no director of football and rumors of Kane leaving in the summer :hmm:

So, I'm not following the PL much this year - so I looked up the table and they're fourth? Why are they burning down the whole thing?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 29, 2023, 08:25:58 PM
Quote from: celedhring on March 29, 2023, 04:16:19 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 29, 2023, 12:17:34 PMhttps://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/mar/29/tottenham-fabio-paratici-football-ban-extended-worldwide-by-fifa-juventus

Unusual situation at Spurs with Conte getting sacked a couple days ago and now their director of football is being removed. No manager and no director of football and rumors of Kane leaving in the summer :hmm:

So, I'm not following the PL much this year - so I looked up the table and they're fourth? Why are they burning down the whole thing?

I think Conte soured on the club. He gave a bizarre rant a couple of weeks ago. And from the club side, he was hired to win trophies immediately and he hasn't done that. It doesn't help that Arsenal have leapfrogged them either.

He was a short-term hire that didn't work out. I think their next manager will be more long-term but he will inherit a weaker team than Conte did.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 30, 2023, 04:53:06 AM
Yeah Conte isn't a project manager :lol:

I think he's been doing literally everything he can to get fired in the last few weeks which is not ideal (David Squires did a good cartoon on it :lol: https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2023/mar/21/david-squires-on-antonio-conte-tottenham-and-an-unlikely-return). But yeah he criticised all of the players and the board in a massive rant.

But it always seemed like an incredibly unlikely combination that wouldn't work. Conte is very demanding particularly for transfers, and Daniel Levy is famously difficult on transfers. But also, in the nicest possible way, I feel like he's demanding of players and results and Spurs are often Spursy :lol: :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 30, 2023, 06:57:37 AM
Quote from: Josquius on March 29, 2023, 01:22:11 PM
Quote from: The Larch on March 29, 2023, 05:09:59 AM
Quote from: Josquius on March 29, 2023, 04:59:04 AMKind of like the early rounds of cups then?
Big teams do care about winning the cup a little but when facing a low league team they'll put out kids, confident their winning is a foregone conclusion.
Then you get giant killings.

Doubt it'll harm spains qualification, though the other Scotland level teams in that group will be pissed.

We don't have a minnow in our group to do experiments against, all teams are competitive, maybe the weaker one is Cyprus, as Georgia nowadays have a couple of really good players. These are games that you have to take seriously.


.

I don't think its black and white. Georgia and Scotland have some good players but are generally not great.
And if you want to experiment you do need half decent opposition or else... Well of course the Real Madrid b team ran all over Liechtenstein
Qualifiers are about trying to balance competitive experimentation with actually getting the results you need.
Which Spain obviously massively fucked up here.

You're right that qualifiers are in part experimentation, but IMO they're mainly about getting results, and the experimentation should not jeopardize them, otherwise you risk the massive failure and embarrassment that comes from not qualifying for a big tournament, something that has happened to well established national teams that have messed up (for instance, it is quite something that Italy has failed to qualify for the last two World Cups).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 30, 2023, 09:03:10 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 30, 2023, 04:53:06 AMYeah Conte isn't a project manager :lol:

I think he's been doing literally everything he can to get fired in the last few weeks which is not ideal (David Squires did a good cartoon on it :lol: https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2023/mar/21/david-squires-on-antonio-conte-tottenham-and-an-unlikely-return). But yeah he criticised all of the players and the board in a massive rant.

But it always seemed like an incredibly unlikely combination that wouldn't work. Conte is very demanding particularly for transfers, and Daniel Levy is famously difficult on transfers. But also, in the nicest possible way, I feel like he's demanding of players and results and Spurs are often Spursy :lol: :ph34r:

I wonder how they will get on now that Kane will likely move in the summer, Son is finished, and Richarlison hasn't kicked on for them. What is left of the team come August? It will be a painful rebuild.

The Age of Tottenham is over. The Age of Arsenal has returned.  :menace:  :menace:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on March 30, 2023, 10:06:15 AM
Quote from: The Larch on March 30, 2023, 06:57:37 AM
Quote from: Josquius on March 29, 2023, 01:22:11 PM
Quote from: The Larch on March 29, 2023, 05:09:59 AM
Quote from: Josquius on March 29, 2023, 04:59:04 AMKind of like the early rounds of cups then?
Big teams do care about winning the cup a little but when facing a low league team they'll put out kids, confident their winning is a foregone conclusion.
Then you get giant killings.

Doubt it'll harm spains qualification, though the other Scotland level teams in that group will be pissed.

We don't have a minnow in our group to do experiments against, all teams are competitive, maybe the weaker one is Cyprus, as Georgia nowadays have a couple of really good players. These are games that you have to take seriously.


.

I don't think its black and white. Georgia and Scotland have some good players but are generally not great.
And if you want to experiment you do need half decent opposition or else... Well of course the Real Madrid b team ran all over Liechtenstein
Qualifiers are about trying to balance competitive experimentation with actually getting the results you need.
Which Spain obviously massively fucked up here.

You're right that qualifiers are in part experimentation, but IMO they're mainly about getting results, and the experimentation should not jeopardize them, otherwise you risk the massive failure and embarrassment that comes from not qualifying for a big tournament, something that has happened to well established national teams that have messed up (for instance, it is quite something that Italy has failed to qualify for the last two World Cups).

You experiment near the end once you are there or nearly there and also closer to the tournament.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on March 30, 2023, 10:17:40 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 30, 2023, 09:03:10 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 30, 2023, 04:53:06 AMYeah Conte isn't a project manager :lol:

I think he's been doing literally everything he can to get fired in the last few weeks which is not ideal (David Squires did a good cartoon on it :lol: https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2023/mar/21/david-squires-on-antonio-conte-tottenham-and-an-unlikely-return). But yeah he criticised all of the players and the board in a massive rant.

But it always seemed like an incredibly unlikely combination that wouldn't work. Conte is very demanding particularly for transfers, and Daniel Levy is famously difficult on transfers. But also, in the nicest possible way, I feel like he's demanding of players and results and Spurs are often Spursy :lol: :ph34r:

I wonder how they will get on now that Kane will likely move in the summer, Son is finished, and Richarlison hasn't kicked on for them. What is left of the team come August? It will be a painful rebuild.

The Age of Tottenham is over. The Age of Arsenal has returned.  :menace:  :menace:

(https://media.tenor.com/mHSEkbUrvksAAAAC/bait.gif)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on March 30, 2023, 10:18:22 AM
Quote from: Gups on March 30, 2023, 10:06:15 AM
Quote from: The Larch on March 30, 2023, 06:57:37 AM
Quote from: Josquius on March 29, 2023, 01:22:11 PM
Quote from: The Larch on March 29, 2023, 05:09:59 AM
Quote from: Josquius on March 29, 2023, 04:59:04 AMKind of like the early rounds of cups then?
Big teams do care about winning the cup a little but when facing a low league team they'll put out kids, confident their winning is a foregone conclusion.
Then you get giant killings.

Doubt it'll harm spains qualification, though the other Scotland level teams in that group will be pissed.

We don't have a minnow in our group to do experiments against, all teams are competitive, maybe the weaker one is Cyprus, as Georgia nowadays have a couple of really good players. These are games that you have to take seriously.


.

I don't think its black and white. Georgia and Scotland have some good players but are generally not great.
And if you want to experiment you do need half decent opposition or else... Well of course the Real Madrid b team ran all over Liechtenstein
Qualifiers are about trying to balance competitive experimentation with actually getting the results you need.
Which Spain obviously massively fucked up here.

You're right that qualifiers are in part experimentation, but IMO they're mainly about getting results, and the experimentation should not jeopardize them, otherwise you risk the massive failure and embarrassment that comes from not qualifying for a big tournament, something that has happened to well established national teams that have messed up (for instance, it is quite something that Italy has failed to qualify for the last two World Cups).

You experiment near the end once you are there or nearly there and also closer to the tournament.

And in the friendlies.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 30, 2023, 10:23:12 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 30, 2023, 09:03:10 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 30, 2023, 04:53:06 AMYeah Conte isn't a project manager :lol:

I think he's been doing literally everything he can to get fired in the last few weeks which is not ideal (David Squires did a good cartoon on it :lol: https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2023/mar/21/david-squires-on-antonio-conte-tottenham-and-an-unlikely-return). But yeah he criticised all of the players and the board in a massive rant.

But it always seemed like an incredibly unlikely combination that wouldn't work. Conte is very demanding particularly for transfers, and Daniel Levy is famously difficult on transfers. But also, in the nicest possible way, I feel like he's demanding of players and results and Spurs are often Spursy :lol: :ph34r:

I wonder how they will get on now that Kane will likely move in the summer, Son is finished, and Richarlison hasn't kicked on for them. What is left of the team come August? It will be a painful rebuild.

The Age of Tottenham is over. The Age of Arsenal has returned.  :menace:  :menace:

The age of Tottenham is English footballs fusion power.
Always just around the corner. Never to come.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on March 30, 2023, 05:22:00 PM
Quote from: The Larch on March 30, 2023, 06:57:37 AMYou're right that qualifiers are in part experimentation, but IMO they're mainly about getting results, and the experimentation should not jeopardize them, otherwise you risk the massive failure and embarrassment that comes from not qualifying for a big tournament, something that has happened to well established national teams that have messed up (for instance, it is quite something that Italy has failed to qualify for the last two World Cups).

Problem is teams don't have much of a chance to "experiment" anymore. In between Euro qualifiers, Nations League and FIFA qualifiers. Best they get is the odd FIFA window when they don't have a regular game to play.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 30, 2023, 07:35:33 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on March 30, 2023, 10:17:40 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 30, 2023, 09:03:10 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 30, 2023, 04:53:06 AMYeah Conte isn't a project manager :lol:

I think he's been doing literally everything he can to get fired in the last few weeks which is not ideal (David Squires did a good cartoon on it :lol: https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2023/mar/21/david-squires-on-antonio-conte-tottenham-and-an-unlikely-return). But yeah he criticised all of the players and the board in a massive rant.

But it always seemed like an incredibly unlikely combination that wouldn't work. Conte is very demanding particularly for transfers, and Daniel Levy is famously difficult on transfers. But also, in the nicest possible way, I feel like he's demanding of players and results and Spurs are often Spursy :lol: :ph34r:

I wonder how they will get on now that Kane will likely move in the summer, Son is finished, and Richarlison hasn't kicked on for them. What is left of the team come August? It will be a painful rebuild.

The Age of Tottenham is over. The Age of Arsenal has returned.  :menace:  :menace:

(https://media.tenor.com/mHSEkbUrvksAAAAC/bait.gif)

 :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 01, 2023, 01:28:19 PM
Chelsea 0 Aston Villa 2.  :lol:

Boehly has to spend whatever it takes to get rid of Potter and get Nagelsmann.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 02, 2023, 02:19:37 PM
Bloody effin' time:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/apr/02/chelsea-sack-manager-graham-potter-after-less-than-six-months-in-charge

Too late to bring back Tuchel, though. :(

Knowing the new owner he'll get Mourinho.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 02, 2023, 03:58:41 PM
Quote from: Tamas on April 02, 2023, 02:19:37 PMBloody effin' time:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/apr/02/chelsea-sack-manager-graham-potter-after-less-than-six-months-in-charge

Too late to bring back Tuchel, though. :(

Knowing the new owner he'll get Mourinho.

 :D

Boehly and the rest of the ownership group seem quite clueless, but I imagine with enough money they'll stumble into something decent eventually.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 02, 2023, 04:02:58 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 02, 2023, 03:58:41 PM
Quote from: Tamas on April 02, 2023, 02:19:37 PMBloody effin' time:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/apr/02/chelsea-sack-manager-graham-potter-after-less-than-six-months-in-charge

Too late to bring back Tuchel, though. :(

Knowing the new owner he'll get Mourinho.

 :D

Boehly and the rest of the ownership group seem quite clueless, but I imagine with enough money they'll stumble into something decent eventually.

Ah. The Sunderland approach.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 02, 2023, 07:32:10 PM
Potter should have played Boehly's suggested formation of 4-4-3  :lmfao:  :lmfao:

I shouldn't laugh too hard though. It wasn't long ago when Arsenal was being run into the ground through negligence and  criminality. Thankfully the club turned it around and hired decent executives and a potentially generational manager.

Who will be Boehly's Arteta? Or will he just try to buy Arteta  :lol:  :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 02, 2023, 08:07:17 PM
Quote from: Tamas on April 02, 2023, 02:19:37 PMBloody effin' time:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/apr/02/chelsea-sack-manager-graham-potter-after-less-than-six-months-in-charge

Too late to bring back Tuchel, though. :(

Knowing the new owner he'll get Mourinho.
From a club with an owner who spent a lot of money and made a lot of bad decisions - condolences :console:

The thing I think to watch for now is what sort of manager he goes for. Potter is a project manager who needs a season or two and, from Brighton, I think does best when there's a wider organisation around him. If Boehly sticks with that - the fans may hate him because fair to say they expect immediate and very good results - but it might work in the long-run, like Arsenal.

But given the transfers my guess is he'll go for someone like a Mourinho (recapture a bit of the old feeling) or some other quite demanding, big name manager. And speaking from Everton's experience there's no worse sign for a club than an owner ping-ponging between different types of managers and expensively assembling a Frankenstein squad along the way that underperforms and is difficult to shift :ph34r:

Given the amount of money spent and the number of players in Chelsea's squad and some of the names, honestly the only manager I can think of who can make that work is someone like Ancelotti who has incredible man management skills. A squad of 31  pretty expensive players and no European football next year is going to be a challenge.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 02, 2023, 09:22:21 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 02, 2023, 08:07:17 PM
Quote from: Tamas on April 02, 2023, 02:19:37 PMBloody effin' time:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/apr/02/chelsea-sack-manager-graham-potter-after-less-than-six-months-in-charge

Too late to bring back Tuchel, though. :(

Knowing the new owner he'll get Mourinho.
From a club with an owner who spent a lot of money and made a lot of bad decisions - condolences :console:

The thing I think to watch for now is what sort of manager he goes for. Potter is a project manager who needs a season or two and, from Brighton, I think does best when there's a wider organisation around him. If Boehly sticks with that - the fans may hate him because fair to say they expect immediate and very good results - but it might work in the long-run, like Arsenal.

But given the transfers my guess is he'll go for someone like a Mourinho (recapture a bit of the old feeling) or some other quite demanding, big name manager. And speaking from Everton's experience there's no worse sign for a club than an owner ping-ponging between different types of managers and expensively assembling a Frankenstein squad along the way that underperforms and is difficult to shift :ph34r:

Given the amount of money spent and the number of players in Chelsea's squad and some of the names, honestly the only manager I can think of who can make that work is someone like Ancelotti who has incredible man management skills. A squad of 31  pretty expensive players and no European football next year is going to be a challenge.

They're definitely going to have a fire sale to get rid of a ton of players though. They have to hope they bounce back next season and get into a CL place.

I think next season 5th place in the prem is a CL-qualifying spot, too
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 03, 2023, 02:43:38 AM
"Manager who was a disaster and suspiciously enough whose previous club started doing better once he left is not to be blamed for his failure. After all, he is English and we need to believe we can produce a manager worth a damn:"

https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2023/apr/03/the-end-of-an-error-for-chelsea-graham-potter-put-out-of-his-misery
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 03, 2023, 03:02:41 AM
As this comment in the Guardian puts it (made before the sacking):

QuoteLet me begin by saying that their career results show that Unai Emery is simply a better manager than Graham Potter... Aston Villa have a better manager than Chelsea.

Graham Potter was chosen by Chelsea's owners based hope rather than proven results, and the Chelsea job is his until the owners' hope turns into the realisation that Potter is hopeless.

Chelsea have had two underqualified English managers in four years. That's more English managers than any other top four club in the last 20 years. One manager departed and tried his hand at relegating Everton, whilst the other has successfully transformed Chelsea into a mid-table club.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 03, 2023, 04:18:37 AM
I'm pretty sure that Luís Enrique will end up being hired by either Chelsea or Tottenham before the season ends and towards the next one.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 03, 2023, 05:40:12 AM
A funny Premier League stat regarding coaches.  :lol:

QuoteRoberto De Zerbi was appointed as Graham Potter's replacement at Brighton in September.

He's now the 11th longest-serving current manager in the Premier League
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 03, 2023, 12:19:29 PM
:lol: Weirdly I thought that had settled down in recent years.

On Potter I still really rate him and think he has a very good record. But, as Ronay says, I don't think he is a right fit for Chelsea in particular but probably not any of the big traditional clubs. I also don't think he'd be a great fit for somewhere like Everton where there is a demand of a bit of an emotional connection.

But I think the comparison with Lampard (or Gerrard) is laughable. He is a far better coach than them. I doubt he'll stay unemployed for long (I feel like he'd be a really good fit for German football actually) and I suspect he'll be a success where he goes next. Apparently he's already turned down Leicester.

I think it flags that there is this chasm of super-clubs and the rest. You can be a really really good manager of the rest, but that doesn't necessarily translate into an ability to manage the super-clubs. And I think part of that is ego and credibility with the players which is why I think you get someone like Lampard (or Pirlo, say) getting massive jobs. I think there's relatively few ways in - I think Dortmund as an edge case is one, if you do very well in, say, the Netherlands or Portugal at a European level you'll get a look in. But I'm not sure doing really well for you budget in the big leagues is enough any more - it might work if you've got a club that hasn't actually won anything recently (Howe at Newcastle, Poch at Spurs). But I think when things start going wrong and you're Rodgers or Potter or Nuno the best you can say is that you've done well at Swansea, Brighton or Wolves and I'm not sure it works in those dressing rooms.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 03, 2023, 04:00:56 PM
How's life at Everton anyway? Everything is fine memeing going on or is there a solid relegation plan?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 03, 2023, 04:56:20 PM
Quote from: Josquius on April 03, 2023, 04:00:56 PMHow's life at Everton anyway? Everything is fine memeing going on or is there a solid relegation plan?
It's a very bad team and we don't have an established striker as DCL is perma-injured, but Simms scored an equaliser against Chelsea so maybe this is his moment (God willing). But Dyche is doing very well given what he's got.

But at the same time there's a Premier League financial fairplay investigation over our losses which could see, say a points deduction (I feel like watching Everton over the last few years is punishment enough :weep:). So. Everything is fine :ph34r:

I suspect if we're relegated we will fully Sunderland.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 05, 2023, 04:57:33 AM
The hindsight-driven Guardian articles on Potter and Chelsea are nauseating. There was barely any criticism of Potter before the final couple of weeks and even then muted. Now all the pundits act like this was an obviously failed model from the start. I mean it was, but they didn't flag it because Potter was the next England darling to put hopes of global glory in.

Meanwhile Tuchel is showing his brilliance with Bayern Munchen. Just sickening.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 05, 2023, 05:04:30 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 05, 2023, 04:57:33 AMMeanwhile Tuchel is showing his brilliance with Bayern Munchen. Just sickening.

Which brilliance? Getting knocked out of the cup by Freiburg?  :P

Quote from: The Larch on April 03, 2023, 04:18:37 AMI'm pretty sure that Luís Enrique will end up being hired by either Chelsea or Tottenham before the season ends and towards the next one.

And apparently he's travelling to London to interview for Chelsea. If somebody can light a fire in the butt of Chelsea's players for the game against Real Madrid it's him.  :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 05, 2023, 05:37:57 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 05, 2023, 05:04:30 AMAnd apparently he's travelling to London to interview for Chelsea

Please for the love of god, don't force me to like fucking Chelsea.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 05, 2023, 05:51:51 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 05, 2023, 05:37:57 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 05, 2023, 05:04:30 AMAnd apparently he's travelling to London to interview for Chelsea

Please for the love of god, don't force me to like fucking Chelsea.

They're too easy for you to dislike at the moment, what with them having a former Espanyol player as manager.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 05, 2023, 06:48:39 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 05, 2023, 05:51:51 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 05, 2023, 05:37:57 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 05, 2023, 05:04:30 AMAnd apparently he's travelling to London to interview for Chelsea

Please for the love of god, don't force me to like fucking Chelsea.

They're too easy for you to dislike at the moment, what with them having a former Espanyol player as manager.  :P

I had to check to know that Bruno actually played for Espanyol  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 05, 2023, 07:04:20 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 05, 2023, 06:48:39 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 05, 2023, 05:51:51 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 05, 2023, 05:37:57 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 05, 2023, 05:04:30 AMAnd apparently he's travelling to London to interview for Chelsea

Please for the love of god, don't force me to like fucking Chelsea.

They're too easy for you to dislike at the moment, what with them having a former Espanyol player as manager.  :P

I had to check to know that Bruno actually played for Espanyol  :P

Yeah, I guess he's a bit of a non-entity. I even read somewhere that Chelsea were considering bringing Lampard back to be the caretaker until the end of the season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on April 05, 2023, 07:23:50 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 05, 2023, 04:57:33 AMThe hindsight-driven Guardian articles on Potter and Chelsea are nauseating. There was barely any criticism of Potter before the final couple of weeks and even then muted. Now all the pundits act like this was an obviously failed model from the start. I mean it was, but they didn't flag it because Potter was the next England darling to put hopes of global glory in.

Meanwhile Tuchel is showing his brilliance with Bayern Munchen. Just sickening.

Not true. Barney Ronay was saying it was a terrible fit right from the start. Everyone has - it's not hindsight, it was always obvious.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 05, 2023, 07:40:49 AM
Yeah, it's pretty clear the two are an odd fit.
The only question is whether it could be made to work nonetheless, maybe even if he could bring something Chelsea was missing.
Nope.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 05, 2023, 12:37:38 PM
I also don't seem him falling in the "they never give English managers a chance" camp because in my head that's always the Paul Merson/Chris Sutton style line and it's about former players who can instil "passion" or "what the club's about" like Lampard, or the merry-go-round coaches like Allardyce.

A lot of that is just stereotypes but I feel like for the reason Potter was beloved by the more hipster end of football was because he did interesting things tactically, he was interested in data, he liked working with a Director of Football etc. Plus he has a bit of a curse of xG which is probably also why they love him of when he came to Brighton and in Chelsea they consistently do far, far better on xG but are dreadful at scoring goals - then it all starts clicking a bit more.

I think Tamas just needs to start reading the tabloids for the wider view on Potter (Everton fans hated the idea - I loved it but it would probably be a disaster - when he was briefly linked to us :blush:) for these sort of reasons. Eg - the Mail today :lol: :P
QuoteSIMON JORDAN: Every manager sacked this season deserves it. Let's face it, they've all been bloody USELESS... and some, like Potter, have just been made multi-millionaires for being mediocre
    Graham Potter and Brendan Rodgers were the most recent managers to be axed
    There have been 12 sackings this season - which is seen as a shocking statistic 
    They all deserved to be sacked and can't consider themselves hard done by
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 05, 2023, 01:55:24 PM
QuoteChelsea are close to appointing Frank Lampard as head coach on an interim basis until the end of this season. Proposed deal would see 44yo installed immediately, while exhaustive search for new permanent boss continues in weeks ahead @TheAthleticFC
https://twitter.com/David_Ornstein/status/1643671706752655360?t=EjLPNPItEPLHaPaz8h2WoA&s=19

(https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/946/559/443)

In all seriousness though it is probably fine because this is a lost season anyway, as long as they hire a real manager in the summer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 05, 2023, 01:58:54 PM
:lol: WTF? :blink:

(Although I can sort of see why if they've decided against appointing a new manager now/can't get the one they want because I'm not sure who else would accept the Interim Manager gig. It would be hilarious if he now did a Solskjaer....)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 05, 2023, 01:59:12 PM
Don't know if there's much of a point to appointing a caretaker at this point that is not going to continue next season, tbh.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 05, 2023, 02:57:13 PM
Quote from: The Larch on April 05, 2023, 01:59:12 PMDon't know if there's much of a point to appointing a caretaker at this point that is not going to continue next season, tbh.

Higher league finish = £££££
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 05, 2023, 03:01:51 PM
Quote from: Josquius on April 05, 2023, 02:57:13 PM
Quote from: The Larch on April 05, 2023, 01:59:12 PMDon't know if there's much of a point to appointing a caretaker at this point that is not going to continue next season, tbh.

Higher league finish = £££££

But then you look for a better coach now, rather than a caretaker.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 05, 2023, 03:12:25 PM
Quote from: The Larch on April 05, 2023, 01:59:12 PMDon't know if there's much of a point to appointing a caretaker at this point that is not going to continue next season, tbh.
I feel like it's either the available coaches they might like (Nagelsman, Enrique, Poch) aren't interested, or maybe they have a specific target in mind but they're not willing to leave their current club until summer (maybe Spalletti?) - or maybe they just think it's going to take a while.

I feel like Chelsea got rid of lots of their technical/recruitment team in the change from Abramovich to Boehly and I'm not sure if it's been replaced, or would impact a manager search? :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 05, 2023, 03:14:17 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 05, 2023, 03:12:25 PM
Quote from: The Larch on April 05, 2023, 01:59:12 PMDon't know if there's much of a point to appointing a caretaker at this point that is not going to continue next season, tbh.
I feel like it's either the available coaches they might like (Nagelsman, Enrique, Poch) aren't interested, or maybe they have a specific target in mind but they're not willing to leave their current club until summer (maybe Spalletti?) - or maybe they just think it's going to take a while.

That'd be the main reason, yes, that the manager they truly want is not available at the moment, but then it's strange how they seem to be already interviewing big name candidates if they don't intend to make a final signing until the season is over.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 05, 2023, 03:22:06 PM
Yeah I wonder if that's part one/they can't get managers they like.

Not sure but I wonder if some of those big coaches are maybe looking into Chelsea and thinking it looks like a bit of a dumpster fire at the minute? I mean Boehly bought the club less than a year ago, he appointed himself interim sporting director, has fired two managers (including one he gave a five year contract), spent loads on lots of players who don't necessarily go together and are on very long term contracts. Poch might just be a true Spurs fan but I wonder if other managers are looking and wondering if Chelsea is really the place to do what they want.

It might just be press rumours but I feel like if you've gone from reportedly talking to Nagelsmann to Frank Lampard as interim manager you might not be getting the response you were wanting? :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 05, 2023, 04:24:02 PM
Quote from: The Larch on April 05, 2023, 03:01:51 PM
Quote from: Josquius on April 05, 2023, 02:57:13 PM
Quote from: The Larch on April 05, 2023, 01:59:12 PMDon't know if there's much of a point to appointing a caretaker at this point that is not going to continue next season, tbh.

Higher league finish = £££££

But then you look for a better coach now, rather than a caretaker.

There are different sorts of coach.
There's some who can come in and slap a team into shape and get some wins out of them but who may not be great in the long term.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: The Larch on April 05, 2023, 04:28:32 PM
Quote from: Josquius on April 05, 2023, 04:24:02 PM
Quote from: The Larch on April 05, 2023, 03:01:51 PM
Quote from: Josquius on April 05, 2023, 02:57:13 PM
Quote from: The Larch on April 05, 2023, 01:59:12 PMDon't know if there's much of a point to appointing a caretaker at this point that is not going to continue next season, tbh.

Higher league finish = £££££

But then you look for a better coach now, rather than a caretaker.

There are different sorts of coach.
There's some who can come in and slap a team into shape and get some wins out of them but who may not be great in the long term.

And it'd be understandable to get a guy like that if they were a team in the relegation battle, but that's not the case. Are they still in contention for European football or are they out of the race already?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 05, 2023, 05:34:23 PM
I mean... at this stage I am resigned to whoever as interim coach and be relieved as long as its not Mourinho.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 05, 2023, 06:45:15 PM
Quote from: Tamas on April 05, 2023, 05:34:23 PMI mean... at this stage I am resigned to whoever as interim coach and be relieved as long as its not Mourinho.
In a villa in Spain, Allardyce sits by his phone :ph34r: :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 06, 2023, 09:14:14 AM
Absolutely a great example of the just slap the players into shape style of manager.

Though would be a bizzare and interesting fit for Chelsea. Might help slim their wage bill a bit.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 06, 2023, 04:33:20 PM
This meme format might be my favorite.

(https://i.postimg.cc/XqvsFmYj/20230406-172917.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 16, 2023, 10:15:43 AM
West Ham 2 Arsenal 2.

It's pretty much over. Only 4 point gap and City look unstoppable. Arsenal's form really dipping with a key injury to William Saliba.

CL football is secure, and that was this season's target, but this feels like a huge disappointment considering what could've been.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 16, 2023, 11:12:21 AM
City do look to perhaps have a better fixture list ahead.
Fingers crossed for arsenal though. It's been long enough they'd semi count as someone new winning.
Still hoping for the city arsenal game as a decider
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 16, 2023, 11:34:51 AM
Quote from: Josquius on April 16, 2023, 11:12:21 AMCity do look to perhaps have a better fixture list ahead.
Fingers crossed for arsenal though. It's been long enough they'd semi count as someone new winning.
Still hoping for the city arsenal game as a decider

Can't see Arsenal getting anything at City in this form and with some key players out. It's done.  :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on April 18, 2023, 03:47:26 PM
Tight race to avoid relegation
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 21, 2023, 09:46:41 AM
Looks like Chelsea failed to snag their top target:

https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1649422319712911360?s=20

QuoteEXCLUSIVE: Julian Nagelsmann has now withdrawn from the race to become the new Chelsea head coach — it looks like it's his final decision. 🚨🔵 #CFC

German coach is said to be no longer available after multiple round of talks.

Nagelsmann was top candidate for the job.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 21, 2023, 09:54:30 AM
No major coach will take that no-European-football-next-year dumpster fire. What a mess.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 21, 2023, 10:05:37 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 21, 2023, 09:54:30 AMNo major coach will take that no-European-football-next-year dumpster fire. What a mess.

Leaving my hate for Chelsea aside, the next few years look rough for you lot. Terrible executive management, too many players on too huge contracts, no CL football... Yikes. My condolences. It's where Arsenal was six years ago.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 22, 2023, 07:09:47 AM
Arsenal had a third draw in a row. This time, instead of going 2-0 up and letting the other team in, they went 3-1 down and had to claw a point back right at the end. The annual April Arsenal collapse is right on schedule, right when City are looking better and better every game :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 22, 2023, 07:42:17 AM
I have to say that after months of Arsenal fans talking like their title was a done deal, this is somewhat satisfying. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 22, 2023, 08:22:40 AM
Eh, most fans I know haven't taken the title for granted. I think most of us knew we had like a 50-50 chance, at best, against this Manchester City machine, and it looks like we've let our chance go by.  :(

Klopp built the greatest Liverpool team since the 80s and still only won the PL once, only because Pep had one bad, unlucky season. This is Manchester City's/UAE's league and we're all just living in it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 22, 2023, 08:47:28 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 22, 2023, 07:42:17 AMI have to say that after months of Arsenal fans talking like their title was a done deal, this is somewhat satisfying. :P

It would be, if it wasn't fucking Man City that's gonna take it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on April 22, 2023, 03:23:56 PM
Does it speak badly of me that I got really into AFC Wrexham this past year?

I mean it's totally, 100% bandwagonning.  I'd never even heard of the team a year ago.  I'd never given two farts about the National League.

But watching fictional Ted Lasso, then the Welcome to Wrexham documentary, I've been following how Wrexham was doing, watching highlights, and now today they secured first place and promotion, and it pleases me.

To be a soccer snob if asked I would always say my favourite "football" team was EC Bahia in the Brazilian league - my brother's wife is from Salvador, I thought the "kit" looked sharp when I went there for their wedding, and took it from there.  But although every once in a while 'd check out the Brazilian league standings, I can't say I really ever cared how they were doing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 22, 2023, 03:46:05 PM
I do wonder when we will see other lower league teams with tv shows. Seems to have been a hit for Disney and suits Wrexham of course.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on April 22, 2023, 03:55:49 PM
Quote from: Josquius on April 22, 2023, 03:46:05 PMI do wonder when we will see other lower league teams with tv shows. Seems to have been a hit for Disney and suits Wrexham of course.

Without a Hollywood connection I can't see why you would.

Welcome to Wrexham was a good show, by the way, for anyone with a Disney+ account.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on April 22, 2023, 09:23:12 PM
Quote from: Barrister on April 22, 2023, 03:23:56 PMDoes it speak badly of me that I got really into AFC Wrexham this past year?

I mean it's totally, 100% bandwagonning.  I'd never even heard of the team a year ago.  I'd never given two farts about the National League.

But watching fictional Ted Lasso, then the Welcome to Wrexham documentary, I've been following how Wrexham was doing, watching highlights, and now today they secured first place and promotion, and it pleases me.

To be a soccer snob if asked I would always say my favourite "football" team was EC Bahia in the Brazilian league - my brother's wife is from Salvador, I thought the "kit" looked sharp when I went there for their wedding, and took it from there.  But although every once in a while 'd check out the Brazilian league standings, I can't say I really ever cared how they were doing.

No it doesn't look bad. I am way too into following their road too. I really like lower leagues games in almost all sports but it is much more interesting in soccer.

Perfect soccer is a snooze fest. Imperfect soccer is fun.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on April 23, 2023, 01:20:02 AM
I've yet to watch Wrexham (though I like Rob McElhenny and Ryan Reynolds in general), but normally I'm not a fan of "rich folk take over crap club, pour loads pf money into it to make it competitive" - see Hoffenheim, or Red Bull's clubs in Leipzig and Salzburg (with Salzuburg more or less acting as farm team for Leipzig).

But after watching this video which puts it a bit into perspective, I might go and check it out.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on April 23, 2023, 04:00:32 AM
I know that Austrian clubs tend to have more sponsors on their kits than others, but I think TSV Hartberg might take the cake. :lol: :bleeding:

(https://i.postimg.cc/rFSLTMXV/image.png)

(https://i.postimg.cc/fRDQTpDx/image.png)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on April 23, 2023, 04:08:58 AM
Sperm booster is definitely a new one for me :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 23, 2023, 08:27:34 AM
Oh my :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 23, 2023, 08:44:20 AM
Wtf spurs.


Quote from: Syt on April 23, 2023, 04:00:32 AMI know that Austrian clubs tend to have more sponsors on their kits than others, but I think TSV Hartberg might take the cake. :lol: :bleeding:

[img]

Looks more like a pro cyclist shirt.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 23, 2023, 09:21:07 AM
Quote from: Josquius on April 23, 2023, 08:44:20 AMWtf spurs.


Quote from: Syt on April 23, 2023, 04:00:32 AMI know that Austrian clubs tend to have more sponsors on their kits than others, but I think TSV Hartberg might take the cake. :lol: :bleeding:

[img]

Looks more like a pro cyclist shirt.

For once, my thoughts exactly.  :)

Old enough to remember when Barça had no main shirt sponsor.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on April 23, 2023, 09:29:06 AM
This is the first time I watch a Spurs game this season. I'm not disappointed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 23, 2023, 11:31:53 AM
Quote from: celedhring on April 23, 2023, 09:29:06 AMThis is the first time I watch a Spurs game this season. I'm not disappointed.

 :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 23, 2023, 11:49:30 AM
Tough times ahead for Spurs. No manager or director of football, no vision from ownership beyond selling space at Tottenham Stadium for concerts and NFL games, no CL football next season (quite possibly for quite a while), and Kane, their only consistently good player, is very likely to leave in the summer.  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on April 23, 2023, 02:29:14 PM
Quote from: celedhring on April 23, 2023, 09:29:06 AMThis is the first time I watch a Spurs game this season. I'm not disappointed.

 :shutup:

I fear Conte was right... There's no heart in these guys. I think it's time to let Kane go. Next season will be terrible too, but give the spot to Richarlison, go get a couple of guys with fire in their belly and see where it goes.

It's weird to see how once Betancur got injured, the season went off the rails.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on April 23, 2023, 02:33:56 PM
I assume Tottenham can't turn it around by bringing Klinsmann back?

(https://resources.premierleague.com/premierleague/photo/2018/11/16/353dc732-daaa-428a-b493-2ba6cefdb170/klinsmann-tot-eve-9495-wid.png)

(Or Holsten brewery as a sponsor?)

:P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on April 23, 2023, 06:08:20 PM
I would like it noted for the record that Ryan Reynolds is Canadian in case things go to shit at Wrexham.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 24, 2023, 11:47:13 AM
Hadn't really occurred to me that you could fire a caretaker manager :huh:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/apr/24/tottenham-cristian-stellini-sacking-newcastle

I always assumed they were just one of the coaches stepping in/helping you out.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 24, 2023, 12:17:17 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 24, 2023, 11:47:13 AMHadn't really occurred to me that you could fire a caretaker manager :huh:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/apr/24/tottenham-cristian-stellini-sacking-newcastle

I always assumed they were just one of the coaches stepping in/helping you out.

Jesus Christ what is happening at Tottenham
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on April 24, 2023, 12:33:51 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 24, 2023, 11:47:13 AMHadn't really occurred to me that you could fire a caretaker manager :huh:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/apr/24/tottenham-cristian-stellini-sacking-newcastle

I always assumed they were just one of the coaches stepping in/helping you out.

Aren't caretaker managers usually assistant managers etc. who were already at the club? In that case they would have a contract like everyone else, I'd assume, and could be dismissed if you really don't get on with them? :unsure:

Of course the bigger question would be if they didn't like his performance, why not find a manager sooner? Or entrust him in the first place?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 24, 2023, 12:38:31 PM
Quote from: Syt on April 24, 2023, 12:33:51 PMAren't caretaker managers usually assistant managers etc. who were already at the club? In that case they would have a contract like everyone else, I'd assume, and could be dismissed if you really don't get on with them? :unsure:
Yeah - but that's what I mean though. Even if it goes badly after some coach steps up to be a caretaker, I feel like they normally just go back to being a coach and getting a "we thank for managing at a difficult time". I don't think I'd ever heard of one getting fired before :blink: :lol:

That just seems very, very harsh.

Although looking at it Stellini has been part of Conte's coaching staff at every team since 2011 so it's very weird he didn't go with him because I feel like that's the norm.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 24, 2023, 01:05:04 PM
Yeah, it's pretty standard even for the same guy to go through several spells as caretaker between full time managers whilst most of the time they're a regular coach or youth team manager or some such.
It's only if they try stepping up to full time and fail that going back to being a coach is no longer an option.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 24, 2023, 01:13:10 PM
Not gonna lie, I am very much enjoying watching Spurs implode after I was mocked on a weekly basis by Zoupa as Arsenal bottled Top 4 this time last year  :lol: 

To dare is to do  :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on April 24, 2023, 01:24:48 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 24, 2023, 12:38:31 PMAlthough looking at it Stellini has been part of Conte's coaching staff at every team since 2011 so it's very weird he didn't go with him because I feel like that's the norm.

It can happen. Louis van Gaal brought fellow Dutchman Andries Jonker as AssMan to Bayern Munich; the two had worked together in the past. When van Gaal left, Jonker saw out the season for Munich and then managed Bayern Munich II for another year. Jonker was also assistant manager in Wolfsburg afterwards, first working with Felix Magath and then his successor when Magath was sacked.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on April 25, 2023, 12:36:55 AM
Looking at Tottenham's assitant caretaker's ( :P ) schedule - he has ManUtd and Liverpool coming up bnext. I'm sure he's thrilled. :D OTOH, at this point I guess he might go into it, thinking, "Can't get any worse, so fuck it."  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 25, 2023, 04:03:57 AM
Quote from: Syt on April 25, 2023, 12:36:55 AMLooking at Tottenham's assitant caretaker's ( :P ) schedule - he has ManUtd and Liverpool coming up bnext. I'm sure he's thrilled. :D OTOH, at this point I guess he might go into it, thinking, "Can't get any worse, so fuck it."  :bowler:
Only losing 2-0= success.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on April 25, 2023, 02:20:22 PM
Apparently spurs are so embarrassed they're offering  refunds?  :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on April 25, 2023, 02:25:01 PM
Remember that year when the Spurs almost won the league but Leicester got to play the season on easy mode?  That's gotta hurt.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 25, 2023, 02:27:30 PM
Quote from: PDH on April 25, 2023, 02:25:01 PMRemember that year when the Spurs almost won the league but Leicester got to play the season on easy mode?  That's gotta hurt.
easy mode?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on April 25, 2023, 02:31:13 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 23, 2023, 06:08:20 PMI would like it noted for the record that Ryan Reynolds is Canadian in case things go to shit at Wrexham.  :D

I've watched a few Wrexham videos on Youtube so now of course I keep getting more in my recommended feeds.

It's still a cool and interesting story, but some of the NAm coverage was a little over the top.  One called it a "Fairytale story" or "dreams come true".

Come on - two rich Americans bought a low level team, paid way higher salaries than anyone else in their league, and managed to win promotion.  This is not exactly a surprising result.

I mean when their goalkeeper went down they managed to convince retired keeper Ben Foster to come finish the season out.  As I understand it Foster was a former EPL player, 5 leagues above where Wrexham plays.  They were able to do it because being associated with Wrexham (and Reynolds) would be good for his online brand. 

No other team in that league had those kind of advantages.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 25, 2023, 02:33:26 PM
Yep. Wrexham are pretty hated by other non league fans.
It's quite a rising trend for rich people to buy non league teams and push them up the leagues, leaving those who have been slowly progressing through hard work in the dust.

Forest Green are a particularly bizzare one which on the surface seem nice but scratch beneath and it's shifty AF.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on April 25, 2023, 02:35:37 PM
Football is all about who can pay more for wins. Don't know why wrexham would get shame for something that been going on for decades if not over a century*


*at a much lower cost
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on April 25, 2023, 02:36:52 PM
Quote from: Josquius on April 25, 2023, 02:27:30 PM
Quote from: PDH on April 25, 2023, 02:25:01 PMRemember that year when the Spurs almost won the league but Leicester got to play the season on easy mode?  That's gotta hurt.
easy mode?
It sure seamed like it that year...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 25, 2023, 02:37:14 PM
Oh no :o

What's bad about them? I thought they were all vegan burgers and trying to build a wooden stadium etc. Asking becaue I feel semi-invested since they've hired Duncan Ferguson as their manager :blush:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 25, 2023, 02:44:42 PM
Quote from: HVC on April 25, 2023, 02:35:37 PMFootball is all about who can pay more for wins. Don't know why wrexham would get shame for something that been going on for decades if not over a century*


*at a much lower cost
Same reason Newcastle and Man City do, Chelsea did before them etc etc. It's not shame so much as all other fans hating your more. Plus it's just a sign of globalisation I suppose spreading even to non-league that we've moved from clubs being owned by local businessmen for bragging rights to American sports franchises, Gulf sovereign wealth funds, Russian oligarchs and now celebrities.

FWIW I see a lot of respect for them as owners from other football fans - they always seem to show respect to other teams. They're seen as model owners - you'd just hate to be in the same league.

And in fairness in the league below Wrexham you've got AFC Fylde who are also hated for similar reasons. They're owned and bankrolled by an animal feed magnate who built them a very good stadium for the league, spends a lot on transfers etc (especially raiding Scotland) but also, for example, put huge pro-Brexit and pro-UKIP signs on the stadium during election season :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on April 25, 2023, 04:13:18 PM
Quote from: Josquius on April 25, 2023, 02:33:26 PMYep. Wrexham are pretty hated by other non league fans.
It's quite a rising trend for rich people to buy non league teams and push them up the leagues, leaving those who have been slowly progressing through hard work in the dust.

Forest Green are a particularly bizzare one which on the surface seem nice but scratch beneath and it's shifty AF.

I'm quite into non-league football and have not come across this. There's some jealousy sure but nothing more than that. Not heard any issues with FGR either.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on April 25, 2023, 07:29:05 PM
Quote from: Barrister on April 25, 2023, 02:31:13 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 23, 2023, 06:08:20 PMI would like it noted for the record that Ryan Reynolds is Canadian in case things go to shit at Wrexham.  :D
two rich Americans

 :glare:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on April 25, 2023, 07:53:57 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 25, 2023, 07:29:05 PM
Quote from: Barrister on April 25, 2023, 02:31:13 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 23, 2023, 06:08:20 PMI would like it noted for the record that Ryan Reynolds is Canadian in case things go to shit at Wrexham.  :D
two rich Americans

 :glare:

Dual citizen :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on April 25, 2023, 07:57:08 PM
Quote from: HVC on April 25, 2023, 07:53:57 PMDual citizen :P

I know, I googled (which incidentally is the finest search engine on the market and I encourage each and every one of you to enjoy its power and speed) and saw that he naturalized in 2018.  Still a little ironic that Beeb, a True Blue Frostback, calls Reynolds, born in BC, an American.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 25, 2023, 08:20:36 PM
Ryan Reynolds is British Columbian first and foremost.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on April 25, 2023, 08:22:12 PM
Most of our actors turn dark side. Probably easier to work.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on April 25, 2023, 08:23:49 PM
Quote from: HVC on April 25, 2023, 08:22:12 PMMost of our actors turn dark side. Probably easier to work.

Avoiding the Canadian film and TV corvee is probably a pull too. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 25, 2023, 11:41:56 PM
QuoteI'm quite into non-league football and have not come across this. There's some jealousy sure but nothing more than that. Not heard any issues with FGR either.

It's absolutely there.
FGR even get it from people with minimal interest in football as part of the whole anti woke thing.
They've also the tiny village team aspect which peeves many.

With Wrexham there are aspects of jealousy. Also a fair bit of gatekeeping and annoyance at new fans.

But for both there is a huge undercurrent of such money having no place in the league and being totally against the spirit.
Really peeves many that whilst other teams are outright going under as they can't afford to get to games you've others playing league one wages.

Quote from: Sheilbh on April 25, 2023, 02:37:14 PMOh no :o

What's bad about them? I thought they were all vegan burgers and trying to build a wooden stadium etc. Asking becaue I feel semi-invested since they've hired Duncan Ferguson as their manager :blush:

I recall reading a big article about it recently but can't find it again.
One big thing that stands out in my mind is their claiming to be super environmental yet building a new stadium less than 2 decades after they built a new stadium. A stadium in the middle of nowhere which can only be reached by car. Really puts the greenyness into question.

A fair bit about dale vince too. Huge self promoter (when I used it I  often got sponsored ads on Facebook to follow him...) and not so green and hippyish as he presents.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on April 26, 2023, 12:12:11 AM
I get that the effects of a rich owner pumping money into a club leads to more extreme imbalances in lower leagues, but don't many clubs in "serious" competition, from higher to lower leagues, stand and fall with the willingness of their patrons to invest? Whether it's Wrexham, Chelsea under Abramovic, Hoffenheim, PSG's ... Even eternal fan favorite FC St. Pauli fell into that when "Papa" Weisinger was keeping the club afloat into the early 00s - until he didn't and the club finances completely collapsed (and watching Sunderland 'til I die, half-way into first season/series, they seem to have a similar issue with the owner no longer wanting to put money into the club).

And obviously the line between enthusiastic hobbyist who puts money in because they love the club and the investor who does it as PR project or primarily to win all the things is muddy at best.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 26, 2023, 03:16:08 AM
Plus the whole "against the spirit thing": is the team an amateur outfit? If not, then the spirit of the team is to make a profit, or at very least a living for its owners and those employed by it. It's a professional sports organisation for crying out loud.

The world would be a far better place if people stopped attributing divine or moral supremacy to their own hobbies and interests.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on April 26, 2023, 03:32:46 AM
Or if you want to return to the idyllic, but not factual, past of English football without money buying titles implement a salary cap... and watch the gnashing of teeth as the big teams tumble down the standings :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on April 26, 2023, 03:50:39 AM
I watched a documentary from 2013 on the weekend, about the introduction of the modern Bundesliga in 1963 (which also allowed higher pay for the players) - there was a strong "money ruins the sport" sentiment even then (most players were semi-pros, having a main job on the side; a few even resigned over the change, because they didn't like this commercialization). Raising ticket prices to finance higher player salaries probably didn't help, either. :P

Still, stadiums were sold out, and even TV recognized that there was a demand for covering matches at least in highlight reels in a weekly sports show. I also found some of the comments at the time interesting how the switch to the Bundesliga and paying more to players was necessary to stay relevant in international competitions.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 26, 2023, 05:38:46 AM
If Ryan Reynolds pulls it off, then, yes, he's Canadian.
But if, in a year or two, he gets bored or cheap, and pulls away and Wrexham disappears once again, then, yes, his American.

Reminds me, (and some of you won't know what I'm talking about) about Ben Johnson. The Canadian sprinter, by way of Jamaica,  broke the 100m sprinting record at the 88 Olympics, winning the gold medal for Canada. All Canadians were raving about him. He was a bona fide Canadian hero.

then it turned out he failed his pee test, he had a banned substance in his blood and was stripped off his medal. From that point on, he became the Jamaican who tarnished Canada's image.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 26, 2023, 07:14:48 AM
World infamous back then, don't worry.  :P

On a smaller scale, it happened to other athletes, not necessarily due to doping, when they started losing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 26, 2023, 08:46:49 AM
If my club wins trophies because the owner pumps money into the club then it is football heritage. If other clubs do that then it is ruining the game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on April 26, 2023, 09:58:20 AM
Quote from: Josquius on April 25, 2023, 11:41:56 PM
QuoteI'm quite into non-league football and have not come across this. There's some jealousy sure but nothing more than that. Not heard any issues with FGR either.

It's absolutely there.
FGR even get it from people with minimal interest in football as part of the whole anti woke thing.
They've also the tiny village team aspect which peeves many.

With Wrexham there are aspects of jealousy. Also a fair bit of gatekeeping and annoyance at new fans.

But for both there is a huge undercurrent of such money having no place in the league and being totally against the spirit.
Really peeves many that whilst other teams are outright going under as they can't afford to get to games you've others playing league one wages.


Bit weird of them complaining about FGR having a League 1 budget when they are actually in League 1 (albeit about to get relegated partly because in reality they have League 2 budget) and got out of non-league in 2017. I think Wrexham get a pass from most non-league fans. They're a big club for non-league and have had more than a decade of misery as well as an activist fanbase who put their hands in their pockets to save the club when it was about to be liquidated. Any resentment towards Wrexham is mainly directed against their hoolie element (covered in the programme).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on April 26, 2023, 10:05:34 AM
Quote from: Syt on April 26, 2023, 12:12:11 AMI get that the effects of a rich owner pumping money into a club leads to more extreme imbalances in lower leagues, but don't many clubs in "serious" competition, from higher to lower leagues, stand and fall with the willingness of their patrons to invest? Whether it's Wrexham, Chelsea under Abramovic, Hoffenheim, PSG's ... Even eternal fan favorite FC St. Pauli fell into that when "Papa" Weisinger was keeping the club afloat into the early 00s - until he didn't and the club finances completely collapsed (and watching Sunderland 'til I die, half-way into first season/series, they seem to have a similar issue with the owner no longer wanting to put money into the club).

And obviously the line between enthusiastic hobbyist who puts money in because they love the club and the investor who does it as PR project or primarily to win all the things is muddy at best.

I personally like the programme and think Reynolds and the other bloke are charming but I'm not buying the saviour narrative wholescale. They bought a football club in order to make a programme and they've got  lucky with two pretty compelling seasons. I have absolutely no doubt that they have made a substantial profit on the deal as well as raising their profile - it was a gamble that has paid of pretty handsomely (and obviously benefitted Wrexham massively). Great to see worldwide interest in non-league football though, it's a unique British thing and its refreshing that people worldwide are rooting for a small club rather than the usual suspects.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on April 26, 2023, 11:42:50 AM
Quote from: Josephus on April 26, 2023, 05:38:46 AMIf Ryan Reynolds pulls it off, then, yes, he's Canadian.
But if, in a year or two, he gets bored or cheap, and pulls away and Wrexham disappears once again, then, yes, his American.

Reminds me, (and some of you won't know what I'm talking about) about Ben Johnson. The Canadian sprinter, by way of Jamaica,  broke the 100m sprinting record at the 88 Olympics, winning the gold medal for Canada. All Canadians were raving about him. He was a bona fide Canadian hero.

then it turned out he failed his pee test, he had a banned substance in his blood and was stripped off his medal. From that point on, he became the Jamaican who tarnished Canada's image.


You need to dig a bit deeper to understand the numerous connections Mr. Reynolds has to BC.   His involvement with a football team offshore is largely irrelevant to that.


It is interesting that an Albertan views him as an American.  It would be hard to find a British Columbian who would say that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on April 26, 2023, 11:54:14 AM
He's lived his whole adult life in the states, so I guess it depends whether he considers himself Canadian or American.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on April 26, 2023, 12:07:20 PM
Quote from: HVC on April 26, 2023, 11:54:14 AMHe's lived his whole adult life in the states, so I guess it depends whether he considers himself Chadian or American.

Ah, no.  We see him around our hood frequently.

Now part of that is many of his movies are shot here. 

So he spends considerable time in Vancouver both professionally and personally.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on April 26, 2023, 12:11:21 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on April 26, 2023, 12:07:20 PM
Quote from: HVC on April 26, 2023, 11:54:14 AMHe's lived his whole adult life in the states, so I guess it depends whether he considers himself Chadian or American.

Ah, no.  We see him around our hood frequently.

Glad he visits, but he lives in New York with his American wife and kids :P


Like I said, depends how he feels. Unless you're of the belief an immigrant can never be a member of the country they move to ;) :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on April 26, 2023, 12:18:18 PM
Quote from: HVC on April 26, 2023, 12:11:21 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on April 26, 2023, 12:07:20 PM
Quote from: HVC on April 26, 2023, 11:54:14 AMHe's lived his whole adult life in the states, so I guess it depends whether he considers himself Chadian or American.

Ah, no.  We see him around our hood frequently.

Glad he visits, but he lives in New York with his American wife and kids :P


Like I said, depends how he feels. Unless you're of the belief an immigrant can never be a member of the country they move to ;) :D


Another victim of thinking google is gospel  :(

Does google tell you how many months a year he spends in Vancouver shooting his movies, in an average year?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on April 26, 2023, 12:22:37 PM
Quote from: HVC on April 26, 2023, 12:11:21 PMLike I said, depends how he feels. Unless you're of the belief an immigrant can never be a member of the country they move to ;) :D

New York is a big international city. Living there is not more living in the US for a guy like him than some big finance guy having a residence in London means he is now British. It is a place you have to be to do certain jobs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on April 26, 2023, 12:22:53 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on April 26, 2023, 12:18:18 PM
Quote from: HVC on April 26, 2023, 12:11:21 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on April 26, 2023, 12:07:20 PM
Quote from: HVC on April 26, 2023, 11:54:14 AMHe's lived his whole adult life in the states, so I guess it depends whether he considers himself Chadian or American.

Ah, no.  We see him around our hood frequently.

Glad he visits, but he lives in New York with his American wife and kids :P


Like I said, depends how he feels. Unless you're of the belief an immigrant can never be a member of the country they move to ;) :D


Another victim of thinking google is gospel  :(

Does google tell you how many months a year he spends in Vancouver shooting his movies, in an average year?

 Man you're stubborn. Let me highlight it for you since you're having trouble letting it sink in. It entirely depends on  how he feels if he's american or canadian
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on April 26, 2023, 12:33:03 PM
Quote from: Valmy on April 26, 2023, 12:22:37 PM
Quote from: HVC on April 26, 2023, 12:11:21 PMLike I said, depends how he feels. Unless you're of the belief an immigrant can never be a member of the country they move to ;) :D

New York is a big international city. Living there is not more living in the US for a guy like him than some big finance guy having a residence in London means he is now British. It is a place you have to be to do certain jobs.

State, not city. And contrary to CC's condescending jab I saw it when letterman interviewed him for his Netflix show, not by googling.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on April 26, 2023, 12:52:19 PM
Quote from: HVC on April 26, 2023, 12:33:03 PM
Quote from: Valmy on April 26, 2023, 12:22:37 PM
Quote from: HVC on April 26, 2023, 12:11:21 PMLike I said, depends how he feels. Unless you're of the belief an immigrant can never be a member of the country they move to ;) :D

New York is a big international city. Living there is not more living in the US for a guy like him than some big finance guy having a residence in London means he is now British. It is a place you have to be to do certain jobs.

State, not city. And contrary to CC's condescending jab I saw it when letterman interviewed him for his Netflix show, not by googling.

Pffft. He lives in the metro area. Hardly upstate.

Like saying somebody doesn't live in Dallas, they live in Plano.

Or I guess to put in your local lingo, I don't live in Toronto I live in...um...some town in the Toronto metro area like...er...*googles* Richmond Hill...or...Vaughan. Those are places, right?

However, America did seduce him with our hot actresses so I think that compromises his Canadian status I would think.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on April 26, 2023, 12:56:53 PM
Those are places, but if they said they're from Toronto everyone would laugh.

To give CC a small victory I googled his city. Closer to new haven then new york, so i guess he really lives in Connecticut :D

But fine, let's say he lives in New York, does that mean he can't consider himself American?

I personally want to think of him as canadian, and even felt a urge to say something to BB :D , but as the son of immigrants the reasoning that he HAS to be Canadian because he was born there rubs me the wrong way.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on April 26, 2023, 12:58:08 PM
Anyway, back to football, i checked the premier league standing in light of the promotion talk. Is leicster getting relegated this year?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on April 26, 2023, 12:59:06 PM
No. Just that living in New York doesn't necessarily make one an American because when you are some big time actor you have to live near where the work is and that means, in North America anyway, living in or near New York or Los Angeles.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 26, 2023, 01:10:29 PM
Getting ready for an absolute embarrassment at the Etihad in an hour  :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on April 26, 2023, 01:18:25 PM
Quote from: HVC on April 26, 2023, 12:58:08 PMAnyway, back to football, i checked the premier league standing in light of the promotion talk. Is leicster getting relegated this year?

It's a tight race down there. I'd say it's 50/50. Hope not, best mate is a foxes fan and I've been with him and his kids quite a lot and grown to like them
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on April 26, 2023, 01:19:01 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 26, 2023, 01:10:29 PMGetting ready for an absolute embarrassment at the Etihad in an hour  :cry:

Hoping for a shock. It's possible
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on April 26, 2023, 01:20:26 PM
Americain ou Canadien, st'un criss d'anglo pareil.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on April 26, 2023, 01:30:19 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on April 26, 2023, 11:42:50 AMYou need to dig a bit deeper to understand the numerous connections Mr. Reynolds has to BC.   His involvement with a football team offshore is largely irrelevant to that.


It is interesting that an Albertan views him as an American.  It would be hard to find a British Columbian who would say that.

Nothing much meant by it - it fit better with the phrasing of "two rich Americans".  People don't usually think of Canadians as being rich.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on April 26, 2023, 01:30:53 PM
Quote from: Gups on April 26, 2023, 01:18:25 PM
Quote from: HVC on April 26, 2023, 12:58:08 PMAnyway, back to football, i checked the premier league standing in light of the promotion talk. Is leicster getting relegated this year?

It's a tight race down there. I'd say it's 50/50. Hope not, best mate is a foxes fan and I've been with him and his kids quite a lot and grown to like them

That's closer than I would hope. From champions to out of the league in a pretty short amount of time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 26, 2023, 01:43:07 PM
Checking up Blackburns relegation from the premier league was 4 years after winning it.


My money is on the current bottom 3, Southampton, Forest, and Everton, to go down.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on April 26, 2023, 02:19:12 PM
£35 to get BT for a month to watch man city v arsenal. ESPN Spanish language stream instead
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on April 26, 2023, 03:06:48 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 26, 2023, 01:20:26 PMAmericain ou Canadien, st'un criss d'anglo pareil.

:o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 26, 2023, 03:15:43 PM
2-0 at HT and should have been 4 or 5. It is as expected. Season is over.

Season was lost after Saliba got injured after Arteta stupidly played him in a Europa League game and then dropping points three games in a row. This is just the final nail in the coffin.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on April 26, 2023, 03:17:38 PM
Three now. They are in a different class  at the moment I'm afraid
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 26, 2023, 03:19:02 PM
Quote from: Gups on April 26, 2023, 03:17:38 PMThree now. They are in a different class  at the moment I'm afraid

The treble is on. The FA Cup final will be extra spicy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 26, 2023, 04:13:05 PM
4-1 FT. City made the second best team in the league look like children. They truly are incredible and look very likely to equal Manchester United's loftiest accomplishment. Definitely the best team in Europe and one of Pep's best teams ever.

Season is effectively over for Arsenal with the loss to City but Brighton's loss as well, which meant Arsenal have mathematically qualified for the CL for the first time since Arsene was manager. It's been a special season for this young team and for its many fans. They let us believe in something we thought unbelievable a year ago. I hope they learn from this season and continue to challenge City's dominance for years to come.

Not sure how City's cheating and resulting dominance makes the Premier League look good. They say the league is the most competitive and surprising in the world but right now it looks like Abu Dhabi's playground, with Saudi Arabia knocking on the door. We'll see what happens after the PL issues it's punishment to City in a couple years I guess.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on April 26, 2023, 04:21:44 PM
Quote from: HVC on April 26, 2023, 12:22:53 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on April 26, 2023, 12:18:18 PM
Quote from: HVC on April 26, 2023, 12:11:21 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on April 26, 2023, 12:07:20 PM
Quote from: HVC on April 26, 2023, 11:54:14 AMHe's lived his whole adult life in the states, so I guess it depends whether he considers himself Chadian or American.

Ah, no.  We see him around our hood frequently.

Glad he visits, but he lives in New York with his American wife and kids :P


Like I said, depends how he feels. Unless you're of the belief an immigrant can never be a member of the country they move to ;) :D


Another victim of thinking google is gospel  :(

Does google tell you how many months a year he spends in Vancouver shooting his movies, in an average year?

 Man you're stubborn. Let me highlight it for you since you're having trouble letting it sink in. It entirely depends on  how he feels if he's american or canadian

I get the distinct feeling that you do not understand how broad your statement was.  You claimed he spent "his whole adult life" in the US.  That is not true at all.


I did not take you for one of the assholes here.  But ok.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 26, 2023, 04:33:04 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 26, 2023, 04:13:05 PM.

Not sure how City's cheating and resulting dominance makes the Premier League look good. They say the league is the most competitive and surprising in the world but right now it looks like Abu Dhabi's playground, with Saudi Arabia knocking on the door. We'll see what happens after the PL issues it's punishment to City in a couple years I guess.

Remember that story about the Saudi investment fund getting out of a court case in the US by claiming to be a government body and not an ordinary third party whilst they'd just promised the opposite for their Newcastle take over?

That seems to have been conveniently forgotten.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on April 26, 2023, 04:37:59 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on April 26, 2023, 04:21:44 PMI did not take you for one of the assholes here.  But ok.

The irony that you of all people on languish handing out the title of asshole is hysterical. Your lack of self realization is stunning. Thanks for the laugh, I truly do appreciate it :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 26, 2023, 05:45:35 PM
Quote from: HVC on April 26, 2023, 12:56:53 PMThose are places, but if they said they're from Toronto everyone would laugh.

To give CC a small victory I googled his city. Closer to new haven then new york, so i guess he really lives in Connecticut :D

But fine, let's say he lives in New York, does that mean he can't consider himself American?

I personally want to think of him as canadian, and even felt a urge to say something to BB :D , but as the son of immigrants the reasoning that he HAS to be Canadian because he was born there rubs me the wrong way.

Reynolds spends a fair amount of effort communicating his connections to Vancouver, to BC, and to Canada through his charity work (and teaming up with and with fellow Vancouverite Seth Rogen). Some examples:

Donating $500,000 to First Nations clean drinking water NGO (https://waterfirst.ngo/).

Matching donations to Vancouver Food Bank (https://bc.ctvnews.ca/here-s-how-ryan-reynolds-is-trying-to-help-a-b-c-food-bank-continue-to-provide-food-diapers-for-babies-in-need-1.6202981).

Christmas sweater fundraiser for the Hospital for Sick Children Foundation (https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/events-and-entertainment/ryan-reynolds-seth-rogen-ugly-christmas-sweater-charity-campaign-vancouver-6220271) (that's in Toronto, I think).

He calls out various Vancouver businesses every so often, using his celebrity clout to help them. Example 1 (https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/food-and-drink/ryan-reynolds-vancity-grind-grandpajs-seasonings-5670241), Example 2 (https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/local-news/ryan-reynolds-helps-vancouver-photographer-amass-huge-spotlight-5558957).

Reynolds and Lively also donated to flooding relief in Southern BC (https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/local-news/vancouvers-ryan-reynolds-calls-for-donations-for-bc-flood-relief-4803701).

In addition to frequently shooting films in Vancouver (like Deadpool), he's also known to include shoutouts to Vancouver in his films (https://www.narcity.com/vancouver/ryan-reynolds-will-ferrells-new-movie-spirited-gave-vancouver-sneaky-shoutout).

... local Vancouver media reports on these kinds of moves whenever they happen (easy clicks), and they do seem to happen quite frequently. Enough that even someone like me - who doesn't really follow film and don't really care about celebrities - are well aware of Reynolds' commitment to Vancouver.

All this combined with his social media handle - @VancityReynolds - suggests to me that he's pretty attached to his Canadian identity, especially locally to BC and Vancouver.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on April 26, 2023, 06:19:30 PM
To be fair, BC is just the 4th west coast state anyway.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 26, 2023, 06:24:33 PM
Quote from: PDH on April 26, 2023, 06:19:30 PMTo be fair, BC is just the 4th west coast state anyway.

Is California part of Cascadia?

(https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/images/u/us%7Dcas6.gif)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: PDH on April 26, 2023, 10:06:17 PM
Pshaw - California has more than enough failed state ideas from home-grown ijits.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on April 27, 2023, 01:56:28 PM
Heh.

https://www.lafc.com/news/lafc-receives-approval-to-invest-in-austrian-club-fc-wacker-innsbruck

QuoteLAFC Communications

Wednesday, Apr 26, 2023, 10:15 PM

LAFC of Major League Soccer today officially received approval to invest with the Austrian club FC Wacker Innsbruck from the FC Wacker Innsbruck Board and Association.

"This is an exciting moment for LAFC and FC Wacker Innsbruck," LAFC EVP of Corporate Strategy and Development Benny Tran said, "We are humbled and honored to invest in this Club and work together on this long-term partnership with legendary fans and supporters to rebuild this team and return the Club to top-level, winning football."

FC Wacker Innsbruck currently plays in the Hypo Tiroler Liga, the fourth division of Austrian football and has previously won 10 championships in the top Austrian league, the Bundesliga; the Club also boasts one of the top fan (supporter) clubs in the country.  The 2022 MLS Cup Champions, LAFC has represented the greater Los Angeles area in MLS since 2018.

Wacker was in the top tier only 3 years ago, but dropped down the tables, and with their finances a shambles lost their license and had to go down to the 4th tier. They've been looking for investors for a while now. Did not expect an MLS team to invest in them, though. :D

Tbf, as stadiums go, Wacker Innsbruck has one of the more scenic views.

(https://image.kurier.at/images/cfs_landscape_1864w_1049h/7088122/46-187604952.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on April 27, 2023, 02:48:21 PM
Quote from: Syt on April 27, 2023, 01:56:28 PMWacker was in the top tier only 3 years ago, but dropped down the tables, and with their finances a shambles lost their license and had to go down to the 4th tier. They've been looking for investors for a while now. Did not expect an MLS team to invest in them, though. :D

Tbf, as stadiums go, Wacker Innsbruck has one of the more scenic views.

That seems right out of the Wrexham playbook - but a storied team with deep fan support but terrible ownership problems and see if you can turn them around.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 27, 2023, 02:56:25 PM
Much worse than Wrexham. Wrexham have never been that big of a team. Pretty much their entire history in the bottom professional leagues.

Leeds on acid is the closest parallel that comes to mind for me. Struggling to think of a bigger fall outside of unstable leagues.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on April 27, 2023, 02:59:51 PM
Quote from: Josquius on April 27, 2023, 02:56:25 PMMuch worse than Wrexham. Wrexham have never been that big of a team. Pretty much their entire history in the bottom professional leagues.

Leeds on acid is the closest parallel that comes to mind for me. Struggling to think of a bigger fall outside of unstable leagues.

Glasgow Rangers? Though they obviously crawled their way back to the top.

Actually, looking over German leagues, it's not uncommon to have a team that used to be in the top or second tier of German football to drop into 3rd, 4th, sometimes 5th tier. Those drops are usually connected to - obviously - financial issues.

Most extreme example is probably KFC Uerdingen (KFC stands for Krefelder Fußball Club :P ). Chemical corporation Bayer used to sponsor two teams: Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Bayer 05 Uerdingen. In 1995 Bayer stopped sponsoring Uerdingen. The club renamed, and ... well this is their league history:

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/de/timeline/rw2jpo5gn0k0wh9n53tceumwogefckg.png)

Stuttgarter Kickers used to be a solid second league side, making it into the Bundesliga twice in the late 80s and early 90s. They're in the 5th tier now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 27, 2023, 03:13:25 PM
Quote from: Josquius on April 27, 2023, 02:56:25 PMMuch worse than Wrexham. Wrexham have never been that big of a team. Pretty much their entire history in the bottom professional leagues.

Leeds on acid is the closest parallel that comes to mind for me. Struggling to think of a bigger fall outside of unstable leagues.
Once again reminded that Leeds Days is a Korean phrase for your peak years :lol:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doing_a_Leeds#%22Leeds_Days%22
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on April 27, 2023, 03:14:41 PM
Quote from: PDH on April 26, 2023, 06:19:30 PMTo be fair, BC is just the 4th west coast state anyway.

Finally someone on the opposite side of the debate makes a valid point.  Damn you.  And ban PDH
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 27, 2023, 03:15:46 PM
Quote from: Syt on April 27, 2023, 02:59:51 PM
Quote from: Josquius on April 27, 2023, 02:56:25 PMMuch worse than Wrexham. Wrexham have never been that big of a team. Pretty much their entire history in the bottom professional leagues.

Leeds on acid is the closest parallel that comes to mind for me. Struggling to think of a bigger fall outside of unstable leagues.

Glasgow Rangers? Though they obviously crawled their way back to the top.

A good one. Though if I understand right these guys just fell apart rather than being punished for corruption?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on April 27, 2023, 03:26:13 PM
Quote from: Josquius on April 27, 2023, 02:56:25 PMMuch worse than Wrexham. Wrexham have never been that big of a team. Pretty much their entire history in the bottom professional leagues.

Leeds on acid is the closest parallel that comes to mind for me. Struggling to think of a bigger fall outside of unstable leagues.

I meant it more that since the buyers are Los Angeles FC (one of the owners are involved in developing League of Legends) they were probably inspired by Wrexham.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on April 27, 2023, 04:42:31 PM
Quote from: Josquius on April 27, 2023, 02:56:25 PMMuch worse than Wrexham. Wrexham have never been that big of a team. Pretty much their entire history in the bottom professional leagues.

Leeds on acid is the closest parallel that comes to mind for me. Struggling to think of a bigger fall outside of unstable leagues.

Yeah Wrexham are traditionally a League 1/2 team. Brighton and Bradford both went from top div to league 2. Stockport from Championship to NL. Probably lots of others who have dropped 4 divisions. Can't think of any who have dropped 5 off the top of my head.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 27, 2023, 04:55:03 PM
Quote from: Josquius on April 27, 2023, 03:15:46 PMA good one. Though if I understand right these guys just fell apart rather than being punished for corruption?

Yeah, I don't think Rangers got relegated through play but were puished. It's hard to work up then, because you lose a lot of money.

I think Juventus also got relegated that way some years back.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on April 27, 2023, 08:29:23 PM
Hey Shelf, is there an accent line in Wales?  I've watched a few Wrexham videos and none of the people talking had what I would consider a stereotypical Welsh accent.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on April 27, 2023, 09:42:17 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 27, 2023, 08:29:23 PMHey Shelf, is there an accent line in Wales?  I've watched a few Wrexham videos and none of the people talking had what I would consider a stereotypical Welsh accent.

It's North East Wales and Wrexham is very close to Cheshire/Merseyside, to the east of any Welsh mountains, so historically has a lot of economic ties with English industry and commerce.

So not too surprising that North or South Walian accents aren't that evident.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 28, 2023, 01:36:31 AM
Weird that it's even in wales tbh.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on April 29, 2023, 06:56:22 AM
Putting on Crystal Palace v West Ham in the background.

"Wait a sec, that stadium looks familiar ...."  :hmm:

https://ted-lasso.fandom.com/wiki/Nelson_Road_Stadium

(No, I've never really followed Premier League much  :blush: )
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on April 29, 2023, 10:34:08 AM
(https://i.postimg.cc/gmD5ZyLb/image.png)

 :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 29, 2023, 10:36:50 AM
Lazio already had the Roman eagle on the jersey I guess.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 30, 2023, 10:46:04 AM
Jesus Spurs.

Did Harry Kane recently visit a museum and knock over a mysterious urn or something?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 30, 2023, 10:47:58 AM
3-0 not even 15 minutes in.   Lol
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 30, 2023, 10:50:16 AM
Spurs fans chanting that they want a refund :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on April 30, 2023, 12:31:25 PM
I hate my life and I hate all of you and I hate the FUCKING SPURS
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 30, 2023, 12:44:29 PM
So I quit watching at 3-0

😁
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 30, 2023, 02:03:32 PM
As disappointed as I am with Arsenal not winning the title, I find the comfort of Spurs being Spurs like a warm, safe blanket   :lmfao:  :lmfao:  :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 30, 2023, 02:04:18 PM
I stopped watching at 3-0 too, had other things to do.
Looks like spurs made a go of it only to lose last minute. :pinch:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 30, 2023, 02:05:18 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on April 30, 2023, 12:31:25 PMI hate my life and I hate all of you and I hate the FUCKING SPURS

COYS!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 02, 2023, 08:16:08 PM
Chelsea look abject on the pitch. They have Bournemouth, Forest, City, United, and Newcastle left to play. Will they get another win the rest of this season?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 03, 2023, 02:48:53 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 02, 2023, 08:16:08 PMChelsea look abject on the pitch. They have Bournemouth, Forest, City, United, and Newcastle left to play. Will they get another win the rest of this season?

I cannot see how. :( Fingers crossed we don't get relegated.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 03, 2023, 03:08:40 AM
While obviously Bohley is a terrible owner of epic proportions, articles like this are starting to grate on me: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/may/03/chelsea-frank-lampard-arsenal-premier-league

This guy is trying to make the Chelsea story to be about a soulless corporate approach naturally failing in the high-spirit world of football, with I think a hint of "foreigners (Americans) can't get this".

This is really rich (haha) in a league where basically every major team is owned by a dubious oligarch or oil sheikh, and which is utterly dominated (I am not sure dominated is a strong enough word) by non-local (as in non-English) talent and skill at every position from players to coaches.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 03, 2023, 04:11:04 AM
It's not unique to Ronay writing about Chelsea. Here he is on Manchester City ("a hard regime's soft power project"):
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/apr/27/manchester-citys-perfection-is-laced-with-coldness-and-unease

Or on Newcastle pointing out that it's fine that Russia's invasion raised questions about Abramovich's ownership, but what about Yemen and Newcastle:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/mar/11/shouldnt-someone-in-football-also-care-about-the-war-in-yemen-just-a-little

Ronay and I think a lot of football writer's (and fans) default position is that money is ruining the game. Not the only area, but one of the areas where lots of people would like to simply be Germany. Sky Sports and BT Sports do plenty of the "BEST LEAGUE IN THE WORLD EVER!" stuff - the Guardian (and other papers) do more mournful for the corporatisation of yet another area of life.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 03, 2023, 04:37:46 AM
On Newcastle its amazing/not at all surprising, that nothing seems to have happened after the US court revelations.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 03, 2023, 04:53:26 AM
One thing Lampard has probably achieved is resurrecting Potter's career. Under that article I am starting to see comments like "steady progress under Potter" lol as if. I mean, sure, give me Potter back over Lampard but there was no progress under Potter at all, no apparent vision of what the team is supposed to look like. What is apparent now is that he was good enough to contain the overbloated and undermotivated disaster that is the Chelsea squad. They still sucked and were inept but it was a controlled descent. Under Lampard it is a freefall into a violent crash.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 03, 2023, 05:52:31 AM
Sam Allardyce has just got a job, Potter's career was never dead :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 03, 2023, 06:00:23 AM
Potter would be good for Spurs I think, as long as he was given a couple years to rebuild it post-Kane. He's a good coach. This Chelsea club was not the right job for him at all.

Pochettino at Chelsea I don't know what to think but at this point anyone is better than the lamp shade currently in the Chelsea dugout.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 03, 2023, 06:03:02 AM
Yeah I think he'd make a lot of sense for Spurs.

Not sure if Poch is right for Chelsea either. But yeah certainly better than Lampard :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 03, 2023, 07:13:07 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 03, 2023, 06:03:02 AMYeah I think he'd make a lot of sense for Spurs.

Not sure if Poch is right for Chelsea either. But yeah certainly better than Lampard :ph34r:

I think what Chelsea needs now is somebody who can handle egos and have a vision of a team, so the culling can begin. How good that vision is, is kind of secondary at the moment. As long as it results in a team with a fighting chance for some kind of a European cup that's going to be good enough for now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 03, 2023, 07:21:57 AM
I agree on the handling egos - which is key for all the big clubs. But Chelsea (of the big English clubs) feel closest too PSG in terms of player power.

I'm not sure Poch got on well at PSG and he has a very clear idea of how a team should play and expects everyone to do it - again I'm not sure if that fits with Chelsea especially with a coach whose only trophies are with PSG.

I really like him but I wonder if he is better suited to teams like Spurs which are just outside the top, because they're more willing to buy into him.

Not sure on vision of the team or culling because it's not clear to me who is in charge of that at Chelsea. I hope I'm wrong but Boehly's spending reminds me of Moshiri at Everton (with a vastly bigger budget) where I can't really see what they're trying to do and I would worry that maybe agents/other players in the transfer world have the owner's ear...:ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 03, 2023, 10:27:11 AM
There has to be some level of chaos behind the scenes at Chelsea. Didn't a lot of Roman's people leave after he sold or did Boehly just fire them? It feels like there is no leadership at all in the team and in the club organization as a whole.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 03, 2023, 11:04:44 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 03, 2023, 10:27:11 AMThere has to be some level of chaos behind the scenes at Chelsea. Didn't a lot of Roman's people leave after he sold or did Boehly just fire them? It feels like there is no leadership at all in the team and in the club organization as a whole.

It's a good indication that the physio Bohley fired has been recently re-hired back from Italy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 03, 2023, 11:07:53 AM
Speaking of PSG, Messi got a suspension for two weeks from the club after going to Saudi Arabia:

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65461978 (https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65461978)

QuoteArgentina captain Lionel Messi has been suspended by Paris St-Germain for two weeks after travelling to Saudi Arabia without the club's permission this week.

The trip followed the French club's home defeat by Lorient on Sunday, in which Messi played the full 90 minutes.

Messi will not train or play for PSG during the period of his suspension.

It is understood the 35-year-old asked permission to make the journey to carry out commercial work but was refused.

Messi believes he did originally have permission to travel to Saudi, but that was then withdrawn due to a change in the club's training schedule.

Lionel Messi: Why dream return to Barcelona looks very unlikely
Messi, who has also been fined by the club, has a role as a tourism ambassador for Saudi Arabia.

The World Cup winner's two-year contract with PSG expires this summer.

Barcelona vice-president Rafael Yuste claimed in March that the Spanish club were in contact with Messi about a return to the Nou Camp.

Messi has scored 31 goals and contributed 34 assists in 71 games in all competitions for PSG, and won the Ligue 1 title last season.

He is set to miss matches against Troyes and Ajaccio as PSG, five points clear with five games to go, look to clinch a ninth league title in 11 seasons.

'Messi's PSG career effectively over' - Analysis

Simon Stone, BBC Sport

Lionel Messi has taken a decision that effectively calls time on his Paris St-Germain career.

Yes, they have three games left after Messi's suspension has been completed and there is work remaining to secure another Ligue 1 title, but PSG are on a different course now - and it does not involve Messi, who less than five months ago achieved the crowning glory of his stellar career by lifting the World Cup.

PSG do not view their actions as being anything extraordinary. In their minds they are effectively punishing an employee who has gone somewhere else on a work day miles away from where he is supposed to be.

But they also feel it is a statement about the future direction of the club, which they are adamant will be around younger players. It is also confirmation of their zero-tolerance approach to discipline.

PSG's fans don't want Messi any more. It is certain his contract will not be renewed.

Player control went out of control from the signing of Neymar, I would say.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on May 03, 2023, 11:10:37 AM
I'm sure financially he's coming out ahead, and maybe at 35 he plans to join CR in the desert for a year or two to play for the Saudis' entertainment before hanging up the boots? :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 03, 2023, 11:23:10 AM
Quote from: Syt on May 03, 2023, 11:10:37 AMI'm sure financially he's coming out ahead, and maybe at 35 he plans to join CR in the desert for a year or two to play for the Saudis' entertainment before hanging up the boots? :P

He has a better reason than CR7 to be in Saudia Arabia: after all, he is already an ambassador for Saudi tourism:

https://english.alarabiya.net/News/saudi-arabia/2023/05/01/Football-star-Lionel-Messi-shares-Saudi-Arabia-s-unexpected-wonders-on-Instagram (https://english.alarabiya.net/News/saudi-arabia/2023/05/01/Football-star-Lionel-Messi-shares-Saudi-Arabia-s-unexpected-wonders-on-Instagram)

(https://www.instagram.com/p/CroFd89NIen/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=3b59ef8a-e314-4976-90a1-bef4146c1ab6)

https://www.instagram.com/p/CroFd89NIen/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=3b59ef8a-e314-4976-90a1-bef4146c1ab6 (https://www.instagram.com/p/CroFd89NIen/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=3b59ef8a-e314-4976-90a1-bef4146c1ab6)

:P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on May 03, 2023, 11:34:54 AM
I know, but one doesn't preclude the other. -_-
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 03, 2023, 11:35:46 AM
Quote from: Syt on May 03, 2023, 11:34:54 AMI know, but one doesn't preclude the other. -_-

PSG seems to disagree, however.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 04, 2023, 04:44:05 AM
Now don't tell me a foreign coach would get the same treatment: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/may/03/frank-lampard-chelsea-foundations-crumbling-hard-work

The whole article is about "Lampard is the bedrock of morality at the team, but is being let down by the players". WTF.

As a commenter points out, we played far better during the Liverpool match, coached by Whatshisname interim guy who never coached a first time in his life before. And under Potter, a trainwreck as that was, we didn't sink THIS low. The only difference between those weak and disappointing games and the utter disgrace of the last 6 games is Lampard.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on May 04, 2023, 06:40:16 AM
Quote from: Tamas on May 04, 2023, 04:44:05 AMNow don't tell me a foreign coach would get the same treatment: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/may/03/frank-lampard-chelsea-foundations-crumbling-hard-work

The whole article is about "Lampard is the bedrock of morality at the team, but is being let down by the players". WTF.

As a commenter points out, we played far better during the Liverpool match, coached by Whatshisname interim guy who never coached a first time in his life before. And under Potter, a trainwreck as that was, we didn't sink THIS low. The only difference between those weak and disappointing games and the utter disgrace of the last 6 games is Lampard.

But it's not a comment piece is it? Rather a report into what Lampard said at a press conference or interview. You can tell because two thirds or the article is made up of direct quotes from Lampard.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 04, 2023, 07:54:37 AM
Quote from: Gups on May 04, 2023, 06:40:16 AM
Quote from: Tamas on May 04, 2023, 04:44:05 AMNow don't tell me a foreign coach would get the same treatment: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/may/03/frank-lampard-chelsea-foundations-crumbling-hard-work

The whole article is about "Lampard is the bedrock of morality at the team, but is being let down by the players". WTF.

As a commenter points out, we played far better during the Liverpool match, coached by Whatshisname interim guy who never coached a first time in his life before. And under Potter, a trainwreck as that was, we didn't sink THIS low. The only difference between those weak and disappointing games and the utter disgrace of the last 6 games is Lampard.

But it's not a comment piece is it? Rather a report into what Lampard said at a press conference or interview. You can tell because two thirds or the article is made up of direct quotes from Lampard.

It goes well beyond quoting Lampard. It quotes Lampard and lists why he is right to feel like the victim.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on May 04, 2023, 09:32:39 AM
How'd he even get the gig? He hasn't been a manager long. Because he was once a player there?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 04, 2023, 09:00:57 PM
NFL Eagle's owner gives Rob McElhenny ownership advice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGpU1qoUZcg
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 06, 2023, 03:54:07 PM
Tense end of season on monday in the championship for playoffs qualification. Several teams that could potentially make it.

Beginning of the season this was way above Sunderlands goals. But now we are so close I'm hoping things go our way.

What then happens in the playoffs... Well. Not impossible we win. And if we do there's quite the debate whether promotion is even desirable this year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 06, 2023, 06:06:44 PM
Wooo!  Chelsea!

Connor Gallagher reminds me of Paddy the Baddy from MMA.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 07, 2023, 01:20:25 PM
Arsenal won away at Newcastle by 2 goals. Bit of revenge for what happened the same fixture last season.

Arsenal have 81 points now, the same number of points Leicester had in their title-winning season  :cry: City aren't fair man
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on May 07, 2023, 04:11:33 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 07, 2023, 01:20:25 PMArsenal won away at Newcastle by 2 goals. Bit of revenge for what happened the same fixture last season.

Arsenal have 81 points now, the same number of points Leicester had in their title-winning season  :cry: City aren't fair man

Thought Newcastle were really dirty. Can't believe they ended the match with 11 players
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 07, 2023, 06:34:24 PM
Quote from: Gups on May 07, 2023, 04:11:33 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 07, 2023, 01:20:25 PMArsenal won away at Newcastle by 2 goals. Bit of revenge for what happened the same fixture last season.

Arsenal have 81 points now, the same number of points Leicester had in their title-winning season  :cry: City aren't fair man

Thought Newcastle were really dirty. Can't believe they ended the match with 11 players

Ref was a coward  :lol: but at least VAR did its duty and stopped an incorrectly given penalty.

I did enjoy Arsenal's copious amount of time wasting. Giving a bit back to Newcastle for all the time wasting they did in the reverse fixture  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 07, 2023, 08:49:11 PM
Enough Wrexham clips
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 08, 2023, 12:15:56 PM
Excellent day for Sunderland. Results all lined up and we are in the playoffs.

I predict we get through the first round and lose at Wembley vs Middlesborough.

But who knows  :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 08, 2023, 12:27:36 PM
:ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 08, 2023, 01:39:04 PM
What is happening? :o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 08, 2023, 03:58:55 PM
Premier League is drunk today  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 08, 2023, 04:07:02 PM
Hi guys. I've just come out of a 10 year coma. What's happening?
Everton beat Brighton 5-1? Well done Brighton I guess? Or did Everton take pity on them?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on May 08, 2023, 10:52:33 PM
What a game by Everton. Pickford was phenomenal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on May 09, 2023, 02:50:51 AM
Quote from: Josquius on May 08, 2023, 12:15:56 PMExcellent day for Sunderland. Results all lined up and we are in the playoffs.

I predict we get through the first round and lose at Wembley vs Middlesborough.

But who knows  :ph34r:

Congrats, great first season back in the Championship for Sunderland. Well-deserved after the misery of League 1

I watched the Millwall game which was pretty bonkers, Blackburn coming back from 3-1 to win 3-4 and put you guys in the play offs. Thank god for that, I don't think I could stomach Palace and Millwall both in the Prem.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 14, 2023, 02:14:10 PM
Arsenal  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 14, 2023, 03:22:59 PM
Quote from: Tamas on May 14, 2023, 02:14:10 PMArsenal  :lol:

https://twitter.com/CFCAstrid_/status/1649519602177650692?t=s4g7Td74B0Gzit8uo_tm7Q&s=19
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 14, 2023, 04:25:40 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 14, 2023, 03:22:59 PM
Quote from: Tamas on May 14, 2023, 02:14:10 PMArsenal  :lol:

https://twitter.com/CFCAstrid_/status/1649519602177650692?t=s4g7Td74B0Gzit8uo_tm7Q&s=19

 :lol: Followed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 14, 2023, 04:29:19 PM
I feel like you'd get on :lol:
https://twitter.com/CFCAstrid_/status/1657417827869966336?s=20
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 14, 2023, 07:12:06 PM
 :D

The fan accounts are one of the best things about modern football 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 15, 2023, 02:29:15 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 14, 2023, 04:29:19 PMI feel like you'd get on :lol:
https://twitter.com/CFCAstrid_/status/1657417827869966336?s=20

Interesting filming setup of contrasts there.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 15, 2023, 03:00:55 AM
So we won da league  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on May 15, 2023, 03:13:09 AM
Let's go oil money!  :yeah: :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 15, 2023, 03:18:43 AM
Quote from: HVC on May 15, 2023, 03:13:09 AMLet's go oil money!  :yeah: :P

We have no money, much less oil one  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 15, 2023, 03:19:19 AM
On other league winning. Will Halland get to keep the trophy at home? Its only right.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on May 15, 2023, 03:22:19 AM
Quote from: celedhring on May 15, 2023, 03:18:43 AM
Quote from: HVC on May 15, 2023, 03:13:09 AMLet's go oil money!  :yeah: :P

We have no money, much less oil one  :P

Thought you were cheering on man city, but I guess they haven't technically won either :D

Congrats on your win though. I'm just a bitter hockey fan at the moment :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 15, 2023, 03:30:23 AM
Oh wow, I just checked La Liga. Haven't paid attention to it at all this year, Barca have absolutely crushed it.
How's that happened?- at the beginning of the year wasn't all the talk on how poor they are, imminent bankruptcy, etc...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 15, 2023, 03:31:13 AM
Quote from: celedhring on May 15, 2023, 03:00:55 AMSo we won da league  :)

:cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 15, 2023, 04:20:13 AM
Quote from: Josquius on May 15, 2023, 03:30:23 AMOh wow, I just checked La Liga. Haven't paid attention to it at all this year, Barca have absolutely crushed it.
How's that happened?- at the beginning of the year wasn't all the talk on how poor they are, imminent bankruptcy, etc...

Essentially, we packaged and sold in advance a number of media rights to raise money for signings. It's essentially feast today, famine tomorrow.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on May 15, 2023, 04:25:39 AM
Quote from: Josquius on May 15, 2023, 03:19:19 AMOn other league winning. Will Halland get to keep the trophy at home? Its only right.

Apparently my home region, Halland, has gotten a lot more web traffic on tourist sites since Haaland became famous. Wonder why really.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 15, 2023, 04:36:13 AM
Quote from: Threviel on May 15, 2023, 04:25:39 AMHalland

Google says Did you mean: Haaland?

 ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 15, 2023, 12:47:36 PM
Quote from: Threviel on May 15, 2023, 04:25:39 AMApparently my home region, Halland, has gotten a lot more web traffic on tourist sites since Haaland became famous. Wonder why really.

From Halland? Are you of Danish descent or did your people move there after 1658?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 15, 2023, 02:30:39 PM
Lampard's constantly changing lineup gives the impression of desperation.

Still love the way he talks and carries himself though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on May 16, 2023, 01:12:10 AM
Quote from: Jacob on May 15, 2023, 12:47:36 PM
Quote from: Threviel on May 15, 2023, 04:25:39 AMApparently my home region, Halland, has gotten a lot more web traffic on tourist sites since Haaland became famous. Wonder why really.

From Halland? Are you of Danish descent or did your people move there after 1658?

One half inbred coastal fishing village stock which I genealogicked back to Danish times, the church books were sent to Copenhagen and the ship sank, so that's as far as I got.

One half Danzig/Hamburg German.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 17, 2023, 03:49:50 PM
Financial Criminals FC walking into the treble
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 17, 2023, 04:25:53 PM
https://twitter.com/_SamAlex/status/1658921354664505344?t=sH_va8lrJFCERm5R_6ASiA&s=19

QuoteCity look special. Really special. Testament to what can be achieved with £2 billion, a manager with an offshore account, a suspended 2-year ban from European competition and 115 charges of financial irregularity.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on May 17, 2023, 05:00:45 PM
 :cry: it really is a beautiful game
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on May 18, 2023, 04:49:36 AM
Paraphrasing Churchill, if I learnt that Real Madrid played City,  I'd make sure to make at least a positive reference to Man City in a message board.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 18, 2023, 06:06:32 AM
Indeed. The total corruption of English football is a small price to pay to see Real Madrid humiliated.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 18, 2023, 06:58:37 AM
Hopefully accelerationist theories prove correct and City's success draws more attention to how fucked the oil state take overs are.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 18, 2023, 07:50:53 AM
Quote from: Josquius on May 18, 2023, 06:58:37 AMHopefully accelerationist theories prove correct and City's success draws more attention to how fucked the oil state take overs are.

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City is now the face of the English Premier League. They can't let their darling team implode now at their height. They will wait until another nation-state club (Newcastle) dethrones City.

Anyway, this is a good piece on City eviscerating Real Madrid yesterday:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/may/17/manchester-citys-inexorable-hard-power-crushes-real-madrid

QuoteAnd so one of the world's richest states spends years trying to hire the world's greatest coach, succeeds, and then gives him literally everything he needs. Every other club in the world, with the exception of Paris Saint-Germain, has to operate within the constraints of finance or fortune. Every other club in the world has flaws or problem areas that they can't address right now, but hope to at some point in the future. Guardiola, by contrast, gets the staff he wants, the players he wants when he wants them, gets their replacements ahead of schedule.

So you don't just sign Erling Haaland, you sign Julián Álvarez to give him a rest. Kalvin Phillips arrives for £45m, doesn't play all season, and it's fine. You decide – and just reflect on the breathtaking audacity of this for a second – that you need an upgrade on Phil Foden, and so up pops Jack Grealish. If someone accuses you of breaking the rules, you hire the world's greatest lawyers to shoot them down. This is perfection, but not so much the perfection of great art as the perfection of a finely-executed military campaign, the perfection of unlimited wealth, the perfection of political strength, the perfection of a pointless mile-high crystal pyramid in the middle of the desert. No academy players and no Mancunians started for City last night. Does this matter? Does anything matter?

Nobody should begrudge City fans their joy at this point. This has been their journey and their success as much as anyone else's, and with a little perspective they may even realise that they are not as hated as they sometimes assume. Rather, the overwhelming sensation here for the neutral is indifference, a shrug at the inexorable inevitability of hard power. Everybody in this sport is tainted a little, and even on this unlevel playing field City fans have earned their moment of consummate triumph. By the same token, nobody else is obliged to feel anything about it whatsoever.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on May 20, 2023, 06:21:08 PM
Even though dictatorships sportswashing truly gets on my nerves, the fact you're losing your shit over ManCity beating Arsenal to the league truly makes this car crash of a Tottenham season just a little bit sweeter.  :sleep:

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 20, 2023, 07:44:28 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on May 20, 2023, 06:21:08 PMEven though dictatorships sportswashing truly gets on my nerves, the fact you're losing your shit over ManCity beating Arsenal to the league truly makes this car crash of a Tottenham season just a little bit sweeter.  :sleep:



I thought something similar when Spurs lost to Brentford today  :D :hug:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 21, 2023, 11:08:49 AM
Looks like Everton could be down then. Only one game left to play. Leeds need to win whilst Everton lose.
Leeds are playing Tottenham.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 21, 2023, 11:10:57 AM
We've got Bournemouth. Really need them to already be on the beach :lol: :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 21, 2023, 01:07:24 PM
Despite Everton inevitably destroying Arsenal at Goodison every season, I'd prefer to see you stay up  :P

I really want Leicester to go down though  :menace:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 22, 2023, 04:27:44 AM
Football/Turkey politics cross-over. Had this video thrown at me on youtube today. Interesting stuff I hadn't heard of before.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 23, 2023, 08:39:56 AM
Squires on City's win. The last cell particularly funny/grim :(
https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2023/may/23/david-squires-on-manchester-city-winning-the-premier-league-again?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 23, 2023, 09:01:53 AM
Please let the crackdown come before nufc win something.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 23, 2023, 03:47:02 PM
Quote from: Josquius on May 23, 2023, 09:01:53 AMPlease let the crackdown come before nufc win something.

 :lol:  :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on May 24, 2023, 04:58:25 AM
I hate the Man City hegemony as much as anyone. But they all cheat, every chance they get. Players on the pitch,  managers in the dug out and in the press, oligarchs and state owners in the executive boxes. And fans are more than happy to turn a blind eye as long as its their team. Struggling to see why Man City are in some kind of different moral dimension to anyone else. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 24, 2023, 08:52:52 AM
I think part of it is the blatant criminality with which it's been undertaken. Even the league had to do something about it with its 115 charges.

The sheer unfairness of having the richest nations in the world own and bankroll these clubs is another aspect. I think people understand and accept that football is more or less not very competitive, but when you have nation-state backed clubs winning every season and their cheating is so open and flagrant, then people begin to question whether or not top flight football is worth watching. Fans will continue to watch their clubs every season but the competition itself is becoming less and less interesting.

And now there's news that Newcastle are getting a new Saudi shirt sponsor. I'm sure they will offer a fair value deal with nothing under the table  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 24, 2023, 08:54:55 AM
England's national sport becoming a dick-measuring contest between Arab princes is an... interesting development.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 25, 2023, 08:52:19 PM
Christ Chelsea sucks.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 25, 2023, 09:10:50 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on May 25, 2023, 08:52:19 PMChrist Chelsea sucks.

 :yeah:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on May 26, 2023, 01:52:04 PM
Quote from: Tamas on May 24, 2023, 08:54:55 AMEngland's national sport becoming a dick-measuring contest between Arab princes is an... interesting development.
I remember the good old days when it was  just Russian oligarchs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 28, 2023, 12:45:37 PM
Sheilbh  :cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 28, 2023, 12:57:00 PM
Next year the balance of the premier league is +1 London area team <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 28, 2023, 02:19:34 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 28, 2023, 12:45:37 PMSheilbh  :cheers:
Yeah. Stressful :lol:

I see sack the board is already trending, so straight into the next round of drama.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 28, 2023, 03:43:12 PM
Thanks to the (Newcastle own-)goal scored today, Chelsea has managed to score one more goal this season than Haaland. :yeah:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 28, 2023, 03:53:47 PM
Also impressive season by Kane to have scored 30 league goals, given everything else about Spurs this season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 28, 2023, 05:46:28 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 28, 2023, 03:53:47 PMAlso impressive season by Kane to have scored 30 league goals, given everything else about Spurs this season.

Without him they are seriously screwed. Which is why I think Levy might ignore any offer below 100m for him. Even then, it's still virtually impossible to find a true replacement for him who would go to Spurs.

I love it and I think I deserve it  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 30, 2023, 12:10:56 PM
So to put a bit of a coda on this season in the PL for Arsenal, it was overall a very good season. Disappointment at the end of it, for sure, but that was only because the team had been more or less spectacular for like 60% of the season until injuries and tiredness hit the team badly. Perhaps more importantly, the atmosphere among the fans has turned completely around in just two seasons. A couple of years ago we finished 8th, then 5th, and now 2nd. That is quite a turnaround for a club that had been a complete dumpster fire after Wenger and then Emery were fired.

This was a special season and I loved it. Fun, flowing, attacking football to watch, some great wins and special moments (the last second Reiss Nelson goal!!!), a few lows and a little disappointment, but overall what a great year for Arsenal and their fans. Long may it continue.

The cherry on top of this special season was watching Tottenham and Chelsea become the laughing stocks of the league again, as they rightfully should be and where they belong. Long may that continue too.  :lol:



Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 04, 2023, 09:51:03 AM
Thought to watch the final but missed it. City roll on. Sigh. I guess at this point accelerationism is the best hope.

Incidentally. Serious question. Why does Erling Haaland look so weird? Can't put my finger on just what it is about him but he looks off.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 04, 2023, 09:57:47 AM
I think he looks like the bully in an 80s Hollywood high school movie, probably called something like Biff.

Shouldn't hold it against him, but here we are.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 08, 2023, 03:31:46 AM
West Ham as European champions.
Whatever next.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 08, 2023, 05:35:46 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on June 04, 2023, 09:57:47 AMI think he looks like the bully in an 80s Hollywood high school movie, probably called something like Biff.

Shouldn't hold it against him, but here we are.

https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/erling-haaland-farting-man-city-29875434 (https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/erling-haaland-farting-man-city-29875434)

Don't remember Biff farting but then it's not out of character.

QuoteErling Haaland has no respect - he farted every time we approached him'
Erling Haaland appears to be not only a goal-scoring machine but also a budding master of the dark arts - as he was recently seen supposedly trumping to distract defenders

QuoteManchester City goal ace Erling Haaland gives defenders the bum's rush – by farting.

The striker has banged in an incredible 50 goals already this season – but supporters reckon he has been playing a trump card. Footage appearing to show the star breaking wind as Bayern Munich's Leon Goretzka marks him during the Champions League quarter-final has gone viral.

The German midfielder could be seen puffing out his cheeks and holding his nose as he waited for a corner to be swung in. Grinning Haaland rubbed his stomach.

Some sports news websites quoted Goretzka as saying: "He has no respect for the opponent or football. He farted every time we approached him."

The video had fans in stitches. One wrote: "This explains the goals." "Extra propulsion for additional speed," said another.

A third joked: "Still has a lot to grow to get on Gary Lineker's level." While Haaland was renamed "Erling Fartland" by many on social media.




Haaland appeared to let rip next to Leon Goretzka
Erling Haaland rubbing stomach while Leon Goretka holds nose
The Man City goal machine rubbed his stomach while Goretzka held his nose
It looked like Haaland was explaining to Goretzka that he had a dodgy belly and wasn't stinking him out intentionally - but he has used other cheeky tactics to put off defenders.

During a recent appearance on Monday Night Football, Brentford's Ben Mee claimed he pinched him when they clashed earlier this season.

Erling Haaland of Manchester City inspects his injured thigh during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Aston Villa at Etihad Stadium on February 12, 2023
Haaland's trumping tactics look to be among an arsenal of dark arts he employs
"He is a powerful lad and we have had a little bit of a jostle," said Mee. "Obviously we are trying to be physical with him and use our body in and around the box to stop him from getting into any positions he wants to.

"Little pinches here and there between me and him. More from him to be fair, but I don't mind that, I quite like that."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 14, 2023, 05:22:22 AM
I love examples of weird out of their time things and I recently learned of the prior existence of the United Soccer Association.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Soccer_Association

A 1960s attempt at a football league in N. America, which in lieu of having actual teams, just imported foreign teams during the summer and renamed them to be North American.

Maybe I'm the only one to have never heard of this? Only recently came to my attention as Sunderland were part of it as the Vancouver Royal Canadians owned by a Brigadier General E.G. Eakins. Which...is amazingly old school.
Sunderland apparently saw the whole thing as a piss up :lol:
https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2023/6/7/23750623/otd-7-june-1967-vancouver-royal-canadians-sunderland-4-1-dallas-tornado-dundee-utd

The league was won by the LA Wolves. Who were Wolves.
There were teams from a variety of places, oddly including footballing giants N.Ireland and Ireland.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 14, 2023, 01:57:27 PM
WTF is going on with ex-Saints players. There's Le Tissier in general - but now Rickie Lambert's posting Q Anon-ish videos and appearing on Le Tissier's podcast :huh:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on June 14, 2023, 04:18:37 PM
Everton being sued by Leicester and others for FPP breaches
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 14, 2023, 04:32:41 PM
Yeah I don't really understand how we're not in massive breach of the rules given how big our losses have been.

It's a general shitshow though (and has been for a few years).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 15, 2023, 04:06:32 AM
If they can't even get Everton then you know city and United are safe.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on June 15, 2023, 05:19:30 AM
As I understand they did get City they just decided not to punish them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on June 15, 2023, 06:23:42 AM
Quote from: Tamas on June 15, 2023, 05:19:30 AMAs I understand they did get City they just decided not to punish them.

Why do you say that? They have been charged and are contesting the charges. Where is there a decision not to punish them?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on June 15, 2023, 06:58:14 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on June 14, 2023, 01:57:27 PMWTF is going on with ex-Saints players. There's Le Tissier in general - but now Rickie Lambert's posting Q Anon-ish videos and appearing on Le Tissier's podcast :huh:

:hmm:

Not heard of any of this, so what odd things has 'God' been upto in his post penalty taking career?

edit:
Just looked on wiki, so mainly covid-19 denial/conspiracy and general twitter potty-mouthness.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 16, 2023, 01:24:00 PM
Come on Malta 🇲🇹
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on June 26, 2023, 10:49:35 AM
This is just a crazy story by a very reputable sports reporter Rick Westhead of TSN.  Canada Soccer contemplates bankruptcy, Men's national team may have lost out on playing any international friendlies this fall, signed a 20 year deal in 2018 giving up all of their media rights - right before the team went to a World Cup, and is now set to co-host a world Cup, making those rights infinitely more valuable...

https://www.tsn.ca/westhead-interim-general-secretary-jason-devos-paints-grim-picture-of-canada-soccer-s-finances-1.1977583
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on June 26, 2023, 10:53:16 AM
Oh Canada.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 26, 2023, 01:46:51 PM
Video blocked for me.

I can understand regret for cashing out the rights for the short money, but I don't see how that leads to insolvency.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on June 26, 2023, 01:54:02 PM
If they hadn't taken such a long deal they'd be getting some sweet sweet World Cup money soon so could stave off the bankruptcy. As the article under the video states this was controversial move when it was done because the World Cup bid was announced when this deal was being worked out.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on July 05, 2023, 10:46:18 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on June 26, 2023, 01:46:51 PMVideo blocked for me.

I can understand regret for cashing out the rights for the short money, but I don't see how that leads to insolvency.

It doesn't really but Canada soccer is out of money. The rights deal looks so much like a money laundering deal that. imo, Canada soccer thinks a judge might sides with them in a bankruptcy case.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 12, 2023, 08:15:01 PM
Christian Pulisic is off to Milan.

Yi, you going to learn Italian now?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on July 12, 2023, 08:21:04 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on July 12, 2023, 08:15:01 PMChristian Pulisic is off to Milan.

Yi, you going to learn Italian now?

 ^_^

High time to jump ship I think.  Remind me which team has the two young Americans on it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 13, 2023, 05:44:30 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on July 12, 2023, 08:21:04 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on July 12, 2023, 08:15:01 PMChristian Pulisic is off to Milan.

Yi, you going to learn Italian now?

 ^_^

High time to jump ship I think.  Remind me which team has the two young Americans on it.

I think you're thinking of Leeds United but

1) they got relegated to the Championship

and

2) I think they only have one American left, Tyler Adams. Brendan Aaronson is off to Germany on loan and Weston McKennie is gone. And they fired their American coach.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on July 13, 2023, 08:55:00 AM
I think Fulham have two. The goalie and some kid who is really a Brit but who qualifies for the States through a parent
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 13, 2023, 09:08:20 AM
Quote from: Gups on July 13, 2023, 08:55:00 AMI think Fulham have two. The goalie and some kid who is really a Brit but who qualifies for the States through a parent

You might be thinking of Arsenal? Matt Turner is our backup and the US #1 and Folarin Balogun, the new US #9, came up through Hale End and blew up in France on loan.

I was going to mention them but most of my posts in this thread pertain to Arsenal so I resisted the temptation  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 18, 2023, 05:14:27 PM
Sunderland beat San Antonio in a preseason friendly.
I watched some highlights on YouTube.
Man. Those American commentators. Way too excited for a friendly  :lol:

Can't help but feel for teams like San Antonio. Winning the second division but unable to progress.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on July 19, 2023, 05:21:12 AM
:ike:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on July 19, 2023, 07:19:00 AM
Teletubbies announce Burnley's last signing:
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/23103347/weirdest-burnley-reveal-transfer-teletubbies/ (https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/23103347/weirdest-burnley-reveal-transfer-teletubbies/)

QuoteMOOR MADNESS Fans say 'weirdest announcement ever' and joke admin's on 'LSD' as Burnley reveal transfer with bizarre Teletubbies clip
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on July 20, 2023, 08:05:46 PM
Exciting last 30 minutes in the Aus v. Ireland game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 22, 2023, 09:34:17 AM
In his first game for Miami, Messi came off the bench and ran the game like everyone else on the pitch was 13, and then he scored the game-winning free kick in stoppage time.  :lol:

I swear to god it was scripted by MLS and Apple TV but the man is the greatest to ever play the game so it makes perfect sense.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 22, 2023, 09:51:27 AM
The sequel will have him taking Miami from last to MLS champion in the remaining months
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 24, 2023, 11:14:57 AM
QuoteAl Hilal offering €300m transfer fee to PSG. In addition to this they are prepared to offer Mbappe a salary package of €700m over one year, after which he would be free to depart for Real Madrid should he so wish.
6:06 AM · Jul 24, 2023

https://twitter.com/jamesbenge/status/1683418293883772928

Saudi paying out 1 billion for a single footballer. Yeah it's Mbappe but still.......
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on July 24, 2023, 11:23:00 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on July 24, 2023, 11:14:57 AM
QuoteAl Hilal offering €300m transfer fee to PSG. In addition to this they are prepared to offer Mbappe a salary package of €700m over one year, after which he would be free to depart for Real Madrid should he so wish.
6:06 AM · Jul 24, 2023

https://twitter.com/jamesbenge/status/1683418293883772928

Saudi paying out 1 billion for a single footballer. Yeah it's Mbappe but still.......

And in stark contrast the UK's first million pound player, Trevor Francis has just died aged 69. That historic transfer deal was in 1979 or 1980, to I think Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 24, 2023, 11:44:42 AM
And you can only assume the Saudi-Qatari angle of that is part of the justification. Our sportswashing project is bigger than yours sort of thing :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 24, 2023, 12:02:13 PM
The one that really hurts with the Saudis is Henderson. Always seemed a stand up guy but... Has a price. And no mitigation to be seen (eg I'll donate a million a week to lgbt charities or something)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on July 24, 2023, 12:03:08 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on July 24, 2023, 11:44:42 AMAnd you can only assume the Saudi-Qatari angle of that is part of the justification. Our sportswashing project is bigger than yours sort of thing :bleeding:

I'm completely missing the angle on the Saudi league thing. Surely it can't be to just compete against the Qataris who don't have a league.

If its sportswashing, it's a bloody expensive way fo going about it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 24, 2023, 01:20:30 PM
Quote from: Gups on July 24, 2023, 12:03:08 PMI'm completely missing the angle on the Saudi league thing. Surely it can't be to just compete against the Qataris who don't have a league.

If its sportswashing, it's a bloody expensive way fo going about it.
No - I just imagine they'll particularly enjoy taking the star player from the club owned by the Emir of Qatar. Especially for a project that is moving beyond Qatari (and Saudi and Emirati) approaches so far of buying European clubs - the Saudis want to build a league and throw money at players to get them there and not just when they're retiring which Mbappe for a year would do.

I think sport is one of the big strategies in MBS' Saudi 2030 - golf tournaments, building a league, aiming to host the World Cup in 2030 (with Egypt and Greece :huh:). It is mad and expensive but everything I've seen come out of MBS' plan is mad. Look at all the stuff like NEOM or the Line and it's probably pretty cheap and maybe helps with the World Cup bid?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on July 24, 2023, 01:34:31 PM
Sure but 300m euros when he has only a year left on his contract and was going to walk at the end of that year is absolutely fantastic for PSG.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on July 24, 2023, 04:40:42 PM
Mbappe won't agree to move to Saudi Arabia, so it's a moot point.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on July 26, 2023, 11:19:29 AM
Canada has looked shaky on defence and lethargic on offence.

They have to beat Australia to go through.  I past world cups I would not worried about that game.  But the Canadian side needs to find some of their old gold scoring magic.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on July 26, 2023, 07:26:37 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on July 26, 2023, 11:19:29 AMCanada has looked shaky on defence and lethargic on offence.

They have to beat Australia to go through.  I past world cups I would not worried about that game.  But the Canadian side needs to find some of their old gold scoring magic.

Nigeria might pull the upset again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 27, 2023, 12:29:16 AM
Read a bit on the Philippine team being 17/23 US born.
Prior to reading this I had just been wondering with Morocco how many of them were French or Spanish.
I know a few, maybe half a dozen, of the Nigerians are Brits.
I wonder how it looks for the others. Anyone seen a breakdown so I don't have to go trawling every squad list?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 27, 2023, 05:50:53 AM
Quote from: Josquius on July 27, 2023, 12:29:16 AMRead a bit on the Philippine team being 17/23 US born.
Prior to reading this I had just been wondering with Morocco how many of them were French or Spanish.
I know a few, maybe half a dozen, of the Nigerians are Brits.
I wonder how it looks for the others. Anyone seen a breakdown so I don't have to go trawling every squad list?
The Athletic might have something - but I haven't seen anything.

I know with international men's football they've done a few pieces on the trends of players from diasporas. On one side countries' football federations increasing their scouting of the diaspora/being aware of potential stars younger (ending Ireland's one comparative advantage in world football :weep:), but also shifts/more complex multiples in identity among younger generations of players.

I don't know if they've done anything similar on women's football but it feels like the same trends would apply (with less money on the scouting bit).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 27, 2023, 07:19:03 AM
Quote from: crazy canuck on July 26, 2023, 11:19:29 AMCanada has looked .. and lethargic on offence.



They actually have been lethargic for years. Even when they won the Gold in the Olympics they defended their way to the title (winning on penalty kicks). They don't have a great striker anymore since Sincy has gotten older and been relegated to a deeper role. That's been a problem for them of late.

I think they will qualify for the next round but are not in the same quality a team as the USA, Holland, England, France and some others.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on July 27, 2023, 11:12:07 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on July 26, 2023, 07:26:37 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on July 26, 2023, 11:19:29 AMCanada has looked shaky on defence and lethargic on offence.

They have to beat Australia to go through.  I past world cups I would not worried about that game.  But the Canadian side needs to find some of their old gold scoring magic.

Nigeria might pull the upset again.

Yes, but they probably also beat Ireland, which still means Canada needs to beat the Aussies.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on July 27, 2023, 11:13:19 AM
Quote from: Josephus on July 27, 2023, 07:19:03 AM
Quote from: crazy canuck on July 26, 2023, 11:19:29 AMCanada has looked .. and lethargic on offence.



They actually have been lethargic for years. Even when they won the Gold in the Olympics they defended their way to the title (winning on penalty kicks). They don't have a great striker anymore since Sincy has gotten older and been relegated to a deeper role. That's been a problem for them of late.

I think they will qualify for the next round but are not in the same quality a team as the USA, Holland, England, France and some others.

You are correct  :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 27, 2023, 02:14:16 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on July 27, 2023, 11:12:07 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on July 26, 2023, 07:26:37 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on July 26, 2023, 11:19:29 AMCanada has looked shaky on defence and lethargic on offence.

They have to beat Australia to go through.  I past world cups I would not worried about that game.  But the Canadian side needs to find some of their old gold scoring magic.

Nigeria might pull the upset again.

Yes, but they probably also beat Ireland, which still means Canada needs to beat the Aussies.

A draw will get them through the next round.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 29, 2023, 05:22:19 PM
So. Hojlund. I know nothing of him but man Utd paying big money for this young Danish forward.

Just me getting off brand Haaland vibes?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on July 31, 2023, 07:17:47 AM
Quote from: Josephus on July 27, 2023, 02:14:16 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on July 27, 2023, 11:12:07 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on July 26, 2023, 07:26:37 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on July 26, 2023, 11:19:29 AMCanada has looked shaky on defence and lethargic on offence.

They have to beat Australia to go through.  I past world cups I would not worried about that game.  But the Canadian side needs to find some of their old gold scoring magic.

Nigeria might pull the upset again.

Yes, but they probably also beat Ireland, which still means Canada needs to beat the Aussies.

A draw will get them through the next round.

Unfortunately Canada looked like they were playing for a scoreless draw.  The Australians were playing to win.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 31, 2023, 11:01:33 AM
As I said before, Canada is not a good team
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on July 31, 2023, 02:57:38 PM
The took equal pay for work of equal value a bit too literally.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on July 31, 2023, 03:06:24 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on July 31, 2023, 02:57:38 PMThe took equal pay for work of equal value a bit too literally.  :D

People always work hard for the raise and then slack off :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on August 01, 2023, 12:28:51 PM
And the US almost didn't make it to the knock out rounds.

Parity in Women's soccer has come quicker than I think most thought possible.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 03, 2023, 08:28:08 AM
Quote from: crazy canuck on August 01, 2023, 12:28:51 PMAnd the US almost didn't make it to the knock out rounds.

Parity in Women's soccer has come quicker than I think most thought possible.

I'll still put my money on them to take it all.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on August 03, 2023, 08:34:00 AM
I will take that bet.

Loser pays for drinks if we ever see each other
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on August 03, 2023, 09:33:58 AM
Germany is out, couldn't beat Korea to get out of the group.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 03, 2023, 09:46:39 AM
Quote from: crazy canuck on August 03, 2023, 09:33:58 AMGermany is out, couldn't beat Korea to get out of the group.
Wow. Weren't they favourites?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on August 03, 2023, 10:19:26 AM
Denmark advances.. playing Australia on their home turf next, in front of about 80,000 Australians.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on August 03, 2023, 04:28:50 PM
Yep
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 04, 2023, 06:12:57 AM
Quote from: crazy canuck on August 03, 2023, 08:34:00 AMI will take that bet.

Loser pays for drinks if we ever see each other

You're on.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on August 06, 2023, 09:41:33 AM
Quote from: Josephus on August 04, 2023, 06:12:57 AM
Quote from: crazy canuck on August 03, 2023, 08:34:00 AMI will take that bet.

Loser pays for drinks if we ever see each other

You're on.  :)

Swedish keeper wins the game
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 06, 2023, 01:27:12 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on August 06, 2023, 09:41:33 AM
Quote from: Josephus on August 04, 2023, 06:12:57 AM
Quote from: crazy canuck on August 03, 2023, 08:34:00 AMI will take that bet.

Loser pays for drinks if we ever see each other

You're on.  :)

Swedish keeper wins the game

Yup. I owe you a drink. Never been so happy to lose a bet :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 06, 2023, 01:29:42 PM
The season has started (badly).

Seems an error in Womens world Cup timing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on August 06, 2023, 05:38:20 PM
Quote from: Josephus on August 06, 2023, 01:27:12 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on August 06, 2023, 09:41:33 AM
Quote from: Josephus on August 04, 2023, 06:12:57 AM
Quote from: crazy canuck on August 03, 2023, 08:34:00 AMI will take that bet.

Loser pays for drinks if we ever see each other

You're on.  :)

Swedish keeper wins the game

Yup. I owe you a drink. Never been so happy to lose a bet :D

 :cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 08, 2023, 06:25:17 AM
I notice not too much of the football fans on here talking about the WC. Which is unfortunate, and typical. There have been some really good games in this women's world cup, and the skill and tactics level has improved so much, even from the last world cup.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 08, 2023, 06:25:56 AM
Quote from: Josephus on August 08, 2023, 06:25:17 AMI notice not too much of the football fans on here talking about the WC. Which is unfortunate, and typical. There have been some really good games in this women's world cup, and the skill and tactics level has improved so much, even from the last world cup.

It being in Australia and the games being on at a crap time of day doesn't help.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on August 08, 2023, 06:53:28 AM
I'm only a bit interested I'm afraid. I think I've watched about 20 minutes so far plus some highlights. Partly because of the time the games are on, partly because the best sport in the world (test cricket) has been taking up my sporting attention and partly because the league season over here has started.

Will watch at least the England v Columbia quarter final this weekend.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on August 08, 2023, 08:28:54 AM
Quote from: Gups on August 08, 2023, 06:53:28 AMI'm only a bit interested I'm afraid. I think I've watched about 20 minutes so far plus some highlights. Partly because of the time the games are on, partly because the best sport in the world (test cricket) has been taking up my sporting attention and partly because the league season over here has started.

Will watch at least the England v Columbia quarter final this weekend.

:yes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on August 08, 2023, 08:51:28 AM
Is it the Ashes still? Hard to know when one series of it ended and the other began. Its THRILLING stuff. Who will win this year? England? Australia? Perhaps England? or Australia? We also cannot rule out Australia winning, or England pulling a surprise and winning.

It's everyone's game after last year's hotly contested England vs. Australia matches, and we expect this year drama's will setup a nailbiter next year to find out who will win it, with the pundits expecting it'll be either England or Australia.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Richard Hakluyt on August 08, 2023, 08:51:51 AM
It has been a magnificent series, love the way that England has been playing; just a terrible shame that the 4th test was drawn because of the weather  :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on August 08, 2023, 09:01:29 AM
Is cricket the only international sport popular only among English speaking nations? I guess (American) football. Can't think of others.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on August 08, 2023, 09:11:36 AM
Quote from: Josephus on August 08, 2023, 06:25:17 AMI notice not too much of the football fans on here talking about the WC. Which is unfortunate, and typical. There have been some really good games in this women's world cup, and the skill and tactics level has improved so much, even from the last world cup.

I watched the Canadian games, and the USA Portugal game.  Plus some highlights here and there. I agree it's gotten better, but I don't know, just doesn't feel the same.  Then again, I only really watch the men's World Cup and euro now, so not a huge fan to begin with.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on August 08, 2023, 09:16:22 AM
Quote from: HVC on August 08, 2023, 09:01:29 AMIs cricket the only international sport popular only among English speaking nations? I guess (American) football. Can't think of others.

Is American football an international sport?

It's a bit of a stretch to say that India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afgahanistan and Bangladesh are English speaking nations but outside the old empire, cricket is not very popular. The Netherlands are a pretty decent team but I doubt it is much watched there.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 08, 2023, 09:20:52 AM
Quote from: HVC on August 08, 2023, 09:01:29 AMIs cricket the only international sport popular only among English speaking nations? I guess (American) football. Can't think of others.
It's huge in India and Pakistan - that's one of the most intense (and I think watched) international sporting events when they play.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 08, 2023, 09:21:53 AM
Always funny when you get stuff like the Baltic Cup in cricket and the teams are basically all just Indian guys living in the various countries. Its like a throwback to the empire only with Indians instead of upper class Englishmen.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on August 08, 2023, 09:24:32 AM
Quote from: Gups on August 08, 2023, 09:16:22 AM
Quote from: HVC on August 08, 2023, 09:01:29 AMIs cricket the only international sport popular only among English speaking nations? I guess (American) football. Can't think of others.

Is American football an international sport?

It's a bit of a stretch to say that India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afgahanistan and Bangladesh are English speaking nations but outside the old empire, cricket is not very popular. The Netherlands are a pretty decent team but I doubt it is much watched there.

I always think of India and Pakistan as "English speaking", but that would be wrong.  Guess I should have said English colonies.

As for football I counted Canada, so that makes it intentional :D but looking it up football appears to be popular in Mexico, Brazil, and Japan of all places.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 08, 2023, 09:26:32 AM
Quote from: Josquius on August 08, 2023, 09:21:53 AMAlways funny when you get stuff like the Baltic Cup in cricket and the teams are basically all just Indian guys living in the various countries.
There's a group of Indian businessman trying to launch a franchise style cricket league in the US. Which I hope goes well I assume it'll be a bit like the IPL.

As not a fan, cricket is a really good sport to watch in person (been to the Oval as a friend is a member). Just chilling, drinking, watching bit of sport. It's very good.

Trying to think of an Anglo sport with no international element and can't off the top of my head - even, say, snooker is big in China.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 08, 2023, 09:37:06 AM
QuoteThere's a group of Indian businessman trying to launch a franchise style cricket league in the US. Which I hope goes well I assume it'll be a bit like the IPL.

As not a fan, cricket is a really good sport to watch in person (been to the Oval as a friend is a member). Just chilling, drinking, watching bit of sport. It's very good.

Trying to think of an Anglo sport with no international element and can't off the top of my head - even, say, snooker is big in China.
Closest I can think of is bandy which is technically a British invention though basically just played in Sweden these days.

If we're counting snooker...bowls?

Quote from: HVC on August 08, 2023, 09:24:32 AM
Quote from: Gups on August 08, 2023, 09:16:22 AM
Quote from: HVC on August 08, 2023, 09:01:29 AMIs cricket the only international sport popular only among English speaking nations? I guess (American) football. Can't think of others.

Is American football an international sport?

It's a bit of a stretch to say that India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afgahanistan and Bangladesh are English speaking nations but outside the old empire, cricket is not very popular. The Netherlands are a pretty decent team but I doubt it is much watched there.

I always think of India and Pakistan as "English speaking", but that would be wrong.  Guess I should have said English colonies.

As for football I counted Canada, so that makes it intentional :D but looking it up football appears to be popular in Mexico, Brazil, and Japan of all places.
I've never heard of American Football having any popularity in Japan.
I'd say its probably more popular in the UK than there. NFL does have a reasonable niche fanbase here.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on August 08, 2023, 09:37:22 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 08, 2023, 09:20:52 AM
Quote from: HVC on August 08, 2023, 09:01:29 AMIs cricket the only international sport popular only among English speaking nations? I guess (American) football. Can't think of others.
It's huge in India and Pakistan - that's one of the most intense (and I think watched) international sporting events when they play.

Lately with rioting in England as an aftermath.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 08, 2023, 09:49:00 AM
Quote from: Josquius on August 08, 2023, 09:37:06 AMI've never heard of American Football having any popularity in Japan.
I'd say its probably more popular in the UK than there. NFL does have a reasonable niche fanbase here.

For good reason. It' s baseball in Japan, then association football.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on August 08, 2023, 09:55:03 AM
The Balkan version of cricket is water polo.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on August 08, 2023, 10:06:37 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 08, 2023, 09:26:32 AM
Quote from: Josquius on August 08, 2023, 09:21:53 AMAlways funny when you get stuff like the Baltic Cup in cricket and the teams are basically all just Indian guys living in the various countries.
There's a group of Indian businessman trying to launch a franchise style cricket league in the US. Which I hope goes well I assume it'll be a bit like the IPL.


It's already launched and the first season has been completed. Far more successful than anticipated apparently. Some pretty impressive businesspeople behind it including the CEO of Microsoft and umm, Ross Perot jnr

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/mlc-2023-supercharged-season-one-prompts-organisers-to-dream-bigger-1390643
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on August 08, 2023, 10:14:56 AM
(https://content.invisioncic.com/u312729/monthly_2017_02/hijack.gif.401b9f1444211088ea55c084328fbd7f.gif)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 08, 2023, 11:23:42 AM
On snooker, weirdly very popular in China which is where the main snooker TV audience is plus lots of snooker tours in Asia (I think it's popular in Thailand too but that may just be extrapolating from James Wattana). He's fallen off a bit in recent years but Ding Junhui was a world championship finalist which, again, may help explain popularity in China.

Fair on bowls - also interesting on the US cricket league. Absolutely love to know how Ross Perot Jr got involved :lol:

FWIW I saw zero evidence of American football in Mexico - I thought its big overseas audience was Germany? Although increasingly popular here - the London dates always sell out and Super Bowl is popular.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 08, 2023, 11:48:54 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 08, 2023, 11:23:42 AMFWIW I saw zero evidence of American football in Mexico - I thought its big overseas audience was Germany? Although increasingly popular here - the London dates always sell out and Super Bowl is popular.

Yeah, don't know where that came from.
Mexico has Liga MX, the best association football league of North America, with 2 liguillas, a complex enough set-up to keep them busy.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on August 08, 2023, 11:55:58 AM
Mexico has its own football league with ties the the Canadian one.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liga_de_F%C3%BAtbol_Americano_Profesional

 "Mexico has the largest NFL fanbase outside of the United States, and American football has become the country's second most popular sport."

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jefffedotin/2019/11/19/football-has-become-mexicos-second-most-popular-sport/?sh=ed4532e638ad
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on August 08, 2023, 12:00:09 PM
Quote from: Josquius on August 08, 2023, 09:37:06 AMI've never heard of American Football having any popularity in Japan.
I'd say its probably more popular in the UK than there. NFL does have a reasonable niche fanbase here.

Japan has had collegiate football since the 30s. Obvious not as big as baseball, but still has a following.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 08, 2023, 12:04:45 PM
Spanish wiki disagrees with Forbes and HVC.
Says baseball is very popular along the Atlantic Coast, however.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on August 08, 2023, 12:07:34 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on August 08, 2023, 12:04:45 PMSpanish wiki disagrees with Forbes and HVC.
Says baseball is very popular along the Atlantic Coast, however.

Nfl says that Mexico has 46 million fans. You can quibble about being second place but 1/3 of the population makes it a popular sport whichever way you cut it :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 08, 2023, 12:18:37 PM
Quote from: HVC on August 08, 2023, 12:07:34 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on August 08, 2023, 12:04:45 PMSpanish wiki disagrees with Forbes and HVC.
Says baseball is very popular along the Atlantic Coast, however.

Nfl says that Mexico has 46 million fans. You can quibble about being second place but 1/3 of the population makes it a popular sport whichever way you cut it :P

I am a bit skeptical regarding NFl claims about the popularity of the NFL, to be honest.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on August 08, 2023, 12:26:43 PM
Fine you win, no one in mexico has even heard about football. My bad  :blush:  ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 08, 2023, 02:13:04 PM
Quote from: HVC on August 08, 2023, 12:00:09 PM
Quote from: Josquius on August 08, 2023, 09:37:06 AMI've never heard of American Football having any popularity in Japan.
I'd say its probably more popular in the UK than there. NFL does have a reasonable niche fanbase here.

Japan has had collegiate football since the 30s. Obvious not as big as baseball, but still has a following.

Honestly not something I heard of at all whilst I lived there.
Baseball definitely. Football also popular. Basketball increasingly so. Rugby... A bit more select but in some schools it's huge. Relay running - oddly a huge thing at university level.
American football though... People know it's a thing that exits but that's it.
I'm not too surprised some universities would have teams but it's really not much of a thing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on August 08, 2023, 03:24:46 PM
I watched the Montreal Tigers win a Canadian cricket league over the weekend. Most of the players were of the larger Indian diaspora.

It's such a posh sport.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on August 08, 2023, 05:10:17 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on August 08, 2023, 03:24:46 PMI watched the Montreal Tigers win a Canadian cricket league over the weekend. Most of the players were of the larger Indian diaspora.

It's such a posh sport.  :bowler:

FYP.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on August 08, 2023, 07:31:37 PM
Sorry for bringing the conversation off track here, but the Faroese champions (soccer) - KÍ Klaksvík - have apparently eliminated both the Swedish and Hungarian champtions - Häcken and Ferencváros - during qualifiers for the Champions League. Now they've also beaten the Norwegian champions - Molde - 2-1 in their first game against them at home.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 10, 2023, 06:39:09 PM
Finally seems Harry Kane is gone (to Bayern).

Always personally liked him even though he played for the shittiest club in the world. Now I won't have to hold my nose when I praise him  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on August 11, 2023, 12:35:59 AM
Sad to see him go. It'd be nice if he could finish up his career in 4-5 years back at Spurs.

I wonder if that means we can give free reign to Richarlison now (DO IT).

Also a big question mark is going to be Son's reaction. Kane and Son were the real engine for the Spurs offense and complemented each other quite well. I guess we'll see.

Can't wait for Sunday :)

I'll go ahead and stick my neck out: Spurs finish 4th.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 11, 2023, 08:14:36 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on August 11, 2023, 12:35:59 AMSad to see him go. It'd be nice if he could finish up his career in 4-5 years back at Spurs.

I wonder if that means we can give free reign to Richarlison now (DO IT).

Also a big question mark is going to be Son's reaction. Kane and Son were the real engine for the Spurs offense and complemented each other quite well. I guess we'll see.

Can't wait for Sunday :)

I'll go ahead and stick my neck out: Spurs finish 4th.

Yeah from what I understand Spurs have looked pretty good in the preseason, at least in the attack. Seems the new manager is working some of his magic.

I don't see any of the usual pundits rating Spurs very highly this season so that tells me they'll actually have a decent season this year  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 12, 2023, 07:31:26 PM
Caught the DFL Supercup match between Bayern and RB Leipzig and, I got to admit, it is super freaking weird to see Harry Kane playing for Bayern.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 13, 2023, 06:58:18 PM
A new era, much like the old era. And they're supposed to sign Lavia from Southampton and Olise from Palace shortly as well :lol:

QuoteCaicedo is a great signing for Chelsea but it's a staggering fee.

They've now spent £821m in 3 windows under Todd Boehly.

Man City have spent £716m over the 11 windows dating back to the start of 2018/19.

It's completely excessive spending
https://twitter.com/DougieCritchley/status/1690837115372699648?s=20


Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on August 13, 2023, 10:09:09 PM
I don't know why they're trying to go the PSG/Galacticos way. It doesn't work. Olise is a great player though.

Spurs drew against Brentford, 2-2. Son and Richarlison were kinda invisible... Sigh.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on August 14, 2023, 02:12:28 AM
This summer Chelsea sold/got rid of 12 players. The spending now seems much more focused. Definitely not the old Real Madrid way buying players just because they sell tshirts.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on August 14, 2023, 11:18:48 AM
I find the Saudis outbidding everyone else entertaining. I don't mind if the football circus is moving or better yet destroyed. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on August 14, 2023, 11:23:42 AM
Anything that actually spurs the Super League into being, I approve.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on August 14, 2023, 10:24:27 PM
Anyone see the Aus France game?

One for the ages.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on August 15, 2023, 01:42:17 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on August 14, 2023, 11:23:42 AMAnything that actually spurs the Super League into being, I approve.

You think Al-Hilal is going to join the Super League?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on August 15, 2023, 02:33:11 PM
Quote from: Jacob on August 15, 2023, 01:42:17 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on August 14, 2023, 11:23:42 AMAnything that actually spurs the Super League into being, I approve.

You think Al-Hilal is going to join the Super League?

No. I think elite players leaving the European national championships will.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 15, 2023, 03:05:54 PM
I wonder what the buildup of the Saudi league will mean for club internationals.

The Asian champions league isn't great. Even before the current wave of Saudi investment their teams were amongst the strongest.

And it doesn't exactly cover a natural area either - do Saudis really care that much about getting one over on Japan?

Strikes me the Saudis would much rather be aiming for where the real money is - the European champions league.
Far closer in terms of time zone and travel, of far more interest to the population, more cultural links, and get more prestigious as well as fantastically richer.

Wonder if we will see the Saudis pushing to be allowed in...

Or will they keep trying to make the club world Cup a serious thing?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 16, 2023, 06:54:29 AM
:w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on August 16, 2023, 06:55:37 AM
Good win for England. Lots of poise after the Aussies tied the game and the crowd went crazy.

It's going to be a good final.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 16, 2023, 06:59:10 AM
I love Sarina Wiegman the England coach and I think she is incredible at that poise. I think it was true in the Euros to managing all the emotions and getting the team to just play their game with composure.

And she took the Dutch to the last World Cup final - I think she's just a very, very good coach.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on August 16, 2023, 08:24:29 AM
Quote from: Josquius on August 15, 2023, 03:05:54 PMI wonder what the buildup of the Saudi league will mean for club internationals.

The Asian champions league isn't great. Even before the current wave of Saudi investment their teams were amongst the strongest.

And it doesn't exactly cover a natural area either - do Saudis really care that much about getting one over on Japan?

Strikes me the Saudis would much rather be aiming for where the real money is - the European champions league.
Far closer in terms of time zone and travel, of far more interest to the population, more cultural links, and get more prestigious as well as fantastically richer.

Wonder if we will see the Saudis pushing to be allowed in...

Or will they keep trying to make the club world Cup a serious thing?

I can't see how they would be allowed to join UEFA. I'm not really sure I understand the business rationale behind the whole thing to be honest but I don't think it has much to do with securing football revenue.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 16, 2023, 04:41:30 PM


Quote from: Gups on August 16, 2023, 08:24:29 AM
Quote from: Josquius on August 15, 2023, 03:05:54 PMI wonder what the buildup of the Saudi league will mean for club internationals.

The Asian champions league isn't great. Even before the current wave of Saudi investment their teams were amongst the strongest.

And it doesn't exactly cover a natural area either - do Saudis really care that much about getting one over on Japan?

Strikes me the Saudis would much rather be aiming for where the real money is - the European champions league.
Far closer in terms of time zone and travel, of far more interest to the population, more cultural links, and get more prestigious as well as fantastically richer.

Wonder if we will see the Saudis pushing to be allowed in...

Or will they keep trying to make the club world Cup a serious thing?

I can't see how they would be allowed to join UEFA. I'm not really sure I understand the business rationale behind the whole thing to be honest but I don't think it has much to do with securing football revenue.

Money talks.
And its not like the continental bodies are set in stone - Australia switched from Oceania to Asia and I have over the years seen a fair bit of talk of various possibilities for changing the Asian organisation- albeit never one which touched uefa apart from minor talk of Russia joining the afc.

I do think this is possibly something that might be attempted - perhaps the mooted split off of the middle east from AFC and then attempts to expand the champions league to becoming a dual organisation tournament.


Anyway. Changing topic. Other fringe thoughts - Sarina Wiegmen in men's football.
Seems inevitable this will happen at some point.
Do we see it soon? Entering at what sort of level? Will she succeed?
The big question I would have over her abilities is less the male/female difference and more the difference of national team management.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 16, 2023, 05:58:16 PM
Apparently the Saudis are in talks to have representation in the Champions League as if 2025

And in related news Inter Miami are being asked to participate in the South American equivalent

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 16, 2023, 05:59:11 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on August 16, 2023, 06:55:37 AMGood win for England. Lots of poise after the Aussies tied the game and the crowd went crazy.

It's going to be a good final.



Yeah, I've said it before.  The quality of play in this WC is really good.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on August 17, 2023, 12:35:05 AM
Brian Blessed blessing the lionesses (https://www.bbc.com/news/av/entertainment-arts-66520087)

Jinxed it...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 17, 2023, 01:09:47 AM
Quote from: Josephus on August 16, 2023, 05:58:16 PMApparently the Saudis are in talks to have representation in the Champions League as if 2025

And in related news Inter Miami are being asked to participate in the South American equivalent



Wow. I feel proud of my powers of prediction. Didn't expect it this fast.

https://www.sportstiger.com/news/saudi-football-association-proposes-plan-to-include-team-in-champions-league

Just in case I have different  powers - I predict I will win the lottery sometime in the next month.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on August 17, 2023, 10:09:09 AM
It's preposterous.

Then again, I'm sure they've put a bunch of work into influencing various officials so they probably have a good shot at succeeding.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 17, 2023, 10:10:13 AM
You'd feel like they'd have to recognise Israel given that's why Israel is in UEFA not the Asian federation?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on August 17, 2023, 10:16:59 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 17, 2023, 10:10:13 AMYou'd feel like they'd have to recognise Israel given that's why Israel is in UEFA not the Asian federation?

They will do it soon. Joining UEFA on top of it seems a very nice collateral profit lane.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 18, 2023, 12:09:25 PM
https://theathletic.com/4786779/2023/08/18/mason-greenwood-manchester-united-charities?source=user-shared-article

QuoteManchester United's plan to bring back Mason Greenwood was so advanced that the club even prepared documents outlining the type of images that should be taken of the player during training sessions and planned how manager Erik ten Hag should handle questions during an anticipated media storm.

According to sources with knowledge of United's planning, who remain anonymous because they are not authorised to speak publicly, the club's preparations for Greenwood's return also included an assessment of the expected sentiment of external figures, listing individual football pundits, journalists and politicians and stating whether they would be for or against Greenwood's reintegration. The planning divided these people into categories to the effect of "supportive", "open-minded" or "hostile". The club's document listed a series of domestic abuse charities assumed to be "hostile".


The Greenwood case is very interesting because, unlike other sexual crimes involving footballers in the UK (T. Partey currently comes to mind), everyone speaks openly about the alleged perp and his crimes. Strictly from a footballing perspective, how United are handling this, and their obvious desire to return Greenwood to the starting XI, is startlingly short-sighted and frankly embarrassing.

I don't think the huge uproar against reintegrating Greenwood into the squad will stop it from happening. I think we'll see him play this season. It's reported that Ten Hag wants him in the team and I suspect he'll get him. As for the fans, who knows what, if any, protest will happen in the stands.


Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 19, 2023, 08:53:54 PM
Have to admit, it was very satisfying to see United played off the park by Spurs. At least Spurs know they're in a transition season and they're trying to build a new team with a coach who plays exciting football. United look like the same old United from the past 5 or so years but they'll insist they'll challenge every season  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on August 19, 2023, 08:55:44 PM
America's team, Wrexham, came back from down 4-1 at the half to tie Swindon Town 5-5 in League 2 action.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 19, 2023, 09:13:03 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on August 19, 2023, 08:55:44 PMAmerica's team, Wrexham, came back from down 4-1 at the half to tie Swindon Town 5-5 in League 2 action.  :)
Which finally proves football isn't real. It's just like wrestling. Such a crazy result.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on August 19, 2023, 10:52:04 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 19, 2023, 08:53:54 PMHave to admit, it was very satisfying to see United played off the park by Spurs. At least Spurs know they're in a transition season and they're trying to build a new team with a coach who plays exciting football. United look like the same old United from the past 5 or so years but they'll insist they'll challenge every season  :lol:

Good game for Spurs, especially the second half. Some thoughts:

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on August 20, 2023, 07:03:58 AM
Guess Vilda was vindicated. 13 minutes was way too much extra time. I know there was a penalty review but when I see that much time I assume FIFA had a prefered winner and Spain wasn't it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 20, 2023, 07:17:25 AM
Quote from: HVC on August 20, 2023, 07:03:58 AMGuess Vilda was vindicated. 13 minutes was way too much extra time. I know there was a penalty review but when I see that much time I assume FIFA had a prefered winner and Spain wasn't it.
I still think there needs to be a time limit on reviews. If it's not clear in 1-2 minutes then I think you just defer to the on pitch ref, acknowledging it may not be perfectly correct but there's a trade off with disruption to the game.

Well done Spain - fully deserved and (from the games I watched) a really good tournament.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 20, 2023, 07:44:10 AM
Poor England :bowler:

It's never coming home.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on August 20, 2023, 07:51:18 AM
Quote from: Josephus on August 20, 2023, 07:44:10 AMPoor England :bowler:

It's never coming home.

That had been my hope, that the women won so it would forever put to bed the boring talk from male England fans about it 'Coming Home'.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 20, 2023, 08:30:14 AM
I doubt that'll ever happen until there's a new song. Same way as West Ham fans will keep singing regardless of whether or not it's blowing bubbles :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 20, 2023, 09:33:00 AM
Quote from: HVC on August 20, 2023, 07:03:58 AMGuess Vilda was vindicated. 13 minutes was way too much extra time. I know there was a penalty review but when I see that much time I assume FIFA had a prefered winner and Spain wasn't it.

On the contrary it's great to see injury time actually represent the time wasted.
That was an agonisingly dull second half with so much dead time
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on August 20, 2023, 12:39:40 PM
:bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 20, 2023, 12:48:44 PM
Quote from: Tamas on August 20, 2023, 12:39:40 PM:bleeding:

Quote£115m Enzo missing a penalty for Chelsea and £115m Caicedo giving a penalty away

£230m to lose to West Ham with 10 men

If football gods exist they are smiling
https://twitter.com/Rory_Talks_Ball/status/1693315004513067033?s=20

 :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on August 20, 2023, 05:29:43 PM
Quote from: Josquius on August 20, 2023, 09:33:00 AM
Quote from: HVC on August 20, 2023, 07:03:58 AMGuess Vilda was vindicated. 13 minutes was way too much extra time. I know there was a penalty review but when I see that much time I assume FIFA had a prefered winner and Spain wasn't it.

On the contrary it's great to see injury time actually represent the time wasted.
That was an agonisingly dull second half with so much dead time

Weren't you just complaining that the wrexham second half was too exciting :P

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on August 20, 2023, 05:31:10 PM
Quote from: Josephus on August 20, 2023, 07:44:10 AMPoor England :bowler:

It's never coming home.

It's almost comforting, isn't it :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 20, 2023, 05:33:51 PM
Quote from: HVC on August 20, 2023, 05:31:10 PMIt's almost comforting, isn't it :D
Reminds me of when I decided to follow Everton Women more - they had a pretty decent reputation and the men's team were particularly torrid at the time.

Immediately dragged into a relegation fight :weep: :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 20, 2023, 09:17:32 PM

]
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 20, 2023, 05:33:51 PM
Quote from: HVC on August 20, 2023, 05:31:10 PMIt's almost comforting, isn't it :D
Reminds me of when I decided to follow Everton Women more - they had a pretty decent reputation and the men's team were particularly torrid at the time.

Immediately dragged into a relegation fight :weep: :lol:

Try Sunderland women. From one of the top teams in the country to knocked down two divisions due to a failing to do some paperwork /to make way for more glamorous teams suddenly deciding they cared about women's teams.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on August 21, 2023, 12:49:38 AM
Great tournament by Spain, they played the most entertaining football of the tournament.

Must be conflicting for Spaniards, they did win and that is good, but they did not bore everyone to tears so it's very much an un-Spanish type of win.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 21, 2023, 09:24:12 AM
Quote from: Josquius on August 20, 2023, 09:17:32 PMTry Sunderland women.

I will if I ever get out there. Right now Sunderland is 365th in cities of the world I'd like to visit.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 24, 2023, 06:32:36 AM
Looks like our FA president is in dire straits after that unsolicited kiss to one of the players during the celebration and comments inside the dressing room. His manoeuvering behind the scenes to defuse the situation (i.e. allegedly pressuring the player and the team captain to publicly say it was not a big deal) has made things worse. The player has now called (through the players' union) for punishment.

He's a corrupt arsehole (like his predecessor) so good riddance if it happens - but I doubt it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on August 24, 2023, 06:40:48 AM
I like the huge contrast between how a lot of people like to view football as some moral/value driven thing (like they do with most sports) and the fact that it is a consistent stream of scumbags who rise to the leadership of the sport.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 24, 2023, 02:44:43 PM
Ok, several media now reporting that he's quitting. Today FIFA announced that they'd be investigating him, and when you're too toxic even for FIFA...

Good riddance, although I expect whomever replaces him will be another crook.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 24, 2023, 03:35:52 PM
Really sad for the team their victory seems to have become all about this
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 25, 2023, 06:15:58 AM
Quote from: celedhring on August 24, 2023, 02:44:43 PMOk, several media now reporting that he's quitting. Today FIFA announced that they'd be investigating him, and when you're too toxic even for FIFA...

Good riddance, although I expect whomever replaces him will be another crook.
Turns out he's not. The clips are wild.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 25, 2023, 09:23:39 AM
Wtf is happening with the Spanish FA
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 25, 2023, 10:04:00 AM
Yeah, it was a truly WTF moment. The speech was unhinged, shades of that Wolf of Wall Street scene where he's about to quit to avoid prosecution but he's so coked up he reverses his decision on the spot.

Anyway, the Spanish government - through the Spanish Sports Council - is taking up the matter to the sports courts.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 26, 2023, 05:10:25 AM
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/aug/26/spain-football-federation-threatens-to-sue-protesting-female-players

QuoteThe Spanish football federation has threatened to sue Jenni Hermoso, the player at the centre of a row over its president's conduct, for lying and defamation.

It has also threatened to sue the 79 women's football players who signed a letter in which they refused to play for their country as long as Rubiales remained in his post.

In a statement, the federation said that it would take the "necessary legal action" and told the players that "playing for the national team is an obligation on any member of the federation called upon to do so".

...

The federation reproduced a series of still photographs of the incident that it claims show that Hermoso lifted Rubiales off his feet and was not only willing but an instigator of the kiss.

This is insane. Like quadrupling down on the victim.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on August 26, 2023, 06:25:31 AM
Way to ruin a WC victory.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 26, 2023, 07:50:42 AM
FIFA has now suspended him for 3 months while they conduct their investigation. Meanwhile, the Spanish government has taken up the matter to the Spanish TAS.

He's dead, and was dead already dead yesterday, I find the way he's going down so wild. I suppose he wants to draw out the process as long as possible - regardless of how ugly it gets - to control the succession, since there's probably so much shit that might come out otherwise.

EDIT: Yep, it looks like he's been shuffling around the FA's board to ensure somebody loyal to him becomes acting president once he's ousted. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on August 28, 2023, 08:19:10 AM
https://twitter.com/MadridXtra/status/1696097543774511208?s=20
QuoteBREAKING: The Spanish FA threatens to LEAVE UEFA if Luis Rubiales is removed as the president. This could have a big impact and lead to the removal of ALL Spanish teams in European competitions.
@OndaCero_es

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/aug/28/spanish-football-chiefs-mother-declares-hunger-strike-in-support-of-him
QuoteThe mother of Spain's embattled football chief, Luis Rubiales, has reportedly shut herself in a church in southern Spain and declared herself to be on a hunger strike over what she described as the "inhumane and bloodthirsty hunt" of her son.

The decision by Ángeles Béjar to lock herself into a 19th-century church is the latest twist in a saga that has gripped Spain for the past week after her 46-year-old son grabbed the Spanish forward Jenni Hermoso by the head and planted a kiss on her lips during the World Cup medal ceremony.

What is happening in Spain??????
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on August 28, 2023, 08:20:35 AM
How much blackmail material does this dude have?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 28, 2023, 08:21:44 AM
Enough or more than enough, I guess.  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 28, 2023, 08:29:37 AM
Dignity, always dignity.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: garbon on August 28, 2023, 09:39:24 AM
Meowtf?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 28, 2023, 10:12:58 AM
Honestly the kiss itself wasn't a HUGE deal. There could have been a perfectly reasonable explanation with getting caught up in the emotions of the moment. I've certainly seen guys kiss each other at such times.

But this shoukd have been promptly followed by a woops, I'm so very sorry... Instead it's "I did nothing wrong and the wokerati are out to get me!!".
Jesus.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on August 28, 2023, 10:16:34 AM
From what I read it seems this was the "cherry on top" after years of the Spanish FA not treating the women's team well down to allegations of abuse (which led to a number of players boycotting the team previosuly).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 28, 2023, 11:00:46 AM
Yeah lots of issues with the coach too, which makes the achievement of those players even more impressive.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 28, 2023, 11:42:21 AM
Quote from: Josquius on August 28, 2023, 10:12:58 AMHonestly the kiss itself wasn't a HUGE deal. There could have been a perfectly reasonable explanation with getting caught up in the emotions of the moment. I've certainly seen guys kiss each other at such times.

But this shoukd have been promptly followed by a woops, I'm so very sorry... Instead it's "I did nothing wrong and the wokerati are out to get me!!".
Jesus.

He released a half-assed apology video... and later transpired that he pressured Hermoso and the national team's captain to appear in it, accepting the apology (they both refused). This is actually what set off the storm, since he's technically their boss and that's workplace abuse of power.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 28, 2023, 11:45:49 AM
Quote from: Syt on August 28, 2023, 10:16:34 AMFrom what I read it seems this was the "cherry on top" after years of the Spanish FA not treating the women's team well down to allegations of abuse (which led to a number of players boycotting the team previosuly).

The FA has always treated women's football as a "jobs for the boys" club. That includes the current manager (Jorge Vilda). As you mention, a group of players complained last year about the lack of professional structures and the overall culture of the national team.

It's interesting because the team's perfomance in the WC was initially seen as a victory for the FA, which had ostensibly backed and persevered with Vilda (only a few of the boycotting players were allowed back into the team for the WC), and then everything blew up in their faces. Vilda's shown up as the weasel he is by only releasing a statement against Rubiales once the FIFA already suspended him, and holding onto the post when nearly all of his coaching staff has quit in protest.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 29, 2023, 06:27:40 AM
Obviously it is bad but the mum locking herself into a church and going on hunger strike (to support her sex pest son) and there is now a protest outside the church, it is taking a very Almodovar turn :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on August 29, 2023, 09:02:22 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 29, 2023, 06:27:40 AMObviously it is bad but the mum locking herself into a church and going on hunger strike (to support her sex pest son) and there is now a protest outside the church, it is taking a very Almodovar turn :lol:

That's just Spain  :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 29, 2023, 12:03:18 PM
Quote from: celedhring on August 29, 2023, 09:02:22 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 29, 2023, 06:27:40 AMObviously it is bad but the mum locking herself into a church and going on hunger strike (to support her sex pest son) and there is now a protest outside the church, it is taking a very Almodovar turn :lol:

That's just Spain  :ph34r:

I thought Movida was over by now.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 29, 2023, 12:24:24 PM
Quote from: celedhring on August 29, 2023, 09:02:22 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 29, 2023, 06:27:40 AMObviously it is bad but the mum locking herself into a church and going on hunger strike (to support her sex pest son) and there is now a protest outside the church, it is taking a very Almodovar turn :lol:

That's just Spain  :ph34r:
The mother played by Marisa Paredes, Rubiales by Luis Tosar, Jorge Vilda by Banderas - Penelope Cruz is involved, somehow.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on September 02, 2023, 08:07:39 PM
Chelsea lol.

Spurs are quite enjoyable to watch so far. We've got our Tottenham back!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on September 03, 2023, 12:25:43 AM
So we have a new international student again.  We're back to Spain - a girl from Seville.  It's only been 24 hours but she seem sweet.

Now every time we have new international students they bring us gifts.  Normally it's something like chocolate.  They don't have to of course, but it's something someone must be telling them they need to do, since they all do it.

But this girl (Maria) went all out.  Amongst other things she brought me (and specifically me) a jersey from Sevilla FC.  It's an away, I think it looks really sharp.  I know next to nothing about La Liga (or soccer), but I'm touched.  I decide that I'm going to be a fan of Sevilla for this season, just for fun.

I check the standings.

Oh.

Ah well - if I can survive my favourite team not existing for 15 years, I can survive trying to follow a crappy La Liga team.  Looks like La Liga is even covered by Canada's TSN - if I can figure out the online streaming aspect I might try to check out the game of Sevilla vs Athletico Madrid tomorrow morning!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on September 03, 2023, 12:40:14 AM
It'd be funny if she was a fan of the rival team :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on September 03, 2023, 12:56:19 AM
Well it'll be easier than trying to follow my former "favourite" team - EC Bahia from Brazil.

(which I only claimed as my favourite because my sister-in-law is from there.  It's not like I wouldn't check the Brazilian league standings more than once or twice per year)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 03, 2023, 01:18:22 AM
Following an underdog for reasons of actual connection, no matter how slight, is the proper way to do it.


Yesterday Sunderland walloped Southampton 5-0.
Which is bizzare. So far this year we've struggled against fairly Meh teams, but now we crush one of the leagues favourites.
Amongst the scorers was a 16 year old which isn't unheard of but always blows my mind.
Our top signing the summer was Jobe Bellingham, brother of the other Bellingham. He's only 17 and already pretty much core of the team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 03, 2023, 03:44:56 AM
Quote from: HVC on September 03, 2023, 12:40:14 AMIt'd be funny if she was a fan of the rival team :D
Although probably better for BB. At least given Sid Lowe's motto about their rival, "always watch Betis".
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 03, 2023, 04:19:52 AM
Sevilla are a very good team, certainly one of "best of the rest" in Spain after Barçadrid. BB is catching them at a bad point in time though. Yet, they still are the reigning EL champs and will be playing in the CL.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 03, 2023, 05:43:42 AM
Quote from: Barrister on September 03, 2023, 12:25:43 AMAh well - if I can survive my favourite team not existing for 15 years, I can survive trying to follow a crappy La Liga team.  Looks like La Liga is even covered by Canada's TSN - if I can figure out the online streaming aspect I might try to check out the game of Sevilla vs Athletico Madrid tomorrow morning!

They're a decent team. I think they are the current UEFA Cup holders.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on September 03, 2023, 07:18:44 AM
Quote from: celedhring on September 03, 2023, 04:19:52 AMBarçadrid

Nice
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on September 03, 2023, 10:56:52 AM
Quote from: celedhring on September 03, 2023, 04:19:52 AMSevilla are a very good team, certainly one of "best of the rest" in Spain after Barçadrid. BB is catching them at a bad point in time though. Yet, they still are the reigning EL champs and will be playing in the CL.

That's good to know!

Like I said (and will continue to say) I know nothing.  I just looked at the standings and saw Sevilla at the absolute bottom, even though admittedly it's quite early.

Are there any good websites in English that follow Spanish football?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 03, 2023, 11:34:39 AM
It won't cover anything but I'd recommend Sid Lowe for the Guardian who is an outstanding writer on Spanish football.

I feel like the Athletic would probably be best for covering all the games but I'm not sure...

Edit: *won't cover everything :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on September 03, 2023, 11:57:13 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 03, 2023, 11:34:39 AMIt won't cover anything but I'd recommend Sid Lowe for the Guardian who is an outstanding writer on Spanish football.

I feel like the Athletic would probably be best for covering all the games but I'm not sure...

I used to have a subscription to The Athletic for their hockey coverage.  I really should re-up.  Hell just for their Winnipeg Jets writer, Murat Ates, it was worth it (yes he's a Turkish guy living in Winnipeg and writing about hockey - I love Canada).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on September 03, 2023, 12:07:03 PM
The true Canadian experience. Atta-Turk! :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 03, 2023, 01:10:40 PM
In my experience, The Athletic's coverage of La Liga is rather poor, particularly outside of the Big Two. As pointed out Sid Lowe at The Guardian is excellent, though.

I'm told this is also a decent place, but I don't follow it myself: https://www.football-espana.net/category/la-liga/sevilla

Also, if you are willing to put up with online translation, muchodeporte.com is the goto place for Sevilla/Betis stuff.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on September 03, 2023, 06:58:37 PM
FC Copenhagen is playing Bayern München, Manchester United, and Galatasaray for the group stage of Champions League.

... bit of an uphill struggle to qualify out of that group I think.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on September 03, 2023, 08:44:26 PM
So for my first weekend as a Sevilla fan - their game gets postponed!

God-damn rain in Madrid - apparently My Fair Lady lied to me. :grr:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 04, 2023, 02:47:58 AM
Quote from: Jacob on September 03, 2023, 06:58:37 PMFC Copenhagen is playing Bayern München, Manchester United, and Galatasaray for the group stage of Champions League.

... bit of an uphill struggle to qualify out of that group I think.
Is second round the usual aim of a team of that level?

Man Utd do seem quite awful this year and Galatasaray are meh so... I dunno.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on September 04, 2023, 06:45:52 AM
It's not something you'd expect, no :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 04, 2023, 08:00:28 AM
Quote from: Barrister on September 03, 2023, 08:44:26 PMSo for my first weekend as a Sevilla fan - their game gets postponed!

God-damn rain in Madrid - apparently My Fair Lady lied to me. :grr:

Madrid is on a plain (well, a plateau to be exact).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on September 05, 2023, 10:26:58 AM
So the Spanish FA has now apologized for the kiss.

I assume the new interim president is not a minion of the old one, or is that too optimistic?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 05, 2023, 10:45:08 AM
Quote from: Jacob on September 05, 2023, 10:26:58 AMSo the Spanish FA has now apologized for the kiss.

I assume the new interim president is not a minion of the old one, or is that too optimistic?

He's a minion. Before Rubiales was suspended he reorganized the FA's executive committee to ensure this guy became interim prez. However, he - and the rest of the assembly - have shown they are ready to cut bait to preserve their position.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on September 05, 2023, 11:27:10 AM
How are the presidents (and executive committee) selected?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 05, 2023, 11:52:27 AM
Quote from: Jacob on September 05, 2023, 11:27:10 AMHow are the presidents (and executive committee) selected?

The assembly elects the president, and the assembly is made up of representatives from the regional FAs, which have their own separate elections, plus representatives from football teams, referees, and footballers. It's essentially a big political machine since the FA is a cash cow and the president distributes cash to keep everybody happy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on September 05, 2023, 11:56:26 AM
Vilda is gone now too
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on September 09, 2023, 03:50:29 PM
England is not going to win anything anytime soon. This was probably the most boring, uncreative display of football I've ever seen. I think the centre backs got 80% of the touches, just playing the ball back and forth between them.

What a terrible display. Why are you guys so enamoured with Southgate?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 09, 2023, 04:07:43 PM
There being nothing to play for couldn't have helped.

Totally slipped my mind there was a game today.

England are a solid team at the moment but they are missing a critical edge with Kane being past his best.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on September 09, 2023, 04:20:21 PM
Some atrociously naive defending from Germany vs Japan in a friendly.  :hmm:
Japan 3 Germany 1

Ter Stegel made quite a few saves actually.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 09, 2023, 04:33:02 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on September 09, 2023, 03:50:29 PMEngland is not going to win anything anytime soon. This was probably the most boring, uncreative display of football I've ever seen. I think the centre backs got 80% of the touches, just playing the ball back and forth between them.
Worst I've seen them in ages - although in terms of boring, uncreative displays of football I remember the Capello years :lol: :bleeding:

Having said that I think Ukraine were very good.

QuoteWhat a terrible display. Why are you guys so enamoured with Southgate?
He gets loads and loads of criticism :lol:

But his record is a semi-final, final and quarter-final in major tournaments, which is pretty solid. He almost stepped down after Qatar and I think that might have been the right time to move on but he's done better than any other recent England manager so I think has earned the right not to be fired.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 09, 2023, 08:44:04 PM
Yeah most English fans I interact with are tired of Southgate.

Potter remontada when Southgate leaves?  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 09, 2023, 08:47:50 PM
I imagine Southgate will be with them until the end of the next WC cycle. A 1-1 draw against Ukraine in Poland is not a bad result, all things considered.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 10, 2023, 09:47:09 AM
And Germany fires their coach. I think this decline of the great European superpowers is an interesting phenomenon, and I wonder just how much an impact the fact that the big leagues import so many players has on the development of the national teams.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 10, 2023, 09:57:41 AM
Quote from: Josephus on September 10, 2023, 09:47:09 AMAnd Germany fires their coach. I think this decline of the great European superpowers is an interesting phenomenon, and I wonder just how much an impact the fact that the big leagues import so many players has on the development of the national teams.



Nah. People have always said this about England but it doesn't really add up.
Spain has had large numbers of foreign players for a long time. Back to their wc win.
England has lately been the relatively strongest they've been maybe ever (relatively being key word). Certainly stronger than in say the 80s and 90s when foreigners were few.

It's just natural that international teams tend to have ups and downs as players age in and out . Sometimes they get lucky and a lot all hit their prime at the same time. This usually then hurts particularly bad when their time is up
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 10, 2023, 10:13:47 AM
Yeah there isn't anything remotely like a general decline of Europe in international football right now.

Germany just sucks huge ass right now, man.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 10, 2023, 10:17:16 AM
Quote from: Josephus on September 10, 2023, 09:47:09 AMAnd Germany fires their coach. I think this decline of the great European superpowers is an interesting phenomenon, and I wonder just how much an impact the fact that the big leagues import so many players has on the development of the national teams.
It's an argument you often have in England about the Premier League.

I'd argue possibly the opposite. I am really glad Argentina won in Qatar because it felt like, for a pretty long time, the great Latin American footballing nations weren't able to win internationally. All the stuff around Messi but also Brazil's long malaise. That Argentine win ended 20 years of Euro dominance which was unheard of - and there wasn't an Asian or North American team winning instead.

I can see the point but from an English perspective I think there's zero doubt that being open to players and managers from all round the world have helped transform English football. Although at club and international level I think the cost has perhaps been a loss of diversity in style - which I think is a shame.

My instinct - and I could be totally wrong - is that's been better for and heped entrench Euro-dominance and it has hurt Latin American football as increasingly there is a pipeline for talented Latin American teenagers into often Portugal or Spain and then into the various national leagues. The globalisation of football watching has, I think, damaged the leagues, clubs and football in Latin America especially as, for many, their business model is increasingly finding and developing talented players to sell into the European leagues.

Having said that, I'm not sure what's going on with Germany's team because they've had a pretty prolonged dip and it feels like they maybe need a cultural reset of some sort? I thought keeping Low was a really odd decision (even if he had earned a lot of trust)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 10, 2023, 01:37:05 PM
Although slightly amazed that apparently this is the first time the manager of Germany has been fired since the role was created in 1926 :blink:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on September 10, 2023, 01:38:16 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 10, 2023, 01:37:05 PMAlthough slightly amazed that apparently this is the first time the manager of Germany has been fired since the role was created in 1926 :blink:

*Insert joke about Germans sticking by their leaders through thick and thin*
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 10, 2023, 01:42:18 PM
Quote from: Tamas on September 10, 2023, 01:38:16 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 10, 2023, 01:37:05 PMAlthough slightly amazed that apparently this is the first time the manager of Germany has been fired since the role was created in 1926 :blink:

*Insert joke about Germans sticking by their leaders through thick and thin*

 :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 10, 2023, 02:16:36 PM
On international players and effect on national teams....
In a British context I have heard some say the problem is quite the opposite of the mainstream view, and this explanation i do think holds more validity.
Namely that the issue isn't too many foreigners in the Premier league and rather too few Brits in top leagues outside of England.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 10, 2023, 03:28:31 PM
Agree and Jude Bellingham is an incredible example that I think is really exciting.

But they both have the same cause - the 20th team in the Premier League can afford incredibly high wages compared to most teams in the other big leagues. So English players are very expensive - you can earn a lot more as a journeyman in mid-table Premier League sides than a best of the rest team in, say, La Liga.

I think that means it's weirdly more common at the very top/"super-league" style teams.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on September 11, 2023, 11:27:12 AM
Hey since it happened while I was on holidays, but was there any discussion about how Canada's manager John Herdman, has quit and will become the manager of Toronto FC?

It seems like the collapse of Canada Soccer continues, as absent internal issues I can't see why someone wouldn't prefer to be a national team manager over an MLS team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on September 11, 2023, 12:36:18 PM
Money?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on September 11, 2023, 12:39:45 PM
Quote from: Jacob on September 11, 2023, 12:36:18 PMMoney?

I mean that might be it, but it only begs the question of why Canada Soccer wouldn't have enough money to pay Herdman at least as much as an MLS team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on September 11, 2023, 01:26:53 PM
Quote from: Barrister on September 11, 2023, 12:39:45 PM
Quote from: Jacob on September 11, 2023, 12:36:18 PMMoney?

I mean that might be it, but it only begs the question of why Canada Soccer wouldn't have enough money to pay Herdman at least as much as an MLS team.

Canada Soccer is out of money because it was taken to the cleaners by the owners of the CPL teams and their money loop of the TV/Streaming rights.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 11, 2023, 01:31:27 PM
Quote from: Barrister on September 11, 2023, 11:27:12 AMIt seems like the collapse of Canada Soccer continues, as absent internal issues I can't see why someone wouldn't prefer to be a national team manager over an MLS team.
I think they can be quite different jobs. Certainly in Europe I think club managers are seen as the bigger/better job.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 11, 2023, 02:47:56 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on September 11, 2023, 01:26:53 PM
Quote from: Barrister on September 11, 2023, 12:39:45 PM
Quote from: Jacob on September 11, 2023, 12:36:18 PMMoney?

I mean that might be it, but it only begs the question of why Canada Soccer wouldn't have enough money to pay Herdman at least as much as an MLS team.

Canada Soccer is out of money because it was taken to the cleaners by the owners of the CPL teams and their money loop of the TV/Streaming rights.

If you've been following, Herdman got increasingly frustrated with Canada Siccer unwilling to give him the resources he needs (note for instance that Canada is one of the few teams not playing any soccer this week)   This led to a boil this summer after Canada got embarrassed in the Gold Cup, and he called Canada Soccer out publicly.  There's also rumblings he's lost the dressing room with many players not happy with his tactics. 

There's a good article on this in The Athletic.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on September 11, 2023, 03:40:49 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 11, 2023, 01:31:27 PM
Quote from: Barrister on September 11, 2023, 11:27:12 AMIt seems like the collapse of Canada Soccer continues, as absent internal issues I can't see why someone wouldn't prefer to be a national team manager over an MLS team.
I think they can be quite different jobs. Certainly in Europe I think club managers are seen as the bigger/better job.

Well yeah - EPL/Bundesliga/La Liga might well be a different matter.  But this is MLS.

Anyways Josephus outlined some of the issues Canada Soccer has been going through.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 11, 2023, 04:10:10 PM
Quote from: Barrister on September 11, 2023, 03:40:49 PMWell yeah - EPL/Bundesliga/La Liga might well be a different matter.  But this is MLS.
I think even smaller leagues.

Generally - not always the case - I think national coaches are often either older or very much part of the FA establishment. You don't get the players for long, so you can't really develop a style etc. And I think fairly or not national coaching is seen as being a lot more about man management. If you want to prove yourself as a coach - especially that you can develop a recognisable style of play and technically coach/improve players then the club level is where you can do that because you have an entire season with them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 11, 2023, 04:18:46 PM
It hasn't always been so though I'd say. It once was that managing the national team was the top job. Rather than European national teams declining something else I've been observing for a while... It's that international football in general is in decline.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 12, 2023, 11:22:59 AM
Herdmann leaving seems weird when looked at from the vantage point of he's coaching a team guarnateed to be playing in the World Cup next year. But as I said, his frustration with an almost bankrupt organization had him look elsewhere.

He's never coached at a club level, so I think he sees this as an opportunity to succeed in a different environment with a team owned by a company not averse to spending lots of money on it. Unlike the national team.

As a Toronto FC fan, by the way, I'm not too thrilled with his appointment. He showed during the world cup last summer that he lacks tactical diversity and strategy, and does he have what it takes to manage the egos of Italian prima donnas?

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 18, 2023, 04:57:20 AM
Around 40 players (including all of the world champions except one) have retired from the Spanish women's national football team until further changes are made to the FA. Their claim, essentially, is that they don't want to be Gattopardo'd and that Rubiales/Vilda going should be just the beginning.

Negotiations between this group and the FA seem to have broken down and today the new manager will select a squad without them for the upcoming Nations League games.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 18, 2023, 06:58:23 AM
Quote from: celedhring on September 18, 2023, 04:57:20 AMAround 40 players (including all of the world champions except one) have retired from the Spanish women's national football team until further changes are made to the FA. Their claim, essentially, is that they don't want to be Gattopardo'd and that Rubiales/Vilda going should be just the beginning.

Negotiations between this group and the FA seem to have broken down and today the new manager will select a squad without them for the upcoming Nations League games.

Quickly googling they're meant to be playing Sweden this Friday.
I wonder what they'll do. Will there be any Spanish women players willing to accept the call-up? I'm kind of doubting it- even if you are on the exec's side it won't be good for your public image....
 Will they have to go to a far right  organisation and ask amongst their female membership if any of them know the rules of football?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on September 18, 2023, 07:16:53 AM
They win their World Cup with their second string, let's see how far they go with their third :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 18, 2023, 09:59:16 AM
Well, the new coach has gone and called up 15 of the players that had asked to be left out.

Since callups are mandatory, the players risk hefty fines and bans if they still refuse to play.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on September 18, 2023, 10:30:11 AM
What's public sentiment in Spain like on this?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 19, 2023, 06:41:57 AM
Quote from: Jacob on September 18, 2023, 10:30:11 AMWhat's public sentiment in Spain like on this?

I'd say 75/25 in favor of them? It has become a cultural issue, so the warriors have drawn battle lines ("they have gone too far and made this political!").

Anyway, they players have showed up for fear of being banned, but they don't look too happy to say the least. The government is trying to mediate.

Sweden has offered to boycott the upcoming game if requested.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on September 19, 2023, 11:09:38 AM
Hmm... I wonder what would happen if Spanish and Swedish players showed up, went on the pitch, and simply didn't play as a protest (since Sweden is willing to cooperate).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on September 20, 2023, 02:03:23 AM
Looks like some sort of agreement has been reached after a nightlong meeting. I guess we'll know during the day, they finished at nearly 4am and they all went to sleep.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on September 20, 2023, 02:14:53 AM
Quote from: Jacob on September 19, 2023, 11:09:38 AMHmm... I wonder what would happen if Spanish and Swedish players showed up, went on the pitch, and simply didn't play as a protest (since Sweden is willing to cooperate).

I think there's rules in place for teams not playing "earnestly"?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 24, 2023, 10:41:02 AM
North London Derby, Arsenal at home. 2-2.

Spurs are much improved from last season, when Arsenal ran a clinic in both fixtures. Ange is working magic. They might have have a sneaky run to 2nd place this season. Basically this season's Arsenal from last season.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on September 24, 2023, 07:02:36 PM
Good game yeah. I would have liked to see Richarlison from the get go instead of Johnson though. I feel this is exactly his kind of game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 24, 2023, 07:40:34 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on September 24, 2023, 07:02:36 PMGood game yeah. I would have liked to see Richarlison from the get go instead of Johnson though. I feel this is exactly his kind of game.

Yeah Johnson didn't seem to offer much. I don't know much about him though other than he came in after Kane left. Son is the main man now and Maddison is finally the #10 Tottenham have needed for a while.

In the first half, it felt like Arsenal were on the verge of cracking Tottenham open 3-0 but they just couldn't finish. Straight to Vicario or missing an open net. Then Spurs scored the equalizer and it's suddenly a game again. Hugely disappointing but a point a piece was fair.

The Arsenal discord I'm in was basically on suicide watch at FT so that should tell you how many of the fans were taking it, though  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on September 24, 2023, 10:41:10 PM
Arsenal should have killed the game after 30 minutes, but you need a CF. There was zero crossing the whole game because you don't really have a target man. Instead you got an own goal and a dubious penalty  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on September 25, 2023, 07:46:38 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on September 24, 2023, 10:41:10 PMArsenal should have killed the game after 30 minutes, but you need a CF. There was zero crossing the whole game because you don't really have a target man. Instead you got an own goal and a dubious penalty  :P

Arteta was absolutely bizarre. He moved our best CF out to the LW and put the backup CF up top. We are riddled with injuries right now, but that lineup was just stupid. He did a Pep Galaxy Brain again.

And it's crazy because it actually almost worked, but that's football.

Big credit to Spurs though for not giving up like last season. Really impressed with how they played out of the press and attacked. I think a CL place is definitely achievable for them, especially considering Manchester United and Chelsea are both absolute shambles. Two zombie clubs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on September 26, 2023, 10:14:57 AM
I was just listening to an extended interview with former soccer player Dean Faithful.  His story is just kind of bonkers.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dean_Faithfull

So grows up in England, played soccer, but not at an extremely high level.  Once he graduated he goes to the US, and winds up getting a soccer scholarship at Florida Tech, where he played for 4 years.

After Florida Tech, he then kind of wanders around the semi-pro leagues, playing in Australia, Costa Rica, Trinidad and Tobago.  The highest he ever played was in the second division in Belgium.

Anyways in 2019 with his soccer career pretty much over, he goes out for coffee with his old soccer coach from Florida Tech.  That coach gets a call from the (American) football coach at Florida Tech, so he then goes to Faithful saying "they need a kicker - you should try out".  He tries out for the (American) football coach after watching a bunch of youtube videos and is offered a scholarship - at age 33.

Unfortunately Covid hits, and Florida Tech winds up cancelling its entire football program.  But Faithful now has the itch.  He tries out for a few different football teams and gets a scholarship to play at CSU Pueblo.  He's allegedly the oldest player to ever play NCAA Division 2 sports at age 34.  He has one year of eligibility left after his college soccer career, so he plays the one year.

So here comes the CFL.  The CFL has rules about how many Canadians versus how many Americans can play on a roster (US produces so many good football players that without such a rule there'd hardly be any Canadians in the league).  But a few years ago they've tried to expand internationally.  They now have something called the "Global draft", which is to draft non-US/non-Canadian players, and each team can now have an extra spot for a "global" player.  Given that Canada and the US are the only countries where "gridiron" football is really popular there aren't really that many global players out there. 

But Faithful is English.  He tries out for some teams, gets drafted by the Edmonton Elks in the global draft.  He joins the team this year as a 36 year old rookie and the team's oldest player.  And he's having success.

Anyways, I thought you guys might enjoy the story.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 26, 2023, 10:44:22 AM
Yeah cool story. Glad it worked out for him. Failed footballers of his generation generally worked out less well - something they've fixed since.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on September 26, 2023, 11:18:47 AM
So rare to have CFL feel good stories.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on September 26, 2023, 01:25:44 PM
I forgot they were called the Elks
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on September 26, 2023, 02:03:17 PM
Quote from: Josephus on September 26, 2023, 01:25:44 PMI forgot they were called the Elks

Yeah.  I continue to think A: the Eskimos name was fine, with a majority of Inuit people being in favour of the name, but B: the name issue was never, ever going to actually go away with a loud minority very against the name, so you might as well just get it over with.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on September 27, 2023, 09:30:25 AM
While it is true that claim was made by the team, they never did disclose any information regarding how that stat was generated, and it later became known that the PR firm, retained to create that number has in the past, engaged in a practice of creating a false perception of public support for a controversial initiative.

One needs to be a true believer to accept that the majority of Inuit supported the name when their governing organization requested that the name be changed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on September 27, 2023, 02:33:48 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on September 27, 2023, 09:30:25 AMWhile it is true that claim was made by the team, they never did disclose any information regarding how that stat was generated, and it later became known that the PR firm, retained to create that number has in the past, engaged in a practice of creating a false perception of public support for a controversial initiative.

One needs to be a true believer to accept that the majority of Inuit supported the name when their governing organization requested that the name be changed.

Why does one need to be a "true believer"?  There is very often a discordance between the leadership of an organization and its base.  In the US a lot of labour unions resolutely support the Democrats, while pluralities to majorities of the membership support Trump.

What would be reported anecdotally by Inuit people is that the Eskimos were a winning football team and they liked being associated with, and felt honoured by,  the team name.

It's worth mentioning that the Eskimos never used any Inuit imagery, never had an Inuit mascot, nothing like that.  So they're different than say the Cleveland Indians and their Chief Wahoo logo, or the Atlanta Braves and the "tomahawk chop".

But like I said, the issue was never going to go away either, so I get why they changed the name anyways.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on October 03, 2023, 05:41:56 PM
Arsenal beaten by RC Lens in the Champions League, a team with about 5-10% of Arsenal's budget  :showoff:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 04, 2023, 11:08:56 AM
wut? :blink:
QuoteDavid Ornstein
@David_Ornstein
🚨 Morocco, Portugal & Spain set to stage 2030 World Cup
🚨 To mark 100yrs of #FIFAWorldCup first 3 games to feature Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay at HOME
🚨 Opening ceremony + rest of event in host nations (all 6 qualify)
🚨 2034 in Asian or Oceana confeds
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 04, 2023, 11:12:50 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on October 04, 2023, 11:08:56 AMwut? :blink:
QuoteDavid Ornstein
@David_Ornstein
🚨 Morocco, Portugal & Spain set to stage 2030 World Cup
🚨 To mark 100yrs of #FIFAWorldCup first 3 games to feature Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay at HOME
🚨 Opening ceremony + rest of event in host nations (all 6 qualify)
🚨 2034 in Asian or Oceana confeds

That's (Infantino's) FIFA for you.
 :lol:

2034 Saudi Arabia-Australia-NZ?  :hmm:

Good job Paraguay.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on October 04, 2023, 12:35:50 PM
I think that's a pretty cool plan. Morocco-Portugal-Spain is a very small geographic region.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 04, 2023, 12:39:06 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 04, 2023, 12:35:50 PMI think that's a pretty cool plan. Morocco-Portugal-Spain is a very small geographic region.
See bullet point 2...



And world Cup in oceania in 2034 :lol:
So basically New Zealand - Australia (Asia) as the only option there? Were they consulted on this?
Honestly it's uncertain the oceania confed will survive the decade.
Ideally we should see Asia seperated into a pacific and a mid east focussed fed and oceania killed off. It makes no real sense to do it based on continents.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on October 04, 2023, 12:40:21 PM
Quote from: Josquius on October 04, 2023, 12:39:06 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 04, 2023, 12:35:50 PMI think that's a pretty cool plan. Morocco-Portugal-Spain is a very small geographic region.
See bullet point 2...

Yes, that's awesome! 100 years old party in the original location? I'm sold.

You guys are so boring and unimaginative. World Cup in France or England every cycle. :zzz:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 04, 2023, 12:43:26 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 04, 2023, 12:40:21 PM
Quote from: Josquius on October 04, 2023, 12:39:06 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 04, 2023, 12:35:50 PMI think that's a pretty cool plan. Morocco-Portugal-Spain is a very small geographic region.
See bullet point 2...

Yes, that's awesome! 100 years old party in the original location? I'm sold.

You guys are so boring and unimaginative. World Cup in France or England every cycle. :zzz:

Argentina - Uruguay - Paraguay would be fine.
Portugal - Spain - Morocco would be fine.
This weird hybrid is just dumb.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 04, 2023, 12:52:15 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 04, 2023, 12:40:21 PMYes, that's awesome! 100 years old party in the original location? I'm sold.

You guys are so boring and unimaginative. World Cup in France or England every cycle. :zzz:
No not at all - my main preference is a single country (or at least ones that are geographically relatively close) so fans can easily travel, but also to build atmosphere, reduce carbon emissions from teams and fans flying huge distances and to avoid there being too many automatic qualifying countries.

Otherwise the only location I've really objected to is Qatar, for the same reasons I'll have an issue with Saudi hosting it. Plus it shouldn't be in a city state the size of Rome.

I agree with a lot of FIFA's rhetoric about it being the world's game and wanting to encourage football outside of just Europe and South America, and wanting lots of countries to have the chance to host it. I just don't think FIFA do that.

Incidentally - well done to the Paraguayan federation getting included in that :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on October 04, 2023, 02:56:38 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on October 04, 2023, 12:52:15 PMFIFA's rhetoric about it being the world's game and wanting to encourage football outside of just Europe and South America, and wanting lots of countries to have the chance to host it.

It runs a bit counter to the gigantism the event demands these days (like the Olympics tbh), so no wonder that those "non-traditional" host countries tend to have rather dubious regimes in power who can force this whole thing through if necessary. Still waiting for an Azerbaijani oil-financed World Cup. They already hosted a bunch of events (not as many as Qatar), though I guess they're a tad "preoccupied" at the moment.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 04, 2023, 03:45:33 PM
I'm all for more international sporting events to be hosted in the UK, France, etc...
These are the countries which already have the infrastructure to handle them and won't build a tonne of white elephants just for the tournament.
The days when the tournament just used what nations have naturally need to come back.
The move towards mutli nation hosts fulfills this somewhat.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on October 04, 2023, 04:38:23 PM
I don't see the problem with more wide-flung host nations.

I mean heck go further - follow the World Baseball Classic's example from earlier this year - they had games played in Taiwan, Japan and the US!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 04, 2023, 05:52:06 PM
Quote from: Barrister on October 04, 2023, 04:38:23 PMI don't see the problem with more wide-flung host nations.

I mean heck go further - follow the World Baseball Classic's example from earlier this year - they had games played in Taiwan, Japan and the US!
Well it's hugely expensive for fans to follow their team through the tournament and they're already expensive enough. I also think it's more of an issue the more we're aware of climate and the carbon impact of sport. The Euros with group games for one group taking place in, I think, Baku and Rome for example.

But also I think one of the nice things of a tournament is a sense of building expectation and excitement in the host country which comes across. Sadly I think the best recent tournament for that was Russia but it was really good. I think that's slightly lost if it's spread out over multiple hosts and you know you're only getting to host a couple of quarters for example.

I think there can be justifications for it - it's clearly a preference for FIFA and UEFA now. So Africa should be hosting next I think, but I don't think there's an African country with the number of stadiums needed apart from South Africa so it makes sense that there'd be group bids (Spain, Portugal, Morocco and Greece, Egypt and Saudi). Similarly the chance for Portugal to host a World Cup is limited, so again it makes sense for them to club into a joint bid. And I get the point about Uruguay - I think it would have actually been nice if they'd just suspended the normal rotation and offered it to Uruguay (probably with Argentina) if they wanted it, but that's very romantic.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 04, 2023, 06:01:06 PM
Also an issue with the tournament being over a bigger area is it increases the factors outside football that determine who wins.
If you're unlucky with your draws and have to fly across continents to play 3 games in a week then your performance will suffer.

I do think the Olympics is a bit ahead of the world Cup in the sustainability stakes - London is the best example we've seen  of not building useless stuff and Paris looks set to do even better, seems to have been a key part of their bid.
The wc meanwhile saw England basically ready to go beaten by fascist Russia and fucking Qatar...
Really hope we finally hit peak football before the next wc gets given to the Saudis. It's inevitable if things stay as they are.

Of course then you had the winter Olympics which were a horror.... I do wonder how long they will continue to exist without some major climate alteration projects. Roll on the sun shield.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on October 04, 2023, 06:25:34 PM
The problem with the Winter Olympics is the Ski federation but I feel that's a problem that will be fixed by itself soon enough.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 05, 2023, 12:57:28 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 04, 2023, 12:35:50 PMI think that's a pretty cool plan. Morocco-Portugal-Spain is a very small geographic region.

Well, it's missing a few critical rail links, even between Spain and Portugal, with lines closed during Covid. Now would be the time to build and renew lines as per the international gauge, since that would be a perennial benefit.

PS: even with France, rail connections are dire with no trains through the Basque country (Hendaye/Irún).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Maladict on October 05, 2023, 10:12:33 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on October 05, 2023, 12:57:28 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 04, 2023, 12:35:50 PMI think that's a pretty cool plan. Morocco-Portugal-Spain is a very small geographic region.

Well, it's missing a few critical rail links, even between Spain and Portugal, with lines closd during Covid. Now would be the time to build and renew lines as per the international gauge, since that would be a perennial benefit.

PS: even with France, rail connections are dire with no trains through the Basque country (Hendaye/Irún).

Reopen Canfranc!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on October 05, 2023, 04:33:11 PM
Quote from: Josquius on October 04, 2023, 12:43:26 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 04, 2023, 12:40:21 PM
Quote from: Josquius on October 04, 2023, 12:39:06 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 04, 2023, 12:35:50 PMI think that's a pretty cool plan. Morocco-Portugal-Spain is a very small geographic region.
See bullet point 2...

Yes, that's awesome! 100 years old party in the original location? I'm sold.

You guys are so boring and unimaginative. World Cup in France or England every cycle. :zzz:

Argentina - Uruguay - Paraguay would be fine.
Portugal - Spain - Morocco would be fine.
This weird hybrid is just dumb.

It's just three games in South America
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 05, 2023, 11:51:14 PM
Quote from: Maladict on October 05, 2023, 10:12:33 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on October 05, 2023, 12:57:28 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 04, 2023, 12:35:50 PMI think that's a pretty cool plan. Morocco-Portugal-Spain is a very small geographic region.

Well, it's missing a few critical rail links, even between Spain and Portugal, with lines closd during Covid. Now would be the time to build and renew lines as per the international gauge, since that would be a perennial benefit.

PS: even with France, rail connections are dire with no trains through the Basque country (Hendaye/Irún).

Reopen Canfranc!

 :lol:

Well, the station itself is open, for tourism, not for trains.  :P

As for reopening the train line, it would be even more expensive than reopening and renewing the Hendaye-Irún path for high-speed trains. The Basque Y high-speed network will probably be ready by 2030.
Not likely profitable but removes a big trump card from the Basque and Catalonian regional governments.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on October 06, 2023, 07:09:37 PM
One thing I don't like about this VAR scandal is people like the Tottenham coach talking about technology failing and to scrap VAR, when it is abundantly clear from the transcript that it was a human error. The VAR referee could not be arsed to follow what was going on tbe pitch, so he said the ruling shoild stand because he thought the ruling was goal, not offside. The process of communication may need improving but it'd ridiculous that instead of clear human incompetence we are talking about how the technology sucks.

I recon though the referees would not mind VAR bring scrapped.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on October 06, 2023, 08:14:44 PM
I always hated VAR. It slows down the game more and more and cheapens the thrills. Hockey has 2 referees and 2 linesmen on the ice for every game, football should have done that instead.

The beauty of football is that you can play on a dirt field in India or in the Bernabeu and it's the same game with the same rules. VAR also ruined that myth.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 06, 2023, 09:08:36 PM
I'm with Zoupa, but the genie is out of the bottle now and they can't really remove technology from officiating now.

What the Premier League needs to do is implement that semiautomatic offside technology used at the WC and also improve the fucking referees because good god they are fucking atrocious.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on October 06, 2023, 09:10:47 PM
The best way to improve the referees is to add a 2nd one running on the pitch.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on October 06, 2023, 09:13:01 PM
Fines for bad calls. You either get better refs or less refs :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 06, 2023, 09:18:40 PM
I'm not very familiar with the supply of referees in England other than the notion that most of them are from the Manchester-Liverpool region and they're almost to a man bald and white. Are there enough decent refs in England?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 06, 2023, 09:29:34 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 06, 2023, 09:18:40 PMI'm not very familiar with the supply of referees in England other than the notion that most of them are from the Manchester-Liverpool region and they're almost to a man bald and white. Are there enough decent refs in England?
No - it's bad here but also across Europe.

Refs are like football generally where there's a pyramid and it starts at grassroots levels. There's a huge shortage of people wanting to be refs. A think that is really regularly cited is just the sheer amount of abuse they get on social media etc - and even at the amateur level there's insane situations like in Italy where a young ref in his early twenties was attacked by older adults in one of the teams he was officiating and had to run away. And the refs associations (so maybe take with a pinch of salt) say that the abuse/lack of respect they receive in the most visible leagues has an impact in what people feel they can do at lower levels.

Anc I think we all kind of get it - you need to be a certain type of person to want to be the guy with the whistle. It's a bit of a calling - and I think even the top ones aren't particularly well-paid (but I could be wrong).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 07, 2023, 02:06:17 AM
A top La Liga ref makes around 250k a year (they get a base wage and then bonuses for each game). Doesn't seem too bad.

The problem, as you say, is that the grassroots experience seems to be extremely miserable, and that limits the amount of people that will want to make it their career.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on October 07, 2023, 02:07:43 AM
Found this: surprised to see the PL being so low given how loaded the league is.

(https://phantom-marca.unidadeditorial.es/83a85d546ce320c0c34679d2185d7838/resize/990/f/webp/assets/multimedia/imagenes/2023/04/04/16806112401040.jpg)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 08, 2023, 08:04:27 AM
Interesting, thanks.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 08, 2023, 05:02:53 PM
Arsenal 1 City 0. Finally beat the fuckers  :cry:  :nelson:

Both North London teams in the Top 2, Spurs technically ahead on goals scored. Crazy times  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 08, 2023, 05:09:53 PM
After a spell of good form Sunderland lost 4-0 to semi local rival Middlesbrough.

0-0 at the stroke of half time... Then out of nowhere one of Sunderlands best players was sent off. The commentators didn't have a clue what happened at the time.

It seems he the ref had heard him exclaiming something like "come on that was a fucking free kick" from quite some distance away and gave him his second yellow for this.

A bizzare and harsh card which utterly wrecked the game.

Jarred Gillet... Such shit. Apparently recently made a huge VAR fuck up in the Premier league too.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on October 08, 2023, 06:58:30 PM
Arbitro is Spanish for ref in case anyone was clueless like me.

I was like what, arbitration awards?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 10, 2023, 06:19:26 AM
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/oct/10/uk-and-ireland-confirmed-hosts-euro-2028-men-uefa (https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/oct/10/uk-and-ireland-confirmed-hosts-euro-2028-men-uefa)

Well, could have been worse I guess.  :P British Isles Hiberno-British Archipelago EURO 2028
Looking at the map, one stadium for Ireland, one for Northern Ireland, one in Scotland and one in Wales. Nice to see England leaves something to the Home Nations.  :P

OTOH, Italy-Turkey (!) for 2032.  :hmm: Either give it to only one of them but this is nonsensical with >1700 km between the respective capitals.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 10, 2023, 06:32:21 AM
I guess I could see turkey - Italy working if the two halves are kept seperate until the final?

Distance wise it's better than the North American or Russian WCs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 10, 2023, 06:47:42 AM
If we're doing them that far apart, it's time to introduce brackets :w00t:

This is my obsession for all the Euro club competitions of a north v south bracket (sadly east v west wouldn't work) which doesn't meet until the final. Italy, Spain, Portugal, Turkey Balkans etc all qualifying for one spot in the final and England, Germany, France, Nordics etc in the other.

Edit: Obviously for the Euros just random draw for the brackets.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 10, 2023, 06:50:52 AM
Quote from: Josquius on October 10, 2023, 06:32:21 AMI guess I could see turkey - Italy working if the two halves are kept seperate until the final?

Distance wise it's better than the North American or Russian WCs.

The Russian World Cup had free trains for supporters so hardly comparable in fact. Hence most of the travel was not done by plane, but by surface transportation.
And yes, sometimes it was long 40 hours or so but I like travelling by train.  :P

With Italy and Turkey, I doubt we'll see many train-boat-train transfers between cities.

North American is of course worse.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 10, 2023, 01:56:11 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on October 10, 2023, 06:50:52 AM
Quote from: Josquius on October 10, 2023, 06:32:21 AMI guess I could see turkey - Italy working if the two halves are kept seperate until the final?

Distance wise it's better than the North American or Russian WCs.

The Russian World Cup had free trains for supporters so hardly comparable in fact. Hence most of the travel was not done by plane, but by surface transportation.
And yes, sometimes it was long 40 hours or so but I like travelling by train.  :P

With Italy and Turkey, I doubt we'll see many train-boat-train transfers between cities.

North American is of course worse.

As I said though I'd hope,if they were smart, teams would potentially only have to swap country for the final with the two halves kept seperate before that.

Which does make me wonder about the UK and Ireland one. A logical group pair would be Belfast and Dublin but surely that means the two Irish teams in the same group and creating potential fan problems from the get go so maybe they have to do some stupider fly for every game groups?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 14, 2023, 02:08:05 PM
Being reported that Sheikh Jassim, ruler of Qatar, has pulled out of the Manchester United bid. Their fans are seething  :lol:

The other PL club that had their name out there when he was originally interested in buying a PL club was Tottenham. Might he actually acquire them now? They seem reasonably attractive (new stadium, decent Top 6 or 7 team) for a much lower price.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on October 14, 2023, 07:09:29 PM
It'll be a cold day in hell if the "jewish" club sells to fucking Qataris. It'd also mean I'd have to find a new team :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on October 14, 2023, 08:03:33 PM
Yeah I'd not enjoy that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on October 15, 2023, 12:30:34 AM
I thought the US looked sharp, especially on defense, in their Germany friendly.  Lovely opening goal from my boy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 15, 2023, 02:36:04 AM
I can see the London factor really appealing to them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 15, 2023, 05:46:24 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on October 14, 2023, 07:09:29 PMIt'll be a cold day in hell if the "jewish" club sells to fucking Qataris. It'd also mean I'd have to find a new team :(

There's the other North London club ya know. And it is traditionally associated with the French  :P

But my condolences if Qatar comes after your club. If (or when?) a similar thing happens to Arsenal it may be the end of me watching English football.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 15, 2023, 05:51:53 AM
Two interesting articles popped up in succession on the topic of dodgy foreign big money in football.

First from one of the old breed of rich locals -

 https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2023/oct/14/sunderland-pioneer-sir-bob-murray-jonathan-wilson-inside-football?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

I found it interesting. I do think it has something for neutrals too. Though I disagree with the assessment things will get worse and worse. I do think we are due for another few outrages but the tipping point is within reach.

And then more broadly -

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/oct/14/what-is-the-future-of-european-football-in-10-years?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

I do like the idea of cross border leagues as a way for smaller countries to compete.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 19, 2023, 03:15:28 AM
Apparently causing social media buzz lately. Non League team (Gateshead) 37 pass from keeper to opposition net goal.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on October 19, 2023, 06:07:34 AM
Stop it, Spain can only get so erect.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on October 19, 2023, 08:42:45 AM
Do the other team owners or the league get a say in who becomes the new owner or is it strictly a private transaction?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 19, 2023, 09:57:55 AM
Quote from: crazy canuck on October 19, 2023, 08:42:45 AMDo the other team owners or the league get a say in who becomes the new owner or is it strictly a private transaction?
The league does - and in the case of the Premier League - my understanding is the twenty shareholders of the League are the Premier League clubs. I think it's fair to say it's an open question how effectively that's managed particularly in relatio to the "fit and proper person" test of prospective owners...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on October 19, 2023, 10:00:33 AM
Thanks
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 19, 2023, 10:56:44 AM
Can't think of them ever blocking a take over?
Raised objections certainly but it seemed to just work as if any member of the public had done so.
Maybe my memory is just incomplete on this.
Perhaps the Wimbledon fiasco and the talk of a Dublin move?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on October 19, 2023, 12:09:29 PM
No, it's pretty rubbish. You have to have basically have been convicted of fraud. The highest profile case was Cellino (sp?) who was disqualified from owning Leeds but held on for yars when arguing about whether the test applied to fraud committed overseas. He ultimately lost but I think regained control after a year. I don't remember how There have been a few lower profile cases too.

It's pretty appalling reall. My club, and others, have been taken over in the past by complete spivs who have asset stripped (bonuses to directors, range rovers etc) and then fucked off. There seems to be no way of stopping them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on October 24, 2023, 01:48:06 PM
RIP Bill Kenwright
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on October 24, 2023, 02:29:13 PM
RIP :(

Always seemed like a decent man, particularly on Hillsborough, and seems to come from a different, slightly more naive era when a theatre impresario could own his boyhood football club :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on October 24, 2023, 09:40:47 PM
So hearing that the Arsenal Women's team is being called out for not being diverse enough. Management says it will start signing non-whites.
Thoughts?

In other women's news, apparently some male Turkish player mouthed off at a female referee, telling her to "stay in the kitchen." In response, FIFA suspended him for 5 games, and ordered him to referee a woman's game.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 24, 2023, 11:51:15 PM
Also RIP lately is Bobby Charlton. In the UK this has been big news outside of the sports section even.
Is it being reported abroad? - does his fame last elsewhere in the world and see him classed as one of the all time great players or is that just an English outlook?

Quote from: Josephus on October 24, 2023, 09:40:47 PMSo hearing that the Arsenal Women's team is being called out for not being diverse enough. Management says it will start signing non-whites.
Thoughts?



I remember a Kenyan girl I used to go out with saying this is why everyone in Africa supports Chelsea and she was so weird in liking man Utd. They thought  Man Utd was racist in not having any Africans.

So ja. On the surface from what you say there dumb.
Though I could see some validity to it if say it stretches down to their youth levels - a London team not having a diverse youth setup is very odd.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on October 31, 2023, 11:21:50 AM
2034 WC to Saudi Arabia

BBC News - 2034 World Cup: Saudi Arabia set to host after Australia does not bid
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67271423

:bleeding:

Surprised China hasn't had a go?


Also heard the other day Jordan Hendersons new team is pulling in crowds of a few hundred :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on October 31, 2023, 11:23:50 AM
Well at least the eurocup can't be sold to despotic oil barrens. Oh wait, Russia. God dammit. I sometimes hate that I like football
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on October 31, 2023, 12:58:06 PM
Jamais content.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on November 06, 2023, 05:08:57 PM
What an absolute mad match. Not sure what happened to Romero and Udogie, they went crazy for a minute. What a performance from the Spurs on 9 players though. A statement loss if there is such a thing.

On the other hand, Chelsea looked absolutely terrible. What a strange team, all over the place.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 06, 2023, 07:17:52 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on November 06, 2023, 05:08:57 PMWhat an absolute mad match. Not sure what happened to Romero and Udogie, they went crazy for a minute. What a performance from the Spurs on 9 players though. A statement loss if there is such a thing.

On the other hand, Chelsea looked absolutely terrible. What a strange team, all over the place.

Genuinely one of the most entertaining and funniest matches I've ever seen. A work of art. If they could hang it in the Louvre they would  :lol:

It is very Spursy though for them to have their first loss in the league be in a match where they have two players sent off and lose 4-1 at home to a Chelsea side who will probably finish in the bottom half again   :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 06, 2023, 07:18:50 PM
But yeah, Chelsea are absolute excrement. I hope they get relegated.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on November 06, 2023, 09:00:09 PM
I'm also quite aware of how Spursy I sound when I qualify this match as a great performance, a game where we lost 4-1.

Maddison and Van der Ven injured is not good though :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 07, 2023, 04:35:10 AM
Really weird that Kane goes, on paper one of the best English forwards of all time, and suddenly spurs are good.

Have to wonder if he was a bad influence in the dressing room or so.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 07, 2023, 05:10:52 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 06, 2023, 07:18:50 PMBut yeah, Chelsea are absolute excrement. I hope they get relegated.

Oh shut up. It's a brand new team made of young kids, of course they'll suffer until they learn and gel.

Spurs though lol. Thanks for the 3 points and the entertainment.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 07, 2023, 09:46:08 AM
Quote from: Tamas on November 07, 2023, 05:10:52 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 06, 2023, 07:18:50 PMBut yeah, Chelsea are absolute excrement. I hope they get relegated.

Oh shut up. It's a brand new team made of young kids, of course they'll suffer until they learn and gel.

Spurs though lol. Thanks for the 3 points and the entertainment.

I'm a Chelsea hater what do you expect  :P

Take solace in the fact I'm still seething Arsenal dropped points at Stamford Bridge. :cry:

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 07, 2023, 09:47:29 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 07, 2023, 09:46:08 AM
Quote from: Tamas on November 07, 2023, 05:10:52 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 06, 2023, 07:18:50 PMBut yeah, Chelsea are absolute excrement. I hope they get relegated.

Oh shut up. It's a brand new team made of young kids, of course they'll suffer until they learn and gel.

Spurs though lol. Thanks for the 3 points and the entertainment.

I'm a Chelsea hater what do you expect  :P

Take solace in the fact I'm still seething Arsenal dropped points at Stamford Bridge. :cry:



 :hug:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 07, 2023, 11:44:59 AM
I thought Chelsea looked pretty good.  Scored lots of goals, had more good chances, exploited the hell out of Tottenham's boneheaded one man down high line.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 07, 2023, 01:42:38 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on November 07, 2023, 11:44:59 AMI thought Chelsea looked pretty good.  Scored lots of goals, had more good chances, exploited the hell out of Tottenham's boneheaded one man down high line.

Quite frankly, they embarrassed themselves. They played against 9 men yet they couldn't control the match at all. Spurs honestly still could've won when it was still 2-1. Chelsea realistically should have scored 7 or 8 against that crazy high defensive line but their forwards are really bad. Pochettino looked like he was going to strangle his team after the match.

So no they weren't pretty good. :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 07, 2023, 07:38:08 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 07, 2023, 01:42:38 PMQuite frankly, they embarrassed themselves. They played against 9 men yet they couldn't control the match at all. Spurs honestly still could've won when it was still 2-1. Chelsea realistically should have scored 7 or 8 against that crazy high defensive line but their forwards are really bad. Pochettino looked like he was going to strangle his team after the match.

So no they weren't pretty good. :lol:

Well, that's like, your opinion, man.

I didn't see any offense from Spurs in my highlight clip except that Soh one on three.  The only time I could fault the Chelsea forwards was when that one dude took the shot when there was another dude sitting alone on the right (I know not terribly informative).  What I saw was time after time when the Spurs goalie sprinted way up the field to get to the ball first.  How is that bad forward play and not great goalie play?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 07, 2023, 07:44:39 PM
Though I will confess I didn't catch the second red when I was watching.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 07, 2023, 08:41:35 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on November 07, 2023, 07:44:39 PMThough I will confess I didn't catch the second red when I was watching.

You should re-watch it. Seriously, it may be one of the greatest PL games of the last decade. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on November 08, 2023, 11:47:15 PM
FC Copenhagen beats Man U at home, 4-3.

Right now FCK is in second place in their group (4 points. Bayern Munich is in first (12 poionts). Galatasaray is in 3rd (4 points), and Man U in fourth (also with 4 points).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 09, 2023, 12:37:44 AM
Sic Semper Man U!




*edit* purposeful thread, just to be clear :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 09, 2023, 04:07:14 AM
After some early worries I see Newcastle Utd are safely in last place in their group after being beat by Dortmund.
The world remains intact for now.
Come on football bubble pop. Lets be having you before they gain anything. Sadly I fear a League Cup win is imminent.

Speaking of which, heard an interesting proposal the other day- abolish the League Cup across the home nations and create a pan-home nation tournament. Same-same in terms of who wins I'd imagine. But still. Would create some cool away days and give us a decent measure of the old firm.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 09, 2023, 04:55:30 AM
Quote from: HVC on November 09, 2023, 12:37:44 AMSic Semper Man U!




*edit* purposeful thread, just to be clear :P
Almost ten years:
QuoteManchester United
@ManUtd
David Moyes says #mufc must improve in a number of areas, including passing, creating chances and defending.
2:10 PM · Dec 9, 2013
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 09, 2023, 09:21:43 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on November 09, 2023, 04:55:30 AM
Quote from: HVC on November 09, 2023, 12:37:44 AMSic Semper Man U!




*edit* purposeful thread, just to be clear :P
Almost ten years:
QuoteManchester United
@ManUtd
David Moyes says #mufc must improve in a number of areas, including passing, creating chances and defending.
2:10 PM · Dec 9, 2013

Evergreen tweet  :lol:

Wish we had a Yanited supporter here   :menace:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 09, 2023, 09:22:47 AM
"I want to do some cyberbullying" :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 09, 2023, 10:08:10 AM
Quote from: Josquius on November 09, 2023, 04:07:14 AMSpeaking of which, heard an interesting proposal the other day- abolish the League Cup across the home nations and create a pan-home nation tournament. Same-same in terms of who wins I'd imagine. But still. Would create some cool away days and give us a decent measure of the old firm.
I think anything British on football will always have an issue that I don't think anyone in English football (and especially Premier League clubs) want anything to do with the sectarianism in Scottish football. In Liverpool it was something that was very consciously fought against and kicked out of the game which is maybe a particular reluctance there.

But more generally it'd all be fun and games until you've got a stadium chanting "no surrender to the IRA" or waving Palestinian flags and singing "You'll Never Walk Alone" in the first game after October 7. At which point I imagine American owners especially who are just there to make money will be less than thrilled.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 09, 2023, 10:14:04 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on November 09, 2023, 10:08:10 AM
Quote from: Josquius on November 09, 2023, 04:07:14 AMSpeaking of which, heard an interesting proposal the other day- abolish the League Cup across the home nations and create a pan-home nation tournament. Same-same in terms of who wins I'd imagine. But still. Would create some cool away days and give us a decent measure of the old firm.
I think anything British on football will always have an issue that I don't think anyone in English football (and especially Premier League clubs) want anything to do with the sectarianism in Scottish football. In Liverpool it was something that was very consciously fought against and kicked out of the game which is maybe a particular reluctance there.

But more generally it'd all be fun and games until you've got a stadium chanting "no surrender to the IRA" or waving Palestinian flags and singing "You'll Never Walk Alone" in the first game after October 7. At which point I imagine American owners especially who are just there to make money will be less than thrilled.

Fair. Sunderland had a pre-season friendly visit from Celtic a year or two ago where they brought down their shitheads.

Though haven't top Premier League teams also been muttering not too long ago about making dropping out of the League Cup official?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 09, 2023, 10:19:12 AM
Man, you have to be pretty bad to make the English fans look like the good guys.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 09, 2023, 11:52:57 AM
Quote from: HVC on November 09, 2023, 10:19:12 AMMan, you have to be pretty bad to make the English fans look like the good guys.

The 1980s called. They want their stereotypes back.
There's much much worse than English football fans out there. Football in England today is a very family friendly thing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 09, 2023, 11:56:47 AM
Your cultural views are slightly... tilted.  I'll wait for others to confirm or deny :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 10, 2023, 05:53:30 AM
Quote from: HVC on November 09, 2023, 11:56:47 AMYour cultural views are slightly... tilted.  I'll wait for others to confirm or deny :P

Yeah, English football has cleaned itself up after all the horror stories of the 80s. In fact, I was at Wembley four years ago for an international game, and I was surprised to see you could only drink beer in the concessions era, and couldn't take it to your seat.

That's not to say there isn't trouble outside stadiums, but that's normally caused by people looking for trouble and not actually going to said game.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on November 10, 2023, 09:53:03 AM
Quote from: HVC on November 09, 2023, 11:56:47 AMYour cultural views are slightly... tilted.  I'll wait for others to confirm or deny :P

LIke a broken clock, he's right this time. There's not much violence these days, nothing like there used to be. France seems to be the worst right now.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/oct/29/lyon-match-at-marseille-called-off-after-visitors-team-bus-attacked
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on November 10, 2023, 11:26:55 AM
Quote from: Gups on November 10, 2023, 09:53:03 AM
Quote from: HVC on November 09, 2023, 11:56:47 AMYour cultural views are slightly... tilted.  I'll wait for others to confirm or deny :P

LIke a broken clock, he's right this time. There's not much violence these days, nothing like there used to be. France seems to be the worst right now.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/oct/29/lyon-match-at-marseille-called-off-after-visitors-team-bus-attacked


The English have given up on their time-honoured traditions. :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 10, 2023, 12:00:37 PM
Sorry English fans for besmirching your name  :blush:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on November 11, 2023, 01:39:51 PM
Halfway through the season, Wrexham is in a good spot to be promoted after only 1 year in League 2.
No regulation, atleast.

Hollywood money going far.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 11, 2023, 06:09:49 PM
Yes. Although this season of the TV show has been hit and miss. There was one god awful episode about some player's dad. I skipped through that one.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 11, 2023, 06:12:52 PM
We're at 14th and 8 points ahead of the relegation zone - apparently this is furthest from the relegation zone we've been in almost two years :lol: :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on November 11, 2023, 08:08:15 PM
Quote from: Josephus on November 11, 2023, 06:09:49 PMYes. Although this season of the TV show has been hit and miss. There was one god awful episode about some player's dad. I skipped through that one.

Season 2 hasn't hit Disney + yet, so I don't know.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 12, 2023, 11:57:41 AM
It's becoming more and more evident that VAR will not compensate for utter referee incompetence, since they just transfer their incompetence into analysing VAR footage.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 12, 2023, 01:39:52 PM
Referee a disgrace throughout, but Chelsea are back, baby!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 12, 2023, 02:06:54 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 11, 2023, 01:39:51 PMHalfway through the season, Wrexham is in a good spot to be promoted after only 1 year in League 2.
No regulation, atleast.

Hollywood money going far.

Weirdly same story with Ipswich in the championship.. Sans Hollywood . Just promoted and flying.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 12, 2023, 02:09:36 PM
Quote from: Tamas on November 12, 2023, 01:39:52 PMReferee a disgrace throughout, but Chelsea are back, baby!
Also Robert di Zerbi. I believe this statement is the equivalent of sitting your "living in the UK" test:
QuoteRoberto De Zerbi: "I am honest and clear, I don't like 80% of English referees. It's not a new thing, I don't like them."

"The behaviour... I don't like their behaviour on the pitch."

"England is the only country where, when there is VAR, you are not sure the decision is right. In other countries you have to be sure the referee is 100%."

The Athletic
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 12, 2023, 03:47:54 PM
Arteta said similar about how terrible the officiating is and he got roasted in the media lol

I could stomach pre-VAR officiating because yeah, errors will be made if you only have one ref on the pitch. But with the current implementation of VAR not only do we have to deal with on field ref incompetence, we also have to witness the incompetence of the VAR officials. And the officiating is even more inconsistent than before VAR. It's untenable.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 12, 2023, 03:50:32 PM
I can't help but tie this into football being too over bloated.
At the top level literally millions of pounds rest on a decision. And trying to get everything spot on every time would turn the game into American football.

I guess it does come back to higher salaries being needed for top level officials.
If you were earning the sort of money players at that level are, the quality would go way up. At all levels,even those not on big money.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 16, 2023, 01:06:25 PM
Seems Chelsea has finally been caught red handed.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/15/chelsea-fc-face-new-questions-over-how-roman-abramovich-funded-success

QuoteNow documents, dated during and outside the period under scrutiny, raise fresh questions over whether Abramovich repeatedly flouted the rules of football to benefit Chelsea, as the club ascended to the pinnacle of the global game.

Massive cheating and corruption delivered them all their success.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 17, 2023, 03:34:32 AM
I am sure creative accounting and business deals to go around official rules was unique to Chelsea's transfer transactions in the football world
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 17, 2023, 07:38:29 AM
Quote from: Tamas on November 17, 2023, 03:34:32 AMI am sure creative accounting and business deals to go around official rules was unique to Chelsea's transfer transactions in the football world
Meanwhile for clubs that aren't in the Big Six/Seven <_<
QuoteEverton deducted 10 points by Premier League over financial fair play breach

    Everton could now be sued by Leeds, Leicester and Burnley
    Club go second bottom on four points, two points from safety

Can only assume that Man City will end up in non-league.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 17, 2023, 08:03:00 AM
 :(

It is ridiculous to see Everton sanctioned with a points deduction while City and Chelsea get off with nothing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 17, 2023, 08:15:01 AM
You mean while City gets away with nothing. May I remind you Chelsea was barred from the transfer market for quite a while.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 17, 2023, 08:17:25 AM
Chelsea has been doing it a fair bit longer. Maybe city's time is still to come.

Though wow. Insanely harsh on Everton.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on November 17, 2023, 08:29:32 AM
City still have 115 charges against them. The process is ongoing. THey haven't got away with anything yet.

Agree that this is disproportionate when the five clubs who tried to destroy English football got off with a £1m fine each.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on November 17, 2023, 08:31:20 AM
Quote from: Tamas on November 17, 2023, 08:15:01 AMYou mean while City gets away with nothing. May I remind you Chelsea was barred from the transfer market for quite a while.

That was UEFA
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 17, 2023, 08:37:43 AM
At least, from Everton's perspective, if there was a season to face a steep points deduction this was it. Sheffield, Burnley, and Luton aren't very good at all and are almost certain to go back down. Everton are (probably) pretty safe unless they just completely implode...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 17, 2023, 08:39:06 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 17, 2023, 08:37:43 AMAt least, from Everton's perspective, if there was a season to face a steep points deduction this was it. Sheffield, Burnley, and Luton aren't very good at all and are almost certain to go back down. Everton are (probably) pretty safe unless they just completely implode...

Yes, definitely true. There's some poor teams and Everton are better this year. They should still end up where they currently are.
That's what makes this particularly bad a decision really considering last year was quite the opposite and they narrowly survived.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on November 17, 2023, 09:35:01 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 17, 2023, 08:37:43 AMAt least, from Everton's perspective, if there was a season to face a steep points deduction this was it. Sheffield, Burnley, and Luton aren't very good at all and are almost certain to go back down. Everton are (probably) pretty safe unless they just completely implode...

I think this is probably right and it may help build a fortress mentality.

But the points deduction opens the way to Leicester, Burnley and Leeds to sue Everton and they have all said they will.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 17, 2023, 09:37:31 AM
Which feels like it might start to become a thing now.

FM2025 - now with Lord Pannick KC!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 17, 2023, 11:06:42 AM
With potential lawsuits on the table for Everton that also opens up the possibility of clubs who lost out on league titles or CL places suing City and Chelsea when (if?) the PL deems fit to finally punish them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 17, 2023, 11:10:53 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on November 17, 2023, 09:37:31 AMWhich feels like it might start to become a thing now.

FM2025 - now with Lord Pannick KC!

New Feature: Discover oil and natural gas deposits and hire a horde of lawyers!

New Feature: Bribe league officials and pay exorbitant amounts of cash to your league's referees in Saudi Arabia and Qatar!

New Shout: "Objection, your honor!"
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 19, 2023, 01:12:27 PM
Hungary has won its Euro Qualifying group.  :huh: Even not requiring play-offs for getting into a major tournament hasn't happened since 1985.

Seems like we are good at international football when living in dictatorships. Although what sours this for me isn't (just) Orban but more like the core fans. With their uniform black t-shirts and such, such an unpleasant sight.

But still can't help myself rooting for the team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on November 20, 2023, 04:45:38 PM
HOW IS THAT NOT A PENALTY ON MUDRYK???? Talking about the ITA-UKR euro qualifier.

I really do NOT understand this call. What is the point of VAR, they didn't even look at it apparently????

Wow. This is pretty shameful.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 20, 2023, 06:59:06 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on November 20, 2023, 04:45:38 PMHOW IS THAT NOT A PENALTY ON MUDRYK???? Talking about the ITA-UKR euro qualifier.

I really do NOT understand this call. What is the point of VAR, they didn't even look at it apparently????

Wow. This is pretty shameful.

Didn't look clear and obvious. The Ukrainians didn't even protest much.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on November 20, 2023, 08:13:53 PM
Did you see the penalty given against England? Come on man.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on November 21, 2023, 05:21:26 AM
Wow, you watch a lot of of football Zoup.


Anyone get tickets for the Euros?  About half a dozen of us applied for 4 ticks at a bunch of group games. Got absolutely zilch. Real shame as was looking forward to week in the Rhineland watching footie. Might still go and chance my arm.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on November 21, 2023, 10:22:10 AM
Apart from France and Spurs, I watch highlights only  :sleep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on November 24, 2023, 11:53:29 AM
Euro 2024 Draw Pots

POT 1 Germany, Portugal, France, Spain, Belgium, England
POT 2 Hungary, Turkey, Romania, Denmark, Albania, Austria
POT 3 Netherlands, Scotland, Croatia. Slovenia, Slovakia, Czech Republic
POT 4 Italy, Serbia, Switzerland, Play-off winner A, Play-off winner B, Play-off winner C

Playoff teams
A: Greece, Finland, Poland, Estonia
B: Israel, Iceland, Bosnia & Hercegovina, Ukraine
C: Georgia, Luxembourg, Kazahhstan, Greece
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 24, 2023, 12:38:25 PM
Question for the Germany watchers: Why is Germany so bad now? What happened?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 24, 2023, 04:15:50 PM
Sucks whoever gets Italy from Pot D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 26, 2023, 08:36:20 PM
Watched a bit of Juve-Inter earlier. That Juve shirt is horrendous :x
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 27, 2023, 02:29:37 AM
Almost suspect they purposefully want to break up their outline to confuse enemy subs.
But then I remember man Utd having that once in the 90s and dumping the shirt after one half as it was harming them more.

Speaking of kits. Something I've always wondered about. Never seen any data crunching for it. When teams play teams that wear the same usual colours as them does their performance suffer due to that mental connection of "I play for blue. Pass to blue" when his team are currently in their away kit and against blue.
I have always gotten vibes that Sunderland play poorly against other red and white teams away and do better against them at home.
I guess for uncommon colours it's even stronger.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on November 27, 2023, 03:01:55 AM
I read somewhere long ago that teams with red shirts performed better than other teams.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on November 27, 2023, 10:22:30 AM
Feast your eyes on Arsenal's away shirt this season :

https://arsenaldirect.arsenal.com/Football-Shirts-and-Kit/Away/c/away-kit

(https://images.footballfanatics.com/arsenal/arsenal-adidas-away-shirt-2023-24-kids-with-rice-41-printing_ss5_p-200411787+u-jzhctufdfxwfwylt6hd9+v-ispuv4em8pod1fu265qh.jpg?_hv=2&w=340)

 :lol: 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 27, 2023, 10:36:46 AM
Nothing strikes fear into a foe like a fluorescent zebra
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on November 29, 2023, 03:46:03 PM
Man U tie against Galatasaray, playing in Istanbul.

FC Copenhagen are so far tied 0-0 against Bayern Munich in Munich, but there's still a half to go  :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: bogh on November 29, 2023, 05:27:26 PM
Quote from: Jacob on November 29, 2023, 03:46:03 PMFC Copenhagen are so far tied 0-0 against Bayern Munich in Munich, but there's still a half to go  :ph34r:

We did it - 0-0 against Munich is a massive result. What a final it'll be against Gala in two weeks time. It'll be hard to top the ManU game, but this could be even wilder.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on November 29, 2023, 05:38:31 PM
Watched Real - Napoli which was very fun.

Jude Bellingham's start at Madrid is unbelievable for a 20 year old.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on November 29, 2023, 05:44:20 PM
Quote from: bogh on November 29, 2023, 05:27:26 PM
Quote from: Jacob on November 29, 2023, 03:46:03 PMFC Copenhagen are so far tied 0-0 against Bayern Munich in Munich, but there's still a half to go  :ph34r:

We did it - 0-0 against Munich is a massive result. What a final it'll be against Gala in two weeks time. It'll be hard to top the ManU game, but this could be even wilder.

:cheers:

Good to see you :)

Did you watch the game at Parken?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on November 29, 2023, 11:19:12 PM
I know for most people a 0-0 is not something to celebrate, but for context - in the last 29 home games in the Champion League group stage (covering a span of ten years), Bayern Munich have tied once (against Ajax Amsterdam in 2018) and won the rest. Now, in the last 30 home games, they've tied twice and won the rest.

That's pretty decent for a team that most people don't rate in a Champions League context.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: bogh on November 30, 2023, 03:41:51 AM
Quote from: Jacob on November 29, 2023, 05:44:20 PM:cheers:

Good to see you :)

Did you watch the game at Parken?

Yeah, I did. I've been a season ticket holder for a gazillion years, but these days I actually work at the club, so it's business and pleasure rolled into one.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on November 30, 2023, 01:10:48 PM
Quote from: bogh on November 30, 2023, 03:41:51 AMYeah, I did. I've been a season ticket holder for a gazillion years, but these days I actually work at the club, so it's business and pleasure rolled into one.

!!!!

You work there? In what capacity?

I'm going to be in Denmark this summer and was considering bringing the family by for a game to expose them to a bit of culture. Might not, as my girl may be too young to enjoy it and we're actually mainly in Jutland for a wedding... but if I can swing it....
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: bogh on December 02, 2023, 07:23:22 AM
Quote from: Jacob on November 30, 2023, 01:10:48 PM!!!!

You work there? In what capacity?

I'm going to be in Denmark this summer and was considering bringing the family by for a game to expose them to a bit of culture. Might not, as my girl may be too young to enjoy it and we're actually mainly in Jutland for a wedding... but if I can swing it....

I run the IT & Digital team (covering both Parken as a venue, the football team and everything in between). When are you here? The league goes on a summer break from late May to late June, where we'll have concerts instead.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 03, 2023, 05:21:59 PM
Big Ange has done the business against City which leaves Arsenal IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT at the top of the league.

Thanks mate  :cool:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on December 03, 2023, 06:15:52 PM
I love how Spurs don't compromise how they play no matter the consequences. It's a little bit dumb and not realistic sometimes, but as Gary Neville said today when it was 3-3 "Spurs are daft enough to go and win it".

Love it. Dare to do.  :showoff:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on December 03, 2023, 07:40:51 PM
Indeed :cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on December 03, 2023, 07:47:35 PM
Where does your support for Spurs originate Jake?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 03, 2023, 07:56:32 PM
Sunderland drew Newcastle Utd in the cup :mellow:

Right when our form is shit and theirs good too...

The only hope is we manage to kick some of their players out of the rest of the season. We aren't going to win the cup afterall.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 03, 2023, 08:15:03 PM
Quote from: Josquius on December 03, 2023, 07:56:32 PMSunderland drew Newcastle Utd in the cup :mellow:

Right when our form is shit and theirs good too...

The only hope is we manage to kick some of their players out of the rest of the season. We aren't going to win the cup afterall.

Please do. I hate Eddie Howe's smug face  :yucky:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 03, 2023, 08:18:52 PM
Saw a stat today that said Saka now has scored more league goals for Arsenal than Fabregas ever did. Wow. That kid is incredible.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on December 03, 2023, 10:18:09 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on December 03, 2023, 07:47:35 PMWhere does your support for Spurs originate Jake?

It was the team I picked in the English league back in the 80s when highlights from English First Division football was regularly shown on Danish TV and most of us picked  a team to support. I think it was mostly on the strength of Ricardo Villa.

That said, I while my support is longstanding I won't claim to be hard core.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on December 04, 2023, 02:38:17 PM
Quote from: bogh on December 02, 2023, 07:23:22 AMI run the IT & Digital team (covering both Parken as a venue, the football team and everything in between). When are you here? The league goes on a summer break from late May to late June, where we'll have concerts instead.

That's pretty damn cool :cheers:

We'll be there in August, so the season will have started.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on December 04, 2023, 02:44:29 PM
In the Euros, Denmark got England, Serbia, and Slovenia.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on December 04, 2023, 02:47:51 PM
Also, I don't rate Albania's chance for advancing out of Group B... Spain, Kroatia, Italy in the same group.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 05, 2023, 06:54:59 AM
Quote from: Jacob on December 04, 2023, 02:47:51 PMAlso, I don't rate Albania's chance for advancing out of Group B... Spain, Kroatia, Italy in the same group.

It's the closest thing to a ™Group of Death™ we got so don't complain.  :P The last tournament had Portugal, France, Germany and Hungary. Hungary was close to qualify.
The big three got out by the round of 16 however.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 05, 2023, 07:11:51 AM
Thinking about it, its curious that Denmark are always 'OK'.
They're a very small country yet they're basically always there in the finals.

On this thought I got to thinking about Greenland and learned they're inching closer to joining CONCAF. Which makes sense though it does sound like there's some interesting potential matchups vs. Central American and Carribean nations.

Relatedly watched this video the other day which was curious.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on December 05, 2023, 07:39:44 AM
You're missing a 2nd CA in there.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 05, 2023, 08:14:11 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on December 05, 2023, 07:39:44 AMYou're missing a 2nd CA in there.
Fixed
 :goodboy:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on December 07, 2023, 05:12:38 PM
Football can be so incredibly frustrating. Spurs dominated 99% of the game BUT CAN'T FUCKING PUT THE BALL IN THE BOX. West Ham get 2 goals from the ball doing ping pong on our defenders and they win.

Jesus FUCKING Christ. We need Maddison back yesterday. Zero playmakers other than him.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 07, 2023, 05:52:09 PM
lol
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on December 07, 2023, 05:57:07 PM
 :bash:  :angry:  :ultra:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 07, 2023, 06:06:24 PM
It's a funny old game.

In seriousness, this shit happens. Arsenal just chucked in 2 goals into their own net against Luton. Difference being that Arteta has been backed the hilt and signed 105m Declan Rice who saved the game.

Not saying Ange is Arteta level but he seems a decent manager. Arteta got 3 years and now we have something approaching a super team who are turning into favorites for the title. Maybe Ange can do a decent job with 3 years at Spurs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 07, 2023, 06:19:01 PM
That said, watching our old PL enemies (Manchester United, Spurs, Chelsea) turn into dumpster fires while Arsenal finally return to the top of the game after years of being shit brings tears to my eyes  :cry:  :cry:  :cry:  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 07, 2023, 06:53:16 PM
Pretty unexpectedly Sunderlands manager was sacked.. With us 3 points from the playoffs.
A few bad results lately but... It happens.
Sigh. Typical Sunderland.

Read about one of the guys tipped to replace him. Currently manager of Reims in France - a 31 year old guy who got his break through playing Football Manager and whose club has to pay a 25k fine for every game as he doesn't have a coaching license...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 08, 2023, 04:19:12 AM
I was out at a Christmas dinner last night so missed it - but beat Newcastle 3-0 so out of the relegation zone. All without committing any abuses of human rights :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 08, 2023, 05:18:05 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 08, 2023, 04:19:12 AMI was out at a Christmas dinner last night so missed it - but beat Newcastle 3-0 so out of the relegation zone. All without committing any abuses of human rights :)

Shocked to see that. Will have to investigate the highlights.
Newcastles keeper is injured, is their replacement that bad?
Hopefully the start of a downfall in form for them anyway.

As to Everton. Rising out of the relegation zone quickly though broadly as expected. The points deduction this season was pretty worthless. Everton fans being sensible should stay very quiet about it and accept it- the complaints from last year's relegated teams are a danger.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 08, 2023, 06:33:21 AM
Quote from: Josquius on December 08, 2023, 05:18:05 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 08, 2023, 04:19:12 AMI was out at a Christmas dinner last night so missed it - but beat Newcastle 3-0 so out of the relegation zone. All without committing any abuses of human rights :)

Shocked to see that. Will have to investigate the highlights.
Newcastles keeper is injured, is their replacement that bad?
Hopefully the start of a downfall in form for them anyway.

They've had a tough schedule, but prevailed against Chelsea and man u, and drew PSG. A bad result was inevitable. We'll see what happens against Spurs in a week.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 08, 2023, 09:16:32 AM
Newcastle are terrible away from home. At home though they are kind of unstoppable.

"The Narrative" around Newcastle is a little nauseating to be honest. The plucky, new money underdogs doing things the right way and getting results, playing with passion and with a proper English manager in Eddie Howe. Yuck.

Yet they are now seventh, one point behind crisis club Manchester United. Nice narrative.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 08, 2023, 09:33:20 AM
Plucky underdogs. With all the money of the Saudi state.

In a way it's kind of what goes around comes around. Along with Blackburn, Newcastle Utd we're one of the first new money teams in the premiership.
Their dominance at such a formative time fucked up support in the whole area <_<


Quote from: Josephus on December 08, 2023, 06:33:21 AM
Quote from: Josquius on December 08, 2023, 05:18:05 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 08, 2023, 04:19:12 AMI was out at a Christmas dinner last night so missed it - but beat Newcastle 3-0 so out of the relegation zone. All without committing any abuses of human rights :)

Shocked to see that. Will have to investigate the highlights.
Newcastles keeper is injured, is their replacement that bad?
Hopefully the start of a downfall in form for them anyway.

They've had a tough schedule, but prevailed against Chelsea and man u, and drew PSG. A bad result was inevitable. We'll see what happens against Spurs in a week.

Man Utd, game before Everton, is where they broke their keeper. So.... Shall see.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 09, 2023, 10:23:56 AM
Newcastle don't really seem to have splashed the cash so far. Net spend in 2023 has been £80m, 8th out of 20 and lower than Burnley and Bournemouth
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 10, 2023, 02:12:16 PM
:w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 10, 2023, 02:32:05 PM
Quote from: Gups on December 09, 2023, 10:23:56 AMNewcastle don't really seem to have splashed the cash so far. Net spend in 2023 has been £80m, 8th out of 20 and lower than Burnley and Bournemouth

They can't go from nobodies to superstars overnight.
They're following the same path Man City did when they came into money but perhaps on an accelerated schedule.
If a lower Premier league side suddenly offered bazillions to the top players in the world most wouldn't sign. The team doesn't look like it's seriously challenging for trophies.
They have to go from lower Premier league players to solid upper Premier league players and then once established with that they can splash the silly money for the champions league quality players.

Also worth noting wages are usually what matters more than transfer outlay though they're similarly 9th there. Just ahead of Everton on 10th.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on December 10, 2023, 02:50:32 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 10, 2023, 02:12:16 PM:w00t:

 <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 10, 2023, 03:12:56 PM
Quote from: Josquius on December 10, 2023, 02:32:05 PM
Quote from: Gups on December 09, 2023, 10:23:56 AMNewcastle don't really seem to have splashed the cash so far. Net spend in 2023 has been £80m, 8th out of 20 and lower than Burnley and Bournemouth

They can't go from nobodies to superstars overnight.
They're following the same path Man City did when they came into money but perhaps on an accelerated schedule.
If a lower Premier league side suddenly offered bazillions to the top players in the world most wouldn't sign. The team doesn't look like it's seriously challenging for trophies.
They have to go from lower Premier league players to solid upper Premier league players and then once established with that they can splash the silly money for the champions league quality players.

Also worth noting wages are usually what matters more than transfer outlay though they're similarly 9th there. Just ahead of Everton on 10th.

Erm. They came 4th last season and are in the Champions League.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 10, 2023, 05:04:06 PM
Quote from: Gups on December 10, 2023, 03:12:56 PM
Quote from: Josquius on December 10, 2023, 02:32:05 PM
Quote from: Gups on December 09, 2023, 10:23:56 AMNewcastle don't really seem to have splashed the cash so far. Net spend in 2023 has been £80m, 8th out of 20 and lower than Burnley and Bournemouth

They can't go from nobodies to superstars overnight.
They're following the same path Man City did when they came into money but perhaps on an accelerated schedule.
If a lower Premier league side suddenly offered bazillions to the top players in the world most wouldn't sign. The team doesn't look like it's seriously challenging for trophies.
They have to go from lower Premier league players to solid upper Premier league players and then once established with that they can splash the silly money for the champions league quality players.

Also worth noting wages are usually what matters more than transfer outlay though they're similarly 9th there. Just ahead of Everton on 10th.

Erm. They came 4th last season and are in the Champions League.

Which wasn't their target. They performed above expectations did well above what the plan was calling for at that time.

This might bite howe in the arse this year as he likely fails to reach the same. United have a significant chunk of their fanbase with delusions of grandeur.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on December 10, 2023, 07:21:42 PM
Spurs won. Arsenal lost. All is right in the world.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 10, 2023, 07:30:53 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on December 10, 2023, 07:21:42 PMSpurs won. Arsenal lost. All is right in the world.

To be fair I was hoping Spurs would demolish Newcastle, I despise the Saudis :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 10, 2023, 07:32:02 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 10, 2023, 02:12:16 PM:w00t:

Wild that Everton would be above Chelsea if not for the point deduction  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on December 10, 2023, 09:58:36 PM
Villa seems to be doing well these days.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 11, 2023, 07:06:00 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on December 10, 2023, 07:21:42 PMSpurs won. Arsenal lost. All is right in the world.

And Liverpool's back on top  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 11, 2023, 07:07:08 AM
Pochettino has called for MORE signings in January. Clearly 1 billion pounds worth of players is not enough for Chelsea football club.

That transfer ban can't come soon enough.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 11, 2023, 07:30:38 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 11, 2023, 07:07:08 AMPochettino has called for MORE signings in January. Clearly 1 billion pounds worth of players is not enough for Chelsea football club.

That transfer ban can't come soon enough.

Wonder if it's a typical case of not having a fixed style and each new manager wanting his own players to do things his way?

This seems to be where Sunderland is having trouble with managers lately. Following a director of football and head coach model. Head coaches get pissed off by it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 11, 2023, 07:32:13 AM
I find there something weirdly sad about that given Poch's best work at Spurs where transfers were...restrained :lol:

He was the model of the coach finding and improving especially young players. I feel like PSG breaks managers :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 11, 2023, 08:01:12 AM
I get what he's saying. This Chelsea team definitely needs older experienced players to mentor the newer players. It's full of kids who have played like 100 minutes of top flight football each. It's no wonder they have been wildly inconsistent for two seasons in a row.

Now that they're going to miss European football again it's tough to see experienced, world class players come to Chelsea unless Boehly starts paying out Abramovich-level contracts. But that's not Todd's model so that's out the window. Missing Europe is really screwing them long term.

Pochettino is a good coach but he is hamstrung by terrible ownership above him and a dressing room used to failure. I don't think he stays in the job unless he gets what he wants.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 12, 2023, 04:10:42 AM
Violence in the European game is getting well out of control. The Turkish league has been suspended after the owner of Ankaragucu punched the referee in the face and his minions kicked him when on the ground. Games in Greece are to be played behind closed doors and there are lots of pretty bad incidents in France, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and elsewhere.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 12, 2023, 04:44:15 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 11, 2023, 08:01:12 AMI get what he's saying. This Chelsea team definitely needs older experienced players to mentor the newer players. It's full of kids who have played like 100 minutes of top flight football each. It's no wonder they have been wildly inconsistent for two seasons in a row.

Now that they're going to miss European football again it's tough to see experienced, world class players come to Chelsea unless Boehly starts paying out Abramovich-level contracts. But that's not Todd's model so that's out the window. Missing Europe is really screwing them long term.

Pochettino is a good coach but he is hamstrung by terrible ownership above him and a dressing room used to failure. I don't think he stays in the job unless he gets what he wants.

Man, at risk of being that guy trying to crowbar in my team everywhere this really does sound like Sunderland.  :lol:

Except the dressing room of failure. We've largely solved that one. And swap in promotion for Europe.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 12, 2023, 05:33:12 PM
Manchester United finish bottom of their CL group behind (respectfully) FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray.

Must be hard days indeed to be a United fan, especially seeing all your most hated historical rivals (Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City) doing so well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on December 12, 2023, 05:34:43 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 12, 2023, 05:33:12 PMManchester United finish bottom of their CL group behind (respectfully) FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray.

Must be hard days indeed to be a United fan, especially seeing all your most hated historical rivals (Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City) doing so well.

More importantly, FC Copenhagen is in the Champions League after defeating Galatasaray :showoff:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on December 12, 2023, 05:41:00 PM
On the Copenhagen - Galatasaray match...

When they played in Turkey, FCK was up 2 - 0, got a red card and Galatasarey scored twice in additional time for the tie.

At home just now, FCK was up 1 - 0 and got a red card in the 90th minute. However, Galatasaray did not manage to score.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 12, 2023, 05:48:26 PM
Quote from: Jacob on December 12, 2023, 05:34:43 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 12, 2023, 05:33:12 PMManchester United finish bottom of their CL group behind (respectfully) FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray.

Must be hard days indeed to be a United fan, especially seeing all your most hated historical rivals (Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City) doing so well.

More importantly, FC Copenhagen is in the Champions League after defeating Galatasaray :showoff:

:cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: bogh on December 13, 2023, 05:52:45 AM
Quote from: Jacob on December 12, 2023, 05:34:43 PMMore importantly, FC Copenhagen is in the Champions League after defeating Galatasaray :showoff:

 :showoff:

Our U19 team also won their Youth League group (against ManU, Gala and Bayern). Bodes well for future seasons.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on December 13, 2023, 12:56:28 PM
Quote from: bogh on December 13, 2023, 05:52:45 AM
Quote from: Jacob on December 12, 2023, 05:34:43 PMMore importantly, FC Copenhagen is in the Champions League after defeating Galatasaray :showoff:

 :showoff:

Our U19 team also won their Youth League group (against ManU, Gala and Bayern). Bodes well for future seasons.

Excellent... though I expect Man U and Bayern M will have more disposable cash to supplement the team beyond what they pull from the ranks of their U19 team :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on December 13, 2023, 12:58:13 PM
Are you guys following the drama in the Turkish league? The president of Ankaragücü (a top division club) punched a ref in the face during a match, with his staff kicking the man after he fell down. The league suspended matches for a week and "something" is apparently going to be done.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on December 13, 2023, 01:03:18 PM
The punch:
(https://asset.dr.dk/imagescaler/?protocol=https&server=smooth-storage.aptoma.no&file=%2Fusers%2Fdrf-dr%2Fimages%2F98091704.jpg%3Ft%255Bcrop%255D%255Bx%255D%3D0%26t%255Bcrop%255D%255By%255D%3D0%26t%255Bcrop%255D%255Bwidth%255D%3D1920%26t%255Bcrop%255D%255Bheight%255D%3D1080%26accessToken%3D5da2aa16310c70ef00a60e0196e26523411f844d5a383e28e3cf9cfad15337c9&scaleAfter=crop&quality=70&w=480&h=270)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 13, 2023, 01:09:10 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 12, 2023, 05:33:12 PMManchester United finish bottom of their CL group behind (respectfully) FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray.

Must be hard days indeed to be a United fan, especially seeing all your most hated historical rivals (Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City) doing so well.
I know this is mad and that football is literally the least karmically balanced thing in the world. But as someone who grew up with peak Sir Alex Ferguson Man United, I feel like their is just balancing.

Grief is the price we pay for love etc but for United fans :lol: :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on December 13, 2023, 05:42:09 PM
So FC Copenhagen is going to play one of the following teams:
I like our chances  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 14, 2023, 06:21:10 AM
Quote from: Jacob on December 13, 2023, 12:58:13 PMAre you guys following the drama in the Turkish league? The president of Ankaragücü (a top division club) punched a ref in the face during a match, with his staff kicking the man after he fell down. The league suspended matches for a week and "something" is apparently going to be done.
Apparently he's been arrested for assaulting a public official which I did not know included referees.

Although his explanation was pretty wild: "my aim was to react verbally to the referee and spit in his face. The slap I gave would not cause a fracture. After my slap, the referee threw himself on the ground. They immediately removed me from the scene because I have a heart condition" :lol:

I think he's now taking a more contrite approach.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 14, 2023, 07:07:42 AM
Quote from: Jacob on December 13, 2023, 05:42:09 PMSo FC Copenhagen is going to play one of the following teams:
  • Arsenal
  • Real Madrid
  • Real Sociedad
  • Atlético Madrid
  • Dortmund
  • Manchester City
  • FC Barcelona
I like our chances  :lol:

Pray/sacrifice to Odin to get Barça.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 16, 2023, 04:02:27 PM
City dropped points to Crystal Palace. Looking increasingly likely that they won't be making it four PL titles in a row.

So that leaves Liverpool and Arsenal as the next most likely teams.

I am going to feel so, so bad when Liverpool win it this season   :cry:  :cry:  :cry:  :cry:  :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 16, 2023, 04:04:26 PM
Game abandoned between Bournemouth and Luton after the Luton captain had a cardiac arrest. Apparently he's in hospital, responsive and doing well (as can be expected now). But absolutely horrible.

More frivolously, according to one of those stats accounts, Everton have won four games in a row without conceding a goal for the first time since 2002 - in David Moyes first season :lol: :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 17, 2023, 06:22:23 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 16, 2023, 04:02:27 PMI am going to feel so, so bad when Liverpool win it this season   :cry:  :cry:  :cry:  :cry:  :cry:

As a Liverpool fan, I can assure you, they will blow it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 17, 2023, 08:54:05 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 16, 2023, 04:04:26 PMMore frivolously, according to one of those stats accounts, Everton have won four games in a row without conceding a goal for the first time since 2002 - in David Moyes first season :lol: :ph34r:

(https://media.tenor.com/uVMgyX8qCikAAAAM/sean-dyche-smilesnow.gif)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 17, 2023, 11:42:23 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 16, 2023, 04:04:26 PMGame abandoned between Bournemouth and Luton after the Luton captain had a cardiac arrest. Apparently he's in hospital, responsive and doing well (as can be expected now). But absolutely horrible.

:

Is it just me or does this seem to happen somewhat frequently at top levels?
It's probably just the publicity high level football gets. But you don't hear about this sort of thing much in cricket or even lower down the leagues.
A good 3 or 4 high level examples in the past decade though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 17, 2023, 11:49:35 AM
Quote from: Josquius on December 17, 2023, 11:42:23 AMIs it just me or does this seem to happen somewhat frequently at top levels!
It's probably just the publicity high level football gets. But you don't hear about this sort of thing much in cricket or even lower down the leagues.
A good 3 or 4 high level examples in the past decade though.
Yes - that's actually something of a meme among anti-vaxx circles. "What is causing these very healthy young men to collapse/have cardiac arrests?"

In this case he had to be stretchered off at the playoffs last year for heart surgery. That this has happened again suggests, sadly, that he might need to retire.

Apparently there was a study done a few years ago that showed actually high level athletes are more at risk than expected.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 18, 2023, 08:21:06 AM
Quote from: Jacob on December 13, 2023, 05:42:09 PMSo FC Copenhagen is going to play one of the following teams:
  • Arsenal
  • Real Madrid
  • Real Sociedad
  • Atlético Madrid
  • Dortmund
  • Manchester City
  • FC Barcelona
I like our chances  :lol:
City :console:

They seem to be having more than Pep's usual winter funk....but I also trust them to work out a solution... :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 18, 2023, 08:22:17 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 17, 2023, 08:54:05 AM(https://media.tenor.com/uVMgyX8qCikAAAAM/sean-dyche-smilesnow.gif)
:lol: Slightly tied to the above post I have seen City fans online suggesting that their first game after the Club World Championship in Saudi is against Dyche's Everton which might not be idea.

Hope it snows.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on December 18, 2023, 02:38:25 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 18, 2023, 08:21:06 AMCity :console:

They're no Bayern Munich....
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on December 21, 2023, 06:43:00 AM
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67783970

QuoteEuropean Super League: Uefa and Fifa rules banning breakaway league unlawful, says court

Banning clubs from joining a European Super League was unlawful and Uefa and Fifa are "abusing a dominant position", the European Court of Justice has said.

It comes after a case was brought by the ESL and its backers claiming Uefa and Fifa were breaking competition law by threatening to sanction those who joined the breakaway league.

Europe's highest court found against the governing bodies.

It added that did not mean a breakaway league would "necessarily be approved".

On a hugely significant day for European football:

- Uefa said it was "confident in the robustness" of rules
- ESL backers A22 released revamped proposals
- Real Madrid said clubs were "masters of their own destiny"
- La Liga referred to the ESL as a "selfish and elitist model"

An initial report released last December by the ECJ said the rules of football's European and world governing bodies were "compatible with EU competition law".

The verdict will be seen as a blow to the authority of Uefa and Fifa and how they govern the game.

Uefa said it was "confident in the robustness" of rules it has brought in since the ESL was first proposed, and that it would "comply with all relevant European laws and regulations".

It added it trusted football's existing set-up would be "safeguarded against the threat of breakaways by European and national laws".

Barcelona - one of the initial 12 clubs to agree to the ESL - said the verdict "paved the way for a new competition".

And ESL backers A22 then released revamped proposals, which this time include a women's European tournament.

The plan would feature a league system with 64 clubs across three leagues in the men's competition, and 32 clubs across two leagues in the women's competition. Both would involve promotion and relegation.

The ESL had initially been intended to be a midweek competition consisting of two groups of 10 teams, followed by a play-off phase.

Anger grew when details emerged that the 12 founding clubs would never have to forfeit their places in the league, locking out all but five other clubs across the whole of Europe in the process, once another three founding clubs had been confirmed.

Fans protested that the ESL would be detrimental to leagues across Europe and that greed was the driving factor for clubs joining, with no consideration for supporters.

The report said that when new competitions are "potentially entering the market" Fifa and Uefa must ensure their powers are "transparent, objective, non-discriminatory and proportionate".

The report added: "However, the powers of Fifa and Uefa are not subject to any such criteria. Fifa and Uefa are, therefore, abusing a dominant position.

"Moreover, given their arbitrary nature, their rules on approval, control and sanctions must be held to be unjustified restrictions on the freedom to provide services.

"That does not mean that a competition such as the Super League project must necessarily be approved. The Court does not rule on that specific project in its judgment."

Bernd Reichart, chief executive of A22, wrote on X - formerly Twitter - that the ESL "have won the right to exist".

He added: "Uefa's monopoly is over. Football is free. Clubs are now free from the threat of sanctions and free to determine their own future.

"For fans: we offer free broadcasting of all Superleague matches. For clubs: Income and solidarity expenses will be guaranteed."

The ESL saga began in April 2021 when news broke that 12 teams - including English teams Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham - had signed up to the breakaway competition.

There was widespread fury and condemnation from fans, other European leagues and even government, leading to the collapse of the plans within 72 hours.

The six Premier League clubs plus Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan and AC Milan were fined by Uefa, but action against Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus was halted during the legal process, although Juventus signalled their intention to quit the project in July.

The ESL has not been scrapped completely, however, with Real Madrid and Barcelona remaining interested in pursuing the venture.

Real welcomed the ruling, saying clubs will now be the "masters of their own destiny".

"It is a great day for the history of football and for the history of sports," a statement added.

Meanwhile, Spain's La Liga said European football had "spoken".

The statement said: "Today, more than ever, we reiterate that the "Super League" is a selfish and elitist model.

"Anything that is not fully open, with direct access only through the domestic leagues, season by season, is a closed format."

No-one expected this judgement to be so powerful
Analysis from Simon Stone, BBC Sport

This judgement is a massive blow to Uefa and Fifa and their authority to govern the game.

The wording of the ruling from the 15-strong Grand Chamber is damning.

It says their structures mean there is no way of checking whether their operations are 'transparent, objective, non-discriminatory and proportionate'.

It says the rules around commercial rights are anti-competitive.

This does not mean a European Super League is coming. For the English clubs in particular a lot of bad blood was created by the ill-fated launch of the project in 2021. Unpicking that, certainly in the short-term, will not be easy.

However, those who have pushed the project now know they can go away and speak to who they want, when they want, about a vision for European football that suits them, and Uefa and Fifa will have to work with them or risk losing their power.

No-one, including Uefa and Fifa, expected this judgement to be so powerful.

The ramifications will be felt for a long time to come.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on December 21, 2023, 06:44:18 AM
Some call this already bigger than the Bosman ruling (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bosman_ruling) in the 90s.

:unsure:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 21, 2023, 06:58:01 AM
Yeah I think that's fair - although the Bosman ruling didn't really have much of an impact in practice. Not sure if the same will apply here.

To be honest I thought there were literal carve-outs from competition (and employment) law for football/professional sports. Because the CJEU's obviously right on an analysis of competition law. But I'd query if that is the correct approach to take to sport.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on December 21, 2023, 07:05:46 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 21, 2023, 06:58:01 AMYeah I think that's fair - although the Bosman ruling didn't really have much of an impact in practice. Not sure if the same will apply here.

Dunno, getting rid of end of contract transfer fees and ruling that leagues couldn't regulate the number of (EU) foreigners on teams because they violated free movement of labor was pretty big, esp. after the EU expanded significantly in 2004. Made room for more non-EU players (South America, Africa, Asia ... ) and IMO changed squad compositions quite a bit.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 21, 2023, 07:13:15 AM
Fair on those points I take that back - I was thinking more that the players who followed Bosman's steps are relatively limited. But I don't think it massively tilited things in the favour of players as, from my understanding, was the expectation/fear at the time. Things have tilted to the players but I think more for other reasons - and the clubs are still far stronger.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on December 21, 2023, 07:33:44 AM
 :yeah:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 21, 2023, 07:41:57 AM
When I stop to think about it, It still seems really weird to me that teams can buy and sell players. Parsing this out of the football world... It just makes no sense, surely would fall foul of various laws.

European super league ruling - ouch. Score one for the brexit brigade. The potential conspiracies loom large
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 21, 2023, 07:45:07 AM
Quote from: Josquius on December 21, 2023, 07:41:57 AMWhen I stop to think about it, It still seems really weird to me that teams can buy and sell players. Parsing this out of the football world... It just makes no sense, surely would fall foul of various laws.
Yeah I think about this every transfer window. On a rational level it's all so fucking weird and so counter to 90% of labour law. But here we are - and it's difficult to see it working in another way :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 21, 2023, 07:45:57 AM
Some teams are built around it. The whole portuguese league, for example :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 21, 2023, 07:47:32 AM
Quote from: HVC on December 21, 2023, 07:45:57 AMSome teams are built around it. The whole portuguese league, for example :lol:

Portugal.
The historic leading nation in the trans Atlantic slave trade due to its Brazilian colonies :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 21, 2023, 07:49:35 AM
They're not selling players, they're selling contracts. Totally different :P

And much like the past, England is one of their best customers ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 21, 2023, 07:54:00 AM
Quote from: HVC on December 21, 2023, 07:49:35 AMThey're not selling players, they're selling contracts. Totally different :P

And much like the past, England is one of their best customers ;)
I feel like there's normally a Spanish step in between. A slow acclimatisation from Brazil - first Portugal, then Spain, then the Satanic football mills of Manchester.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on December 21, 2023, 08:13:22 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 21, 2023, 07:45:07 AM
Quote from: Josquius on December 21, 2023, 07:41:57 AMWhen I stop to think about it, It still seems really weird to me that teams can buy and sell players. Parsing this out of the football world... It just makes no sense, surely would fall foul of various laws.
Yeah I think about this every transfer window. On a rational level it's all so fucking weird and so counter to 90% of labour law. But here we are - and it's difficult to see it working in another way :lol:

It strikes me as even weirder in some American leagues, like MLB. "Hey Billie and Jack, pack your things, you need to get on the plane to Toronto. We got a new pitcher from them, and traded you away. They expect both of you to play for them tomorrow."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 21, 2023, 08:22:53 AM
Yeah - I think professional sports is just incredibly weird when you think about it in terms of labour law and worker's rights. The trade off at the top - particularly in the US I suppose - is the incredible rewards. But strange to think it's happening in, say, League Two. I think there the average salary is around £125k which is a lot higher than average but doesn't feel high enough for me to live a life of footballer luxury or commit to a five year contract at one place etc. It's so weird.

Although in the US I think free agency is a bigger deal - which is the thing that I think people expected the Bosman ruling to do in Europe but didn't quite turn out in that way.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 21, 2023, 08:58:43 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 21, 2023, 08:22:53 AMYeah - I think professional sports is just incredibly weird when you think about it in terms of labour law and worker's rights. The trade off at the top - particularly in the US I suppose - is the incredible rewards. But strange to think it's happening in, say, League Two. I think there the average salary is around £125k which is a lot higher than average but doesn't feel high enough for me to live a life of footballer luxury or commit to a five year contract at one place etc. It's so weird.

Although in the US I think free agency is a bigger deal - which is the thing that I think people expected the Bosman ruling to do in Europe but didn't quite turn out in that way.
I guess to consider there is where you're coming from. Educated professional with a decently well off background isn't the usual profile of footballers. When you're from a sink estate where most people you grew up with struggle to do anything, many sign their lives away to the military for years, and so on, then 100k a year but you have to live in Milton Keynes isn't a terrible course.

Though you definitely do get players at lower levels who retire super early, like early 20s, deciding to do other things than football-evidently they see the big bucks of the Premier league will never be theirs so they make a rational choice to go into a normal life, that though less well paid for 10years does have other advantages.

Also... Yeah. Location is a big thing even at the top leagues. Sunderland was once considering moving it's training base to London to better attract players (insanity) as we lost out more than a few who'd rather go to lesser teams but within spitting distance of London.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 21, 2023, 09:20:43 AM
To be completely honest, I've come around on the super league. I want it to work out.

I'm tired of UEFA and FIFA. I'm tired of nation-states buying success. I'm tired of the English FA and PGMOL. We have a chance now to remake the world anew and I'm here for it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 21, 2023, 10:09:09 AM
Quote from: Josquius on December 21, 2023, 08:58:43 AMI guess to consider there is where you're coming from. Educated professional with a decently well off background isn't the usual profile of footballers. When you're from a sink estate where most people you grew up with struggle to do anything, many sign their lives away to the military for years, and so on, then 100k a year but you have to live in Milton Keynes isn't a terrible course.

Though you definitely do get players at lower levels who retire super early, like early 20s, deciding to do other things than football-evidently they see the big bucks of the Premier league will never be theirs so they make a rational choice to go into a normal life, that though less well paid for 10years does have other advantages.

Also... Yeah. Location is a big thing even at the top leagues. Sunderland was once considering moving it's training base to London to better attract players (insanity) as we lost out more than a few who'd rather go to lesser teams but within spitting distance of London.
Oh sure - it's a lot of money. I just mean that £125k a year is not a private jets and luxury homes in Cheshire/Surrey lifestyle. So that bit of the trade-off of the weirdness of football isn't therre.

But you're still tied for quite a long time to a single employer who, aside from location, may do well or badly, may bring in colleagues or bosses that you hate/love and there's really not much you can do about it. If those things happen in a normal job - you look for something else. And at some point one summer or January if they decide it makes sense they may basically make you (and your partner and kids) move somewhere else entirely. 

It's a really, really weird system. I think the trade off - certainly in US sports and at the Premier League level - is that you earn a lot of money so it sort of balances out. Just not sure the extent to which that works lower down the pyramid - but also not sure what an alternative could be thinking of things like sporting integrity, having a squad etc.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 21, 2023, 10:17:04 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 21, 2023, 09:20:43 AMTo be completely honest, I've come around on the super league. I want it to work out.

I'm tired of UEFA and FIFA. I'm tired of nation-states buying success. I'm tired of the English FA and PGMOL. We have a chance now to remake the world anew and I'm here for it.

It makes too much money to ever go back. Gonna need a world war or something.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 21, 2023, 10:21:22 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 21, 2023, 10:09:09 AMIt's a really, really weird system. I think the trade off - certainly in US sports and at the Premier League level - is that you earn a lot of money so it sort of balances out. Just not sure the extent to which that works lower down the pyramid - but also not sure what an alternative could be thinking of things like sporting integrity, having a squad etc.

In the US you either make it or you don't. Sure there's minor leagues, but nothing like the purgatory of hope that soccer has. Think it makes the life of a tradable commodity more equitable.

Question for euro hockey, is it set up like in NA with main teams and farm teams, or like soccer with different leagues and relegation. I know a lot of players who can't make it here go to Europe, so got curious.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 21, 2023, 10:26:24 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 21, 2023, 09:20:43 AMTo be completely honest, I've come around on the super league. I want it to work out.

I'm tired of UEFA and FIFA. I'm tired of nation-states buying success. I'm tired of the English FA and PGMOL. We have a chance now to remake the world anew and I'm here for it.
I get a lot of this but in a weird way it makes me like the competitions that are least like a Super League more. I've really enjoyed the Europa League and European Conference League precisely because they seem like a good mix of teams, there's different styles and fun days out for fans. It seems to me like that's where what European football "should be" to me is happening.

A Super League is just more of what's already happening in the Champion's League. Barca v Real v PSG v City v Bayern v Juventus stamping on the human face forever.

It's why I wish Kobenhavn and PSV all the very best.

It's also why my proposed solution to European football isn't a super-league but conferences - probably on North-South lines (not sure what to do with France) or East-West. So on one side you have the English and German teams but also the Baltics, Nordics, Benelux, Poland, Czechia etc; on the other Spanish and Italians but also Portuguese, Balkan etc. Chances are you'd still get an English/German v Spanish/Italian (and French wherever they fall) final - but there'd be the potential for more fun routes there and more of a possibility that a club from outside those leagues does a run. Plus multiple "finals" which should please UEFA.

QuoteIn the US you either make it or you don't. Sure there's minor leagues, but nothing like the purgatory of hope that soccer has. Think it makes the life of a tradable commodity more equitable.
Yeah and then you do get the odd story like Jamie Vardy from League 2 to Premier League champion or Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu at Luton who's gone with the same club from non-league to Premier League, which is extraordinary. Football is very good at hope (that will not be fulfilled) :lol: :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 21, 2023, 10:30:46 AM
The comparable likelihood for the nhl is being pulled from the fan seats to play goalie for a game when both goalies on the team get injured. Which does happen very very rarely and fans love. Unless your team loses to the beer league guy. Stupid leafs <_<

*edit* but that guys not being pulled along by hope of making it big. I don't even know if he gets paid to attend games, but he's there just in case :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 21, 2023, 10:34:54 AM
Quote from: HVC on December 21, 2023, 10:30:46 AMThe comparable likelihood for the nhl is being pulled from the fan seats to play goalie for a game when both goalies on the team get injured. Which does happen very very rarely and fans love. Unless your team loses to the beer league guy. Stupid leafs <_<
:lol:

This is like when a team has made all their substitutes and their goalie has to come off (red card or injury) and one of the outfield players has to put on the gloves. And I love it :lol:

I think Giroud had to do it recently in a Milan game and actually acquitted himself pretty well - https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2023/oct/09/giroud-goes-in-goal-shuts-eyes-saves-day-milan-serie-a.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 21, 2023, 10:41:18 AM
They need a rule where in random games, a random fan from the stands is picked to be the center ref.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 21, 2023, 10:48:20 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 21, 2023, 10:34:54 AM
Quote from: HVC on December 21, 2023, 10:30:46 AMThe comparable likelihood for the nhl is being pulled from the fan seats to play goalie for a game when both goalies on the team get injured. Which does happen very very rarely and fans love. Unless your team loses to the beer league guy. Stupid leafs <_<
:lol:

This is like when a team has made all their substitutes and their goalie has to come off (red card or injury) and one of the outfield players has to put on the gloves. And I love it :lol:

I think Giroud had to do it recently in a Milan game and actually acquitted himself pretty well - https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2023/oct/09/giroud-goes-in-goal-shuts-eyes-saves-day-milan-serie-a.

Just want to say this guys a good sports writer. You can feel his excitement.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 21, 2023, 10:52:54 AM
Yeah part of a team of some very good writers the Guardian has for some European leagues. I love Sid Lowe on Spain and her on Italy - two of my favourite sports writers. Not sure who they've got for Germany :hmm:

On the podcast it's normally her, Sid, Archie Rhind-Tutt on Germany and Philippe Auclair on France and they're very good.

Edit: Eg Sid Lowe being great too - https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/dec/21/antoine-griezmann-makes-atletico-history-to-complete-redemption-story-la-liga
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 21, 2023, 10:54:43 AM
Oopsie. she's a good sports writer.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on December 21, 2023, 10:59:42 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 21, 2023, 09:20:43 AMTo be completely honest, I've come around on the super league. I want it to work out.

I'm tired of UEFA and FIFA. I'm tired of nation-states buying success. I'm tired of the English FA and PGMOL. We have a chance now to remake the world anew and I'm here for it.

I agree with you about "nation-states buying success", but how is a hypothetical super league going to change that? It'll only mean that the whatever oil-sheikhdom buys a super league club will have their investments better protected because they don't have to worry about making the CL.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on December 21, 2023, 11:10:57 AM
Quote from: Jacob on December 21, 2023, 10:59:42 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 21, 2023, 09:20:43 AMTo be completely honest, I've come around on the super league. I want it to work out.

I'm tired of UEFA and FIFA. I'm tired of nation-states buying success. I'm tired of the English FA and PGMOL. We have a chance now to remake the world anew and I'm here for it.

I agree with you about "nation-states buying success", but how is a hypothetical super league going to change that? It'll only mean that the whatever oil-sheikhdom buys a super league club will have their investments better protected because they don't have to worry about making the CL.

... which means they can put more money into it, because there's less risk involved, meaning they might be able to drain the "legacy leagues" of talent.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 21, 2023, 11:50:28 AM
Quote from: Jacob on December 21, 2023, 10:59:42 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 21, 2023, 09:20:43 AMTo be completely honest, I've come around on the super league. I want it to work out.

I'm tired of UEFA and FIFA. I'm tired of nation-states buying success. I'm tired of the English FA and PGMOL. We have a chance now to remake the world anew and I'm here for it.

I agree with you about "nation-states buying success", but how is a hypothetical super league going to change that? It'll only mean that the whatever oil-sheikhdom buys a super league club will have their investments better protected because they don't have to worry about making the CL.

Honestly I don't know and what you say makes complete sense so I must rethink my support  :P

But I think where most of my frustration lies is with how little UEFA/FIFA/the English PL seems to care about protecting the game and its players. Their rhetoric about protecting traditional football league structure is laughable considering who they are and what they've done.

At the end of the day I just want what's best for the game (and for Arsenal Football Club  :P)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on December 21, 2023, 11:53:01 AM
To me it seems primarily a fight about who gets to control and get the major share of revenue streams like in most other businesses. That it happens to be football is coincidental. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 21, 2023, 11:55:19 AM
Quote from: HVC on December 21, 2023, 10:21:22 AMQuestion for euro hockey, is it set up like in NA with main teams and farm teams, or like soccer with different leagues and relegation. I know a lot of players who can't make it here go to Europe, so got curious.

If you are looking for that, then the KHL would have been your thing. Problem is, it was mostly Russian and that's a problem since 2022.

Otherwise, it's mostly like football with some teams playing in another country, such as a South Tyrol/Upper Adige team  playing in Austria's EBEL  :P  , along with a Slovenian and a Hungarian club. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 21, 2023, 02:50:01 PM
To bring this thread properly back to Arsenal, yesterday was the four year anniversary of Mikel Arteta's appointment as manager of our esteemed club.

Below was my prophetic response from back then:

Quote from: FunkMonk on December 20, 2019, 12:52:40 PMArsenal have appointed Mikel Arteta's immaculate hair as their head coach and I'm chuffed.

How did I know he was the man to take Arsenal back to its proper place as one of the favorites to win the league? I don't know but I guess you can consider me a footballing Nostradamus.

Also please ignore the several times I called for his sacking here in this very thread. Obviously I was being overly emotional, as all football fans tend to be.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 21, 2023, 02:53:39 PM
Arsenal fans emotional and knee-jerky :o

Edit: That also means it's about 4 years since we appointed Ancelotti and shortly afterwards in the covid season had James Rodriguez join and play fabulously, which I still can only really understand as some sort of fever dream (helped by the fact that most of it was played behind closed doors). Followed by Rafa Benitez :bleeding: Followed by Frank Lampard :lol: :weep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 21, 2023, 03:06:34 PM
:lol: :console:

I remember thinking that maybe we might go for Ancelotti after Emery flamed out, just to have someone with real experience come to right the ship. I think Arteta was my second choice iirc.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on December 21, 2023, 07:50:11 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on December 21, 2023, 09:20:43 AMTo be completely honest, I've come around on the super league. I want it to work out.

I'm tired of UEFA and FIFA. I'm tired of nation-states buying success. I'm tired of the English FA and PGMOL. We have a chance now to remake the world anew and I'm here for it.

Welcome to the correct side.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on December 21, 2023, 09:46:00 PM
The Super League is definitely dead in England (I think). The visceral response from the teams' own fans made sure of that.

Without English teams, it'd make for a lame league at best, especially if PSG and Bayern Munich are still very opposed to it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on December 21, 2023, 10:47:57 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 21, 2023, 10:26:24 AMA Super League is just more of what's already happening in the Champion's League. Barca v Real v PSG v City v Bayern v Juventus stamping on the human face forever.

It's why I wish Kobenhavn and PSV all the very best.

Yeah, the non-super clubs making runs is what makes the CL interesting IMO. The Super League would lower the chances for that - and it seems, make it impossible for non-status clubs to gain "permanent membership" in the top tier. That's complete garbage IMO.

If they completely cut the national leagues and their teams, then sure. Do your own European Football Franchise Organization or whatever, and leave the rest of the teams to compete in a classic system. Otherwise, if they want to stay connected with the rest of the teams then top tier-play should be earned every season rather than grandfathered in because this particular club is doing well right now.

QuoteIt's also why my proposed solution to European football isn't a super-league but conferences - probably on North-South lines (not sure what to do with France) or East-West. So on one side you have the English and German teams but also the Baltics, Nordics, Benelux, Poland, Czechia etc; on the other Spanish and Italians but also Portuguese, Balkan etc. Chances are you'd still get an English/German v Spanish/Italian (and French wherever they fall) final - but there'd be the potential for more fun routes there and more of a possibility that a club from outside those leagues does a run. Plus multiple "finals" which should please UEFA

That sounds reasonable to me. The main thing I objected to with the Super League was the almost closed shop "protect our investment" organization that still wanted to benefit from the national leagues while relegating every other club to second tier status on a permanent basis. That is in my eyes antithetical to the heart of club football.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 21, 2023, 10:54:20 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on December 21, 2023, 09:46:00 PMThe Super League is definitely dead in England (I think). The visceral response from the teams' own fans made sure of that.
Yeah. Also following that the government commissioned an independent review, it recommends a football regulator which the government has said they'll legislate for this year (whether they get it done before the election is another question, but it has cross-party support).  The government today issued a statement that the regulator will have the power to stop any clubs breaking away.

The threat of an independent regulator (according to conspiracy theories) partly explains the Everton points deduction. It was a last desperate attempt by football to show it could self-regulate.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on December 22, 2023, 02:57:20 AM
Ah cross-party support to protect UEFAs monopoly. It is truly heart-warming. The whole furor over the super league was vomit-inducing, all the high ideas spouted and clueless fans rallied by them to defend the disgusting cesspool that is UEFA.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 22, 2023, 09:13:28 AM
Quote from: Tamas on December 22, 2023, 02:57:20 AMAh cross-party support to protect UEFAs monopoly. It is truly heart-warming. The whole furor over the super league was vomit-inducing, all the high ideas spouted and clueless fans rallied by them to defend the disgusting cesspool that is UEFA.

Yep. The super league will definately be a grass roots led organisation devoted to protecting the integrity of the game and the fans that actually go to matches and will be entirely uninterested in securing the income streams of billionaire club owners.

Seriously you guys should get into American sports if you don't like meritocracy and think its your club's god-given right to European big league football every season. Because the people who actually go to games sure as hell don't agree with you.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 22, 2023, 09:29:07 AM
Yep.
A European super league as a top level of football, with promotion and relegation with the domestic leagues, would in theory be great.
In practice of course pretty unworkable for a variety of reasons.

But a closed shop of the same top 20 every year... Pff.
I'm doubtful most fans would have the integrity to avoid it either - as that would be great.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 22, 2023, 10:01:36 AM
Yeah I think someone gave the example of Girona (not a minnow - part of the City Group) who have been leading La Liga most of this year and are currently in second. My understanding is that even under the revised Super League plans they wouldn't actually play in the Super League until 2026/7 by which point you imagine a lot of the team that's been doing well will have moved on.

It's all about protectinng the incumbents - so they can still enjoy their privileges even if they experience a Todd Boehly sized disaster :lol: :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 22, 2023, 10:31:29 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 22, 2023, 10:01:36 AMIt's all about protectinng the incumbents - so they can still enjoy their privileges even if they experience a Todd Boehly sized disaster :lol: :ph34r:

I don't see how privilege enters into it.  If the superleague draws richer ratings its either because of superior play or because of sex appeal/name recognition.  Both of those are attributes earned by the teams.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on December 22, 2023, 10:36:09 AM
Quote from: Gups on December 22, 2023, 09:13:28 AM
Quote from: Tamas on December 22, 2023, 02:57:20 AMAh cross-party support to protect UEFAs monopoly. It is truly heart-warming. The whole furor over the super league was vomit-inducing, all the high ideas spouted and clueless fans rallied by them to defend the disgusting cesspool that is UEFA.

Yep. The super league will definately be a grass roots led organisation devoted to protecting the integrity of the game and the fans that actually go to matches and will be entirely uninterested in securing the income streams of billionaire club owners.

Seriously you guys should get into American sports if you don't like meritocracy and think its your club's god-given right to European big league football every season. Because the people who actually go to games sure as hell don't agree with you.

My point is that football (professional certainly) is a form of entertainment. Attaching various high ideas to it results in disgusting environments like all these high and mighty ideas being in UEFA's and FIFA's custody.

I am not pro-Super League. I am anti-UEFA. Like with every  commercial enterprise competition can only be good for their customers, the fans.

Also, you guys clearly missed the last announcement by this whatever TV company that's still bigly behind the Super League that they are planning an A and B league with something like 48 teams in total, with relegation and promotion, and free streaming of matches through their app.

Which I hope they manage to pull off because the hypocrisy of the fans crying out against it but still unable to resist Champions League - level matches available for free, will be delicious.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on December 22, 2023, 10:38:56 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 22, 2023, 10:31:29 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 22, 2023, 10:01:36 AMIt's all about protectinng the incumbents - so they can still enjoy their privileges even if they experience a Todd Boehly sized disaster :lol: :ph34r:

I don't see how privilege enters into it.  If the superleague draws richer ratings its either because of superior play or because of sex appeal/name recognition.  Both of those are attributes earned by the teams.

It is very important, even though the sport is absolutely proliferated with third world dictator-money to a ridiculous degree, that we maintain a facade of grassroots spirits where the plucky underdogs, players and teams, can rise from the amateur leagues to the first line without hindrance, because this is a NOBLE SPORT, and defo not a form of entertainment moving amounts of money simply unfathomable to the average person.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on December 22, 2023, 11:17:08 AM
If there's a scheme of relegation and promotion that is fair and proper then I don't have a problem with some sort of European level tier with frequent matches. It's the "the founding clubs will never be relegated" and "only a tiny number of non-founding clubs will be invited to join" thing that is vomit inducing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 22, 2023, 11:21:32 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 22, 2023, 10:31:29 AMI don't see how privilege enters into it.  If the superleague draws richer ratings its either because of superior play or because of sex appeal/name recognition.  Both of those are attributes earned by the teams.
It's basically a closed shop of the top teams currently that is very difficult to break into or fall out of (relegation and promotion are seriously restricted). It's establishing the top teams at this point basically as an aristocracy.

It's freezing this moment in time and making it more or less permanent.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 22, 2023, 11:24:39 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 22, 2023, 11:21:32 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 22, 2023, 10:31:29 AMI don't see how privilege enters into it.  If the superleague draws richer ratings its either because of superior play or because of sex appeal/name recognition.  Both of those are attributes earned by the teams.
It's basically a closed shop of the top teams currently that is very difficult to break into or fall out of (relegation and promotion are seriously restricted). It's establishing the top teams at this point basically as an aristocracy.

It's freezing this moment in time and making it more or less permanent.

I think many casual or non soccer fans wouldn't see the issue with that. It's how it works here across the pond.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 22, 2023, 11:28:05 AM
I just assume tamas' support is a roundabout way to try to get Russian money flowing back into his team :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on December 22, 2023, 11:31:51 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 22, 2023, 10:31:29 AMI don't see how privilege enters into it.  If the superleague draws richer ratings its either because of superior play or because of sex appeal/name recognition.  Both of those are attributes earned by the teams.

As it stands now, playing at the European level is something that is earned by good play in the preceding year. Under the defunct super league proposal, that would not be the case for the founding club - they would stay in no matter how well or poorly played.

It'd be a bit if the top 3 NBA teams in the last few years managed to create a rule where they got three out of four semi-final spots in the playoffs because they're the most popular and best teams right now.

I suppose you don't have to call that "privilege" if you like, but it is antithetical to the notion to the notion of competition which many of us consider essential to sport.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 22, 2023, 11:38:35 AM
Quote from: Jacob on December 22, 2023, 11:31:51 AMI suppose you don't have to call that "privilege" if you like, but it is antithetical to the notion to the notion of competition which many of us consider essential to sport.
Also I said "privileges" - ie they have an automatic berth in a league that others have to compete to enter (through coefficients - the most thrilling of sporting prospects). Not "privilege" in a "check your..." kind of way.

I'd add that I think it's impossible to see German football signing up to this given the way the teams are governed there. England also looks very difficult. I know Real, Barcelona and Juve are very keen but it looks difficult.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on December 22, 2023, 11:38:45 AM
Quote from: HVC on December 22, 2023, 11:24:39 AMI think many casual or non soccer fans wouldn't see the issue with that. It's how it works here across the pond.

If the "super" clubs wanted to break off and form their completely own league isolated from the regular national leagues that be uncool but fine. What they wanted was to continue playing in the national league (and cups) while also starting their own exclusive super tournament that they'd never fail out of.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 22, 2023, 11:50:45 AM
Quote from: Jacob on December 22, 2023, 11:38:45 AMIf the "super" clubs wanted to break off and form their completely own league isolated from the regular national leagues that be uncool but fine. What they wanted was to continue playing in the national league (and cups) while also starting their own exclusive super tournament that they'd never fail out of.
Yeah and you can see the point right now from the domestic league's position. At the minute basically if you get in the top 8 there is probably some sort of European football (for now, coefficient pending). That earns clubs a good amount of money (especially if they're not one of the standard top 6-7). Right now that includes Villa in 2nd and Brighton in 8th. From my understanding of the new A22 system it's unlikely either of those clubs would get European Super League football next season even if they carried on doing well.

That incentive is part of what makes the Premier League competitive, which is part of what makes it an attractive prospect when they're selling the TV rights. I don't really think it's possible to have this type of European league at the top without I think seriously undermining the domestic leagues (including their commercial potential) - because ultimately what's the point if there's no reward. You might as well just stay up bank the money - but it's pointless especially if you're not a fan of one of the blessed teams. Every side learns their place - just be mid-table. Best case scenario it leads to a lot more focus on domestic cups, maybe?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 22, 2023, 12:34:14 PM
Quote from: Tamas on December 22, 2023, 10:36:09 AM
Quote from: Gups on December 22, 2023, 09:13:28 AM
Quote from: Tamas on December 22, 2023, 02:57:20 AMAh cross-party support to protect UEFAs monopoly. It is truly heart-warming. The whole furor over the super league was vomit-inducing, all the high ideas spouted and clueless fans rallied by them to defend the disgusting cesspool that is UEFA.

Yep. The super league will definately be a grass roots led organisation devoted to protecting the integrity of the game and the fans that actually go to matches and will be entirely uninterested in securing the income streams of billionaire club owners.

Seriously you guys should get into American sports if you don't like meritocracy and think its your club's god-given right to European big league football every season. Because the people who actually go to games sure as hell don't agree with you.

My point is that football (professional certainly) is a form of entertainment. Attaching various high ideas to it results in disgusting environments like all these high and mighty ideas being in UEFA's and FIFA's custody.

I am not pro-Super League. I am anti-UEFA. Like with every  commercial enterprise competition can only be good for their customers, the fans.

Also, you guys clearly missed the last announcement by this whatever TV company that's still bigly behind the Super League that they are planning an A and B league with something like 48 teams in total, with relegation and promotion, and free streaming of matches through their app.

Which I hope they manage to pull off because the hypocrisy of the fans crying out against it but still unable to resist Champions League - level matches available for free, will be delicious.

Yep. I'm sure they will be willing to allow RM to be relegated. Anyone can promise anything when they have no accountability to anyone.this is fundamentally the same group of people behind the previous debacle.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on December 22, 2023, 12:49:40 PM
I haven't read up on the new proposal, so I don't have an opinion on it yet.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on December 22, 2023, 10:33:18 PM
Quote from: Jacob on December 22, 2023, 11:38:45 AM
Quote from: HVC on December 22, 2023, 11:24:39 AMI think many casual or non soccer fans wouldn't see the issue with that. It's how it works here across the pond.

If the "super" clubs wanted to break off and form their completely own league isolated from the regular national leagues that be uncool but fine. What they wanted was to continue playing in the national league (and cups) while also starting their own exclusive super tournament that they'd never fail out of.

Yeah, the staying in the "normal" league bit is what makes it incongruous. Though I also get it - most big clubs have historic rivalries in their domestic leagues that tend to draw attention and money (e.g. Real v Barcelona, Bayern v Dortmund, etc.) that might otherwise disappear unless bot clubs move, not to mention outcry from fans about losing their traditional rivalries (esp. if it's against local clubs that are not top contenders at the moment).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on December 22, 2023, 10:41:07 PM
Oh I get why the "super" clubs want that, but I don't see why the rest should accept that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 22, 2023, 10:41:35 PM
The new proposal on the surface doesn't seem so bad. Just a replacement champions league with teams continuing to play in domestic competitions.

Given the history though colour me suspicious it might be a bait and switch. Also very unclear on how they intend promotion to work.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 22, 2023, 10:52:03 PM
Quote from: Jacob on December 22, 2023, 11:31:51 AMAs it stands now, playing at the European level is something that is earned by good play in the preceding year. Under the defunct super league proposal, that would not be the case for the founding club - they would stay in no matter how well or poorly played.

It'd be a bit if the top 3 NBA teams in the last few years managed to create a rule where they got three out of four semi-final spots in the playoffs because they're the most popular and best teams right now.

I suppose you don't have to call that "privilege" if you like, but it is antithetical to the notion to the notion of competition which many of us consider essential to sport.

Terrible analogy.  The Superleague wouldn't guarantee seedings in existing league titles.  They would create a stand alone entity.

Better analogy would be the Saudi LIV golf tour vs. the PGA.  Established name players get offered big signing bonuses to play LIV tournaments.

This is a throwaway observation, so don't take it too seriously, but it seems to me pro/con on the Superleague issue tends to fall out on club loyalty lines.  Big Six supporters somewhat pro, everyone else vehemently against.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on December 22, 2023, 11:02:01 PM
Plenty of (self-annointed) big six supporters were against the super league. Personally I think those are the real fans who know and love the sport as opposed to fairweather bandwagon fans.

In any case I believe you are wrong (and that's the crux of my objection). The super league teams were not to be self-contained - they would still play in the regular league and the super league would still offer a super slim offer of potential inclusion for regular teams.

If the super league teams just fucked off and played in their own sandbox that'd be okayish, but that was not the proposal. They wanted to position themselves as the international playoff for the regular league, with guaranteed spots for themselves.

Total garbage.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 23, 2023, 02:58:59 AM
Quote from: Jacob on December 22, 2023, 11:02:01 PMIf the super league teams just fucked off and played in their own sandbox that'd be okayish, but that was not the proposal. They wanted to position themselves as the international playoff for the regular league, with guaranteed spots for themselves.

And the antis are to dismiss their attempt at positioning.  Issue adjudicated.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on December 23, 2023, 05:40:46 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 22, 2023, 10:52:03 PM
Quote from: Jacob on December 22, 2023, 11:31:51 AMAs it stands now, playing at the European level is something that is earned by good play in the preceding year. Under the defunct super league proposal, that would not be the case for the founding club - they would stay in no matter how well or poorly played.

It'd be a bit if the top 3 NBA teams in the last few years managed to create a rule where they got three out of four semi-final spots in the playoffs because they're the most popular and best teams right now.

I suppose you don't have to call that "privilege" if you like, but it is antithetical to the notion to the notion of competition which many of us consider essential to sport.

Terrible analogy.  The Superleague wouldn't guarantee seedings in existing league titles.  They would create a stand alone entity.

Better analogy would be the Saudi LIV golf tour vs. the PGA.  Established name players get offered big signing bonuses to play LIV tournaments.

This is a throwaway observation, so don't take it too seriously, but it seems to me pro/con on the Superleague issue tends to fall out on club loyalty lines.  Big Six supporters somewhat pro, everyone else vehemently against.

The last proposal fell apart because of very strong opposition/protests from the supporters of the English clubs that were invited.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on December 23, 2023, 11:45:46 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 23, 2023, 02:58:59 AMAnd the antis are to dismiss their attempt at positioning.  Issue adjudicated.

I'm afraid I don't follow.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 23, 2023, 11:49:11 AM
Yeah there were impromptu protests against a super league in England by the fans of the English clubs that were included against their own clubs at their stadiums.

I think the divide within those fanbases is maybe a bit casuals more pro, more "committed" more anti.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on December 23, 2023, 12:51:16 PM
Saw the logo for next year's Euro 2024 for the first time today. I thought at first it was a spoof logo, because at first glance it looked like a toilet seat from above. :lol:  :blush:

(https://i.imgur.com/X5YuLIT.png)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on December 23, 2023, 03:30:31 PM
My first thought was some sort of Egyptian pharaoh head.

Not a fan of them including a Russian flag, nor of the exclusion of countries that don't have bar flags.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on December 23, 2023, 04:51:34 PM
That's not russia. It's either NL or FR. Pretty sure they wouldn't include Mordor since they've banned them from everything.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 23, 2023, 05:05:41 PM
Yeah I see Poland followd by france


*edit* actually Italy then france.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 23, 2023, 05:10:03 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 23, 2023, 05:05:41 PMYeah I see Poland followd by france


*edit* actually Italy then france.
Interesting - on left from bottom I see Germany, Hungry, Russia, Netherlands/France, Poland, Belgium, Romania, Estonia, Bulgaria, Ukraine and green :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 23, 2023, 05:13:28 PM
Hungary would be green white red, wouldn't it? What orientation do flags rotate, clockwise or counter? :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 23, 2023, 05:17:14 PM
And Russia is white blue red, right? That pattern doesn't appear on the toilet seat clockwise. Reading the colours counter clockwise seems counterintuitive, unless I guess you're Arabic or Hebrew
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 23, 2023, 05:22:47 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 23, 2023, 05:10:03 PMUkraine and green :lol:

Ivory cost? Colours not being true confuses it. Especially the greens and yellow/orange.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on December 23, 2023, 07:20:37 PM
You're assuming that any colour can only be used once and therefore unseeing the Russian flag.

At least there is no accidental swastika.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on December 23, 2023, 08:08:45 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 23, 2023, 05:13:28 PMHungary would be green white red, wouldn't it? What orientation do flags rotate, clockwise or counter? :hmm:

:ultra: its red white green wtf
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 23, 2023, 08:39:28 PM
Quote from: Tamas on December 23, 2023, 08:08:45 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 23, 2023, 05:13:28 PMHungary would be green white red, wouldn't it? What orientation do flags rotate, clockwise or counter? :hmm:

:ultra: its red white green wtf
:D

top to bottom yes, but once flipped what's the right sequence. I assume clockwise so green becomes first.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 23, 2023, 08:40:36 PM
Quote from: Jacob on December 23, 2023, 07:20:37 PMYou're assuming that any colour can only be used once and therefore unseeing the Russian flag.

At least there is no accidental swastika.



Fair point.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on December 23, 2023, 08:47:58 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 23, 2023, 05:17:14 PMAnd Russia is white blue red, right? That pattern doesn't appear on the toilet seat clockwise. Reading the colours counter clockwise seems counterintuitive, unless I guess you're Arabic or Hebrew

I'm not reading clockwise or counter clockwise. I'm reading up is up and down is down.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 23, 2023, 08:49:46 PM
Quote from: Jacob on December 23, 2023, 08:47:58 PMI'm not reading clockwise or counter clockwise. I'm reading up is up and down is down.
Same. Otherwise even the German flag isn't there.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 23, 2023, 09:57:13 PM
Quote from: Jacob on December 23, 2023, 11:45:46 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 23, 2023, 02:58:59 AMAnd the antis are to dismiss their attempt at positioning.  Issue adjudicated.

I'm afraid I don't follow.

s/b The antis are free to dismiss their attempts at positioning.

I.e. they're free to think of the existing Champions league as the real Champions league.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on December 24, 2023, 12:12:45 PM
https://x.com/Squawka/status/1738937648301924855?s=20
QuoteNo team has lost more Premier League games in 2023 than Chelsea (19). 🤯

Reminder: they spent £1bn on signings this year.

At this point I'm just feeling sorry for Chelsea. They're even worse than banter era Arsenal at its rock bottom.  :cry:  :cry:  :licklips:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 24, 2023, 02:57:07 PM
Why do Wolves fans boo Sterling?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on December 24, 2023, 03:10:07 PM
Good thing he posted the reminder on the 1 billion. I almost managed a day without reading that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 24, 2023, 03:54:45 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 24, 2023, 02:57:07 PMWhy do Wolves fans boo Sterling?
That started after he went down - in their view probably a bit easy/diving.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 24, 2023, 05:37:58 PM
Vibes of a rival to city group forming?
Ineos to take a controlling stake in Man Utd, already owning top division teams in France and Switzerland.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 24, 2023, 06:24:18 PM
Yeah definitely the new thing - RB as well. The proposed takeover of Everton (which sounds incredibly dodgy) is by a group that already owns/has big investments in clubs in, I think, Brazil, Belgium and Germany.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on December 24, 2023, 08:27:22 PM
Quote from: Tamas on December 24, 2023, 03:10:07 PMGood thing he posted the reminder on the 1 billion. I almost managed a day without reading that.
You can set up daily calender reminders so that ot doesn't happen in the future  :hug:  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on December 31, 2023, 08:50:19 AM
Went to watch the new play about Gareth Southgate, Dear England, starring Joseph Fiennes (who was excellent) - and I absolutely loved it :lol:

It was very good - and lovely crowd of a mix of people who I think just go to plays and don't really have much interest in football, and, say, a kid in a replica 90s Palace shirt and scarf.

I'm now emotionally invested in Gareth Southgate as manager in a way I wasn't before - but largely based on a fictional character being performed very well, but.... :lol: :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on January 01, 2024, 04:09:23 AM
It's convenient that football at the top level is becoming more hateful when Barça is shit at it  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 01, 2024, 07:45:34 AM
Arsenal lost badly to West Ham and Fulham and I hate to say it but it's probably curtains on a title this season. We're finished.  :cry:

Sort of reminds me of the second half of the Wenger era, where Arsenal would play well enough in the first half of the season to be called title contenders only to collapse later and settle for 4th. We have Arsenal back  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 01, 2024, 09:05:47 AM
Just don't let man city win again.
Fingers crossed for a fluke Aston villa win for a change.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 01, 2024, 09:52:36 AM
Quote from: Josquius on January 01, 2024, 09:05:47 AMJust don't let man city win again.
Fingers crossed for a fluke Aston villa win for a change.

Can't see Villa winning it but I can see them finishing 3rd or 4th.

Liverpool will win it. City will come back strong with de Bruyne finally returning but this City team is still well off their best.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 02, 2024, 04:07:32 AM
The FA Cup 3rd round this weekend.
By complete fluke Sunderland have been drawn against Newcastle Utd.
Big controversy in Sunderland with NUFC being assigned way more away fan tickets than is usual, taking over part of the stadium that has always been for home fans.
But the reason I post is I've heard something else.
In my home town is a working man's club that has been closed for a little while as it had a bit of bother with the police.
This Saturday it's going to be open just for the derby match.
£25 entry. All you can drink.
Now. At the best of times all you can drink for 2 hours is an insane idea in the UK.
In a dodgy club in a town which is basically 50-50 split between the fans of two arch-rival teams (the rivalry is often likened to Glasgow-Celtic for intensity despite the lack of a religious element), no doubt including some of the shittier fans of both....
I think my hometown will be on the news this weekend.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on January 02, 2024, 04:43:54 AM
In the FA Cup, away clubs are entitled to 15% of tickets - no such rule for nomral league games so it's almost always the case that the home side give up parts of the stadium that are usually for home fans.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 02, 2024, 09:11:21 AM
Quote from: Josquius on January 02, 2024, 04:07:32 AMThe FA Cup 3rd round this weekend.
By complete fluke Sunderland have been drawn against Newcastle Utd.
Big controversy in Sunderland with NUFC being assigned way more away fan tickets than is usual, taking over part of the stadium that has always been for home fans.
But the reason I post is I've heard something else.
In my home town is a working man's club that has been closed for a little while as it had a bit of bother with the police.
This Saturday it's going to be open just for the derby match.
£25 entry. All you can drink.
Now. At the best of times all you can drink for 2 hours is an insane idea in the UK.
In a dodgy club in a town which is basically 50-50 split between the fans of two arch-rival teams (the rivalry is often likened to Glasgow-Celtic for intensity despite the lack of a religious element), no doubt including some of the shittier fans of both....
I think my hometown will be on the news this weekend.

Newcastle haven't looked good at all this season. Are Sunderland ready to turn them over?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 17, 2024, 03:54:08 PM
The derby was a disaster. Aside from a few flashes of passion it didn't seem like a derby at all.


Posting as... So. Potential further ffp punishments for Everton and for Nottingham forest. Forest seem to have been Particularly disastrous in their rule breaking. Almost Sunderlandish in competence but with huge money.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 26, 2024, 07:05:22 AM
Klopp leaving Liverpool. Didn't see this coming. Strange time to make an announcement with the title on the line. Hearing that it has to do with him not caring to be part of a behind-the-scenes documentary thing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 26, 2024, 07:24:26 AM
That is a surprise.
Could have seen it happening maybe last year when it seemed that Liverpool team was over and there was nothing new on the horizon. This year they've really got going with the transition to a new team though and it has gone very well.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on January 26, 2024, 08:25:52 AM
Reckon they'll go for Xabi
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 26, 2024, 09:21:56 AM
O happy day  :lol:

Klopp OUT
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 26, 2024, 09:23:18 AM
They will definitely win the league this season now, though. Win it in his last season.

Feels a little crazy he has only won the league once in this Pep/Klopp era. Of course, going against a cheating nation state oil club with infinite resources and arguably the best manager in history, even once feels like a huge achievement.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on January 26, 2024, 09:28:54 AM
In managers, Sunderland's season seems to be over.
 Tony Mowbray was sacked at the end of last year.
He came in last season after our manager of the time, Alex Neil, was poached by Stoke (who he led to disaster) and did an excellent job, last day of the season squeezing us into the playoffs where we lost to Luton- though had the pitch been less wet and a few other things gone our way...but it wasn't to be.
This year he has been doing OK too. Hovering around the lower reaches of the playoff places.
Not great for sure, there was a particularly poor run of form leading up to the sacking. He seemed very out of ideas.
But overall what got him sacked was moaning about the team's model and insistence on only signing young players and not bringing in an experienced striker- our strikers have scored a total of 1 goal between them this season.

The caretaker manager did OK for a month, and then in came the new manager...
The rumours were of a guy called Will Still. Very young British manager doing well in the French division who got his start playing Football Manager. But apparently our chairman didn't want to pay the 250k release fee.
So we got.... Michael Beale. Currently unemployed after underwhelming at Glasgow Rangers having similarly done meh at QPR.
Lots of talk about that he's a great coach. But he just doesn't seem very good at all as a manager. Recent games have been a disaster. All fun has gone out of watching the team. The team themselves have zero passion. And the results are dire.
Less than 10 games in and everyone wants him out.
We'll be lucky to finish mid table, but worse we might scare away some of our great young players, as who wants to play in the current mess.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 27, 2024, 04:42:52 PM
Xavi out in the summer now too.

Manager carousel is going to be crazy this summer...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on January 28, 2024, 06:29:23 AM
Strangley been hearing rumours that Xavi was in Liverpool's sights as a replacement for Klopp
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on January 28, 2024, 12:52:13 PM
Quote from: Josephus on January 28, 2024, 06:29:23 AMStrangley been hearing rumours that Xavi was in Liverpool's sights as a replacement for Klopp

Doubt it. Hardly covered himself in glory.

Also, I know all football people are liars, etc... but he's always said that he'd never manage again once he left Barça. Pretty sure he'd keep to his word for at least a season...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on January 31, 2024, 05:39:08 PM
Liverpool demolished a clueless Chelsea. Have to say now that Klopp is leaving in the summer, the story of the season is set. They'll win the league and probably a cup or two and Klopp will ride off into the sunset.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 04, 2024, 03:35:18 PM
So looks like there will be a World Cup game in Toronto on my 60th birthday 😁
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on February 04, 2024, 03:51:13 PM
Nothing like feeling the disappointment up close :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 04, 2024, 06:58:33 PM
Quote from: HVC on February 04, 2024, 03:51:13 PMNothing like feeling the disappointment up close :D

I'm sure whatever game it is will be good.  Anybody but Portugal 😁
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on February 04, 2024, 08:42:59 PM
I'll get to be disappointed by two seperate teams in Toronto. Well, soccer teams anyway :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 05, 2024, 12:14:29 PM
After yesterday's humiliating defeat to Wolves it seems that a lot of the Chelsea fan base are shouting for Mourinho to return.  :ph34r:  :lol:

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 05, 2024, 08:10:45 PM
Please God.
sickos.jpg
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 05, 2024, 09:38:39 PM
 :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on February 06, 2024, 03:59:30 AM
 :lol:

I must say... I am tempted.  :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 06, 2024, 04:15:47 PM
Saw this today  :lmfao:

QuoteThe reason Blackburn's deal for Duncan McGuire didn't go through is because the club thought they clicked "submit paperwork" before the deadline, but they had actually only clicked "save".
https://x.com/secondtierpod/status/1754957066492404203?s=20
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 06, 2024, 04:21:10 PM
Will have to keep an eye out for a source on that as it's quite a great story I could use at work.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 08, 2024, 04:38:18 AM
Completely passed me by until now but it seems new Sunderland till I die comes out next week :w00t:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on February 08, 2024, 11:11:18 AM
Blue card huh? That's um... yeah.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on February 08, 2024, 11:15:25 AM
Quote from: HVC on February 08, 2024, 11:11:18 AMBlue card huh? That's um... yeah.

Well it seems very hockey-like, which is always a good thing. :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on February 08, 2024, 11:17:23 AM
Quote from: Barrister on February 08, 2024, 11:15:25 AM
Quote from: HVC on February 08, 2024, 11:11:18 AMBlue card huh? That's um... yeah.

Well it seems very hockey-like, which is always a good thing. :D

I await body checks and fistfights :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on February 08, 2024, 11:19:35 AM
Quote from: HVC on February 08, 2024, 11:11:18 AMBlue card huh? That's um... yeah.

What's this?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on February 08, 2024, 11:23:25 AM
Quote from: Jacob on February 08, 2024, 11:19:35 AM
Quote from: HVC on February 08, 2024, 11:11:18 AMBlue card huh? That's um... yeah.

What's this?

Some new rule being tested out. For eventual full adoption as I see it.  Halfway between Yellow and red. A time out a la hockey, as BB mentioned. A combination of two cards with or without a yellow means a red.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on February 08, 2024, 11:25:32 AM
Where is it being tested out?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on February 08, 2024, 11:29:48 AM
Wales already, apparently. Couldn't use a blue card so they just used yellow with the penalty box rule. Going to be rolled out more but not mentioned where. Telegraph leak for a supposed Friday announcement.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2024/02/08/blue-cards-to-be-introduced-for-football-sin-bins/
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on February 08, 2024, 11:30:06 AM
Quote from: Jacob on February 08, 2024, 11:25:32 AMWhere is it being tested out?

It's being tested out in grassroots football in Wales - and apparently will be tried in FA Cup Matches.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-13061707/Football-set-hand-referees-BLUE-CARD-new-colour-card-widely-used-50-years-revolutionary-new-rules.html
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 08, 2024, 12:26:29 PM
My problem with issuing cards for dissent is you are expecting players in highly charged and emotional situations to behave like monks. There is a line between disagreeing vehemently with a decision and threatening a referee. I don't think most referees are capable of making this judgment, especially because they themselves are in the middle of these highly charged and emotional matches.

The real solution is having more highly trained referees, but that is more long term. In the short term I am skeptical about these blue cards alleviating problems with cynical fouling and dissent and will probably just give referees more opportunities to make bad judgments.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 08, 2024, 12:33:13 PM
I also think they should make sure all of the last round of changes are working as planned before making any further changes - like let's get VAR working first :lol:

Separately it feels like they're trying to get rid of shithousery which is a real shame. Mad that we may not actually talk about the Messi or Ronaldo games that we watched, but seeing Sergio Ramos before he was made impossible :lol: :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on February 08, 2024, 01:31:58 PM
VAR has just exposed the sorry state English refereeing is in. They are supposed to be using it for situations which are debatable, not to review everything three times, and then still make the call the referee wants instead of what's clearly on the bloody camera. There's nothing wrong with the concept or the technology, and everything with the referees.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on February 08, 2024, 01:35:46 PM
So I mean this is totally the hockey guy in me coming out, but it always seemed like discipline in soccer was too "all or nothing".  You either got a warning, or you're kicked out of the entire game.  And precisely because the punishment of being kicked out is so severe referees are going to be very cautious about using it.

So introduce the penalty box.  A player is kicked off not for the entire game, but just for a shorter period of time.  So refs will be more willing to use it.

Makes perfect sense to me. :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 08, 2024, 01:53:30 PM
Quote from: Tamas on February 08, 2024, 01:31:58 PMVAR has just exposed the sorry state English refereeing is in. They are supposed to be using it for situations which are debatable, not to review everything three times, and then still make the call the referee wants instead of what's clearly on the bloody camera. There's nothing wrong with the concept or the technology, and everything with the referees.
Sure but my point is fix that first. Like if the referees are not doing that well I'm not sure what adding another element of referee judgement will add.

What we have isn't working - so fix it before doing something new (on the assumption that would work, without having learned any lessons).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on February 08, 2024, 01:56:59 PM
I like the blue cards and I dislike VAR.

Basically I want drama.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 08, 2024, 03:25:18 PM
VAR is absolutely disgusting right now. Also they need to implement automatic offside and out-of-bounds technology.

Get technology you have now working right before you start changing the laws of the game!!

Games gone  :(  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 08, 2024, 04:23:34 PM
Is is crazy how long var decisions take
You'd think given the long standing use in tennis that the technology should be a lot better.


I do think a temporary red card is a decent idea to try

And I'm still bitter about that dumb Sunderland vs boro "that was a foul!" shout from 10 metres away that warranted a red card.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on February 08, 2024, 09:23:15 PM
I'm a reactionary when it comes to this. Stop fucking around with the rules. Yellow and red worked for our parents, it'll work for us.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on February 08, 2024, 10:28:08 PM
It really didn't work for them either.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on February 09, 2024, 05:22:08 AM
Quote from: Jacob on February 08, 2024, 09:23:15 PMI'm a reactionary when it comes to this. Stop fucking around with the rules. Yellow and red worked for our parents, it'll work for us.

Yeah, but not all changes are negative. Like the introduction of the back-pass rule. I recall how matches could be in the 80s, with the attacking team passing the ball back and forth in their half, and then passing back to the goalie if an opposing player came near. Goalie picks ball up, spends what felt like five minutes surveying the field and getting his team in position before giving the ball back. Rinse/repeat for 90 minutes.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 09, 2024, 06:24:10 AM
Quote from: Syt on February 09, 2024, 05:22:08 AM
Quote from: Jacob on February 08, 2024, 09:23:15 PMI'm a reactionary when it comes to this. Stop fucking around with the rules. Yellow and red worked for our parents, it'll work for us.

Yeah, but not all changes are negative. Like the introduction of the back-pass rule. I recall how matches could be in the 80s, with the attacking team passing the ball back and forth in their half, and then passing back to the goalie if an opposing player came near. Goalie picks ball up, spends what felt like five minutes surveying the field and getting his team in position before giving the ball back. Rinse/repeat for 90 minutes.

Yeah, I think this is one of those things like cultural traditions in general.
We have this idea that the way things are is the way things have always been and we shouldn't mess with it...
But an awful lot of what we know today is actually very modern.
In a similar time period teams only had one substitute.

The big problem with this idea that the current yellow and red system is fine is that historically the bar for what would get you a card was much higher.
Crunching tackles and teams that based their tactics around kicking the shit out of their opponents (Wimbledon) were the norm.
Red cards only came out in truly exceptional circumstances.

These days though... The on paper rules are strictly enforced. Rather than bullying opponents a common way of playing these days seems instead to be almost trolling the opponent and getting them carded.
Red cards get tossed about even for relatively minor infractions. And basically every other foul seems to be a yellow.

Something less than the full nuclear red does seem needed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 09, 2024, 06:54:33 AM
Quote from: Syt on February 09, 2024, 05:22:08 AM
Quote from: Jacob on February 08, 2024, 09:23:15 PMI'm a reactionary when it comes to this. Stop fucking around with the rules. Yellow and red worked for our parents, it'll work for us.

Yeah, but not all changes are negative. Like the introduction of the back-pass rule. I recall how matches could be in the 80s, with the attacking team passing the ball back and forth in their half, and then passing back to the goalie if an opposing player came near. Goalie picks ball up, spends what felt like five minutes surveying the field and getting his team in position before giving the ball back. Rinse/repeat for 90 minutes.

"The Italy strategy"
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 09, 2024, 07:21:31 AM
Quote from: Jacob on February 08, 2024, 09:23:15 PMI'm a reactionary when it comes to this. Stop fucking around with the rules. Yellow and red worked for our parents, it'll work for us.
:lol:

I was thinking about this actually - the best way of understanding the conservative impulse is to be a sports fan.

I have a WhatsApp chat with some friends on football stuff and it is just nostalgia for players when we were growing up and sepia memories of Serie A (and Football Italia on British TV), plus wanting everyone to stop changing things and, ideally, to bring back the Cup Winners' Cup.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 09, 2024, 10:05:53 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on February 09, 2024, 07:21:31 AM
Quote from: Jacob on February 08, 2024, 09:23:15 PMI'm a reactionary when it comes to this. Stop fucking around with the rules. Yellow and red worked for our parents, it'll work for us.
:lol:

I was thinking about this actually - the best way of understanding the conservative impulse is to be a sports fan.

I have a WhatsApp chat with some friends on football stuff and it is just nostalgia for players when we were growing up and sepia memories of Serie A (and Football Italia on British TV), plus wanting everyone to stop changing things and, ideally, to bring back the Cup Winners' Cup.

Arsenal's only European trophy  :lol:  :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on February 09, 2024, 05:20:27 PM
I'm a big sports fan and don't agree that means you have to be conservative. I've wanted a sin bin for ages and I think that it would be as big a step forward as the change to 3 points for a win in the early 80s.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on February 09, 2024, 05:27:16 PM
I was actually surprised to learn that yellow and red cards are a relatively recent addition to the game anyways - only dating back to 1970.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on February 11, 2024, 08:50:37 AM
Quote from: Barrister on February 09, 2024, 05:27:16 PMI was actually surprised to learn that yellow and red cards are a relatively recent addition to the game anyways - only dating back to 1970.

REally? i actually did not know that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on February 11, 2024, 11:57:39 AM
It was the same system, just no cards.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on February 12, 2024, 02:52:20 AM
Before the card systems there were players that didn't even know that they had been warned, most famously some English player in the, IIRC, semi-finals in '66. He found out years after the fact.

Back then they also didn't have any subs, so injured players just placed themselves where they would be most in the way for the competitors.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 12, 2024, 04:22:07 AM
Quote from: Threviel on February 12, 2024, 02:52:20 AMBefore the card systems there were players that didn't even know that they had been warned, most famously some English player in the, IIRC, semi-finals in '66. He found out years after the fact.


That does make sense. First impression was it was something for tv. Like the black and white ball story.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on February 12, 2024, 09:07:49 AM
I am still of the opinion that a 2nd and 3rd referee on the pitch would be a better solution than this blue card thing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 12, 2024, 09:14:34 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on February 12, 2024, 09:07:49 AMI am still of the opinion that a 2nd and 3rd referee on the pitch would be a better solution than this blue card thing.

Its already common enough refs get in the way of play though.

I think the blue card idea sounds definitely worth a try.
Though we should also be making more use of VAR- less ref calls them for big decisions and they take 5 minutes deliberating, and more ref watching through the video feed makes calls the ref may have missed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on February 12, 2024, 09:24:08 AM
Aren't they in the play because they have to run around close to the ball?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 17, 2024, 02:31:04 PM
CHELSEA CHELSEA CHELSEA
CHELSEABCHELSEACHELSSAA
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on February 17, 2024, 07:00:38 PM
 :lol: you are welcome
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on February 17, 2024, 08:23:01 PM
FunkMunk has truly internalized the spirit of soccer. Sure, you want your team to win - but much more importantly, you want the team you hate to not win.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 17, 2024, 09:31:09 PM
 :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 25, 2024, 01:42:35 PM
Chelsea just lost to literal children in the league cup final and Gary Neville called Chelsea the "blue billion pound bottle jobs" live on commentary and I'm afraid that's it for this Chelsea team.  :lol:

They've become Arsenal in our dark late-Wenger days. A complete laughing stock  :nelson:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on February 25, 2024, 02:01:27 PM
The postponed the Chelsea-Spurs game for this.

While I was watching Chelsea lose, all I was thinking was "they could have forfeited so I could have me some PL football this weekend, same result".
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 25, 2024, 02:19:15 PM
Liverpools keeper absolutely dominated that game.

Incidentally. Poor League Cup. It deserves better. Carabao advertising as far as the eye can see. And was the final always so early in the year? - it has been for a while but so I remember in the 90s it was at a more sensible time?
But then these days even the FA cup is seen as worth nothing by many :(
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on February 25, 2024, 02:24:20 PM
If Spurs can poach Gallagher or Mudryk I'd be happy. They need to get out of this team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on February 26, 2024, 06:30:32 AM
Come on. Just a week prior they had a pretty good game against Man City. One thing Pochettino definitely sucks at though is making substitutions. "Right, we have been able to surprise and keep City on their toes the whole match by being able to run dangerous counter-attacks. So clearly, with almost half an hour to go, what we must do against Manchester Fucking City is to substitute all our counter-attackers and try to park the bus".
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on February 26, 2024, 06:32:54 AM
I though it was a decent game and Chelsea are improving. Agree with Tamas that Pochettino's sub strategy is dreadful.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on February 26, 2024, 03:02:46 PM
Sport journalism is ridiculous. If any of the Chelsea's myriad close calls find the net in normal time they would be talking about the clear improvement the teambhaa been showing lately. Instead they showcase the match as a clear example of Chelsea being a failed project.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 26, 2024, 03:21:56 PM
Seems like The Narrative is driven by a few pundits like Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand and it sucks when your team is the victim of it. Arsenal got hit recently for "over celebrating" whatever that means  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on February 26, 2024, 04:41:59 PM
I agree that the game could have gone either way, lots of opportunities and the ball hitting the woodwork etc.

I think the Narrative is that Chelsea spent ungodly amounts to be 17 points behind Aston Villa...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 26, 2024, 05:05:45 PM
I don't follow Chelsea at all so no idea about their problems in general.
But based on that game they seemed the most like winning. It was just liverpools keeper having the game of his life that stopped them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on February 26, 2024, 08:33:05 PM
BTW Sheilbh congrats on Everton winning the appeal, probably the biggest win of the season for any team (4 points)  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 26, 2024, 09:31:52 PM
:lol:

Although second charges still outstanding :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on March 02, 2024, 05:01:09 PM
Klopp will have his dream exit if the referees can help it: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/mar/02/forest-furious-as-error-hands-liverpool-victory
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 03, 2024, 08:12:41 AM
To be fair the Forest players were utterly incompetent in clearing the ball from the corner kick that won the game.

I was yelling at the screen "HOOF THE BALL YOU MORONS"  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 04, 2024, 09:57:01 PM
Arsenal have won 7 league matches in a row scoring 31 goals and conceding only 3 and are just 2 points off league leaders Liverpool.

In the dark days of 2020 when Arsenal were like 15th I prayed for times like this  :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 05, 2024, 06:45:36 AM
Quote from: Tamas on March 02, 2024, 05:01:09 PMKlopp will have his dream exit if the referees can help it: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/mar/02/forest-furious-as-error-hands-liverpool-victory

Caught these highlights on MOTD. And yeah. That was insane. Poor Forest.

Can't remember who it was, but some random commenter on sky sports said something that really rung a bell with me: This year its like there's 3 premier league teams in the championship and to an extent 3 championship teams in the premier league, the surprising possible exception being Luton, who were most expected to be the one to crash- and on the other side of the equation Forest who have seriously misstepped trying to establish themselves over the years.

Looking from a Championship perspective I very much get this. Leicester are just way too good for the Championship.  Southampton much less so and Leeds in between.
Lots of talk from Sunderland commenters that this year was never going to work out and next year will be an easier league.

I can't quite get my thoughts in order about this. It isn't uncommon for teams to bounce right back up after relegation and it hasn't been going back into the mists of history. But certainly the gap seems to be widening in recent years after a few years when it seemed to be closing with the Championship really rising to be better than most of Europe's top leagues- Sunderland's main management target being the manager of a French top league team who the word on the street says we would have gotten last time around but the chairman was too cheap to pay is 250k release fee.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on March 05, 2024, 08:13:39 AM
After the last two of his sketches that I have checked, David Squires is under suspicion for being a Liverpool fan.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on March 06, 2024, 09:57:21 AM
Quote from: Tamas on March 05, 2024, 08:13:39 AMAfter the last two of his sketches that I have checked, David Squires is under suspicion for being a Liverpool fan.

He supports Swindon I think.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: bogh on March 07, 2024, 05:33:03 AM
With our second 3-1 defeat to ManCity Copenhagen is officially out of Champions League. Not much chance of us progressing past ManC, but a good run all told.

Hopefully we can win the league again and come back next year for another underdog campaign.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: celedhring on March 07, 2024, 06:19:34 AM
Quote from: Gups on March 06, 2024, 09:57:21 AM
Quote from: Tamas on March 05, 2024, 08:13:39 AMAfter the last two of his sketches that I have checked, David Squires is under suspicion for being a Liverpool fan.

He supports Swindon I think.

Yeah, that famous "life of a small club supporter" cartoon he made years ago struck me as something from the hearth.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 12, 2024, 07:49:27 PM
Arsenal through to the Champion's League QF, their first QF appearance since 2009/10.  The team is top of the league on goal difference and in the title race for two seasons running.

Mikel Arteta took over in 2019 and reshaped the entire club in his image, taking it back into Europe's elite. The guy is 42 years old and in his first managerial job of his career. That is genuinely insane. I had huge doubts about him but the guy is honestly frighteningly good at his job. Well played Mikel.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 13, 2024, 06:18:24 AM
Beating on penalties the worst Porto in the last 20 years is no great achievement, however.

I was a bit hopeful (worst part over?) when the penalties started, but Galeno (best player in the first leg) and Wendell did not score theirs, thanks to Raya who was great during the game.
Great pass by Ødegaard to Troussard for the equaliser.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 13, 2024, 08:58:46 AM
That's fair. Arsenal were not at their best last night, though much of that was because Porto were so stodgy and stopped the game as much as possible. They played excellent terrorist ball. I don't watch the Portuguese league so you'd have to tell me but it feels like Porto is the type of team who will "play up" to their opponent's level if Porto are the underdog and play like crap against poor teams they should probably beat.

Porto's manager also appears to be a huge hothead.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 13, 2024, 09:05:43 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 12, 2024, 07:49:27 PMArsenal through to the Champion's League QF, their first QF appearance since 2009/10.  The team is top of the league on goal difference and in the title race for two seasons running.

Mikel Arteta took over in 2019 and reshaped the entire club in his image, taking it back into Europe's elite. The guy is 42 years old and in his first managerial job of his career. That is genuinely insane. I had huge doubts about him but the guy is honestly frighteningly good at his job. Well played Mikel.



I do wonder how he was able to get the job. The closest recent example I can think of was Solskjaer, but he came with some  past experience and didn't provide an example to replicate.

Intended as just a temporary stop gap until their real target was available?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 13, 2024, 09:29:52 AM
To give you an idea, when Arsenal was thrashing Sheffield Wednesday 6-0, Porto had inflicted a 5-0 on Benfica (2 C1s back in the day) and still one of the top three, second right now. Benfica being admittedly crappy lately, though as in relying on favorable refereeing to beat the ones of Toulouse F.C in the Europa League.
As for the defensive play, i.e hoping for a deadly counter (which almost worked) that's fair though I could mention Arsenal's budget being 5 times bigger than Porto's, but did you watch the away game in Porto? Because Arsenal did not show much, not even a shot on target, whereas Porto had at least two, one ending in a goal.

As for being Sérgio being a huge hothead, same goes for Mikel with his hyperbolic arm gestures rudely telling Sérgio, staff and players to beat it at the end of the game. Iberians are a bit more volubile, shall we say.  :P Compared to the Portuguese league, Sérgio has been reasonable actually.  :D

Also, great game by Languish's favourite player Pepe (≠Pepê), 41 and still great at the best level. Still no quality replacement available be it in Porto or the national squad. :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 13, 2024, 11:05:53 AM
I agree. It's a cup competition and anything could happen. THE MAGIC OF THE CUP

Pepe is a funny one. He infuriated me as a player when he was at RM but now I just have this weird respect for him, like he's some wise old dark wizard who knows the secrets of the world.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on March 13, 2024, 05:05:31 PM
Quote from: Josquius on March 13, 2024, 09:05:43 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 12, 2024, 07:49:27 PMArsenal through to the Champion's League QF, their first QF appearance since 2009/10.  The team is top of the league on goal difference and in the title race for two seasons running.

Mikel Arteta took over in 2019 and reshaped the entire club in his image, taking it back into Europe's elite. The guy is 42 years old and in his first managerial job of his career. That is genuinely insane. I had huge doubts about him but the guy is honestly frighteningly good at his job. Well played Mikel.



I do wonder how he was able to get the job. The closest recent example I can think of was Solskjaer, but he came with some  past experience and didn't provide an example to replicate.

Intended as just a temporary stop gap until their real target was available?

I don't think so. Arteta had been highly  rated as a potential manager as part of Pep's team at City and nearly got the Arsenal job earlier but they went for Emery instead.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 14, 2024, 08:27:50 AM
Yeah, Arteta was in line behind Emery originally. Unai Emery was the "safe" choice. After he failed then the Arsenal executives in charge of the club went hat in hand to Arteta to say sorry we messed up and asked him to take over.

At the time we did have a temporary manager in charge of the team. Freddie Ljunberg coached the team for like three games before Arteta became head coach.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on March 17, 2024, 11:06:41 AM
Despite Chelsea's best efforts, Chelsea beat Leicester in the FA Cup quarter-final.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on March 18, 2024, 06:36:15 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 14, 2024, 08:27:50 AMYeah, Arteta was in line behind Emery originally. Unai Emery was the "safe" choice. After he failed then the Arsenal executives in charge of the club went hat in hand to Arteta to say sorry we messed up and asked him to take over.

At the time we did have a temporary manager in charge of the team. Freddie Ljunberg coached the team for like three games before Arteta became head coach.
Although I think that was probably for the best for him. Even though Arsenal hadn't been triumphing on all fronts I feel like you probably want to be the guy after the guy when succeeding someone like Wenger or Ferguson (though they're still searching for their guy after the guy after the guy afer the...) - and, I suspect, Klopp.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 31, 2024, 08:19:02 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 18, 2024, 06:36:15 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 14, 2024, 08:27:50 AMYeah, Arteta was in line behind Emery originally. Unai Emery was the "safe" choice. After he failed then the Arsenal executives in charge of the club went hat in hand to Arteta to say sorry we messed up and asked him to take over.

At the time we did have a temporary manager in charge of the team. Freddie Ljunberg coached the team for like three games before Arteta became head coach.
Although I think that was probably for the best for him. Even though Arsenal hadn't been triumphing on all fronts I feel like you probably want to be the guy after the guy when succeeding someone like Wenger or Ferguson (though they're still searching for their guy after the guy after the guy afer the...) - and, I suspect, Klopp.

Seems like that is the case with Alonso now deciding to stay at Leverkusen for another season. Probably realizes being the "guy after" is a bridge too far. Presumably he'd be after the Madrid job the next summer or even Liverpool again if the guy after Klopp fails.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on March 31, 2024, 08:21:13 PM
Nervy game today against City led to a scoreless draw at the Etihad. In their two league matches last season Arsenal were outscored 7-2. This season Arsenal outscored City 1-0.

Progress.
:cool:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on April 01, 2024, 08:30:06 AM
Not sure if true or April Fools, but several websites report that adidas stops selling the German kit with number 44, because, well, the font looks like this:

(https://i.imgur.com/TDyVLow.png)

Apparently a bit similar to the SS runes.

(https://i.imgur.com/ablZOOH.png)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 01, 2024, 05:23:49 PM
I went to see Sunderland for the first time in 2 years.
This was a mistake.
They were an absolute disaster. The team didn't seem to know each other. They lost 5-1 to Blackburn. The stadium was near-full to begin with, after the 3rd goal went in shortly after half time loads left. When we left in the 85th minute the seagulls had long been circling.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 02, 2024, 08:24:30 AM
Quote from: Syt on April 01, 2024, 08:30:06 AMNot sure if true or April Fools, but several websites report that adidas stops selling the German kit with number 44, because, well, the font looks like this:

(https://i.imgur.com/TDyVLow.png)

Apparently a bit similar to the SS runes.

(https://i.imgur.com/ablZOOH.png)

They knew what they were doing. Disgusting.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on April 02, 2024, 08:59:34 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 31, 2024, 08:21:13 PMNervy game today against City led to a scoreless draw at the Etihad. In their two league matches last season Arsenal were outscored 7-2. This season Arsenal outscored City 1-0.

Progress.
:cool:


It would have been better if they had not played for the tie.  I understand why they did it but as a casual observer, it was a pretty boring game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on April 02, 2024, 09:09:55 AM
Quote from: crazy canuck on April 02, 2024, 08:59:34 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 31, 2024, 08:21:13 PMNervy game today against City led to a scoreless draw at the Etihad. In their two league matches last season Arsenal were outscored 7-2. This season Arsenal outscored City 1-0.

Progress.
:cool:


It would have been better if they had not played for the tie.  I understand why they did it but as a casual observer, it was a pretty boring game.

It was a dreadful game. A real shame because on the whole it's been a spectacularly entertaining season in the EPL.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 02, 2024, 01:13:28 PM
Definitely a drab game for neutrals. Both teams essentially canceled each other out and both knew a loss probably meant an end to their league season.

Scheduling this match right after the international break was a crime. Both teams had players injured or unfit and neither side looked fluid enough for such a potentially decisive match.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 05, 2024, 05:14:20 PM
From the league that brought you the scoreless draw between City and Arsenal, witness yesterday's 4-3 between Chelsea and Yanited.  :lol:

Genuinely an all-time fail of a match that I couldn't take my eyes off of.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 16, 2024, 04:16:37 PM
PSG REMONTADAAAA   :lol:

Barca and Xavi  :lmfao:  :lmfao:  :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 16, 2024, 04:54:57 PM
PSG is a despicable team, but the red was legit.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 16, 2024, 04:56:32 PM
Man city on top displeases me greatly.
Arsenal or Liverpool. Either would be fine. Liverpool best but ultimately Meh.
Another city win though. Ugh.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 16, 2024, 05:06:37 PM
Liverpool cannot be low enough on the table for me to be satisfied with it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 16, 2024, 05:09:48 PM
Quote from: Tamas on April 16, 2024, 05:06:37 PMLiverpool cannot be low enough on the table for me to be satisfied with it.
Agree :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 16, 2024, 05:36:07 PM
Pool and Arsenal bottled it at home. I'm afraid it's 4 in a row for City, and possibly a repeat treble  :ph34r:  :ph34r:  :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 16, 2024, 05:38:24 PM
Quote from: Tamas on April 16, 2024, 05:06:37 PMLiverpool cannot be low enough on the table for me to be satisfied with it.

Tamas, I'm chatting with a Chelsea fan on a discord server and he seems to think this Chelsea team will mature and be contenders for the league title in two years. I'm curious if you think similarly.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on April 16, 2024, 05:42:05 PM
I was in a bar t'other week and they had Miami Inter and Monterrey on.  I get the feeling Messi is not going to light the league on fire by himself.  Or any of the aging stars MLS hires.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 20, 2024, 05:34:07 AM
Amidst the whole points docking thing going on there's one actor not really getting a mention - Leicester.

https://www.skysports.com/amp/football/news/11712/13099943/leicester-city-could-be-hit-with-bigger-points-deduction-than-nottingham-forest

Seems to be quite a mess brewing there with them having already been relegated and potentially going up again this year - earning a huge pay day at the expense of teams which haven't broken any rules.

Really seems there needs to be a big rule reform to cover lower leagues too. But just what will happen here is anyone's guess.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 23, 2024, 02:48:00 AM

A 30 second video
Anyone else noticed the increase in injured keepers lately?
Hadn't really thought of it but...makes sense.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 23, 2024, 07:00:34 PM
Desperately resisting the urge to post about Arsenal vs Chelsea
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 24, 2024, 06:17:11 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 23, 2024, 07:00:34 PMDesperately resisting the urge to post about Arsenal vs Chelsea

I'll do it for you.

Chelsea :lmfao:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 24, 2024, 03:50:43 PM
I saw lots of Arsenal fans saying they wanted Everton to do them a favour. Which suggests they don't know Everton because the last time we won a derby at Goodison, Arteta scored :lol:

But (NOT JINXING IT)... :o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 24, 2024, 03:59:14 PM
(https://media.tenor.com/uVMgyX8qCikAAAAM/sean-dyche-smilesnow.gif)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 24, 2024, 03:59:16 PM
 Fucking hell Liverpool. Well they've really bottled that. Arsenal are the only hope now.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 24, 2024, 04:03:58 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 24, 2024, 03:59:14 PM(https://media.tenor.com/uVMgyX8qCikAAAAM/sean-dyche-smilesnow.gif)
QuoteJohn Bennett
@JohnBennettBBC
Tracksuit Dyche has a 100% record.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 24, 2024, 04:18:25 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 24, 2024, 04:03:58 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 24, 2024, 03:59:14 PM(https://media.tenor.com/uVMgyX8qCikAAAAM/sean-dyche-smilesnow.gif)
QuoteJohn Bennett
@JohnBennettBBC
Tracksuit Dyche has a 100% record.

 :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 24, 2024, 04:20:03 PM
First Arsenal Chelsea 5-0, then Everton dunk on Pool and put them out of the race. What a week  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 24, 2024, 05:01:01 PM
Arsenal are now the only hope against Manchester 115 Charges. Will the rest of the league now band together to bring down Pep's cheating machine?  :ph34r:

PLEASE :lol:  :Embarrass:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 25, 2024, 02:53:08 AM
Also, I'm really cheering for Luton at the moment. They deserve to stay up more than forest. Despite the geography.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on April 25, 2024, 03:28:30 AM
Xavi's staying on Barca after all. Quite the u-turn
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 25, 2024, 04:16:39 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 16, 2024, 05:38:24 PM
Quote from: Tamas on April 16, 2024, 05:06:37 PMLiverpool cannot be low enough on the table for me to be satisfied with it.

Tamas, I'm chatting with a Chelsea fan on a discord server and he seems to think this Chelsea team will mature and be contenders for the league title in two years. I'm curious if you think similarly.

Hey, so did the Arsenal game answer this?  :D

I think they could become CL-place contenders IF: 1. we could get a striker who isn't either a complete muppet or near-permanently injured and 2. the current defense is in fact able to learn how to defend

On strikers, I have come to really despise Jackson. It's one thing to be a young striker who lacks confidence in the big leagues, not to mention that Drogba being the last Chelsea striker to actually find the net regularly, has been kind of our thing now for a decade or so. But I don't think its a lack of confidence he certainly seems to think very highly of himself.

I also have lost patience with Pochettino. I don't see where he is having any positive effect. Heck, even Lampard during his first stint you could kinda' see the team of kids he had had hunger even if clearly tactics-wise there was nothing to be excited or even happy about.

I remember under Mourinho (well, his first time with Chelsea, anyways) if they played shit the first half they'd come out with different tactics or at least a different level of motivation. Same with several other managers, not with this dude however. I am not saying he is not a good/decent coach, I readily admit that the current Chelsea must be a friggin' nightmare to manage, a bunch of young kids bought after some American re-watched Moneyball.

But he is not good enough for this situation. Most telling are his substitutions, they often reek of desperation of the "well, might as well try this since I have no idea what to do" kind.

I am semi-seriously yearning for Mourinho to come back. Yes, he'd crash and burn in a couple of seasons the most and no the game has left him behind so he won't turn us into champions overnight, but we need somebody who can out-ego all these kids and used to be being ruthless in drilling a system into a team. Any kind of system and coherence would do.

And... who else of any (past) note would take the job on?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on April 25, 2024, 05:27:41 AM
I hope we can get Gallagher out of this mess.  :sleep:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on April 25, 2024, 06:11:29 AM
Gallagher is mediocre at this level, at best.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 25, 2024, 09:28:28 AM
Quote from: Tamas on April 25, 2024, 04:16:39 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 16, 2024, 05:38:24 PM
Quote from: Tamas on April 16, 2024, 05:06:37 PMLiverpool cannot be low enough on the table for me to be satisfied with it.

Tamas, I'm chatting with a Chelsea fan on a discord server and he seems to think this Chelsea team will mature and be contenders for the league title in two years. I'm curious if you think similarly.

Hey, so did the Arsenal game answer this?  :D

I think they could become CL-place contenders IF: 1. we could get a striker who isn't either a complete muppet or near-permanently injured and 2. the current defense is in fact able to learn how to defend

On strikers, I have come to really despise Jackson. It's one thing to be a young striker who lacks confidence in the big leagues, not to mention that Drogba being the last Chelsea striker to actually find the net regularly, has been kind of our thing now for a decade or so. But I don't think its a lack of confidence he certainly seems to think very highly of himself.

I also have lost patience with Pochettino. I don't see where he is having any positive effect. Heck, even Lampard during his first stint you could kinda' see the team of kids he had had hunger even if clearly tactics-wise there was nothing to be excited or even happy about.

I remember under Mourinho (well, his first time with Chelsea, anyways) if they played shit the first half they'd come out with different tactics or at least a different level of motivation. Same with several other managers, not with this dude however. I am not saying he is not a good/decent coach, I readily admit that the current Chelsea must be a friggin' nightmare to manage, a bunch of young kids bought after some American re-watched Moneyball.

But he is not good enough for this situation. Most telling are his substitutions, they often reek of desperation of the "well, might as well try this since I have no idea what to do" kind.

I am semi-seriously yearning for Mourinho to come back. Yes, he'd crash and burn in a couple of seasons the most and no the game has left him behind so he won't turn us into champions overnight, but we need somebody who can out-ego all these kids and used to be being ruthless in drilling a system into a team. Any kind of system and coherence would do.

And... who else of any (past) note would take the job on?

Thanks Tamas.

I'm curious because it took years for Arsenal to fix itself and it is interesting to see how other clubs (I'm think of Chelsea and United particularly) fix themselves too.

I agree with you that Poch is not the guy to build around, especially with how ineptly the club seems to be run by the owners. He is a good coach but he doesn't appear to be ruthless or brave enough for the job. If they got the right guy there I think they could be challenging for a CL spot in a couple seasons.

The other thing I've noticed with their squad, especially on Tuesday lol, was they have no leaders and no spine. No experienced professionals to be examples for this extremely young team. There is a lot of talent at Chelsea but if there is no one to mentor it and prop it up during tough spells then there is no way for them to succeed or grow. It reminds me a lot of how late-Wenger Arsenal would blow over as soon as they got punched in the face.

Anyway, I certainly hate Chelsea and hope the club doesn't succeed  :lol:

but I also feel for you and I know how much it sucks to have your club be shit and be everyone's joke :cry:  :hug:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 25, 2024, 02:06:29 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 25, 2024, 09:28:28 AM:

but I also feel for you and I know how much it sucks to have your club be shit and be everyone's joke :cry:  :hug:


... As an arsenal fan or as a fan of another team?
As I don't think arsenal have ever been at that level in their entire history (though could be wrong digging back to before anyone on the board was born sort of times)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on April 25, 2024, 02:12:41 PM
Yeah, Arsenal have been mid-table mediocre before but not after spending gazillions on crap players. Also, while some people hate Arsenal it's not virtually universal like it is with the blue scum.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 25, 2024, 02:26:01 PM
Quote from: Josquius on April 25, 2024, 02:06:29 PM... As an arsenal fan or as a fan of another team?
As I don't think arsenal have ever been at that level in their entire history (though could be wrong digging back to before anyone on the board was born sort of times)
I have sometimes found Arsenal fans a bit annoying/taken the piss.

There was definitely a period when they acted as if there was no worse fate than to be an Arsenal fan at a time when they were basically playing lovely football and in Europe every season :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 25, 2024, 03:13:19 PM
Thats a fair assessment yeah. We are also an entitled bunch.

I'm talking mainly when we were finishing midtable and the club seemed listless and we were 15th midway through the season.

But yes still won an FA Cup in that period  :lol:

But I think in another sense arsenal fans like to exaggerate the poor state of the club back then because it makes the last few seasons seem more significant. And also other clubs like to refer to Arsenal now as a model for pulling themselves out of mire. See Chelsea and the new executives at Manchester United.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 25, 2024, 03:14:49 PM
Quote from: Josquius on April 25, 2024, 02:06:29 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 25, 2024, 09:28:28 AM:

but I also feel for you and I know how much it sucks to have your club be shit and be everyone's joke :cry:  :hug:


... As an arsenal fan or as a fan of another team?
As I don't think arsenal have ever been at that level in their entire history (though could be wrong digging back to before anyone on the board was born sort of times)

I mean, other people are allowed to feel sad about their football club.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on April 25, 2024, 03:21:48 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 25, 2024, 03:14:49 PM
Quote from: Josquius on April 25, 2024, 02:06:29 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 25, 2024, 09:28:28 AM:

but I also feel for you and I know how much it sucks to have your club be shit and be everyone's joke :cry:  :hug:


... As an arsenal fan or as a fan of another team?
As I don't think arsenal have ever been at that level in their entire history (though could be wrong digging back to before anyone on the board was born sort of times)

I mean, other people are allowed to feel sad about their football club.

Don't know they're born. Chelsea behave been in two cup semis this season. I've supported my club for 48 years and haven't seen us in one. Fans of prem clubs, especially those who chose them because they were successful, get zero sympathy from me.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 25, 2024, 03:42:31 PM
Quote from: Gups on April 25, 2024, 03:21:48 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 25, 2024, 03:14:49 PM
Quote from: Josquius on April 25, 2024, 02:06:29 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 25, 2024, 09:28:28 AM:

but I also feel for you and I know how much it sucks to have your club be shit and be everyone's joke :cry:  :hug:


... As an arsenal fan or as a fan of another team?
As I don't think arsenal have ever been at that level in their entire history (though could be wrong digging back to before anyone on the board was born sort of times)

I mean, other people are allowed to feel sad about their football club.

Don't know they're born. Chelsea behave been in two cup semis this season. I've supported my club for 48 years and haven't seen us in one. Fans of prem clubs, especially those who chose them because they were successful, get zero sympathy from me.

What is your club? Is there a way I could watch or support them?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on April 25, 2024, 03:49:35 PM
Charlton Athletic. I wouldn't bother if I were you
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 25, 2024, 04:53:51 PM
Quote from: Gups on April 25, 2024, 03:49:35 PMCharlton Athletic. I wouldn't bother if I were you

Thanks.

I see you are rivals with Millwall and Palace but of course neither are in League One now, so I'll just have to support whichever League One club is playing you each match week.

Yes it's petty and stupid but I feel that is what a football fan should do. Absolute hatred for no good reason.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on April 25, 2024, 04:59:14 PM
That's kind of you. We're a big club for League 1 with a 27,000 capacity stadium. We're really a championship level club in terms of size. We've had a dreadful season but have new (American) owners and a decent new manager so hoping for a good season next year.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on April 25, 2024, 05:00:26 PM
Tell me about your hooligan days Guppy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 25, 2024, 05:01:37 PM
FunkMonk, you 100% should switch from supporting Arsenal to either Millwall or Crystal Palace :cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 25, 2024, 05:58:48 PM
Quote from: Jacob on April 25, 2024, 05:01:37 PMFunkMonk, you 100% should switch from supporting Arsenal to either Millwall or Crystal Palace :cheers:

Listen, I'm Arsenal forever. They currently employ a rapist and I still support the club.

But if Millwall drop to League One or Charlton go up to the Championship I will support Millwall. For now I can only follow League One scores on Fotmob.  :D

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on April 25, 2024, 06:16:56 PM
How about meeting in the middle? Charlton goes up to the Championship, and Arsenal gets relegated there as well. That way your club can beat Charlton and you can be happy :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 25, 2024, 06:32:01 PM
Quote from: Jacob on April 25, 2024, 06:16:56 PMHow about meeting in the middle? Charlton goes up to the Championship, and Arsenal gets relegated there as well. That way your club can beat Charlton and you can be happy :)

Absolutely  :lol:

Don't really care how or why people become fans. All that matters in sports is destroying the teams you hate.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on April 25, 2024, 09:29:45 PM
Millwall fans are the absolute fucking worst. Whatever you do do not pick Milwall.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on April 26, 2024, 12:28:15 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on April 25, 2024, 09:29:45 PMMillwall fans are the absolute fucking worst. Whatever you do do not pick Milwall.

This. I hate Palace cos I'm a Charlton fan. I hate Millwall because I'm a human being.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 26, 2024, 01:23:55 AM
The only time I ever went to Wembley my soul was destroyed by Charlton winning
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 26, 2024, 06:16:11 AM
 :lol:

By common consensus I will also support Palace instead of Milwall. Although because Palace have been in the prem for awhile I've seen them play a lot and I actually kind of like them already so I feel that is cheating.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 26, 2024, 07:43:48 AM
I live within walking distance of Millwall's stadium and many Millwall pubs and can only agree with Gups :lol: :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 26, 2024, 08:13:55 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 26, 2024, 07:43:48 AMI live within walking distance of Millwall's stadium and many Millwall pubs and can only agree with Gups :lol: :ph34r:
Curious, I seem to recall the flat you almost bought but didn't was also near there.
I suspect you're actually a secret Millwall fan. Why else would anyone claim to support the blue Liverpool team? :p
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on April 26, 2024, 11:41:19 AM
Quote from: Josquius on April 26, 2024, 01:23:55 AMThe only time I ever went to Wembley my soul was destroyed by Charlton winning

Which one? 1998 or 2019?

Have to say Sunderland fans were very gracious in defeat both times and Charlton fans have a real soft spot for them as a result.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 26, 2024, 11:45:40 AM
Quote from: Josquius on April 26, 2024, 08:13:55 AMCurious, I seem to recall the flat you almost bought but didn't was also near there.
Yeah that place was basically next door. I'm a little further away now.

But I sort of knew the area I was looking in for a place and that didn't really change too much - although better connected now.

QuoteI suspect you're actually a secret Millwall fan. Why else would anyone claim to support the blue Liverpool team? :p
:lol: :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on April 26, 2024, 11:45:56 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 25, 2024, 05:00:26 PMTell me about your hooligan days Guppy.

Skinny, brown adolescents weren't that sought after amongst the hollies and Charlton were very minor league in terms of violence any way. Any would be hoolies in my part of London gravitated to Millwall who were amongst the most feared group in England.

I got chased a few times and/or dodged projectiles at Villa, Millwall, Wolves, Leeds but nothing very serious.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on April 26, 2024, 11:47:27 AM
Saw a headline that Anne Hathaway had professed herself a Gooner. I was at first "TMI!", but then learned that it refers to her being an Arsenal fan and not to, well: https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=gooning

:P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 26, 2024, 11:52:14 AM
I can tell you that Spurs fans have been overjoyed to discover that meaning :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 26, 2024, 12:50:55 PM
I'm gooning right now  :ph34r:





That is support a certain football club not the new meaning the younguns made
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on April 26, 2024, 12:52:26 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 26, 2024, 11:52:14 AMI can tell you that Spurs fans have been overjoyed to discover that meaning :lol:
:lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on April 26, 2024, 12:52:36 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 26, 2024, 12:50:55 PMI'm gooning right now  :ph34r:

 :ph34r:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 27, 2024, 09:28:30 AM
Quote from: Gups on April 26, 2024, 11:41:19 AM
Quote from: Josquius on April 26, 2024, 01:23:55 AMThe only time I ever went to Wembley my soul was destroyed by Charlton winning

Which one? 1998 or 2019?

Have to say Sunderland fans were very gracious in defeat both times and Charlton fans have a real soft spot for them as a result.

1998.
I was only a kid so... It was painful.
I'd forgotten all about 2019. League 1 is cursed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on April 28, 2024, 04:55:02 PM
WHY CAN'T WE PLAY A DECENT FIRST-HALF ALL SEASON JESUS FUCKING CHRIST
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 28, 2024, 06:58:39 PM
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on April 30, 2024, 04:55:06 PM
I realized it was too much work to follow all of Arsenal, Palace, all the teams in League One, and now West Ham (because my three year old loves the fact they blow bubbles and she loves that their GK wore pink) so I've decided to cut back on Palace and the entirety of League One and just follow Charlton.

Of course they then promptly lost their first game since February  :ph34r:  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on May 01, 2024, 12:13:36 AM
Welcome to my world! Last game of our worst season in a century. There's always next season...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 07, 2024, 02:50:58 AM
Thank fuck that season is over.
Amazing collapse by Sunderland with seriously wonky board decisions.
Lots of rumours that Will Still might be appointed as manager sometime soon. He's been sacked by Reims and there's claims he has been spotted house hunting.
This guy seems really interesting. 31, worked his way up through the coaching ranks, educated in Football Manager....
I have a bad feeling. His implosion in France happened.
But still. Fingers crossed we can have a proper season next year.

Sad to see Leicester go up but happy at least one relegated team won't be making it back. Hopefully its Southampton who stay down.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 08, 2024, 11:42:55 AM
Borussia Dortmund > PSG

:cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 13, 2024, 03:00:14 AM
My localest "big" non league team, Gateshead, won the major trophy for non league teams.
Hurray.
Especially good for them after they qualified for the playoffs to be promoted to the football league, only to be told they couldn't take part because their stadium lease (council owned) isn't secure enough.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 15, 2024, 06:50:47 PM
The Danish league end play is pretty intense, with four clubs in close contention.

Brøndby IF (currently #1, 30 matches, 59 points) just beat FC Nordsjælland (currently #4, 30 matches, 56 points).

Tomorrow FC København are playing FC Midtjylland (currently #2 and #3, 29 matches, 58 points). A win will put either team in the #1 position, a tie will see three clubs at 59 points with 30 matches played.

There are 32 matches in total. Given the schedule, any of the top four clubs have paths to victory; and the determination could potentially be made on the last day.

Exciting times :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 16, 2024, 03:05:21 AM
Quote from: Jacob on May 15, 2024, 06:50:47 PMThe Danish league end play is pretty intense, with four clubs in close contention.

Brøndby IF (currently #1, 30 matches, 59 points) just beat FC Nordsjælland (currently #4, 30 matches, 56 points).

Tomorrow FC København are playing FC Midtjylland (currently #2 and #3, 29 matches, 58 points). A win will put either team in the #1 position, a tie will see three clubs at 59 points with 30 matches played.

There are 32 matches in total. Given the schedule, any of the top four clubs have paths to victory; and the determination could potentially be made on the last day.

Exciting times :)

Cool.
I know zero of the league other than when its teams crop up in Euros and I remember reading a big piece about Midtjylland's model some time ago. Is it usually competitive?
Really nice it can manage so
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on May 16, 2024, 04:22:29 AM
What's with the naming of the clubs after regions rather than towns/cities/neighbourhoods?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 16, 2024, 05:31:02 AM
Quote from: Threviel on May 16, 2024, 04:22:29 AMWhat's with the naming of the clubs after regions rather than towns/cities/neighbourhoods?

What with having either?
At least, to distinguish them if from the same city.  :P

(https://icdn.football-italia.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Lazio-v-Roma-1280x640.jpg)

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 16, 2024, 05:37:29 AM
Quote from: Threviel on May 16, 2024, 04:22:29 AMWhat's with the naming of the clubs after regions rather than towns/cities/neighbourhoods?

Mergers of town teams I gather.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 16, 2024, 10:16:43 AM
Yeah, most of of those "regional" clubs were created by amalgamation when chasing European soccer became crucial for club success.

FC Copenhagen did it first, and had a period of dominance as a result. The other clubs (other than BIF) amalgamated to compete - and it looks like they've succeeded.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zanza on May 19, 2024, 03:18:48 AM
Marco Reus had his last game at Dortmund after twelve years playing for them. As a farewell gesture to the supporters, he paid the beer for the 80,000 people in the stadium.  :beer:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 19, 2024, 04:56:04 AM
Quote from: Zanza on May 19, 2024, 03:18:48 AMMarco Reus had his last game at Dortmund after twelve years playing for them. As a farewell gesture to the supporters, he paid the beer for the 80,000 people in the stadium.  :beer:

And then announced he will be moving to Saudi Arabia as retirement was no longer an option?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 19, 2024, 11:30:08 AM
Quote from: Zanza on May 19, 2024, 03:18:48 AMMarco Reus had his last game at Dortmund after twelve years playing for them. As a farewell gesture to the supporters, he paid the beer for the 80,000 people in the stadium.  :beer:

That's awesome!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 19, 2024, 11:31:35 AM
Quote from: Josquius on May 19, 2024, 04:56:04 AMAnd then announced he will be moving to Saudi Arabia as retirement was no longer an option?

He probably got a volume discount :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on May 19, 2024, 04:11:18 PM
Arsenal's fumble for the title, 2 years in a row, really helped me see this season as a success.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 19, 2024, 07:39:18 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on May 19, 2024, 04:11:18 PMArsenal's fumble for the title, 2 years in a row, really helped me see this season as a success.  :)

I'm disappointed in you Zoups! Overall very positive season for the Gunners.  :showoff:

Enjoy Europa League. Again.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 19, 2024, 09:33:21 PM
I thought 5th place was champions league nowadays.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 19, 2024, 09:44:11 PM
Quote from: Tamas on May 19, 2024, 09:33:21 PMI thought 5th place was champions league nowadays.

The extra spot depends on the success of a league's teams in Europe. Bundesliga got that extra CL place for next season, not the English, because the English teams all blew it in their respective competitions.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 20, 2024, 03:01:45 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on May 19, 2024, 09:44:11 PM
Quote from: Tamas on May 19, 2024, 09:33:21 PMI thought 5th place was champions league nowadays.

The extra spot depends on the success of a league's teams in Europe. Bundesliga got that extra CL place for next season, not the English, because the English teams all blew it in their respective competitions.

Which is a daft system really.
Tottenham getting a CL spot depends on arsenal and the others doing well in the CL?
It should be fixed. Nobody gets a 5th place spot.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 20, 2024, 03:04:45 AM
Ah so I was hoping for Tottenham to lose pointlessly, except for the fun aspect.

Anyways, at the start of the season I would have accepted 6th place for Chelsea and especially after the disaster most of the season was, I am happy. Although I am not without serious reservations, I hope Pochettino gets to stay one more season, and is given the chance to buy a couple of experienced defenders, especially with Thiago Silva leaving.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 20, 2024, 04:03:09 AM
Todd Boehly: I have spent $1 billion signing pre-teens on twenty year contracts.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on May 20, 2024, 11:11:26 AM
Season managed to be very high quality in terms of skill levels, excitement, a solid title race and also depressing with points deductions, a really obvious gulf in quality between the bottom and the rest, VAR and the failure of any mid-ranking teams to break through.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 20, 2024, 11:59:41 AM
It was nice to see something finally coming of breaking ffp rules.
Albeit only on the less powerful teams.
Hopefully when man city's time comes it is Rangers level massive.
Leicester cheesing their way back up despite their rule breaking is a pain too.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on May 21, 2024, 04:04:56 PM
https://www.theguardian.com/football/article/2024/may/21/mauricio-pochettino-leaves-chelsea-by-mutual-agreement-after-one-season

Gawd, just as I was warming to the guy. Seems like he wanted to be a more traditional manager while the leadership wants somebody who just takes whatever they buy for him and wins the PL that way.

I am afraid they still want to manage Chelsea like it's a baseball team.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on May 22, 2024, 01:54:50 AM
Quote from: Tamas on May 21, 2024, 04:04:56 PMhttps://www.theguardian.com/football/article/2024/may/21/mauricio-pochettino-leaves-chelsea-by-mutual-agreement-after-one-season

Gawd, just as I was warming to the guy. Seems like he wanted to be a more traditional manager while the leadership wants somebody who just takes whatever they buy for him and wins the PL that way.

I am afraid they still want to manage Chelsea like it's a baseball team.

Did you see the piece in the NYTimes a couple weeks back about the problems being caused by the American owners running their clubs like US sports franchises?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 22, 2024, 02:10:31 AM
Quote from: Tamas on May 21, 2024, 04:04:56 PMhttps://www.theguardian.com/football/article/2024/may/21/mauricio-pochettino-leaves-chelsea-by-mutual-agreement-after-one-season

Gawd, just as I was warming to the guy. Seems like he wanted to be a more traditional manager while the leadership wants somebody who just takes whatever they buy for him and wins the PL that way.

I am afraid they still want to manage Chelsea like it's a baseball team.

This is a big problem across the game lately.
Teams increasingly moving towards a sporting director and head coach model whilst the top managers obviously want to be full traditional managers.
Sunderland lost their decent ex coach in this way, replacing him with a guy who was apparently top class as an actual training ground coach but crap for game management. Lasted less than 3 months.
I suspect it's why we are struggling to get someone new.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 22, 2024, 04:47:23 AM
I mean yes and no. Poch and Potter and Tuchel all have experience of that model.

Who is Chelsea's sporting director? Looking at all the players they've signed I'm also not fully sure what they want/are working towards. I think in that situation it makes sense for the manager to try and create some sort of coherence.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on May 22, 2024, 08:03:31 AM
It depends on the individuals though. Managers demanding specific players at over-market pirces without any regard to residual values are super risky to the financial stability of a club.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 28, 2024, 05:45:52 PM
Greenland has applied to become a member of CONCACAF
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on May 28, 2024, 05:59:16 PM
All 55k of them. Great.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 28, 2024, 06:33:38 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on May 28, 2024, 05:59:16 PMAll 55k of them. Great.

They just need 23 on a squad.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on May 29, 2024, 12:04:53 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on May 28, 2024, 05:59:16 PMAll 55k of them. Great.

That's more people than Liechtenstein, Faroe Islands, or San Marino, all of which are full UEFA members. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 29, 2024, 02:29:22 AM
Are there any Greenlandic pros about?
Gibraltar cobbled together their team from an odd assortment I recall.

I found this article interesting. The gulf between pl and championship has become a chasm since covid with those lucky enough to be on top before it hit now very hard to move.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/zakgarnerpurkis/2024/05/26/southamptons-premier-league-promotion-shows-how-ffp-broke-competition/


Potentially a bit overblown I think. Last year was particularly special in some strong premiership teams going down. This year was quite different....though proving the point from a different angle with crooks Nottingham forest surviving whilst the 3 promoted go down, 2 without a fight.

Big fingers crossed the next government can get some regulatory reforms in to level the playing field both at the top of the top and across the pyramid.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on May 29, 2024, 03:07:19 AM
My local team went up into the highest Swedish level, Allsvenskan, in 2019. Last season, spring/autumn here, they let some school kids go to some matches free. Me and mu boy went to two rather lackluster games with some 1000 people in the audience. The team went down, which is nice because we have no real local football culture here. 

But my kid got hooked to the idea of football. A semi-local hasbeen, GAIS, from Gothenburg went up last season. They were a big team back in the day, but since the 70's they've been up and down in the leagues, mostly down. Like a Swedish Sunderland perhaps.

They still have a semi-large following and can be described as the smallest team in Sweden with a proper supporter culture. They identify as a workers team with mild leftist leanings. I've always liked them, but that's all.

Last Saturday they played a derby against another Gothenburg team Häcken, the least popular team in the city. So I took the whole family there, to try some real football.

It was a glorious day, sunshine and we went to the art museum first. GAIS made a goal after 5 mins and won 3-0. About 11,000 in the audience.

So now my wife and kids have become football fans and wants to go to more matches.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 29, 2024, 07:04:29 AM
Quote from: Syt on May 29, 2024, 12:04:53 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on May 28, 2024, 05:59:16 PMAll 55k of them. Great.

That's more people than Liechtenstein, Faroe Islands, or San Marino, all of which are full UEFA members. :P

If one adds Gibraltar, the lousiest team along with San Marino, however, so 32k people roughly the same as Gibraltar, it's significantly more.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on May 30, 2024, 06:19:08 PM
We have plenty of members of Concacaf who have less than 55K people already.

The Island of Saint Martin alone contains two Concacaf members.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 31, 2024, 01:48:16 AM
Funny people are focussed on the low but not unprecedented population.
More an issue for Greenland is surely the lack of grass?

Greenland might do quite well off the back of some carribean islanders suddenly having to play on astroturf in arctic conditions.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 31, 2024, 08:47:48 AM
Bamboozled by that Bayern-Kompany thing. And I like Kompany a lot.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on May 31, 2024, 09:47:03 AM
I know. It amazing really - from 19th in the EPL to the biggest club in Germany!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 31, 2024, 10:24:56 AM
Quote from: Threviel on May 29, 2024, 03:07:19 AMMy local team went up into the highest Swedish level, Allsvenskan, in 2019. Last season, spring/autumn here, they let some school kids go to some matches free. Me and mu boy went to two rather lackluster games with some 1000 people in the audience. The team went down, which is nice because we have no real local football culture here. 

But my kid got hooked to the idea of football. A semi-local hasbeen, GAIS, from Gothenburg went up last season. They were a big team back in the day, but since the 70's they've been up and down in the leagues, mostly down. Like a Swedish Sunderland perhaps.

They still have a semi-large following and can be described as the smallest team in Sweden with a proper supporter culture. They identify as a workers team with mild leftist leanings. I've always liked them, but that's all.

Last Saturday they played a derby against another Gothenburg team Häcken, the least popular team in the city. So I took the whole family there, to try some real football.

It was a glorious day, sunshine and we went to the art museum first. GAIS made a goal after 5 mins and won 3-0. About 11,000 in the audience.

So now my wife and kids have become football fans and wants to go to more matches.

Awesome.
Gothenburg is quite a Sunderlandy city too from all I hear- never actually been. So good luck to them
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 31, 2024, 11:08:13 AM
Seems like clubs want "the next Pep" so they're taking people who were in his orbit: Arteta, Maresca (Chelsea), and Kompany
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 31, 2024, 11:21:22 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 31, 2024, 08:47:48 AMBamboozled by that Bayern-Kompany thing. And I like Kompany a lot.

What's this?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 31, 2024, 12:08:43 PM
Quote from: Jacob on May 31, 2024, 11:21:22 AMWhat's this?
Vincent Kompany, won promotion to the Premier League with Burnley (by all accounts they were great in the Championship) and then this season they've won 24 points, are 19th and being relegated again.

He has just been poached by Bayern Munich :blink:

QuoteSeems like clubs want "the next Pep" so they're taking people who were in his orbit: Arteta, Maresca (Chelsea), and Kompany
Yeah although I've said before but I have a theory that with the massive clubs, like Bayern, it's maybe actually a little bit more like international management. Lots of man management of superstars who are not going to start changing their game for you unless the entire club is built around you (Pep) or you've got a record/aura already.

I could be wrong.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 31, 2024, 12:13:03 PM
Oh yeah, that's something alright. Thanks :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on May 31, 2024, 01:33:11 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 31, 2024, 12:08:43 PM
Quote from: Jacob on May 31, 2024, 11:21:22 AMWhat's this?
Vincent Kompany, won promotion to the Premier League with Burnley (by all accounts they were great in the Championship) and then this season they've won 24 points, are 19th and being relegated again.

He has just been poached by Bayern Munich :blink:

QuoteSeems like clubs want "the next Pep" so they're taking people who were in his orbit: Arteta, Maresca (Chelsea), and Kompany
Yeah although I've said before but I have a theory that with the massive clubs, like Bayern, it's maybe actually a little bit more like international management. Lots of man management of superstars who are not going to start changing their game for you unless the entire club is built around you (Pep) or you've got a record/aura already.

I could be wrong.

My understanding of Kompany is he's a very tactical manager and is wedded to a certain way of playing. I don't know how good his man management skills are but on the face of it I think he'll be sacked by Christmas  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on June 01, 2024, 03:08:52 AM
I am sure third time is the charm for Chelsea bringing in a newbie coach from the lower division.

Kompany's appointment is baffling. I have to think nobody better accepted the job. Good luck for him though, quite the chance to make his mark as a coach.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 01, 2024, 05:44:58 AM
Painful times for Sunderland. Seems they were on the cusp of getting the man they wanted... But then Lens in France swooped in to tempt him.
Seems things plodded on so long with Sunderland because they're very strict on the whole head coach has little to do with signings system.
I believe Chelsea is going with this too?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on June 01, 2024, 10:05:09 AM
That's dumb, the head coach should set the style of play he wants and acquire players to fit that style.

Lots of great teams fuck up because the board wants to hire someone special for some special reason.

Of course, for teams that routinely fire their head coaches it might be a good idea to have some continuity in the head recruiter role.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 01, 2024, 10:10:54 AM
Quote from: Threviel on June 01, 2024, 10:05:09 AMThat's dumb, the head coach should set the style of play he wants and acquire players to fit that style.

Lots of great teams fuck up because the board wants to hire someone special for some special reason.

Of course, for teams that routinely fire their head coaches it might be a good idea to have some continuity in the head recruiter role.

It's pretty much the American sports model, and it is gaining popularity in Euro soccer
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 01, 2024, 10:30:00 AM
Quote from: Threviel on June 01, 2024, 10:05:09 AMThat's dumb, the head coach should set the style of play he wants and acquire players to fit that style.

Lots of great teams fuck up because the board wants to hire someone special for some special reason.

Of course, for teams that routinely fire their head coaches it might be a good idea to have some continuity in the head recruiter role.

The theory makes sense. Every new manager coming in wanting their own style and their own players ends up costing a fortune and has poor results. It's much better to have a consistent style and recruitment towards this no matter who is in charge.
Sunderland have certainly suffered from the old way done poorly.
But getting people willing to work in the new way is tough when you aren't Chelsea. And if the recruitment and board aren't great....

Seems we particularly suffered here as we were chasing a very in demand manager and the other team has offered him a traditional management job
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on June 02, 2024, 10:13:29 AM
I haven't been following international football. Does England have an actual chance on the Euros?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 02, 2024, 10:36:13 AM
Quote from: Josephus on June 01, 2024, 10:10:54 AMIt's pretty much the American sports model, and it is gaining popularity in Euro soccer
Interesting you see it as American as I think here it's always been seen as the European model - that there's a sporting director/director of football who defines the style of a team and the manager is just one part of that. Definitely associated here with German, Dutch and Italian football I think.

In the UK the example of that model working is probably Brighton - but lots of clubs try and fail at it and others sort of half heart it. In Everton we have a director of football which seems to be working but in a previous iteration had one and he, the manager, the chairman and the owner basically were all involved in transfers - which is why we accidentally bought three 10s in one summer :lol: :bleeding:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 04, 2024, 10:30:29 AM
https://archive.ph/2024.06.04-143528/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/sport/football/article/man-city-legal-action-premier-league-hearing-7k6r5glhq (https://archive.ph/2024.06.04-143528/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/sport/football/article/man-city-legal-action-premier-league-hearing-7k6r5glhq)

Big if true

Manchester City have launched an unprecedented legal action against the Premier League in a move that has sparked civil war in English football's top flight.

The dispute, which has become a battle between the most powerful clubs in the country, will be settled after a two-week private arbitration hearing starting on Monday.
The outcome could dramatically alter the landscape of the professional game and have a significant impact on a separate hearing set for November into City's 115 alleged breaches of the Premier League's regulations and financial rules. That hearing, expected to last six weeks, could lead to massive fines for the club owners and possibly even relegation for Pep Guardiola's all-conquering side.

At next week's hearing, which has provoked bitter divisions between clubs, City will attempt to end the league's Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules, which they claim are unlawful, and seek damages from the Premier League.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 04, 2024, 11:48:41 AM
I wonder if this indicates their FFP case is looking dodgy
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on June 04, 2024, 01:27:45 PM
Oil sheiks staging a coup of the Premier League?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on June 05, 2024, 12:07:02 PM
I don't have particularly high hopes for the Danish team this Euro, but we do have this Euro-final-round-track:

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on June 05, 2024, 12:29:20 PM
:D

Though it seems somewhat inspired by Electric Callboy's We got the moves: https://youtu.be/D1NdGBldg3w :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 05, 2024, 12:36:40 PM
On Swedish football. Apparently malmö are playing in an interesting way. Resembling schoolboys crowding around the ball rather than a modern team. And it's working.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on June 05, 2024, 01:58:30 PM
Quote from: Josquius on June 05, 2024, 12:36:40 PMResembling schoolboys crowding around the ball

Do they play like Young Boys?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on June 07, 2024, 03:42:04 PM
So can we all agree Southgate's days are numbered unless he wins the Euros?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on June 07, 2024, 04:12:28 PM
Quote from: Josephus on June 07, 2024, 03:42:04 PMSo can we all agree Southgate's days are numbered unless he wins the Euros?

Potentially the same for Hjulmand in Denmark. Lots of criticism about relying on the same core of players.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on June 07, 2024, 04:15:51 PM
In friendlies, Canada loses 4-0 to Netherlands yesterday.  Has another friendly against France on Sunday, before playing Argentina in the Copa America June 20.

Does Canada score a single goal in the next two games?  I'm thinking not.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 07, 2024, 04:41:10 PM
Quote from: Josephus on June 07, 2024, 03:42:04 PMSo can we all agree Southgate's days are numbered unless he wins the Euros?


Probably. Things do seem to have grown stale. I expect he himself is looking for a change too.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on June 07, 2024, 05:43:25 PM
Speaking of friendlies, Denmark beat the ancestral enemy 2-1 recently.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on June 07, 2024, 06:57:20 PM
Quote from: Barrister on June 07, 2024, 04:15:51 PMIn friendlies, Canada loses 4-0 to Netherlands yesterday.  Has another friendly against France on Sunday, before playing Argentina in the Copa America June 20.

Does Canada score a single goal in the next two games?  I'm thinking not.

Probably not, especially if Davies looks again that uncommitted.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 10, 2024, 12:48:18 AM
Other friendlies:

France-Canada ended 0-0 yesterday night.

Earlier on, Croatia beat Portugal 2-1.
A deserved win.

 :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 10, 2024, 09:39:09 AM
Might become a Palace fan :bleeding:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cjmmrwk4nz0o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 10, 2024, 09:47:12 AM
Wonder how that work with Newcastle Utd
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 10, 2024, 09:52:38 AM
They're the Saudi sovereign wealth fund - so different. I think Forest are also owned by a Saudi royal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 20, 2024, 01:43:47 AM
As part of the free apple TV I've got there's free MLS.
Will I ever find the time and interest to use it?
Unlikely.
But strikes me I should do the 10 year old child's thing of having a "favourite team" in every league.
Are any of the American teams less plastic and artificial than the others? Any that are actual real teams that got signed up for the MLS corporation?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on July 20, 2024, 08:35:24 AM
I, as usual, feel some utterly misplaced optimism for Nottingham Forest pre-season. I think maybe they have one English player out of a squad of near 4500 players, so Brexit worked well in that way.


Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on July 20, 2024, 09:06:27 AM
My favourite American team in MLS is Toronto ;)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on July 20, 2024, 09:31:57 AM
Jos, what do you mean by real teams that got signed up?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on July 20, 2024, 09:35:26 AM
Quote from: Josquius on July 20, 2024, 01:43:47 AMAs part of the free apple TV I've got there's free MLS.
Will I ever find the time and interest to use it?
Unlikely.
But strikes me I should do the 10 year old child's thing of having a "favourite team" in every league.
Are any of the American teams less plastic and artificial than the others? Any that are actual real teams that got signed up for the MLS corporation?

As opposed to oligarchs PR expenses? :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 21, 2024, 01:46:20 AM
QuoteAs opposed to oligarchs PR expenses? :D
The top of English/European football has been corrupted to shit it's true.
But it's origins are more organic and community focussed (though not entirely pure. Often local rich guys were involved)

Quote from: crazy canuck on July 20, 2024, 09:31:57 AMJos, what do you mean by real teams that got signed up?

They were pre existing teams solidly based in local communities.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on July 21, 2024, 11:34:56 AM
The MLS is made up of many of those types of teams.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 21, 2024, 12:40:03 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on July 21, 2024, 11:34:56 AMThe MLS is made up of many of those types of teams.
For example?
The ones I've heard the most about were artificially created franchises.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on July 21, 2024, 01:23:08 PM
After a break for a few years while my son was in uni dropped £900 on season tickets for the two of us. Hope beats experience every time with football.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on July 21, 2024, 01:28:18 PM
Football pretty much moved from a working-class sport to middle-class entertainment in my lifetime. I remember grounds packed with drunk males ready for a fight. Now it is more of a theatre. Safe and you laugh at the players faking injuries.

That being said, the pace the game is played at, and skill of the players on (and off) the ball, it is way beyond anything from before.

Football was a sport played at English public schools. The professional version came about in Lancashire, because the workers got Saturdays off and I suppose needed a break from beating their children. And before radio and television, people needed some entertainment.

Footie was essentially the circus. The bread, it was British, so I imagine it wasn't very nutritious. White and a bit stale.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: FunkMonk on July 21, 2024, 01:34:34 PM
Quote from: Norgy on July 21, 2024, 01:28:18 PMFootball pretty much moved from a working-class sport to middle-class entertainment in my lifetime. I remember grounds packed with drunk males ready for a fight. Now it is more of a theatre. Safe and you laugh at the players faking injuries.

That being said, the pace the game is played at, and skill of the players on (and off) the ball, it is way beyond anything from before.

Football was a sport played at English public schools. The professional version came about in Lancashire, because the workers got Saturdays off and I suppose needed a break from beating their children. And before radio and television, people needed some entertainment.

Footie was essentially the circus. The bread, it was British, so I imagine it wasn't very nutritious. White and a bit stale.

This might be the best post in this entire thread.  :lol:  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on July 21, 2024, 02:36:59 PM
Quote from: Josquius on July 21, 2024, 12:40:03 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on July 21, 2024, 11:34:56 AMThe MLS is made up of many of those types of teams.
For example?
The ones I've heard the most about were artificially created franchises.

I have been watching Whitecaps games since I was in high school.

But I think what you have in mind is that there are no teams with continual existence. That is true but only because past attempts to create professional leagues in the US and Canada failed. There would be no MLS if there has been no prior teams and markets which support them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on July 22, 2024, 06:24:59 AM
Quote from: Josquius on July 20, 2024, 01:43:47 AMAs part of the free apple TV I've got there's free MLS.
Will I ever find the time and interest to use it?
Unlikely.
But strikes me I should do the 10 year old child's thing of having a "favourite team" in every league.
Are any of the American teams less plastic and artificial than the others? Any that are actual real teams that got signed up for the MLS corporation?


You are looking for something that doesn't exist in North America.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on July 22, 2024, 11:48:00 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on July 22, 2024, 06:24:59 AM
Quote from: Josquius on July 20, 2024, 01:43:47 AMAs part of the free apple TV I've got there's free MLS.
Will I ever find the time and interest to use it?
Unlikely.
But strikes me I should do the 10 year old child's thing of having a "favourite team" in every league.
Are any of the American teams less plastic and artificial than the others? Any that are actual real teams that got signed up for the MLS corporation?


You are looking for something that doesn't exist in North America.

Actually, it does exist. In Mexico's Liga MX.  :P Not in the MLS, of course.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on July 23, 2024, 10:16:08 AM
Soon even fans will be franchised.
"Our keynote speaker tonight is NN, managing director of the Indian Manchester City football fans corporation"
"Thank you, thank you, thank you! Our numbers are up, and I can assure you, the investors, that you will have great returns, we even have an office calling people about how their computers are broken!"

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on July 23, 2024, 11:30:18 AM
In case people missed it MLS has teams which had already existed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on July 23, 2024, 12:12:38 PM
I know.

Actually, North America, was rather fiercely competetive in soccer until it was seen as un-American and the Great Depression came.

A Norwegian, Werner "Scotty" Nilsen was the first from my country to play in the World Cup. For the USA team in 1934. Players came from England and Scotland to play for teams like Bethlehem Steel or Fall River Timbers. They paid them well. I don't know how soccer became such a low-earning sport in the US. I remember cheering for Canada in 1986 and the US (along with England) in 1990. Both were, let us face it, below average sides.

The English have tried franchising clubs. Wimbledon, for example. Who became MK Dons. The old Wimbledon teams were a bunch of hard cunts like Vinny Jones and played a kind of football I would never ask my players to do, were I a manager. The fans, however, did not follow. And started a supporters' trust and a new Wimbledon club managed to climb the ranks of the English league. I think when they beat MK Dons last season, their point was proven.

The US had a thriving game with several great sides until the Great Depression, and then it was revived again in the 1970s with the NASL. Imagine watching New York Cosmos with both Pelé and Franz Beckenbauer? Wow. George Best at Fort Lauderdale. But for the best players, playing in the NASL, it was just something they did in summer breaks. And when TV deals disappeared, it was goodbye to the NASL and hello indoor soccer. Anyone who's played a bit knows that playing indoors is rather demanding because suddenly you have very little space and have to rely on skill alone. I know I would never have been good at it. I needed a slow left back and lots of space.

Football is a game of passion. And the Italian fascists realised that when they made the Serie A. The US never had a dictator that could unite the rather differing associations and clubs that existed. FDR might have tried, if he'd not been stuck in a wheelchair and couldn't kick a ball nor see through Stalin.

I don't buy into that the MSL is any more franchised or run by money than the English Premier League. We can argue about this, and what is a real club and not forever, but the bottom line is that professional football is run by income and expense. Do I love that trend with every single oil wealth fund buys a club? No. But I think what destroys football right now, is that we, the fans, lose a bit of interest every time a player is signed for the combined GDP of Ghana and Burkina Faso. European football needs a spending cap. Both on wages and transfer fees.

Back to the original point; I support Nottingham Forest, one of the oldest clubs in England, let alone the world. My hometown team won the Norwegian Cup in 1962. It has been a curse.

There are no clubs more real or authentic than others. Football, soccer, has a long, long history in North America. Oh. And in Brazil and Argentina. Because of British sailors.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on July 24, 2024, 01:59:05 PM
Got some free tickets for olympic Mali-Israel in the Parc des Princes.  :)
Israeli anthem booed a bit. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on July 24, 2024, 05:16:28 PM
Pitch invasion by Moroccans during the ARG-MOR game, which led to an interruption while the game was at 2-2 following a goal in stoppage play (90 * 16 mib!).'
When the game resumed eventually, VAR so the most late Argentine goal was deemed off-side.

And the Olympics have not started yet, officially.  :lmfao:

1-1 Mali-Israel (Mali scored two goals, as per last Euro fashion :P
2-1 Spain-Uzbekistan
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on July 26, 2024, 12:38:22 PM
Canadian women's soccer team got caught spying on New Zealand with a drone. :blush:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on July 26, 2024, 12:54:28 PM
That's terrible. People should be fired for that. Completely unacceptable behaviour - even more so for the Olympics.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on July 26, 2024, 01:02:22 PM
Assitant coach and employee sent home IIRC.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on July 26, 2024, 05:37:30 PM
Coach has also now been suspended pending further investigation.  Turns out this has happened before and it seems unlikely the head coach did not know.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on July 26, 2024, 05:48:27 PM
Oh God, new reporting that the men's team also employed drone scouting/spying at COPA, and there is some chance this was something Soccer Canada had a role in the deciding iwas a good idea.


Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 26, 2024, 05:50:38 PM
Before Marsch's time....but there was a spying scandal at Leeds under Bielsa. They ended up getting fined for it.

Seems like a weird coincidence.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on July 26, 2024, 05:52:15 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on July 26, 2024, 05:50:38 PMBefore Marsch's time....but there was a spying scandal at Leeds under Bielsa. They ended up getting fined for it.

Seems like a weird coincidence.

Bev Priestman. Woman's coach. How dare you besmirch our hero Marsch :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on July 26, 2024, 05:59:56 PM
Yeah, he was such a success at Leeds.  :P

Almost as good as Billy Davies at Forest.  :blush:  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on July 27, 2024, 02:25:24 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on July 26, 2024, 05:48:27 PMOh God, new reporting that the men's team also employed drone scouting/spying at COPA, and there is some chance this was something Soccer Canada had a role in the deciding iwas a good idea.




6 points penalty for the ladies' squad at the olympics plus a fine.
Tournament over after the group phase.

(https://www.cbssports.com/olympics/news/2024-paris-olympics-spygate-scandal-fifa-hit-canada-with-6-point-penalty-and-one-year-ban-for-bev-priestman/)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on July 27, 2024, 02:39:33 PM
That seems a bit harsh. I'm all for the fine (and the one year ban the coaches are getting) but so far it doesn't seem like any of the players are involved. I mean Russia has doping and a war going on and they're still able to compete under another new fake name.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on July 27, 2024, 02:58:03 PM
Not many Russian athletes in the Olympics with most pro-Putin useful idiots calling it a clear double standard since  Israel is still allowed to compete, while conveniently forgetting Turkey, Azerbaijan, China etc.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on July 28, 2024, 06:34:17 PM
If canada beats Colombia they're through on goal differential. 1st or 2nd relies  on France losing to new Zealand.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on July 31, 2024, 10:13:30 AM
Canada's appeal was denied.  And for good reason.  An email was found in which Priestman was asking HR what to do about an analyst who was refusing her request to 'scout' an opposing team using a drone.  He complained that the analyst was refusing to do it for ethical reasons but she explained it is necessary, supported by Soccer Canada, used by the Men's team, and besides everyone does it.

I think a lot of heads are going to roll over this.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on July 31, 2024, 10:14:44 AM
Yeah that's a bad look.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 31, 2024, 10:31:37 AM
So much for Priestmans promising career?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on July 31, 2024, 10:33:15 AM
Quote from: Josquius on July 31, 2024, 10:31:37 AMSo much for Priestmans promising career?

I would think so
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on July 31, 2024, 11:13:46 AM
So... "dronegate"...

So look.  I complained about the chronic cheating in soccer earlier in this thread.  The diving, the whinging, etc.  I hate it, and it's why I"m not a bigger soccer fan.

So Canada was cheating, and deserves to be punished.

But it's also part of the damn sport (which is why I don't like it).  I keep hearing about how "everyone does it".  I don't think anyone out there in the world seems to care that Canada was spying on New Zealand.  Our only sin according to some is that we were caught.

I also think back to last month's Copa America.  Remember how Uruguay's players charged into the stands to fight fans?  It was however announced that whatever penalty would only be assessed after the end of Copa America - which meant Uruguay was unpunished going into the third place final against Canada.  And googling it now, I can't find that any punishment was levelled against Uruguay.

Finally - I don't like the "-6 points" punishment.  Look, - either kick out the Canadian women, or don't.  It doesn't make any sense to me how a team can be caught cheating, penalized in the standings, but allowed to continue competing.  Because as I understand it, if Canada can beat Colombia today, they still advance, despite the -6 points.

It's kind of like fighting in hockey (Hey forgive me - I'm Canadian).  It's against the rules - but the only penalty is a five minute penalty, usually given to both players.  If fighting is against the rules, makes it AGAINST THE RULES.  Eject the players from the game automatically - maybe even for multiple games.  You'd get rid of fighting almost overnight if you did that.  But instead it's a wink and a now we're "against fighting", but won't do much top prevent it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on July 31, 2024, 11:24:30 AM
I don't like the minus 6 points punishment either. I would have disqualified Canada from the tournament.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on July 31, 2024, 11:57:22 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on July 31, 2024, 11:24:30 AMI don't like the minus 6 points punishment either. I would have disqualified Canada from the tournament.

There was a poll done in which well over 90% of Canadians agree with you.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on July 31, 2024, 11:58:25 AM
Quote from: Barrister on July 31, 2024, 11:13:46 AMIt's kind of like fighting in hockey (Hey forgive me - I'm Canadian).  It's against the rules - but the only penalty is a five minute penalty, usually given to both players.  If fighting is against the rules, makes it AGAINST THE RULES.  Eject the players from the game automatically - maybe even for multiple games.  You'd get rid of fighting almost overnight if you did that.  But instead it's a wink and a now we're "against fighting", but won't do much top prevent it.

And as I have pointed out before, that is the problem with Hockey.

Let's not tarnish other sports in the same way.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on July 31, 2024, 12:15:04 PM
Yeah the "everyone does it, why is it a big deal" is anathema IMO.

It's garbage. Crack down.

... and I'd like to see some evidence that "everyone does it." Sounds like a lousy excuse to me.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on July 31, 2024, 12:36:32 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on July 31, 2024, 11:57:22 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on July 31, 2024, 11:24:30 AMI don't like the minus 6 points punishment either. I would have disqualified Canada from the tournament.

There was a poll done in which well over 90% of Canadians agree with you.

In practical terms, removing 6 points disqualifies Canada from the tournament, however.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on July 31, 2024, 12:38:17 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on July 31, 2024, 12:36:32 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on July 31, 2024, 11:57:22 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on July 31, 2024, 11:24:30 AMI don't like the minus 6 points punishment either. I would have disqualified Canada from the tournament.

There was a poll done in which well over 90% of Canadians agree with you.

In practical terms, removing 6 points disqualifies Canada from the tournament, however.

Not if they beat Colombia today :P

6 points is weird. Dangling hope. If taking a team out effects the scoring of the others (best third place team rankings) then do a 9 point penalty. 
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on July 31, 2024, 12:40:31 PM
A lot of ifs.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on July 31, 2024, 12:42:43 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on July 31, 2024, 12:40:31 PMA lot of ifs.  :P

Only one if :D .

Well, two I guess, Frances outcome affects whether a victorious Canada goes second or first.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on July 31, 2024, 12:42:59 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on July 31, 2024, 12:36:32 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on July 31, 2024, 11:57:22 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on July 31, 2024, 11:24:30 AMI don't like the minus 6 points punishment either. I would have disqualified Canada from the tournament.

There was a poll done in which well over 90% of Canadians agree with you.

In practical terms, removing 6 points disqualifies Canada from the tournament, however.

How often does the 8th ranked team loses against the 22nd in the men's game?

CWNT is going to beat Colombia.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on July 31, 2024, 01:27:42 PM
Quote from: HVC on July 31, 2024, 12:42:43 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on July 31, 2024, 12:40:31 PMA lot of ifs.  :P

Only one if :D .

Well, two I guess, Frances outcome affects whether a victorious Canada goes second or first.

See, two that's just a lot. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on July 31, 2024, 01:28:49 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on July 31, 2024, 12:42:59 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on July 31, 2024, 11:57:22 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on July 31, 2024, 11:24:30 AMI don't like the minus 6 points punishment either. I would have disqualified Canada from the tournament.

There was a poll done in which well over 90% of Canadians agree with you.


How often does the 8th ranked team loses against the 22nd in the men's game?

More often than you think. OTOH, the ladies' game is less competitive, I'll grant you that.

QuoteCWNT is going to beat Colombia.


On verra, comme dit l'aveugle. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on July 31, 2024, 01:30:29 PM

Quote from: Duque de Bragança on July 31, 2024, 01:27:42 PM
Quote from: HVC on July 31, 2024, 12:42:43 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on July 31, 2024, 12:40:31 PMA lot of ifs.  :P

Only one if :D .

Well, two I guess, Frances outcome affects whether a victorious Canada goes second or first.

See, you just discovered plural. :P

You said " disqualifies Canada from the tournament", but one "if" is all it takes to make that wrong :contract: the second if is just gravy on top :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on July 31, 2024, 01:34:55 PM
Quote from: Jacob on July 31, 2024, 12:15:04 PM... and I'd like to see some evidence that "everyone does it." Sounds like a lousy excuse to me.
Yeah the only other example I've heard of like this is Leeds - who had coaches spying at their next opponents' training grounds.

I can't think of anything else like this - and there's a reason they needed a drone because training camps are normally private, secure locations.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on July 31, 2024, 01:37:14 PM
Wasn't it a thing in the NFL and MLB? Not necessarily drones, but filming practises and signs for the MLB. against the rules but everyone was doing it.

Anyway, regardless, Canada shouldn't have done it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on July 31, 2024, 01:56:36 PM
I don't have anything relevant to say, except I petition BB to stop writing "So look," on EVERY SINGLE ONE OF HIS POSTS.

I'm not sure why it bugs me, but it does.

That is all.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on July 31, 2024, 02:16:00 PM
Quote from: HVC on July 31, 2024, 01:37:14 PMWasn't it a thing in the NFL and MLB? Not necessarily drones, but filming practises and signs for the MLB. against the rules but everyone was doing it.

Ah... if "everyone's doing it" means "North Americans are doing it frequently in all their different sports" then it might be true (and an indictment of North American sporting culture, IMO). I thought it meant "many if not most other countries are doing it in soccer" - which I would find absolutely shocking if true.

QuoteAnyway, regardless, Canada shouldn't have done it.

Agreed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on July 31, 2024, 03:19:39 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on July 31, 2024, 01:56:36 PMI don't have anything relevant to say, except I petition BB to stop writing "So look," on EVERY SINGLE ONE OF HIS POSTS.

I'm not sure why it bugs me, but it does.

That is all.

So look - no.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on July 31, 2024, 04:17:46 PM
Ah, I've missed this passive-aggressive stuff so much.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on July 31, 2024, 04:45:26 PM
Quote from: Norgy on July 31, 2024, 04:17:46 PMAh, I've missed this passive-aggressive stuff so much.

Fuck off. 

I don't do passive-aggressive - just aggressive aggressive. :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on July 31, 2024, 04:49:29 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on July 31, 2024, 12:40:31 PMA lot of ifs.  :P

The if happened :yeah: :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on July 31, 2024, 04:54:55 PM
They are through, only one if required
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on July 31, 2024, 04:59:46 PM
Quote from: HVC on July 31, 2024, 12:38:17 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on July 31, 2024, 12:36:32 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on July 31, 2024, 11:57:22 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on July 31, 2024, 11:24:30 AMI don't like the minus 6 points punishment either. I would have disqualified Canada from the tournament.

There was a poll done in which well over 90% of Canadians agree with you.

In practical terms, removing 6 points disqualifies Canada from the tournament, however.

Not if they beat Colombia today :P

6 points is weird. Dangling hope. If taking a team out effects the scoring of the others (best third place team rankings) then do a 9 point penalty. 

To ensure they're still expected to put on a bit of a show for the paying customers?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on July 31, 2024, 05:01:34 PM
Quote from: Josquius on July 31, 2024, 04:59:46 PM
Quote from: HVC on July 31, 2024, 12:38:17 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on July 31, 2024, 12:36:32 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on July 31, 2024, 11:57:22 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on July 31, 2024, 11:24:30 AMI don't like the minus 6 points punishment either. I would have disqualified Canada from the tournament.

There was a poll done in which well over 90% of Canadians agree with you.

In practical terms, removing 6 points disqualifies Canada from the tournament, however.

Not if they beat Colombia today :P

6 points is weird. Dangling hope. If taking a team out effects the scoring of the others (best third place team rankings) then do a 9 point penalty. 

To ensure they're still expected to put on a bit of a show for the paying customers?

Thinking it over, probably in-line with BBs NHL history, a "punishment" to look tough, but without any real consequence.

Only watched the highlights, but nice goal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on July 31, 2024, 05:19:00 PM
Quote from: Barrister on July 31, 2024, 04:45:26 PMI don't do passive-aggressive - just aggressive aggressive. :P

You totally do passive-aggressive :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on July 31, 2024, 06:14:06 PM
Quote from: Jacob on July 31, 2024, 05:19:00 PM
Quote from: Barrister on July 31, 2024, 04:45:26 PMI don't do passive-aggressive - just aggressive aggressive. :P

You totally do passive-aggressive :lol:

Fuck off, you fucking fuck-headed fuck.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on July 31, 2024, 06:20:15 PM
Quote from: Barrister on July 31, 2024, 06:14:06 PMFuck off, you fucking fuck-headed fuck.

:hug:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on August 01, 2024, 03:44:26 AM
 :cry:

This is a Ted Lasso moment, innit?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on August 13, 2024, 06:50:11 AM
Much to his Languish fans' chagrin  :D , Pepe has retired.

30 min or so video to announce his retirement. The end of an era :(

(https://talksport.com/football/2002095/pepe-announces-retirement-real-madrid-youtube-video/)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 19, 2024, 12:10:34 PM
Football season started 2 weekends ago.
And at risk of jinxing things - we are facing one of the strongest teams this week - so far so good.
Two wins out of two including a very very convincing 4-0 win.
I was worried coming in. We just appointed a new manager over summer. A Frenchman named Regis Le Bris who we took from a side he just saw relegated to ligue 2.

Our first choice, Will Still, had been chased for months and was an ongoing saga. Alas he was tempted by one of the top French teams instead, and possibly scared away from our strict director of football model.
Lots of rumblings Regis was just a yes man and a repeat of our last desperate appointment....
But looking good.
We even scored some set pieces.

In football people might actually have seen - anyone see that goal of the season which the refs screw up led to being disallowed? Madness.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on August 19, 2024, 04:30:39 PM
Spurs - Leicester for the opening of the season. I think Spurs had 75 % possession and Leicester had 1 shot on target.

Final score 1-1.  :ike:  :ike:  :ike:  :ike:  :ike:

Can someone explain the Solanke signing to me? Spurs paid 65M for his release clause lol. WHAT THE FUCK.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on August 22, 2024, 01:18:13 AM
https://www.srf.ch/news/wirtschaft/wegen-website-in-suchresultat-fifa-klagt-vor-zuercher-gericht-gegen-google-wegen-rufschaedigung

Using Chrome's translate:

QuoteFIFA sues Google in Zurich court for defamation

FIFA is specifically concerned about a website that appears in Google search results when people search for the world football association. The site is dedicated exclusively to FIFA and directly attacks its officials, such as FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

From FIFA's point of view, the site spreads untruths: it is portrayed as a corrupt organisation riddled with mafia structures. :lmfao:  :lmfao:  :lmfao:  The world football association is demanding that Google no longer display these sites in its search results when someone googles FIFA.

FIFA's lawyer told SRF News that the world football association has no objection to critical media reports. Unlike other media, the website in question does not adhere to any rules and its content goes way beyond the mark. This constitutes a violation of personal rights. FIFA is therefore demanding that the site and its articles no longer appear in Google search results.

The US technology company with offices in Zurich takes the position that it is not Google's job to determine the veracity of the website in question. Furthermore, the page is only displayed far down in the search results. It does not appear within the first ten pages, Google argued in court.

If FIFA gets its way with its demands, it would mean a major problem for Google. It could then be the case that the search engine would have to remove many other websites from its results in the future. This scenario is impossible for the US technology company.

FIFA has its headquarters in Zurich. Google also has a prominent presence in the city with several offices. But that is not the reason why the trial is taking place in Zurich.

Swiss law is more restrictive when it comes to personal injury than other countries, such as the USA or Germany. Not only those who actively spread content that is damaging to reputation can be convicted, but also those who aid and abet it. In this case, that would be Google.

FIFA could have started the process anywhere, but it seems that the world football association is hoping for better chances in Switzerland. The judges are now deliberating on the case. It is unclear when a verdict will be reached.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on August 22, 2024, 01:33:18 AM
On the one hand this is kind of surprising since Switzerland is a neo liberal dystopia.
But then I remember what I was told once (and then again by a totally different person). .. In Switzerland murder as many people as you want BUT do not fuck with money or you're going away for a long time.
I do suppose this impacts on revenue streams.

Fingers crossed there's a sensible court who point out the things this site says are actually true.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on August 22, 2024, 07:08:19 AM
In the early days of the internet I worked on a case in which the courts had to decide whether someone who publishes a link to a defamatory publication was themselves committing an act of defamation.  It went all the way to the SCC, each level of court held that merely linking the material is not enough.  The person publishing the link would have to commit their own act of defamation, for example by saying the defamation was true.

Like what Jos just did.  It's interesting to see how casually people make defamatory comments these days.

It will also be interesting to see how the Swiss court deals with this.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on August 22, 2024, 01:13:51 PM
Quote from: Josquius on August 22, 2024, 01:33:18 AMOn the one hand this is kind of surprising since Switzerland is a neo liberal dystopia.
Don't see how anything there is a problem for a neo-liberal dystopia.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on August 25, 2024, 05:46:51 AM
Quote from: crazy canuck on August 22, 2024, 07:08:19 AMIn the early days of the internet I worked on a case in which the courts had to decide whether someone who publishes a link to a defamatory publication was themselves committing an act of defamation.  It went all the way to the SCC, each level of court held that merely linking the material is not enough.  The person publishing the link would have to commit their own act of defamation, for example by saying the defamation was true.

Like what Jos just did.  It's interesting to see how casually people make defamatory comments these days.

It will also be interesting to see how the Swiss court deals with this.



off topic, sorry:

Different thing altogether, but what do you think of this?

So on Facebook the other day, I follow a local community page. On it someone posted a picture of a man sitting on a park bench. She said she saw this man looking at young girls playing on the swings.  And that she'd seen him there before. When questioned by some posters, that he could have been just sitting there, she edited her post to say he was "doing inappropriate things."

Now the picture did not show him doing anything inappropriate and there was no other proof other than her allegations. This would not make it into real media. I reported it to FB, but they have not taken it down.

Isn't it defamatory?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on August 25, 2024, 11:11:40 AM
If the identity of the person she was posting about is known then yes, under Canadian law, that is defamation.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on August 31, 2024, 09:40:39 AM
I have noticed the Guardian sport "journalists" have tsken great offense at Chelsea dropping an English winger. I mean Sterling of course. That guy was completely unpredictable in whether he would show up in spirit to a given game, so for me makes perfect sense not wanting to pay him, but the journos have been acting like it was some mad mistake.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 05, 2024, 05:57:37 PM
Real football on hold this week for internationals.
I note an interesting result this evening.
San Marino 1 - 0 Liechtenstein.
I do believe thats their second win ever and something like their 15th goal.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Admiral Yi on September 05, 2024, 06:02:52 PM
If they're on the national team, how many matches does a fodboller play each year?  The schedule seems exhausting.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on September 05, 2024, 06:19:08 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on September 05, 2024, 06:02:52 PMIf they're on the national team, how many matches does a fodboller play each year?  The schedule seems exhausting.
It is. I think Harry Kane or Kylian Mbappe, for example, will play about 50 games a year (for their club domestically and in Europe, plus internationals) - but that's excluding friendlies or going to China for a pre-season tour where (commercially) they may need to play the big stars too.

It's insane and is not good for the players or sport.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on September 06, 2024, 04:27:00 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on September 05, 2024, 06:02:52 PMIf they're on the national team, how many matches does a fodboller play each year?  The schedule seems exhausting.

Competitive games can get up to 60. This is the main reasoning behind szieable, expensive squads for rotation.
Depending on if there is an international competition like the European Championship, African Cup of Nations, Copa America or World Cup.

I think it shows that fitness levels are beyond what they were at any point before, but so is the medical teams supporting each club.

There aren't much hanging around at pubs after matches these days. For the players.

I'm becoming more and more sceptical of these developments as there is something of an inflation of games. How many European competitions are there now? Four? I can't tell you who won last year's Europa League.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on September 06, 2024, 05:35:29 AM
(https://media1.tenor.com/m/C0H22RV8m90AAAAC/zombieland-money.gif)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on September 06, 2024, 05:44:11 AM
Apparently some players played more than 70 games last season.

https://www.fifpro.org/en/supporting-players/health-and-performance/player-workload
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 06, 2024, 07:00:30 AM
Quote from: Norgy on September 06, 2024, 04:27:00 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on September 05, 2024, 06:02:52 PMIf they're on the national team, how many matches does a fodboller play each year?  The schedule seems exhausting.

Competitive games can get up to 60. This is the main reasoning behind szieable, expensive squads for rotation.
Depending on if there is an international competition like the European Championship, African Cup of Nations, Copa America or World Cup.

I think it shows that fitness levels are beyond what they were at any point before, but so is the medical teams supporting each club.

There aren't much hanging around at pubs after matches these days. For the players.

I'm becoming more and more sceptical of these developments as there is something of an inflation of games. How many European competitions are there now? Four? I can't tell you who won last year's Europa League.


Honestly my 'feeling' is kind of the opposite on Euro competitions.
I remember back in the 90s it seemed there was a bunch of European competitions and they were all quite respected and followed.
These days there's the champions league and the Europa league as a sort of second class CL failure's competition.

May just be my small c football conservatism coming through but I would like if we return back to that- could also help bring some value back to the FA Cup if the cup winners cup actually demanded winning it (or at least being runner up if the league champion does the double)

Checking up there's also the UEFA Conference League at the moment. Now that I read about it I vaguely remember hearing about it in the past when West Ham won but it had completely dropped out of my mind.

The nations league is of course stupid and needs to be just dropped.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: garbon on September 06, 2024, 07:13:05 AM
Quote from: Tamas on September 06, 2024, 05:35:29 AM(https://media1.tenor.com/m/C0H22RV8m90AAAAC/zombieland-money.gif)

+1
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on September 06, 2024, 07:50:21 AM
Why do you think the lie down and cry so easily on the pitch? They are clearly over-worked.
Show some solidarity, there are limits to what 150.000 pounds a week can buy.  <_<
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on September 06, 2024, 08:09:44 AM
Quote from: Tamas on September 06, 2024, 05:35:29 AM(https://media1.tenor.com/m/C0H22RV8m90AAAAC/zombieland-money.gif)

I don't think anybody is feeling sorry for them but rather is playing that many games hurting the sport in some way.

Granted these guys aren't exactly playing American Football out there. The NBA guys play many more games so I don't know. I don't play dozens of soccer games every year so I don't know the physical toll.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 06, 2024, 08:16:05 AM
I would argue against the moans of man city et al about playing too many games - that's the point.
You shouldn't be firing on full across all competitions. Trying to win everything should be costing you more than if you focussed on one thing.
However that doesn't help the top players they're trying to make play a bazillion minutes a season.
I wonder whether a rule about max game time players can play in a season might be an approach worth considering?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on September 06, 2024, 09:52:56 AM
So, Norway is playing away against Kazakhstan, you know, that well-known European country not at all bordering all sorts of other -stans and being well into Asia, in the UEFA Nations League. The TV production is apparently Kazakh, because a few dubious penalty decisions have not been shown in replay.  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on September 06, 2024, 10:38:16 AM
The AFC is a nonsensical mess. I'm not surprised they'd rather be in UEFA really.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on September 06, 2024, 11:05:39 AM
And it was a glorious 0-0 draw, such a delight for the neutrals. Haaland looked more likely to be stolen as a wife of some of the defenders than scoring, and Ødegaard had five Cossacks around him at all times.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on September 06, 2024, 05:21:47 PM
Quote from: Tamas on September 06, 2024, 05:35:29 AM(https://media1.tenor.com/m/C0H22RV8m90AAAAC/zombieland-money.gif)

 :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on September 08, 2024, 09:38:37 AM
Canada beat the US in an away game for the first time in 67 years. It was a friendly, but I'll take it.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on September 24, 2024, 12:56:39 AM
Rapid and Austria Wien are the local top tier rivals. Yesterday, Rapid beat Austria 2-1 (playing in Rapid's stadium). After the match "fans" stormed the pitch. 27 injured, 577 people have charges filed against them. An employee by Rapid who participated has been fired immediately. Unfortunately, this kind of stuff keeps happening between the clubs.

Though the nerd in me delights in the fact that the club's colors are green (Rapid) and purple (Austria) respectively. :P

(https://geekoutsw.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/giphy2.gif)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 09, 2024, 04:31:51 PM
Man City  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 09, 2024, 10:19:58 PM
Inter Miami 😁
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 10, 2024, 03:26:52 AM
Sunderland have been awful lately. Absolute disaster. Draws against mediocre mid table teams.
Things have been just that great this season that this is the way we are.
Top of the league (for now).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on November 18, 2024, 12:16:27 AM
Bizarre ending to Stanford vs. Notre Dame soccer match in the ACC conference tournament.

https://youtu.be/KOokk-M4DwY?t=53

Great call by the ref to stop time wasting BS, followed by the most inexplicable 12 seconds of soccer I have seen in awhile.

And yes in College Soccer they stop the clock on play stoppages. So the match ends when the clock hits zero. Just to clear that up.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on November 18, 2024, 12:29:30 AM
Do we not do indirect free kicks anymore?

Although I'm not sure on the rules of those anyway :lol:

*edit* although I guess that little "pass" makes it indirect, although I feel that goes against the spirit :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on November 18, 2024, 04:10:56 AM
The vast majority of free kicks anywhere near the opposition goal are direct as they are awarded for tripping, kicking or holding an opponent. The only common offence which will be indirect is blocking.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 18, 2024, 04:58:47 AM
Quote from: Valmy on November 18, 2024, 12:16:27 AMBizarre ending to Stanford vs. Notre Dame soccer match in the ACC conference tournament.

https://youtu.be/KOokk-M4DwY?t=53

Great call by the ref to stop time wasting BS, followed by the most inexplicable 12 seconds of soccer I have seen in awhile.

And yes in College Soccer they stop the clock on play stoppages. So the match ends when the clock hits zero. Just to clear that up.

Thats great.
Though I guess shows the issue with things being so vague. Its expected to time waste a little just as you need to go down with the slightest touch. Its how the game works. Don't do it and you suffer.
But how much is too much...
But then if its specifically defined people will push right to that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 18, 2024, 05:36:54 PM
Quote from: HVC on November 18, 2024, 12:29:30 AMDo we not do indirect free kicks anymore?

Although I'm not sure on the rules of those anyway :lol:

*edit* although I guess that little "pass" makes it indirect, although I feel that goes against the spirit :D

Never thought about that, but yeah, you don't see much of them anymore.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on November 19, 2024, 12:09:23 AM
Quote from: HVC on November 18, 2024, 12:29:30 AMDo we not do indirect free kicks anymore?

Although I'm not sure on the rules of those anyway :lol:

*edit* although I guess that little "pass" makes it indirect, although I feel that goes against the spirit :D

I was in the stadium when an indirect free kick during injury time won Bayern the championship in 2001. It was given after the Hamburg goalie picked up the ball after having it passed to him by a team mate. :)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000%E2%80%9301_Bundesliga#Title_race

(The article neglects to mention that Schalke was behind 0-2, equalized to 2-2, fell behind 2-3 again before winning 5-3. The 5-3 score was displayed on the stadium score board same time as Hamburg scored in the 90th minute. Friend and I were devastated, believing the championship gone, only to have everything turned upside down a few moments later. Unforgettable. :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on November 19, 2024, 08:54:11 AM
Any free kick where the referee has his arm up is an indirect one, usually they just happen far away from the penalty area. :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on November 23, 2024, 03:15:10 PM
Milwall - Sunderland today was an incredibly painful game.

Sunderland started well. Went 1-0 up. Surprisingly good showing considering our huge amount of suspensions and injuries - before the game we'd have been happy with a draw.

A few minutes from the end of the first half though....something happens. Play stops. Nobody has a clue what is happening for 10 minutes.
There's a medical emergency in the crowd. The teams leave the field eventually and... It's just waiting and tedium.
Eventually the players come back out and play the last few real minutes and injury time of the half...then go back inside for a regular 15 minutes half time :bleeding:

The second half sucked. Sunderland were so thrown off by this break. We hold out though and in the dying minutes a young player who came on for his first appearance misses a one on one with the keeper... Only for the ball to be booted back down the field and an equaliser scored.
Just to make the game extra painful
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on November 24, 2024, 02:49:16 AM
Swedish season is over. The team I've been following, GAIS, ended up in sixth place, which is something like the fourth best finish since the 50's and the best since 2011. We ended up as the best team in the city, Gothenburg, and won every derby (against fellow sleeping giants Örgryte in the cup, up and comer Häcken and Swedens biggest team IFK Göteborg, the main rivals, in the league) except one against IFK Göteborg.

Eternal fuckups that we are I assume that next season will go to hell.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on November 24, 2024, 09:14:30 AM
Man C lol
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on November 24, 2024, 03:41:04 PM
Can Spurs play every game in Manchester please?

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GdGFUnHX0AAsS-6?format=jpg&name=large)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on December 13, 2024, 08:18:58 AM
So next FIFA World Cup will be in Canada/USA/Mexico. The 100 year anniversary one will be hosted by Spain/Portugal/Morocco, with some matches (one match?) being played in South America. Based on FIFA rules, that means Asia is up next to host.

Only candidate was Saudi-Arabia. So after Qatar 2022, the FIFA WC returns to the Arabian peninsula in 2034. :bleeding:

German FA head said that they're aware of the human rights situation in the country but that a boycot would only have served to isolate the German FA and would be counterproductive, and that this was the best way to open a dialogue/effect change in S-A.

:rolleyes:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on December 13, 2024, 08:56:01 AM
3 games in South America for 2030.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on December 13, 2024, 11:26:31 AM
Quote from: Syt on December 13, 2024, 08:18:58 AMSo next FIFA World Cup will be in Canada/USA/Mexico. The 100 year anniversary one will be hosted by Spain/Portugal/Morocco, with some matches (one match?) being played in South America. Based on FIFA rules, that means Asia is up next to host.

Only candidate was Saudi-Arabia. So after Qatar 2022, the FIFA WC returns to the Arabian peninsula in 2034. :bleeding:

German FA head said that they're aware of the human rights situation in the country but that a boycot would only have served to isolate the German FA and would be counterproductive, and that this was the best way to open a dialogue/effect change in S-A.

:rolleyes:

"Standing up for our supposed values is actually a bit inconvenient, so we cannot really be expected to do it".

Not that the German FA is different to any of the other ones.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on December 13, 2024, 11:27:24 AM
Also: Chelsea is back, baby!

Zoupa, I hope you have reconsidered your loyalties when the trashy supporters of a trashy team from a trashy neighbourhood threw trash on their own pitch.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on December 13, 2024, 12:31:13 PM
Norway drew almost the entire Axis powers in their group. Prepare for sinking the Blücher again!  :ph34r:  :uffda:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 13, 2024, 01:08:57 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on December 13, 2024, 08:56:01 AM3 games in South America for 2030.

1 game in three countries. Stupidest thing ever.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on December 13, 2024, 02:30:01 PM
FIFA is possibly the only place you will find worse characters than in Trump's dream cabinet.

It's the SS without death camps.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 14, 2024, 06:55:16 AM
Quote from: Syt on December 13, 2024, 08:18:58 AMSo next FIFA World Cup will be in Canada/USA/Mexico. The 100 year anniversary one will be hosted by Spain/Portugal/Morocco, with some matches (one match?) being played in South America. Based on FIFA rules, that means Asia is up next to host.

Only candidate was Saudi-Arabia. So after Qatar 2022, the FIFA WC returns to the Arabian peninsula in 2034. :bleeding:

German FA head said that they're aware of the human rights situation in the country but that a boycot would only have served to isolate the German FA and would be counterproductive, and that this was the best way to open a dialogue/effect change in S-A.

:rolleyes:

100 % of wahhabi countries will have organised the football WC by the end of 2034.  :D
Will Saudi Arabia have to hire "fans" for most teams in their tournament à la Wahhabi World Cup in 2022?  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on December 14, 2024, 08:53:13 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 14, 2024, 06:55:16 AM100 % of wahhabi countries will have organised the football WC by the end of 2024.  :D
Will Saudi Arabia have to hire "fans" for most teams in their tournament à la Wahhabi World Cup in 2022?  :P

Well if they hire ManU fans, those won't have far too travel.  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 14, 2024, 12:25:07 PM
Quote from: mongers on December 14, 2024, 08:53:13 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 14, 2024, 06:55:16 AM100 % of wahhabi countries will have organised the football WC by the end of 2024.  :D
Will Saudi Arabia have to hire "fans" for most teams in their tournament à la Wahhabi World Cup in 2022?  :P

Well if they hire ManU fans, those won't have far too travel.  :bowler:

 :face:

So the Magpies, with the club now owned by Saudi Arabia, still have local fans? Interesting.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on December 14, 2024, 04:10:36 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 14, 2024, 12:25:07 PM
Quote from: mongers on December 14, 2024, 08:53:13 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on December 14, 2024, 06:55:16 AM100 % of wahhabi countries will have organised the football WC by the end of 2024.  :D
Will Saudi Arabia have to hire "fans" for most teams in their tournament à la Wahhabi World Cup in 2022?  :P

Well if they hire ManU fans, those won't have far too travel.  :bowler:

 :face:

So the Magpies, with the club now owned by Saudi Arabia, still have local fans? Interesting.  :D

Newcastle's always had a large following. The Toon Army. Do not approach in dark streets.

With ManU, I am not sure, I think the other club which shall not be named across the city are stealing their fans. From all over the world.

The English Premier League is about the only way you can get in as an immigrant to the UK now.

Anyway, strong showing by Nottingham Forest tonight. There was even one local lad on the pitch. The referee had apparently forgotten his whistle, so the tackles flew, but the 4th referee did disallow a perfectly good goal.
And slept when Aston Villa should've had a penalty.

I think you will find that in English football the largest foreign following is for Liverpool. And, Saudi Arabia, if the Liverpool fans are coming, watch your hubcaps.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 14, 2024, 04:38:40 PM
Some NUFC fans complained about the Saudis but far more said they don't give a shit if there's executions at half time just so long as their team wins.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on December 14, 2024, 05:17:04 PM
Quote from: Tamas on December 13, 2024, 11:27:24 AMAlso: Chelsea is back, baby!

Zoupa, I hope you have reconsidered your loyalties when the trashy supporters of a trashy team from a trashy neighbourhood threw trash on their own pitch.

Sorry, we can't all be billionaires spending billions on shit players and having a roster of 50 players. Spurs are managed like a team should be.

COYS.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 15, 2024, 07:27:39 AM
Quote from: Norgy on December 14, 2024, 04:10:36 PMI think you will find that in English football the largest foreign following is for Liverpool. And, Saudi Arabia, if the Liverpool fans are coming, watch your hubcaps.

There's a pretty large following here. Even in my hometown of Oshawa, Ontario there's a pub that has "official Liverpool Supporters Club" status. I go there sometimes to watch games.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Tamas on December 15, 2024, 08:45:39 AM
 :yucky:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on December 15, 2024, 12:11:22 PM
Quote from: Josephus on December 15, 2024, 07:27:39 AM
Quote from: Norgy on December 14, 2024, 04:10:36 PMI think you will find that in English football the largest foreign following is for Liverpool. And, Saudi Arabia, if the Liverpool fans are coming, watch your hubcaps.

There's a pretty large following here. Even in my hometown of Oshawa, Ontario there's a pub that has "official Liverpool Supporters Club" status. I go there sometimes to watch games.

True story:
Two of my friends and some blokes with the money arranges "The Liverpool Festival" here. It has been going on for three years in a row, and people from around Europe flock here, even if it is just to drink and hear some former players talk about Liverpool FC.

There are bands and whatnot. Having seen Forest lose to Liverpool my entire youth, I would need to get paid to go.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 15, 2024, 03:13:46 PM
Liverpool seem big in Europe and Asia.
Though they seem to have totally skipped Africa. It's all Arsenal and Chelsea there.
Bar Egypt I expect because reasons.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on December 16, 2024, 08:40:40 AM
I think it is worth discussing how we, well, many of us, have several favourite teams.
I obviously support my local club and go to matches, but this season was an utter disaster. In a 26 game season 1 win and 1 draw and the rest losses? Yeah, it is going really well. Tier 4 next season.

Most Norwegians also have a top tier team they support. Mine's been Vålerenga, who got promoted after a wilderness year in 2nd tier.

Then we have our strange obsession with English football, rooted in the televised matches from 1968 and onwards. Everyone has a club they support, and say "we" when that club wins.
I actually know more about Nottingham Forest than the local flora and fauna here.

"What flower is that?"
"Hmmm, Stan Collymore? No, that's a Steve Hodge".

I have sympathies for other European teams like Livorno and St. Pauli because of my political leanings, and I always check the score when Hibernian plays.

It is all a bit weird, innit? That I feel a rush of joy if I see Hammarby beat Djurgården in Swedish football?

I don't really have a point to make, it is more of a stream of consciousness post about football.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on December 16, 2024, 09:42:45 AM
Quote from: Norgy on December 16, 2024, 08:40:40 AMI think it is worth discussing how we, well, many of us, have several favourite teams.
I obviously support my local club and go to matches, but this season was an utter disaster. In a 26 game season 1 win and 1 draw and the rest losses? Yeah, it is going really well. Tier 4 next season.

Most Norwegians also have a top tier team they support. Mine's been Vålerenga, who got promoted after a wilderness year in 2nd tier.

Then we have our strange obsession with English football, rooted in the televised matches from 1968 and onwards. Everyone has a club they support, and say "we" when that club wins.
I actually know more about Nottingham Forest than the local flora and fauna here.

"What flower is that?"
"Hmmm, Stan Collymore? No, that's a Steve Hodge".

I have sympathies for other European teams like Livorno and St. Pauli because of my political leanings, and I always check the score when Hibernian plays.

It is all a bit weird, innit? That I feel a rush of joy if I see Hammarby beat Djurgården in Swedish football?

I don't really have a point to make, it is more of a stream of consciousness post about football.


Well I've always had to support my local club, Southampton FC especially as my old man was going to play for them and what with them winning the FA Cup in 76 against ManU.

As a junior school kid I also supported Leeds for a while, probably because they were the hardest team going, Cloughy's Derby County being the arch-rivals at the time.

Oh and I've always had a soft spot for Liverpool, I think because of Keegan having also played for Soton and they did play some brilliant football in the 70s and 80s. More importantly so when they triumph over ManU.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 16, 2024, 10:07:37 AM
Quote from: Norgy on December 16, 2024, 08:40:40 AMI think it is worth discussing how we, well, many of us, have several favourite teams.
I obviously support my local club and go to matches, but this season was an utter disaster. In a 26 game season 1 win and 1 draw and the rest losses? Yeah, it is going really well. Tier 4 next season.

Most Norwegians also have a top tier team they support. Mine's been Vålerenga, who got promoted after a wilderness year in 2nd tier.

Then we have our strange obsession with English football, rooted in the televised matches from 1968 and onwards. Everyone has a club they support, and say "we" when that club wins.
I actually know more about Nottingham Forest than the local flora and fauna here.

"What flower is that?"
"Hmmm, Stan Collymore? No, that's a Steve Hodge".

I have sympathies for other European teams like Livorno and St. Pauli because of my political leanings, and I always check the score when Hibernian plays.

It is all a bit weird, innit? That I feel a rush of joy if I see Hammarby beat Djurgården in Swedish football?

I don't really have a point to make, it is more of a stream of consciousness post about football.


I only really have Sunderland.
When I was a kid and Italian football was the only football we got on TV I liked Juventus because Vialli and Ravenelli were great, though no special love for them now.
I guess I also support non-League local teams to some extent and cheer for them? - Gateshead and South Shields are the main ones.
Also cities where I've lived in the past to a level of "Hey I wonder how they're doing this year...wait what? They've been relegated? When did that happen? 3 years ago? Wow".

Though its quite weird how my Great Grandad was Sunderland but my grandad somehow ended up Newcastle Utd and my uncles were split down the middle.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on December 16, 2024, 11:34:44 AM
Quote from: Josquius on December 16, 2024, 10:07:37 AMI only really have Sunderland.


I really wish them back into top tier football.
Cloughie's old team, too.

mongers: Leeds?  :mad: Don't you mean Dirty Leeds?

Keegan was one of the best English players I saw as a kid.
But to quote Cloughie: "We have a fat little man on the left wing who will turn him inside out".
John Robertson was superb for about four seasons before smoking and drinking caught up with him.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on December 16, 2024, 12:08:00 PM
Quote from: Norgy on December 16, 2024, 08:40:40 AMI think it is worth discussing how we, well, many of us, have several favourite teams.

So hardly the world's biggest soccer fan, but I do enjoy the game from time to time.  I do watch all the important Canadian national games.  Watching Canada beat Mexico in the snow right here in Edmonton was one of the most fun soccer games I've ever seen.

But favourite club teams?  I dunno.

Here in Canada they went and formed the Canadian Premiere League - but had the bad fortune to start in 2019.  Edmonton used to have a team - FC Edmonton.  FC Edmonton actually pre-dated the CPL, playing in the mostly-US based NASL, until that league folded in 2017.  FC Edmonton was something of a labour of love by ownership - but they lost money every single year, in both the NASL and CPL, and by 2022 they'd had enough and wanted out.  Nobody else stepped up to buy a money-losing soccer team so the team folded.

I suppose I should try to root for my hometown-based Valour FC (based in Winnipeg, plays in the CPL) but given that they never existed when I lived in Winnipeg it's hard to develop much of a rooting interest.

Going overseas then...

I went to Brazil in 2013, to the city of Salvador, in Bahia, and was staying with locals who were soccer fans.  While I was there there was a big rivalry game between the two teams based out of Salvador, being EC Bahia and EC Vitoria.  I decided I would cheer for Bahia based on nothing more than I liked their uniforms.  I still have a Bahia jersey in my closet - even got a replacement from my brother a couple of years ago as the first one was getting worn.

So when asked what my favourite team is I'll say Bahia just to sound worldly and knowledgeable - but I've seen exactly one game in my life, and the Brazilian league doesn't exactly get much coverage in English.

We've also had international students.  They usually bring gifts.  One girl from Valencia, Spain brought a scarf and some toques so I decided I was a Valencia fan.  But then another girl from Seville brought be a Sevilla jersey, so now I say my favourite European team is Sevilla.

But while La Liga certainly gets more coverage than the Brazilian league does, it's still not a lot, and Spanish soccer really is about the big two teams anyways.

Then as Norgy points out, the big lumbering giant of soccer is English soccer.

I've just never been able to form a rooting interest in any EPL team.  It's hard to manufacture such things out of thin air.  My father cheers for Fulham, on the somewhat-reasonable basis that for several years he ran a business called Fulham Castle Bed and Breakfast, located on Fulham Ave in Winnipeg.  It was a big brick house that, well, looked a bit like a castle built by a homesick englishman in the 1930s - complete with a faux-English pub in the basement.  But honestly I never got into Fulham, and the Fulham Castle house was not the one I grew up in.

And then there's Wrexham.

I'll admit - I got sucked in by the series.  To the point I do check on how Wrexham is doing - shockingly they seem almost set to get promoted again to the Championship if they keep it up this year.

But that's kind of embarrassing because it's the opposite of trying to seem worldly and knowledgeable like name-dropping Bahia - instead it's just following the star power of Ryan Reynolds and a successful TV show.  While the success story of Wrexham is on one hand kind of cool, really it's just based on the old story of rich foreign owners coming in and spending their way to success.

But in terms of actual soccer action that I've watched in the last few years, it would be Wrexham (other than Canadian national games that is).
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on December 16, 2024, 12:45:20 PM
It is a good and reasonable choice, Beeb. It is really hard not to enjoy "Welcome to Wrexham". They've spent quite a bit on players, though.

As one of Norway's legendary club coaches said, it is a game of feelings.
And when I was in my teens watching Forest on TV and they lost, that weekend was ruined.
Walking home after my local team had lost (again) to some side I hardly knew existed wasn't exactly an upper either.

I wrote a long article about the first Norwegian player ever to play in a world cup.

His name was Werner Nilsen. And the team he represented? The United States of America in the 1930 World Cup.

Before the Great Depression, the US actually had a thriving soccer league. Or leagues, because they also had two football federations. Not unique in that way. Italy had three, I think, before Mussolini stepped in and said "Enough!".

The history of soccer is actually a really interesting one, but you have to be quite the nerd to delve into it like I have done.

It all stems from once reading about an Austrian footballer, considered one of the world's best, Mathias Sindelar being "found dead" back in 1938-39. He was known as "the man of paper" because he could slide between any defenders without them catching him. Like through a mailbox slot, I suppose.

Thing is, learning about football history also opens up for other avenues. Which is the working class team in this town, which is the upper class team, why is there such an intense rivalry between these two clubs?

And, as a final remark: When Canada went to Mexico in 1986 for the World Cup, I rooted for them. A better choice than the other side that ended with zero points: Iraq.
I think Saddam had the coach shot.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on December 16, 2024, 01:46:20 PM
So I have several teams in several leagues.

I am a Napoli fan in Serie A.
I am for all intents and purposes a Liverpool fan, although I used to be a Derby County fan growing up.
Here, I'm a Toronto FC fan.

Internationally I support England. :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on December 16, 2024, 02:55:29 PM
Denmark had a killer side when I was a pre-teen. They beat Norway 5-1 at our own turf. Some of their players, Preben Elkjaer and Michael Laudrup were just insane. So I sort of supported our former overlords in the World Cup of 1986 too, and definitely was a huge fan of their Euro 1984 team.

I tend towards England when Norway isn't in a major tournament like the Euros or the World Cup (and our record there is at best sketchy), but my anglophile side has somewhat waned over the years.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Barrister on December 16, 2024, 03:31:27 PM
Quote from: Norgy on December 16, 2024, 02:55:29 PMI tend towards England when Norway isn't in a major tournament like the Euros or the World Cup (and our record there is at best sketchy), but my anglophile side has somewhat waned over the years.

I will say if Canada is not involved internationally (and let's be honest - they usually aren't) I'm full on pulling for Ukraine.  And that was before Putin invaded - either time.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on December 20, 2024, 09:34:47 AM
Today I found out.
Chelsea once murdered an opposition goalkeeper

http://ryehillfootball.co.uk/uncategorized/jimmy-thorpe-gave-his-life-for-sunderland-afc/
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on January 16, 2025, 02:07:59 PM
I have many, many questions:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c30dp1r73e4o
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on January 16, 2025, 03:18:57 PM
It is rather a dreamy headline, I must say.  :lol:
Falconer who showed cock put on pasture.

I wonder if any local clubs have a falconer. And an affinity for extremist politics.  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on January 16, 2025, 03:54:50 PM
Quote from: Norgy on January 16, 2025, 03:18:57 PMIt is rather a dreamy headline, I must say.  :lol:
Falconer who showed cock put on pasture.

I wonder if any local clubs have a falconer. And an affinity for extremist politics.  :hmm:

Benfica has an eagle. I mean it's not local, but could kick a falcons ass.

*edit* nvm the dickless wonder had an eagle too. Before starting to read the article I though he kept other birds away like those airport guys.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on January 19, 2025, 07:25:08 AM
Quote from: HVC on January 16, 2025, 03:54:50 PM
Quote from: Norgy on January 16, 2025, 03:18:57 PMIt is rather a dreamy headline, I must say.  :lol:
Falconer who showed cock put on pasture.

I wonder if any local clubs have a falconer. And an affinity for extremist politics.  :hmm:

Benfica has an eagle. I mean it's not local, but could kick a falcons ass.

*edit* nvm the dickless wonder had an eagle too. Before starting to read the article I though he kept other birds away like those airport guys.

That same guy used to work at Benfica, for the eagle as well.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on February 04, 2025, 07:49:10 AM
Any news from Norgy?

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/feb/03/free-pint-when-forest-score-pub-loses-1500-after-seven-goal-rampage (https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/feb/03/free-pint-when-forest-score-pub-loses-1500-after-seven-goal-rampage)

QuoteFree pint when Forest score!': pub loses £1,500 after seven-goal rampage
Landlady of The Gedling Inn says there were 'lots of belly laughs' but the free beer promotion may be a one-off
Jessica Murray Midlands correspondent
Mon 3 Feb 2025 18.28 CET

It had seemed like the perfect promotion to get a few more punters through the door on a Saturday afternoon – give away a free pint for every goal scored by Nottingham Forest that day.

But seven goals and £1,500 worth of pints later, Nottinghamshire pub landlady Beccy Webster realised she might have scored a spectacular own goal.

"It got to half-time and I thought: 'Oh my gosh, I don't know if I can carry this on.' But I decided I was sticking to my word," she said. "This is what I've said I'm going to do. Whether it's four, five, six, seven, 10 goals, I'm seeing it through now. We ended up giving away 300 pints."

Nottingham Forest fans Greg Mitchell, co-founder of the Forza Garibaldi fan group, and Matt Davies from the Forest Focus podcast, by the Trent End of the City Ground.
'Win the league? It feels possible': Nottingham Forest fans dare to dream

It was only about 45 minutes before kick-off when Webster decided to create the offer at her pub, The Gedling Inn, which she has been running for the past six years. Having only recently got TNT Sports installed on the TV, she was keen to make the most of being able to broadcast the Nottingham Forest game live.

"FREE PINT WHEN FOREST SCORE!!", read the post on Instagram, issued about 20 minutes before the team's Premier League match against Brighton started at 12.30pm on Saturday.

The first goal hit the net after 12 minutes, and they soon started coming thick and fast – the final score was 7-0 to Nottingham Forest, to much jubilation among the football fans gathered in the pub.

"It was just pure adrenaline. We were running with the fact the pub was so vibrant, everyone was happy," said Webster's partner, Cassian Prime, who runs the pub alongside her. "Coming off the back of a five-nil loss [the previous weekend], to see everybody happy and cheering and dancing and singing, it was absolutely amazing.

"A lot of the punters were our regulars anyway, so they were almost just laughing at us. They were lining up, getting the pints, and they'd literally put the pint on the table and another goal would go in. There were just lots of belly laughs."

As the seventh goal went in, the couple poured themselves a drink and joined in.

Prime had been away from the pub that day, working on some house renovations, and was unaware of the free pint promotion until his phone was inundated with messages.

"My phone was like a hot potato, it was pinging away with people saying, 'you're a legend, we can't believe you've done it, you guys are class,' and I had no idea what they were talking about," said Prime.

"So I went to the pub and it was in uproar, and Beccy came creeping from downstairs and told me. At this point it was 3-0, so I just thought hopefully we sit back, we defend, and try to hold on to the lead. Instead, we went and scored another four."

The couple said that, despite the hefty bill, they don't regret the decision. Their story has been reported across the globe, and brought an unprecedented level of attention and new customers to the pub.

As Webster speaks, a group of Nottingham Forest fans walk through the door, hoping to get a selfie with the owners of the now-famous venue.

"The pub has gone globally viral, we've been contacted from people in South Africa and France and Brazil. So for the £1,500, approximately, that it cost us, the publicity that's come with it is quite a bargain," said Prime.

They also joked that Nottingham Forest FC might help cover the costs. "The owner has got enough money to come and pay the bar tab, so if he could get in touch, we could sit and have a pint together or something," said Webster.

In the meantime, they're mulling over whether to continue with the promotion for future matches. "I think we definitely want to roll with the momentum – I'm not sure whether we could do the free pints again for every goal but you never know," said Webster. "We'll see what backing we get."
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on February 04, 2025, 08:58:15 AM
Forest have been amazing this season. Seven goals with just 35% possession - but they are so incisive and quick when they get it. So many good players but I particularly like Elanga.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on February 04, 2025, 11:06:45 AM
I haven't followed them at all but its really bizarre they've gone from narrowly avoiding relegation to (outside) title competitors in under a year.

I'm hoping Sunderland's hoodoo/low form period of constantly throwing away points at the end of the game is over. We should be top of the table but for the constant dumb errors.
We recently signed a French guy on loan (option to buy if we go up), Enzo Le Fee, he is absolutely fantastic, best player in the league without doubt.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on February 04, 2025, 01:14:59 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on February 04, 2025, 07:49:10 AMAny news from Norgy?


Present.
Seven goals is nothing to sneeze at, but I was sat home in front of the TV, imbibing not-so-free store-brand cola.
Forest seem to have cracked some code with possession mattering very little.
I was quite sure Chris Wood was deadweight when he was signed. I was very wrong. Elanga's been amazing, and the central defence is the best pairing I have seen since Lloyd/Burns. Des Walker never had a really great partner in the Forest defence, sadly.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on February 12, 2025, 09:48:38 PM
I loved the ending of the latest Merseyside  :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on February 13, 2025, 07:35:27 AM
Same :ph34r: :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on March 26, 2025, 03:02:55 AM
So the qualifiers are off. Again.
After a reasonably solid 5-0 win against Moldova, Norway faced Israel last night. Away. Another win, not an amazingly convincing game, but Norway finally seems to have a team, rather than just an Ødegaard and Haaland.

I am, however, so disconnected from the world of football that I am not even sure which tournament we are qualifying for.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on March 26, 2025, 03:59:17 AM
Quote from: Norgy on March 26, 2025, 03:02:55 AMSo the qualifiers are off. Again.
After a reasonably solid 5-0 win against Moldova, Norway faced Israel last night. Away. Another win, not an amazingly convincing game, but Norway finally seems to have a team, rather than just an Ødegaard and Haaland.

I am, however, so disconnected from the world of football that I am not even sure which tournament we are qualifying for.

World cup. Ever prospect of Haaland being deported to El Salvador for a woke goal celebration
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on March 26, 2025, 05:40:03 AM
Who'd have thought this multi country world Cup would have been the politically awkward one.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 26, 2025, 08:12:54 AM
Quote from: Norgy on March 26, 2025, 03:02:55 AMSo the qualifiers are off. Again.
After a reasonably solid 5-0 win against Moldova, Norway faced Israel last night. Away. Another win, not an amazingly convincing game, but Norway finally seems to have a team, rather than just an Ødegaard and Haaland.

I am, however, so disconnected from the world of football that I am not even sure which tournament we are qualifying for.

World Cup 2026, ™Donnie from Queen's Edition"

League of Nations was played just before these qualifiers, and have an influence on those, so things were more complex than needed.
No big surprises in the Final Four, though favourites suffered.
Portugal plays better without Ronaldo, who cannot play 90 minutes anymore. Still, Denmark won deservedly the first game and could have qualified, despite losing in overtime 5-2. Last 30 minutes were played without CR7.

The Dutch lost once again on penalties, against Spain this time. France has a goalkeeper who can stop them now, so they compensated the earlier loss against Croatia.

As for Germany-Italy, tie but the Nationalelf had won the first game. Germans scored a goal while Donnarumma was too busy talking or doing something else on a quickly shot corner kick.

Great, spectacular games for the neutral spectator.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 26, 2025, 08:13:54 AM
Quote from: Josquius on March 26, 2025, 05:40:03 AMWho'd have thought this multi country world Cup would have been the politically awkward one.

You mean more than Russia in 2018, Qatar in 2022 or Saudia Arabia in 2034? Unfair for North Americans such as Mexicans and Canadians.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on March 26, 2025, 09:07:36 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on March 26, 2025, 08:13:54 AM
Quote from: Josquius on March 26, 2025, 05:40:03 AMWho'd have thought this multi country world Cup would have been the politically awkward one.

You mean more than Russia in 2018, Qatar in 2022 or Saudia Arabia in 2030? Unfair for North Americans such as Mexicans and Canadians.  :P

It's Spain/Portugal/Morocco in 2030
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 26, 2025, 09:57:37 AM
Quote from: Gups on March 26, 2025, 09:07:36 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on March 26, 2025, 08:13:54 AM
Quote from: Josquius on March 26, 2025, 05:40:03 AMWho'd have thought this multi country world Cup would have been the politically awkward one.

You mean more than Russia in 2018, Qatar in 2022 or Saudia Arabia in 2034? Unfair for North Americans such as Mexicans and Canadians.  :P

It's Spain/Portugal/Morocco in 2030

Typo edited out. :blush:
Point still stands.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on April 01, 2025, 04:15:09 PM
"You're not famous anymore".

That's what the fans of other sides sang to us.

Tonight, the City Ground rang out with that to Man Utd.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 11, 2025, 09:42:13 AM
For the North Americans fans of Association Football over here, the next Gold Cup :

(https://www.concacaf.com/media/myrdz5ac/all-groups-wide.png?width=1000)

https://www.concacaf.com/en/gold-cup/news/draw-delivers-groups-for-2025-concacaf-gold-cup/ (https://www.concacaf.com/en/gold-cup/news/draw-delivers-groups-for-2025-concacaf-gold-cup/)

Yes, Saudi Arabia plays this tournament.  :P Way to imitate the worst of Copa América, to end up as a the cheapest possible knock-off?  :hmm:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on April 11, 2025, 10:28:09 AM
Saudi Arabia are going to host the WC in 2034, they are going thru the same kind of preparation Qatar did.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 11, 2025, 12:30:23 PM
That, or money can buy you a ticket for the Copa América or Gold Cup.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on April 12, 2025, 08:14:49 AM
The "Golden Generation" of Norway has in many ways been disappointing. There's Ødegaard, one, in my opinion, of Europe's best midfielders. Haaland is a shoo-in for "Europe's best three forwards". We do really lack the defence we had in the 90s, but this was a choice from the football association, let us focus on attack.

Sørloth, whose father also was an international, is a beast that you don't want to play against. Ajer at Brentford is, well, not a player I would pick.

Bodø-Glimt, a small provincial club, is doing well in European cups and is probably qualified for the Champions' League next season. What they have done on shoestring budgets and a small stadium is simply beyond belief.

I remember playing myself, and I wouldn't stand a chance at even fifth rate footballers these days. The technique, the pace, the sheer physical power, overwhelmingly much better than 20-30 years ago.

I'd love to see the reactions of managers if John Robertson or Preben Elkjær went off for a ciggie in the men's room at half-time these days.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Syt on April 12, 2025, 08:18:33 AM
Time to bring back Rune Bratset. :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on April 13, 2025, 04:54:24 AM
One of the nicest people I have met, actually. Gave me a signed Werder Bremen scarf.
He even knew when to retire. He was just 33, but said it was time to call quits. His strength was his pace and positioning and he fitted perfectly into Rehagel's Werder Bremen as a libero.

My uncle worked with him, as Bratseth is a teacher, for some years (so is my uncle, which is why I am so S-M-R-T). They played indoor football in the evenings, and it contributed quite significantly to the number of sick notes.


And Forest, of course, managed to not score and seem afraid of possession of the ball.  <_<  :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on April 13, 2025, 07:17:08 AM
You guys think Spurs will fire Postecoglou?

I'd rather they didn't, but I think if they don't make it to the Europa League final they'll have to. He's been really not smart in his relations to the English press.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 13, 2025, 10:14:46 AM
If they haven't by now I suspect it'll be at the end of the season.

I'm amazed he's still in a job given that Spurs are currently beneath Everton in the table (:blink:) - I could be wrong but my guess is they want a replacement lined up to take over as soon as the season ends.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on April 13, 2025, 11:48:54 AM
Spurs should definitely keep him.
Managers simply get very little time to make an impact these days. If I am not mistaken, Forest were close to firing Nuno last summer.

A little ruffle with the press hasn't stopped managers like Clough or Mourinho from achieving success.

A group of players needs some stability around them, and to learn whatever new tactics are being implemented. Give managers more time. Yes, losing hurts, but throwing the baby out with the bathwater is not a long-term solution.
Just look at Man United.
I have an inkling Amorim, despite his credentials, is a likely candidate for a summer departure, and that those Red Devils will once again sign a big name manager who can't get anything out of that group of players.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on April 26, 2025, 03:18:05 AM
Big game for Forest this weekend.
The underdogs against the might of Manchester City.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: mongers on April 26, 2025, 11:22:27 AM
Quote from: Norgy on April 26, 2025, 03:18:05 AMBig game for Forest this weekend.
The underdogs against the might of Manchester City.



Good luck.

Old Big Ead's spirit is rooting for them.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on April 26, 2025, 01:12:42 PM
The FA Cup was the only trophy that evaded him.  :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: HVC on April 26, 2025, 08:40:29 PM
Guess Wrexham got promoted again?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on April 26, 2025, 08:50:04 PM
Quote from: HVC on April 26, 2025, 08:40:29 PMGuess Wrexham got promoted again?

Yes, beating Beckham's team to it!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on April 27, 2025, 02:39:46 AM
Wrexham's journey is truly Hollywood stuff, literally and figuratively speaking. Well done.
Phil Parkinson does not strike me as a very modern manager, but don't change what obviously works.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 27, 2025, 02:51:54 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 26, 2025, 08:50:04 PM
Quote from: HVC on April 26, 2025, 08:40:29 PMGuess Wrexham got promoted again?

Yes, beating Beckham's team to it!

Salford did have a far better tv show. Shame they stopped making it.

This all really does show there's still a lot of work to do with reforming promotion from non League. Wrexham are flying up now they're in the League and there's multiple promotion spots. They're not the only ones to have done this. It's just that initial escape the national league spot.

Though the league 1 to championship jump is usually quite a speed bump. I guess Wrexhams tv status helped them a lot with that.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on April 27, 2025, 07:47:25 AM
Quote from: HVC on April 26, 2025, 08:40:29 PMGuess Wrexham got promoted again?

Against my team. Very annoying but they deserved it in the day. We'll have to try our luck in the play offs.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on April 27, 2025, 12:27:46 PM
And Liverpool win the title with four games to spare
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on April 27, 2025, 12:29:42 PM
Fuck Manchester City.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 27, 2025, 01:38:49 PM
Liverpool are now joint top for number of times they've won the league. One more and Man Utd are pushed into second.

Sunderland remain 7th ^_^
World wars aren't good to us.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on April 27, 2025, 01:43:27 PM
Quote from: Josquius on April 27, 2025, 01:38:49 PMWorld wars aren't good to us.
We're not good for World Wars :ph34r: I think Everton won the league in 1914 and 1939.

Which should reassure everyone in the US-China war thread.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on April 27, 2025, 02:06:47 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 27, 2025, 01:43:27 PM
Quote from: Josquius on April 27, 2025, 01:38:49 PMWorld wars aren't good to us.
We're not good for World Wars :ph34r: I think Everton won the league in 1914 and 1939.

Which should reassure everyone in the US-China war thread.

Man. There's a sliding doors moment.
The other year when Everton looked like going down and the finances were so bad there were mutterings of administration...
That's the timeline where people realise what voting for trump means, Putin falls out of a window, and Art Brut write their song to make Israel and Palestine get along.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on April 30, 2025, 11:00:02 PM
I watched Inter against Barcelona. It depressed me as a Spurs fan. They're so far ahead in terms of talent it's not even funny.

I doubt any Premier League team could measure up honestly.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 01, 2025, 02:22:49 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on April 30, 2025, 11:00:02 PMI watched Inter against Barcelona. It depressed me as a Spurs fan. They're so far ahead in terms of talent it's not even funny.

I doubt any Premier League team could measure up honestly.

Arsenal are bookies favourites... Or at least they were before the PSG game.

Ive said it before but the PL teams really suffer in Europe from more competitive domestic competitions.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 01, 2025, 06:58:09 AM
Quote from: Josquius on May 01, 2025, 02:22:49 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on April 30, 2025, 11:00:02 PMI watched Inter against Barcelona. It depressed me as a Spurs fan. They're so far ahead in terms of talent it's not even funny.

I doubt any Premier League team could measure up honestly.

Arsenal are bookies favourites... Or at least they were before the PSG game.

Ive said it before but the PL teams really suffer in Europe from more competitive domestic competitions.

I would not call Qatari gas-powered Ligue des Tas Lents more competitive. It's been PSG for 10 years or so, with a couple exceptions.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on May 01, 2025, 07:14:32 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on May 01, 2025, 06:58:09 AM
Quote from: Josquius on May 01, 2025, 02:22:49 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on April 30, 2025, 11:00:02 PMI watched Inter against Barcelona. It depressed me as a Spurs fan. They're so far ahead in terms of talent it's not even funny.

I doubt any Premier League team could measure up honestly.

Arsenal are bookies favourites... Or at least they were before the PSG game.

Ive said it before but the PL teams really suffer in Europe from more competitive domestic competitions.

I would not call Qatari gas-powered Ligue des Tas Lents more competitive. It's been PSG for 10 years or so, with a couple exceptions.

I think he means the opposite. EPL is more competitive. I think it is generally true that the mid-level EPL teams are much better (because much richer) than their continental counterparts.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 07, 2025, 02:43:33 PM
https://www.si.com/soccer/jd-vance-warns-world-cup-fans-about-overstaying-their-welcome (https://www.si.com/soccer/jd-vance-warns-world-cup-fans-about-overstaying-their-welcome)

JD Vance, football edition:

QuoteJD Vance Warns World Cup Fans About Overstaying Their Welcome

Eleven of the 16 host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are in the United States.
Amanda Langell | 3 Hours Ago
The United States is preparing to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.



Goal of the Matchday 11: Lionel Messi





-00:00




Vice President JD Vance issued a warning to fans from all over the world coming to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The United States, Canada and Mexico are hosting the biggest competition in soccer next summer. The newly expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, featuring 48 teams, will unfold on North American soil for the first time since 1994.
Of the 104 matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, 60 will occur in the United States, including every game from the quarterfinals onward. Fans from across the globe are set to visit the host nation to experience the largest edition of the tournament in history.
When speaking about the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Vice President Vance said, "Of course everyone is welcome to come and see this wonderful event. We want them to come, we want them to celebrate, we want them to watch the games.
"But when the time is up we want them to go home, otherwise they will have to talk to Secretary Noem," he added, referring to Kristi Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security.

How gracious! But then some people actually went to Qatar despite no hotels but of the luxury kind.
Good thing Canada and Mexico are available for the –wealthy– fans.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on May 07, 2025, 03:33:29 PM
In other news, Arsenal now cannot win anything this year and Spurs have a decent chance of winning the Europa League.

It makes this thoroughly depressing season redeemable.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 07, 2025, 03:54:49 PM
And of course, Arsenal just scored a goal, giving them hope for the stoppage time.
Still need 2 more to eliminate PSG, however.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 08, 2025, 02:00:27 AM
I've only seen highlights.

Arsenal - PSG

 Meh.

Barca - Inter
 
holy crap that was awesome.

So. We are all Milanese now?


Tomorrow the championship playoffs begin.
Sunderland are in there as we've known they would be for 2 months.
For the past few games they've been treating every game like a friendly and just half arsing them as they had nothing to fight for. 5 defeats on the trot.
It's a big worry whether they'll return to early season form or keep going playing in relegation form....
Also annoying is our opponents are Coventry. Long a club of awful cheats, they're playing really well at the moment too.

I'm not hopeful.
Which is depressing as if there's no promotion the squad is bound to be demolished. Le Fee is going back to Italy, Bellingham and Neal are moving to the Premier league, etc...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 08, 2025, 07:45:24 AM
Quote from: Josquius on May 08, 2025, 02:00:27 AMI've only seen highlights.

Arsenal - PSG

 Meh.

Barca - Inter
 
holy crap that was awesome.

So. We are all Interisti now?

Fixed!

A.C Milan did not qualify.  :smarty:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on May 08, 2025, 03:31:26 PM
Shaping up for Spurs - Man U Europa League final.  :bowler:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Baron von Schtinkenbutt on May 08, 2025, 04:17:09 PM
Which is kinda funny, considering where they both ended up in the EPL.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on May 08, 2025, 06:57:17 PM
We don't talk about that  :mad:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on May 10, 2025, 02:38:01 PM
No love for unfancied Norwegian side Bodø-Glimt?
A side that first came to light in the 1970s in Norway when teams north of Trøndelag were finally allowed to compete in the normal Norwegian league as travel became more affordable.

What that club has done is more than just sensational. When I grew up, they were a stable tier three team along with my hometown club. Now they have fought, and lost, a semi-final in Europe. It is unbelievable. When they demolished AS Roma under Mourinho, I thought, okay that was a one-off, but they have just continued impressing. Exporting their best talent, Bodø has still managed to stay on top of the Norwegian league and perform miracles in Europe.

They are not my team, but this was quite the adventure.  :uffda:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 10, 2025, 03:47:00 PM
I listened to this about them the other week.  :)


I do like the "Force Real Madrid et al to play in the the arctic" factor.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 13, 2025, 03:05:56 AM
Play offs second leg tonight.

First leg went well. Seems Sunderland can indeed turn performing on and off and the kick up the bum of a game that mattered got them playing well.
Sunderland really sat back and let Coventry attack and ran out 2-1 winners. That 1 coming in a moment where concentration dropped directly  after scoring our first.
We do play better when in this position I've found. When asked to be the dominant team our strikers can often struggle but when hitting teams on the break... That's where we shine.
And really counting unhatched poultry here... But I do think this would put us in good stead when it comes to the Premier league.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on May 13, 2025, 05:18:43 AM
Sunderland is one of those teams I have a lot of sympathy for.
Not only for beating Liverpool in the FA Cup final the year I was born, but for falling from high heaven to deep depths.

I think former Forest striker Peter Davenport went to Sunderland after his move and career in Man Utd was in absolute shambles, and managed something like 11 goals well over a 100 starts.

Forest have gotten a serious case of mental backlash, it seems. van Nistelrooy's Leicester should've been easy to pick apart, instead Forest once again fail at the one thing that the team has been very good at: Defending.

In any case, Forest will play in Europe next season no matter what.

I can hear Cloughie up there on that green grass pitch where he and Peter Taylor sit waiting for John Robertson to join them saying "I am not talking to cheating bastards". He had good reasons. Derby County were cheated out of a final when they played Juventus, and Forest were definitely cheated out of a UEFA Cup final when they played Anderlecht in 1984.

Nuno will give Arne Slot a run for his money as Manager of the year, I think. Getting that band of rabble and rejects into a proper force is, in my opinion, more impressive than inheriting one of the best squads in English football (apart from Man City) and playing slightly more entertaining than Klopp's side. But Liverpool have been really, really good. Except against Forest, Newcastle and Everton.

I think Everton should nail down David Moyes on the bench there, as it seems he has a knack with that particular club.

In Norway, things are going to shit for my hometown team, and for my number two, Vålerenga. So...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 13, 2025, 11:31:50 AM
Vancouver's Whitecaps FC is doing quite well in the MLS recently, under the new Danish head coach.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 13, 2025, 02:30:26 PM
Quote from: Jacob on May 13, 2025, 11:31:50 AMVancouver's Whitecaps FC is doing quite well in the MLS recently, under the new Danish head coach.

Not just MLS. they won CONCACAF champions league.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 13, 2025, 03:09:11 PM
Quote from: Josephus on May 13, 2025, 02:30:26 PM
Quote from: Jacob on May 13, 2025, 11:31:50 AMVancouver's Whitecaps FC is doing quite well in the MLS recently, under the new Danish head coach.

Not just MLS. they won CONCACAF champions league.

I believe the final is in Mexico on June 1st.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josephus on May 14, 2025, 06:39:48 AM
Quote from: Jacob on May 13, 2025, 03:09:11 PM
Quote from: Josephus on May 13, 2025, 02:30:26 PM
Quote from: Jacob on May 13, 2025, 11:31:50 AMVancouver's Whitecaps FC is doing quite well in the MLS recently, under the new Danish head coach.

Not just MLS. they won CONCACAF champions league.

I believe the final is in Mexico on June 1st.



My bad. I thought the game against Miami was the final.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on May 14, 2025, 10:06:00 AM
That's ok, it kind of felt like it here.  :)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on May 14, 2025, 11:48:32 AM
Messi's getting older, but I see he's still making mincemeat out of his opponents in the MLS.

So, an open question. When will China get a decent football side? We had some second rate players going there for big money a decade or so ago, but it seems the Chinese are now all about homegrown players.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 14, 2025, 12:00:21 PM
Quote from: Norgy on May 14, 2025, 11:48:32 AMMessi's getting older, but I see he's still making mincemeat out of his opponents in the MLS.

Not in Vancouver he isn't  :showoff:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Threviel on May 17, 2025, 12:11:32 AM
Last year we started watching football, went to a few games and fell for a Gothenburg team, GAIS (Gothenburg Athletic and Sports Association), that's something of a Swedish Sunderland. Was great until the 60's and after that been yo-yoing.

The big team in Gothenburg is IFK Göteborg that has a glorious history, mostly in the 80's and 90's. Won two UEFA cups and had some great runs in the European cup and Champions League. The only Scandinavian team to actually win a European cup.

They've been on a downward slope for a few decades now, have only won one championship in the 2000's (2007) and have been fighting to not get relegated for the last few seasons.

Last year GAIS ended up best in town (there are two other serious clubs in Gothenburg) and IFK successfully staved off relegation.

This season (Sweden does spring/autumn seasons) GAIS has started a bit worse than last year and IFK a bit better. Last game was a GAIS away game where they met the local team from our area, Halmstad BK. We of course won and Diabate did a hat-trick. Great game, good fun.

IFK on the other hand met the second to last team, a team that's only won one game and is on a fast track for relegation. Of course an IFK player did an own-goal whereby a drunk fan ran into the field and attacked the other team. IFK lost the game and are now the laughing stock of the league and there's a lot of internal problems. Hopefully they'll implode and get relegated.

This football thing is great fun, we should have started earlier.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 17, 2025, 06:34:33 AM
Sunderland won.
On the day they were awful. Offered little till the last minutes and Coventry scored an aggregate equaliser. It went into extra time and Sunderland  scored with the last touch of the game, avoiding dreaded penalties.

Next is Sheffield Utd at Wembley...
If Sunderland actually show up they should be able to win.
Sheffield are better on paper but this season we beat them 2-1 and then after a dodgy red card lost 1-0.

Quote from: Norgy on May 13, 2025, 05:18:43 AMSunderland is one of those teams I have a lot of sympathy for.
Not only for beating Liverpool in the FA Cup final the year I was born, but for falling from high heaven to deep depths.
I will sadly be harming sympathies to Sunderland here but... I'm not sure what you're referring to here.
We lost to Liverpool in the 92 FA Cup and beat Leeds in 73.
The only other time we won the cup was in the 30s where we beat Preston.

I think we broadly have forest sympathies with the Clough connection.



It's mad Forest are doing so well this year. Shame they seem to have missed out on the CL. And not just for NUFC getting in.

Though my usual sympathy for the team is a bit low lately with their recent financial dodginess.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 17, 2025, 10:16:50 AM
I have a soft spot for Forest - but also I really like and rate Nuno so I'm glad to see him do well.

It's a bit like Emery where I think he got a job at a difficult point at a club that he perhaps wasn't suited to (to Spurs fans credit I think there was less borderline racist abused than Emery got) - and then basically got written off by the press. So I'm really glad to see him - like Emery - go somewhere else that's perhaps a bit less pressure, a bit more open to him and his style and doing really well.

It's that really bad habit the English press have in relation to managers and players who go to the bigger Premier League clubs of seeing them not succeeding/getting fired there as a damning indictment of them generally. Although I think the perma-crisis at United is possibly starting to change that view :lol:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 17, 2025, 10:19:38 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on May 17, 2025, 10:16:50 AMI have a soft spot for Forest - but also I really like and rate Nuno so I'm glad to see him do well.

It's a bit like Emery where I think he got a job at a difficult point at a club that he perhaps wasn't suited to (to Spurs fans credit I think there was less borderline racist abused than Emery got) - and then basically got written off by the press. So I'm really glad to see him - like Emery - go somewhere else that's perhaps a bit less pressure, a bit more open to him and his style and doing really well.

It's that really bad habit the English press have in relation to managers and players who go to the bigger Premier League clubs of seeing them not succeeding/getting fired there as a damning indictment of them generally. Although I think the perma-crisis at United is possibly starting to change that view :lol:


Wish they'd do that for managers who fail at other clubs
Moyes should never have worked again.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 17, 2025, 10:20:31 AM
You leave Moyes alone! :o :ultra:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 17, 2025, 12:32:27 PM
Moyes is... Insert bad words here.


So.... AFC Richmond beat Man City in the FA Cup final.
This is a good thing.
As much as Crystal Palace aren't a real "core" premier league team of course. But that makes it better in a way.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on May 21, 2025, 04:08:03 PM
I cried today. I've been waiting so long for this.  :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on May 21, 2025, 08:31:42 PM
(https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/800/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2025/5/21/bca735cb-d896-446d-b68d-4a49c21382e5.png)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 21, 2025, 08:44:49 PM
 :showoff:  :cheers:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on May 22, 2025, 04:03:40 PM
Saves the season for Spurs.

Big, big game for Nottingham Forest Saturday. And we usually don't do well in those, as proven by the performance against Man City in the FA cup semi.

Chelsea at home should on paper be a clear away win, if you look at the teams. But the Forest team this season, it has over-performed even when it's been poor.

The game probably will decide the future of a few players as well. I am not sure Elanga and Gibbs-White are going to stay if there won't be Champions League football at the City Ground.

Although Arne Slot is a shoo-in for Manager of the year, I think Nuno has done something almost Clough-like with Forest this season.
And after so many years in the Championship, and even League One, Nottingham Forest are at least back.

Josq, I am not too enamoured by Marinakis. And his, well, rather sketchy record. That being said, the money he has put into the club is no chicken feed, it has been massive. Sustainability has been a Forest issue since the failure to regain promotion after the relegation from the Premier League. David Platt wasted most of it on some very uninspiring signings, and after that, when Scholar and the other owners were finished dismantling the club.

Forest then set up a Transfer Acquisition Panel when Nigel Doughty saved the club from bankruptcy. So no manager could really buy players. And we had so many bad managers. Kinnear. Megson. Freedman. Billy Davies.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on May 22, 2025, 04:45:01 PM
:cheers:

Also very pleased for Palace.

Genuine question - I was speaking with a friend about this. We both came up during the Fergie years, and despite many, many years of (at best) mediocrity still find it quite funny and good to see United lose. Do you think that ever goes or is your sense of basically who the biggest/always winning teams are basically just set when you're a kid?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 22, 2025, 05:04:52 PM
I think it takes at least a decade and a half of sustained mediocrity for it to even start fading.

I mean, it is funny to see Man Utd lose, but not as funny as would've been. Nowadays I think it'd be funnier to see Man City lose.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 22, 2025, 06:36:43 PM
The question there is a bit fuzzy because Man Utd have always been a good team.
I think they fucked up one year in the 70s and got relegated for a season and have had a few mediocre finishes over the decades but broadly pick a year since the war and they're almost certainly top 10. Probably even top 4.

Though there's something to that yes.
Liverpool were crushing it in the 80s about as much as man Utd in the 90s, but this dropped off shortly before the Premier league came into existence and throughout the 90s they were... Good. Always top 4. But never really seriously winning anything of note. So I don't really think of them as a top top team like man Utd.

Where I find this weirder isn't so much with the best teams but rather lower down the Premier league. Kids these days growing up thinking Brentford are a proper premier league team....
I have a list in my head from the 90s/00s of who are the natural premier league teams and deviations from that go against nature.

And yes. Seeing the oil sheikh teams crash would be better.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on May 23, 2025, 07:55:07 AM
I enjoy seeing Man City lose.  :)
While Haaland is a good striker, he is a cunt.
In the 80s, seeing Liverpool being beaten was a rare but enjoyable treat. Forest lost two FA Cup semis against Liverpool, and they were pretty much a bogey team in every match. A nil-five drubbing at Anfield in a season Forest finished third with Clough's second "good side" with Pearce, Walker, Webb, Hodge and Clough among the stand-out players still hurts. A bit, at least.

I never managed to muster much hatred against Man Utd, even when they beat Forest 8-0 at the City Ground with a clueless Big Ron Atkinson at the helm at Forest. But I loathed George Graham's Arsenal teams. They were, perhaps, not as boring as the moniker they were given, but still.

Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: bogh on May 24, 2025, 03:41:16 AM
Tomorrow is the final game day of the Danish Super League.

We (FC Copenhagen) are ahead of FC Midtjylland by a single point. We should clinch it, but the ball is round etc and it would be very in character for FCM to steal it away (again) at the last minute through some fluke event.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 24, 2025, 04:02:07 AM
Today is the play off final. Sunderland vs Sheffield United for a place in the Premier league and quarter of a billion pounds.

We beat them once before and then after a dodgy red card lost to them.

They do have a stronger team but I really think this is where Sunderland can thrive, absorbing pressure and hitting them on the break.

If we actually show up today we can win.

Extra important as fail and the team will be dismantled needing a full rebuild.

Nail biting stuff.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on May 24, 2025, 10:14:58 AM
My team Charlton also in a play off final  but tomorrow. Sold out our 39k allocation and could have sold 50k. Looking forward to a trip to Wembley and getting out of bloody league one
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on May 24, 2025, 11:51:36 AM
Well done Sunderland, last minute winner is always sweet
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Richard Hakluyt on May 24, 2025, 12:36:00 PM
Good news about Sunderland, my old man would be delighted if he were still around  :cool:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Jacob on May 24, 2025, 01:14:00 PM
Quote from: Gups on May 24, 2025, 10:14:58 AMMy team Charlton also in a play off final  but tomorrow. Sold out our 39k allocation and could have sold 50k. Looking forward to a trip to Wembley and getting out of bloody league one

Playing Leyton Orient, is that right?

Is one of the team more favoured to win, or is it a pretty even matchup?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on May 24, 2025, 01:17:52 PM
:w00t:

Sunderland opened terribly. Only good goalkeeping kept us alive. Then we threw away a really stupid goal and conceded from a corner we took.

We never really played our best throughout most of the game. And the way the game was going with us in control would have been tough even at our best. Didn't look good at all.

That the winner came from Watson... He controversially signed for Brighton a few months ago and has been playing rubbish since. Lots of people questioning why play him. But this should have him leaving on good terms.

Good luck to Charlton. I see they're against Leyton Orient who were non League not so long ago.
Seems to be a real trend for non leaguers to smash through league 2 at least and then often do well in 1.
I wonder what's behind that.
Certainly seems to point towards a need for more fluidity at the bottom of l2.

League 1 is indeed an awful league where the quality is just high enough good players get noticed but pinning them down beyond a year or two is impossible.

We get to avoid Wrexham next year. That's good.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on May 24, 2025, 01:52:37 PM
Quote from: Jacob on May 24, 2025, 01:14:00 PM
Quote from: Gups on May 24, 2025, 10:14:58 AMMy team Charlton also in a play off final  but tomorrow. Sold out our 39k allocation and could have sold 50k. Looking forward to a trip to Wembley and getting out of bloody league one

Playing Leyton Orient, is that right?

Is one of the team more favoured to win, or is it a pretty even matchup?

Yep. Who knows, it's a toin coss at this stage. We are a bigger club but that means nothing.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on May 25, 2025, 06:54:46 AM
Is there a strong rivalry between Charlton and Orient? I remember Frank Clark, the later Forest manager, spending a long time as both manager and kind of director for Leyton Orient (or Orient as they were called then).

The London football scene seems rather strong in any case, with several PL clubs and representation in the Championship.

One of the striking things about Norwegian football these days is that the hegemony is well outside the capital, with northern team Bodø-Glimt, Molde and Brann from Bergen being far stronger than any side from Oslo. One of the oldest clubs in the country, Lyn, was bankrupt about a decade ago, and has slowly worked themselves up from 6th tier to 2nd tier in Norway. Vålerenga, the traditional working-class club of Oslo, is about as predictable as a bull with mustard up its arse. They produce a lot of talent, but can't seem to create strong sides anymore.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on May 25, 2025, 12:18:41 PM
Damn it.  :cry:
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: bogh on May 25, 2025, 08:50:42 PM
Copenhagen did it. 3-0 and we won the league by a single point...
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on May 26, 2025, 02:27:58 AM
Quote from: Norgy on May 25, 2025, 06:54:46 AMIs there a strong rivalry between Charlton and Orient? I remember Frank Clark, the later Forest manager, spending a long time as both manager and kind of director for Leyton Orient (or Orient as they were called then).

The London football scene seems rather strong in any case, with several PL clubs and representation in the Championship.

One of the striking things about Norwegian football these days is that the hegemony is well outside the capital, with northern team Bodø-Glimt, Molde and Brann from Bergen being far stronger than any side from Oslo. One of the oldest clubs in the country, Lyn, was bankrupt about a decade ago, and has slowly worked themselves up from 6th tier to 2nd tier in Norway. Vålerenga, the traditional working-class club of Oslo, is about as predictable as a bull with mustard up its arse. They produce a lot of talent, but can't seem to create strong sides anymore.


No real rivalry between Orient and Charlton. We've rarely played in the same league. Wembley was tense yesterday. Poor game but we maintained our 100% record in playoff finals.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Norgy on May 26, 2025, 02:33:11 AM
Well done!
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 31, 2025, 03:28:27 PM
Seems over for Inter now.
3-0 and a wounded Interista out, just after entering.
A well-deserved PSG lead.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 31, 2025, 03:49:19 PM
5-0 now.
What a carnage...
No stoppage time played as mercy to Inter.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on May 31, 2025, 04:51:29 PM
Paris brule-t-il?
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 31, 2025, 06:51:19 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on May 31, 2025, 04:51:29 PMParis brule-t-il?

Le Vieux-Port est bloqué en PLS par une nouvelle Sardine.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Grey Fox on June 02, 2025, 08:40:26 PM
Quote from: Jacob on May 13, 2025, 03:09:11 PM
Quote from: Josephus on May 13, 2025, 02:30:26 PM
Quote from: Jacob on May 13, 2025, 11:31:50 AMVancouver's Whitecaps FC is doing quite well in the MLS recently, under the new Danish head coach.

Not just MLS. they won CONCACAF champions league.

I believe the final is in Mexico on June 1st.



Unsurprisingly, CONCACAF wasn't letting a MLS team win and the Whitecaps got crushed.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 04, 2025, 08:54:59 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 02, 2025, 08:40:26 PM
Quote from: Jacob on May 13, 2025, 03:09:11 PM
Quote from: Josephus on May 13, 2025, 02:30:26 PM
Quote from: Jacob on May 13, 2025, 11:31:50 AMVancouver's Whitecaps FC is doing quite well in the MLS recently, under the new Danish head coach.

Not just MLS. they won CONCACAF champions league.

I believe the final is in Mexico on June 1st.



Unsurprisingly, CONCACAF wasn't letting a MLS team win and the Whitecaps got crushed.

That or Liga MX is better than the MLS.  :P
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: crazy canuck on June 04, 2025, 09:04:03 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on June 04, 2025, 08:54:59 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 02, 2025, 08:40:26 PM
Quote from: Jacob on May 13, 2025, 03:09:11 PM
Quote from: Josephus on May 13, 2025, 02:30:26 PM
Quote from: Jacob on May 13, 2025, 11:31:50 AMVancouver's Whitecaps FC is doing quite well in the MLS recently, under the new Danish head coach.

Not just MLS. they won CONCACAF champions league.

I believe the final is in Mexico on June 1st.



Unsurprisingly, CONCACAF wasn't letting a MLS team win and the Whitecaps got crushed.

That or Liga MX is better than the MLS.  :P

Yeah, I am not sure the desires of CONACAF had much influence on the result.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on June 04, 2025, 07:00:53 PM
Liga MX is miles ahead of the MLS. Stop smoking crack GF.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 04, 2025, 09:05:44 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on June 04, 2025, 07:00:53 PMLiga MX is miles ahead of the MLS. Stop smoking crack GF.

Its not like MLS has never won the Champions League before though.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on June 05, 2025, 02:42:37 AM
Good to see that the World Club Championship looks like it's going to be a massive flop with ticket prices being cut by 80%+ to try and get some bums on seats.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 05, 2025, 03:01:15 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on June 04, 2025, 07:00:53 PMLiga MX is miles ahead of the MLS. Stop smoking crack GF.

This is a topic I've often thought about. How do different national leagues compare to each other.
If I take England as a baseline my handwavy analysis would be that MLS's top teams sit around Championship mid table level and its bottom teams solidly League 1.
I've no idea on Mexico. How would its top teams fair plonked in the English system? (purely theoretical, assuming they've the same team but are located in the midlands with all their fans)
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Gups on June 05, 2025, 06:08:33 AM
I think that's about right. I remember Bradley Wright-Phillips being a decent League 1 striker for Charlton getting us promotion but poor in the Championship the following season (1 goal in 19 appearances). We didn't offer him a new contract and he moved to New York Red Bulls getting the MLS golden boot twice.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 05, 2025, 07:35:55 AM
Quote from: Gups on June 05, 2025, 02:42:37 AMGood to see that the World Club Championship looks like it's going to be a massive flop with ticket prices being cut by 80%+ to try and get some bums on seats.

Not to mention the Intercontinental Cup was cheaper for the fans.  :P

Just one plane ticket to Tokyo to book.  :D
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on June 05, 2025, 03:08:15 PM
Quote from: Gups on June 05, 2025, 02:42:37 AMGood to see that the World Club Championship looks like it's going to be a massive flop with ticket prices being cut by 80%+ to try and get some bums on seats.

Another issue is that it's in the US. Who knows where the next ICE gestapo raid will be. I wouldn't go.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Valmy on June 05, 2025, 03:20:08 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on June 05, 2025, 03:08:15 PM
Quote from: Gups on June 05, 2025, 02:42:37 AMGood to see that the World Club Championship looks like it's going to be a massive flop with ticket prices being cut by 80%+ to try and get some bums on seats.

Another issue is that it's in the US. Who knows where the next ICE gestapo raid will be. I wouldn't go.

Yeah the World Cup next year will be fun. The Argentinians will hoist the Cup and then instantly be cuffed and sent on military planes to South Sudan.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Zoupa on June 06, 2025, 05:26:33 PM
Spurs fired Ange. It might have been the right footballing decision but what an absolute gut punch emotionally.

I'm so tired of the revolving door for coaches in the modern game.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Josquius on June 06, 2025, 05:34:08 PM
Firing the manager who won you a European title is pretty crazy.
Title: Re: Football (Soccer) Thread
Post by: Sheilbh on June 10, 2025, 05:26:23 PM
I think there's a lot to the Michael Cox piece on it:
QuoteIn life, when something starts well and ends brilliantly, we tend to overlook the underwhelming bit in the middle: Xabi Alonso's spell at Liverpool, the various series of Alan Partridge, eating a Cornetto, the discography of David Bowie. Postecoglu has restored belief at Tottenham, but Tottenham were right not to believe in him as a long-term solution.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6402826/2025/06/07/ange-postecoglou-philosophy-personality-tottenham/
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